Indianapolis Times, Volume 38, Number 124, Indianapolis, Marion County, 30 August 1926 — Page 1

Home Edition The “Vanity Case” holds a mystery. Can you unlock it? Follow the gripping story appearing daily on the Comic Page.

VOLUME 37—NUMBER 124

BIG AX DUE TO DESCEND ON MARSHAL Alf 0. Meloy, Coffin Aid, Will Get Meredith’s Job, Say Politicians. •TOO MUCH’ FOR WATSON Squibb Liquor Affair Said to Bother Senator. When the, term of United States Marshal Linus P. Meredith expires on Oct. 1, he will not tee reappointed, according to rumors in Republican political circles. His place, it is said, has been promised to Alf O. Meloy, a lieutenant of George Coffin and former street commissioner and a holder of various jobs under the Coffin regime. Whether official Washington will approve of the disposition of patron age to fit the plans of Senators Watson and Robinson, in view of their desertion of the presidential policies, is viewed as problematical. The decision to unload Meredith, long known as the most loyal of Watson’s followers, is said to be due to a decision on the part of Watson that Meredith had become too big a load to carry through his campaign and to the further demands of the\ Coffin machine that it be given local offices In return for its support. deeded by Robinson The explanation to Meredith will be that the place was needed by Robinson. Meredith for years was a faithful servitor of Watson interests in the Sixth district. The job as marshal, which pays $4,500 a year, was his only payment for many years of political servitude to the Watson machine. It has been known for some months that Meredith was viewed as a burden rather than an asset to the Watson candidacy. The incident of the Squibb whisky is said to be troubling the Watson followers, for it was Meredith who had charge of the 1,500 cases seized by the Government and it was during his custody of that whisky that approximately SBO,OOO worth of It, at bootleg prices, disappeared from the Federal Bldg. His departure from office Is said to have been sealed when the Indianapolis News, now an ardent supporter o * Watson, declared editorially that there were "higher Ups” connected with the disappearance and that the three Negroes, who were sentenced respectively to font months, six months and >. year in prison for stealing jlb,e liquor, were not solely responsible. Fear Liquor Cast* The Watson managers, it is averred, fear that the story of .the Squibb whisky may get out to the dry forces of the State, who always have been led to believe that Watson is a real friend of prohibition. They fear the embarassing question may be asked as to why Watson's (Turn to Page 11)

TWO BURN TO DEATH AT GW Fifty Others Escape in Boarding House Fire. Bu United Press GARY, ,Jnd., Aug. 30.—Two men Were hurtled to death, two burned so’Seriously that die, and fifty others narrowly escaped death in a fire which destroyed a rooming house here earlw today. The dead are Vincent and Alberto Billalon, brothers. Frank Barbosa and George Shacik were seriously burned. The fire started while the were asleep and reached such progress before any one was awakened that nearly every one In the building narrowly missed death by suffocation. SPANISH HEIR WORSE Bu United Press LONDON, Aug. 30.—The Hendaye correspondent of trhe Daily Express today said the condition of the 19-year-old Prince of the Asturias, heir apparent to the Spanish throne, has suddenly become worse. The Prince has been an invalid for years.

Prompt Delivery Service The Times Is jealous of its record for PROMPT DELIVERY to subscribers, But vacations do make human mistakes easier. You know how 'tls? In case YOUR Times fails to come regularly will you phone us promptly? Thank you. Circulation Dept. The Indianapolis ‘ Times MA in 3500

The Indianapolis Times

Boy, 15, Gags Self for Thrill Latest thrill of juvenile thrill seekers was revealed today when William Tucker, 15, of 216 E. Parkway Blvd., confessed to Detectives Dollnleeh and 1 Feeney, that he bound and gagged himself and feigned unconsciousness in his home late Saturi day. Tucker was found by Mrs. Rose Sosein. 10 E. Morris St. The place ‘apparently had been ransacked and the boy, who was alone in the house, was found unconscious on the floor. After being revived he told of being the victim of robbers. Questioned by the detectives be told the truth. "1 did it for a thrill,” the boy declared.

