Indianapolis Times, Volume 35, Number 151, Indianapolis, Marion County, 6 November 1923 — Page 1

Homme Edition F LL service of United Press, United News, United Financial, NEA, Scripps Alliance and Pacific Coast Service. -

VOLUME 35—NUMBER 151

BANDIT GANG ROBS SPENCER^

Clock’s ‘Hands of Death’ Show Work of Speeders

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SAFETY CLOCK ON SOUTH STEPS OF MONUMENT. FIGURES SHOW TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS AND RESULTANT DEATHS AND INJURIES IN INDIANAPOLIS THIS YEAR.

0 FLOAT of the Stewart Speedometer Company which won first prize in a safety parade in Chicago has H>een entered in Indianapolis' No Accident Week parade, to start at 2 p. m. Friday. Sixty taxi drivers and a band from the Yellow Cab Company will march in the parade. The drivers will carry placards showing the safety work the company is doing. Featured will be 1,200 junior trafIfic and members of school councils, who wtl! go to city hall, where Police Chief Herman F. Rlkhoff will administer the oath to the officers and give them arm badges. Capt. Michael Glenn of the police traffic department today urged parents whose children are not in the parade to bring them to watch it. . Several thousand stickers reading “I am pledged to safety and courtesy" have been provided by the • Hoosier Motor Club to the police department and are being placed on

FUND FOR M’CRAY QUIZ IS PROVIDED County Council Appropriates $5,000 Upon Request of Judge Collins After Commissioners Demur,

An emergency appropriation of $5,00€ was passed today by the county council for grand jury Investigation of Governor McCray’s financial affairs. The item was presented at request of Criminal Court Judge James A. Collins by Leo K. Fesler, county auidtor. County commissioners Monday unanimously refused to approve the .demand when they reviewed the ordinance to be presented the council. Very little deliberation or discussion occurred when the request came up. "If Judge Collins wants this money he can get it.” said C. O. Dodson, councilman. "If we don't back our judges up, they can make us do it anyhow by mandate, although the commissioners don't approve.” In a conference with Emsley W. Johnson, county attorney, before the meeting today. Judge Collins demanded what power the commissioners had to block the appropriation Johnson informed him the council could pass it anyhow, if so minded. The judge is considering appointing an assistant to Charles W. Moores, special prosecutor for the grand jury investigation, who Is sick, but refused to say who he had In mind. He held a conference with Samuel O. Pickens, Moores’ partner, on the subject. The council unanimously declared in favor of the proposed appropriation of $206,000 for the Delaware St. GERMANY MUST PAY FOR LUSITANIA DEAD Body Holds Claims Totalling $25,000,000 Against Berlin. By United Preat WASHINGTON, Nov. 6, The mixed claims commission settling war claims under the Versailles treaty provisions, Monday held Germany liable for damages on lives and nt)Foperty kst with the Lusitania. Pr Claims totalling $25,000,000 have been filed with the commission. HOURLY TEMPERATURE 6 a. m 4sl') a. (C 42 7 a. m. 42 11 a. m 43 8 a. m 42 12 (noon) 44 9 a. rii •• 42 1 p. m 44

YOU OWE IT TO YOURSELF TO HUNT TIMES PROVERBS; IT MEANS MONEY AND EDUCATION. TURN TO PAGE TWO

The Indianapolis Times

automobile windshields. The club’s street car placards this week read: "Just YOU drive carefully NOW—take no chances witji the chance takers.” Indorsing the police department’s plans for No Accident Week, Frank Wampler, president of the motor club, said today: "When the 98 per cent of careful motorists! rise and curb the lawless, reckless and murderous 1 per cent, then motoring will indeed be a pleasure .and traffic generally safer. "Too much of not thinking, too much of rushing on through depending on some mythical idea of right of way—these are in the true bills being brought against many motor car drivers. Add to these the hundreds of cases of hoggishness and rank selfishness—all, mind you. committed by the minority—and it is no wonder that motorists as a class ar* criticised, condemned and made the goats for wholesale law restriction.”.

