Indianapolis Times, Volume 36, Number 197, Indianapolis, Marion County, 26 December 1924 — Page 1

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VOLUME 36—NUMBER 197

LEO K. FESLER IS ARRESTED

SCHOOL BLAZE VIMS 808 BV SURVIVORS Dig Graves in Icy Ground for 33 Who Perished When ‘ Flames Swept Christmas Party, NEAR DEATH Funeral Services Held Today for Sixteen —2,000 Attend, Hv United Press HOBART, Okla.. Dec. 26.—With Christmas a haunting memory, residents of Babbs, Switch, small community seven miles south, gathered here today to bury the thirty-three men, women and children who perished in a disastrous Christmas eve fire which made the small community schoolhouse a death trap. The charred remains of the thirty-third victim, believed to be Lilly Reill, was removed from the ruins of what was schoolhouse No. 42, Thursday night. Private funeral services were held this afternoon in the morgue where the bodies have been lying in state for sixteen of the victims. More than 2,000 relatives and neighbors of the dead, many of them survivors of the disaster, gathered for the services. A similar service for the remainder of the victims will be held Saturday when additional graves have been dug in the icv ground. Seventeen of the thirty-seven persons injured in escaping from the schoolhouse were discharged from hospitals this morning. Two of the twenty-two injured remaining in hospitals were reported dying. | Dig Graves Grim-faced men, part of the 150 persons who escaped the licking tongues of the flames which enveloped the small one-story frame building, when a tiny candle In th* top of the large Christmas tree overturned, were busy digging graves in the ice-covered ground today. Pathos stalked in this morning after the tragedy, when a large box of children's toys arrived from Muskogee, Okla., for the two score chil-; dren who saw flames angrily engulf their presents which a Santa Claus had just started removing from the tree. Nearly fifty Muskogee children gathered at a mass meeting Thursday and decided to send their Christmas gifts to the little sufferers. Andrew Jackson, hero of the disrsrer. was called upon dozens of times today hv grief-stricken relafives of the victims, who desired to hear the story of the Nation's disas trous Christmas eve tragedy. Curtain Fired A flimsy curtain behind which j students of the school had remained | before they stepped upon the j school's stage to speak their Christmas pieces, caught fire when the tree overturned into the laps of those on the front row. ' Jackson said. “1 darted for the door and got out. Thens say my sister Vesta being milled under the feet of those fighting to get through the only exit. "I couldn't get the heavy screens | of the windows loose. It was a living hell for them. i "I rar. to the door and started pull ing those who were wedged tight ! outside. There were over two hundred pushing against them trying to get out. 1 couldn't reach my sister and I saw her disappear and tinflames just tore their way through those trying to get out.'* Riot Averted A near riot occurred in the sani- j ♦arium where the injured were be- j lng treated late Thursday, when a i Jewelry store across the street j caught fire. Terrified at the smell of smoke I and at the sight of flames, which j threatened to envelop the institu- ! tlon. the patients fought with psysl- i cians and nurses and were only quieted after the blaze was put un- j der control. Christmas day crowds In two j theaters across the street stampeded I when cries of "fire;” were heard and fire engines thundered by. Firemen quickly extinguished the hlaze. ILLINOIS FIRE KILLS TWO Man and Grandson Burn to Death— Dancers See Flames. ft V United Press EDWARDSVILLE. 111., Dec. 26. i Two persons were burned to death j at Prairletown near here Thursday : night when Are destroyed the home : of Louis Pape. Pape and his grand- ! son were killed. A group of young folks at a dance nearby saw the blaze and went to the flaming building in time to rescue Mrs. Pape and another j grandson. Both are in dangerous condition from injuries received. Woman I>r;ver Fined Mrs. Gene Stuck. 32. of 1833 Olive Ht., was fined S3 and costs in city court today on charge of violation of a traffic signal. She was arrested Dee. 18. Charge of failure to give right of way to fire apparatus was dismissed.

