Indianapolis Times, Volume 40, Number 62, Indianapolis, Marion County, 2 August 1928 — Page 1

BANDIT LIVES MONTHS BY HOLDUPS AS PRISON HEAD SIGNS HIS PAROLE PAPERS Leslie Homer, Violator of Clemency, Bares Guilt in Series of Robberies After Capture in Hotel Here. CHIEF TRUSTEE VOUCHES FOR HIM President of Reformatory Board Admits He Put 0. K. on Prisoner Without Investigating Activities. While Indianapolis and State police were making frequent trips to Lebanon, Ind., in their six-months’ search for Leslie Homer, 36, who today confessed to nine burglaries and holdups in Indianapolis and Muncie, John 11. Hoy, Lebanon cigar manufacturer, and president of the board of trustees of the Indiana State Reformatory, was receiving monthly visits from Homer and personally was signing Homer’s parole reports, guaranteeing that Homer was employed regularly. Examination of parole records at Indiana State Reformatory at Pendleton and statements of Hoy verified this today.

Hoy was appointed by Gov. ernor Ed Jackson Dec. 31) 1925. Homer finally was captured by detectives at a downtown hotel here Monday. He was sought first on a charge of running from a crash of his car with a school bus of the Jewish Educational Association last January. Abandons His Car The driver of the school bus, Monroe Fisher, 941 Roach St., was injured in the crash. Homer, police charge, drove a few blocks from the accident and abandoned his car. Police still hold it and a set of suspicious-looking tools they found In it. Investigation today disclosed that police started looking for Homer immediately after the accident. They learned he was on parole from the reformatory, where he had been sentenced from ten to twenty years for burglaries in Indianapolis. , Police Watch Closely Both city and State police from then on made frequent trips to Lebanon on tips that the fugitive was visiting his mother and other friends there. Homer’s confessions today disclosed that he went back to robbery April 13, although police suspect he was involved in earlier crimes. Police have made every effort to get Homer to name two accomplices in the series of store hold-ups. At first he told detectives he would tell if given assurance that he would be returned to prison as a parole violator only. Won’t Squeal on Pals Today, however, he said he would not squeal, even if sent to the electric chair. The robberies: May 19, J. A. Newman grocery, 418 E. Morris St, SBO. May 12, Kroger grocery, 501 Buchanan St., $75.April 13, Samuel Gelinan grocery, 94 Virginia Ave., SIOO. July 11, Frank Roesener Pharmacy, 801 S. Delaware St., $65. May 22, Western Oil filling station, no loot. March 17, Kroger grocery, 717 E. Twenty-Fifth St., S7O. July 3, Aelved Fowler drug store, 2334 E. Washington St. ,$125. Two months ago, Kroger grocery in Muncie, SBO. Six weeks ago, Muncie drug store, S4O.

Guilty of Burglary Homer pleaded guilty to first degree burglary in Marion Criminal Court April 4, 1918, and was sentenced by Judge James A. Collins ior from ten to twenty years. His petitions for clemency in February, 1925, and March, 1926, were refused. Having served his minimum sentence, Homer finally was recommended for parole by trustees of the Indiana State Prison, where he had been transferred July 25, 1918. Governor Jackson signed his parole July 12, 1927. Homer’s mother, Mrs. Anna Homer, living with a brother near Lebanon, took advantage of a slight acquaintance with Hoy to plead .for clemency. Her pleading was unavailing, but when Homer was paroled to his mother she joined her son in asking that Hoy “take care” of returning Homer’s parole reports. Claimed to Be Bus Driver The first parole report, submitted Aug. 1, 1927, reported him driving a People’s Motor Coach Company bus here. It was countersigned my his employer, William Maley. From that time until they ceased last May, Homer personally carried his monthly report to Hoy in Lebanon. Homer had taken employment as salesman for an Indianapolis 'lacking company, Hoy said he was old. "I didn’t know Homer very well," Hoy admitted, “but I knew his mother. When he showed up every month with his report, I had no reason to question the truthfulness of his statements. There was nothing wrong about my signing the reports, but I never signed any for anyone else and from now on l don’t intend to.” 4

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The Indianapolis 1 rimes Mostly cloudy tonight and Friday. Probably Not much change in temperature.

