Indianapolis Times, Volume 35, Number 104, Indianapolis, Marion County, 11 September 1923 — Page 1

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VOLUME 35—NUMBER 104

ARKANSAS LAND BARON OWNS TOWN OF WILSON, LOCK, STOCK AND BARREL, -WITH EVERYBODY, INCLUDING TEACHERS, ON HIS PAY ROLL

By XEA Service U yj\ ILSON, Ark., Sept. 11.— IW| What’s Robert E. Lee Wilson going to do with his | *** one-man town ? WILSON bankers in surrounding towns and financiers in St. Louis, Little Rock, Memphis and Chicago who wonder just what Lee Wilson, | now 61, is going to do with a fast-growing town of 2.000 population and which he owns lock, stock and barrel. Like some feudal land baron

PRINCESS-FACES MURDER CHARGE IN LONDON COURT

DEMOCRATS WILL HE SWEEPING CHANGE IN COUNTY Officials to Be Removed When Party Assumes Control Jan, 1, Sweeping changes in Marion County office holders appointed by the board of county commissioners will take place Jan. 1, 1924. when the Democratic party takes control of the board. Commissioner John Kitley, Democratic member now serving, said today. Commissioner Kitley. at ihe request of Russell Ryan, Democratic county chairman. recently furnished the Democratic county organization with n list of appointive positions that will be open to hungry workers, who for a long stretch of years have been denied the privilege of the public feed trough in .this county. Officers to Be Changed Among the officers who are slated for a change, it is said, are Dr. .Beniamin M. Morgan, superintendent of Julietta insane home: William Lewis, puperintendent of th* poor farms: Mrs. Emma Duvalle. colored, head of the colored orphans’ home: William Hunter, courthouse custodian: George Burks, county road superintendent, and John Apple, in charge of the county garage. The superintendents of Julietta and the infirmary draw $1,500 a year salary, with expenses. Apple gets 11,800 a year, courthouse custodian $1,500, and Mrs. Duvalle, $1,200, with expenses. County Attorney Emsley W. Johniwn, who draws 53.400 a year, will be replaced by a Democrat, according to the list furnished Chairman Ryan, as ■will attorney for the poor, William Reagan, at $1,200. Deputy Prosecutor John Engleke, in Juvenile Court, at $1,200. and John Carlisle, bailiff of the commissioner's court, at $1,500 will go also, it was said. Janitors Must Go Sixteen janitors at the courthouse, fifty or more attendants at the institutions and twelve assistant road superintendents at meager salaries will also be changed, it was indicated. Dr. H. S. Hatch, head of Sunnyside, and Miss Susannah Pray, for seventeen years head of the Detention Home, will not be changed, Kitley said. The county health commissioner, Dr. Mason B. Light, three county physicians and Bridge Inspector John McGregor, Sr., are due for the ax.

BOY AND GIRL COPS TO DIRECT TRAFFIC Four Hundred School Children Will Be Appointed Special 'Police' by Their Own Councils,

To make Indianapolis safe for school children, boys and girls in the sixty-nine public and twenty-one parochial schools will be organized Into accident prevention councils. Several schools had such last yeer. Officers Paul and Owens of the polio* traffic accident prevention bureau will start out Monday to organize these councils, visiting four sehols daily. Assistant School Superintendent Daniel Weir and ikshop Joseph Chartrand of the Catholic church today sanctioned the work . The councils will be composed, in each school, of one or two pupils from every grade from the fourth through the eighth with the principal or a teacher as chairman. 400 Officers to Be Chosen About 400_accldent prevention officers, to direct traffic at dismissals and to wgtob In the playgrounds at recess. will be chosen bv th councils

The Indianapolis Times

of old, this man owns everything in sight on a vast expanse of nearly 50,000 acres. The only thing he doesn’t own in Wilson is a little yellow depot and a few hundred yards of steel rail, the property nf the Frisco Railway. But even the Frisco system hasn’t anything on Wilson. He operates his own little railroad, runs it to suit himself, and it’s 150 miles long. They call it the Jonesboro, Lake City & Eastern Raiiroad, and it links up Wilson with Jonesboro and Glytheville, Ark. But even a multi-million-aire, such as Wilson, with ail his business acumen, can’t he expected to fill the shoes of a mayor, the chief of police, the banker, the hotel proprietor, the merchant, the preacher, the justice of the peace.

