Indianapolis Times, Volume 42, Number 255, Indianapolis, Marion County, 4 March 1931 — Page 1

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BRAVES BODY EXHUMED BY COURT ORDER Crowd of 400 at Grave; Brothers, Sisters of Girl Are Present. EXAMINATION IS MADE Action Taken at Request of Kirkland Lawyers to Aid Defense. Bj/ Times Special . VALPARAISO, Ind., March 4 Physicians today examined the body of Arlene Draves, taken from Its grave in Reynolds, Ind., at the request of attorneys defending Virgil Kirkland, charged with her murder. Around the grave as it was uncovered stood almost four hundred persons, majority of them country folk, who tramped through snow and mud to the cemetery, attracted by the extension of the Kirkland case into their community. Elmer Draves, father of the girl, was absent from the scene, although he had sworn to accompany the entourage. However, the family was represented by Carol, Kenneth and Earl, her brothers, and a sister Elsie. The gray casket was taken in a hearse to the one-story building that is Reynolds’ town hall, and opened in the presence of Arlene’s sister and three brothers. An attempt to exclude townspeople was unsuccessful. One man came forward and lay a spray of carmine roses on the coffin. Valparaiso Is Quiet Defense attorneys hope their experts will discover that a cerebral hemorrhage suffered in a fall was sufficiently grave to have been fatal within a few hours if untreated, strengthening their contention that her only chance to have lived was in discovery of the gravity of her injury by a 20-year-old boy unskilled in medicine. For the first time in more than a week the streets of Valparaiso today again presented no signs uncommon to the thoroughfares of an ordinary Indiana small town. Citizens noted the absence of more than a hundred newspaper hawkers, whose tones proclaim nativity of metropolitan alleys and experiences in singing headlines to mobs scurrying on busy corners. Ban Reporters at Autopsy Since the trial began they have lived here, receiving from the Chicago papers huge bundles of extra editions that found an eager market among hundreds of persons unable to get into the courtroom and among townspeople not attending the trial. Informed they would be banned from the autopsy at Reynolds, more than a score of newspaper men and women, chiefly from Chicago, found a day of leisure. Kirkland did not accompany the expedition that sped over slushy roads to dig up the body of the girl he is alleged to have attacked and slain. He was free for a day from the stares of a crowded courtroom or the accusations made against him in the witness chair. Exhumation of Miss Draves’ body was ordered by Judge Grant Crumpacker Tuesday on application by defense attorney Oscar Thiel. The state offered no objection. Sisters Collapse in Courtroom • Before his bench. Judge Crumpacker called Miss Carolyn Draves, sister of the dead girl. “Where war, Arlene buried?” asked the Judge. "In the Lutheran cemetery at Reynolds,” the girl replied in a faltering voice. Realizing the shock his information would impart, the judge leaned forward and whispered gently that he must order the body removed. Arlene’s sister was almost hysteri“No . . no!” she cried. “You can’t do that without my father’s consent.” In a moment she had collapsed in the arms of a brother. A few' minutes later her elder sister, Mrs. Lillian Clemens, also fainted. Resume Trial Thursday Elmer Draves, father of the girl, argued against exhumation, but later was convinced by attorneys that the act was for the good of all concerned in the trial. Examination of the body will be made by Dr. Orlando Scott, Dr. Joseph B. Stringer, and Dr. Herman O. Seipel, representing the defense, and Dr. W. Dodds, Indiana university schol of medicine pathologist, for the state. The trial was adjourned until 9:30 Thursday morning, when the defense will continue its case, putting on the stand the physicians making the examination of the body today. They will be followed by one or two other witnesses before Kirkland will take the stand. SNOWFALL TO CEASE Hopes of Children for Sleds' Use Dimmed by Prediction. Young Indianapolis’ hopes of rinding use for that practically unused Christmas sled were doomed today when the weather bureau forecast that the light snow wnich began falling during the night and continued fitfully today probably would cease this afternoon. Fashion Expert in U. S. 35 v United Press NEW YORK. March 4.—Madame! Gabriel Chanel, fashion authority, 1 came In today aboard the Europa from Paris, ar.d announced she was tie-lined fer Hollywccd to tell the £lia folks there how to dress.

