Indianapolis Times, Volume 43, Number 38, Indianapolis, Marion County, 24 June 1931 — Page 2

PAGE 2

POISONED SISTERS ARE LAID AT REST, SIDE BY SIDE

FRAIL MOTHER COLLAPSES AT GIRLS' FUNERAL Distraught From Grilling in Mystery of Fatal Sandwiches. FIND STRYCHNINE CLEW Arrest Believed Imminent as Officials Discover Capsules’ Source. BY ARCH STEINEI, Times Start Correspondent GREENFIELD, Ind., June 24.—A second reunion of the Simmons families of Boone and Hancock counties was held today at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John W. Simmons, seven miles northeast of here, over the biers of their two daughters. It was a bitter reunion, as bitter as the one that started jovially Sunday and ended in the poison slaying of the daughters of the wealthy Greenfield farmer and illness for two other members who attended the picnic reunion in Lebanon. But unlike the first reunion, today’s was rife with tears and solemnity from the beginning, as Alice Jean and Virginia Simmons were borne from the family home to a cemetery founded by a great grandfather near Willow Branch. Weakened by Grilling The parents were distraught from griilings by authorities seeking information helpful in solving the mystery of the poisoned sandwiches which slew the two girls. While the Rev. Omar Hufferd of Charlottesville intoned the prayer for the dead and pacified the family with the hope of “the life beyond,” preparations were being made by Boone and Hancock county officials to requestion the parents regarding incidents that led up to the tragic picnic. Selecting an excerpt from Matthew as the text of his sermon, Dr. Hufferd declared God is all-power-ful and that humans must suffer and fight their way through tragedies of life. Text of his sermon at the Simmons home was .... “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.” May Act Thursday * Boone county and Lebanon authorities conferred with prosecuting officials of Hancock county prior to the funeral of the girls. The officials said they did not intend to requestion any members of the family immediately after the funeral, but probably would take action Thursday. They attended the sendees at the home and cemetery along with members of the deceased girls’ family. As Mrs. Simmons, almost In nervous collapse, viewed the bodies of her children for the last time at the family graveyard, officers laid plans to have her re-enact the scene in her kitchen when she made the sandwiches which killed her daughters Curiosity-Seekers Attend Besides a crowd of relatives, numerous curiosity-seekers attended the ceremonies at the home. Autos lined the driveway and the road in front of the home. Floral offerings banked the sides of the twin caskets in the front room of the home. The Rev. E. C. Fisher of Charlottesville aided in conducting the funeral. “Oh! this is awful!” cried Simmons on the shoulders of relatives and friends as he greeted them prior to the rites. Only the favored members of the family were permitted to speak to Mrs. Simmons. Her husband kept Constant guard to prevent newspapermen from speaking to her. Mother Breaks Down Mrs. John Simmons, frail mother of Alice Jean and Virginia, who met death by strychnine poisoning at a family reunion in Lebanon last Sunday, collapsed as the funeral cortege left her home. Her husband, towering over her in stolid bulk, showed no emotion as he supported her and his aged mother. Mrs. Charity Simmons, who likewise was near collapse. Every one from the Simmons Corners community, it seemed, was at the funeral, probably a thousand of them In all. Photographers, representing newspapers and picture services, were ushered bodily from the premises of the old brick mansion when they attempted to “shoot” funeral scenes To some who expressed reluctance at departure violence was threatened. They met with similar hostility at the Simmons cemetery'—it, too, bears the name of the family, one of the first to settle this part of Hancock county. Buried Side by Side The two girls were buried side by side in the family plot at WillowBranch. Slowly', authorities have reduced the poison plot to a few only chances in which the strychnine pellets might have been placed in the pressed chicken sandwiches. On top of this narrowing of avenues for the killer to have poisoned the girls and others in the picnic party, it has been ascertained that another source of poison has been found. It Is this new purchase of poison that it is believed eventually will lead to the arrest of the person plotting the death of the families. Warrants for arrest on murder charges must be sworn to by Boone county authorities for the deaths occurred in that county. A grand jury will be called into session in Lebanon as soon as definite Information is obtained as to the identity of the poisoner. Grocery Held Up by Gunmen Two Negro gunmen late Tuesday stole S3O from Wilbur Phillips. Standard grocery manager, at 2302 Columbia avenue. Phillips told police he Jlred three shots at the fleeing bandits, but believed none found fch&r mark.