PROSPERITY PREDICTED FOR INDIANA V- / Farmers Said to Be Better Off—Other Lines , Follow. Hoosier pockets will be bulging this fall. This is the early word in business, financial, industrial, real estate and statistical circles, according to lead ers in these various- lines. With the agriculture situation clearing up and prospect of good fall crops in Indiana, lively business and industrial conditions are forecast. That business and industry are chiefly dependent for stability on farm conditions was pointed out. Merchants are buying heavy fall and winter stocks. Collections, difficult for several months, are reported cleared up, especially in rural districts. Farmers Well Off "Farmers are in the best condition in years, it has been my observation. There is a good corn crop, estimated at about 175,000,000 bush els, 72 per cent average crop, which, with the splendid wheat yield, should make the purchasing power of the farmer normal or even above average,” said William H. Howard, Indianapolis Board of Trade secretary. Although wheat acreage was smallest since 1916, production was the greatest since war days, averaging 21.5 bushels an acre in Indiana, according to Howard. L. L. Needier, Indiana Fa*xn Bureau Federation secretary, admitted condition of the farmer is improved. “The Hoosier farmer is perhaps in a little better condition than he was, but not much better, he sajfl. "The farmer had trouble saving the fine wheat crop, oats was badYy damaged, and corn prospects are average, the yield depending on the frost. The crop will be good, if a (Turn to Fage 2) POLICE AMBUSH Foel Hold-Up, Kill One Bandit, Shoot Another. Bu United fret* CHICAGO, Aug. 30.—One bandit was killed, his confederate probably will die, and two policemen and a company official were wounded when three masked men were met by a fusillade of more than 100 shots from ambushed officers in an attempt to rob the cashier of a Chicago surface street car barn of $6,000 late last night.

SCORE DIE IN LANDSLIDE Mining Camp in Burma Is Devastated. Bu United Press RANGOON,Aug. 30.—Twenty bodies have been recovered from the ruins of the Camp Bawdurn mine in Burma, devastated by a landslide. Twen-ty-four persons were injured in the landslide. Seventy dwellings occupied by laborers were destroyed. WALES TO TAKE AUTO TRIP B u ft pit rtf Bren* LONDON, Aug. 30.—Incognito, the Prince of Wales leaves Tuesday for a motor trip of two or three weeks in France.

TEDD Y L URED INTO POLITICAL JUNGLE Now He Understands Why Watson and Robinson Begged *■ Him Into Ft. Wayne Speech.

Bu Times Special FT. WAYNE, lnd., Aug. 30. When he writes his full autobiography it is quits likely that Col. Theodore Roosevelt will include In his travel experiences a very vivid chapter on his journey into the jungles of Indiana poltic*. It is possible that he will entitle that chapter "The Trimming of Teddy" and that'* his big game experience, in which he lured the unsuspecting Ovis Poli to his traps had nothing on the manner in which he was brought to Indiana to act as a bait for United States Senators Watson and Robinson. It is an open secret that Roosevelt came to this city Saturday night at the urgent'request of Senators Robinson and Watson and was led to believe that his speech against the World Court would be one of the big events of the campaign, his speech given tp the public by radio and print, his attack given the emphasis and importance of a major drive against the court.. The speech, entrusted to Frank Rozelle of the Republican speakers’ bureau, was given small circulation. There was no effort- to make

Shes a toothsome’ Baby; Has Two of ’Em Already

‘ Jjpu ’ ■ -i-.-- •• x.< •

Marjorie Ann Farter and her two teeth

She's at least six or seven months ahead of herself, is Marjorie Ann Carter, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Carter, 243 N. Keystone Ave., who has two full grown baby teeth at the age -of two weeks. The baby is perfectly healthy In every way. She Is cutting another tooth to keep company with the two that were just peeping forth at birth. C. H. Carter, the father. Is employed at the Auto Equipment Com-

ROOSEVELT, IN TALK HERE, A VOIDS CO UR T Instead, ex-Navy Official Tells Service Club of Hunt in Asia —Takes Slam at Primary Scandals.

