Indianapolis Times, Volume 35, Number 180, Indianapolis, Marion County, 11 December 1923 — Page 1

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VOLUME 35—DUMBER 180

4 PRISONERS SCALE ILL 10 FREEDOM Kansas Convicts Stab Trusty and Leap 35 Feet —One Is Wounded, By United Press LANSING. Kan., Dec. 11.—Four convicts made a dramatic escape from the Kansas State prison last night—the second group to gain its freedom from the penitentiary within a week. One man was wounded when he attempted to prevent the escape and a fifth prisoner trying to make his getaway was shot down as he scaled the prison wall. Shortly before midnight, Charles Kavanaugh, convict with a long record, rang for Edwaxd Stewart, the trusty in charge of the row of cells at night, and told him there was a leak in a water pipe. Stewart unlocked the cell door to investigate and Kavanaugh's cell mate, John Stitzel, levelled a revolver which apparently had been smuggled in, at him. Take Trusty’s Keys The two prisoners took Stewart’s keys, locked him in their cell, held up Frank Henderson, a guard, and obtained additional keys, then locked Henderson with Stewart. After unlocking the cells of Brizzie Pratt. Celon Richerson and Walter Geary, the five rushed to the power house. Alec Smith ,a trusty life-termer, who showed great heroism in his efforts to prevent the escape, was working in the powerhouse. The men ordered him to cut the prison w-ires. He refused. They then attempted to throw a switch turning off all prison lights. Smith stepped in their way. Richardson stabbed Smith in the side, seriously wounding him. The men then threw the switch turning of? the current, obtained a ladder from a locker .uid made their way toward the prison wall. En route they stopped at the telephone office and ordered Roy Reed, operator, to destroy the switchboard. Reed refused. They cursed him. but the prisoners had already wasted much time and they- hurried on toward the wall. As the ladder was placed against the barricade the lights were again turned on. Jump From Wail _ Smith. seriously wounded, had made his way to the hospital and spread the alarm. The switch turn ing on the current was thrown and a great battery of powerful searchlights was focused on the fugitives. The prisoners lumped from the top of me wall to the ground, thirty-five feet. As Kavanaugn leaped, he was struck in the leg by a bullet and captured. MAN INJURED BY AUTO Edgar ElKs Struck After Leaving Street far; Driver Arrested Edgar Ellis, 6402 Bellefontaine St., was badly bruised about the body when he was struck by an automobile driven by Earnest Casto. 819 Pine Et.. today at Pratt St. and Massachusetts Ave. Ellis had just got off a street car. Casto was arrested on a charge of assault and battery. Ellis was taken home.

“BILLY” PINKERTON DIES IN LOS ANGELES Famous Detective Succumb s to Sudden Illness While on Vacation in California.

By United Pres: LOS ANGELES. Cal., Dec. 11.— William A. Pinkerton, head of the Pinkerton Detective Agency of New York, died at the i j Liitmore Hotel toE clans V by ills secretary, M J. R. Black, but with him wh-*n be f i secret service opder of the ieIec“BILLY” ''tive agency. He PINKERTON was born at Dundee, 111., in 1846. During the Civil War he was In tnesecret service of the Army of the PoCOUNTRY CLUB TO ELECT i Highland Golf Association to Name Four Directors. Four directors to serve three years will be elected at the annual dinner and stockholders’ meeting at Highland Golf and Country Club at 6:30 tonight. The new directors, with eight whose terms did not expire, will choose officers soon. Important reports upon progress of the club, which completed its new home this year, will be made.

The Indianapolis Times

Clothes Afire, Child Dies of Body Burns • ' v \ w \ . ,J ■ ' A

ROBERT HALE If Mrs. Robert Haley, 723 E. Ohio St., left her l-i-months-old son, Robert, Jr., for a moment Monday afternoon. She smelled smoke, and returning found the child’s clothing in flames. Although she smothered the fire, the child died later at the city hospital.

WALB MEETING ON M’CRAY SET FOR [ CHRISTMAS WEEK Schortemeier Reports That Washington Leaders Desire to Attend. Republican members of the Indiana congressional delegation will be invited to attend a meeting of the Repub- ■ llc&n S'aie committee to be held some time between Christmas and New Year's to discuss the question of demanding Governor McCray's resignation, Clyde A. Walb. Republican State chairman, said today. “I talked with Fred Schortemeier (secretary of the State committee), who is in Washington, on the teleI phone Monday night,” W&lb said. “He j said some of the delegation want to jbe present at the meeting. There will jbe a meeting before Jan. 1. You can I count on that. j "Meantime lam spending my time i gathering Information to show that G< vemor McCray has besmirched the name of the State. This information will be presented In writing to the State committee.” Two Republican Congressmen, Richard Elliott of the Sixth District, and Andrew H ckey of the Thirteenth l District, have announced opposition to Walb's plan for demanding the Governor’s resignation. Will R. Wood of the Tenth District also is opposed to the move, according to reports. Republican County chairmen of the First district will meet at Evansville j Friday to discuss the situation. Stu art Fisher of Princeton, district chair- ; man, said he believed Walb should be i supported.

tomac. With his brother, he took over the detective agency upon death of the elder Pinkerton, in 1884.

