Indianapolis Times, Volume 39, Number 218, Indianapolis, Marion County, 19 January 1928 — Page 1

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SCRIPPS-HOWARD

millionaire, money gone, POISONS WIFE AND 2 SONS, THEN ENDS HIS OWN LIFE 'Cough Syrup’ Given to Family Brings Swift Death; Youth Staggers, Dying, Into Police Station to Give Alarm. FAILS TO RECOUP LARGE FORTUNE Big Building Projects Fail, Resulting in Indictment; Drugs in Home Indicate Deed Was Planned Carefully. B'U United Press CLEVELAND, 0., Jan. 19.—Desperate over inability to recoup a fortune which once was rated at more than $1,000,000, James Potter killed himself and three members of his family here today. The four died early today in an exclusive lodging house in the Euclid A\ e. district. Death was attributed to poisoning. Three glasses, each containing a small amount of white fluid, were found in the house. Besides Potter those dead are Mrs. Potter, member of a pioneer family of this district, and two sons, James, 16, and Robert, 14. Police believed that Potter mixed poison with the cough syrup and administered it to each member of the family, and then took a dose of the poisoned syrup himself.

Autopsies were to be performed today in an effort to learn the cause of death. The last member of the family to die was James Potter, Jr., 16, who staggered into the police station, mumbling, “Daddy has given us cough syrup.” Police Find Bodies Police went to the Potter home and found the bodies of Potter, his wife, Mrs. Lulu Potter, and the son, Robert. First alarm of the tragedy was given when Mrs. Potter ran into the hall of their newly-acquired lodging house and screamed for help. Miss Emily Reiger, a nurse, ran -Into the Potter apartment to find Potter and his younger son extremely ill. The elder son was attempting to aid them when he suddenly became ill. Shortly before Mrs. Potter died the nurse told police, she gasped: “Daddy has given us some cough medicine and we are all ill.” Sfce died before elaborating on this statement. Once Was Millionaire Potter recently had been in financial difficulties. He had been a contractor at Steubenville, Ohio, and was reputed to be a millionaire. Then his finances failed him and he came to Cleveland about the first of the month, bringing his family with him. He took over a large house in one of the better residential sections of the city and started a select lodging house. Last week he was indicted In Steubenville on charges of conversion of money. He had undertaken several ambitious building projects there in recent months, according to advices from that city. Numerous bottles of poison drugs found in the family medicine cabinet led to the belief that Potter had been an expert on the subject of poisons and had planned the deaths fqr some time. Death Came Rapidly x D. L. Cowles, laboratory expert for the detective bureau, after examining the fluid in the death glasses and outward characteristics of the bodies, said death was due to a quick working poison, the only outward characteristic of which was to cause a slight curvature of the spine . Although many poisonous drugs were found in the house, no medicine which could be used to relieve a couch was discovered. Besides the poisons, defectives found a bottle of rare old French champagne, with the note attached to the bottle, “To be opened only upon the birth of our first baby daughter.” The house which the Potters had taken over in their efforts to recoup part of their lost fortunes was a former home of Alva Bradley, president of the Cleveland baseball club. Palatial Home Sold The palatial home of the Potters in Steubenville, where Potter amassed his fortune, recently was sold at a sheriff’s sale, following the financial reverses of the family. More than twenty years ago, Potter was associated with a number of Steubenville capitalists in an oil enterprise. Later he became engaged in the contracting business and lost most of his fortune. A small fortune, subsequently bequeathed by a brother, who died under circumstances which at that time were reported as mysterious, brought the family back to a comparatively wealthy level for a time, but financial difficulties in the contracting and brokerage .business depleted the fortune and led Potter to take his family to Cleveland. Hangs Self In Box Car By Times Special HAMMOND, Ind., Jan. 19.—The body of an unidentified man who committed suicide by hanging in an Erie railroad box car was found here jby car inspectors. Marks in the man’s clothing indicated It was bought at'Anoka, Minn.

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The Indianapolis Times Cloudy tonight followed by fair Friday; considerable colder, lowest temperature tonight about 23.