PRINCESS FAHMY

DRIVER FINED ON TIGER CHARGE Court Suspends Sentence on George E, Davis, George E. Davis, 32, of 816 N. Delaware St., was fined SSO and costs in the city court today on charges of operating a blind tiger and SSO and costs with a sixty-day suspended sentence to the Indiana State Farm for driving a motor vehicle while intoxicated.

Pledge When the 400 children “cops'' are officially appointed by Police Chief Herman F. Rikhoff, they will take this pledge of duty, with right hands lifted. I do promise that I will respect and obey the laws of niy city and my school. That I will never commit any act of dishonesty or disloyalty. That I will remembgr always to first be careful myself, and help teach my fellow pupils to be careful. That I will always be alert for the safety of others as I would wish them to be alert for my safety. That I will perform my duties as they are given to me with thoughtfulness and courtesy. I will do all this for the sake of humanity, for the honor of my school, and to the end that my city will be a safer and more beautiful place in which to live.

At some schools these "traffic cops,” who will wear badges, may work without the aid of regular patrolmen, Officer Owens said. Although the councils will select the “cops,” the police traffic bureau' will reserve the right to dismiss them. John Orman, president of the Indianapolis Auto Trade Association, will donate silk flags to be given to schools with perfect records at the end of the year. The police bureau also has proposed that a loving cup or banner be awrded to the school with the best record. Appointment by Rikhoff After councils are organized the members, school "cops,” principals and the superintendent plan to meet with Police Chief Herman F. Rikhoff, Traffic Capt. Michael J. Glenn, Mayor Shank and other city officials. Rikhoff will appoint each pupil-offi cer officially and plao* a badge or sjr arm band on him. The “cops” w tske a ptedj-p of duty.

HERE ARE TWO POPULAR TYPES OF HOUSES OWNED BY WILSON. HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE ABLE TO RENT ONE AT THOSE PRICES.

There’s only one government, official in town—the postmaster. The tax collector

Beautiful French Girl Declares She’s Not Guilty of Killing Husband,

By United Xrw* EONDON. Sept. 11. —A beautiful Egyptian princess, garbed in the smartest modes of the fashion world, faced the charge of murder Monday In England's most famous criminal court, the old Bailey. Marie Marguerite Fahray of French hirth. pleaded not guilty to the charge of murdering her husband, gay and fashionable Ali Kemal Fahmy Bey. the Egyptian spendthrift, known throughout capitals of Europe as Prince Fahmy. Fahmj ws shot and killed in the Savoy Hotel, outside the suite occupied b.v himself and the princess. The princess entered the crowded courtroom Monday clad in a black seal coat, a small black hat and with a tulle veil that partly hid the features that alternately registered pain and indignation as the case against her proceeded. A wardress supported her, as the princess frequently showed signs of collapsing. Non-coupable” Is Plea “Non-coupable,” the princess pleaded in French. She speaks no English. Percival Clarke, chief of the prosecution, indicated he expected a verdict of murder. Two of England's best known criminal lawyesr. Sir Edward Mar-shall-Hall and Sir Edward _Curtis Bennett, supplied the packed and fashionably-dressed audience with the sensation they expected from a murder trial full of drama. Attorneys for the princess vigorously cross-examined the first witness. Said Enani, the prince's secretary, In an effort to reveal Fahniy’s cruel treatment of his wife. Admits Prince Lnkind Enani, a sleek and swarthy Egypfian, reviewed the relation# of the Fahmy's, explaining, “They were fairly happy until they were married." The secretary admitted the prince was ‘unkind’’ to his beautiful wife, but denied he was cruel. Under further cross-examination, the witness qualified this statement somewhat by conceding that Fahmy had once struck Ills wife and dislocated her jaw. Marshall-Hall read a letter which Fahmy had written to his wife’s sister, recounting how he was “training’’ the princess. In this letter the prince revealed his philosophy of women as follows: “With women, one must act with energy. Be severe with them and they will Incur no bad habits.” The attorney also sought to-prove the prince was unduly interested In other women. He produced another letter in which the Prince had inquired about “all the pretty little giirls in Paris,’’ and had sent a message to one of them, saying “My heart, my soul are at her feet. I am still In love with her.”