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The Indianapolis Times Clearing this afternoon, followed by fair tonight with lowest temperature about 26; Thursday increasing cloudiness and warmer.

VOLUME 42—NUMBER 255

Defends Sister’s Name

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Elsie Draves. sister of Arlene Draves, who was the victim of Gary’s “gin orgy murder,” is shown here with E. J. Freund, special prosecuting attorney, identify ng her murdered sister’s clothing at the trial at Valparaiso. Miss Draves denied that her sister had been scantily dressed at the fatal party, for which Virgil Kirkland faces a murder charge.

MAD MARRIAGE-1 ;;hi lAUPA LOU BPOOKMAN Author ofttiAffniUNGßYfetc*

CHAPTER ONE r pHE clatter of flying typewriter keys stopped abruptly. Gypsy Mcßride's exclamation was sharp and short. “All hot and bothered today, aren’t you?” Jean Foster at the desk at the right spoke without glancing up from her stenographic pad. There were three other girls in the large sunny office of the MacNamara Electrical Equipment Company, but they were gathered at the opposite side of the room. “What’s on your mind?” Jean asked. Gypsy frowned at the sheet of paper in the machine, tore it out and reached for a fresh one. “That’s the third time I’ve ruined the same page!” she said ruefully. “Os course, when I’m trying to hurry Turtle would give me figures to tabulate!” She fitted carbon between the two white sheets and adjusted them in the machine. Gypsy’s lips set in a straight, brief crimson line. With a quick nervous gesture she pushed back a strand of hair from her forehead. “Say—you’re not marrying the prince of Wales today, are you? Or flying the Atlantic?” the blonde Miss Foster continued. In spite of haste and the waiting columns of figures, Gypsy paused. * “Didn’t you know?” she exclaimed. Alan’s coming home!”

71 ST CONGRESS IS ADJOURNED Filibuster Occupies Final Hours of Senate. By United Press WASHINGTON, March 4.—’The seventy-first congress is dead. The clocks in the house and senate registered the hour of noon and two veteran gavels smartly sounded taps. Over in the President’s office, occupied one day out of every 364, Summary of congress’ work on Page 5. Mr. Hoover paused in mid air and leaned back in his official chair. Page boys stopped in their tracks. Tire senate adjourned promptly at noon. The house following its usual custom, set back its clocks six minutes to permit members to complete their final seeches. For the . .st three hours of the senate session Senator Elmer Thomas (Dem., Okla) ruled in effect as dictator. He had the floor when the senate recessed early this morning, and at 9 a. m. resumed his filibuster in behalf of oil legislation, refusing to .yield for anything but action on a house resolution appropriating $5,000,000 to begin veterans’ hospital construction. * This was pursuant to final passage of the $20,000,000 hospitalization bill this morning, after what had appeared to be a hopeless conference deadlock. The senate immediately adopted the house resolution and the measure was signed by President Hoover. WANT BEER AT YALE Collegiate Publication Takes Stand for Saloons in New Haven. By United Press NEW HAVE.'!, Conn., March 4 The Yale Daily News today expressed itself editorially as “in hearty accord” with the belief beer and ale saloons should be established in New Haven to keep the undergraduates in town over the weekend. Hourly Temperatures 6 a. m 30 10 a. m 29 7a. m 30 11 a. m 29 Ba. m 28 12 .** 29 1 p. n..... 21

There was a tense, breathless quality about the girl. Her pink cheeks burned a shade deeper as she spoke, contrasting becomingly with the ivory of her skin—that warm ochre coloring responsible for the name of “Gypsy.” There had been another name, but no one, even the girl herself, ever thought of it. Gypsy she was, dark skinned, brown-eyed, with long brows and lashes that made the eyes seem larger. By classic standards Gypsy McBride’s features were irregular. Her lips, flashing into a crimson smile as she spoke, were too wide. Her nose was too small. No one could deny that the heavy, waving hair drawn into a low knot at the back of her neck was an effective frame for the oval face, but it heightened the look which made strangers often ask Gypsy if she were Spanish. She was a small, slim girl seated at her typewriter. Gypsy looked younger than her 19 years. “Who's Alan?” demanded Jean Foster. "Didn’t you ever hear me talk about Alan? That’s fnuny! Alan Crosby his name is. He’s going to be a great painter and he's been abroad studying and—oh, he's the handsomest thing! “Everybody who knows Alan thinks he's wonderful. Wait until you see him! I guess it’s because you haven’t been here very long that you don’t know about Alan coming home." The other girl nodded. “Sure—l remember! The boy friend’s who’s been in Erope for five years. Coming home today, is he? No wonder you’re excited!” • * GYPSY had begun typing again, but now she stopped. “It isn’t five years,” she said, “it’s nineteen months, two weeks and three days —exactly.” She glanced up at the (Turn to Page 11) Blind Man Kills Self By Times Special NOBLESVILLE, Ind., March 4 Henry Abney, 63. blind, went to a bam at his home, near here, on Tuesday night and hanged himself with baling wire. He had lived alone for a long time but recently relatives came to hL home to care for him.