VOLUME 39—NUMBER 218

HICKMAN TRIAL DELAYBANNED Judge Indicates He Won’t Grant Stay. P,u United Press LOS ANGELES, Jan. 19.—Judge Carlos Hardy, before whom Edward Hickman is to go to trial here Jan. 25, has indicated he will not grant a continuance of the trial. Jerome Walsh, Hickman’s attorney, had indicated he would seek a postponement. “When Hickman was araaigned," Judge Hardy said, “his attorney asked me for a continuance and gave his word he would not ask for another postponement. “Unless he has unusual grounds for anew delay, the trial will begin Jan. 25.” Attorney Ready for Trial By United Press KANSAS CITY, Mo., Jan. 19. Jerome Walsh, attorney for Edward Hickman, will not seek postponement or continuance of the trial of the slayer of Marion Parker, he said today upon his depaiture for Los Angeles. Walsh carried with him depositions and information collected in Kansas City and Arkansas from former high school mates and friends of Hickman. Mrs. Eva Hickman, mother of Edward, and her son, Alfred, will attend the trial. U. S. RINGS UP EUROPE Kellogg Talks to Ambassador in Brussels, Opening Service. By United Press WASHINGTON, Jan. 19.—Radio telephonic service between continental Europe and Washington was inaugurated today in a three-minute conversation, during which Secretary of State Frank B. Kellogg talked with United States Ambassador Hugh Gibson in Brussels, and with the Belgium minister of communications. The conversation was relayed across the Atlantic over the wireless system which inaugurated the trans-Atlantic telephone service between London and New York last year. Secretary Kellogg asked Gibson to convey his respects to members of the Belgian cabinet and Gibson replied he would be very glad to do so. TWO SOLDIERS INJURED Passengers of Auto in Crash With Another Car. Two Ft. Benjamin Harrison soldiers, Privates Ben Lloyd and John Christian, were taken to city hospital Wednesday night after a collision of the auto in which they were riding with one driven by William Williamson, 2935 Fall Creek Blvd., at Central Ave. and Call Creek Blvd. Lloyd, driving the soldiers’ car, was charged with failure to stop at the boulevard. SEEKS PADLOCK ORDERS U. S. Attorney Would Close Six Places for Wet Violations. Three liquor abatement suits were filed today in Federal Court by Albert Ward, United States district attorney. Petitions were filed against a fruit store, 18 N. West St., operated by Dan Vladoin; soft-drink parlor, 2937 W. Tenth St., operated by Martin Breziar, and a restaurant and alleged “gambling rooms,” 1001 N. West St., operated by John W. Sharp.

Soul Sleuth Police Chief Claude M. Worley today had under advisement an invitation to use his talents in anew field of endeavor—the field in which Billy Sunday and Gypsy Smith and others have won souls and fame—evangelism. Cadle Tabernacle Association officials announced that Worley had been invited to speak at the tabernacle tonight in connection with the service of Evangelist Charles Stewart on “Some Phases of Good Citizenship.” But Worley wasn’t sure he could speak. “I’d be glad to,” he said. “But I have some other arrangements for tonight which I may not be able to change.”

