Indianapolis Times, Volume 35, Number 300, Indianapolis, Marion County, 27 April 1923 — Page 1

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VOLUME 35—NUMBER 300

TWELVE DIE IN TENEMENT FIRE

GARY ATTORNEYS MAKE PLEA FOP NEW HEARINGS Sixty Defendants Appear in Court as Lawyers Wrangle Over Motions, Rulings on motions for new trials and arrests of judgments in the cases of Mayor Roswell O. Johnson, mayor of Gary and other officials and resi|oents of County and Gary, will *l>e made by Judge Ferdiand A. Geiger in Federal Court late today or Saturday. Fifty-five defendants, found guilty of conspiracy to violate Federal prohibition laws by a jury March 31, together with five who entered pleas of guilty, were In court. If the motions are denied it is believed that Judge Geiger will proceed immediately to impose sentences. A strong plea for anew trial for Mayor Johnson was made by his attorrey, Moses B. Lairy. I-airy argued evidence as to the collection of funds for Johnson's mayoralty campaign was too remote to connect Johnson with a conspiracy. “It is going a long way to take a man's liberty from him on evidence like that,” he said. T. R. Tinkham, attorney for William H. Olds, sheriff of Lake County, and Bryan S. Narcovich, Gary lawyer, followed Lairy. Attorneys tor other defendants pre sented arguinents at the afternoon session.

COAST-10-COASI PREACHERS HERE ( Ten-Day Holiness Convention Opens at Merritt Pi, Church, Leaders of the Coast to Coast Evangelistic Tarty of the National Holiness Association arrived here late today to attend the ten-days sessions cf the International Holiness convention which opens tonight at the Merlitt Place M. E. Church. The Rev. Joseph H. Smith, evangelist of Redlands. Cal., the Rev. T M. Anderson of Willraore, Ky., and others are in the party. Important addresses will be made tonight. FARMER KILLS FIVE IN FAMILY Police Seek Husband and Father as Murderer, By United Pre** ISABEL, Okla., April 27.—Five persons were shot to death by a farmer near here. John Pope is sought In connection with the killing. Those killed were: Pope's wife, their two children and Mrs. Pope's parents, Mr. and Mrs. IT. H. Hansen. Tope and his wife, it was reported, were separated and Mrs. Pope and their children were living with her parents. U. s7~ OFFICIAL INJURED William Garrabrant Suffers Broken Iveg on Fishing Trip. William Garrabrant. deputy United States marshal, was at the Methodist Hospital today suffering from a, broken leg. Garrabrant. with Linus P. Meredith. United States marshal, was fish Ing Friday on Sugar Creek in Shelby County when Garrabrant slipped and broke his right, leg above the ankle. Foster Reappointed Governor McCray today announced reappointment of Samuel M. Foster of Ft. Wayne as a member of the Indiana historical commission. Fosters term will be for four years, from April 26. Lieber Views Dunes Richard Lie'oer, director of the State department of conservation, was in Michigan City today arranging for a meeting of the committee which will buy 200.000 acres of sand dunes to constitute Indiana's fifth State park Tools Stolen From School Police today are investigating theft of tools from woodworking cabinets of School No. 70. Firty-Sixth St. and Central Ave. Two other buildings nearby were also looted. Mabel Keller, principal of the school, said. Trouble for Nothing Robbers battered off the lock on the garage of David T Praigg, ISO3 N. Delaware St., during the night, but took nothing. HOURLY TEMPERATURE 6 a_ m. 55 10 a. m 69 7 a. m 53 11 a- m........ 71 8 a. m........ 62 12 noon 75 9 a_ m........ 68 1 p. m........ 77