bridge over Rail Creek, which comes up for final reading Wednesday, on condition that the city agree to construct anew river bridge at Kentucky Ave. immediately. M. E. Noblett, secretary of the Hoosier Motor Club, stated that the board of public works had plans all ready for the work, and had assured him It was to be done in the near future. Edward O. Snethen, civic league head, spoke in favor of both bridges. A sum of $15,000 to settle up old bills at Juiletta, county Insane asylum, was passed after wrangling, and $15,,000 for anew bridge over Buck Creek, in Warren township, near Six Points, was passed. CITY SMOKE BODY NAMEDBV SHANK Thomas N, Wynn Is Chosen as Chairman. Thomas N. Wynn, stationary engineer for the Indianapolis Light and Heat Company, was named by Mayor Shank today chairman of the advisory committee authorized in the smoke abatememnt ordinance. Following the appointment, the mayor, in conference with W'ynn, named Donald Angus of EsterlineAngus Company and Charles Brossman, consulting engineer, as combustion engineers. Sidney E. Fenstermaker was appointed as mechanical engineer. John L. Elliott, city engineer, is the fifth member. Although the ordinance designates the only duty of the advisory committee to select smoke inspectors, the mayor said today the committee would cooperate with the board of safety and aid in enforcing the ordinance. Appointments were made for one year. Plans for examination of smoke in- !•!• applicants will be made next Tuesday.

DEATH SLATE FOR INSURGENT KLAN LEADERS CHARGED Inquiry Into Murder of Attorney for Simmons Faction Started, By United Press ATLANTA, Ga.. Nov. 6.—Phil E. Fox, slayer of W. S. Coburn, planned to kill all other leaders in the insurgent faction of the Ku-Klux Klan organization, including Emperor William Joseph Simmons, authorities were informed today. Dr. Fred B. Johnston, once chief of staff for the Simmons faction, said when Fox called at Simmons’ home Sunday night, he said: “You, Simmons, E. Y. Clark and Bill Coburn are slated to go.” Scores of private investigators Joined authorities today In probing the murder of W. S. Coburn, leader of the Col. William J. Simmons faction in the internal war in the Ku-Klux Klan. Coburn was shot and killed in his office here late Monday afternoon. Office attaches apprehended Phil Fox. former Texas newspaper man and editor of the “'Night Hawk,” official publication of the imperial palace of the Ku-Klux Klan. Fox was formally charged with first-degree murder. Grand Jury Called The county grand Jury will be called today to Indict Fox. Solicitor Boykin announced. , Coburn for years has been prom lnent In Klan affairs. He was grand dragon of California at the time of the Ingloside riots a few years ago in which several people were killed. Re cently Cobum has been chief council of the Simmons legal force in the fight to oust Dr. Evans and others from control of the organization. He led the attack last week in the sensa tlonal receivership hearing broukht by David Rittenhcuse of Philadelphia, and others. Asked for Interview Eye-witnesses said Fox entered Coburn's office and asked for an interview. He was told to return in thirty minutes, but instead walked out of the door, returning immediately. He fired four shots point blank at Coburn. A, the time Coburn was discussing a civil suit with a woman client and his stenographer, Mrs. W. A. Kolbrook. The two witnesses said Fox fired without saying a word. They were unable to give information as to Fox's reason for the killing. Poll. also were investigating an alleged attempt on the life of Dr. Ffed B. Johnston of San Antonio, Texas, personal friend of Colonel Simmons, the previous night. Johnston charged he forcibly prevented Fox from firing a revolver at him. “I was sent here to kill you." Dr. Johnston quoted Fox as saying. Fox, held in solitary confinement, refused to be interviewed and refused to make a statement to police.

