Indianapolis Times, Volume 37, Number 134, Indianapolis, Marion County, 5 October 1925 — Page 1

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VOLUME 37—NUMBER 134

STEPHENSON AND AIDS INDICTED IN ARSON PLOT

MURDERESS BREAKS IT OF PRISON Woman Climbs Over Wall and Gains Liberty at State Institution Officers Have No Clew in Search. WAS SERVING LIFE TERM FOR SLAYING Mrs. Clara Carl Alleged to Have Killed Husband and Father-in-Law Watch Also Being Kept for Fugitive at Greenfield. Police today have no trace of Mrs. Clara Carl, 50, New Philadelphia, who, Saturday, escaped from the Indiana Woman’s Prison, where she was serving a life term on a murder charge, by climbing over the eight-foot prison wall. She has not been seen since making her escape, thougli prison authorities discovered that she was gone ten minutes after she climbed over tie wall. . Mrs. Carl was sentenced to the Woman’s Prison June 3, 1922, in th i Shelby County Circuit Court, after she had been found guilty of seeon 1 degree milrder in connection with the death of her second husband, Frank B. Carl, and her father-in-law, Alonzo P. Carl. She is alleged to have placed arsenic in her husband’s food, and was Indicted in January, 1922, by the Hancock County grand jury. Feeding Chickens According to another prisoner, Nellie Collins of Monticello, also serving a life term for alleged poisoning of her husbar.d, Mrs. Carl was feeding chickens at the lower end of the yard. She is thought to have climbed over the wall on a plank, though the Collins woman did not see her escape. Police were notified at once. Evidently Mrs. Carl had been planning her escape for some time, as she had taken everything from her cell except her books. She was described as being five feet ten inches tall, weighing 140 pounds, with dark brown hair, slightly tinged with gray, and dark complexion. She was wearing a blue gingham prison dress, and is thought to have worn a red or blue sweater. Dangerous Woman According to Waldo C. Ging of Greenfield, forerm Hancock Conuty prosecuting attorney, who secured Mrs. Carl's conviction, she Is a “dangerous woman.” Ging said she would “do almost anything to obtain her ends.” Greenfield authorities are watching for Mrs. Carl, as her home is only about four miles there. Ging discounted stories Mrs. Carl had made threats against him. At the prison she was said to be a fair prisoner, with a surly disposition. She recently has had the task of feeding the chickens, taking the place of Mrs. Rae Krauss, Hartford City life prisoner, pardoned a short time ago by Governor Jackson. FALL KILLS MAN Bn United Brest DAVENPORT, lowa, Oct. 5 Louis Ginsberg, hea l of one of the largest furnlturo companies in Des Moines, was killed today in a fall from the ninth story of a hotel.

EUROPEANS MEET TO SIGN SECURITY PACT Conference Is Held Secretfy After Threats Are Made on Life of German Delegate.

JJu United Frets LOCARNO, Switzerland, Oct. 5. — Europe gathered secretly around a conference table today to insure itself against war. The conference here to conclude a compact between Germany and the allies for the security of Europe convened after extraordinary precautions had been taken to protect the lives of the delegates, particularly German Foreign Minister Stressman, whose life has been threatened by extremists of his own country. Austen Chamberlain, British foreign secretary, presided over the meeting which has as ijts immediate object a guarantee of inviolability for France's eastern frontier. For the first time since the war,

The Indianapolis Times COMPLETE WIRE SERVICE OF THE UNITED PRESS JH. WORLD’S GREATEST EVENING PRESS ASSOCIATION

Today Last Chance for Registration Employes at the city clerk’s office and at political headquarters today were preparing for the elevepth-hour rush of registration for the coming city election. Registration was to close at 6 p. m. Total registration, including 101,000 registered by vote in the primary, are about 141,000. Persons who did not voet In the primary or who haGs moved from their precincts since then must register, if they wish to vote in the mayoralty election. Registration is in progress at the office of the city clerk, police station; Republican headquarters on the second floor of the Kidghts of Pythias Bldg., and Democratic headquarters, 508 National City Bank Bldg., and Broad Ripple fire station.