INDIANAPOLIS, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1931

POOR FARM IS ‘AWFUL,’ SAY LEGISLATORS State Lawmakers Brand Conditions ‘Deplorable’ After Visit. LABELED AS FIRETRAP ‘Best Argument I Know for Old Age Pensions,’ Says Evans. Plight of inmates in the Marion county infirmary and Julietta insane asylum was described as “awful” and ‘‘a hell on earth” by state representatives w’ho were taken on an Inspection of the institutions Tuesday by Representative Albert F. Walsman (Dem., Marion). Walsman is author of a bill pending in the legislature which would authorize the state to take over the Marion county infirmary and transfer the Julietta asylum’s inmates to the Central State hospital, making Julietta available for the county’s poor. “My God, those places are in an awful condition,” declared Representative H. H. Evans (Rep., Henry), commenting on the inspection of the inflrmari and Julietta. In “Deplorable” Condition “I never have in my life seen institution r in such deplorable conditions,” iie added. “All of the representatives who made the trip agree in this view.” Evans described the institutions as “firetraps” and the condition of the inmates at both institutions as “needing instant remedy.” “I never saw a county infirmary in such an appalling condition as the Marion county poor farm,” Evans said. "It ia the best argument I know for old age pensions.” Expresses Others’ Opinions Evans echoed expressions of the others on the tour, Walsman said. “If there is any hell on earth it is the Marion county infirmary!” declared Representative Edward E. Eikenbary (Dem., Wabash). "Nothing can be done with the infirmary and the old people there should be moved to Julietta, which should be repaired and made fireproof.” Eikenbary added that in his opinion the infirmary is a fire trap of the worst sort, and immediate steps should be taken to move the inmates to Julietta, which could be made habitable. He was supported by Representative J. Frank Smifch (Rep., Tippecanoe), who declared the conditions at the “infirmary are awful.” “The overcrowding is a very bad feature of the Marion county institution and immediate steps to remedy this situation should be taken,” he said. ’ “I hope to take three members of the budget committee: Representative Sam Farrell, and Senator Thurman Gottschalk and Byron Huff on a tour of the institutions today,” Walsman declared. Hopes for Senate Action An attempt by Walsman to add $220,000 to the biennial appropriation for the Central State hospital in the state appropriation bill failed Tuesday, but he declared that he hopes the senate will add that amount. The added amount would pay for the new structures and improvements at the state asylum which are needed to house the inmates from Julietta. The Julietta asylum would be made the county poor farm after improvements are made. “Conditions, structurally at Julietta, are at least much better than at the infirmary, and better housing conditions would be afforded,” Walsman said. Described by Times He declared that the representatives commented on the fact that the superintendent of the Julietta hospital, Benjamin Morgan, is not a physician, and thus not able to give the patients the necessary attention. Appalling conditions at the county infirmary were described by The Times last summer when civic organizations joined in the movement to bring about improvement. Although the structure was condemned as a fire .trap its continued use has been permitted with but meager improvements. GAS PRICES 2CENTS - ' LOWER THAN YEAR AGO Cutting Wars, Overproduction and Economics Condition Force Slashes. By United Press CHICAGO, March 4.—The average American motorist can drive nine miles farther on a dollar’s worth of gasoline today than he could a year ago, it was indicated today by a United Press survey of gasoline prices. Price wars, overproduction in the oil industry and other economic conditions have combined to force down gasoline prices to a level approximately 2 cents lower than a year *go. MAN, PICKING UP COAL, IS KILLED UNDER TRAIN Coroner to Conduct Probe Into Death; Seek to Locate Wife. Coroner Fred Vehling today said he would probe death of William Rummick, 68, of 1909 South Delaware street, killed by a B. <fe O. freight train while picking up coal at Madison avenue and the Belt railroad, Thursday night. Seven cars passed over the body. Efforts were made todays to locate Mir,. Rummick in Chicago.