ARMED CONVICTS IN OARING ESCAPE Two Gain Liberty, One Killed and Fourth Caught. By United Preaa PHILADELPHIA. Pa„ NOv. 6. Two armed convicts are at large today following a sensational escape -from the Eastern Penitentiary late last night in which a third convict was shot and killed and a fourth caught outside the prison walls. Four prisoners opened fire on Hugh O’Neill, a guard. Three convicts attacked Joseph Gilbert, guard at the penitentiary gate, felling him with a revolver. As Gilbert fell he drew his revolver and emptied it at the jail breakers. A bullet from the guard's gun struck Joseph Ix>rrimer, alias Morgan, 25 years old. In the head, killing him instantly. He was serving eight to ten years for burglary. George Duback, 29, ten years, ran into a blind alley. Guards clubbed him into submission. The other two men, Francis J. Flynn, 25, and Emil Bradlem, 38, both long term burglars, made good their escape. OCTOBER FIRE LOSS HIGH Fire loss In October this year was $36,760.62 higher than October 1922, according to Fire Chief John J. O’Brien today. Fire loss in October 1922 was $48,239.38 compared to an estimated loss of $85,000 this October. The department answered 298 alarms in October compared to 288 in October, 1922. Os the alarms, eightyseven were bell alarms and 211 '’Stills.”

INDIANAPOLIS, TUESDAY, NOY. 6,1923

Pretty Secretary in Food Show Contest

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MISS EMMA BRINKMAN

Judges of the Food Show stenographers' popularity contest at Tomlinson Hall this week will have the charming features of Miss Emma Brinkmann, 630 Weghorst St., before them. She Is secretary to A. S. Johnson, manager of the Fletcher Savings and Trust Company savings department.

ANTI-JEW RIOTS RAGE IN BERLIN THROUGHOUT NIGHT Hundreds Flee In Panic — American and English Money Seized, By UnUed Press BERLIN, Nov. 6. —Anti Jewish riot* raged in Berlin throughout the night and continued today. At noon police reported 100 additional cases of plundering during the night and outrages were still going on. Hundreds of Jews, many of them with bloody wounds and torn garments, fled In panic from Berlin this morning. These refugees, stumbling and tottering, many wailing and others evidently dazed, joined in a great exodus, spurred on by the distant yelling of mobs. Jewish “money bootleggers" were caught In the Taui nzefhstrasse, and. when forced to undress, American dob lara, and English pounds were found hidden in their underwear, cellars and hat bunds. 1,000 Shops I,oote<l At 3 p. m-r, police estimated the number of shops looted in the city at 1,000. Attacks on the Jews were being carried out by organized band.) of ten' to twenty youths. Windows in many shops were smashed, stores were plundered, Jews were held up In the streets and their clothing ripped from them, while the rioting was at. its height. Garment shops and bread and meat stores in the Jewish districts were looted. The mobs, many of them apparently working under a sort of discipline, were especially active in the Qreha' dlerstrasae and the Muenzstrasse, where pawn shops and thieves “fences” are plentiful. Rioters Divide Ixxt The neighborhood rang *wlth the crash of shattered glass, hoarse yells, screams and occasional shots. The windows of the Jewish shops were knocked in and cloth was carried into the street, to be divided among the rioters. Jewish-appearlng persons were attacked by fttobs In many parts of the city. Men were seized and stripped of all 'ffieir garments except their shirts. Then they were beaten and sent running, bloody and half naked, through the streets In search of a hiding place. lifthe west end crowds ranged the avenues long after midnight, stopping automobiles and searching them for Jev's. In the center of the city persons suspec.ed of being Jews were halted, roughly handled and trot ad regarding their “race purity.” .Tews assert the riots were artificially worked up under the slogan, “the Jews bought the goto loans, thus depriving the unemployed of their doles.” ELECTION CONTESTS HOT Voters in numerous Indiana towns went to the polls today to register their choice for town office Ts. In most instances there was no division along party lines, local issues and divisions prevailing.’ Elections were held in three Marion county towns. Woodruff Place, Ravenswood and Beech Grove. There were hot contests in all three places. The remaining four Marion county towns were not holding elections.