VOLUME 40—NUMBER 62

FEARS WANT; KILLSFAMILY Dentist Slays Wife, Boys; Calls Police. By United Press ELIZABETH, N. J., Aug. 2.—Dr. Arthur F. Woolsey, a reputable young dentist of good family and quiet habits, was in jail today, charged with the murder of his wife and two children, whom he shot to death because he wanted to save them the “embarrassment” of impending bankruptcy. He loved his wife and children, he told police, but he could not stand to inflict suffering on them. Woolsey owed a $9,000 mortgage on his residence and SB,OOO in other debts. Police Chief B. M. Avery of Roselle received a te’ephone call: “Chief Avery, this is Dr. Arthur F. Woolsey, 133 Sixth Ave. I wish you’d come over as soon as you get time. I’ve just murdered my wife and two children.” Chief Avery hurried to the address. Woolsey was sitting on the veranda, smoking a cigar. “How do you do, chief,” Woolsey said. “Step upstairs with me, please.” The body of Mrs. Woolsey, washed carefully and free of bloodstains, was on a bed. “Now step in the next room,” Woolsey asked. There were the bodies of the two boys, 8 and 4. Both had been shot in the head. The dentist said he intended to commit suicide, but lost his nerve.

SEVEN DIEJN BLAST Doubling of List Expected in Illinois Oil Tragedy. By United Press LAWRENCEVILLE, 111., Aug. 2. The death toll of the oil still explosion Wednesday at tnc plant of the Indian Refining Company here mounted steadily today, with additional deaths reported at the Good Samaritan Hospital at Vincennes, Ind. Five of the thirty-six hurt in the explosion died Wednesday night from burns suffered from the flaming oil. Two additional deaths were reported today. Authorities held little hope for the recovery of seven others,' who were among the most seriously injured. The dead are: Jack Freese, 47; Louis Hensley, 50; C. F. Gaddey, 34; W. E. Hinton, 56: A. D. Jackman, 24; Frank Stout and Forest Lawson, all of Lawrenceville. The men were injured when a 1,000-barrel steam still at the plant was exploded by a small fire which started from a gasoline leak. Property damage was slight. NO FEAR OF ‘TALKIES’ Bn United Press BRIDGEPORT. Conn., Aug. 2. The talking movie never can affect the legitimate stage, Daniel Frohman, noted theatrical producer, said In an interview here. “The ‘Talkie’ never can successfully reproduce the personality of the actor as it is brought out on the stage,” he said.

NEW GANG WAR THREAT MENACES PEACE AND PROFITS OF CHICAGO RACKETEERS

Bn United Press CHICAGO, Aug. 2.—Hughey (Stubby) McGovern, 5 feet 4 inches tall, has declared war on the entire list of gang leaders in Chicago, including Spike O’Donnell, A1 Capone, Ralph Sheldon, Spike Brown, Eddie Donovan and Danny Stanton. McGovern, declared *o be one of the most brutal and cold blooded of all the gangsters here, has an*