The Indianapolis Times

Local Man to Be Given Decoration

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WILL H. BROWN WILL H. BROWN TO BE AWASBEO SERVICE MEDAL

High Honor Accorded Local-ex-Soldier for Military Distinction, With the Distinguished Service j Medal to be presented Saturday, Will H. Brown of Golden Hill, will have re ceived three honors for his services abroad during the war. He will he decorated with full military honors at 2:30 at the Army Hors® Show at the j Coliseum. Presentation will be made; by Brig.-Gen. Dwight E. Aultman, , commander of Ft. Benjamin Harrison. Brown was a lieutenant-colonel in command of Motor Transport Base No. 1 at St. Nazaire, France, which he established, when he arrived with the first of the American " troops. Ho handled more than half of the motor vehicles sent from America. After the war. Brown's work was' recognized by General Pershing. He was made a member of the Academy of Fine Arts in Paris and was presented with the Order of Palms medal Since the war Brow n has been con- j nected with the Nordyke-Marmon Au ' fomobile Company,, as superintendent' of supplies. CITED FOR GALLANTRY Three Indiana Soldiers Awarded I). K Cross by War Department. By Time* Special WASHINGTON. April 27.—The War Department today announced the following citations for gallantry: The distinguished service cross and the oak leaf cluster or Sergt. Howard H. Fort of Anderson. Ini. Distinguished service medal to Col. ! Cassius M. Dowell, who entered serv ! ice from Indiana, and Lieut. Col i Walter Krueger of Madison, Ir.d. INTERNAL STRIFE STIRS COLLEGE MANAGEMENT Goshen President Requested to Resign Office. Bu Time* Special GOSHEN. Ind., April 27.—Indications are that no school will be hell at Goshen College next year, because of internal strife within the college management and the church body in relation to the policies of the institu tior. The Mennonite board, which: control* the institution through its ex - ecutive board has rejected a proposal from patrons, faculty members, and , the Alumni Association to take over | the college property. The Rev. Daniel Kauffman, president. Is attempting to run the school on strictly religious lines. He has refused to resign, although requested to do so by the student body, the sac- 1 ulty and alumni. Fall Down Shaft Fata! Bu Time* Special MARION, Ind.. April 27. Robert • Shively, 22, found Wednesday at the! foot of an elevator shaft at the Whit- j lock storage plant, down which he ; had fallen, died. He is survived by his parents, Mr. j and Mrs. George Shively, two sisters, : Maxine and Lucille, and a brother. ; John.

This Lothario, Aged 74, Tells of Heart Conquests

By United Press WILKESBARRE. Fa,, April 27.—Charles W. Davis. 74 year-old Civil War veteran tpdav broke the silenct he has maintained since his arrest on a charge of bigamy and grand larceny that has resulted in twenty-two women, in various parts of the country, claiming his as the husband who deserted them. Puffing reflectively at an ancient black briar, the spruce, white-haired veteran sat on a cot in his cell and spun out a tale of matrimony con-

FORMER STATE SHOOTS WIFE

YOUTH CALMLY WAVES FAREWELL BEFORE BANGING j Nineteen-Year-Old Boy Executed as Brother Pleads His Guilt. By United Pre** LAFAYETTE. Oa.. April 27. | George Baker, 19 years old, was ex- | ecuted here today for the murder of Deputy Sheriff Norton while his 13-year-old brother, Ralph. # protested that he alone was responsible for the crime. Baker walked to his d”ath calmly, waiving farewell to a crowd as sembled in the jail yard a few minutes before he was taken from his cell. The youth was rushed hre from Rome shortly before he was scheduled to he hung there when a crowd assembled near the jail and threatened to take charge of the pro ceedings.

