Indianapolis Times, Volume 38, Number 142, Indianapolis, Marion County, 20 September 1926 — Page 1

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VOLUME 37—NUMBER 142

FLORIDA HURRICANE CATASTROPHE GROWS AS DETAILS ARE DISCLOSED

RELIEF IN SIGHT FOR RELATIVES After Hours of Waiting They Get Replies to Queries. \ . MANY WAIT IN TEARS Hundreds Here Have Kin in Storm Area. Relief was in sight this afternoon for those who frequented local telegraph offices for the last twentyfour hours in hope of receiving answers to wires sent to relatives in the Florida storm area. Both the Postal and Western Union Telegraph Companies announced coiam unication had been established With Miami and other points. Messages filed last night were being delivered and answers ere trickling back. Hours Behind “We are twelve hours behind with service, but expect to reduce this to six or eight by tonight,” A. A. Brown, city superintendent of Western Union, announced at noon. “This applies to both messages received and sent.” It was 2 a. m. today before the first message from Hollywood, storm area center, was received, H. T. Colmar, Postal manager, said that service had practically been re-established. Indiana Bell Telephone Company announced limited service was being given to the devastated area through messengers from West Palm Beach to Miami. Direct connection with Miami Tuesday was promised. Aged Mother Weeps “Oh! I’m sure they are killed," wailed an aged mother, one of the first to send a message Sunday afternoon. After filing the query she left the office In tears. Mrs. Ber£. Corbett, a distracted mother wrfh four children, paced the floors at the home of her mother, (Turn to Page 3) WILL STUDY PAVING New City Engineer on Job at City Hall Announces Plans. Paving specifications in Indianapolis will be studied carefully before changed, City Engineer Oberleas said today. Oberleas, who appeared for the first time at city hall, said he had not yet decided upon any change of administrative heads or personnel in the department. EXPAND” ROAD SYSTEM 123 Miles Added to State Highway Plan, Commissioners today announced addition of 123 miles to State highways. New roads added to those already under State maintenance were seventeen miles, Rushville to ConnersVille; thirty-five, Paoli to Scotts,burg, via Salem; twenty-five, Newcastle to Richmond; fourteen, Palmyra to Corydon; ten, Rd. 53 to Rd. 4, through Milan; twenty-two, Greensburg to Columbus.

Second Big Storm for Local Girl Hollywood tornado is the second severe storm weathered'by Mr. and Mrs. L. D. Holmes. Before her marriage, Mrs. Holmes was Miss Virginia Reyer, woman’s page editor of The Times. In 1924 she and her husband had stored their household effects in Lorain, Ohio, and reached Cleveland just as the storm broke. One hundred were killed and 1,500 wounded at Lorain. Mrs. Holmes returned and wrote special stories of the disaster. She was the first woman reporter to reach the scene. She found the roof gone from the place in which their furniture was stored, but the furniture unharmed. Sunday night she wired her mother, Mrs. Laura M. Reyer, 1801 N. Capitol Ave., saying that she and her husband were safe at Hollywood. Her husband is the son of Mr. and Mrs. E. G. Holmes, 3047 N. Delaware St. He also is a former member of the Times editorial staff. Another daughter of Mrs. Reyer, Mrs. Robert Byrne, 5912 Central Ave., and her husband, who is the son of W. J. Byrne, 5912 Central Ave., left Miami Thursday to motor home. They are believed to be out of the storm area.

The Indianapolis Times

Scenes in Miami, Now Stricken City

**•*£:*• v- _ „ -.awl:- ~. ~-, u y* .. V* v * ....I . . • • ; Above; flie skyline of Miami as It was before the hurricane, showing the main business section of 11 li ii if | 1 1* • -J|- §'#"'* IT - the stricken city. This picture was taken front a hydroplane flying over Miami Bay. From left to right, j. ~V * % II | ' the municipal park on Baysliore I)r., made by pumping sand from the bay; the McAllister Hotel, cor- ’? *7~ ’ * ner of Flagler St. and Bayshore Dr.; Columbus Hotel, one of the tallest buildings In the city; Meyer- j. I I I afl "• ft iT If' A 1 Kiser Bank Bldg., the tall building in the background, which, dispatches say, was badly twisted by the wind ~r j'■||l 1111 # ’ JI I |sj Below, left: The James A. Allison Hospital, built by James A. Allison, Indianapolis capitalist and ' official of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, on Allison Island, in Surprise I.ake. Surprise Lake is three II | ? (enter: Wireless station WIOD, “Wonderful Isle of Dreams.” an adjunct of the Nautilis Hotel, Below, right: The Miami Daily News tower, tilted 20 degrees by the hurricane, as efforts were being "made to get out the paper in three feet of water. The News is owned by James M. Cox, former Governor of Ohio and Democratic candidate for President. The building was completed in August, 1925, he light in the top-of.the tower was the beacon signal of Miami harbor. ;