Ex-Governor ; Here 28 Years as Vote War Exile, Is Dead

W. S. Taylor, Who Fled to Indiana After Goebel Killing, Passes. Death ended the exile here early today of W. S. Taylor, 14, who fled Kentucky in 1900 as a result of the assassination of William Goebel, his Democratic opponent for Governor. Mr. Taylor died at 1:30 this morning at Methodist Hospital of heart disease and complications, following an operation Tuesday. He had spent twenty-eight years in Indiana because of the accusations against him and his political followers after the death of Goebel. Mr. Taylor was charged with complicity in the death of Goebel. At the time of his death Mr. Taylor was general counsel of the Empire Life and Accident Insurance Company, 215 E. New York St. He lived at 2143 N. Delaware St. He wau rated as a wealthy man. Flees to Indiana Although declared Governor of the State. Mr. Taylor fled the capital. Frankfort, in the night, in a buggy. He came to Indiana and successfully resisted numerous efforts to extradite him for trial, and as a witness in other trials that resulted from she slaying. Mr. Taylor is survived by his wife, Mrs. Nora Taylor, and son, Charles Linden Taylor at the N. Delaware St. home; another son, Wendell Taylor, Los Angeles; four daughters, Mrs. Merrill Wilson, 1733 N. Meridian St.; Mrs. E. Leo Davidson, 1008 W. ThirtyFourth St.; Mrs. Irvin Miller, 1309 W. Thirty-Second St., and Mrs. Lynn Bailey, Columbus, Ohio, and six grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at the home at 2 p. m. Saturday. Friends may view the body there tonight and Friday. Burial will be at Crown Hill in the faimly lot beside the grave of his first wife, who died in 1901, a year after their taking residence here. Bishop H. H. Fout of the United Brethren Church will officiate at the funeral services. Mr. Taylor was a Presbyterian, but in later years attended the United Brethren church. He belonged to neither lodges nor clubs of the city. Story Is Thrilling One The story of intrigue, of a bitter partisan fight for the nomination, and of the final struggle in the general election is one of the most sensational in American politics. Asa result of the killing, Caleb Powers, secretary of State, was tried three times, once sentenced to hang, and to life imprisonment. Three times the Supreme Court allowed a new trial, or freed him. After facing all this he was elected to Congress from his home district, and served the State there for mnay years. Two others, James Howard and Henry Youtsey, an employe in Powers’ office, were sentenced to life, and served part of the time. The identity of the man who actually fired the shot never was established with enough definiteness to make a conviction stick.

In Business in Indiana Throughout this, Mr. Taylor, as head of the machine accused of the murder, was in Indiana, in the insurance business. Even Democrats still accuse Goebel of stealing the nomination in convention* and all point to the law that bore his name as the seat of all the trouble. This provided that the election commission should consist of a Democrat and a Republican, and the sheriff of the county affected, who was a Democrat almost invariably. There was no appeal from this board’s appointment of election officials. Break in Party The methods employed by Goebel in the nominating convention resulted in a break in the party, and many Democrats scratched the ticket. Goebel’s election boards declared him winner, but the State ooard, relic of the Democratic machine Goebel had smashed in gaining control of the party, declared Taylor, the Republican, to be the Governor. Goebel appealed to the Supreme Court, was turned down, and appealed to the Legislature. While this action was pending, Goebel was shot by a rifleman hidden in a building, on Jan. 30, 1900. He was sworn in as Governor a day or so later, and died Feb. 3 of that year. In the meantime, Mr. Taylor, because of threats of Goebel followers, had fled to Indiana. Mr. Taylor was a native of Morgantown, Ky. He had been attorney general before his party picked him as standard bearer for the election battle with Goebel.

nounced open warfare, causing a hurried conference of those leaders on hand in an attempt to placate the little, hot-tempered gunman. A1 Capone has thrown all his resources and all his influence into the breach, hoping to prevent open deadljrwarfare. A1 came here from Miami last week-end and met with his henchmen, (

INDIANAPOLIS, THURSDAY, AUG. 2, 1928

Dies in Exile

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William S. Taylor, once Governorelect of Kentucky, who died here today after twenty-eight years of exile from his native State.

ITALIA CRASH QUIZ ADVANCED Orders by Mussolini Spur Investigation. B,y United Press ROME, Aug. 2.—Preparations for the investigation of the Polar flight of the dirigible Italia were advanced today on orders from Premier Benito Mussolini. Meanwhile, rescued members of that unfortunate expedition awaited an audience with the premier. Gen. Umberto Nobile, leader of the expedition, spent the entire ay Wednesday with members of his family and also entertained Capt. Filippo Zappi, who with Capt. Adalberto Mariano was rescued from an ice floe by the steamer Krassin. Nobile made two reports to Admiral Sirianni, under-secretary of the- navy, concerning the flight of the dirigible. One report covered the actual flight and the other told of the hardships the six men endured on the ice fioe off Foyn Island. The latter told of how the men waited around the little red silk tent after the Italia crashed May 25. Nobile also is said to be preparing another report which probably will be delivered to Sirianni immediately.