Sign Truce to End India Civil Strife

Gandhi and Viceroy Reach Agreement After Year of ‘Passive Resistance’ Drive.

By United Press ‘ NEW DELPHI, India, March 4. The civil disobedience movement ended today after almost a year of turmoil, suffering and conflict among the 320,000,000 natives of the Indian subcontinent. Mahatma M. K. Gandhi, a slight, emaciated man whose power sprang from the adoration of millions who call him “the great soul,” and Viceroy Lord Irwin, whose authority is derived from the crown, signed a truce ending the uprising against British rule. The agreement was signed at 6 p. m.

Slain Racket Queens Daughter Is Suicide ‘I Can’t Face World Any Longer/ Writes Girl, 16, in Shame of Mother, Killed by Strangler. (Other Details On Page 2) By United Press NEW YORK, March 4. —The tragedy of Vivian Gordon, murdered witness in the police and corruption vice investigation, whose death may lead to greater scandals in New York police and underworld connections than any case In the last twenty years, had produced another and far greater tragedy today. Benita Bischoff, Miss Gordon’s 16-year-old daughter by her marriage to John E. C. Bischoff, committed suicide in the home of her father and stepmother in Audubon, N. J., Tuesday, because “she could not face the world any longer.” The shame which the young girl felt at being known as the daughter of a woman who allegedly trafficked in “party girls” and other underworld rackets, preyed on her mind. She had become hysterical last Thursday when the death of her mother, who had long since passed out of her life, became known. She refused to attend high school, where she was a freshman, and turned in her textbooks. She came home crying after she thought someone pointed her out on the street as Miss Gordon’s daughter. She refused almost to eat or sleep. Tuesday, while her father was testifying before the Bronx grand jury and her stepmother was at her work in a Philadelphia tearoom. Benita wrote in her diary: “I can’t face the world any longer. I’m going to end it all.”

She went to the kitchen, closed the doors and windows, stuffing the cracks, and, turning on the gas, lay down on the floor. When her stepmother returned she was unconscious. She died in a hospital. Benita had lived with her mother for two years after her parents separated. . ...... One day, when she was 8 years old, her mother failed to return. Although the girl did not know it, her mother had been sent to Bedford reformatory oft a Vice charge—a charge Miss Gordon declared was framed by Andrew J. McLaughlin, vice squad patrolman, and Bischoff, her estranged husband. Both of the men have denied this. Mother Sought to Clear Sslf After Miss Gordon was rele. and from the reformatory she demanded the return of her daughter. Several stormy scenes took place between her and Bischoff, who haci divorced her at the time of her imprisonment. Benita, terrified by these arguments, begged her father never to let her see her mother again. 1 Miss Gordon, who was then beginning her rise to affluency in the company of John A. Radeloff and was later to become what Police Commissioner Mulrooney called an “expert racketeer,” tried to kidnap the girl, but she escaped. Miss Gordon then resolved to try to clear herself in the eyes of her daughter. Given No Chance to Testify She gathered evidence in an attempt to prove that the vice charge on which she was convicted was false, and a few weeks before her death wrote a letter to Isidor J, Kresel, prosecutor In the present inquiry, which is digging out as-

BRIDGE MURDER WIDOW TESTIFIES

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Mrs. Myrtle Bennett in three striking close ups as she appeared on the witness stand.

