Indianapolis Times, Volume 37, Number 155, Indianapolis, Marion County, 29 October 1925 — Page 1

Home Edition LORI A, the Flupper vJT Wife,” an appealing story of modern life, appears on the back page of The Times daily.

VOLUME 37—NUMBER 155

MRS. OBERHOLTZER WEEPS ON STAND

(USE RACE SHOWN BY SIRAfVOYE Myers Leads Duvall by Three in Times Canvass —Many Undecided or Will Mol Vote Men Ahead in Indicision. CHOICE OF WOMEN IS EQUALLY DIVIDED ‘What’s the Difference?’ Say Many Persons Interviewed —Others Assert Politics Is Only for Those in It as Business. One of the closest votes in any municipal election ever held in Indianapolis is indicated from first returns of The Indianapolis Times straw vote, taken about the city Wednesday. Os a total of 444 persons interviewed by Times representatives, there were 160 votes recorded for Walter Myers. Democratic nominee for mayor, and 157 for John L. Duvall, his Republican opponent. A total of 127 were undecided or are not voting. The straw vote also indicates there is a great body of voters who have not yet determined how they will mark their ballots Tuesday. Added to this number ai-e scores of persons who say they will not vote this year. Men As Guilty Contrary to popular belief, men are as guilty of indecision as women, there being sixty-six men unable to make up their minds now and only twenty women. However, twentyone women will not vote as opposed to twenty men. Myers has an edge of three votes on Duvall among the men interviewed. while each candidate recived twenty-two votes from the women. “What’s the difference?” came from many persons interviewed. Then there were other replies:. "Politics is only for the fellow who is in the business.” “Women should stay out of politics and give all their time to the home,” said Mrs. Irma Hodges, 1414 N. Alabama St. “It won’t cut a of a figure in my receipts either way,” said a man. “Undecided —Don’t like where all this tax money has gone.” “I tell you I don’t like either man; if they’ll pick real candidates, I’ll vote, but not this year.” “I would vote for Duvall, even if he were a Democrat.” “Myers is the best man the Democrats ever nominated.” But the reply that nearly wrecked the Times straw vote machine came from a maiden. Indignantly, she exclaimed; “You have made a great mistake, young man. I am not of age.” At Pennsylvania and Ohio Sts.: Men, Duvall, 20; Myers, 18; undecided, 6. Women, Duvall. 7; Myers, 8; undecided, 7. On Illinois Fairview street car, 7 a. m.: Men, Duvall, 8; Myers, 15: undecided, 4; not voting, 2. Women, Duvall, 0; Myers, 1; undecided, 2. People’s State Bank b’.dg. offices: Men. Duvall, 35; Myers, 29; undecided, 4; not voting, 4. Women, Duvall, 7; Myers, 8; undeeeided, 6; not voting, 6. Denison poolroom: Men, Duvall, 14; Myers, 17; undecided. 5; not voting, 1. L. Strauss & Cos.: Men, Duvall, 6; Myers, 5; undecided, 4, not voting, 2. Kahn Bldg.; Men, Duvall, 8. Myers, 8; undecided, 9; not voting, 2. Women, Duvall, 1; Myers, 4; undecided, 2; not voting. 9. Board of Trade poolroom: Men, Duvall, 10. Myers, 18; undecided, 3; not voting, 1. Brookside street car, 4 p. m.: Men, Duvall, 1; Myers, 1; undecided, 10; not voting, 1. Women, Duvall, 2: not voting, 1. Elks Club: Men, Duvall, 6; Myers, 4. Undecided. 1. Women, Duvall. 3; Myers, 1. Claypool basement: Men, Duvall, 3; Myers, 1. Undecided, 5. Not voting, 1. Harry Cooler's poolroom: Men, Duvall, 4; Myers, 8. Not voting, 5. Undecided, 4. Beam’s bowling alley: Men, Duvall, 14; Myers, 4. Undecided, 5 Not voting, 1. Women, Duvall, 2. Illinois Fairground street car 8 p. m.: Duvall, 3; Myers, 5. Undecided. 3. Women, Undecided, 3. Not voting, 5. Irvington restaurant. Men, Duvall, 3; Myers, 5. Undecided, 3.