FLIERS DOWN: OUT OF FUEL Endurance Attempt Misses Record by Two Hours. By United Press MILLS FIELD, San Francisco, Jan. 19.—Another attempt by Capt. Charles Kingsford-Smith and Lieut. George Pond to capture the world’s endurance flight record ended in failure today. The aviators landed their plane, the Spirit of California, at Mills field airport at 10:13 a. m. (P. C. TANARUS.) today, after 50 hours and 4 minutes in the air. Their gasoline supply was . exhausted. The plane had been in the air since 8:09:16 a. m. Tuesday. The fliers would have had to remain aloft until 12:31:47 today to equal the record of 52 hours 22 minutes 31 seconds, set by the German aviators, Edzard and Risticz. FOUR PAY PHONES IN GAS STATIONS LOOTED Police Volley Routs Robbers From Western Oil Company. Four Western Oil Company filling stations were broken into Wednesday night by the same pay telephone robbers, police believe, who have robbed more than a dozen filling station pay phones in the past week. The burglars have discovered, police said, that usually only Western Oil Company stations have pay phones. The burglars were routed from the Western Oil station at FortyNinth St. and College Ave. by a volley of bullets from the guns of Patrolmen Fahey and Schwinn. At the Ingram Ave. and ThirtyEighth St. station the phone was carried away. At the Thirtieth St. and Northwestern Ave.' station it was broken open and looted. The Thirty-Eighth St. and Fall Creek Blvd. station was entered and the safe found open, but nothing was taken. SEEK BUILDING FUNDS School Board Will Transfer $91,000 for Emergencies. School board members will meet Tuesday to create, through transfers from other funds, a $91,000 emergency building fund for elementary schools. The action will be taken under the emergency clause of the 1927 State budget law. Board members met today to receive bids on linoleum. FACES DEATH COUNT Ferryman Accused in Drowning of Evansville Woman. By Times Special CARMI, 111., Jan. 19.—Charged with manslaughter of Mrs. Earl Wilson, Evansville, Ind., Archie Mounts, Maunie, 111., faces trial in White Circuit Court here. Mrs. Wilson was drowned when an automobile fell into the Wabash River from a ferry boat operated by Mounts. He is alleged to have been drunk at the time. Wets Encouraged By Times Special NEW YORK, Jan. 19.—The moderate drinker enjoyed better health and a longer life than the teetotaler, says Dr. Raymond Pearl, research expert at Johns Hopkins University.

KILLS BANK LOOTERS Two Are Shot by Cashier in Attempted Holdup. By United Press , PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 19. Arthur J. Demorest, cashier of the Mound Scott State bank here, shot and killed two bandits who attempted to hold-up the institution today. When police arrived they found the bandits dead on the floor. Approves Airport Site EVANSVILLE, Ind., Jan. 19. The site of Evansville’s proposed airport today has approval of Commander Richard E. Byrd, polar and transatlantic flier, who inspected li Wednesday. Purchase of the site, covering 400 acres, is practically certain, the city park board announces.

INDIANAPOLIS, THURSDAY, JAN. 19, 1928

SMITH'S FATE UP TO SENATE IN VOTETOOAY Roll Call on Resolution of Reed for Ouster Is on Afternoon Program. MISSOURIAN TO SPEAK Change in Clause May Be Made to Swing Several Now on Fence. CONGRESS TODAY Senate Continues debate on Reed resolution to declare vacant the seat of Senator-Elect Smith of Illinois. Democrats hold conference on Hellin-Robinson dispute. Irrigation and reclamation committee continues hearings on boulder dam. Interstate commerce committee continues hearings on Walsh resolution for investigation of the power industry. House Continues consideration of independent offices appropriation bill. Agriculture committee 'continues farm relief hearings. Flood control committee continues hearings. By United Press WASHINGTON, Jan. 19.—The Senate prepared to vote this afternoon on tfie Reed resolution declaring vacant the seat of Senator-Elect Frank L. Smith of Illinois. A change may be made in the resolution to strike out the provision which states that Smith is not entitled to the oath of office. Some Senators at present oppdsed have indicated they would vote for the resolution if that clause is dropped. Advocates of the resolution do not consider the point important, because the Senate already has denied Smith the oath. The final speech of the resolution is to be made by Senator James A. Reed, Missouri, chairman of the committee which investigated Smith’s large campaign expendi-. tures. Smith Will Run Again By United Press CHICAGO, Jan. 19.—1f Frank L. Smith is denied a seat in the United States Senate today, as he undoubtedly will be, dominating Republicans in Illinois will begin a campaign immediately to elect Smith to the vacancy, it was reported today. Both Mayor William Hale Thompson of Chicago and Governor Len Small were reported ready to support Smith if he will run for the Senate again when his seat is vacated. PROBE MAN’S SUICIDE Goes for Drink, Shoots Self in Mouth, Woman Says. While the body of Ivor Taylor, 28, of 1004 Castle St., lies at the morgue today, Coroner C. H. Keever is investigating his suicide. Taylor shot himself in the mouth about 1 a. m. today while visiting at 907 Madison Ave., according to Mrs. Lottie Scheick, 28, who lives at that address. She told police that she and Taylor had gone to a show earlier in the evening and upon returning home he showed her a revolver. Later he went into the kitchen on pretext of getting a drink and shot himself, she reported. SHOE WORKERS STRIKE 9,000 Walk Out in Protest Against Wage Reduction. Ry United Press HAVERHILL, Mass., Jan. 19. Nearly 9,000 shoe workers were on strike here this afternoon in protest against wage reductions of 10 to 35 per cent. Fifteen hundred workers who started the strike this morning were joined later in the day by some 7,500 others, leaving 3,000 of the city’s 12,000 shoe operatives at work.