By United Press KANSAS CITY, Mo., March 4. —Mrs. Myrtle Bennett testified in criminal court here today that she killed her husband, John G. Bennett, as the result of an accident. Mrs. Bennett was called as the defense concluded its case In her trial on charges of murder. James A. Reed, former United States senator, directing her fight for liberty, led her swiftly through the bridge game and quarrel that preceded the shooting. He touched only briefly on the last hand of bridge. It was on that hand that Mxs. Bennett raised her husband's bid

Previously it had been planned to sign the peace truce shortly after noon, but delays in completing final arrangements forced postponement. The truce, under which the Nationalists led by Gandhi will participate In framing anew federal government for India, marked the end of an Increasingly serious “passive resistance” movement which had cost hundreds of lives, vast property damage and millions of dollars of losses to business and the government. The truce was a •'ompromise—a peace without victor: on either side, but with certain gains for the independence leaders.

tounding revelations of graft and corruption among vice squad patrolmen. She later talked with a member of Kresel’s staff, and promised to testify before the investigation as soon as her evidence was complete. But she never testified. Last Thursday her body was found in Van Courtlandt park. She had been strangled and thrown from an automobile. YOUTH, 24, SHOT BY HIS FATHER, IS DEAD Parent, However, Does Not End Own Life, as He Had Vowed. By United Press LAFAYETTE, Ala., March 4.—The expressed intention of Allen Todd, wealthy plantation owner, to commit suicide if his son, whom he had shot in an argument died, was not carried out. Hugh Todd, 24, the son, died on Tuesday night and his father did not shoot himself, in spite of his vows. He said he had “decided to accede to the pleas of his family.” Todd shot his son Monday after an argument as to whether the boy should use the family automobile. iURY GETS BANK CASE Verdict Awaited in Trial of Mai S. Daugherty. WASHINGTON COURTHOUSE, 0., March 4.—A jury in common pleas court here today received the case of Mai S. Daugherty, president of the defunct Ohio State bank, and brother of former United States Attorney-General Harry M. Daugherty, who is charged with misusing funds of the bank.

and he went set. The Bennetts were playing as partners against Charles M. Hofman and his wife. “After the last hand was played, what did Mr. Bennett do?” Reed asked. “He slapped me,” replied Mrs. Bennett, almost in a whisper. Mrs. Bennett said her husband after the quarrel started to pack for a business trip to St. Joseph. She said she went to a dresser in her mother’s room to get the revolver Bennett was to take along. As she came met her end with an ejaculation of

Entered Second-Cl* Matter at Postofflce, Indianapolis. Ind.

CITY GIRL WHO HAD DATE WITH SCHROEDER TELLS OF AUTO RIDE WITH SUSPECT Mysterious Moves Before Torch Car Tragedy Are Traced to Suspect by Prosecution Witnesses. SPEEDWAY COMPANION IS ON STAND Tailor Who Hobnobbed With Alabaman at May 30 Race Describes His Actions and Conversation. BY EDWARD C. FULKE Telltale clews linking Harold Herbert Schroeder with a series of mysterious movements before and after the grewsome torch car death on High School road, May 31, were traced by witnesses today before a criminal court jury trying Schroeder on the charge of murdering an unknown man. Battling to send Schroeder to the electric chair, prosecutors this morning laid a net of circumstantial evidence around the garage owner and his activities a f the time of the alleged crime. Schroeder’s fling at life and romance two days before he set fire to his car and its cargo was described to the jury by Miss Jean Carson, 306 East Market street, with whom

Schroeder had a date, May 28. Finding of Schroeder’s raincoat and ft blanket in the downtown district, and of the Alabaman’s registering at Hotel Meeker, near Union Station, under an alias, was told by witnesses. Miss Carson told of being introduced to Schroeder near 516 South Illinois street May 27, and how she made a date to meet him the next day. Schroeder was parked near the curb in his sedan at the meeting, she said. Evidence Is Admitted When prosecutors asked for details of the conversation at that time, Holmes objected, on the theory that evidence of Schroeder’s activities before the alleged crime was not admissable. Judge Frank P. Baker overruled Holmes. “The next night, about 10 o'clock, he (Schroeder) was there to meet me,” Miss Carson said. “I got into the car and we picked up a girl friend of mine, took her home and then we drove out on the Rockville road.” Miss Carson stated that the windshield of the car was punctured in two or three places. “He (Schroeder) told me some boys threw rocks through it,” she testified. Showed Knife to Girl “A little later in the evening I asked him what he carried for protection. He showed me a pocket knife and said that was all he had.” The witness identified the knife introduced Tuesday at the trial. “You didn’t know Schroeder’s name, did you,” she was asked. “No,” she answered. “He only told me he lived at Mobile, Ala.” “We got home about 3 in the morning,” Miss Carson testified. The friend the couple picked up was Miss Ethel Schubert, 1231 East Market street, who Tuesday testified that Schroeder was “very wonderful.” She told of seeing a gasoline can, “full of something,” in Schroeder’s car on that evening. Tailor on Stand After Miss Carson on the stand was Fred E. Fouts, 1504 North Pennsylvania street, a tailor, who was parked beside Schroeder at the May 31 Speedway classic. Fouts testified Schroeder was alone, and that he was very amiable, telling of his