PROPERIV OWNERS BLOCK BOULEVARD Pleasant Run Holders Seek Higher Appraisements, Approximately 100 of the 300 property holders along Pleasant Run between Shelby and Prospect Sts. remonstrated before the board of park commissioners today against appraise rrent value on property sought for extension of Pleasant Run boulevard. President Charles A. Bookwalter in stunted appraisers to consider valuations of the property under remonstrance and said that an effort will he mad® to reach an agreement at a continued hearing on the damage roll at the next meeting. DRIVER OF CAR IS EXONERATED Coroner Releases Motorist Who Struck Boy, Police today exonerated Jacob Roberts, IS. of 1210 Sturm Ave.. driver of a car which struck Stanley Smith, 5, son of Leroy Smith, 5141 E New York St., late Thursday at Michigan St., and Middle Dr. Woodruff PI. Roberts said he -stopped after the accident, but aid was refused. Wit nesses verified his statements. Police were told Roberts was not going more than twenty miles an hour. The boy suffered a broken leg. BLOOMINGTON SELECTED AS 1924 CONVENTION CITY Federation of Clubs Elect Officers tor Second District. By Time* Special MARTINSVILLE. Tnd., April 27. Bloomington was selected as the convention city for the 1924 session of the Second District Federation of Clubs, nt the closing session of the fifteenth annual convention, in the Presbyterian Church. Mrs. W. W. Vandeventer, Spencer, was elected chairman. Other officers elected were Mrs. J. R. Riggs. Sullivan, vice chairman; Mrs. E. D. Farmer, Bloomington, secretary treasurer. • About 350 club women attended the convention. Mrs. T. J. Louden, Bloomington, district chairman presided.

quests and heart affairs which rival those of Casanova. “I have courted women all over the world. Yes, and lived with many of them as their husband.” Davis began. '‘But I deny that I married twenty-two women, as the police claim. I did not legally marry that many—and in some cases the bride and I just signed a license which we bought in a book store and let it go at that.” The veteran, who had been grumpy, stubbornly refusing to speak of his case before his conviction on a charge of having married Mrs. Anna Zegar of Wilkes-

INDIANAPOLIS, FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 1923

Married in Indianapolis— Coleman Found by Sheriff With Victim in Arms. Arthur M. Coleman, former curator of the Indiana Museum, held In h!s arms until the arrival of the sheriff his wife, who was shot to death in her room at Carmi, 111., according to a dispatch today. Persons who knew Coleman in In dianapolis said he and his wife had trouble while they were here. Coleman worked for the State under the Department of Geology. By profession he is a taxidermist. “I must have you, dead or alive,” Coleman was reported to have said as he forced his way Into his wife s room and poured a volley of revolver shots into her body. Coleman was charged with murder The Colemans were married in Indianapolis. He became curator of the museum June 9, 1919, and resigned ; Oct. 1. 1920. From Indianapolis the couple w>nt to Miami, Fla . where Mrs. Coleman is reported to have left her husband. | Since that time Coleman Is said to j have been searching for his wife. The discovery led to the shooting. The shooting occurred in a home where Mrs. Coleman was working Acquaintances of Coleman here said he was known for "eccentricities." but that he was a leader In h!s pro session.

Knuckle Down! Saturday Is Big Day Boys and girls from elevn schools today were getting their shooting knuckles In form and their taws ready for games in The Indianapolis Times marble games tomorrow. Two games will be played to determine contestants in the city championship gome now being arranged. The. winner of the city championship will go to Atlantic City, accompanied by mother or father. The local “champ will compete with champions from forty other cities for national honors. Besides, the city champion will be given a bicycle. Three district champions already have been chosen In Indianapolis. There will be twelve altogether. The games tomorrow will start at 8 o’clock. One will be at the Beech Grove school for pupils of that school and at School No. 2. 700 N. Delaware St., for pupils of Schools Nos. 2, 4. 5, 17, ,23. 24, 32. 40, C 8 and Shortrldge High School. Other cities are selecting dis trict and city champions In the same manner as Indianapolis.