The Indianapolis Times

CANDIDATES INDORSED Nicholson Issues Statement in School Board Race. Meredith Nicholson, author and Democratic leader, today issued a statement indorsing Edward W. Harris, Mrs. Elizabeth F. Moore, Fred Bates Johnson, Charles R. Yoke and Clarence G. Baker, candidates for the school hoard backed by the citizens’ school committee. An important meeting of the organization committee of the citizens’ school committee is to be held at 7:30 tonight at the Chamber of Commerce. DUVALL JUMPS UPON ‘BOSSES’ OF DEMOCRATS Republican Candidate Says He Will Support Economy. “What will become of William E. Clauer, Democratic city chairman; Denny Bush of Indiana Ave.. fame; Gippy Gavin, Twelfth Ward boss, and other remnants of the Joe Bell administration who were indicted in 1918 if Walter Myers, Democratic candidate, becomes mayor?” asked John L. Duvall Wednesday night in an address at Wolf’s Hall, Nordyke and Morris Sts. “Those fellows are not hanging around headquarters for nothing. Who will be Myers’ chief of police? John Zener I suppose.” Duvall at an Eighth ward rally at Ft. Wayne and Central Aves., urged voters to go to the polls early Tuesday. “I will support the economy program of President Coolidge and Governor Jackson. We have five platforms in the campaign, I have one and Myers has four,” he said. Duvall promised to keep police and fire departments out of politics. Mrs. Lillian Sedwick, candidate on the United Protestant School board ticket, and other Republican candidates spoke. “I never pick a loser,” said “Big Jack” Jackson, colored politician, in introducing Duvall at a colored meeting at Beals Civic Club hall, 1450 Shepherd St. Duvall also addressed a colored meeting at Fifteenth St. and Senate Ave. Suggestions and advice from civic clubs and other organizations will be welcomed, if he is elected mayor, Duvall, told members of the Traffic Club at noon today at the Severin. “I have no fads nor fancies to develop,” said Duvall. “My desire is to give the people a clean, businesslike administration. THREE BOYS ARE HELD Parents Notified Sons Are in Hands of Louisville Police. Parents of Gecrge Platzer, 15, of 1610 N. Alabama St.; John Zener Jr„ 18, of 1824 N. New Jersey St., and Robert F. Thomas, 1729 Broadway, were notified by police today that their sons are held as runaway boys in Louisville, Ky. The Platzer boy was reported missing here Wednesday, but John Zener said he knew his son and Thomas were going to Florida and were going to return soon. TRIP TO BOOST CITY Business Men Go to Newcastle on Booster Journey. A delegation of about 100 business men made a courtesy trip to Newcastle today under auspices of the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce wholesale trade division. The party was to spend the afternoon visiting Newcastle industries and merchants. A Kiefer Mayer, head of the wholesale trade division, will preside tonight at a banquet at the Newcastle Y. M. C. A. Ray Davis president of the Newcastle Ch '"'’>er of Commerce will welcome visitor*. HAPPER FANNY s&yy ©IMS BY Ml* science. IMC. When a wife mends a hole in her husband’s pocket, he’s usually appreciative enough to wonder how she knew it was there.

JURY FOR NOBLESVILLE TRIAL

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Stephenson Jury: Front row (left to right): B<*n F. Clark, L. 11. Linsmyer, Harley Huffman, Clyde Clark, illiam Lehr, Zeno E. Muiidy, Baliff Ingram Nailery. Top row: Bailiff Fred Harger.r, Cash Applegate, Samuel Gerrard, Ralph Finley, Ijentis Neese, \V. O. Inman, William A. Johnson.

Bandits Get $117,000 Cash, Kill One

Six Bandits Kill Bank Car Driver and Drop $24,000 in Flight. TWO GUARDS WOUNDED Picture of Henry Harris Is Identified as Leader. Ttu United Vre.au BUFFALO, N. Y„ Oct. -29.—Six bandits held up the money car of the Bank of Buffalo today, shot and killed the driver, wounded two guards and escaped with $117,000. A bag of currency containing $24,000 was dropped by the bandits in their flight. The holdup occurred at 9:30 a. m., while the money was being loaded into the bank van. Charles W. Cllf ford, driver, was instantly killed, when he offered resistence. Guard John H. Myers was shot through the body. His Injury is considered serious. Guard Lewis M. Yarington was shot down when he drew a revolver. His wound is slight The bandits quickly gathered the money bags and threw them into their automobile in which they made good their escape. Twelve witnesses identified a picture of Henry Harris, suspected of many hold-ups and who recently forfeited a $50,000 bail bond in Detroit, as the outlaw leaders. Five of the robbers escaped in an automobile. The sixth mingled in a crowd and escaped unnoticed. FORGERY IS CHARGED City Judge Binds Prisoner Over to County Grand Jury. John Petrie, alias Thomas Kelley alias Cameron is in the Marion County Jail today under SIO,OOO bond on a forgery charge after he was bound over to the .grand jury Wednesday in city court by Judge Delbert O. Wilmeth. Petrie who recently completed a sentence stealing from a ghest at the Washington Hotel, was re-ar-rested following his release. Police say he gave the hotel a forged check. It was said that Petrie is under a six year sentence at* Sing Sing. FREIGHTER OVERDUE Hit United Preaa CLEVELAND, Oct. 29.—The S. S Anders, ocean going freighter, is believed in trouble on Lake Erie. The boat, en route fxom Hamilton, Ontario, to Cleveland, is twenty hours overdue. A crew of eighteen is aboard.