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LEO K. FESLER Leo K. Feeler, former county auditor, today was Indicted by the county grand Jury on a charge of altering a public record. RAIL CROSSINGS MAY GO Railroad Officials Confer Wills Stale Director Road 10 Straightening. Officials of the T. H., 1. & K. Traction Company and Pennsylvania Railroad today met with John D. Williams, State highway comnussidn director, to consider straightening State road No 10 from th- Eagle Creek bridge to Maywood. Iml. Straightening of the road will eliminate two railroad crossings. BUDGET IS DISCUSSED State Advisory Committee Confers With Lawrence Orr. State budget advisory committee today conferred with Lawrence Orr, State examiner, and Cre M. Frazier. State budget clerk, to outline a procedure in getting the budgets in shape to turn over to Ed Jackson. Governor-elect. Members of the committee are State Senators Robert L. Moo rehead, W. S. Chambers, and Representatives L. A. Pittenger and 37. A. Gottechalk. Plana were also laid for visiting State institutions. All but a few institutions have filed their budget requests.

CLEAN-UP BEGUN By POSTOFFICE Big Gains Made in All Kinds of Mall, With the hulk <>f holiday mail delivered, Indianapolis mailmen today were cleaning up. Although mailmen only worked until 11 a. m. Thursday, they managed to deliver 60 per cent of the mail arriving up until 5 a. m.. Postmaster Robert H. Bryson said. Grand total of all classes of mail handled this year from Dec. 15 to 24. inclusive, was 5.486,645 pieces, as compared to 7,212,476 for the same period last year. This Is an increase of 15.01 per cent. Number of letters mailed In Indianapolis and canceled at the postoffice for the same period this year totaled 4,920,460 as compared to 4.095,369 for same period last year. This is an increase of 20.36 per cent. and mail handled amounted to 16,915 for the ten-day period this year. Bast year it totaled 15,577 pieces, an increase of 8.58 per cent. Amount of parcel poet handled this year for the ten-day period totaled 3,540,310 pieces. Bast year for same period It totaled 3,101,530 pieces, an increase of 3.07 per cent. MORE SCOTCH CAPTURED Federal Agents Seize Seventh Case During Holidays. The seventh case of genuine Scotch White Horse whisky to be seized during the holiday season was in the hands of Federal prohibition agents today. The case was seized late Wednesday when Thaddeus Baker, receiver for the National Motors Company, Twenty-Second and Yandes Sts., 1 where the liquor was delivered, refused to accept it and notified Federal authorities. Agents went to the American Express office and took the liquor when the driver returned. Six cases, delivered to the same place, were seized Tuesday. The case taken Wednesday was shipped as auto parts from W. Pland. Brooklyn, New York. Federal Prohibition Director Bert Morgan said it had probably been smuggled from Scotland. Pedestrian Injured Mrs. Dora Newman. Indiana Ave. and North St., was taken to Deaconess Hospital today, after she was struck by a truck driven by Carl Walden, 2011 N. Ba Salle St., at New York St. and Senate Ave. Walden was charged with assault and battery.

BRIEF BELIEF 10 - BE FOLLOWED BY NEW SOLO WAVE Weather Bureau Forecasts More Frigid Weather Over Saturday and Sunday, MERCURY CLIMBS TO 23 Rapid Rise Brings Temporary Respite After Record Christmas. Warmer weather tonight, but a new cold wave Saturday afternoon or night was forecast by the weather bureau today, following the second day of the frigid period which gave Indianapolis the second coldest Christmas on record. The thermometer climbed rapidly this morning. Jumping 6 degrees between 9 a. m. and 10, when 13 above was recorded. At 1 p. m. the temperature was 23 above zero. Temperatures Thursday nigh; were higher than the preceding night when the mercury went as low as 4 below zero. The thermometer hov-