FIRE TRUCK-AUTO VICTIM SUCCUMBS ATCITYHOSPITAL Sixth Fatality in 'No Accident Week' as Woman Dies. Mrs. Mary E. Gilbreath, 70. of 1422 De Loss St., died at city hospital early today from Injuries received when an automobile in which she was riding was struck by fire squad wagon, No. 2, driven by George Oakes. 857 Sanders St., at Virginia Ave. and (Jroves St., Thursday night. This Is the sixth death in and near Indianapolis since “No Accident” week began. Oakes Was to be slated at city prison today on a technical charge of manslaughter and released on his own recognizance, pending an investigation by Coroner Paul F. Robinson. Alonzo Payne. 1426 De Loss St., the auto, and Mrs. Lillian Baudot 21. of 1422 De Loss St., and her 2-year-old son Charles, also injured, are all Improving today. Headed for Fire The squad wagon, from engine house No. 30. South and New Jersey Sts., was headed for a fire at Orange and State Sts., police say. Payne, according to the report, drove from Bpadshaw St. into Virginia Ave. Into the path of the fire wagon. Witnesses say the bell and, siren were both sounding and two patrolmen near Payne's car stated they tried to warn Payne by yelling. The body of Mrs. Gilbreath was taken to the home of her son, George Harrison, 1901 W. Wilkcns St , where the funeral will be held. Mrs. Gilbreath was born and reared in Indianapolis, but lived in Illinois for fifteen years. She returned to Indianapolis In 1898. She was a member of the River Ave. Baptist Church. SurvlVorc: - A son, George Harrison; a daughter, Miss Ida May Gilbreath, and a brother, Morton Reeves, all of Irtllanapolis. Date of the funeral will he announced later. One woman was Injured when she jumped out the rear door of a street cai and another fainted after leaping through a window when Alabama street car No. 908 caught on fire from blown fuse near Ft. Wayne Ave. and Alabama St. Monday night. Head Is Cut Mrs. Bunnte Cline, 30, of 2012 N. Alabama St., who jumped out the door, received a cut on the head when she fell against the curb. Her three eons, Frederick, 11: Richard, 10. and Robert, 9, Jumped after her, but were ur.mjured. After treatment in a nearby drug store Mrs. Cline was taken home in a city ambulance. Her condition is said to be not serious. Police were unable to learn the name of the woman who fainted after leaping through a window. Michael Tomlinson, 1115 N. Capitol Ave., was motorman and Ray Guy, 1005 N. Alabama St., conductor.

BODIES OF TWELVE MINERS RECOVERED Thirty Men Are Believed Still Entombed Following Gas Explosion Which Wrecked Workings in Shaft,

Bp United Preaa BECKLEY, W. Va., Nov. fl.— Twelve bodies have been recovered from the pit of the Raleigh Wyoming Coal Company Glen Rogers mine near here which was wrecked by an explosion this morning, according to a statement by company officials. Thirty men are believed still entombed, the statement said. Sixty-five workers went down the mainshaft of the mine at dawn. Twenty-three made their way to the surface soon after the blast. They were uninjured. Mine officials expressed grave fears for the fate of the thirty men who have not come up. Rescue squads were making headway through the debris in the mine at noon and several more bodies were being extricated, the mine officials said. The cause of the blast has not been determined definitely but It Is believed to have resulted from a pocket of gas collecting far back In the mine. ALBERTA, CANADA IS BACK IN_WET COLUMN Province Has Been Dry for Seven Years—Federal Control By United Preaa CALGARY, Alberta, Nov. 6.—Alberta voted wet. according to tabulations today of Monday’s wet-dry balloting. The province has been dry for seven years. Returns today indicate the clause calling for government control and sale of liquor will carry by a majority of between 35,000 and 40,000.

Entered as Second class Matter a Postoffice. Indianapolis Published Daily Except Sunday.