MUM ON BALL PARK Talk of Removal Draws No Comment From Owners. Indianapolis Baseball Club officials today refused to comment on persistent rumors that the club would be removed from Indianapolis as a result of a failure to find a site for the proposed new $500,000 club ball park. Before the park board and plan commission Tuesday voted to deny the ball club the Thirty-Eighth St. site sought for the park, club officials admitted Gary had bid for the club. Hammond, Terre Haute, and several other cities also are seeking the team, it is reported. No Son of Vanderbilt NEW YORK, Jan. 19.—" Father, forgive me for the disgrace I have brought on the family,” said a strange young man to Cornelius Vanderbilt. Vanderbilt called the police, who took the stranger away for a mental examination.

HEFLIN DROPS FIGHT ON FLOOR LEADER

Senator Joseph Robinson

Robinson Given Confidence Vote by Democrats in Senate Caucus. BY PAUL MALLON United Press Stall Correspondent WASHINGTON, Jan. 19.—Senate Democrats today expressed confidence in the leadership of Senator Joseph T. Robinson of Arkansas, who Wednesday condemned Senator Heflin’s attacks upon Governor A1 Smith of New York and the Catholic church. Os thirty-four Democrats meeting in caucus, only Senator Trammell of Florida cast a dissenting vote, although Heflin's colleague, Senator Black of Alabama, was excused from voting. Later Senator Heflin said he did not attend the conference because two old party leaders had advised him against going there to try to depose Robinson as floor leader. He indicated he would drop his fight against the Democratic leader. While the conference action was interpreted by Democrats as somewhat of a repudiation of Heflin’s tcatics at a time when leaders are seeking harmony in the party, there was no discussion of the possibility that Heflin might be induced to stop his attacks upon Smith and the Catholics. “I’ll follow Robinson’s leadership because I am with him generally,” Heflin said. “What lam protesting against is that there are five Catholic Senators here and why should he pull their chestnuts out of the fire.” Believed Incident Closed Democrats believed the conference action closed the incident between Robinson and Heflin, although some of them are yet uneasy over the future. Since the Jackson day dinner here last week, there hr.s been more desire for harmony than ever before. Leaders are piqued that Heflin is permitted to speak indefinitely under unlimited debate rules of the Senate and some expressed the oponion that more drastic action to curb Heflin might have been taken. Denies He Is Rebuked “That’s not a rebuke to me,” Heflin said. “I understood they were going to bring up a lot of statements in that resolution that whereas I had done so and so, they would indorse Senator Robinson. They didn’t do it. They didn’t even mention my name. I ajn going to watch the press and if any one says that resolution is a rebuke to me they are going to hear from me about it.” Heflin predicted Robinson would be defeated in Arkansas “for taking me to task.” When asked about published re-

PLAN FUND DINNER All Contributors Invited to Feb. 6 Event. All Community Fund subscribers were mailed invitations today to the eighth annual dinner of the organization at the Claypool, Feb. 6. Those desiring to attend are asked to reserve places early as the number attending likely will be limited to less than 500. A stage on which Community Fund agencies will give the program will use some of the space usually occupied by tables. Four short numbers to be presented by the fund agencies during the dinner now are being rehearsed Following the dinner seven directors will be elected to take the places of those whose terms expire this year.

