Indianapolis Times, Volume 36, Number 281, Indianapolis, Marion County, 8 April 1925 — Page 1

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VOLUME 36—NUMBER 281

POLITICIANS FORESEE MANAGER VOTE

Blackburn Builds Murder Defense

DETAIL OF GIRL’S STORY IS VERIFIED Sleeping Car Porter Tells of Two Men and Woman Without Hat Getting on Train for Hammond Night of March 15. HOTEL MANAGER ALSO RECALLS THREE GUESTS 'Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Morgan’ Registered in Northern Indiana Town Described as D. C. Stephenson and Alleged Prisoner. Admission by L. v Thomas, Chicago, 111., sleeping car porter, that on the night of March 15, two men and a ■woman without a hat occupied the stateroom on his car from Indianapolis to Hammond, tended today to bear out parts of the statement Miss Madge Oberholtzer, 28, of 5802 University Ave., who is lying at her home at the point of death, made to her parents. As the result of her statement. D. C. Stephenson, former grand dragon of the Ku-Klux Klan in Indiapa, generally regarded as a power in Hoosier Republican politics Is under arrest with Earl Klenck and Earl Gentry, charged with conspiracy to attack her. Porter’s Story "A party of three came aboard my car shortly before midnight the night of March 15,” Thomas said before going out on his run early today. "I was putting another passenger aboard and was in the car at the time. Asa result I paid no particular attention to the three. I remember, however, that there were two men and one woman, and the woman did not have a hat. I saw nothing more of them that night after they went into the stateroom. In the morning I called them before we got to Hammond and the three got

Miss Oberholtzer** Condition Worse Misa Madge Oberholtzer,' 28, 8802 University Ave., was reported as “not so well" by Dr. John K. Kingsbury, today. “Pyelitis, an infection of the right kidney, has developed," Bald, “her fever has risen and ehe is not so well.” Dr. H. O. Mertz, specialist, will be called in again, Dr. Kingsbury .mid. This is the eighth day Miss Oberholtzer has been unconscious.

off there about 6:20 a. in. The woman had no hat.’’ In her statement Miss Oberholtzer charged that she was kidnaped, taken aboard the train, forced to occupy the stateroom with two men and was assaulted aboard the car. She said she had no hat. Further verification of parts of her story were given Tuesday by H. A. Permits, manager of the Indiana Hotel at Hammond, according to press dispatches. No Disturbance Permtss said that on the morning of March 16, Stephenson registered at the hotel for himself and a young woman under the name of Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Morgan, Franklin, Ind., and that Gentry was registered 1 here under his own name and that Klenck was at the hotel for a short time during the day. He said that Stephenson, Gentry and the young woman arrived on the Monon trdin at 6:20. a. m. According to hotel employes there was no disturbance until the afternoon when the party left in an automobile. According to Miss Oberholtzer. she obtai%)d poison from a drug store, took it, and when Stephenson and the other men discovered this she was rushed back to Indianapolis in Stephenson’s automobile. Argument on pleas in abatement, attacking sufflcletv-y of the indictment and that makers) of the grand Jury, filed by Eph Inman, attorney for Stephenson, Klenck and Gentry, in Criminal Court when they werv arraigned, will be heard by Judge mmmm*.

r PI ff. .. rp. Ihe Indianapolis limes COMPLETE WIRE SERVICE OF THE UNITED PRESS jL WORLD S GREATEST EVENING PRESS ASSOCIATION

Queenie Rides to Her Last Fire

Gay Little Dog, Mascot of Department, Dies on the Job.

Queenie

Queenie rode to her last fire today. And gloom is thick at fire head quarters, New York and Alabama Sts., where these many moons she was such a gay mascot. Queenie, an airedale pup, was one of the best known dogs in Indianapolis. When the fire bell rang, Queenie always scurried out and warned traffic. Too, they say she had a hunch when fires were big. Then she rode the wagon and stayed until the last spark ebbed. If she figured the blaze was small she came back. Today she had a wrong hunch. Fire broke out at the Fletcher Seed and Oil Company, 2302 Bloyd Ave., and Queenie rode to the blaze on squad wagon No. 1. The fire was small—only $250 loss. On the return, Queenie jumped off at Cornell and Massachusetts Ave. She missed her footing and fell under the rear wheel. The truck driver shot on the brakes and the firemen ran back to the curb where Queenie had crawled. She was done for. Wagging her tail a wee bit, she looked sad-eyed at her buddies as they stooped to pick up her broken body and died in their arms. “A real fireman,” her buddies said. “She died with her boots on.”