11 more SLIOPPINC DAV 6 „ BEFORE To pAßcev. J | 4bST STATIOH 1

NO SPECIFIC PENALTY ASKED FOR DE PREZ Second Hearing of Murder Case Begins at Greensburg. By Times Special GREENSBURG, Ind., Dec. 11—Attorneys for the State ask no specific penalty for the defendant of the jury hearing the second trial of James R. De Prez of Lewis Creek. Shelby County, now Ir session here. De Prez is charged with first degree murder in connection with the shooting of his father, John De Prez, Feb. 3. The Jury disagreed In the first trial. The case was brought here on a change of vaaw from Shelby County.

MURDER OF KLAN LAWYER LAIDTOPLOT Probe Into Slaying Reveals Evidence in Dozen States, 'lnvestigator Declares, By United Press ATLANTA. 0a... Dec. 11.—“ The murder of Captain Coburn was planned by more than one mind.” This summarizes the evidence to be presented to Superior Court Wednesday in an effort to send Phil E. Fox, publicity director of Ku-Klux Klan, to the gallows for the murder of W. S. Coburn, attorney of a rival faction, which was given the United Pr.iss today by Henry J. Nortbon, who has collaborated in the ease with the solicitor general’s office. Northon. a leader of the Simmons group In the bitter Internal war In t. Alan, has directed more than a score of investigators in unearthing evidence in nearly a dozen States into which the murder probe has extended during the last month. “We have information,” Norton said, "that an imperial officer of the Klan who was irt New York received a telegram one hour before the murder stating Coburn is daad,’ and this will be presented at the trial, along with other startling disclosures Indicating the killing was a part of a carefully laid plot.” Norton revealed what the State will contend was the motive, for the murder and other details which the prosecution claims was the climax of a bitter factional fight which has been waged for months in the courts with Cobum the aggressor.

What Our End of Town Wants By JOSEPH I* DOERR. President. Thirteenth Ward Civic League.

Wilh the ever!rcreasing demand for civic activity within the territory embraced by the Thirteenth Ward

and adjoining sections, an organization has been created to be known as the Thirteenth Ward Civic League. The alms and purposes of this league will be to bring to the attention of the proper city officials matters pertaining to the welfare of the community, such as the elimination of certain objectionable practices which are now in

F?l F| ’ mgzz'si Knlr 1 J. L. DOERR

existence, to secure necessary Im provements, to fully equip and en hance our public playgrounds and in general to participate in the advantages offered other sections of this “No Mean City.” Our efforts have heretofore been applied individually with resulting promises and little or no success and with the consciousness of the achievements of other civic leagues the organizers of the Thirteenth Ward Civic League felt that through united effort we might secure what indlviduzl effort could not accomplish. The scope of our league will not be limited to the confines of the Thirteenth Ward. Our purpose is to lend every effort in mat ters which will benefit the entire community. The enthusiasm displayed at the organization meeting helc? at the South Side State Bank on S. Meridian St. on Wednesday evening, Nov. 7, lends encouragement to the officers named below who were elected at that meeting: Joseph L. Doerr, president. A. B. Wernsing, vice president. Mrs. Josephine Byrkit, secretary. Mrs. Emma Werbe, treasurer. For the present the association will meet at the South Side State Bank at 8 p. m. on the fourth Wednesday of each month. A cordial Invitation Is extended to all to attend these meetings and to offer any suggestions for the betterment or welfare of the community.

Harding Memorial Now Is the time to make your contribution to the Harding Memorial Fund. A national campaign In on • his week to raise $3,000,000. Gifts are to be in loving remembrance. They are to be voluntary. They are to come from nonpartisan sources. A school child’s dime will be as welcome as the merchant prl nee’s large donation. The Idea Is to have EVEPT TODY give something. For your convenience the following blank is printed: IN MEMORY OF HARDING To the Indianapolis Times: ' , I am sending you herewith my check for ($ ) payable to Arthur V. Brown, Treasurer, as a contribution to the Harding Memorial Fqnd. Name Street address City Please write plainly go that a correct record may be kept. A

INDIANAPOLIS, TUESDAY, DEC. 11, 1923

Honeymoon for Six Follows Triple Wedding for Three From One Family

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LEFT TO RIGHT —ELZA BROWN. HIS WIFE, MRS. FRANK BROWN, HER HUSBAND, MRS. ROY BROWN, AND HER HUSBAND.