HEAT WILL CONTINUE Thunder Showers Are Possible. Says Forecaster. With possible thundershowers and more hot weather in the offing, August promises to be a sort of repetition of July, with its only seven perfectly clear days, but 331.8 hours of sunshine. Summary of the July weather in all its details, fair and foul, were released today by J. H. Armington, Indianapolis meterologist, United States Weather Bureau. There were twenty-one July days labeled “partly cloudy,” ten with .01 inch or more of rainfall, and two with .25 inch or more precipitation. Highest temperature reached was on July 7, when the mercury rose to 91 degrees. Lowest was July 29, with 55 degrees. The greatest daily range was July 27, when there was a 23 degree spread. Due to the cold and damp spring weather there : a deficiency of 334 degrees In total mean temperature since Jan. 1. July this year was warmer than last, with less rainfall. WORKER’S LEG CRUSHED i> The left leg of William Brant, 20, of 328 Guilford Ave., was crushed this morning when he was caught in a gear of a steam shovel excavating the new Butler University grounds, Forty-Ninth St. and Capitol Ave. He was sent to Methodist Hospital.

■Jk/TcGOVERN’S sudden activity resulted from his discovery that Ralph Sheldon hasn’t been doing right by him in the beer racket. He found that Ralph has been shorting him around $1,500 a week on the beer earnings for the last two-years. McGovern has been one of Sheldon’s ranking lieutenants, but now the break has come,

GOODRICH TO FACE BATTLE IN VALPARAISO Citizens Fight Effort to Get Strangle Hold on Phone Service. ASK COMMISSION’S AID Illinois Bell Better Fitted to Operate in District, Appeal Says. Citizens of Valparaiso today are basing their hope on the public service commission to prevent the Winona Telephone Company and former Governor James P. Goodrich from getting what they fear will be a strangle hold on telephone service in that locality. A petition to modify the commission order granting permission to the Northwestern Indiana Telephone Company to sell and the Crown Point Telephone Company a’fd the Winona Telephone Company to buy the Northwestern Indiana Telephone Company and leave the Valparaiso service under control of the Illinois Bell system has been filed with the commissioners. It is signed by the civil city of Valparaiso, the city council, and Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce. It is backed by the citizens generally, who have expressed themselves as unable to understand why Goodrich entered the field and took the service away from the Illinois Bell holding company, which they believe would have bettered the service. Want Illinois Bell Service The petition points out that the Illinois Bell has control of the Northwestern stock and that "said company better Is fitted and more efficiently aen operate the Valparaiso and Routs exchanges of the Northwestern Indiana Telephone Company than the Winona Telephone Company, purchaser of said exchange.” Twice before the commission agreed that it was in the public interest to prevent the Goodrich organization from taking over this service. An adverse ruling on the commission’s decision was obtained by the former Governor in the Lake Circuit court. Judge E. Miles Norton, originally appointed to the bench by Governor Goodrich, but since twice elected, handed down the ruling favoring the Winona company and reversing t£ie commission ruling. Present petition of the citizens sets out that such court appeals are unconstitutional and that Lake Circuit court was without jurisdiction. The appeal was made possible under the 1927 statute, which was ruled unconstitutional by Attorney General Arthur L. Gilliom, but nevertheless was signed by Governor Ed Jackson. Unity of operation always has marked the telephone service in Valparaiso, Chesterton, Hobart, Wheeler and Kouts, but this is broken up by the commission, acting under the decision laid down by the court. New Trial Is Asked Motion for -new trial has also been filed with the court by Attorney Bruce B. Loring, who filed the commission petition. He has asserted that if the judge rules against this motion, appeal will be taken to the Indiana Supreme Court. Appeal will be based on alleged unconstitutionality of the 1927 act. “If the Public Service Commission will go this far to preserve the rights and interests of the city and stay the actual change of ownership and management of the local telephone exchange until the new trial or high court appeal can be concluded, the city will prove conclusively that the Illinois Bell better can serve the telephone demands of this community than can the Good-rich-WiMnona company,” he declared. Mileage Is Increased “In its investigations on the original petition, the Public Service Commission found that by actual mileage Valparaiso, Crown Point ando Chesterton were within a 16 to 22 mile radius, while if the Winona group comes into control this radius is increased to from 40 to 50 miles. “It was this circumstance that caused the commission in its ruling to hold that it never could approve of so arbitrary a division of the telephone utility field.” “It was this circumstance that caused Judge Norton in his upset decision to remark that he was of the opinion that Valparaiso, Crown Point and Gary might be served by one company—the Illinois Bell. “It confidently Is believed in Valparaiso that if the Goodrich-Wi-nona group had not forced its hand, the Illinois Bell would be in complete control of the telephone field in the Calumet district.”