FLORIDA GIVES NO PROTECTION AGAINST FAKIRS Governor of State Admits Crooks Are Taking Big Advantages. ‘MANY ARE SWINDLED’ You Can’t Keep Foois From Sharpers, He Says. Editor's Note; This is the seventh of a series of articles telling the truth of conditions in Florida as found by a representative of The Indianapolis Times. By Harold Keats mHE State of Florida hasn’t played Santa Claus yet.” That was Governor John Wellburn Martin's answer to the question: What State protection is there for the persons who flock here In answer to your advertising campaign and are fleeced by shaxpars or find conditions are not as pretty as painted? "You can’t keep crooks from operating and yoj’ can’t keep fools from becoming Martin said. We have a real estate brokers’ law and an advertisers’ law, but they can’t cover all the fields. We believe Florida thp greatest land of opportunity on earth, but must admit that fakirs are taking advantage of it to swindle the gullib.e” Warning Sounded In a written statement, A. A. Coult, secretary to the Florida Development Board, a patriotic organization, sounded this v/aming: “Fly-bv-night sharpers throughout the country are selling lots in subdivisions not even known in Florida. Hundreds of complaints have reached us of promoters offering for sale subdivisions represented as near some large city and in reality from ten to twenty miles distant. “The general public sefcms to have gotten the Florida fever and pays almost any price for a lot in Florida. Many of these so-called subdivisions (Turn to Page 10) STUDENTS MAY AVERT STRIKE Wabash Trustees to Act on Compromise. Hu Times Special CRAWFORDSVILLE, Ind., Oct. 5. —A special meeting of Wabash College trustees will be called in the next few days to act on a compromise reached between college students and faculty in the threatened automobile strike. Students today agreed to put up their autos five days a week if allowed to have them over the weekends. The trustees' order, however, said “No cars at any time.” Robert Wicks, student council president, named William Frazee, editor of the Bachelor; Don Sherman, football captain, and Frank Du Bois to meet with the trustees.

German delegates were admitted as equals to the conference room instead of being ignored altogether or appearing in the role of the vanquished, waiting outside to hear the verdict of the all’ed judges. The atmosphere of this beautiful lakeside village was optimistic for agreement. France, Belgium, Great Britain, Italy and Germany are the principal confrerees. After they have worked ou the details of the Rhine security pact the representatives of Poland and Czecho-Slovakla will be called in, thus bringing the number of participants to seven. This expansion of the conference is expected in about ten days if all goes well. If there is disagreement, then it never will take place.

GUN RANGE IS ORDERED FORME Mayor Aroused by Escape of Three Bandits in Running Pistol Battle Announces Cops Must Shoot Straight or Loose Jobs. SIX HOLD-UPS FEATURE WEEK-END CRIME WAVE Trio Suspected of Staging Two Robberies —Sweater Left in Abandoned Auto Only Clew —Many Burglaries Reported. Indianapolis police must shoot straight to hold their jobs. Mayor Shank, aroused by escape of three bamdits in a running gun battle with police Sunday ordered immediate establishment of a pistol range with Captains Roy A. Pope and Barrett Ball in charge. Police officers, the Mayor said, will be given. two weeks to qualify as marksman. If their aim hasn’t improved by that time, they will be dismissed from the force. “I’m getting tired of the police shooting and missing,” the mayor said. “When I was mayor before, the police didn’t need to be good shots. Now these hold-up men are all ‘coked up’ with dope and hootch. We've got to ‘coke’ our own force by teaching them to shoot.” Six and <a long string of burglaries were reported to police over the week-end. The trio which escaped in the gun battle, robbed Harry J. Carroll, 25, of 2601 E. Pearl St., at Alabama and Thirteenth Sts. Police believe they wounded one of the men. The same men are believed to have robbed James George, 26, of 1332 N. Alabama St., at Alabama and Thirteenth Sts. A red sweater was found later in the abandoned sedan (Turn to Page 10)