Above: TPlie skyline of Miami as It was before the hurricane, showing; the main business section of the stricken city. This picture was tnken from a hydroplane flying over Miami Bay. From left to right, the municipal park on Bayshore Dr., made Try pumping sand from the bay; the McAllister Hotel, corner of Flagler St. and Bayshore Dr.; Columbus Hotel, one of the tallest buildings in the city; MeyerKiser Bank Bldg., the tall build'ng in the background, which, dispatches say, was badly twisted by the wind Below, left: The James A. Allison Hospital, built by James A. Allison, Indianapolis capitalist and official of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, on Allison Island, in Surprise I.ake. Surprise Lake is three miles north of Miami Beach and is a part of the bay. Center: Wireless station WIOD, “Wonderful Isle of Dreams,” an adjunct of the Nautilis Hotel, built by Carl G. Fisher, former Indianapolis capitalist, at Miami Beach. Below, right: The Miami Daily News tower, tilted 20 degrees by the hurricane, as efforts were being “made to get out the paper in three feet of water. The News Is owned by James M. Cox, former Governor or Ohio and Democratic candidate for President. The building was completed in August, 1925. The light in the top-of,the tower was the beacon signal of Miami harbor.

Times Aids in Search for Relatives

The Times and two local radio wireless telegraph stations today aided Indianapolis relatives of persons in the storm devastated area of Florida in efforts to get into communication with their kin. Robert Stark, 19, and Leslie D. Gregg, 21, both of 3921 Boulevard PL, and members of the Indianapolis Radio Club sent to Ashville, N. C., where they were to be relayed to Jacksonville, Fla., and then to Miami, numerous messages to persons in Miami ancLvicinty. Messages phoned or brought to The Times office were turned over to Stark and Gregg. Although they said they could not guarantee that messages will be delivered, every effort is being ma<ie to insure their arrival as quickly as possible, they said. Communicaitons from Ashville were that The Times mes-. sages were being received in Miami by Statioji 4 KJ. On arrival in Miami the notes were to be telegraphed, delivered personally or mailed, as condition dictated. The local station, received messages direct from Miami about 4 a. m. Several wires were forwarded by Western Union to other points in the country.

ADJOURN HAMRICK TRIAL Juror's Illness Causes Delay Until Tuesday. Trial of Jesse D. Hamrick, attorney, and his wife, Mrs. Della M. Hamrick, charged with" conspiracy to commit arson, was unexpectely adjourned today until Tuesday by Special Judge James M. Leathers when Frank Bishop, a juror, was reported ill. Although Bishop reported in Criminal Court, he asked to be excused because he was suffering from rheumatism. The two Hamricks are charged with burning their house on the Michigan Dd., near Stop 6, last January in conspiracy with their former Negro houseboy, James Ecton, 19. Ecton testified as State’s chief witness last week. The probably last throughout this week. JUDGE SENTENCES TWO Saanuel Leftridge, 17, Negro, was sentenced to one year on the Indiana State Farm today by Criminal Judge James A. Collins on a grand larceny charge. Morton Powell, 25, charged with entering a house to commit a felony, received two to fourteen years at the Indiana Reformatory.

ANOTHER CHANCE ASKED Files Plea for New Trial In Dempsey Fight. Motion for anew trial in the case of the Chicago Coliseum Club against Jack Dempsey, world’s heavyweight champion, was filed in Superior Court Four today by Frank A. Symmes, local attorney for the champion. A week ago Judge Clinton H. Givan issued a permanent injunction enjoining , Dempsey from boxing Gene Tunney in Philadelphia Thursday until he has filled a contract with the club to fight Harry Wills, Negro challenger.

/Babe Is Born and Dies in Storm Bu United Prees FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla.. Sept. 20.—Born in a house which trembled In the terrifying hurricane which swept Florida, a Taaby lived but a moment, then was crushed to death with his mother, Mrs. Anna Thomas. The babe’s fa ther had rushed out in the gale to call a physician.

INDIANAPOLIS, MONDAY, SEPT. 20, 1926

President Asks Aid for Stricken Area Bv Vnited Press WASHINGTON, Sept. 20.—President Coolidge today called upon the American people for generous contributions to Red Cross relief funds for Florida. „ -His proclamation follows: “An overwhelming disaster has come to the people of Miami, Hollywood and surrounding communities in southern Florida. Such assistance as is within the means of the executive department of the Government will be rendered, but realizing ihe great suffering which now needs relief and will need relief for days to come, I am prompted to appeal urgently to the American people whose sympathies have always been so comprehensive, to contribute generously in aiding the sufferers of this disaster. “That the utmost coordination and effectiveness in the administration of the relief funds may be obtained, I urge that all contributions for the purpose be sent to the American National Red Cross at Washington or to local Red Cross quarters. “I need not assure the people that the Red Cross will utilize in the most effective manner all contributions received for relief in this disaster.”

