Indianapolis Times, Volume 36, Number 290, Indianapolis, Marion County, 17 April 1925 — Page 1

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VOLUME 36—NUMBER 290

STEPHENSON HOUSE SET ON FIRE

FATHER TELLS ATTACK STORY AT INQUEST

145 ARE KILLED AS MACHINE EXPLODES; OFFICIAL MURDERED Reign of Terror in Sofia Marked by Bombing of Cathedra! During Funeral and Assassination of Prison Superintendent. Bv United Press VIENNA, April 17.—Behind the closed borders of Bulgaria. where a state of martial-law exists and a heavy censorship Is imposed, the government is fighting an incipient revolution which manifested itself yesterday in the mass-murder of 145 persons in Sofia cathedral and the wounding of some 200 others.

U. S. BEGINS TO WEAVE WEB IN WHEELER TRIAL Prosecutor Says Senator Was in Conspiracy to Work Graft Game. Rv Unit'd Prc a. FEDERAL COURTROOM, GREAT FALLS, Mont., April 17.—The Government began to weave its web of evidence today connecting Senator Burton K. Wheeler with oil permit matters of his client, Burt Campbell, Montana oil man. R. A. Bennett, attache of the general land office, was the first witness called in the trial of Senator Wheeler for alleged misuse of his office. Bennett testified. that Campbell had no interest in the "Phil McGowan” drilling permit. This is a permit Campbell obtained from the Government to prospect for oil in the Kelvin-Sunhurst field, just north of here, an area four times as large as Teapot Dome, Bennett said. The evidence will be made a basis of the Government charge that Sen ator Wheeler was to receive SIO,OOO from Campbell for representing him before the Interior Department, in Connection with this and other per mite. John J. Slattery, chief prosecutor, announced he would base his case upon testimony of an unnamed Washington lawyer, who would say that Wheeler urged him to enter a plot whereby they would split the earnings of their prospective client, Gordon Campbell, Montana oil operator, In a shady oil deal. Slatery Is banking upon testimony of Peter Nyce, a capital attorney, according to information given the United Press, FIRE" DAMAGE IS $1,200 Frame House on S. Meridian Burns —Started In Attic. "Firemen had to break into the frame house of Mrs. E. F. White at 626 S. Meridian St. at 9 a. m. today, though -he persons who sent in the gDrm were Inside. Damage was about $1,200. According to firemen, fire started In the attic.

OPER ATION FOR RUTH SUCCESS Bambino Slated for Quick Recovery, Says Doctor. Bv United Pre NEW YORK, April 17.—Babe Ruth, hopie run king, was operated on for removal of an abcess today at Bt. Vincent’s Hospital. "Ruth’s condition Is satisfactory and the operation was successful,’’ a bulletin issued at the office of the New York Yankees, said. Dr. Edward King, who performed the operation, said the Babe was under ether for twenty minutes. He said his patient was suffering pain, but that was to be expected. "He has such remarkable vitality his complete recovery should be speedy,” Dr. King said. "It is hardly possible he will be out of bed for ten days and It will be more than two weeks before he can take any strenuous exercise.”

Three Women After Executioner Job LONDON, April 17.—Three women were among 600 applicants who answered the Hungarian government's advertisement to fill a vacancy in the office of public executioneer, the Central News Budapest correspondent declared today. One applicant, repatriated from the Unjted States, claimed A leading part in twenty-five as qualification. P. S —rile did not get the job.