Movie Stars Will Send Photos to Readers

Mail from Hollywood! Doesn’t that sound interesting? For a number of days 25 readers of The Indianapolis Times—a different list daily —will receive mail from Hollywood. The mail will come from such distinguished movie actors as Bebe Daniels, Alma Bennett, Theodore Tloberts, Thomas Meighan, Beatrice

INDIANAPOLIS, TUESDAY, SEPT. 11, 1923

drops around once a year, but it’s easy to collect taxes in Wilson. He writes out a mem-

LOCAL MAN SLAYS HEIRESS AND SELF

BOARD OF HEALTH ■ DEMANDS HIGHER RATE MON Members Will Go to State Body in Attempt to Override Council, City finances became more tanglled than ever today when the city board of health refused to abide by the 7cent tax levy fixed by Mayor Shank and the council and announced it was prepared to go before the State tax board with a demand for a 10cent levy. If this demand Is successful the city levy will total $1,06H. The health board met at noon with Joseph L. Hogue, city controller, and Ray Wright, city purchasing agent. Dr. Herman G. Morgan, secretary of the board of health, said the board now is $67,000 in debt and the amount will total SBO,OOO by the first of the year. Board members said they wall enlist the assistance of civic organizations and that if an increased levy is not granted they will demand a court order. The,law allows a rate up to 12 cents. BOY AUTO BANDITS CAUGHT IN CHASE Joy Party Ends for Five Who Steal Car. On the road to adventure, five youthful auto bandits were apprehended by the law at Franklin today after successfully taking a touring car Monday night from in front of the home of Clarence Blsker, 1005 Chadwick St. A garage proprietor at Edge wood became suspicious of the juvenile joy party when they stopped for gasoline. He telephoned the license number to local authorities, and detectives were sent in pursuit. Sheriff Perry of Franklin captured the quintet on their first day of freedom. Two members of the gang.the leaders, Wesley Bailey. 16, of 309 Grover St., and Raymond Norton, 16, of 1060 W. McCarty St., are being held by .the police. The three others dismayed as they faced the stern reality of justice, were given a severe lecture and sent home.

Joy, Jack Holt, Alice Brady, Pola Negri, Elliott Dexter, Antonio Moreno, Gloria Swanson, Lila Lee, Walter Hiers, David Powell, Lois Wilson, George Fawcett, Dorothy Dalton, Agnes Ayres and many others. The mail will contain autographed pictures of these famous Paramount stars. By special arrangement

orandum for Mr. Wilson and Mr. Wilson writes our a check for Mr. Tax Collector—and

How Motorists Learn A. B. C. s

f- V -.:' , >

THE A B O’S OF TRAFFIC MEAN “ALWAYS BE CAREFUL.” MISS ANNA REBECCA. 850 N. EAST ST., A 6B STUDENT AT THE BENJAMIN HA RI SON SCHOOL, IS POINTING OUT THE “LESSON.” THE SIGNS WERE PI-ACED ON STREET CARS B YTHE HOOSIER MOTOR CLUB

200 MOTORISTS ARRESTED Drive Monday and Today Nets Large Number of Violators. After a brief respite from a campaign against speeders, police today Had ordered 200 motorists into court Thursday on charges of violating parking ordinances. According to officers, those wishing to plead guilty can do so at the traffic office Thursday from 8 a. m. to 4 p. m. and arrangements for fine will be made. s These desiring trial must face Judge Delbert O. Wilmeth in city court Thursday morning. HOURLY TEMPERATURE 6 a. m 57 10 a., m 70 7 a. m. 58 11 a. m 72 8 a. m 64 12 (noon) ...... 74 9 a. m 67 1 p. m 76

with The Indianapolis Times and Herb Jennings, manager of the Palace theater, where some of the leading Paramount pictures are shown, the stars will send direct to fortunate subscribers of The Times autographed pictures of themselves from Hollywood. On Thursday Tile Times will announce the names of