HOFRLV TEMPER \TI RE Thursday—--6 p. m 6 above 7 p. m 5 above 8 p. m 3 above 9 p. rn 2 above 10 p. m 3 above 11 p. m 2 above 12 (midnight) 1 above Friday—--1 a. m 1 above 2 a. m 1 above 3 a. rn 1 above 4 a. m 1 above 5 a. 1 above 6 a. m 1 above 6:30 a. rn zero 7 a. m 1 above 8 a. m 3 above 9 a. m 7 above 10 a. m 13 above 11 a. m 16 above 12 (noon) 20 above 1 p. rn 23 above ered at 1 above through the early morning hours reaching four-tenths of a degree above zero shortly after 6 a. m. today. "Outlook Is for another cold wave Saturday and Sunday, following warmer weather today and tonight,” J. H. Armington, Government meteorologist. said. “Warmer weather was reported from the Dakotas, but back of It is colder weather now In Alberta, which is moving eastward. Looks like one cold wave after another.” The record cold on Christmas was general through the country, according to weather bureau. Ft. Wayne reported the lowest In the State — 10 below zero. At Chicago It was 6 below. The bitter cold interfered seriously with holiday traffic. Tnterurbans ran from two to four hours late. Passenger trains were far off schedule but conditions tvere improved late Thursday night end today. State highways did not bear the usual heavy tide of traffic. The frigid air made diving long distances too uncomfortable for the most hardy drivers. Records for Christmas temperatures, recorded by the weather bureau are: Five below In 1878, 2 below 1872, 7 above 1902, 5 above 1903 and 1910 8 above. The warmest Christmas day was In 1893 when 64 was recorded.

FOUR DEATHS IN CHICAGO Overheated Furnaces Cause Many Fires —Relief I*romlsed. Bu T nUrd Preit CHICAGO, Dec. 26. —Four persons died here ns the result of the Intense cold of the past twenty-four hours. Numerous fires were caused by overheated furnaces. Fire In a hotel drove scores of guests to the street In night attire. Christmas day, with 6 below zero, was the coldest here In fifty-two years. SOUTH IS CHILLY Holiday Freeze to Extend to Jacksonville, Fla. By Timet Special WASHINGTON. Dec. 26.—1 t was a white Christmas for nine-tenths of the country. Never has the weather bureau recorded such cold Christmas day weather over such a wide area. Still colder weather Is forecast. The holiday freeze will extend as far South as Jacksonville, Fla. Cold wave warnings have been Issued for the Carolinas, extreme eastern Georgia and northern Florida. WOULD-BE THIEF ROUTED H. Klezmer Discovers Man Attempting to “Jimmy” Door. A man called H. Klezmer, 2038 W. Tenth St., over the telephone and said his store was being entered. Klezmer, who lives upstairs, raised the window and a colored man who was “jimmying" the front door ran. Police emergency could find no trace of hlrv

INDIANAPOLIS, FRIDAY, DEC. 26, 1924

Young Indianapolis Flocks to Coasting Places Provided by City to Try Out Gifts From Santa

EOUNG Indianapolis flocked to the hills today to try r ' W* out the sleds Santa Claus ; b *Robrt a Hartac .... . * • ice

TOP TO BOTTOM: BOBER T AND RAYMOND HARTSOCK AND SAMUEL JERRETT.

WALTER JARVIS, park luperintendent, announced ■ * hat the park department will continue to block street lulls in the afternoon to motorists to in sure safe coasting as long as the snow stays on.

THIRTEEN FLOOD VICTIMS BODIES ARE RECOVERED Seven Missing Also Believed to Have Died in Virginia Disaster, Hv I nitrd ’’rest SALT V'ILLE, Va., Dee 26. Thirteen bodies have been recovered and seven persons were sfili missing today in the wake of the flood which devastated the 1 lolston River valley at Parmartown. Va., Christmas eve. Fifteen homes In the little mill settlement were swept away before a torrent of white muck and water when the dam of the Mathleson Alkali Worjks gave way. The entire valley was Inundated by the mud and water which was released on the village without warning. Nineteen Injured Nineteen injured were being treated in an emergency hospital here. Several have contracted pneumonia ns a result of exposure In the icy waters and others were severely burned by alkali In the muck. Scores of others were made home less by the flood and wore given shelter in the local homes and bus! ness houses. Rescue workers labored throughout the day searching for additional bodies along the hanks of the river. The death toll, according to relief workers, will include those missing, bringing the list to twenty. Heavy and Incessant rains had backed tip water behind the muck dam across the north fork of the river above the little mill settlement and the pressure caused the dam to give way, loeening a veritable del ugo of muck and water upon the valley. Scores Caught Frantic men, women and children were thrown into the icy torrent, scores barely escaping with their lives after long battling with the raging waters. Telephone operators at Abingdon, Va., learned of the disaster shortly after the dam broke, and their prompt work in spreading the alarm ahead of *he flood saved mans lives. The entire valley was inundated and the river still is at the flood mark in many places. COACHES LEAVE TRACK Big Four Train Derailed Near Veedersburg. A Big Four passenger train on. the Peoria and Eastern division was derailed just east of Veedersburg, Ind., early today when the smoker and woman’s car left the rails. Both cars remained upright, and no one was hurt, according to L. S. Rose, general manager. Train was due in Indianapolis at 2:50 a. m. A relief train brought passengers to Indianapolis at 9:30 a. m.