fright asked what she was going to do, Mrs. Bennett testified. “I don’t know how it happened, but there was a chair and I hit my arm,” she continued. “The gun was discharged ” "I started through the bathroom with the gun and I saw Mr. Bennett coming toward me. “When I was near the door he caught my hand and arm and twisted them. “Something happened ... the gun was discharged . . . that’s how it happened . . . that’s how it happened: I don’t know blew, but that’s how it happened ...”

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business connections and of his family. Fouts also identified the raincoat and the blanket found by Otto Thornberry, 308 West Maryland street, a restaurant manager, two days after the races, in an alley in the rear of the restaurant. Fouts testified that he noted Schroeder’s car contained a fivegallon gasoline can. “Did Schroeder have anything to drink?” Holmes asked. "If he did, I didn’t get any of it,” Fouts answered. Baker rapped for order as the crowd roared in laughter. Photo Is Barred Attempts of the state to introduce a photo of the charred torso at this point were blocked by Holmes, on an objection that the picture was taken three weeks after the crime was discovered. John H. Thompson, police sergeant and assistant in the police - Bertillon department, was on the stand to identify the photo as taken by him. Prosecutors said attempts would be renewed to get the picture before the jury. Frank Witten, Negro, 1331 Columbia avenue, porter at the Meeker, took the stand to identify Schroeder as having registered at the hotel about May 25 under the alias, H. G. Flow. Witten pointed Schroeder out as the man who registered under that name. Bag Is Identified Witten further identified a Gladstone bag left by Schroeder in his flight from Indianapolis. Witten further told of an incident at the hotel when a woman asked to be admitted to Schroeder’s room on the third floor. Witten testified he accompanied the woman to the room and returned to his desk. Immediately after, Schroeder returned with the woman to the clerk's desk. told Schroeder he would have to sign her name on the register.” Witten testified. "He refused to do it,” Witten continued. Saw Schroeder at Races Miss Rosalia Peterson, 3226 McPherson street, another state’s witness, testified to seeing Schroeder at the races. Holmes again was overruled when he objected to introduction of the hotel register sheets in evidence. Photos of the flame-wrecked car introduced Tuesday were identified this morning by Ray Myers, photographer for the Indianapolis News. Prosecutors Herbert Wilson and Floyd Mattice also recalled for testimony Earl Miller, an embalmer, who removed the body from the car, and Harvey Shipp, former deputy sheriff, who investigated the tragedy. Sweetheart Not to Appear Another phase of Schroeder's career as a handsome swain with a dashing swagger and a southern drawl apparently is quashed in dispatches from Mobile, Schroeder’s home, that Miss Gertrude Kittrell, the Alabaman’s former sweetheart, will not testify in the murder trial. Despite attempts of state's attorneys to establish illicit love as a motive for the crime they allege. Miss Kittrell declares she “wants nothing to do with the case.” Authorities declare that Schroeder was to "vanish from the face of the earth’’ and flee the country with Miss Kittrell, and a fortune in insurance. “I don’t know anything about the case and I don’t want to get mixed up in %” she was quoted as saying Tuesday in Mobile. Won’t Be “Other Woman" “Schroeder’s wife is at the trial, and if I went there I suppose I would be called ‘the other woman’ in ■his life and have my picture all over the newspapers. lam not going if I can help it. "If anybody wants me to verify by affidavit any statement that I made in Mobile to investigating officers, lam perfectly willing to do so. But I do not see why they should want me as a witness when I have no knowledge of the case, one way or the other. I did not even know that Schroeder had gone to Indiana,’’ ate stated.