Indianapolis Times, Volume 35, Number 169, Indianapolis, Marion County, 28 November 1923 — Page 1

Home Edition FULL service of United Press, United News, United Financial, NEA, Scripps Alliance and Pacific Coast Service.

VOLUME 35—NUMBER 169

FATHER IDENTIFIES BODY OF SLAIN GIRL

Parent Had .Suggested That Daughter Remain at Her Home Last Night. ‘VERY FOND OF DANCING’ Courted by Two Men, w One a Resident of Indianapolis, “I believe my daughter was attacked and met her death in the struggle which followed,” Francis M. Hager, father of Mrs. Helen Whelchel, 1854 Applegate St., whose body was found where it had been thrown from a bridge near Ben Davis, said today. “Helen left home at about 6 p. m. Tuesday," he continued. “She had been In the habit of going out nights frequently. I suggested that she stay home last night, but she said she was going out for a little while and would returji." Hager said he usually met his daughter at the street car when she returned home, but Tuesday night, thinking she would be home soon, he went to bed. Tells of Suitors Mrs. Whelchel was taking a course In hftir dressing at a beauty parlor near the Terminal station, her father Bald. He said she had been receiv lug attentions from two men, one of whom now lives in Buffalo, and the Baid he did not know the name of the fkdlanapolis man. Whelchel was born in Indianapolis. She wgg a widow, her husband having been killed last March when he slipped from the top of a freight car while uncoupling cars at St. Clair St. and the Big Four railroad. “My daughter was very fond of dancing,” Hager said, "and she frequently went to dancing places on Illinois St. 1 do not know much about her acquaintances." Graduate of School N'o. 18 Mrs. Whelchel was a graduate of School No_ 18. She would have been 23 on Dec. 7. Surviving Mrs. Whelchel, besides her father, are one brother, Fred Hager, 1856 Applegate St., and. her grandfather, Francis M. Hager Sr. Her mother is dead. The father of the victim at first held the theory his daughter had been killed as a result of an attempt to extort money from her. He said she had nearly $3,000 deposited in a savings bank. He later said he had no facts on which to bkse this theory. A wedding ring and a bracelet were taken from the body by Deputy Coroner Given and held for investigation. No purse was found on the body, but robbery is not believed to have been the jpiotlve for the crime, as Hager said his daughter had only $2 or $3 with her, and her Jewelry was not taken. WORKMAN IS NEAR DEATH A. Queen Struck on Head at MeyerKiser Bank Building A. Queen, 45, living on Vermont St., near the canal, is near death at the city hospital from injuries suffered today when a concrete bucket struck him on the head as he was looking down a hoisting shaft the new Meyer-Kiser bank, where he was Working. Wheat Growers ‘Co-op’ Planned Wheat growers of the United States will hold a meeting In Indianapolis next month to organize a co-operative association. If present plans of the Indiana Farm Bureau Federation mature. A merger is contemplated of several such organizations now In existence In various States.

Notice to Dealers and Carriers of The Indianapolis Times: On Thursday, Nov. 29,*Thanks giving Day, The IndianapoHs Times will publish one edition In accordance with our holiday custom Out-of-town carriers who receive papers on lnterurban cars between 1:30 and 2:30 p m., may expect their papers from one to two hours earlier than usual. Carriers in Indianapolis will re ceive papers from two to three hours earlit-r than usual, with the exception of those whose papers are delivered by traction cars. These carriers will get their papers on traction care leaving Indianapolis not later than 2 o'clock. There will be rib late Final or Sports edition.* TIMES CIRCULATION DEPT.

The Indianapolis Times

- ' ’ jgm i

OLD SANTA ARRIVES / A FEW DAYS EARLY Some 15,000 Indianapolis Persons to Receive Fat Xmas Checks From Savings Accounts,

Santa Claus will arrive early this year for approximately 15,000 Indianapolis persqns. These persons hung up their stockings after Christmas last year and they have been filled—“frith Interest. They deposited their money in Christmas savings accounts during the year. Next week checks fbr more than half a million dollars will be mailed out to these depositors, most of whom will use the money to do their Christmas shopping. The Christmas sav.ngs club business has grown rapidly in Indianapo-