SIX CHILDREN PERISH IN FIRE Flames Take Lives of Half a . Dozen Little Boys. Bn United Press LEWISTON, Idaho, Oct. s.—An investigation was being made today in an effort to determine the cause of a fire early Sunday morning which took the lives of six little boys at the Catholic mission near Lapwai, twelve miles from here. The boys were burned to death when fire swept a wooden structure used as a dormitory while a 'permanent building was under construction. FORTY-SEVEN DROWNED Finnish Gunboat. Reported to Have Sunk Sunday. Bii United Press STOCKHOLM, Oct. s.—Finnish gunboat sank during naval anmeuvers between Kaskisland and Hernosand Sunday, with a loss of fortymen and two officers, according to reports reaching Stockholm. SUPREME COURT MEETS 1925 Term. Convened. 726 Cases on Its Docket. Jw United Press WASHINGTON, Oct. 5. The United States Supreme Court convened its 1925 term at noon today and jumped immediately into its stack of 726 docketed cases, the largest number in many years. All nine justices were present and apparently in the best of health. BALLOON IS MISSING Highball 11., With Pilot and Two Passengers Is Lost Bv United Press DETROIT, Mich., Oct. 5.—A1l but one of the five balloons which left here late Saturday in the Detroit News trophy race had been accounted for at 9:30 a. m„ today. The missing balloon —the Highball ll.—was last reported over Jamestown, N. Y., at 10 a. m., Sunday. It is piloted by Svend A. Rasmussen of Detroit and carries two passengers. JACKSON ON BOAT TRIP Governor Jackson, accompanied by his family an 1 Adjt. Gen. William H. Kershner, left for Pittsburgh today to make a boat trip down the Ohio River, during which three new Government dams and will be dedicated.

INDIANAPOLIS, MONDAY, OCT. 5, 1925

Home Burned in Alleged Conspiracy

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Former home of D. C. Stephenson, University Ave., after file on April 17, in connection with which Stephenson was indicted today.

AIR ROW MAY BECOME CHIEF LEGION ISSUE Vote Expected to Show Mitchell Service Plan Is Favorite. Bu United Press OMAHA, Oct. 5.—C01. Billy Mitchell’s campaign for a unified air servlco and his attacks on Army and Navy administration at Washington may become thd leading issues of the seventh national convention of the American Legion, which opened today. As the veterans poured into Omaha the Mitchell controversy was discussed on all sides. Leaders of the organization indicated that they are making an effort to choke off discussion of the air row, but many expressed the belief that it would be choked in committee only to be hurled into debates on the convention floor. There was marked sentiment both for and against the Mitchelll charges, although it 's believed that a vote would show a majority favoring Mitchell. Twenty thousand veterans, from all parts of the United States, are here and 30,000 are expected before night. Although expressions were made freely that the convention would be forced to stage t. vote on a resolution demanding the repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment, Omaha was conspicuouslj Jry as the delegates arrived. COOLIIXiK IN INDIANA President Forgets Trouble as He Speeds t-o Convention. Bp United Press ABOARD THE PRESIDENT’S SPECIAL EN ROUTE TO OMAHA, Neb., Oct. 5. —With nearly twentyfour hours travel still ahead of him. President Coolidge today relaxed in his palatial car, and enjoyed the scenery of southern Ohio, Indiana and Illinois through which hts train sped. The special passed through North Vernon, Ind., at 10:12 a. m., running on schedule. Out west ahead lies a big day tomorrow, with a speech to the American Legion, a luncheon and a parade review. But today Coolidge exercised the faculty which has made him the best conditioned president in many years—forgetting his troubles.