UN IS GIVEN LONG SENTENCE Mrs, Pottsi Convicted on Delinquency Charge, Mrs. Velva Pottsi, 24, of 341 In-J dlana Ave., was sentenced today to I five to twenty-one years In the Cori rectlonal department of the Indiana j Women’s Prison and fined SIOO on her j conviction of being accessory to the delinquency of Myrtle Leffo-., 15, of, 841 Virginia Ave. George Taylor, colored, 34. was j given a fine of SI,OOO and five to j twenty-one veaj-s In the State Prison j on charges of being the principal in | the case. The girl was committed to the In j diana Girls School nt Clermont by j Judge Frank J. Lahr of Juvenile] Court. Service Men to Banquet Former Army und Navy officers of j Indiana in the National Guard or In j active service will he guests of the-. Army and Navy Club of Indiana at t a dinner in the Travertine room of j the Lincoln May 3. A feature will , be motion pictures of the World War taken by the Signal Corps.

barre and disappeared with her jewels. waxed voluble. Women’s letters have said Davis deserted them, taking money. Jewels, sometimes clothing—in one instance the bridal night dress. "I deny that I acted in such a way," the prisoner said seriously. "In every case these women were poor and lonely, and I supported them, gave them presents, brought joy into their lives.” The ease of manner and cultured voice of the veteran was In contrast to tales of his adventures. "I w’as born near Lake George,

TAXIDERMIST AT CARMI, ILL. While Indiana Colleges Are Picking Beauties, Lets Look at This Prize

iV-* - * jjlllfilo

HERE'S MARGARET CORDET. ADJUDGED THE MOST BE.M TIFUL GIRI. AT MARTHA WASHINGTON COLLEGE. ADLNGTON\ VA. INDIANA AND DE I'AUW UNIVERSITIES NOW ARE RICKING BEAUTIES FOR THE ART SECTIONS OF THEIR ANNI AI. PERMEATIONS.

MAYOR DENIES COP SHAKE-UP ! Shank Says There Is Nothing to Rumor That Armitage Men Will Replace Poiice Heads.

Mayor Shank today Indignantly denied rumors of drastic chan „-e among certain high officials In the police de partmerit. It was rumored around police headquarters that several officers were to j ho demoted and that political friends | of William J. Armitage were slated I to take their place. It was said that Inspector Walter White was to take the place of j Herman F. Kikhoff, as chief t*f police. ! and Capt. John White was to be made inspector of detectives tn the place of John W. Mullln. Sergeant Barrett Ball was to replace captain Michael J. Glenn as traffic chief, and Capt. Roy Pope. Investigator for Mayor Shank, was to replace Walter White as inspector of police. The change would demote Chief RikhofT. Captain Glenn and Inspector | Mullln. WORLD COURT IS SUBJECT OF DEBATE Watson and Hughes to Speak on Opposite Sides, By United Pre** WASHINGTON. April 27.—The de bate over trie world court Issue will continue today when spokesmen for both sides of the question deliver speeches on it. Secretary of State Hughes, in an ad dress tonight before the American So clety of International Law, will back I up President Harding's position us out lined In New York Tuesday. Senator Watson of Indiana, speaking before the American Club in Pittsburgh, will reply to the President on behalf of those Republicans who fear Amerian entanglement with Europe las a result of court membership.

New York, in February, 1549,” he said. “My grandfather was a Supreme Court judge and my father was a minister and later became president of a university. I went to school there. "I fought in the Civil War. Then I roamed the world as a soldier of fortune." The shabby, stooped figure In prison clothes, accused of running off with old women's ear rings and purses, was forgotten. Davis’ story takes that romantic youth to Europe—t,here were the thousands he spent'upon a dancer

Entered as Second-class Matter at PostofTlce, Indianapolis. Published Daily Except Sunday.