READY TO FIGHT SHEPHERD CASE Former Indianapolis Man to Be Arraigned Thursday. Bu United Press CHICAGO, April B.—Prosecution and defense in the alleged "million dollar germ murder” today guarded their coses against attack in the next court fight, scheduled for tomorrow. William D. Shepherd, former Indianapolis man, accused of slaying his wealthy foster son, Billy MqCllntock, is to be arraigned before Chief Justice Jacob Hopkins tomorrow. Unless there is vigorous objection by the defense, Judge Hopkins probably will set the date for trial after Shepherd has entered his plea. Attorneys for Shepherd contend that the "public now is prejudiced" against their client and will ask for a delay. They have appealed to the Illinois Supreme Court to have Shepherd released on bail. EIGHT CHARGES FACED Motorist Bound to Grand Jury Under Bonds Totaling $5,200. Edward Beary, 42, colored, 1713 Alvord St., was bound over to the grand jury today in city court on eight charges growing out of two automobile accidents about a month ago. He is alleged to have been in two accidents while driving an automobile police charged was stolen from William Hoyer, 3007 N. Delaware St. Charges filed against Beary are two of drunkenness, two of driving while Intoxicated, two of failure to stop after an accident, assault and battery and vehicle taking. Huai new Man Ends Life BU Times Special F*T. WAYNE, Ind., April B.—Despondency over ill health was blamed today for the suicide of Perry J. Archer, 62, business man, who shot a* Ua kam Ji4* Tuesday.

Attorneys Cross - Examine State Witnesses in Attempt to Strengthen Plea of Self-Preservation —Girl Takes Stand. YOUTH TELLS OF TAKING WEAPON TO DANCE HALL Revolver Was to Be Used to Guard Receipts, He Says —Judge Warns Lawyers to Stop Wrangling and Interruptions. Step by step the defense attorneys for William It. Blackburn. 56, of 609 Congress Ave., on trial In Criminal Court for second degree murder, brought from State witnesses today testimony which strengthened their plea of self-defense. Blackburn is being tried for the alleged fatal shooting of John P. Martin, 24, of 2425 Central Ave., the night of Oct. 25, 1924 at a dance at the Athenaeum. 401 E. Michigan St. Ralph Purcell, 18, of ‘ 2126 N. Meridian St., second witness called today by Prosecutor William H. Remy, admitted he owned the gun which Blackburn used to shoot Martin. Purcell, who is a relative of Ray Powell, who sponsored the dance as a feature of the ButlerWabash football day with Max Blackburn, son of the defendant, sold Powell asked him to bring the weapon to be used to protect the receipts. Brought Revolver Upon cross-examination by Arthur Robinson, defense attorney, Pu' ell said he arrived at the hall about 7:30 and put the revolver in the box office. ‘‘When did you next see the g n' Robinson usked. ‘‘When I .rave it to Blackburn at the time of the commotion,” Purcell replied. Purcell said he took the gun to Blackburn at the entrance. , Upon direct examination by Remy. Purcell said he did not remember seeing Blackburn aim the revolver at Martin. ‘‘Did you see Blackburn put the gun under his coat after you handed It to him?” Remy quizzed. Purcell said he did not. Both Robinson and Frank A. Symmes objected when Remy asked Purcell three times if he wasn’t sure Blackburn put the weapon under his coat. (Turn to Page 11)

DEAN POUND IS SELECTED Harvard Professor so Give Commencement Address at I. I’, Bu Times Special BLOOMINGTON, lnd., April 8 Announcement has been made that Dean Roscoe Pound or Harvard Law School will delivfer the commencement address at Indiana University this year.

NEW FINANCIAL CRISIS AVERTED Directors of French Bank Near Resigning. Bu United Fret* PARIS, April B.—Resignation of the directors of the Bank of France, which would have heightened the financial crisis, was averted today by intervention of Finance Minister De Monzie. The directors complained to Premier Herriot that he had not fulfilled his promise to have the government’s finance bill passed early this week. IV Monzies arranged that the directors should gi,e Herriot another ten-day delay. It is unlikely that the Chamber of Deputies will take up the financial* bill this afternoon. The finance committee considers the government plan a mere expedient and its report will show hostility. A Socialist project for a straight capital levy without provision for interest is being considered by the committee to show its distrust of the De Monzie bill. RACES INTO TROUBLE Cyclist Knocked (hit in Crash With Police Car. Gerald Smith. 16. of 1127 N. New Jersey at., was racing on his bicycle to Shortridge High School today with Leslie Bradbridge. 15. of 1639 College Ave. The police emergency crossed his path at Ft- Wayne Ave. and St. Clair St., and Smith crashed Into it. He was knocked unconscious, but was relieved and taken some in the wmav&W.