M’CRAY MANAGERS ARE BEFOREJURY \ \ Investigators Adjourn Until Friday Morning. The Marion County grand jury in- | vesdgating financial affairs of Govi ernor McCray, which adjourned today until Friday morning, will probablj?’ complete its investigations late next wfek, it was announced toiday .j Witnesses testifying today, all of whose names McCray testified in the | bankruptcy hearing he had Eigned to i notes, were: Alva E. Harriman, part- | ner in the A. E. Harriman Company. ] Kentland; W. L. Rensberg, manager I of the Brooklyn Stock Farm; James L. Morrison, Iridianaplols, former Statehouse employe; W. J. Hendry. Moores ville, nisfnager of the Morgan Countv Stock Farm; Asa Pickett. Kentland. manager of the Green Stack Farm; Frank E. Henderson, Brook, Ind , manager of the Hickory Island Stock : Farm. The subpoenaelng of these persons following the appearance of J. J. i Kiser, vice president of the Meyer--1 Kiser Bank, before the jury Tuesday, i has ied to the belief that the jbry is making an inquiry concerning notes given by McCray as collateral to other notes sold through the Meyer-Kiser bank. Kiser testified in the bankruptcy hearing thal some of these collateral notes were signed with the names of farm managers and associates of the Governor. - —— WOMAN ‘LURE’ TO JURY Two Companions, Charged With Robbery, Also Bound Over. Mrs. Thelma Louise Clark, 20, of Louisville, Ky., charged with luring Albert H. Voight, 4811 College Ave.. to a lonely road near the Casino Gar dens, where he was robbed by two young men. and James Harrington. 18. and Rudell Fleenor, 17, charged with the robbery, were bound over to the grand jury today by Delbert O. Wllmeth. n *-'*“■* ‘ r * w ** <

Victim in Kidnaping and Scene of Tragedy

MRS. HELEN WHELCHEL

lie, each year seeing more persons tak.ng advantage of thiß means of aSsiying themselves Christmas money. The average Christmas savings depositor will be paid approximately 335. Many Savings Plans. Christmas savings systems talfe various forms. Some depositors pay a fixed sum each week. Others pay an amount increasing or diminish.ng each week. Most banks give a wide choice In the method to be used in making such deiWislj^. The Fletcher Savings und Trust Company will add four new savings plans next year. These will be the 2oent increasing, the 5-cent increasing, the 5-cent comb.nation and the 25cent weekly. Eleven Banks to Pay. Eleven banks in the city will pay $533,711.18 in Christmas savings checks. These eleven banks, the amount paid by each and the number of Christmas savers doing business with each follow: Airounl. Depositors. Aetna Trust* 940.1)11.18 2.000 5. Washington 1,000.00 30 FletchtT Trust 150.000.00 3.500 Marian County 4h 000.00 1.500 National City 13.000.00 324 "Northwestern ...... 8.000.00 no estimate South Side 1.100.00 100 State Trust 8.000.00 325 Tuxedo 1,700.00 125 Washington ; 12 000.00 450 J F. Wild 250,000.00 6.500 MAN FOUND DEAD LYING ON FLOOR Coroner Investigating; James Helton Finds Body, Coroner Paul F. Robinson today was investigating the death of Lewis F Thompson, 61, found dead on the floor at his home, 624 E. Georgia St., this morning. . „ Thompson, a junk dealer and coal peddler, had been living with James Helton. When Thompson did not come to the barn this morning, as customary, Helton investigated. The body was taken tb the city morgue. Woman’s Death Investigated G. L. Pugh, first deputy State fire marshal, was at Corydon today investigating the death Sunday of Mrs. Addie Coffman, following the burning of her home and the disappearance of her husband, Jack Coffman. The Coffmans were under investigation of the fire marshal's office two weeks ago. Pugh said In a telephone message that Mrs. Coffman’s stomach would lie brought to Indianapolis for analysis. HOURLY TEMPERATURE 6 a. m. - 36 10 a. m 38 7 a. m 35 11 a. nj,...--.. 39 8 a. m 36 12 (noon) 41 9 a. m. 36

INDIANAPOLIS, WEDNESDAY, NOV. 28, 1923

~v-. i 11 '

PrOT (MARKED BY CROSS! BENT!ATT! HIGH SCHOOL ROAD BRIDGE OVER BfG FOUR TRACKS TWO MILES WEST AND ONE MILE NORTH OF BEN. DAVIS, WHERE MRS. WHELCHELS BODY WAS FOUND. -

CITY’S UNSOLVED DEATHS

Robert Watson—Slain by former “Technical High School studenf~ln 1920,” on Aug. 16, 1923, at 221 Richland St. Slayer has never been found. Dr. Helen Knabe—Body found slain in office fifteen years ago. Aunt, a doctor and others were involved in a tangle of clews which final-