Storm Relief at a Glance

Bu United Preen WEST PALM BEAQH, Fla., Sept. 20. —Field morgue and hospital base established at Sebring, 800 injured and two-score dead already have arrived. y Bread lines have been established in Mtani by Red Cross with police . issuing passes to needy.* Trucks carrying food and coffins rushed to Miami and stricken area from West Palm Beach. Martial law general in devasted area with militiamen preventing looting. v Tanks of pure water sent Miami, Hialeah and Hollywood from JackS sonville and Tampa along with med- | ical supplies and food. HOURLY TEAIPERATURES 6 a. m 66 10 a. m 70 7 a. m 66 11 a. m 70 1 8 a. m 67 12 (noon) .... 70 9 a. m 69 l p. m 69

Those Dead in Storm’s Wake

Bu United Preen WEST PALM BEACH. Fla., Sept. 20.—Following is a partial list of hurricane dead grouped under the cities in which they were found; Miami Dead: Mrs. J. W. McGinnis and child. Alton B. Little. Mrs. Josephine Cochraft. Dorothy Wells. Benjamin T. Watts. Fred Shutts. George Mellette. Venetian t arter. J. T. Phillips. Mrs. Edith T. Baker. Mrs. Hank Roberts. Mrs. Jane Crouchaunt. Lydia Brookshire, Johnson City, Tenn. Frank H. Sehwarti. Frank Hoskins. J. J. Egan. A. T. Phillips. Mrs. Davis Goulds. Mrs. ‘Dallas Harrison. Mrs. Edith Baker. Little Doc Fisher. Miss Jenny Dallau. Mrs. Sarnow. Mr. Whitehurst. A. J. Winneberg. Ben Burlington. A. J. Harrirs. A. D. Harris. Carolyn Ruth Beem. Mrs. Mary Hopper. Hollywood dead: L. R. Poole. Mrs. L. R. Poole. Mrs. Yeager. Mrs. W. R. Moore. Mrs. Gordon Brown. George Fross. Florence Goodrich. Mrs. Florence Goodrich. Mrs. Rhoda Louise Preiss. Lorena Helen Preiss. Leon Piaeiss. Vic Druier. Andrew Havelock. Gordon Brown. Mrs. Sarah Head. ( G. A. Rogers. Marlean Brown. H. G. Luther. Dania dead:, Annie Caiiey. Andrew McPharland. Mrs. Cory. . Nettie H.Vhrnen. John P. McCallister. Mrs. J. H. Croft. James Terral. Peter Vighes. Infant of Mr. and Mrs. R. W.

Estimates on Dead in Florida Cities Bv Vnited Press Best estimates available today of the hurricane dead by cities show: Miami, 300. Hollywood, 150. Morehaven and Clewiston, 140. Ft. Lauderdale, 20. Muckway, 40, > Hialeah, 17. Danla, 10. Hallendale, 2. Key West, 18. Estimates# place the injured at 4,000.

Moore. Lorena Helm. Ft. Lauderdale dead: Mrs. Kussel A. Zellmer. A. D. Browley. J. Story. Ivan Austin. T. E. (iambic. Ralph McClure. Mrs. Anne Thomas and new born babe. Hallandale dead: Mrs. J. H. Kiinbals and infant. MORE HALL-MILLS QUIZ Two Witnesses Are Questioned by Investigators. Bv Vnited Press SOMERVILLE, N. J., Sept. 20. Two witnesses, whose names were withheld, were questioned by investigators in the Halls-Mills case today in an effort to attack the alibi of Henry Stevens, under indictment for the murder, four years ago, of the Rev. Edward W. Hall and Mrs. Eleanor R. Mills. Stevens has said that he was fishing on Sept. 14, 1922, the night of the murder, but it is understood that the two witnesses questioned today declared that he was in New Brunswick that afternoon and the following day.

Says Losses Bound to Result\ Loss to Indianapolis and Indiana owners of Florida property will be tremendous, even when covered by insurance, according to H. H. Woodsmall, head of the Woodsmall insurance agency/ , "Tornano and hurricane Insurance is usually written for approximately 50 per cent value,” said Woodsmall. “A home I own in Miami was in the path of the storm, according to press dispatches, and although covered by insurance, loss will be considerable, because full coverage is not written.” Discussing the effect on the insurance companies Mr. Woodsmall said that local companies do not write tornado and wind insurance. "Such policies,” Woodsmall said, "twe usually written by eastern concerns.