Island Dwellers Build Sled to Save Life of Doctor

Hv Vnited Press Ohio. Dec. 26. I —Virtually every ablebodied inhabitant of this isolated town of the Bass Island group in Lake Erie worked as one in the sub-zero weather today building a large sledge on which to rush the island physician, Dr. H. L. Sowash, ov?r the

Jarvis ordered park guards on duty at additional coasting places on Pleasant Run and Riverside golf courses and in Jameson Park. Snow is being scraped from South Grove lagoon for skaters. Benches will he place! on tho

For Frost Bite The best treatment for frost bite is to dress so you won’t, he, said Herman <l. Morgan, ' city health officer, today. But of course if voti have frostbitten ears, nose or toes, the first thing to do is to rub snow or ice on affected parts until circulation is started. Rubbing is the best thing to do. Never apply hot cloths or warm water first unless you want a badly swollen ear or nose. Dr Morgan warned. After circulation is restored, a healing salve is helpful.

TALKS TO BE SHORT live-minute Speeches Xrranged for Municipal Banquet. Five minute talks will be given bv the heads of city departments at the municipal banquet of the administration Saturday, aJn. 3. at the Indianapolis Athletic Club, it was decided today. Tickets for the banquet may be obtained at the board of works office, city hall. Officials on program include James M. Ogden. Charles E. Coffin, Ernest L. Kingston. Charles A. Bookwalter, Russell T. Mao Fall, Joseph L. Hogue, Fire Chief John J. O'Brien, Polico Chief Herman F. Rikhoff. Martin Hyland, John F. Walker and Sol Schlosa. Mayc Shank will preside. Special music rill be provided by the orchestra from the Polico and Firemen's Band. FAMILY FAILS 10 HALTJAIL TERM Anderson Man Sentenced on Auto Theft Charge, After pleas for clemency had been made by Ills wife and three children, Edwin Baker, 30. or 913 Park Ave.. Anderson Ind., was fined $25 and costs and given a sixty-day sentence by Judge James A. Collins In Crimi nal Court today on a charge of auto theft. His companion, Clarence Sturdevant, 29, also of Anderson, was fined $25 and given six months at Indiana State farm on the same charge. The pair is alleged to have come to Indianapolis from Anderson on the night of Dec. 7 and while Intoxicated to have taken the Dodge automobile of M. L. Cofflng, Columbia Club, and driven it into the side of an interurban car. Damage to the automobile was approximately $350. Bank Tellers Injured Olin Glasson, Lawrence Jackson and Blake Thomas, tellers at the Fletcher Savings and Trust Company, were injured today near Danville, Irid.. when an automobile was struck by an interurban car. They were returning from Rockville, Ind., where they spent Christmas.

ice to the mainland, where proper facilities may be had to save his life. Dr. Sowash is slowly bleeding to death, and the only hope of saving him depends on the ability of the islanders to carry him carefully, but speedily, to Sandusky or some other lake, port near by.

shores and park employes will keep bon fires going. For the tots the casting pool at Fall i’reek and Thirtieth St., was fitting. Jarvis expects good ice by tonight. Only children will be permitted to skate there.