Daughter of Jurist Missing at Muncie

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MISS MARGUERITE DEARTH

By United Brest MUNCIE. Ind.. Nov. 6.—Citizens of Muncie held a mass meeting today in the Circuit Court room, Organized searching parties and made careful plans for Investigating the disappearance of Miss Marguerite Dearth, 22, who has been missing from her home stnee Thursday. She is the daughter of Judge Clarence W. Dearth, who has offered a re ward of SIOO for any information concerning her whereabouts. The family is having several thousand descriptive circulars printed to be published and sent all over the country. Her disappearance has caused quite a sensation, her father being the judge of the Juvenile Court, ar.d as he was quite active in juvenile affairs, it is feared harm has befallen the girl. It was learned that she checked all but $6 of her bank account befor her disappearance. She was last seen leaving a home where she was sent to investigate a Juvenile Court case.

Wives and children of the men who earn their living far below the earth's surface, presented a scene of deepest tragedy as they gathered around the mine. The twelve bodies, many of them badly mangled, were brought, one at a time, to the little group at the tot) of the shaft. j. mTsimsheld ON cm CHARGE Refining Cos, Head Under Arrest at Columbus, Ind, James M. Sims. 2106 N. Meridian St., president of the Republic Refining Company, now in the hands of a receiver, is held under $30,000 bond at Columbus, Ind., charged with issuing fraudulent checks. It is charged activities of Sims were responsible for the closing of tha Hope State Bank recently. According to tha charges, Sims deposited worthless checks in the bank and then drew out his deposits before the checks were protested. Stockholders of the bank have authorized anew stock Issue to prevent the Institution from going Into receivership. It is said the bank lost $30,000,

Money and Securities Totalling $13,000 Taken After Three Townsmen Are Wounded on Streets — 100 Shots Fired, ALL COMMUNICATION WITH OUTSIDE WORLD CUT OFF Yeggs Station Guards on Top of Building and at Principal Downtown Corners to Prevent Interference With Work, By Times Staff Correspondent. SPENCER, Ind., Nov. 6.—Spencer was recovering today from the most thrilling night in its history. Safes in two banks wer# blown. Total loot was $13,000. Three citizens were wounded in a pitched battle with safe robbers in the streets. About 100 shots were fired. All telephone, telegraph and electric light wires in the town were severed by the bandits, cutting off all communication and plunging the town in darkness. The first warning sleeping citizens received was about 3:30 a. m., when they were awakened by two muffled explosions, close together. Almost immediately the fire bell began ringing. Quickly the alarm spread. Citizens dressed hurriedly, rushed into the streets, with every available firearm. ROBBERS WORK*IN TWO GANGS The robbers, working in two gangs, one at each bank, emerged: from the hanks under fire of the citizens, returning the fire. In the darkness they escaped, presumably in automobiles. It is believed the bandits may have gone to Indianapolis, fiftyfive miles northeast of here. Police of Indianapolis were notified.