The Indianapolis Times COMPLETE WIRE SERVICE OF THE UNITED PRESS I WORLDS GREATEST EVENING PRESS ASSOCIATION

A council of war is considering the situation and telegraphic communication has been cut so that It is impossible to say from the outside whether the rebellion which has been smouldering for many days has actually taken the form of armed uprising. r, 'he superintendent of prisons in Sofia was assassinated today, presumably by the same enemies of the government who caused an infernal machine to explode while 2,000 persons, including practically all the army leaders and officials of the Tsankoff ministry, w*. e ' the cathedral at services for General Geongehief, murdered conservative laeder. Latest word of that disaster, which culminated In the crash of the cathedral's cupolas onto the defenseless throng below. Indicated the death list was approximately 145 and that more than 200 were wounded. So promptly did the government act following the outrage that censorship prevented full details of the tragedy. Few here doubt that It. was brought about by the same movemei t which was responsible for the attacK on King Boris earlier in the week. ’ Premier Zankhoff is reported among those who were seriously’ wounded by the exploslion of the bomb. Communist leaders and thousands of peasants have been arrested to preclude the possibility of a revolution, reports state. Only soldiers are permitted in the streets of Sofia. Many bodies still lie buried in the ruins of the cathedral, which was totally demolished by the blast. R-33 RETURNS TO BASE AFTER 32-HOUR FIGHT Giant Dirigible Battles Elements After Break From Moorings. Bv l nil'd Pre/M LONDON, in the skies for more than thirtytwo hours, the giant British dirigible R-33 returned to Its base at Pulham at 2 o'clock this afternoon. The airship, which was torn from its mooring mast shortly before 6 a m. Thursday, maneuvered slowly over its aerodrome under* perfect control this afternoon after having spent a perilous night over the storm-swept North Sea. The pride of air service’s officers in their dirigible was vindicated when its commander, who was on board with nineteen men of ‘the crew when the R-33 was swept away on a fifty-mile gale, maneuvered through the long hours, zigzagging aalnst head winds and finally brought hi** craft home without assistance. The R-83 was fastened to Its mooring mast soon after Its arrival at Pulham. BUILDING IS - ENTERED Three Offices Ransacked, but Nothing Is Taken. Three offices in the Holliday building, Ohio ind Alabama Sts., were entered Thursday night, but the visit proved fruitless, according to police. Safe was opened and ransacked at the office of the John Hancock Life Insurance Company, room 404. Nothing was taken. Other offices entered fbere those of Frank Jeffery’, room 407, attorney, and Samuel Frornmer, room 410, advertising agent. STRIKERS STILL ARE OUT. Ironworlwiry Controversy Over Wage Scale Continues. Structural Ironworkers, who went out on strike April 1. after failure to reach agreement on the wage scale with building contractors, were still "out” today, John J. McNamara, business agent, said today. The union asked an increase of 25 cents an hour over the wage scale of last year, which was $1.26. Contractors refused to pay an increase over last year’s wage.

Daughter, Victim of Alleged Attack by Stephenson Asked That Betrayer Be Sent to Prison, George Oberholtzer Testifies. NURSE ALSO WITNESS AT CORONER’S PROBE Describes Marks on Body— Asserts Lack of Immediate Medical Attention Made Doctor’s Efforts Futile. Speaking in n low trembling voter, George E. Oberholtzer. the father of Maflge Oberholtzer. poison vie tim. who was buried Thursday, today told Coroner Paul F. Robinson the story of the tragedy that has stalked through his home for a month. His testimony concludes the Inquest. Coroner Robinson said, as the mother, who Is suffering a nervous breakdown, was unable to appear. Oberholtzer said her story would be the same ns hls. Miss Beatrice Spratley, 2408 Kenwood Ave., also test'f’ed. She was the nurse who attended Miss Oberholtzer In the Illness resultant from taking six tablets of bichloride of mercury In a hotel at Hammond, following nn alleged kidnaping and attack by David C. Stephenson, ex Klan leader. Head Bowed Oberholtzer, his face marked by lines of suffering, spoke in a low voice, bis head bowed. He detailed conversations with ills daughter on her death bed. Miss Spratley described the wounds on Miss Oberholtzer'e body. The young woman's tongue was lacerated and swollen, her breasts and other parts of her body were bruised, she said. Following is the tefftlmony of Oberholtzer: "Your name please?" "George E. Oberholtzer.” "Where do you live?” Oberholtzer did not seem to hear. Then he said “Beg pardon?” After giving his address, 5802 University Ave., he said: "The first I knew' about it was Tuesday afternoon. We had been down to the detective's office. Before that, though, I had been sick in bed, and about 10 o’clock Tuesday morning March 17, my wife came to the bed and wanted to know (Turn to Page 24)