Entered ns Second-Class Matter at rostoffice, Indianapolis

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Senator Thomas Heflin

ports that he would run on an independent or Ku-Klux K.'an ticket in case Smith was nominated, Heflin said: “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to, it. A1 Smith is not going to be nominated.” The following resolution was adopted by a vote of 33 to 1 with twelve Democrats absent, either purposely or because of physical inability to attend: “Resolved, That this conference of Democratic members of the Senate express its confidence in the leadership of Senator Robinson and in his service on the special committee named to investigate the alleged secret Mexican documents.” Heflin had urged Robinson’s removal from the Hearst inquiry committee after Robinson interrupted the Alabaman’s peroration and called Heflin a “fool.” Heflin and eleven other Democratic Senators were absent from today’s conference. Senator Caraway (Dem.) Arkansas, said Heflin’s name was “hardly mentioned in the conference.” TRAIN KILLS TWO GIRLS Crawl Under Safety Gates in Hurry to Get to School. By United Press CHICAGO, Jan. 19.—Two young girls, hurrying to school in Oak Park, a suburb, today, crawled under safety gates blocking the track of an interurban transit line and were killed by an express train. They were Imelda Lorgion, 11, and Mary Steffens, 9. William Carroll, motorman of the train, collapsed after the accident, which police said was unavoidable.

LINOY DELAYS FLIGHT Hunting Trip Canal Zone to Be Extended Until Next Week. Bu United Brest BALBOA, Canal Zone, Jan. 19. Col. Charles A. Lindbergh, enjoying himself hunting in the Boquete district, was expected today to delay until Monday or Tuesday the continuance of his good-will tour. It was expected that Lindbergh would return to France field this week-end and inspect his Spirit of St. Louis airplane thoroughly before his scheduled departure for Caracas, Venezuela. Pays $50,000 in Installments fit/ United Press NEW YORK, Jan. 19.—Bemno Rabinoff, an east side youth who roseto fame in the musical world, bought a $50,000 Guamerius violin and will pay for it in SI,OOO monthly installments during the next four years.

TORNADO TEARS SWATH OF RUIN AND DEATH THROUGH OHIO; CINCINNATI HARD HIT Scores Are Injured, Several Reported Killed, by Freak Storm That Topples Buildings and Paralyzes Transportation. WRECKAGE IS SEARCHED FOR DEAD Damage Heavy in Louisville District; Loss Also High in Hamilton; Streets Filled With Panic-Stricken Fugitives. r ej United Press CINCINNATI, Ohio, Jan. 19.—A freak twister tore through the Cumminsville district of Cincinnati, leaving death and ruin in its wake, today. The storm razed buildings, uprooted trees and telegraph poles, and shattered windows. One man is known to have been killed and more than .hirtv were injured. Several other deaths were rumored. From Cumminsville, where many buildings were demolished, the storm leaped to Newton, Hamilton and Washington Court House, leaving a trail of wreckage, disrupting communication and halting traffic. Tentative estimates placed the damage at $500,000. Twenty injured had been received at Central hospital here at 1:15 p. m. and rescue crews and relief workers, led b}' cii£ and Red Cross officials, were attempting to penetrate the debris, in an effort to establish whether others had been killed.

WATER IS SHORT AT SUNNYSIDE Hundred Patients Moved in Rain to Homes. Within the next few days the lack of sufficient pumps to supply Sunnyside county tuberculosis sanitorium. with water in an emergency—which necessitated moving 100 patients to their homes in the drizzling weather Wednesday night—will be remedied, County Commissioner Cassius L. Hogle promised today. Dr. Harold S. Hatch, Sunnyside superintendent, said the patients moved were those best able to stand the trip, the 150 patients remaining being the most serious cases. The authorities were forced to move half the patients home last summer because one of the two wells was shut down during a test period. Dr. Hatch convinced commissioners the water supply should be increased. Commissioners decided that a well abandoned several years ago should be added to the two now in use. One of these two wells was cut Off Wednesday because a stump pump is being shifted from it to the old well. Anew pump for the one shut off Wednesday is being constructed and should be installed by the end of next week, Hogle said. Meanwhile, the commissioners expected to have the pump transfer completed and the second well in operation in time to get the 100 patients back to Sunnyside by Friday evening. ATTORNEY TO FACE CONTEMPT CHARGES Prepare Information Against ExConfidante of Stevenson. An information against John H. Kiplinger, Rushville, Ind., attorney alleging he aided witnesses in avoiding appearance before the county giand jury was nearing completion today at the prosecutor’s office. It was said the information with a petition asking Criminal Judge James A. Collins to cite Kiplinger for contempt of court probably will be filed Friday or Saturday. Kiplinger will be charged with aiding Miss Mildred Meade and L. G. Julian, former confidantes of Indiana’s one time grand dragon, D. C. Stephenson to leave the State when sought by the grand jury for testimony in the political probe.