CHECK SWINDLING CHARGE IS MADE IN MAOIST U, S, Official Describes ‘Game’ Worked on Local Law Firm, With the arrest today of Louis A. Ackley, alias Shelby D. Pardridge, alias A. D. Dickson, alias Martin, W. C. Ela, postoffice inspector said he believed one of the cleverest check swindlers In the United States had been taken Into custody. He was to be given a hearing before Howard S. Young, United States commissioner, today. Ackley was arrested after William H. Thompson, of the law firm of Miller, Dailey and Thompson, had become suspicious and called the police. Check Received 1 Ackley, under the name of Dickson, employed Miller, Dailey and Thompson recently to collect a $3,000 balance on a $6,700 note he said was owing to him by Phillip D. and Stella N. Norman, both of Cincinnati. Today what was purported to be a cashier’s check on the Fourth National Bank of Cincinnati, indorsed to Miller, Dailey and Thompson was received by the firm. Ackley told Thompson to take out his fee and give the balance In cash, according to officers. Thompson investigated and found the check to be a forgery, Ela said. According to Ela, Ackley sent the check from Cincinnati after forging It. Wanted Elsewhere He is wanted for similar actions on the Citizens National Bank of Evansville, and at Topeka, Kan., and Kansas City. Kan., Ela said. When arrested, Ackley had more than $3,000 concealed In a money belt, officers said. After his arrest, he told Ela to notify the Ohio State penitentiary that "you have got Martin,” according to Ela. officials Visit campus Park Board and Trustees Inspect Butler Fairview Site. Members of the park board and trustees of Butler College visited the site of new college buildings at Fairview this afternoon to determine locations of entrances to the new campus and to—decide what streets leading into the campus should be improved.

ly proved futile. Mystery never has been solved. Mrs. Theresa Perry— Killed by her husband's “friend,” Albert Smith, while her uieee gazed at the tragedy. Smith b as never been found. Policeman Jesse Louden Slain by burglar in June. 1923, at Sixteenth St. and

TOOT! TOOT! ONE WAY SPECIAL TO ATLANTA Privately Conducted Excursion to Dixie Leaves Monday The next personally conducted, free of charge, one way, seeing Atlanta special for Federal prisoners sentenced to the Atlanta penitentiary by Judge Albert B. Anderson Monday and Tuesday, will leave for the Southland Monday. Linus P. Meredith, United States marshal, Glenn Cranor, deputy marshal and several members of the local police force will chaperon the party. WAS WEDDING SPOILED? Information of Divorce Decree Is Wired to Florida. Charles Stewart, clerk for Superior Judge T. J. Moll, was speculating today whether a telegram he sent to Florida broke up wedding plans or something. The telegram was sent collect In reply to a meafeage from Plant City, Fla., presumably from some attorney, which read: ‘‘Honorable Judge Moll’s court. Kindly advise me by return rush wire, collect, the date decree was granted in case No. A-21908, filed July 12, 1923. Also cost of certified copy.” “Divorce denied Nov. 8,” was the reply. Records showed the divorce was denied Mrs. Elinor Schmidt, English Hotel, who sued Carl Schmidt, Linden Hotel, on grounds of nonsupport. Three Opium Dens Raided Du United Press CLEVELAND, Ohio, Nov. 28. Seven Chinese were arrested and eighty tins of opium were confiscated today when narcotics agents swooped down on the Chinese quarter and raided three dens. Police valued the opium at $5,000.

LITTLE GIRL TAGGED BUT MISSES MOTHER Juvenile Court Authorities Aid Weada Hargis, 9, Who Arrives Alone at Union Station From Kentucky,

Safe with mother after a night of alarm and adventure not commonly experienced by nine-year-old girls, Weada Hargis, 930 E. McCarty St., began her Thanksgiving a day early. Wearing a tag with her name and the Indianapolis street number, the little black-eyed girl arrived alone at 2 a. m. last night from Somerset, Ky., where she has been living with grandparents. Her mother, Mrs. Anna Harnishflger, was not At the£Union Sta-

En'ered as Second-class Matter at PostofOse, Indianapolis. Published Daily Except Sunday.

Central Ave. Man escaped. Hence Orme Wealthy farmer, killed Nov. 18, 1922, by highwaymen on a lonely road near Ft. Harrison. lie was shot as he stepped from his automobile after being ordered to hold up his hands A diamond ring was taken from the finger of a young woman who accompanied him.

ARMORY OWNERS STORM I.N.G. FOR DELINQUENT RENT Present Appropriation Said to Be Unavailable for Payment, Examiners for the State board ~r>f accounts today were studying armory contracts between the Indiana National Guard and the armory owners to determine possibility of payment of $23,700.48 in delinquent rentals out of the present appropriation of $194,000. Since the rentals are over the period of April to September, 1923, it is doubtful if the amounts could be drawn from the present appropriation, which was not available until Oct. 1, 1923. Owners of armories from various parts of the State have complained to State officials that the rentals have not been paid. Robert Bracken, State auditor, has declined to pay vouchers for the fentals. The following old bills remain unpaid: Armory rentals, $23,700.48; two six-month drill period payments, about $36,000; training pay for summer camp at Camp Knox, Ky., about $60,000; miscellaneous expenses, $4,328.79rThese would make a total of about $125,000 in old bills. Payment would leave a balance of about $70,000 with which to pay current expenses of the guard.

tion. Two kindly policemen and Weada explored the neighborhood, but for some reason could not locate her mother’s home. The child was placed in the Juvenile Detention Home. This morning juvenile couft authorities scoured the town, seeking the mother, while the mother, who had met every train, looked frantically for her daughter. Finally they met at the station. The mix-up was due to a renumbering of StoCarty St„ It was said.