QUAKE JOLTS LOS ANGELES Shock Lasts Four Seconds —No Damage Reported. Bn I’nitrd Press LOS AtNGELES, Cal., Oct. s.—Los Angeles and surrounding cities felt a slight earth tremor at 1:15 a. m. today. The jolt lasted approximately four seconds. Residents were aroused from their slumbers. The shock came during a drenching rain, which is considered an unusual phenomenon by weather experts. No damage was reported. TWO CHILDREN SLAIN Brother, 9, of Murdered Tots Is Held By Police. Bu United Frees TAMPA, Fla., Oct. s.—Two tiny graves were prepared today for the bodies of Violet Novel, 4. and Arthur Noble 2, who police believe were slain Saturday by their elder brother, Norbert, 9, in a “fit of anger.’’ Norbert, held by police on the strength of Violet's dying statement that “Norbert got mad and did it” still stuck to his story that the two children were fatally wounded when a shot gun fell on the floor and was discharged.

Dry Says Butler Lacks Spunky Spine Upshaw Charges ‘Uncle Nicholas’ Is in Serfdom to Wet Interests.

Bu Times Special WASHINGTON, Oct. 5. —Representative William D. Upshaw cf Georgia, charged President Nicholas Murray Butler, of Columbia University, with a “pitiful lack of spunky spinality” for refusing to meet him in a debate on the eighteenth amendment, in a fiery statement issued here today in which he calls the educator "UnUe Nicholas.” • The Georgia dry leader declared that if Butler continued his “Illtimed, blustering and blatant bombardment of our Constitution,” and his refusal to debate the liquor question, “the people of America will be compelled to believe one or both of two things—first, that ne is in virtual serfdom to embarrassing ‘wet’ connections that hold a mandate over his conduct,” and second, that he is simply afraid of a platform discussion concerning his "outlawed darling of vice and crime and shame.” “In other words,” said Upshaw, “the smugly belligerent Dr. Butler starts a wet wind battle, then sees a dry storm coming and crawls into a beer barrel of scholastic seclusion and pulls the bung in after him.”

MITCHELL FORMALLY ARRAIGNED BY ARMY Colonel Called to War Department and Given Charges Upon Which Court - Martial Will Be Based.

Bu I nited press WASHINGTON, Oct. 5.—C01. “Billy" Mitchell was called to the War Department t( day and informed officially of cha.ges upon which his court-martial will be based. The air officer who started the furor over the Nation’s air defense was receiver by Col. G. A. Nugent, acting for Inspector General Helmich and they went into conference. Mitchell refused to comment on what occurred during his conference with Colonel* Nugent. "I have nothing to say,” Col. Mitchell said. “You will have to ask them.” According to Army procedure, Mitchell was presented with an ab-

FLAPPER FANNY sayy w im scsvict. me.

Girls kinda like to have a fellow stop, look and loosen.

HAWKINS WILL BE TAKEN TO LEAVENWORTH Prison Warrant for exMortgage Company Head Issued by Clerk. Morton S. Hawkins, former president of the Hawkins Mortgage Company, found guilty of using the mails to defraud, will be taken on Wednesday or Thursday to Leavenworth to start serving his sentence of fifteen years. The prison warrant for Hawkins was issued today by Federal Clerk William P. Kappes on order of United States District Attorney Albert Ward. Hawkins has been held in the Marion County jail on a $50,000 appeal bond, pending the appeal of his case in tho United States Circuit Court of Appeals at Chicago. J. J. 11. LaFollette, Hawkins’ attorney did not know the warrant had been isued. He said he would resist the action. Hawkins was indicted March 10, 1924. He was president of the defunct Hawkins' Mortgage Company of Portland, the activities of which the court charges ran into $6,000,000. He forfeited his bond of $7,500 for his appearance at trial at Indianapolis, Oct. 1, 1924, and was apprehended at Dayton, Jan. 1. He was sentenced to serve fifteen years and fined SIO,OOO, on July 6.

stract of the charges involving his possible court-martial. He probably was if he had any reply to the charges or if he wished to present an affidavit in answer. It is understood that if the inspector general’s office finds it necessary to court-martial Mitchell under the charges, a recommendation for this procedure will he made through the Secretary of War. No officer between the President, who is commander in chief of the Army, and the corps area commander, is allowed to call courtmartial in this case, it was pointed out.