POLICE UPON BEATS FOR DUVALL, CHARGE \ Democratic Chairman Says Officers Have Been Detached From Headquarters—Will Be Investigated.

Policemen have been detached from headquarters “to frequent places of doubtful reputation and urge support of John L. Duvall for mayor.” William E. Clauer, Democratic city chairman, charged in a letter of protest to Ernest L. Kingston. board of safety president, made public today. Clauer charged a fire captain was working in an office where campaign contributions for Duvall were being received from police and firemen. “Roy G. Phillips, who was recently appointed a fire department captain, is actively engaged in furthering the political Interests of Duvall,

INDIANAPOLIS, THURSDAY, OCT. 29, 1925

MYERS TALKS ON AWARDING OF CONTRACTS Democratic Nominee Says Present System Must Be Reformed. The system of awarding contracts for * public improvements must be reformed so that citizens secure the best there is at the lowest price. Walter Myers, Democratic candidate for mayor, said at the Oakes Company at noon today. “The board of works should be the agent of those whose property is to be improved,” he said. “They should deal with prospective bidders in a business-like way. The city must not stop making public improvements where they are needed.” Myers asserted in addresses on Wednesday night that political bosses have taken much of the “pep” and “kick” from Indianapolis. Ridicules Administration Myers ridiculed the present administration for building the celebrated casting pool at College Ave. and Fall Creek Blvd. “Your city government paid nearly $20,000 for the concrete casting pool,” he told Brlghtwood citizens. "You citizens here can’t very well go and wouldn't want to anyway, because there aren’t any fish there.” Taxes Discussed “But many of you have fish to fry,” Myers continued. "That is in trying to get together enough money to pay the taxes that recent administrations have placed upon you,” he continued. “Especially are taxes raised when we have the irregularities in letting of contracts for paving and other improvements.” Myers spoke at Sheldon St. and Roosevelt Ave., Rural St. and Roosevelt Ave.. 918 Davidson St. and 1028 Oliver Ave. RECOMEND NEW BUREAU Separate Aeronautics Division Under Commerce I>epartinent. Bu United Preaa COLUMBUS, Ohio, Oct. 29.—Establishment of a separate bureau of aeronautics, under the Department of Commerce, was recommended in a report submittetd by a joint committee of the Department of Com merce and the administrative board of the American Engineering Council at a meeting here today.

in an office at 1002 City Trust Bldg.. where police and firemen have been instructed to go to make contributions to Duvall’s campaign funds,” the letter declares. “Irvin Hardy and Plez Jones, colored patrolmen, have been relieved of the necessity of reporting to police headquarters and are actively engaged In visiting places of doubtful reputation among the colored residents, urging Duvall's election.” Kingston said he had ordered Police Chief Herman F. Rikhoff and Fire Chief John J. O’Brien to investigate the charges.

COLD WA VE KEEPS ITS HOLD ON CITY Low Temperature for October Recorded May Be Warmer Tonight—Florida Has Winter Weather.