The wounded are: FRANK GRAY, second-hand dealer. J. A, BARGE, a baker. GEORGE SMITH. The condition of. none is serious. Nineteen shots were fired into Barge’s automobile when he drove into the town in the midst of the battle. The banks robbed are the First National, with a loss of $6,000 and the Exchange State Bank, with a -loss of $7,000. These losses are approximate, a* it has been impossible to check them exactly. The loot* was said to bo in currency. Size of Robber Gang The number of the bandits is variously esUmated at from ten to twenty. Sheriff D. C. McCarty said he believed there were at least ten or twelve in the two gangs. “It was so dark we could not even -get a description of the bandits,” McCarty said. “We believe they left In two automobiles, possibly In three.” The bandits are believed to have arrived in the town at abo it midnight and to have laid elaborai-> plans to “capture'' the town if neefssary. When the alarm was spread a man armed with a rifle —presumably a bandit—wias seen stationed on the roof of a building across the street from the First National Bank, apparently covering the front door, to prevent surprise. Seen by Fox Hunter The first man to discover the bandits was Herbert Runyon, whose home is behind the First National Bank. He had been attending a fox hunt and arrived after midnight. As he drove up to his garage, two of the bandits ran from the bank, seized him, bound him and left him in the alley, where he was released in the morning. A guard was placed over Mrs. Runyon and she was told that if she raised an outcry she would be shot. The bandits then stationed guards at street corners to cover every possible approach to the bank and it was these guards who opened fire when the alarm was spread. Wires apparently had been cut earlier In the night in preparation for the robberies. Bank Interior Wrecked The entire interior of the First National Bank was wrecked by the charge of dynamite. The safe at the Exchange Stato Bank was smaller and not so much damage was done. At the First National bank the bandits overlooked $70,000 in bonds and $7,000 in currency. It is believed they did not have time to take all the money before the explosions aroused the towns. - Twenty sticks of dynamite and a pint of nitroglycerin were found on the floor of the First National Bank this morning. G. R. Hopper, who lives across the street from the Exchange Bank, said he heprd an explosion at the First National Bank at 3:05 a. m. He said five other explosions at the two banks followed, the last trailng at 3:35. Hopper said: "I stuck my head out of a window and a man with a gun said to me: " ‘You get your head back in there and keep it in.’ “I did. “From where I sat I could see everything that went on in the Exchange Bank. There must have been four or five men at work In the bank for at leas’ half an hour.” Frank Gray and John Barge, who were shot by bank bandits at Spencer, came to the Methodist Hospital here for ex-ray photographs. It was said at the hospital that both men had bullet wounds in the thigh and that their cases were not serious.

Forecast UNSETTLED tonight followed by fair weather Wednesday. Slightly colder tonight in this vicinity.

TWO CENTS

Signal Corps Has Nothing on Them

OW communication with the outside was established after the bandits who “captured” Spencer, Ind., early today had cut all of the telephone cables was told to Indiana Bell Telephone Company officials here over the patched wires by Robert McDonald, Spencer exchange manager. Miss Flossie Kirkham, night operator in the exchange over the Exchange State Bank, realized 'something was wrong when all her -wires were “dead.” She ran from ono end to end of the switch board, but every wire was severed. The bandits had climbed up the rear of the building and sawed both incoming and outgoing cables. While the building rocked from the explosion In the bank beneath her, M:ss Kirkham stuck to her post. Meanwhile McDonald and his wire chief heard the explosion at tljeir homes. Arming themselx'es they ran downtown and met in the rear of the building. The robbers had gone across the public square to another bank. Manager and wire chief scaled the rear wall and hastily tied one wire. Then they ran to the edge of town, where a long-distance wire, not entering the town, passed. They connected the wire they had “tied” to this longdistance line and so, in fifty-five minutes after the robbery, phoned the news to Bedford, Ind., and Indianapolis.

POLICE SCOURING WOOD FORSUSPECT Volley of Shots Follows Man Into Thicket, Police and detectives are scouring a 600-acre woods a mile southeast of Irvington for a robbery suspect who was driven into the thicket when Auto Detectives Giles and Irick went ta his home, near the woods, today. The man is suspected in the robbery of S6OO worth of tires from a filling station at Troy and Madison Aves. a few weeks ago. The wife of the suspect who is under 16 years of age, police say has been taken to the detention home. Giles and Iricky passing the home saw their man dodge back into the woods as he discovered them. They gave chase and ranged up and down the woods, firing vollies of shots into the thickets whenever the/ caught a glimpse of the suspect, they said. The police emergency was called. It was believed once the man escaped on a passing freight train, but he was seen later returning to his home and the hunt began again. Taxpayers Make Flans Plans to organize a unit of the Indiana Taxpayers’ Association, formed recently in the interests of economy, in every county in the State, were made at a meeting of officers today at the Columbia Club. Harry Miesse of Indianapolis, secretai-y, was instructed to proceed with organization.