GUY SHIVERS IN COOL WINDS Pre-Winter Weather Strikes —Relief Tuesday. 6 a. m 46 10 a. m 56 7 a. m 46 11 a. m 57 8 a. m 49 12 (noon) .... 67 9 a. m 53 1 p. m 59 Indianapolis today experienced its first pre-winter weather of the season, with a low temperature of 46 at 7 a. m., the lowest mark since last spring. No frost was reported, however, according to the United States weather bureau. The mercury is expected to go up Tuesday, J. H. Armington, meteorologist, said, while today is expected to be cool and cloudy. Rainfall Sunday totalled .29 inch, with a high temperature of 68 at 3 p. m. The mercury dropped sharp ly after that hour, registering 54 at 8 p. m. Some rainfall was reported from over the State. According to Armington, the present low temperatures are caused by an axea of high pressure to the west thq cool air descending onto Indiana and adjoining States.

Entered a* Second-class Matter at PoatoffW, Indlanapolia. Published Dally Eicept Sun.lay.

Alleged Slayer of Madge Oberholtzer, His Former Secretary, Fred Butler; Klinck and Gentry Charged With Conspiracy to Burn Home. FIRE AT UNIVERSITY AVE. DWELLING CAUSE OF ACTION Suspicious Circumstances Reported at Time Flames Did $3,500 Damage to Irvington Residence Led to Investigation by Fire Marshal’s Office. The State of Indiana today preferred new charges against D. C. Stephenson. Earl Gentry and Earl Klinck, in jail at Noblesville since early summer awaiting trial for the alleged murder of Miss Madge Oberholtzer, Irvington girl. The Marion County grand jury today indicted the three, together with Fred O. Butler, Stephenson’s secretary, on charges of conspiring to burn Stephenson’s home, 5432 University Ave., last April.

Capiases for the rearrest of the three were sent to Noblesville in c-iise they are acquitted on tho murder charge, following their trial set for next Monday. Butler is in Florida, Judge James A. Collins is said to have been told by William Schaeffer, grand Jury deputy. An officer will probably be sent to bring him back. The Indictment The new indictment alleges that on or about April ID Stephensoh, Butler, Gentry and Klinck “did knowingly and feloniously unite, combine, conspire, confederate and agree to and with each other for the objective purpose and with the unlawful and feloniou intent to then and there feloniou.n , wilfully and maliciously set fire to and burn a certain dwelling house, then and there situated, of the value of $20,000, then and there the property of David C. Stephenson, upon whicli a policy of insurance for $20,000 had been issued by tho Great American Insurance Company, a corporation, and was then enforced, with intent to defraud the said insurance company and did then and there and thereby feloniously, wilfully and maliciously burn and destroy said property to the damage thereof in the sum of $3,500.” The State witnesses listed on indictment are Newman T. Miller, former State fire marshal. Albert Fowler, assistant State fire marshal; Harry Kellemeyer, 5721 Bonna Ave.; Vanco T. May, 2025 S. Meridian St.; Fire Chief John J. O’Brien; Virgil T. Ferguson, chief of the fire prevention bureau; Clara B. Judkins, Spink Arms. Earl Coble, 311 Statehouse; David and Ruth Scheibelhut, 370 Downey Ave.; Carl V. Gilchrist, 5505 E. Washington St.; George Toon, No. 25 Fire Company; Nellie Winterburg, 5442 University Ave.; Fred O. Judkins, 210 N. Jefferson Ave.: Isaac Geese, 5505 E. Washington St.. Gertrude and William G. Rolland, 212 Downey Ave.: Mrs. Wood Unger. 270 Downey Ave.; M. C. Buckingham, 1337 Meyer-Kiser Bank Bldg.; John W. Castor, Marion County Recorder; Julius F. Beschur, No. 25 Fire Company; J. E. York, 5725 Bonna Ave.. Edgar Mountjoy, 35 S. Webster Ave.; Mrs. Eva Leak, 3440 University Ave. Fire department was called to the Stephenson home at 1 a. m. April