Stephenson’s Boast Told in Probe "They can’t do anything with me. My word is law In Indiana!” These were the words addressed to Miss Madge Oberholtzer by David C. Stephenson, ex-Grand Dragon of the Klan in Indiana and self-styled political boss of the Republican party in the State, as they were returning from Hammond, Ind., according to a statement of Miss Oberholtzer made on her death bed to her father, introduced today into the Inquest record of her death. "Madge said, at one time, ‘do you think they can send him to prison?’ ’’ testified the father, George E. Oberholtzer, 5802 University Ave. “I told her I thought we .could.” “Oh, I'm go glad. I don’t think they can unless the Federal authorities do It, because he told me his word was law In Indiana. He said ‘My word is law in Indiana. They can't do anything with me.’ ”

DARROW AGAIN SEEKS LENIENCY Famous Criminal Lawyer Defends Mundinp. Bu T niled Pren* WHEATON, 111., April 17.—Attorney Clarence Darrow. whose plea of mitigating circumstances saved Nathan Leopold Jr., and Richard Loeb from the gallows started similar arguments today to save George Munding, riding master from hanging for the murder of his common. law. wife, Mrs. Julia Abb Douglass.. Harrow's argument was based upon the plea that Munding’s mind was inflamed by the woman's aleged acts of Infidelity and by his recourse to drink to drown his jealousy. t His mental equilibrium was unbalAjnced, Dart- ow contends.

INDIANAPOLIS, FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 1925—32 PAGES

Police and Firemen Probe Damage at Residence of Former Klan Head

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Above: View of the cast side of D. C. Stephenson’s home, 5432 University Ave., damaged by fire early today. Below: Firemen examining containers said to have contained gasoline and oil found in the house. Above riight to left) —IJeut. Joseph Keys, Pvts. H. \V. Miles, and E. C. Duclunan. Below limit. Charles C. Down, and Dr. Samuel McGaughey, deputy coroner.

CAILLAUX WILL REVEAL FINANCE PLANS MONDAY Attention of France Turned Upon Minister —Cabinet Complete. Ru United Pretn PARIS, April 17.—The Painleve cabinet Is complete and the attention of France is focused upon Joseph Calllaux, the new finance minister, who was exiled five years ago as a traitor, and to whom the nation now looks for a way out of its financial difficulties. Overshadowing In Interest nil other features of the new ministry, is anticipation of Caillaux’s program, which will be made known soon after the cabinet is presented to the chamber of deputies on Monday’. Caillaux has always opposed a levy on capital, which was the backbone —under the guise of a “voluntary loan” —one of the schemes which caused Herriot’s downfall. Speaking to the radical-socialist group of the chamber, however, Calllaux promtaed a “democratic solution of the problem, involving a tax on capital if necessary,” but indicating he would aim rather at reduction of government expenses. TEMPERATURE IS HIGHER Weather Man Says Frost Did Not Pay Vs Visit. Higher temperature and general cloudy conditions In Indianapolis and over the State as a whole prevented frost Thursday night, according to J. H. Armlngton, meteorologist of the United States Weather Bureau. Lowest temperature In the city was 61 degrees, compared to 46 degrees the night before. Temperature* 8 to 8 degrees higher than Wednesday night were reported over the State. Outlook la for unsettled weather today and Saturday, with good possibility of rain, according to the bureau.