SEVEN FATALITIES CAUSED BV POISON LIQUOR REPORTED Fewer Deaths Than Last Year, Survey Shows — Many 111, Poison Christmas liquor claimed fewer lives this year than in 1923, figures from the nation’s principal cities indicated today. While hospitals were filled with those who had imbibed, the number of fatalities were comparatively small. Three deaths occurred in New York. Chicago reported two deaths, Boston, Cleveland and Scranton, Pa., one each. There were no deaths In Philadelphia although thirty victims are in hospitals. San Antonio. Texas, reports two women dying. Lajt Christmas there were five deaths In New York City from poison liquor. Hv United Prrst NEW YORK. Dec. 26.—Three deaths from poison liquor was the toll of this city's fifth prohibition Christmas. Four of twenty-two victims in hospitals, including one woman, may die. The death list last Christmas also was three. Total dead from bad liquor for the current month Is thirty-four. Hv tnited Prrss CHICAGO, Dec. 26.-—Two men died here during the night from a moonshine revel and five others are In hospitals as the result of drinking a mixture of canned heat and coffee. Hv United Press SAN ANTONIO, Texas. Dec. 26. Two women, one more than ST) years old and the other 25, are in a serious condition In a hospital as a result of drinking poisoned liquor. Hv United Press PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 26.—Liquid “Christmas cheer” put thirty persons In hospitals here for alcohollo poisoning treatment and 250 others spent the holiday in police cells because they had Imbibed too freely. Hv United Press CLEVELAND. Ohio. Dec. 26. One death from poisonous Christmas booze was reported today. A man believed to be John Chbano, Painesville, Ohio, was tho victim. BIG FOUR EMPLOYE DIES IHniald Donaldson Succumbs While a* Work as Draftsman. Donald Donaldson, 32, Virginia Apts., died suddenly today at the offices of the Big Four Railroad shops at Beech Grove, where he was employed as draftsman. Coroner Paul F. Robinson said death was due to complication of a.cute influenza.

Dr. D. M. Riley of Port Clinton has reached the bedside of his dying professional brother after tramping twelve miles over the treacherous ice of the lake. Exhausted from his long journey, Dr. Riley has watched over Dr. Sowash constantly since his arrival here Christmas day. Dr. Riley, wearing snow shoes,

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

Former County Auditor Is Charged With Altering Public Record of Sale of Workhouse Land to Fairbanks, Morse & Cos. SI,OOO BOND IS SIGNED BY EMSLEY W. JOHNSON, LAWYER Accusation That Books Were Changed So Firm Got .29 of an Acre More Than Was Intended Is Denied by Defendant. Leo K. Fesler, 2128 Central Ave., county auditor for two terms, at present Republican county election commissioner and mentioned as Republican candidate for mayor, was indicted today by the county grand jury on charges of altering a public record in 1923. Fesler immediately appeared at the office of Sheriff George Snider and gave bond of SI,OOO. Emsley W. Johnson, county attorney in 1923. and Fesler's attorney, furnished the surety. He denied the charge.

Fesler is accused by the j’f'ors of changing records of the sale by county officials of approximately fourteen acres of county land at Twenty-First St. and Northwestern Ave.. site of the old workhouse, to Fairbanks-Morse & Cos. for $150,000, so the company received .29 acre | more than was intended by the county. The specific charge is that Fesler. as auditor, had control of the record, and changed the ordinance to read that the county retained 1.56 acres instead of 1.85 acres. The change was made in pencil, the indictment alleges. by marking out the figures “1.85,” and writing In the figures ‘‘1.56.” Switch on Land The .29 of an acre In dispute contains a switch track, which county eouncilmen claim the county meant to retain to unload gravel and supplies on the land the county retained as a county yard when it sold the rest, approximately fourteen acres, for $150,000. Under the ordinance, as revealed by the auditor's records, the company's purchase includes the switch track. When county commissioners sold the land they bought permission, for $5, from the company to run cars over the track. Fesler’s Defense Fesler insisted last spring, when county eouncilmen first made the charge, that the council Intended to sell the switch. Cassius L. Hoglo, president of the council. Insisted otherwise, and carried the matter to the grand jury. Linton A. Cox, attorney for the company, and Emsley W. Johnson. ! county attorney, handled the sale. Altering a public record is a felony punishable by a prison term of from two to fourteen years. County Commissioners John Kitley and Albert Hoffman, who sold j the land at public auction, at which the Fairbanks company was the only bidder, refused today to give their version of the sale when asked if the county meant to keep or sell the switch. Strife With Council Fesler was auditor from Jan. 1, 1916 to Dec. 31, 1923. His career as auditor was marked by continual strife with the county council, which in 1923 w r as dominated by the CoffinDodson faction of the Marion County Republican party. In addition to laying the charge concerning the sale of the workhouse ground before the grand jury the council charged Fesler with mixing bond funds for work at Julietta, county asylum for the insane. and Sunnyside, county tuberculosis hospital, with general funds for the Institutions. To straighten out the accounts and pay creditors mandamus proceedings were instituted in two Superior Courts. The ex-auditor, during his strife j with opposing factions in the county j government, insisted they were trying to “get him for political reasons.” His answer to charges of entanglement In county finance or records was “Politics'” FOUR KILLED IN CRASH Big Four Train Strikes Auto at Springfield (Ohio) Crossing. $ Hu United Press SPRINGFIELD. Ohio. Dec. 26. Elijah Wilson, 35. his wife, his brother Harry. 25, and his daughter, Marjorie, 9, were killed here today when a Big Four passenger train struck their automobile at a grade crossing.