Deftly avoiding any reference to the World Court, which he detests, Col. Theodore Roosevelt, former as aistant Secretary of the Navy, in a breakfast talk today before the Service Club, related some of his exciting COUNTY TAX RATE SET AT3O CENTS Budget Nearly Ready for Action of Council. The 1927 county budget Is teased on a 30-cent tax levy. County Auditor Harry Dunn announced today. The levy for this year was 32 cents. The budget, which is nearly ready for submission to county council Sept. 7, provide $1,064,856 foi current expenses, Dunn said. In addition council will be asked to appropriate $879,953 to pay bonds and interest coming due in 1927, and special amounts for county Institutions. Ordinances for bond issues total ing $1,078,000 for Improvement of 34.22 miles of county roads next year will be read, Dunn said, and $182,350 for operation of Sunnyside Tuberculosis Sanatarium next year will be asked. Dunn said the tax levy for Center Township has been reduced from 7 to 5 cents. The county fund levy has been reduced from 18 cents to 14 cents and the sinking fund levy increased from 10 cents to 11 cents. This is because interest is due on $200,000 worth of courthouse bonds next year, Dunn explained.

his presence a State-wide event. Neither Watson nor *Robinson appeared to give him welcome. Roosevelt is accredited with sincerity in his opposition to the court. H did not understand that Watson was converted to opposition at the last moment or that he had told friends of the court in this State that he had voted against it only when he knew that President Coolidge did not need his vote in its favor. Nor did he understand tha hooded influences which dictated Robinson's course in the matter.,. His bomb, under these circumstances. became a dud. He was shown to the wavering Republicans who have no stomach for Watson and Robinson. The net result, as he understood before he left the State, was to help out the present scheme of Watson and Robinson to do some horse trading of the congressional candidate • here on their ticket in their own behalf. Today the silent workers for Watson and Robinson' are continuing their efforts to trade dry Republican friends of Watson for wet Democratic friends of the Democratic congressional candidate

INDIANAPOLIS, MONDAY, AUG. 30, 1926

pany. 1021 N. Meridian St. He and his pretty young wife have been married four years and have one other child, aged fifteen months. They are very proud of Marjorie Ann and her speedy progress. Doctors tell them the circumstance is rare and they think the teeth are very pretty, even though there is a question whether or not such early comet# can be permanent.

experiences on a recent trip to Central Asia. Instead of an arraignment of the court, which he terms the "LeagueCourt,” Roosevelt plunged Into an interesting narration of the capture of several specimens of the Ovis Poll, a rare form of sheep. Approximately seventy-five members' of the Service Club, former service men, were present at the breakfast given in Roosevelt's honor at the Lincoln. Conspicuous among those absent was United States Senator * Arthur R. Robinteon. a charter member of the club, and on whose invitation Roosevelt consented to speak in Indianapolis en (Turn to Page ?) PLAN SAFETY CONFAB Industrial Conference to Be Held Here in December. Plans for the second annual Statewide conference on industrial safety, Dec. 14 to 16, Inclusive, were announced today by Dixon H. Bynum, chairman of the Indiana industrial board. Cooperation Os Ethelburt Stewart of the United States Department of Labor, has been promised, according to Bynum. Employers and* labor leaders will be invited. The meeting probably will be in the House of Representatives chamber. JURY TO PROBE LOANS Remy Will Present Evidence on High lnteresf Rates. Evidence against local loan agencies believed to be violating State statutes will be presented the county grand jury which convenes next week. Prosecutor William H. Remy announced today. Roy F. Hartz, 347 Bankers Trust Bldg., secretary of the Indiana Industrial Loan Association and a representative of the State banking department, conferred with Remy today and pledged cooperation in the securing of evidence.

BANDITS HOLD UP BANK Escape With sll,ooo—Drop $3,000 in Flight, Bu United Press BUFFALO, N. Y„ Aug. 30.—Holding customers and employes off with pistols, four bandits today held up the Jefferson Branch of the Liberty Bank and escaped with SII,OOO. In their haste, the men dropped a sack containing $3,000 in silver. Between $50,000 and $60,000 in a locked vault, scheduled to be transferred to the main bank this morning, escaped the hold-up men. STORM DEAD SOUGHT Bv United Pnss , \ N.£,vv OhLtANS, La., Aug. 30. With eleven bodies recovered and estimates placing the total dead from last Wednesday night’s hurricane as high as twenty-five, small boats and a seaplane today continued search for victims. SORORITY INCORPORATES Incorporation papers for Alpha Theta Pi, a local sorority, were filed at the Btatehouse'today. Officers are Mary Louise Johnson, president; Bernice Babb, vice president; Betty Glass, secretary; Madge McPherson, treasurer, and Ethel Asmus, sergeant at-arms.