Sheldon is in Phoenix, Ariz., attempting to regain his health. Stanton has been left in charge of the Sheldon gang. And during the leader's absence his hold on the south side beer racket has lessened. The leaders are openly apprehensive over the situation. They do not want one of the deadly feuds to spring up. Things have bean going very nicely of late,

Entered as Second-Class Matter at Postoffice, Indianapolis

LINER FAILS TO LOCATE ENGLISH PLANE FORCED DOWN IN MID-OCEAN

Twice Most Popular

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Lots of girls win popularity contests, but how many of them can come back and win one the second year? Miss Frances Mary Matz, Shortridge High School student, 3168 Kenwood Ave., did it. Miss Matz was chosen the most popular girl of the neighborhood at the annual lawn fete of Boy Scout Troop 69, Thirty-Fourth St. and Capitol Ave., last year. She kept right on being popular and won the same honor at this year's fete Saturday night.

VARE STRICKEN; IS NEAR DEATH Senator-Elect Victim of Apoplectic Stroke. By United Free* ATLANTIC CITY, N. J., Aug. 2. United States Senator-Elect William S. Vare of Pennsylvania suffered a stroke of apoplexy at Ventnor, near here, today. His condition is said to be serious. The Senator-elect has been living at his summer home near here for several months. He has been failing in health for some time. The stroke, it is understood, left him paralyzed on one side of his body. Physicians said Mrs. Vare was prostrated from the shock of her husband’s illness and had been placed under the care of a physician. By United Proa PHILADELPHIA. Aug. 2. Dr. Edwin A. Stretcher, personal physician for Senator-elect William S. Vare, today said the Senator-elect was a "very sick man.” He said Vare did not have a hemorrhage with the attack which he characterized as “a sort of stroke.” At noon Vare was resting comfortably, the doctor said. HOLD 3 IN CAR THEFT Negro Vouths Sold Property in Auto to Buy Gas, Police Say. Three Negro youths sold three shirts they found ‘in the car of H. B. Farmer, 361 S. Emerson Ave., to get money for gasoline with which to operate, the car after they stole it Wednesday, Lieut. Patrick O’Connor charged today. O'Connor and squad recovered the car and slated William Scott, 17, of 1037 Maple St.; Charles Williams, 16, of 2322 Howard St., and Zebelee Mathews, 17, of 2222 Miller St. on vehicle taking charges.

every one tending to his own business and all factions profiting by the peace. But now there seems to be little hope that a war may be averted. Police circles are watching all developments closely. * * * McGOVERN is known in gangland as a killer. His enemies declare be has bees known so

Miss Frances Mary Matz

TAX VALUATION SHIFTSMED Changes Made in 28 Counties by State Board. Changes In taxation valuations of property ranging from increases up to 50 per cent and reductions down to 5 per cent, were ordered today by the State tax board In twentyeight counties. The recommendations followed conferences between county officials and the board during the equalization period just completed. Recommendations are forwarded to county boards of review for action. This is part of the plan of equal and uniform assessments as to local units, as to classes of property in the county and between the county and State. County boards were ordered to meet next Tuesday to consider the State tax board reports and take action. Reports back to the State board must be made not later than Aug. 13.