was accompanied by two guides, who met. him at Catawba Island. Lighthouses in the island group illuminated their beacons to guide the rescue party. Dr. Sowash was forced to take to his bed with severe hemorrhages several days ago. The large sledge, when it is completed, probably will be drawn by island inhabitants.

Forecast PARTLY cloudy tonight and Saturday. Warmer tonight, with lowest temperatures about 15. Colder Saturday afternoon or night.

TWO CENTS

BELGIAN PREMIER ILL Suffers Attack of Influenza—Forced to Remain in Room. Hv l nited Press BRUSSELS, Dec. 26.—Premier Theunis of Belgium Is ill and forced to remain ir. his room as result of an attack of influenza. COMFORT DAY OnlaN. 3 Pe MoJay to Take Cheer to Hospitals and Orphanage. Members of the Indianapolis Chapter of De Molay, wtih headquarters at 630 N. Meridian St., will observe its annual De Molay Day of Comfort on Jan. 3. On this day the members of the organization will supply flowers, candy and various delicacies and furnish entertainment for the inmates of hospitals, orphanages, homes for the crippled children and various other institutions.

FIVE HURT WHEN MINES CRASH Auto Knocked Across Railroad by Impact, Five persons were Injured today | when the automobile of Vernon Allen, 1412 Hoyt Ave.. which was waiting at the belt railroad and Madison Ave. for an approaching train to pass, was struck In the rear by another auto driven by Henry Goger, 2649 Brill St. The Impact knocked Allen’s car across the track, and overturned the Goger machine. O. O. Stockwell, 739 Elm St., flagman, was struck. He was taken to St. Vincent Hospital. Maurice Hall and his wife, 1027 E. Southern Ave., who were riding with Goger were taken to city hospital with Injuries. Allen also was taken to city hospital. Goger was held In the detention ward on charge of assault and battery. GANG LEADER SENTENCED Jolui Foist, 22, Admits He Took Sixteen Automobiles. John Foist, 22, of 1342 Silver Ave., arrested as the ringleader of a gang of auto thieves, today pleaded guilty to taking sixteen cars from Indianapolis owners. He was sentenced to one to fourteen years in the Indiana State reformatory by Criminal Judge James A. Collins. Russell De Hoff, 20. of 914 S. East St., charged with Foist, entered a similar plea and got like sentence. Charles Ball, 21, of 1349 Silver Ave., implicated in the thefts, pleaded guilty to unlawful possession and received six months cm the Indiana State farm. Paul De Hoff, 16. brother of Russell, was found not guilty. Knees Hurt in Auto Crash Charles Adams, 765 Walnut St., was slightly Injured about the knees today when the machine he was driving struck a parked automobile owned by A. C. Hlrschman, 2626 Sutherland Ave. at Dearborn and North Sts. A car owned by Mrs. Minnie Schaaf, 3340 Carrollton Ave., was also damaged. National Guard Inspection Annual inspection of ordnance material ofvthe Indiana National Guard wil begin Ja.n. 6, 1925, with the headquarters and artillery detachments at Vevay, Ind. Inspections will continue to Jan. 24. Seventeen outfits in ten cities will be inspected, according to Adjt. Gen.. Harry B. Smith, *