Two Courts May Be Held If Prater Demands Trial

Bn Times Special NOBLESVILLE, Ind., Oet. 5.—D. C. Stephenson, Earl Gentry and Earl Klinck, charged with the murder of Miss Madge Oberholtzer, are certain to go on trial next Monday* Judge Fred E. Hines told Eph Inman, defense attorney today. In event that Frank Baker, attorney for Edward Prather, 16, Indianapolis boy, also charged with murder, demands trial on the mime day, Judge Hines said he would make an effort to hold two courts. Judge Will Sparks, of Rushvllle, has already made his arrangements

Accused Blames Politics; Disclaims Responsibility

Bu Times Bvecinl NOBLEBVILLE, Ind., Oct. 6. Politics was blamed by D. C. Stephenson today for his indictment by the Marion County grand Jury on a charge of conspiracy to commit arson In connection with the burning of his former home. Stephenson is in Hamiliton County Jail awaiting trial on a charge of murdering Miss Madge Oberholizer of Indianapolis. Sitting in his cell on the top floor of the jail Stephenson, vehemently disclaimed all responsibility for the fire. "Why should I set that house on fire?’ he asked. “Do you think I would do it to let people all over the State know how bitter the feeling against me was in my home city!

Forecast - INCREASING cloudiness tonight, probably becoming unsettled by Tuesday night; warmer Tuesday.

TWO CENTS

17, although the indictment gives April 19 as the date of the allleged plot. The fire was first reported by a woman living next door to Stephenson's home. Sho told police and firemen she, saw a light in the house about II p. m. and heard a loud explosion about 1 a. m. Capt. I). W. Hill, Pumper Company 25 at the time said he found gas jets in the kitchen turned on but unlighted. Ho said he found an open ten-gallon can of mixed gasoline and oil under tho stairway downstairs; another ten-gallon can of the mixture In the closet upstairs, and a number of one-gallon cans scattered about the house. Indications at tho time were that a six-gallon can had exploded in the dining room, shooting flames all through the downstairs portions of the house. Fire department officials at the time sold that it. would have been impossible for one man to have carried gasoline and oil through the house without assistance. Garago Visited When police arrived they reported finding tho garage in the rear of tho home well equipped and furnished, and that tho bed had every appearance of having been occupied only a short time before. Stephenson, who was at liberty at that time on bond. In connection with the alleged attack upon Miss Oberholtzer, said that he first received nows of the fire about 2 a. m., W'hen Eph Inman, his attorney, called him. Stephenson said that Butler, who was with him at tho timo mado tho remark that it “was another act for humanity's sake.” Stephenson's home has about twenty rooms. The flames destroyed on overstulTod chair in the dining room and swelled and cracked the hardwood flooring. The Interior of the room also was badly damaged. Flames leaping through the windows burned tho outside of the house, Stephenson Angered The morning after the Are, Stephenson, in company with State Policemen Losey and Bridges and two other men, appeared at the place and stamped through the empty building In an angry mood. At the time of the fire Stephenson (Turn to Page 10)

to hear the Stephenson case, Judge Hines said. He also stated that there was no other convenient date open on his calendar before the end of the year in event the trial is postponed. Question of postponement came up when Attornoy Baker wrote Hines Saturday, asking immediate trial for Prater. Prater is charged with murdering Forest Van Devere, an Indianapolis street car conductor, In an attempted hold-up. Judge Hines said Prater has had his opportunity for early trial and failed to take advantage of It.

“I don’t know who set fire to that house, but I know I had nothing to do with it. Why, it wasn’t even my house. The title to it had passed out of my hands fifteen days before the fire. “Os course. I know why this charge 1* being brought against me. Everybody knows that Newman T. Miller, the fire marshal under whom the investigation was made, wanted to be a candidate for Governor. Miller repeatedly sent einmlsarles to me asking ine for the support of the Klan in his race for Governor, but I told Miller that the Klan was solidly behind Ed Jackson and that if Miller ever ran for Governor he would bo sorry ho had dono it. “Os course, Miller loves me.**