Mrs. Helen Whelchel, 1854 Applegate St., Victim of Kidnaping, Is Found Dead Near Ben Davis. MYSTERY TOLD BRIEFLY VICTIM—Mrs. Helen Whelchel, 22, a widow, 1854 Applegate St. (south side). Mrs. Whelchel was employed as a hair dresser. , SCENE—A bridge over the Big Four railroad near Ben Davis. CIRCUMSTANCES—Mrs. Whelchel was kidnaped near her home shortly after midnight, taken in an automobile to the bridge and thrown over. MOTIVE —Uncertain. It is believed Mrs. Whelchel was injured or killed in an attempted attack, and the body thrown over the bridge in the hope a train would strike it and make identification impossible. Kidnaped by an assailant who took her away in an automobile, Mrs. Helen Whelchel, 22, of 1854 Applegate St., was murdered early this morning. The body was found between the Big Four railroad tracks under a bridge on the High School Road two miles west and one north of Ben Davis. The body was identified as that of Mrs. Whelchel by a wedding ring on the finger and by a photograph in the possession of The Times. The ring bore the inscription “R. W. to H. H.” Later h rancis M. liager, father of Mrs. Whelchel, positively identified the body as that of his daughter at Royster & Askin undertaking parlors According to Hager, at whose home the daughter lived, the ring was given her by her husband, who. was killed in an accident last March. The dress worn by the murder victim was the same one she wore when the picture was taken. VICTIM’S FACE CUT AND BRUISED The face was ffadly cut and bruised by the fall from the bridge. What was at first thought to be a bullet hole proved to be a deep wound between the eyes, made either by some instrument in the hands of an assailant or by something which the body struck in the fall. Mrs. Whelchel, according to her father, left home shortly after 6 o’clock Tuesday night. The body was found at 7:20 a. m. by a section gang working under the bridge. The belief that Mrs. Whelchel was kidnaped was strengthened by the story of Frank Oberting, 1729 S. East St., who lives near Mrs. Whelehel’s home. * /

WOMAN’S SCREAMS ARE HEARD Oberting said that shortly after midnight he heard a woman scream in front of his house. He looked from a window and saw a Ford touring car veering away from the curb. He said it appeared a man was driving with one hand and holding some person with the other. Oberting ran into the street and saw the car disappear into lowa St. A wo..ian’s hat was found in the street in front of the Oberting house. This hat was identified by Hager as that of his daughter. The hat forms the connecting link between the abduction and the murder. The time of the abduction is taken as an indication it probably occurred after Mrs. Whelchel had stepped from a street car preparing to go home. •Just before noon today an earring belonging to Mrs. Whelehel was picked up near the spot where her hat was found. “ABANDONED” AUTO FALSE CLEW After the hat was found, a search was started. This led to the discovering of an abandoned Ford touring car on the Three Notch Road, about four miles south of the city. The car was taken to headquarters. This morning Frank Montgomery, 806 Torbett St., appeared at police headquarters and claimed the car. He explained it was used by him and a number of other men who had gone coon hunting. The 'bar was turned over to Montgomery. When Mrs, Whelchel left home she told her father she was “going out for a little while” and would return. She had been jn the habit of going to dances and to motion picture shows. Discovery of the body was reported by W. 11. Bristow, section foreman, 119 N. Chester St. With him when the body was found were Hers-hell Miller, 649 E. Buchanan St., and George P. Cooley, 406 Union St. •>. It was reported by persons living near the scene of the murder that a track walker tiad passed the bridge at 4 a. m. and had not seen the body. The bridge, which carries the highway over the railroad tracks, is about forty feet above the tracks. The body had evidently been lifted over a high iron guard rail and dropped over. The victim was bare-headed and one of her shoes was missing. INDICATION OF STRUGGLE SEEN There was every indication of a struggle. A broken stand of imitation pearls was found near one end of the bridge, where the wheels of an automobile, apparently a Ford, had been turned toward the guard rail. Persons at the scene believe the struggle occurred in the automobile and that the necklace was thrown out. The man who threw the body over the guard rail, how4®||g , (Continual on Page 11)

Forecast FAIR tonight. Thursday rising temperature with increasing cloudiness, becoming unsettled by night.

TWO CENTS