“If any of these things are true. I know nothing about it," Shank declare.!. "I can say that nothing of the kind has ever been whispered by me or any one connected with my department. Thursday was the first time that 1 have talked with Armirago for quite a while.” The mayor stated that Rikhoff had brought up the question with him Thursday and that he told Rikhoff that none of the rumors were true. At the same conference Rikhoff told Mayor Shank that Patrolman Ben Gaither, J. F. Wilson. P. Miller and Otto Raasch and Sergeant John Hett, whom he had called Thursday morning to answer charges of favoritism, were cleared as far as he was concerned. The men were called before the chief for questioning after the mayor heard that the men had showed discrimination In handling a situation In the neighborhood of Blake and New York Sts. The chief ordered the five men to appear before the next meeting of the board of safety to tell the same story they told him. SUIT AGAINST RUTH IS DROPPED Girl Signs Confession Charges Were 'Frame-up,' By United Pre** NEW YORK, April 27. —Suit for $25,000 brought against Babe Ruth of the Yankees by Dolores Dixon, who charged the home run king with attacking her last year, has been dropped. Ruth's attorney stated today he would file a signed confession from the girl to the effect that the charges were "framed tip."

in the Case da of Madrid; the woman In the oslum don on the P.arbary Coast, tho blushing brides he took In the Middle West. He told more details of how he bought the names of women from a matrimonial agency. ’’Fifty for 59 cents. I got them,” he said with a bland smile. “I took up with some of them, but they’ve no reason to complain. They all were willing—and I treated them fairly. “Sometimes we got a license and wrote In our name*. That was good enough for most of them.”

Six Children, Four Women and Two Men Perish in Flames as They Are Caught Asleep in Their Beds* By United Pre** NEW \ORK, April 27. —Twelve persons—six children, four women and two men—perished in flames which broke out in a crowded five-story Harlem tenement house just before dawn today. Families asleep in their beds were trapped when the only stairway was destroyed by the sweeping fire which sent a dense gaseous smoke through the fourth and fifth floors, stifling victims as they grouped blindly for safety.

STUDENT KILLED IN 'CLASS WAR’ AT NORTHWESTERN Six Injured in Crash During 'Battle' Between Freshies and Sophs, By United Pres* CHICAGO, April 27. —One Northwestern University freshman was killed and six other persons injured, one seriously, in an automobile wreck which was blamed on a varsity “class war" today. Louis Aubre, Chicago, was killed. Another freshman, Ralph Williams Harlan. Kv., is unconscious in Evanston Hospital with a fractured skull and possible Internal Injuries. An auto containing Aubre. Williams and three other freshmen was reported by police to have been racing on Sheridan Road in Wilmette, in search of a fre.-hman kidnaped yesterday by sophomores. The machine was wrecked when it collided with a car driven by Mrs. Arthur D. Winslow. Mrs. Winslow and Mrs. I. W. .lordan, returning from a theater party, were also slightly Injured. The freshman car was declared to have been attempting to evade a carload of sophomores who were trying to thwart the search for the kidnaped lower classmpn.

‘Where Big Dog Lives’ Minutes seemed like years 'to Mrs. June Hendricks, 644 Woodlawn Ave.. today, when for a brief period her child, Clifford. 4. was lost In a downtown department store. At police headquarters mother and son met after Mrs. Hendricks had vainly searched everywhere. Clifford was taken into custody by woman detectives when found alone, and after all efforts to identify him had failed. Clifford was able to tell his first name and age. When asked where Vie lived, he replied “down where the big dog lives."

SIXTY-SIX SEEK U. S. CITIZENSHIP Classes Fit in With Program of Americanism Day. Naturalization proceedings for sixty-six aliens began this afternoon m Snperior Court before Judge James M. Heathers. The hearing is being conducted by George Mackay, Federal examiner from the Department of Commerce, whose headquarters is at Chicago. The heating was scheduled to have begun at 9 n. in., but was postponed due to absence of Judge Heathers. Children from several public schools attended. The naturalization was conducted In connection with the program for Americanism day, sponsored by the American Legion. School children will be entertained at a free showing of “The Man Without a Country,” at the Circle Saturday morning by the Indiana Indorsers of Photoplays. DIVORCE CGSTS 20 CENTS Russian System Is Cheap, But It Takes Two Months. By United Ureas MOSCOW, April 27.—An American can get a divorce in Russia for 20 cents. The divorce takes about two months. All any foreigner does is file an ap plication with the civil court. If the foreigner wants to notify his wife—or she her husband —it can bo done, but it isn’t necessary. WOMEN BOYCOTT SUGAR Clubs and Housewives League in Eleven Cities .loin Movement. By United Ureas BALTIMORE. April 27 —A boycott movement against sugar profiteer* I* under way in several cities of (he country and contemplated by house wives’ organizations in other sections. Women in eleven lar§ centers are taking action to lower the cost /