INDIANAPOLIS, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 1925

Merrily, They Roll Along in One Flivver

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Mr. and Mrs. R. A. Maynard and children and Mr. and Mrs. George Mink and children, in Ford that brought them from Paris, 111. Kiley Maynard, one of the children, is not in the picture.

Twelve Persons, Household Goods and Dog Ride From Paris, 111. settled in Indianapolis, the u__J annual influx of tourists is under way. Among the first to arrive was a Ford touring car, carrying twelve persons, household goods and a dog, from Paris, 111. It was driven by R. A. Maynard. With him were his wife, their three youngest children, another daughter and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. George Mink, and their five children—and Ginger, the dog. The Maynards and Minks came to Indianapolis to live. With all the load, the car made twenty miles an hour and had only two breakdowns. When firemen at Fire Station 13, Capitol and Kentucky Aves., found the Maynards and Minks were stranded because money sent to Paris by mistake had not arrived, they took up a collection of about $6 in a crowd that gathered to see the tourists. The firemen also Invited the travelers to cook their luncheon in the fire station Tuesday.

DR. KING’S POST RATHER SHAKY Special Meeting Points to Move for His Scalp. Despite the fact that term of Dr. William F. King,4 secretary of the State board of health, does not expire until April, 1927, move, is on foot to replace him, it developed today in connenction with a special meeting of the board. Republican leaders are indorsing Dr. James A. Turner, Nashville, for the post. Dr. Samuel G.. Royse, Dr. King's assistant, also-has been mentioned. Dr. Hugh A. Cowing, member of the board from Muncle. has political Indorsement for reappointment when his term expires next week. A week later the term of Dr. Adah McMahan. Lafayette, expires. Members of the board of health are chosen by a. statutory hoard composed of the Governor, the State auditor and the secretary of State. HALTS DUEL; IS SLAIN Peacemaker Dies at City Hospital— Man Slated on Murder Charget An attempt to avoid a shooting duel cost the life of Gilbert Hooks, 22. colored. 400 W. Eighteenth St., late Tuesday. Edward Bolden, 30, colored, 315 W. Fifteenth St., was slated on a murder charge. Police said Bolden and Hooks went to the home of Joe Henry White, 31, colored. 313 Cora St. 11l feeling had existed between Bolden and White, it Is said. The two found White at a table and Bolden, police were told, opened Are. wounding White. Hooks then attempted to wrench the gun away from Bolden and was shot. He died several hours later at city hospital. BUS LINE fAKEIToVER Interstate Will Operate T. 11. Fleet to Seymour. Interstate Public Service Company today took over the Jackson Highway Bus Company lines, which operate from Indianapolis to Seyfour. Harry Reid, president ‘of Interstate. said negotiations were completed Monday. The busses will be operated from the Kentucky Ave. bus station at prewnit. Extension of the line to Louisville Is planned. A. G. Hannon, president of the J. H. Company, which operated thirteen busses, Is superintendent. Five now busses have been owdered.

Tribute Sent to Irvington Home

But Miss Oberholtzer Does Not See Flowers From Friends. By Ruby Weil The darkened room of Miss Madge Oberholtzer at her home at 5802 University Ave. is tilled to overflowing with flowers. They are tribute from a huge circle of friends to the 28-year-old girl who has been referred to by neighbors as “the most popular girl in Irvington.’’ But Miss Oberholtzer does not know of this tribute. For eight days she has been unconscious, while doctors have fought against the slow poison she took after It Is alleged she was attacked by D. C. Stephenson, former grand dragon of the KuKlux Klan in Indiana, March 16. Today she was “not so Well.” Her fever had gone up to 103, from about 100, and an Infection of the right kidney had developed. “It Is just another complication to fight," I>r. J. K. Kingsbury said. “Each day we have less with which to fight. ' The poison she took takes from three weeks to three months to run its course. There Is 110 possibility of her recovering, nor lias there ever been any, In my opinion.” Dr. Kingsbury said unless the poison is counteracted within a few hours it is too late. Miss Oberholzer was without medical attention for twenty-seven hours, after being brought hack from Hammond. Ind., and held prisoner in the garage of Stephenson’s home at 5432 University Ave.. according to the story she told before she lapsed into unconsciousness. No Spring Inside For all the. cheery appearance of the large buff and white house, surrounded by a lawn on which trees and bushes are bedding as spring (Turn to Page 2)