A' - "! N automobile laden with three pair of honeymooners went from Indianapolis to Cincinnati today. The triple honeymoon, which follows a triple wedding Mon day night, will last a week. The wedding took place at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Winfield Scott Brown, 1206 Bates St. Two sons and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Brown were among the six ■pidncipals. Only one of the six Is more than 20 years old. Mis* Audrey Brown. 16. daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Winfield Brown.

G. A. H. SHIDELER, HEAD OF REFORMATORY, IS DEAD

NICHOLS TO DIRECT GOVERNORS TRIAL Judge James Collins Appoints Moores' Aide, ■ Clarence W. Nichols, attorney who assisted the late Charles W. Moores as special prosecutor In Investigating financial transactions of Governor McCray, today was appointed special prosecutor to succeed Moores by Criminal Judge James A. Collins. Nichols will direct the prosecution when McCray Is tried in 1924 In Criminal Court on Indictments charging embezzlement of State funds, grdnd larceny, forgery and issuing fraudulent checks. Arraignment on the charges will be held Jan. 7. It is regarded as probable that tne trial will be held in Marlon County. Congress Today HOUSE In recess until Thursday. Committee on committees continues formation of committees. SENATE Resumes fight, over chairmanship of Interstate Commerce Committee. CHECK ARTIST GETS SSOO Ten Mtincie Merchants Are Victims of Swindle. By United Press MUNCIE, Ind.. Dec. 11.—Ten Muncle merchants were victimized to the amount of SSOO by a clever check artist who yesterday visited different stores, buying Inexpensive Christmas gifts and receiving change on forged checks for large amounts presented In payment. He left town with no clew to his Identity.

became the bride of Elza Brown, 19, of 419 S. Alabama St.; Miss Grace McCann, 19. of 823 Olive St., was married to Frank Brown, 23, of 1206 Bates St.: Miss Hazel Kaufman, 17, of Edgewood, Ind., was united In marriage with Roy Brown, 20, of 1206 Hates St. The three couples had planned a triple elopement to Cincinnati Monday But when Mrs. Brown heard of it she persuaded them to have the triple wedding at home * The Rev. Harry Mount, pastor S c h Side Christian Church, officiated.

Superintendent Succumbs to Heart Attack Beginning Here Last Saturday. George A. H. Shideler, superintendent of the Indiana Reformatory at Pendleton, died at St. Vincent Hoa- | pital at 9:45 a. m. today. Ho had been at the hospital since Saturday afternoon, when he suffered an attack of chronic heart disease while in Indianapolis t oattend the funeral of Dr. I George F. Edenharter, superintendent of the Central Hospital for the Insane. Mr. Shldeler became ill while talking to Dr. S. E. Smith, provost of In- ; dlana University and former superin i tendent of the Eastern Hospital for I the Insane, In a downtown hotel. Dr. ! Smith called his son, Dr. E. R. Smith. S who sent Mr. Shideler to the hospital. Bora in Jonesboro Mr. Shidelw was born Nov. 23, | 1863, at Jonesboro, Grant County. ; He was the son of D. B. Shldeter and | Sarah J. Eviaton Shldeler. At 14, George Shldeler became a cash boy at the New York Store. In- | djanapolis. He was promoted to the ! position of salesman and later became | a traveling salesman. At 24, ho bei came secretary of Marion Flint Glass Company o:1 Marion, ind. He was a Republican. He was a member of the Columbia Club of Indianapolis, the Knights of Pythias Lodge and was a thirty-second degree Mason. He married Margaret Bail in 1894. Widow and Sons Survive. Surviving are the widow and two sons, Robert E., in business in Indianapolis, and Richard, a student at Wabash College, Crawfordsville, Ind. Because the new State prison at Pendleton had no quarters for the superintendent’s family, Mrs. Shldeler recently rented an apartment In Indianapolis. Mr. Shideler was kn as “Hoi” to his Inmates. Governor McCray dald: "In the death of Mr. Shldeler, Indiana and the world unfortunately have lost a great friend. He was, indeed, a wonderful man. His love for humanity was boundless. His Influence on wayward and misguided young men was most wholesome, and has been the means of starting hundreds of them on the road of good citlenshlp. I am deeply grieved over the loss of this outstanding public servant and of a friend whose loyalty knew no bounds.” ” ’Hoi’ Shideler was one of the greatest men in America,” said J. E. Fogarty, warden at the State Prison at Michigan City. “He was nationally recognized as a man of sound humanitarian principles.” Sympathies Broad “Mr. Shideler was a man of broad sympathy,” said John A. Brown, secretary of the State board of charities. “He had a great interest in his fellow man. He was always for the man who was down and out.” Mr. Shideler had been Identified with prison work since Nov. 1, 1899 when he was appointed warden at Michigan City. He served in this capacity for about a year. He returned to a State position Jan. 8, 1917, when he became superintendent of the Indiana Boys’ School at Plainfield, Ind. He held this position until Aug. 1, 1918, when he took up duties as superintendent of the State reformatory at Jeffenfcnville.