MULE HAD REAL KICK Cincinnati Man Victim of Misfortune at Seymour. Ru Time Special SEYMOUR, Ind., April 17. Charles Hawkins of Cincinnati, is at the home of Dewey Hawkins, his brother here, with a compound fractrue of his left leg caused by a mule's kick. Hawkins had returned to Jackson county with the body of his little son. who was killed by a switch engine at Cincinnati. for burial and remained a few days with relatives to visit and the mule kicked him. DEATH SUBJECT OF RESOLUTION Club Women Praise Miss Madge Oberholtzer. Seventh District Federation of Women’s Clubs. In session hero today, adopted the following resolution regarding the recent death of Miss Madge Oberholtzer: "Whereas, we, tire women of the Seventh District Federation of Clubs, deeply deplore the terrible shadow of crime which has overshadowed our city In the tragic death of our esteemable young woman. Miss Madge Oberholtzer, who v/as so ruthlessly assaulted and driven by brutal persecution to end hot useful life. “Therefore, Be it resolved that we, in this delegate body, representing more than 3.500 club women of Indianapolis, do hereby register our most vehement protest at this unprecedented outrage In our community and demand that Justice be rendered In the proper 'punishment of the offenders in order that the womanhood of our city may be assured of future protection.” Pool Selling Charged First arrests of the season, for operating a baseball pool were made Thursday when police arrested five, men on a charge of selling pool tickets The men gave their names as Sam Kemp, 416 N. Delaware Et.; George Unseld, 1422 Butler Ave.: Walter Evans, 121 N. Alabama St., and Harry Neff. SB3 Fultbn Bt.

PLANE OFF ON TRIP TO TEST AIR MAIL WAY Due Here This Afternoon — No Pouch Ready, Official Word Lacking. An air mail plane, testing the feasibility of an air mall routs from New Orhans to Chicago, left New Orleans at 6:40 a. m., according to dispatches and Is expected to arrive jat Ft. Harrison flying field by 2 p m. Lieut. Vincent Meloy, Nashville. Tenn., will be pilot from Nash ville to Chicago. * The plane was to stop at Montgomery, Ala., Birmingham. Ala., Nashville, Tenn., Louisville, Ky„ and Indianapolis. Lieut. J. E. Parker, in charge of the Ft. Harrison aviation field, said he had received no communication in regard to the mall plane, but that It would take about six or eight flying hours for it to reach Indianapolis. Mrs. Ella Parker, assistant postmaster, said she had received n> notification of the arrival of the" plane and could not make up a pouch of mall unless authorized to do so. The Indianapolis Board of Trade, through Secretary William H. Howard, is cooperating with southern cities to make the route through Indianapolis a,' certainty. The plane arrived at Birmingham, Ala., at 9:35 a. m., running several minutes ahead of schedule, according to a United Press dispatch from Birmingham. It left Nashville, Tenn., shortly after noon. It is due In Chicago at 4 and. m. Railway Express Valuation The State tax board today fixed the 1925 tax valatlon of the American Railway Express Company at $804,939. HOURLY TEMPERATURE 6 a. m 52 10 a. m 63 7 a. 61 11 a. m 64 8 a. b 60 13 (noon) .... 66 3 a. m. 10 1 p. m. 66 i

Entered as Second-class Matter at PoStoffice, Indianapolis. Published Dally Except Sunday.

Irvington Property of Accused ExKlan Leader Damaged by Explosion and Flames Seen by Experts and Police. LARGE QUANTITY OF GASOLINE AND OIL FOUND IN RESIDENCE Inspection Reveals “Interesting” Belongings—Deposed Grand Dragon, Angered, Visits Place With Friends and State Motor Policemen.

Developments in Affair Today’s develpoments in the Oberholtzer attack ease: 1. D. C. Stephenson’s empty mansion in Irvington damaged $2,000 by an incendiary fire which followed explosion of gasoline. 2. Grand jury in session hut no new notion is reported in Stephenson case despite expectations a murder indictment may be returned. 3. George Oberholtzer, father of Madge Oberholtzer, whom Stephenson is alleged to have attacked, testifies before Coroner Paul P. Robinson that Madge told him before her death that Stephenson said: “They can’t do anything with me. My word is law in Indiana.