SET AIRJAIL MARKS Mileage Flown and Volume Records Fall. Bn United Press CHICAGO, Aug. 2.—Air mail planes established two records Wednesday, one for mileage flown, and the other for volume of mail carried, the American Air Transport Association announced today. The new records were achieved simultaneously with the inauguration of new air-mail rates of 5 cents for the first ounce and 10 cents for each additional ounce. Steal Child’s Playhouse Bn Utiitcd Press CHICAGO, Aug. 2.—A child’s playhouse, including a small table and four small chairs, was the loot of thieves who raided the back yard of Mrs. A. A. Clement here.

kill purely through a desire to let blood flow. It was McGovern, according to informed circles, who took the recent shots at Spike O’Donnell and at Danny McFall. Neither was struck, but the intention was there. McGovern set up a target range In the "basement jpf his home some time ago, and through constant uractics has become a dMUx IhPi.

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Searches Spot Where Fliers Land; Radio Calls Are Unanswered. FIVE SHIPS TO RESCUE Courtney Sounds Help Call Early Today in Flight From Azores. (By radio to United Press) BOARD S. S. THURINGIA, Aug. 2.—The steamship President Hayes has arrived at the approximate position in which Capt. Frank T. Courtney’s seaplane landed in the Atlantic but has been able to find no trace of the plane. Radio calls to the plane are unanswered. Steamers Rush to Aid Bit United Press NEW YORK, Aug. 2.—Five fleet Atlantic liners were converging today on a spot in mid-Atlantic to rescue the flying boat, Whale, and its four occupants, forced down on a flight from the Azores to Newfoundland. The Whale’s radio sputtered out its i :all for help during the early morning hours and the ships of several nations combined in the race to save Capt.. Frank T. Courtney ind bis companions. Th: American ships President Hayei and Minnewaska, the White Star liners Celtic and Cedric and the North German Lloyd liner Columbus were definitely known to be speeding to the rescue. Other vessels, including the Pennland, Gripsholm, Franconia and Thuringia, lent their wireless to the work and the safety of the Whale seemed almost assured. Radio Call for Help She was down about 720 miles northwest of Horta, Azores, which she left at 1:55 p. m. (E. S. TANARUS.) Wednesday, and about 880 miles southwest of Cape Race, Newfoundland, her goal. The latitude was 42 degrees north and longitude 41 west. The call for help came about 5 a. m. (E. S. TANARUS.), approximately flftee hours alter the Whale left the Azores, and was picked up by several vessels. Rescue appeared imminent shortly before noon today, as the Cedric was only about 100 miles from the Whale’s position when she started to her aid. If the Whale is picked up it will be only the fifth time in the perilous history of trans-Atlantic flying that a plane’s crew has survived after being forced down on the water. The others were Harry C. Hawker and McKenzie Grieve, who came down alongside a steamer in 1919 while making the first attempt to cross the Atlantic in a heavier-than-air ship.

The navy NC-3, which came down near the Azores while in the same year flying with two sister ships across the Atlantic. She made land under her own power. Left Lisbon on June 28 Colonel Francesco De Pinedo, forced -down near the Azores in 1927. He was towed to safety. Ruth Elder and George Haldeman, who alighted alongside a Dutch tanker near the Azores in 1927 and were saved. Accompanying Courtney on his flight are E. B. Hosmer, millionaire Montreal banker and backer of the flight.; Fred Pierce, mechanic; and E. W. Gilmour, wireless operator. All are British. The Whale left Lisbon on June 28 to fly across the ocean with a stop at the Azores. Courtney’s caution and foresight apparently has saved the lives of all four. He refused to fly without radio equipment, and when the ship’s set went out of commission, refused to leave the Azores until it was repaired. , Steamers Reach Scene (By Radio via Chatham Mass.) ABOARD S. S. CEDRIC, Aug. 1. —The American liners Minnewaska and President Hayes are in the vicinity of the Courtney plane Whale in latitude 42 north longitude 41, west, and are searching for her, the S. S. Minnetonka, advised us by radio today. The Minnetonka advised all ships of the position of the Whale and the fact that the American steamers had reached there. DIES OF BLAST BURNS Thomtown Man Succumbs to Stove Explosion Injuries. E. E. Moore, Thorntown, Ind., died early today at Methodist Hospital as the result of wounds received when a gas stove exploded Hor.rly Temperatures .7 a. m.... 71 10 a. m.... 81 Ba. m.... 74 11 a. m.... 83 _ 8 * 19 13 .(noon),. S3