TRY TO SAVE MELON CROPS Sixteen More Tractors Are Sent Tornado Area. Perry H. Crane, secretary Indiana Farm Bureau Federation today announced sixteen more tractors with plowing equipment had been shipped to the Indiana tornado stricken area. Crane and W. H. Settle, president, made a special trip to Chicago to arrange for additiontal equipment in an effort to save the melon crop, which is the chief money crop of the season. International Harvester Company. Chicago, donated twelve outfits which were sent to Griffin and J. I. Case Company, Racine, Wls., contributed four for Princeton. i(H) Years Old Saturday Bu Times Special GREENSBURG. Ind., April B. Greensburg is planning to pay tribute to Daniel Davis, G. A. R. veteran, Saturday. • It will be his hundredth birthday. Woman’s Relief Corps has arranged a dinner and reception in his honor. HOURLY TEMPERATURE 6 a. m...... 62 10 a. m 70 7 a. m...... 56 11 a. m1L.... ( ?8 8 a. m. 60 12 (noon) .... 73 3 a. m. S 1 p. J4>

OUT-OF-TOWN FOLK TO RULE EXHIBIT TODAY Indiana Realtors Are Guests at Home Complete Exposition. By Elvise Walton Today is out-of-town visitors’ day at the Home Complete Exposition at State fairground, and Indiana folk are proving the absorption of modern Americans in making their houses homes complete by their great attendance. The spring home fever is raging throughout Indiana, intensified by the exhibit of luxuries and necessities at this year’s show. Realtors from all over Indiana were guests of the Real Esaate Board at luncheon at the show building, after which they were taken on a tour of the exhibits. President Frank E. Gates gave an address of welcome. More than 20,000 persons visited the show Tuesday night. At the luncheon George J. Mess was awarded first prize in the poster contest, conducted by the board. Goss Karl Black was awarded second prize, and W. P. Leisure, third prize. Thursday will be Home Builders and Lumbermen’s day at the show. M. M. Miller, representing the home builders and R. S. Foster the lumbermen, will have charge of the events of the day. Friday, a program of music will be broadcast from the "House a Budget Built” by employes of L. S. Ayres & Cos.

JUDGESHIP FIGHT TAKEN TO COURT Maholm Seeks to Force Place on Ballot. Suit, to mandate the city election board to place his name on the primary ballot os a candidate for the Republican nomination for city judge was filed in Superior Court today by T. Ernest Maholm. Maholm attacks constitutionality of the law enacted by the last legislature providing the Governor shall appoint four Indianapolis city judges and abolishing the parent city court. Despite the law. Maholm, among others, filed his name as a candidate for judge. The election board has been refusing to put any of the names of judicial candidates on the ballots. There can be no candidates for the city judgeship at the fall elections. Attorney General Arthur L. Gllliom said today in an opinion to Frederick FI Schortemeier, Secretary of State.

MILLER ST. LOUIS MAYOR Republican Wins Elect ion on law Enforcement Platform. 4 Bu l nilrd Press ST. LOUIS. April B.—Victor J. Miller. Republican, running on a lavf enforcement platform, was elected mayor of St. Louis by 3,196 votes in yesterday’s campaign. His opponent, William L. Igoe, Democrat and former Congressman, piled the largest Democratic vote ever recorded for a mayor of St. Louia. 1

Entered ns Second-Class Matter at Fostofflce, Indianapolis Published Daily Except Sunday.

Candidate Duvall, Mayor Shank and Bill Armitage Indicate They Feel Certain Election Will Be Held on Government Change. FRET BECAUSE MONEY SPENT ON CAMPAIGN IS WASTED Meanwhile Signatures on Petitions for Referendum Continue to Pour In \ —Chairman Charles F. Coffin Confident of Success. Politicians today saw the handwriting on the wall, following the announcement of names of the 1,000 citizens backing the city manager plan. “The city primary will be postponed, boys,” was the sad word passed around the various headquarters for mayoralty aspirants, the courthouse and the city hall. ' Everywhere it was conceded the citizens committee of 1,000 will file its petition with the city council asking a special election on the question of changing the city government form from that of a politically controlled mayor to a non-partisan city manager in time to have the city primary called off. The manager plan is working successfully in Dayton and Cleveland, Ohio, and more than 300 other cities.