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

The three bridegrooms work in the Big Four shops at Beech GroveOn their return, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Brown and Mr. and Mrs. Roy Brown will live at 1206 Bates St. temporarily, and Mr. and Mrs. Elza Brown at 224 Leota St. Among guests at the wedding were two other daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Winfield Brown, who participated in a double wedding eight years ago. They were Mrs. Goldie Brown Ploch and Mrs. Hazel Brown Hamel.

LIVESTOCK KILLED IN m BLAZE Barn Fire Believed of Incendiary Origin, By United Press CONNERSVILLE. Slid., Dec. 11.— Fire, believed to be of incendiary origin, destroyed a large barn on the Laurel Orchard farm, fifteen miles south of here, early today. Eighteen horses, three and several head of cattle wore burned. The loss was estimated at more than $15,000. The farm is owned by E. A. Schultze and his son. Schultze called Franklin County authorities to pick up the trail of any men who might have been about the barn during the night.

LA FOLLETTE GROUP DEADLOCK SENATE Vote to Select Chairman Still Is Unchanged, By United Press WASHINGTON, Dec. 11.—Senate progressives tightened their dead:oe<v grip on the Senate today. When the fight over the selection of a chairman of the committee on Interstate Commerce was resumed, not a vote was changed from the last ballot taken. The seven stalwarts who stand behind Senator La Follette, their leader, for chairmanship of the committee, which is to dominate rail legislation, clung to their position. The tabulation of the second ballot today—the fifth since the start of In? fight, was: Cummins, 41| Smith, 39; La Ffllotte, 7. y Man Hurt in Auto Crash Roy Altum, 26, of 668 E. Eleventh St., was possibly Injured internally and a righ hip fractured when his automobile was struck by a truck driven by E. L. Gibson, 51, of 332 Vi Massachusetts Ave., at Tenth St. and Park Ave.

Mah Jongg in Times Turn to the editorial page and read the first lesson by J. P. Babcock, recognized as leading authority on the Chinese game of mystery. The Times will publish a series by Babcock. Clip the articles from day to day and you will have a com plete rule boak FREE OF COST.

NEW CLEW IS SEEN IN SHAW CASE Detective Captain Declines to Discuss Report From Men Working on Case—lnformation From Outside City Is Indicated, SHAW MAINTAINS SULLEN ATTITUDE IN PRISON New York State Authorities Abandon Theory Prisoner May Have Been Involved in Death There — Warden Fogarty in City, Mystery today surrounded a report that detectives have an important new clew in the murder of Mrs. Helen Whelchel, 22, of 1854 Applegate St., Nov. 28. Detective Capt. Jerry Kinney refused to discuss a report he received from Detectives MeMurtrie and McGlenn, who are working on the case. It was intimated from a source outside police headquarters that information bearing upon the ease had been received from outside the city.