FAREWELL IS SAID TO VALENTINO Massed Thousands See Funeral Cortege to ‘Actor’s Chapel.’ BURIAL AT HOLLYWOOD Pola Negri and Former Wife, Jean Acker, Weep. Bu f mtrd Press NEW YORK. Aug. 30.—Farewell war said today to Rudolph Valentino. While thousands gathered in the streets, the body of the motion picture idol, who died a week ago, was carried through New York's theatrical district to the Church of St. Malachy—the "actors chapel" —and there while scores wept, priests intoned the prayers for the soul of the dead.’ Then the body was returned to the gold room of the funeral chapel, v-here it will wait for the coming of Valentino's brother on Wednes day and eventually will be sent to Hollywood, Cat., to be buried among other great of the movie world. Wonderful Tribute Valentino, who tame to this country as an Italian gardener and became the screen’s greatest lover, was given a funeral such as is reserved only for the highest in the public regard. Uncounted thousands of men and women—chiefly women and girls—saw the funeral cortege move slowly down Broadway to the church. Other thousands gathered around the chapel, and were held in line only by 500 policemen, standing shoulder to shoulder and with arms locked. Women, Girls Riot Twice as the cortege proceeded down Bioadway the crowd got sufficiently beyond the control of police to stop its progress. Once at. Sixty St. hundreds of people, mostly women and girls, broke through the line and blocked the way. The cortege was forced to stop, while foot, motorcycle and mounted police plunged into the crowd and forced it back. At Fiftieth St. there was a repetition of the incident. As the church was reached Pola Negri was weeping steadily. The pall bearers lifted the heavy casket from the hearse and carried It into the church. Jean Acker There Miss Negri, leaning on the arm of George Ullman, Valentino's personal manager, followed immediately, and behind ber came Jean Acker, first wife of Valentino, who with damp eyes saw the casket of her former husband and the woman who said she was to have been the same man’s third wife, walking falteringly behind it. Over the casket was a great blanket of pink roses and smilax, the tribute of Miss Negri. Thousands watched from the windows of buildings, from roofs and from points of vantage. On the streets and in the windows most of the watchers were women and girls. At the church door stood the Rev. Father Edward F. Leonard, priest of St. Malachy’s, and his two deacons, the Rev. Fathers William Donahue of the Catholic Actors’ Guild and Joseph Conguedo, who came from Valentino’s home town in Italy. Inside the church was filled, each of its 500 seats occupied by some(Turn to Page 11)

Youths Report Car Gone; Are Arrested W r hen a trio of Ft. Wayne youths came to police headquarters Sunday night to report their car stolen, they, were put in jail. Today they were taken back to Ft. to answer grand larceny charges growing out of robbery of a restaurant there. The boys were Harold E. Hicks, 20; his brother, Edward, 21, and J. Orville Thompson, 22. State Offlcers Bridges and Seals waited for the youths to came back to their machine, parked in front of the Plaza Hotel, and finally confiscated the car. When the youths came to headquarters to report it stolen, they were arrested.

$2,560 Rain Eight Minutes Early Insurance companies must be in partnership with Jupiter Pluvius, officials of the Highland Golf and Country Club decided today. Sunday two golf matches, with Bobby Jones, outstanding figure of the links taking part, were played at the club for the benefit of the Riley Hospital fund. As protection, an insurance policy was taken out providing that if more than one-tenth of an inch of rain fell between 11 a. m. and 2 p. m., either downtown or at the course, the club should be paid $2,600. Weather bureau figures show plenty of rain downtown, twenty-five hundredths of an inch. But it started at 10:40 a. m. and stopped at 10:52, just eight minutes from the insurance policy “starting time.”

‘WelcomeHome’, Trudie Says Gotham With Gusto

—-a 4 ‘ lb. Amt. ‘tSWSia

Gertrude Edrle, the plucky girl who was the first of her sex to swim the English channel, laughs, with upflung hand, as she steps literally into the arms of rejoicing New York. Mother, left, laughs, too.

NEW TRY BEGUN TO END LEAGUE CRISIS

Representatives of Fifteen Nations Meet at Geneva to Secure Germany’s Entry and Sooth Spain.