Origin of the explosion and fire which did at least $2,000 damage at the home of D. C. Stephenson, 5432 University Ave., formerly head of the Ku-Klux Klan in Indiana, early today, was under investigation by the police. Stephenson is under indictment on charges of kidnaping and attacking Miss Madge Oberholtzer, 28, 5802 University Ave., who died Tuesday from poison she took at Hammond, Ind., March 16, following the attack she declared Stephenson made upon her. The grand jury was in session today and an indictment charging Stephenson with murder was believed a possibility. William H. Remy, prosecutor, and Charles E. Cox, employed by the Oberholtzer family to assist Remy in the prosecution, held a long conference Thursday afternoon. They refused to make a statement afterward. Coroner Robinson continued his inquest into Miss Oberholtzer’s death.

Meantime about twenty-nine gallons of what Fire Chief John J. O’Brien says Is a mixture of gasoline and oil, found In the Stephenson house, Is being held by the department. Incendiary Origin O’Brien and police who Investigated were positive in their statements that the fire was of incendiary origin. They base this upon the discovery of the open cans of gasoline and on the fact that gas jets in the house were open but not lighted when the firemen arrived. According to the stories told by Capt. D. W. Hill of Pumper Company No. 26, 6432 E. Washington St. t which answered the call and Fire Chief O'Brien, the fire was reported by a woman living next door to the Stephenson home shortly after 1 a. m. today. Light Seen She told police and firemen that she snw a light in the house about 11 p. m., and heard a loud explosion about 1 a. m. Capt. Hill said he found gas jets in the kitchen turned on hut unlighted. He said he found an open tengallon can of mixed gasoline and oil under the stairway downstairs, another ten-gallon can of the mixture In a closet upstairs, and a number of one-gallon cans scattered about the house. Indications were (hat a six-gallon can had exploded in the dining room, shooting flames all through the downstairs portion of the house. Fire Chief O'Brien took one of the one-gallon cans of the gasoline and oil to headquarters and the remainder was taken to No. 25 engine house. O’Brien said he failed In at tempts to get in touch with Newman T. Miller. State fire marshal, but would do so as soon as possible. He said he would report to Miller that In his opinion the fire was of in cendiary origin, and that it should be investigated. Fire department officials said that, in their opinion. It would have been Impossible for one man to have car ried the gasoline and oil into the house without assistance. When the police were notified Capt. Fred Drinkut sent Lieutenants Jones and Klalber to investigate. They reported finding the garage fully equipped and well furnished, and that the bed had every appearance of having been occupied only a short time before. A paper bearing the name of Earl Gentry, indicted with Stephenson and Earl Klenck on a charge cf conspiracy to commit a felony In connection,

Forecast UNSETTLED tonight nnd Saturday. Probably rain and local thunder storms. Not much change in temperature.

TWO CENTS

with the alleged atack on Miss (jiberholtzer. was found in a garage,|khey said. They said they found large quantities of ammunition for various kinds of fire arms. At the offioe of Miller it was said no official report of the fire at the Stephenson home had been received. The office was awaiting report from the city fire prevention department before Instituting an Investigation. Recent threats to fire the Stephenson home, some said to have been made before the Oberholtzer case sprang into prominence, have come to the attention of the State fire marshal's office. Stephenson refused to make any statement concerning the fire this morning, saying he waa unJer high nervous tension and did not wish to say anything. He said, howevor, he first received news of the fire about 2 a. m., when Eph Inman, his attorney, called hlm.| He said that Fred Butler, his secretary, who waa with him at the time, made the remark that It ’was another act for humanity's sake.’’ Stephenson was seen at his offices. State Cops Along At 10 a. m. Stephenson, accompanied by Gentry and Klenck and (Turn to Page 24)

Some girls are at their best Utfa tigty wMmt.