FILE* REPORT Final Accounting of Estate Made to Court. Final report in the administration of the estate of Capt. William E. English was to be made today to Probate Judge Mahlon E. Bash. The report is expected to show distribution of $510,000 within the last two years since Mr. English’s death. Mrs. Helen Orr English, widow of Captain English, is administratrix of the estate and the Fletcher Savings and Trust Company is coexecutor. Recently various phases of Mr. English’s will have been brought out in court litigation. Judge Bash has ordered a section of the English property on the Circle leased to the Market Circle Realty Company. This firm is planning a large theater on the site.

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The storm was a freak of a strange, winter. Unseasonably warm weather has prevailed throughout Ohio and down into Kentucky since Dec. 15. Brilliant displays of lightning and crashing claps of thunder, intermingled with the roar of the wind as the terror-stricken populace scurried for safety. Wires Menace Fugitives Falling trolley wires menaced the terror-stricken people as they ran through the streets, seeking a safe refuge. A majority of the houses razed were frame. Six workmen narrowly escaped death when the Murdock garage, a frame structure, partially was demolished. A man driving a truck was hurled to the street. He was removed to General Hospital. Police Chief William Copelan and Fire Chief Barney Houston directed the relief work. Tramway service was paralyzed and the street railway company pressed its busses into service to aid wherever needed. Rescue Work Impeded Piles of shattered timbers, broken glass and trash impeded the progress of rescue workers and the homeless. Although he was convalescing from an operation Mathew Roberts, 25, carried his mother to safety when the wind ripped their house from its foundation. Phillip Augst, 36, truck driver, saw his machine picked up and carried fifty yards. 1 Chief Copeland said he believed hundreds of persons would have been killed had the storm occurred two hours earlier when they were sleeping. The storm was described by weather officials as a “severe squall.’* The cloud which carried the stom did not whirl and dip, but swept to the earth and tore along straight at a terrific rate, they said. Damages Rail Station The wind ripped a sixteen-foot pole from the B. & O. station and dropped it in a yard two blocks away. Electric signs were ripped apart and their pieces scattered for hundreds of feet. The rear compartment of th Baltimore & Ohio station was blown out. No one was in the building at the time. The storm also struck near Newton, Ohio, blowing down smokestacks and shattering windows. Fire Chief Chris Binder telephoned Cincinnati officials that no one was injured or killed there. Richard Kruger, 26, Dayton, Ohio, salesman, was killed at Washington Courthouse, Ohio, when the wind swept a quantity of brick from the top of a building. Kruger was sitting in his automobile when the bricks crashed through the top of the machine. The storm was not so severe at Washington Courthouse and little damage was reported. $90,000 Loss at Hamilton Damage at Hamilton, Ohio, was estimated at $90,000. Classes were in session when the wind struck the school. Windows were shattered and five pupils were treated for cuts. No one was hurt seriously, Teachers maintained order. A group of frame buildings was blown down. The storm also tore through sections of Louisville, Ky. Damage in the Louisville vicinity was estimated at $25,000. The village of Fern Creek, twelve miles from here was hard hit, but no one reported killed. Twenty frame houses were razed, according to telephone reports from the stricken town. Hourly Temperatures 6 a. m 48 10 a. m 48 7a. m 47 11 a. m 43 Ba. m 47 12 (noon). 41 9 a. m 46