Forecast CLOUDY tonight, probably followed by showers Saturday. Little change.

TWO CENTS

! Charred bodies of the children victims were found huddled together in corners and hallways, where, hand In hand, they had sought to make their way out, only to be overcome. Big sisters and mothers, some alive but unconscious, were found clutching the little bodies. They had dropped unconscious from the smoke and lay there, easy prey for the flames. Some were found by firemen who penetrated the deadly smoke and were carried down by aerial ladders. . Early morning passersby saw smoke issuing from the house at 109th. St. and Madison Ave. and turned in the alarm shortly before 4 a. m. Blaze Is Stifled The blaze did not burst forth from the structure and seemed stifled in one portion of the building. Heavy gasses filled the building through all the five stories and those above who attempted to dash down the stairs to safety were unable to penetrate the smoke. Firemen entering the place found bodies of unconscious persons lying in the hallways. Many others were overcome before they could leave their rooms. Firemen saved many women from where they lay unconscious on the i floors and revived them In the open air. Many Women an' Children Most of those dead were women and | children. A few were badly burned | and police were unable to establish i positive Identification, j Mrs. Anna Soloman, a cripple who ! could not walk, lay paralyzed in her bed for fifteen minutes while the ! smoke filled her room and the red I glare flickered through the transom, j Two firemen found her there and car- ' ried her out safely, thougV-theji 1*44 | suffered burns. Suspiclo ts of police were aroused at the speed with which the b’aze ; traveled.

MEMPHIS EDITOR GEES JUDGMENT Sanders Given SSO in Suit for SIO,OOO Damages, By United Press HOUSTON, Texas, April 27.—G. V. Sanders, editor of the Memphis Press, and formerly editor of the Houston Press, was granted judgment of SSO in District Court in his suit against Col Billie Mayfield for SIO,OOO damages. The suit was based on an alleged attempt to kidnap Sanders during martial law at Galveston in 1920 because of editorials printed In the Houston Press. The court held that the editorials did not justify assault in ibe form of attempted arrest of the editor. DEDICATION IS ARRANGED Sunnyside Will Open Three New Buildings. Three new' buildings at Sunnyside Sanitorium will be dedicated Sunday afternoon. May 13. The structures are a children’s building and two cottages. The principal address will be delivered by Charles A. Bookwalter. Other talks will be given by Albert Hoffman, president of the board of county commissioners; I.eo Iv. Fesier, county auditor, and Cassius Hoyle, president of the county council. Special interurban cars will be run to the hospital. STORK BEATS FIRE AUTO Eight-Pound Boy Bom In Machine En Route to Hospital, By United Press CHICAGO, April 27. —The stork traveled at high speed today to catch an auto in which Shirley T. High, fire attorney was speeding to investigate two incendiary fires, but the old bird lapped the fire wagon. High, rushing to investigate blazes was hailed by Mr. and Sirs. John Hosky, who begged the officer to take them to a hospital. The attorney bundled them in but before the hospital was reached, the stork left an eight pound baby boy in the machine. Y.M.C. A. EXCEEDS QUOTA Colored Body Seeks 800 New Boy Members. The cblored Y. M. C. A reported today It has exceeded it* goal of 600 new boy members by 108 The goal has been increased to $o() and the campaign extended until Monday night, when a dinner will be held, R. L. Brokenburr U chairman <ai 13m drive. .