Ry Henry Wood, United Press Staff Co rresunndrnt GENEVA, Aug. 30. —Representatives of fifteen nations met here today in a final effort to solve tha problems arising from various claims to permanent membership *n the League of Nations council and thereby to , permit the Locarno agreements for security and arbitration to become effective. The ten nations whose representatives compose the council and representatives of Germany, Argentina, Poland’, Chiba and Switzerland were represented on the league's com-

DUVALL IS PLAN 10 ENDBICKERING Outlines Harmony Program for Sewage Plant.Completion of the city sewage disposal plant, the end of "spending so much money there” and establishment of harmony among wArring members of the board of sanitary commissioners were named by Mayor Duvall today as his program to end bickering, which has lasted many weeks. Duvall today asked Alvah J. Rucker, corporation counsel, whether he should formally try O. C. Ross, board president, against whom charges of inexperience and lack of proper qualifications have been filed by Clarence B. Joseph as "citizen, resident and voter of Indianapolis.” Rucker said he probably would inform the mayor that he is not required under the lav to hold the trial. Ross is supporting the regime of Charles H. Hurd, consulting engineer, and C. K. Calvert, acting superintendent, at the plant. T. MacFall and G. G. Schmidt, board members, have scored the present management and refused to authorize recommended purchase of supplies. Smoke on Judge Who Doomed Them {tv United Frees COLUMBUS,' Ohio, AUg. 30 Ohio’s three "dollar murderers,” who killed for fees of sls to $33 a head, today smoked cigars purchased by the judge, who sentenced them to die The tine John Hedrich, Richard Rhodes and John Bryant, colored, all of Pomeroy, Ohio, will die between 8 and 9 p. m. next Thursday, Warden P. E. Thomas of Ohio Penitentiary announced today. FIVE DROWN AT BOSTON Bv United Preen BOSTON Aug. 30.—Five persons were drowned in New England Sunday, the hottest Aug. 29 in forty-six years. DETECTIVES INCORPORATE Incorporation papers for the Tipton Horse Thief Detective Association were filed today with Frederick E. Schortemeier, Secretary of State. LOS ANGELES ON TRIP Bv United Press lAKEHURST, N. J., Aug. *o. The Navy dirigible Los Angeles left her mooring mast heer shortly before noo ntoday for Hamptop. Roads, Va. HOURLY TEMPERATURES 6 a. m 66 10 a. m 73 7 a. m 66 11 a. m 74 8 a. an 6* 12 (noon) .... 76 9 a. oq 71 1 p. m 89

Entered as Second-Class Matter at Postoffic* lndiauapulis. Published Dally Except Sunday.

mission for reorganization of the council. The principal business was expected to be: 1. To secure Germany’s Immediate entry into the League at any cost. 2. To prevent the creation of additional permanent council seats except one for Germany. 3. To obtain final adoption of Viscount Cecil’s project for two or three additional non-permanent council seats whose possessors’ would have the right of re-election as semipermanent members. 4. To prevent Spain from interfering with the above program as she is trying to do by connecting her claim to Tangier with the council dispute. The Spanish representative oh the commission, M. Palacios, today reiterated Spain's demand for a permanent council seat and insisted that the commission take final action thereon. Brazil already has resigned from the League because of the council membership dispute and it was pos slble today that Spain might do likewise. although League officials thought more likely that Spain woutd finally be content with a semipermanent council seat. SPAIN DEMANDS TANGIER Is Dlrecl ly Across From Fortified Gibraltar. Bu United Press MADRID, Aug. 30.—Spain must and will obtain Tangier, the internationalized area on the shore of North Africa, directly across from the fortified Rock of Gibraltar, Premier Primo De Rivera told the United Press in an exclusive interview. Spain does not desire to fortify Tangier, according to De Rivera, but she feels that she must have the area to control her protectorate in Morocco, which surrounds tangier except on the Seaward side. OPERATORS WAnUmORE Movie Owners Consider Demand for Wage Scale Increase. Motion picture theater owners piet today to consider demand of movie operators for a 30 per cent increase in salary over the present rate of $1 an hour. Operators Sunday voted to strike Wednesda yunles stheir demand is met.. The present contract expires At midnight Tuesday. WILL FLY TO SAN ANTONIO Bu United Press WASHINGTON, Aug. 30.—Assistant Secretary of War Hanford Nider will leave here by airplane tomorrow night for San Antonio, where he will participate in the dedication of the Municipal auditorium. WITNESSES INTIMIDATED Bu United -Pf ess CANTON, Ohio. Aug. 30. Witnesses before the Stark County grand jury probing the murder of Don R. Mellett, publisher, have been intimidated despite the precautions of authorities, it was intimated by invastigators here today. CROSSING TOLL 2,006 Bu United Press WASHINGTON. Aug. 30.—Grade crossing railroad accidents took a toll of 2.606 lives the first five months of this year, compared with 2,198 in the same period last year, the interstate commerce commission announced today. AUTHOR S FATHER DIES Bv United Press SAUK CENTER. Minn., Aug. 30. Dr. E. J. Lewis, 78, father of Sinclair Lewis, the novelist, died at midnight at his home here after a long illness.