King Winter today continued to hold sway over Indianapolis and the Middle West, though snow, which fell Wednesday, had practically disappeared in the city. Tho thermometer at the United States Weather Bureau dropped to 22 at 4 a. m., tying the record low mark for October, and setting anew record for October of this year. Similar temperatures were recorded Oct. 30, 1895, and Oct. 30, 1897. The mercury registered 24 at 7, or 20 degrees below normal. Indications are for a continuance of the cold wave tonight, with perhaps some rise during the night or Friday. Slight snow flurries are possible tonight, particularly in the southern part of the State. The northwest portion of the country had zero temperature, with Huron, S. D., reporting 6 below. Snow flurries flew in many sections east of Cheyenne, Wyo. Ohio, Michigan, lowa probably will be gripped by even lower temperatures. Winter in the Soutli gave every indication that it had come for a prolonged stay. Strong winds preceded marked drops in temperatures as far south as Florida. Freak storms swept the East. UNION UPHELD IN U. S. COURT Judge Anderson’s Decision Affirmed by Appeals Bench. Bu United Preaa CHICAGO, Oct. 29.—The Federal Circuit Court of Appeals today upheld the right of the Journeymen Stone Cutters’ Association of North America to order its members to refrain frum working on stone from the Bedford Cut Stone Company quarries. The court upheld a similar decision handed down by Federal Judge Anderson at Indianapolis. When the Bedford company and its union cutters failed to negotiate anew agreement in 1921, the company hired non-union workers. The union ordered members all over the country to refrain from work on stone from the Bedford company quarries. This resulted in halting construction work in many cities where Bedford company stone was used in building jobs. The company argued that the order was in restraint of trade. DRIVES THROUGH GATES Motorist Taken to Hospital—Boy Injured in Auto Crash. William Schrowe, 30. of 1240 Naomi St. Is improving at city hospital today from injuries. Including a fractured skull, received Wednesday night when he is alleged by po lice to have driven his auto through the safety gates at Shelby St. and the Big Four Railroad into the path of a train. The auto was demolished. Henry Blomeyer, 1614 W. Michigan St., engineer, was charged with assault and battery. Riland Knox, 7, son of Mrs. Edith Knox, 1136 W. Fifty-Sixth St., also suffered a fractured skull when an auto In which he was riding was in a collision. Robert Akers, FiftySecond St. and Riverside Pkwy., driver of the other auto, was elated.

HOURLY TEMPERATURE 6 a. m 23 10 a. m.' 27 7 a. m 24 11 a. m 27 8 a. m 25 12 (noon) .... 28 9 a. m 26 1 p. m 28 STEPHENSONK ADDRESS TOPIC Ex-Mayor Says Defendant Is Campaign Issue. Former legal and business friends of D. C. Stephenson, now on trial on a murder charge at Noblesville, are in the saddle of the local Republican organization, John W. Holtzman, former mayor, asserted at the Hoosier Veneer Mills at noon today. “Leaving out of the matter entirely the crime with which Stephenson is charged, the question at this election is whether the Stephenson brand of polities is to be continued,” Holtzman said. “Stephenson predicted correctly Duvall would be nominated at the primary. Duvall was his banker. Arthur R. Robinson, recently appointed United States Senator, on recommendation of Coffin, was Stephenson’s attorney in many cases. The Governor who appointed Robinson was supported in his campaign by Stephenson. Stephenson put many thousands of dollars in that campaign.” TWO ARE SHOT DOWN Policeman Wounds Gambler Who Had Injured Convict. Bu United Preaa DETROIT. Oct. 29. —John Edward Jackson, identified by police as a convict, who escaped from the Kansas penitentiary at Tensing, Kans. in 1923, was believed fatally wounded here today in a gun fight with William Ryan, notorious Detroit gambler. Ryan, in turn, was shot by Robert A. Catlin, a traffic policeman, after Ryan had pursued Jackson from his place of business and hot him down. A million dollars is a lot of money. Think what you could do with that much money if somebody would suddenly leave it to you. Then write an essay of not more than 300 words on just what you would do with a million. Mail it to the story editor of The Times on or before Nov. 10. SIOO in prizes for the best essays. SSO, first prize; S2O, second prize; $lO, third prize; $5, fourth prize; $3, fifth prize, and twelve prizes of $1 each. Write your essay. Then read about what Joanna did with the million left to her. The story starts in The Times Nov. 3.

Entered as Se<:on<l-clns Matter at Postufflce, Indianapolis Published Daily Except Sunday.