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

the ordeal is over. There are 240 residences in Wilson and Wilson owns them all. His property, including the town proper, extends twentyseven miles in length one way, eight miles in another and then winds along with the Mississippi River. Here is some of the property which Wilson owns: Eighteen plantations that will produce this year 6,500 bales of cotton. There are 6,900 acres planted in corn. The cotton is produced from 8,000 acres. He has 1,200 acres of wheat and BQO acres in alfalfa. Thousands of acres of virgin timber. A sawmill representing an investment, of $250,000.

CHARACTER ‘IN AGAIN’ Willie Carrie Ads t-o Record—Tlicft Charge Is Preferred Willie Carrie’s race for a “Marathon arest-reeord" continued today wehen an affidavit w r as filed against him by Annie Roach, . 152 Blackford St., alleging theft of coils from her car. Carrie has a long police record. LOCOMOTIVE STRIKES CAR One Slightly Injured In Accident at Belt Railroad Crossing. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Huffman and Lenford (Barton, 9, narrowly escaped serious Injuries when the automobile Huffman was driving was struck by a switch engine of the Belt Railroad at the White River Blvd. crossing on Monday night. Mrs. Huffman received slight cuts on her forehead and was taken to the city hospital. Henry Volmyer, 1038 Blaine Ave., was engineer.

twenty-five readers of this paper who will receive beautiful autographed pictures of the famou* Paramount stars. Lists of other fortunate readers will be published from day to day. The Paramount stars (lo the picking from The Times circulation list. Watch for the lists. Then watch for the mail man. You may be fortunate.

A mill producing 300 barrels of flour and meal daily. A $125,000 box factory. An eight-gin stand electrically driven, which cost him $40,000 and has a capacity of ninety bales daily. A model ice plant. The Bank of Wilson, with a capital of $20,000 and a surplus of nearly $35,000. A department store, where one can buy anything from a toothpick to a flivver. A modern school structure Wilson built at a cost of $200,000. He also set aside 100 acres of land surrounding the building. There is an annual deficit of SIO,OOO in the maintenance of this school with its staff of twenty teachers, but a check from Mr. Wilson’s'secretary wipes out the deficit without argument.

Romance of War Ends in Grim Tragedy as Hiley Disher, Army Aviator, Kills Bride and Commits Suicide During Party at Home in East, A war-time romance was ended in tragedy today. The bony of Riley Peter Disher, who left Indianapolis early in the World War and became an aviation officer, was on its way back to the city. Disher died from a self inflicted bullet wound.

The body ’'rtf his millionaire wife. Mrs. Elsie Cheney Disher. was lying 1U the beautiful Disher home, “Brookwood.” at Scltuate, Mass. She was killed by a bullet from her husband's army automatic. Dlsher's mother. Mrs. Catherine Disher, 3819 N. Delaware St., was prostrated over the news of the tragedy. His brother. Cicero Disher, of the same address, was arranging for the funeral which will be held privately in Indianapolis. Calmly Fires Bullet The shooting occurred, according to dispatches. In the midst of a house jarty at the Disher home. Disher was lying on a bed in his room, smoking a cigarette. He called to his wife and aA she entered the door, calmly fired a bullet into her breast, authorities were told. He Immediately turned the gun on himself and sent a bullet through his brain. Guests rushed to the room, attracted by the shots, and broke into the scene of the tragedy. - Disher and his wife, officers were

ONLY $9,000 LEFT IN CITY’S JAPAN QUOTA $41,000 Has Been Subscribe and and Local Red Cross ContrL butions Continue to Roll-In,