Presence In the city of Warden E. J. Fogarty of the State prison at Michigan City, where John Thomas Shaw, 24, colored, 1418 E. Maryland St., indicted for the murder, is held, gave rise to a report that Shaw might have been returned to Indianapolis. Shaw Is Sullen Walter Daly, deputy warden, said over the long distance telephone, however, that Shaw still Is In the prison. Shaw is “more sullen than ever” and refuses to talk. He evinces little interest in his indictment and what the wardens tell him of developments in Indianapolis, Daly said. A dispatch from White Plains, N Y., said that authorities there have BOOZE RING TRIO IS FOUND GUILTY BY FEDERAL JURY Detail's of Conspiracy Are Toid by Defendants in Court. Peter Pacini of 4257 Guilford Ave., Joseph La Rosa of 909 S. New Jersey St., and William Haskell, farmer near Franklin, Ind., were found guilty of conspiracy to violate the Federal prohib.tion law by a jury in Federal Court today. Judgment was withheld by Judge Albert B. Anderson until later. Questioning of Nunzio La Rosa, a defendant who pleaded guilty, showed La Rosa had attempted to shield his father by claiming liquor found In a commission house at 41 S. Delaware St. Haskell testified he had rented a part of his farm, on which was situated a small house, to Harry Ice, also a defendant, who pleaded guilty. The house was to be used to shelter a still, he testified. Those who pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy were: Harry Ice, Gus Wink, Louis Kaiser, Frank Clutter, Nunzio La Rosa and Edward Dean. They will be sentenced later. Accord ing to testimony, Peter Pacini was head of a booze ring which handled imported and home-made liquor. Pacini's bond was raised by Judge Anderson from $2,000 to $5,000. La Rosa's bond was increased from $1,500 to $5,000. Haskell in default of a $750 bond Is held in county jail. STUDENTS RESENT USE OF ‘GYM’ BY CATHOLICS Four Hundred Fostoria (Ohio) High School Pupils “Strike” and Parade By United Press FOSTORIA, Ohio, Dec. 11.—Four hundred high school students “cut” classes and paraded the streets today protesting action of the board of education by which a Catholic parochial school is permitted to use the public high school gymnasium for basketball practice. Waving the American flag student leaders declared they would not return to school until the board of education cancels Its gymnasia a contract with the Catholic school. SIGNAL LIGHT CHANGES Rotation Is Changed In Washington St. Tower. Immediate change in the rotation of signal lights from the traffic tower in Washington St. was ordered by Traffic Captain Michael J. Glenn today. Under the new signal flash system, green light will donate east and west traffic for the same length of time as at present; the red light will denote street car movement, the amber light will denote north and south traffic, and the red light will flash attain for street cars before the green light. Captain Glenn said the change was made to permit street cars to move more frequently after stopping for passengers in the safety zone. The rotation will be green, red, amber, red and green. HOURLY TEMPERATURE 6 a. m,- 32 10 a. m| 39 7 a. m........ 32 11 a. m 40 8 a. m 34 12 (noon) 41 9 a, m- -• •*.*■ 35 X p,

Forecast FAIR tonight with lowest temperature about freezing. Wednesday fair with rising temperature.

TWO CENTS

abandoned their theory that Shaw* might have been connected with the murder of Miss Dorothy Kauffqian, Mennonite governess, last July at Greenburgh, N. Y. The body was thrown from a roof. The New York authorities asked for Information upon Shaw when they learned that Mrs. Whelchel was abducted from lowa and East Sts., the n ght of Nov. 27, and her body found on Big Four tracks one mile north of Ben Davis beneath the High 'School Rd. bridge the next morning. Working In Indianapolis The theory was abandoned when Indianapolis police notified the New York authorities that Shaw was working in Indianapolis at the time of the murder at Greenburgh. Detectives here continued to question Fred J. Grady, colored. 647 Bright St., eleventh person arrested in the investigation. Grady, according to detectives, was in Shaw's automobile the night of the murder. Grady said, the police state, that Shaw took him home about 10:30 p. m and he did not see Shaw after that. The abduction occurred about 11:35. ' H. B. Pike, former prosecuting attorney of Vermillion County, today was appointed chief counsel to defend Shaw, Doc. 19. C. H. Thurston, 237(4 Indiana Ave.. was named assistant to Pike by Criminal Court Judge .Tames A. Collins.

Caught in the Net of Ormuz Khan Phil Abingdon, prettiest of English girls, moved among deadliest perils she knew nothing of, while two resolute men, Paul Harley, the super-detective, and Nicol Brinn, American millionaire, worked desperately to save her. But Ormuz, head of a far-flung murder cult, oriental in origin, but world-wide in power and activity, was a foe hard to beat. For that they threatened his plans, he quickly doomed Harley and Brinn as well. And here Nalda, high priestess of Ormuz’s ow r n order, but in love with Brinn, enters into the plot. The story Is FIRE-TONGUE BY Sax Rohmer BEGINNING IN THE TIMES Thursday Every fiction lover knows Rohmer, author of tale in which east and west meet, of mystery, of furious action, of tensest excitement and the moat gripping suspense and Interest. The Romance of Sorcery, The Devil Dofctor, Brood of the Witch Queen, The Dream Detective are a few among his novels of the past. Masterpieces as they are, Fire-Tongue surpasses all of them. From start to finish you’ll find it hard to wait, installment by installment, for development in this wonderful story.