John L. Duvall, one of the leading Republican contenders, said: “I lmagfno they’ll get signers enough to their petitions, and It looks like the primary will have to be postponed. It's sort of unfair. My land! After we candidates have put in our time and spent our money!” Shank Bows to People Mayor Shank and his political colonel. William H. Armitage, in a conference at city hy.ll, sang the same song. They are among the chief backers of Ralph A. Lemcke. another leading Republican candidate. * “It sure looks like the people are set on having this election on the city manager proposition, and I guess there is nothing we can do to sto*> it,” said Mayor Shank. "They’re bound to try it sooner or later, so they might as well try it now." Shank said that he will not "muddy the waters" by attempting to have former Police Captain John Zener file his petition for a vote on the city commission plan, a third form of government, said by many to be worse than the present system. Shank and Zener have a petition somewhere, said to conn in from 6,000 to 10,000 signatures, asking the council to call an election on that plan. Twenty thousand names are “No, I guess there won’t be any poitical tricks pulled to keep the manager petition from going to the council,” said Shank. “It would be suicide for anyone to start that, with this group of prominent citizens hot under the collar for a vote on the question of changing our form of city government.” Wilmeth Doubts legality City Judge Delbert O. Wilmeth, another Republican candidate, said he “is for" the city manager plan, o rany other plan that gives promise of being better than the present government, but he believes the present State law authorizing such a change in unconstitutional. Although Ralph A. Lemcke, Duvall’s chief opponent, said he would not make a statement until later, as he had not "given the matter much thought until I saw the list of names of the Citizens Committee,” at his headquarters it was conceded the primary will be postponed. Henchmen Concerned Henchmen of candidates around the various headquarters are much concerned. ‘ “Say, what's the big idea postponing the city primary?” is the question of the hour. “These birds on the committee don’t know anything about politics. Here they are mixing up things right at the wrong time!" Duvall said, however, he intends to go ahead with his campaign. So did other candidates, both Democratic and Republican. “I think they might just as well all make up their minds that the city manager plan is going over and there will be no city primary,” commented Charles F. Coffin. chairman of the executive hoard of the Citizens' Committee of 1,000. Coffin announced the petition containing the twenty thousand signatures of voters asking a special elec(Tum to Pago 11)

1,000 REBELS KILLED Kimds Routed in Clash With Turkish Regulars. Bu United Press CONSTANTINOPLE, April B. More then one thousand of Sheik Said’s Kurdish rebels were killed and hundreds were wounded in a clash with Turkish regulars at Guendji. a/ooording to a communique received here today. The Turks captured Gunedjl only after heavy lomes on both sides. VlThile the Kurds have boon routed according to the dispatch, tho rsvolt

Forecast INCREASING cloudiness tonight, becoming unsettled Thursday witli probably showers by night.. Not much change in temperature.

TWO CENTS

ALL SET FOR TIMES PARTY ON SATURDAY Marble Entrants and Others Will Be Guests at Free Show. Everything is ready for The Times (heater party, at 10 a. m., Saturday. The Times will be host to all entrants In the third annual marble tournament and any interested boys and girls under 15, at B. F. Keith’s. "North of 36,” a western story, which will interest young folks will be shown. There will he other entertainment. Get your ticket right away before they are all gone. Ask the Marble Editor at The Times office, 214-220 W. Maryland 8t„ for a free ticket end fill out an entrance blank If you have not already done so. Kennard Ong, 2361 Park Ave., last year's ctharnplon and Ross Beaver, 1026 W. Thirty-Fourth St.. 1923 city title holder will both be there. Prizes offered are a free trip to Atlantic City, a bicycle and gold medal to tho city champion; a radio set and silver medal for the runnnerup In the finals, and bronze medals for district winners. You have as good a chance to win as any other boy or girl. - ANNEXATION IS BEFORE LEAGUE Thirteenth Ward Civic Body Meets Tonight. A movement, for annexation of territory bounded by Southern and Hanna Aves., Meridian St. and Bluff ltd., to the city will he discussed by the Thirteenth ward Clvl,c League tonight. President Joseph L. Doerr announced. The league will meet at St. Roch’s Church, S. Meridian St. Hundreds of population and valuable property would he brought into the city.

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