Tabulation today brought the Red Cross Japanese fund up to about $41,000. A balance of $9,000 is yet to be contributed before Indianapolis tills Its quota of $50,000. Contributions are coming in as heavily as they did at first. William Fortune, chairman of the local Red Cross chapter, said. Most of the contributors of large sums have made their contributions. The contributions now pouring into Red Cross headquarters are gifts of small amounts. "We are apt to become over optimistic os the quota is gradually realized.” Fortune said. "However, I believe Indianapolis will reach her quota very soon.” Washington Notified Fortune notified Washington Red Cross headquarters Monday of the progress being made in Indianapolis through free will giving. Members of the Red Cross executive committee, which met Monday at Red Cross headquarters, were unanimous in praising the response made to the fund appeal. All of them felt that Indianapolis people and those residing outside of the city who contributed toward the fund realize destruction wrought in Japan to both Japanese and property and are willing to do their share in helping the unfortunates. All Free Will Offerings "Indianapolis people, and those from elsewhere who have joined with us in their splendid enterprise of a national good will have the satisfaction of knowing, after our $50,000 is obtained, that the whole amount has been free will offerings,” Fortune said. "That Is one of the remarkable characteristics of the generous opening of purses. The givers have had s, feeling of deep sympathy for the Japanese, and without being urged through personal - solicitation have come forward until now we are well past the foui>flfths mark. I repeat that the most Inspiring thing, one In which every giver can feel a pride, la that this big sum 1b going f(Award for the help of the Japanese the neons contribution of s*"-?:--'

Forecast INCREASING cloudiness with probably showers tonight or Wednesday. Cooler Wednesday.

TWO CENTS

A drug store, garage and filling station, a church edifice, a hotel, a case, blacksmith shop and meat market. A community center building. Waterworks plant. Electric light and power plant. Wilson rents from himself. He pays himself $45 per month for his nine-room house and that’s the maximum rent paid by any citizen of Wilson. The scale of rents run from $12.50 to $37.50 per month, according to the size home. ‘‘Work hard when you work and play hard when you play,” is his idea of life. Wilson, Ark., is forty-one miles west of Memphis, 125 miles from Little Rock and 264 miles from St. Louis.

told, were contemplating divorce. They had aired their troubles before , heir friends. According to the story sent from Scituate. Mrs. Disher had asked for a divorce and Disher was demanding $150,000 as a reward for not contesting the suit. IMvoreed Chauffeur Husband The romance started when Disher was in the Army. His personality and his aviation uniform attracted his future wife, who was then Mrs. Elsie Dennison. She had been divorced from ,T. C. Dennison. who had been her father's chauffeur. Mrs. Disher was reputed to be immensely wealthy. Disher was a man of only moderate means. He had worked in an Indianapolis insurance office before he entered the army. Ills mother today was unable to see any one. while other members of the family refused Cicero Disher, a brother, said merely that the body was being brought here and that after the funeral he intended to go to Massachusetts and investigate.

thousand of persons who conclude that this is the best and most natural way in which to show their sympathy.” Thirty-one churches. Sunday school* and Bible classes of Indianapolis, and four churches outside of Indianapolis, have sent contributions to Red Cross headquarters. It is expected additional churches will send in offerings STORAGEBUILiG ' DAMAGED BY FIRE I Uphill Battle Caused by Dense Clouds of Smoke, Hampered In their work In getting to the fire by clouds of dense black smoke, firemen fought an uphill battle at the large building block occupied by the William Rouse & Son barns and a storage building for Cabinet MakOrs Union, at 815-817-819 E. Market St. today. The loss will probabily reach $6,000, according to estimates. Assistant Chief McKinney sr.ld he thought the fire may have .started tom a cigarette dropped into excelsior pads around a shipment of chairs that was moved Into the storage room Monday. The loss on the furniture stored will reach about $3,000. It is fully covered by insurance, according to H. C. Bauer, secretary' and treasurer of the "company, said. \ Three trucks and several mules ini the barn of William Rouse & Son 1 were saved, but about seventy-five tons of hay stored In the building will be a $2,000 loss, according to Rouse. The fumlly of Daniel W, Munden, 817% E. Market St., escaped from the building when the smoke entered Jivelr