Forecast Partly cloudy tonight and Tuesday, probably becoming unsettled by night; little change in temperature.

TWO CENTS

MAN BESTS GERTRUDE'S SWIM TIME Ernest Vierkotter Crosses English Channel in 12 CONDITIONS ARE IDEAL Victory Is Third This Month, Eighth in All History, Bu United Press DOVER ENGLAND. Aug. 30. Gertrude Ederle's channel swimming record fell today before the assault of a sturdy German. Ernest Vierkotter, who achieved the crossing from Cape Gris Nez to Dov6’- in twelve hours and forty-two minutes —one hour and forty-nine minutes less than the time required by Miss Ederle on Aug. 6. Vierkotter was accompanied by a tug. Swimming conditions were ideal. Vierkotter's victory over the channel was the third this month, the third of the season and the eighth in all history. Os the men who have tried the channel swim thisyear, only Vierkotter has succeeded. The German swimmer entered the water at 1:35 a. m. today and emerged at London Stairs, one mile east of here at 2:17 p. m. Only a few soldiers from the nearby battery Trudy Challenges Bu United Press _ . , NEW YORK, Aug. 30.—Gertrude Ederle today challenged Ernest Vierkotter to race her across the English Channel next summer. Dudley Field Malone, her manager, announced he had sent the following cable on her behalf to Vierkotter: Congratulations on your great channel swim. I hope I can rave you across the channel next summer to bring the record back to my sex. Good luck.” Malone, however, said Miss Edefe would race no woman until her record is equaled or beaten by a wjoman. witnesses Vierkotter's landing. They cheered l)im for a few minutes, but before any appreciable crowd could gather they waded into the water with the German on their shoulders, put him aboard his tug and Vierkotter started back to France. The Others The two others who conquered the channel this year were Miss Ederle and Mrs. Clemington Corson, both of New York. Mrs. Corson came ashore here and collapsed Saturday at the conclusion of a gallant effort in which she required 15 hours and (Turn to Page 11)

GIRL, 7, SERIOUSLY INJURED! FALL Tumbles Down Ice Chute and Fractures Skull. Falling through a window used as an ice chute at the United Ice and Coal Company, 1039 S. Harding St., while-she was playing this morning, Dorothy Cash, 7, of 1039 S. Harding St., was seriously Injured today. 1 The little girl, with several companions, was crawling through the window when she fell ten feet to the concrete floor below. She was taken to city I) 08 ? 1 * 3 ! with V fractured skull. Playing with her were her brother, Bradford, 11, and two other boys, Dan and John Collins, 933 S. Hard-’ ing St. denial" byTlemenceau “Tiger” 'flays He Will Not Write Another letter. Bu United Press PARIS, Aug. 30. —Georges Clemenceau, war-time premier of France, telegraphed the United Press today that he would not address another open letter regarding war debts to President Coolidge. A newspaper interview here had intimated that the “Tiger” might repeat his action of several weeks ago when he emerged from retirement to plead for France. ‘KRUPP’ TRIES DEATH Youth, Held as Alleged Impostor, Takes Poison. Bv United Press ALBUQUERQUE, N. M., Aug. 30. —The 20-year-old youth held as an impostor and bad check passer, who says he is Baron Frederick von Krupp, son of the German arms manufacturer, attempted to end his life here today by swallowing a cup full of match heads. Physicians said he would recover. childTatally burned Brother, 5, Falls in Heroic Attempt to Save Her. Bu Times Special MADISON. Ind., Aug. 20.—Little Charles Ashby. 6 years old, was a hero today. He was badly burned In a heroic effort when he tried in vain to save his little sister Mary, 8. when her dress caught fire. Mary died- The children were playing with matches.