Mother of Girl With Whose Murder Stephenson and Aids Are Charged Almost Breaks Down as She Tells Her Story. STATE’S QUESTIONING BRIEF; DEFENSE CROSS-EXAMINES HER Hushed Courtroom Hears Cox Make Opening Statement, Picturing Accused as Spider and His Beautiful Home the Web. By John L. Niblack and William L. Toms Times Staff Correspondents CIRCUIT COURTROOM, NOBLESVILLE, lnd., Oct. 29. Dressed in deep mourning, her voice breaking with sobs, Mrs. George Oberholtzer, this morning took the stand as the First witness in the trial of D. C. Stephenson, Earl Klinck and Earl Gentry, charged with the murder of her tweuty-eight-year-old daughter, Madge. At times unable to speak because of her grief, with tears coursing down her cheeks which she was unable to stem, Mrs. Oberholtzer told of the last time she saw her daughter—how Madge left home to return broken and dying from poison. A hushed courtroom heard the story of a mother, heartbroken and struggling against nervous collapse. The trial of the trio opened in earnest at D.A. in. on the fourteenth day—choice of the jury taking thirteen days. Working in the face of numerous objections, William H. Remy began tho spinning of the testimony with which he expects to convict the defendants and send them to the electric chair. Earl Klinck was the first defendant identified by State witnesses. Mrs. Eunice Shultz, who rooms at the Oberholtzer home, with her son, a professor at Butler University, took the stand shortly before noon as the second witness, and told how Klinck carried Miss Oberholtzer into the house Tuesday morning after she. left Sunday night, and laid her on her bed upstairs. “Oh, I’m Dying” “I was in the kitchen preparing lunch, and heard a terrible groaning at the front door,” she said. “After the man left, I went in Madge’s room and she exclaimed twice, ‘Oh, I’m dying, Mrs. Shultz.’ She was in a deplorable condition, with circular indented bruises on her cheeks, body and limbs. “That is the man there, in the back seat,” she said, pointing at Klinck. “He said his name was Johnson of Kokomo, and that Madge had been hurt in an auto accident.” Mrs. Oberholtzer’s testimony followed a fiery opening statement by Charles E. Cox, former Supreme Court judge, who has been hired by the Oberholtzer family to assist Kemy. Women Gasp Cox made the women spectators gasp, when he outlined what the State expects to prove; the alleged kidnaping and drugging of Miss Oberholtzer, and how she was attacked in a Pullman car stateroom on route to Hammond, lnd., by Gentry and Stephenson; how she subsequently realized she had lost “all a virtuous woman holds dear,” and took bichloride of mercury tablets; how the defendants rushed her back to Indianapolis in Stephenson's automobile, and kept her a prisoner in Stephenson’s garage while the family had been decoyed downtown. The courtroom was only comfortably filled at the recess for noon. Court bailiffs, however, have made preparations to combat large crowds. Stephenson, the principal defendant, well known throughout the State, from his position of high political influence in Republican politics and the fact that he was State head of the Klan in 1923, has lost the affable smile that has marked the preliminary hearing. lie spent most of the morning taking notes, and wore a slightly worried air, as if for the first time realizing an actual murder trial is in progress, and that he is a defendant. Gentry also appeared to be deeply concerned, hut Klinck appeared unmoved. Stephenson is 34 years old and his alleged confederates are 40. Sheriff On Guard For the first time since the trial began two weeks ago. Sheriff Charles Gooding placed himself behind the defendants as guard. Stephenson sat with his battery of attorneys, chief of whom-is Eph Inman, one of the best known criminal attorneys in the State. Mrs. Oberholtzer took the stand shortly after Cox had concluded his opening statement.

Dressed in Black Mrs. Oberholtzer. dressed in black, and with head bowed, came to the stand. Prosecutor Remy, assisted her to the chair. “You may state your name." "Mrs. George Oberholtzer,” she answered in a voice so low it could scarcely be heard. “Where do you live?” “5802 University Ave.” “How long have you lived there?” “About ten years.” Voice Too low At this point, Judge Sparks asked the witness to speak a little louder, so that she could be heard by the jury. “How long have you lodged in Indianapolis?”. “About twenty-three years,” “Are you married?”

Forecast MOSTLY cloudy with probably light snow tonight or Friday; not quite so cold.

TWO CENTS

"Yes.” "Who is your husband?” “George Oberholtzer.” "What is his occupation?" “An assistant railway mail clerk.” “What relation did you sustain to Madge Oberholtzer, during her life?” For it moment Mrs. Oberholtzer was unable to speak. Then in a tremulous voire she answered. “I’m her mother.” "Was she married or unmarried?” “Unmarried.” “During tlie spring of this what is the fact as to whether she was employed." "She was." “Where?" “She was manager of the Young Peoples Reading Circle," Mrs. Oberholtzer replied in a subdued voice. “Under whom?” (Turn to Pago I)