Entered as Second-Class Matter at Postcfice, Indianapolis. Published Dally Except Sunday.

Small Rations of Bread and Coffee Doled Out to Hollywood Refugees. STORM RAGES NEAR MOBILE Death Toll May Not Exceed 400Property Loss $200,000,000. n " The hurricane, which swept the Florida east coast Saturday, roared westward today and seemed bending its fury against the vicinity of Pensacola, Mobile and Birmingham, Ala., leaving Miami, Hollywood, Ft. Lauderdale and a half dozen other “magic cities” of Florida to count their dead and survey the wreckage. r . Almost hourly reports came of some new phase of the disaster, and these reports swelled rather than diminished its magnitude. Best available compilations place the known dead at fully 400, less than half of whom have been identified. Reports gathered from as many sections of the stricken region as could be reached, revealed an estimated death toll of 748 scattered among eleven cities. Property damage in the stricken area is expected to reach $200,000,000. More than $1,000,000 worth cf automobiles were destroyed in Miami alone. Miami suffered the greatest, and its death list is estimated at 300. Hollywood, Moorehaven *ud Clewiston, Ft. Lauderdale, Muck way, Hialeah, Dania, Hallendale, Key AYest and Sebring also suffered heavily in dead and injured. Communication Lost Weather bureau reports showed that the hurricane passed on toward Pensacola. Mobile*and Birmingham. All communion tion with Pensacola has been lost. Last reports showed the hurricane, which had been blowing at a rate of 100 miles an hour in the Mobile-Pensacola area, had changed its course short, ly bel'orp noon and was believed headed toward Biloxi, Miss. Iu Birmingha rathe velocity was not as great. It was feared that while the Mobile-Pensacola area is cut off from communication just as was Miami on Saturday, the storm may be working its havoc there. High winds were reported as far New Orleans. The hurricane, now blowing for six days, seemed to show no evidence of spending its fury. A dispatch from Mobile to tiie United Press this morning described the wind blowing there so furiously that it was difficult to stand against it. In theQmeantime, Miami and her surrounding cities, turned to counting die dead, caring for the injured—estimated to total 4,000 —and feeding the 30,000 people who have been left at least temporarily homeless. \ • Bread lines formed in those Florida towns which only last winter drew world-wide attention because of their unprecedented prosperity. Red Cross stations were set up where bread tickets were given to the needy. The first relief train reached Miami during the morning with surgeons, nurses, two car loads of water and quantities of hospital equipment and medical supplies. Police, national guardsmen and volunteers took control of the situation and maintained virtual martial law in Hollywood, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, while in other towns such as Dania, Homestead, Coral Gables, Miami Shores, Sebring, Moorehaven and Clewiston, local organizations were in charge. Refugees Arrive Refugees arrived throughout the day at West Palm Beach, apparently the nearest city to escape undamaged. They told of dead in the streets of Miami, Clewiston and other towns; of water shortages becoming serious; of the fear of disease in tensified by the dangeiof serious food shortage. A field hospital has been established at Sebring, Fla., where more than 50 dead and many injured have been brought. Hospitals throughout the area were inadequate to care for the injured and those who could he moved were taken to private homes and prepared for removal to other cities when transportation is restored.

Hollywood, Hoosier Born, Suffers Huge Losses *

By W ilbur Crawford, Ur’* .1 Press Special Corr- ident. WEST PALM BEACH. Fla.? Sept. 20.—Hollywood, beautiful 3-year-old city, which sprang from a mangoe plantation with the first Florida real estate? development, today lies in ruin. Twenty-seven bodies have been identified and six more unidentified, have been recovered. Millions of dollars property damage has been done. Hoosiers have lost millions in the hurricane. Hollywood was a mecca for Indianapolis investors and tourists, and Ft. Lauderdale, near by, was backed by Anderson (Ind.) capital. Outside of the several million

Forecast m Mostly cloudy and unsettled tonight and Tuesday; somewhat cooler tonight.

TWQ CENTS

dolla r 80 f holdings of J. W. Young, former Indiainapolis mau, founder of Hollywood, ft is estimated that Indianapoljs persons had about §2,000,000 invested in Hollywood property-property which a hurricane could damage, not real estate. Hoosiers had about $3,000,000 invested at Ft. Lauderdale. Refugees from Hollywood, carrying all their earthly possessions on packs on their backs, are crowding the roads leading to relief stations, many near exhaustion. Four of every five buildings had been razed or so seriously damaged they” will have to be torn down. While rescue workers tolled fev (Turn to Page 4)