City Policemen Win Promotions

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THEATER PARTY HELD FOR 2.500 Reward Children Aiding in Safety Program. Children w r ho aid in safety and discipline at city parks will be rewarded each month by a theater party as guests of the city recreation department. The parties are a part of the park safety program mapped out by Lieutenant Frank R. Owen, director of safety and discipline, and Timothy McMahon, assistant. Twenty-five hundred children attended the Lyric theater Friday in recognition of safety w-ork for the last month. Around prominent playgrounds, no parking zones are being prescribed with warning signs to motorists at street corners. Park instructors and matrons have been given instructions to help children across streets at the grounds. All instructors must inspect apparatus, make a written report of equipment out of order, and mark those broken daily before the ground opens. Regular crews visit parks every other day to fix all broken equipment, and an emergency crew is held for instant call in case a large piece of apparatus gets out of order. July 10 a playlet will be given at the Garfield open air theater in the interests of safety. Lieutenant Owen will speak. BANDIT SUSPECT HELD TO JURY ON HIGH BOND SIO.OOO Must Be Put Up for Negro’s Release, Judge Rules. His bond raised from $5,000 to SIO,OOO by Municipal Judge William H. Sheaffer, Floyd Board, Negro, 880 Torbett street, today was bound over to the county grand jury on charges of auto banditry and robbery. In court, Leslie E. Cook. 1628 North Alabama street, and Theodore Frakes. 1711 South Meridian street, laundry drivers, identified Board as one of two Negroes w r ho robbed them several months ago. Cook said the gimmen obtained $157 from him on three occasions and Frakes said in two robberies he had surrendered SBO. Board w'as captured by Detective William Miller. Jan. 3, after his bandit companion had shot and killed Detective Carl Heckman, partner of Miller. The other Negro still is sought. Non-Agency Depot Asked Pennsylvania Railroad Company today petitioned the public service commission to class the Cumberland station of the railroad as a non-agency depot. Freight and passengers from this point will be boarded on trains with purchase of tickets from train employes.

One to a Hill Down in the hills of Brown county, the number of male voters has been counted. Not having any Negroes, county officials reported to Floyd E. Williamson, state auditor, there are 1,564 white male voters in Brown county. This was the first estimate that has been received since Williamson directed counties, under an old statute, to compile the number of male voters. Williamson offered the census as a relief to unemployment, but protests were voiced by several counties. The figures are to be filed at the statehouse not later than July 1. a

Top (center oval)—Lieutenant Daniel Cummins, promoted from a police sergeant’s post Tuesday by the safety board. Top (left)—Ralph Dean, promoted to sergeant. Top (right)—Wayne Bear, promoted to sergeant. Below (left to right)—Albert Kelly, named detective sergeant; Charles A. Bauer, detective sergeant; E. H. Kruse, sergeant.

SCHOOL BUDGET TO BE SCANNED C. of C. to Hold Public Hearing Tuesday. First budget to be studied by the nine Indianapolis business men who will serve as the budget affairs subcommittee for the Chamber of Commerce will be that of the school board, which is to be the subject of a public hearing Tuesday night. The 1932 budget study subcommittee as announced by William Fortune, chairman of the general committee, is to be composed of the following business men: Arthur V. Brown, president ot the Union Trust Company, chairman; Elmer W. Stout, president of the Fletcher American National bank: Almus G. Ruddell, president of the Central Rubber and Supply Company; Joe Rand Beckett, state senator and secretary of the Indiana tax survey commission created by the legislature two years ago: Earl Buchanan, personnel manager of the National Malleable and Steel Castings Company and forpi&r member of the city council; Frank B. Fowler, president and manager of the Indiana Lumbermen’s Mutual Insurance Company; Daniel B. Luten. engineer; H. S. Morse, manager of the Indianapolis Water Company and formerly active in municipal research, and engineering fields, and T. R. Ratcliff, engineer of the Indianapolis Union Railway Company. HENLEY MARITAL ROW TO REOPEN IN COURT Divorce Hearing Against Former Adjutant-General Thursday. Matrimonial charges and countercharges of the Henleys will be aired again Thursday when the divorce case of Ethel Williams Henley is set to be heard in superior court two. She is suing Manford Grant Henley, former adjutant-general, for a limited divorce and an allowance of $250 a month for five years. Henley’s attorneys recently filed a plea for abatement in the case, charging that the costs of a previous divorce action in Hancock county had not been paid. In the Hancock county case Mrs. Henley's divorce and alimony plea was denied. CITY SAVES MONEY 55.113 Decrease in Heating Bill Revealed in Report. Saving of $5,113 In heating the city hall, fire headquarters and city garage during the winter was revealed today in a report submitted to the works board by C. F. Thomas, engineer of the Indianapolis Power & Light Company, which is heating the buildings. According to the figures, the heat bills from September. 1930. to June of this year totaled $7,784 as compared with $12,897 for the same period in 1929-30. Named Army Signal By United Press WASHINGTON, June 24.—Chief Patrick J. Hurley, war secretary, today announced appointment of Colonel Irving J. Carr to be chief signal officer of the army with the rank of major-general for a fouryear term beginning June 30. Methods Changed By United Press ROYAL CENTER, Ind., June 24 Kite and sounding balloon work at the Royal Center weather bureau has ended after thirteen years, B. B. Whittier, meteorologist announces. Soundings are bein*. made by other methods. I

THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

AUTO EXECUTIVE SLAMSTARIFF Workers Fear Wage Cuts, Graham Asserts. “High tariff is the cause of depression and the prospect of reduction in wages looms as the most alarming point during the period of bad business,” George M. Graham of Toledo, vice-president and sales director of the Willys-Overiand, Inc., said at a dealers’ meeting Tuesday at the Lincoln. Graham said he believed better business is on the horizon, asserting “deflation and land liquidation are largely past, a condition which, in previous depressions, has preceded rising business activity.” “Tariff should be reduced,” he said. “It has been the most flagrant cause of bad conditions. Today the worker fears a reduction in his wage. This is the most alarming point of the present situation. “Improvement must affect many industries before recovery is complete. Automobiles are in a position to lead the upturn. The automobile business is not as bad as many persons believe and business as a w'hole is better than appears on the surface.” The local meeting, attended by 150 representatives, was arranged by I. Boyd Huffman, president of the I. Boyd Huffman Motor Company, local distributors. GIRL LEFT SIOO,OOO 20-Year-0!d Niece Legatee of Mrs. Nora Lilly. More than SIOO,OOO was inherited by a 20-year-old Oberlin, (0.,) girl when the estate of Mrs. Nora R. Lilly was probated today here. The girl, Miss Frences Virginia Robinson, is a niece of Mrs. Lilly. No will was left by Mrs. Lilly. According to the papers filed by Walter D. Todd attorney, the $225,000 estate will be shared by Miss Robinson and a sister of Mrs. Lilly, Airs. Lucy F. Treadway, 1920 North Illinois street. Herndon R. Treadway, 1920 North Illinois, a nephew was appointed administrator of the estate, consisting of $200,000 personal property and $25,000 real estate. Mrs. Lilly was the widow of James Lilly. STREET CONTRACT LET Abel Bros. Get East Raymond Work for $6,899. Contract for the improvement of East Raymond street from state Road 29 to Arlington avenue, was awarded Abel Bros, today by county commissioners on a bid of $6,899. Commissioners also let contracts for food for county institutions for the summer months.

€§|j) s ° und Reliable Automobile Insurance A dependable protection at low cost. Assets $2,447,047.56 Surplus .. . $1,000,000.00 STATE Automobile Insurance Association Lincoln 8571

’REBEL’ BARRED ON HIS RETURN TO POOH FARM Inmate Who Protested to Grand Jury Branded Dangerous Man. Poor farm authorities were undecided today whether they would readmit an inmate who carried a complaint of mistreatment to the Marion county grand jury Tuesday, after he had been discharged by John Carter, farm superintendent. George C. Handlon, 50, suffering from tuberculosis, was ordered to return to the farm by Trustee Miss Hannah C. Noone, but was refused admittance when he applied at the farm Tuesday. Carter stated today he did not let Handlon return because “he came too late.” No one is admitted between 5 p. m. and 9 a. m., the superintendent declared. Branded as Dangerous Carter described Handlon as a “dangerous man” and related instances of where, he said, Handlon has threatened the lives of poor farm officials and fellow inmates by drawing knives on them. “I can handle him all right,” Carter admitted, “but I don’t want to be bothered with him. I have enough to do to care for inmates who behave tnemselves properly.” Affidavit charging Handlon with drawing a deadly weapon was obtained in municipal court today by Howard Wiseman, who said he is a nurse at the poor farm. Wiseman told Deputy Prosecutor Jacob Steinmetz that on May 29 Handlon drew’ a knife and threatened to cut him. Couldn’t Find Handlon Wiseman was accompanied by Samuel Frantz and George Steadman, employes of the institution, who are paid by the county. In answer to a query by Steinmetz, Wiseman said he did not file the affidavit earlier because he w ? as unable to locate Handlon. Handlon was not discharged from the institution until Friday, according to Carter. Har.dlon’s address on the complaint was given as the “poor farm” or the “Wheeler City Rescue Mission.” County commissioners W’ere inclined today to discredit stories of mistreatment by the farm chief, because Handlon is said to have a record. Handlon charged Carter “hit him with a hoe for picking a few cherries.” Face Grand Jury Commissioners, however, did not favor Carter’s action in turning the inmate loose, penniless and without provision for his lodging. Commissioner George Snider stated that “perhaps, the county sheriff ought to take charge of the case.” Handlon and two other inmates, J. A. Estle and Dan Wilcurt appeared before the grand jury Tuesday. Handlon told county commissioners he had served a sentence in the Indiana state prison for murder. ‘EARLY TO SCHOOL/ IS ROSAMOND’S MOTTO Girl, 8, Ends Term With Record Unmarred by Tardiness. When school is held daily each year, if that ever comes to pass, Rosamond Fay Stokes, 8, will be there. Not only will she attend

daily, but she will not be late. That is her assertion today following completion of the last term at Benjamin Harrison school without a mark of absence or tardiness marring her record. However, the suggestion of school seven days a week for fifty-two weeks has found no support among her classmates of the 4B

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which she will enter in September. Rosamond is the daughter of Mi and Mrs. D. C. Stokes, Apartment 8, The Essex. AIMEE FILES APPEAL Asks $17,486 Income Tax Charge Be Reconsidered. By United Press : WASHINGTON, June 24.—Aimee Semple McPherson, Los Angeles evangelist, filed today with the board of tax appeals anew petition for reconsideration of- a $17,486 income tax assessment claimed by the government in discharge of 1927 and 1928 tax obligations. The difference betwen today’s petition and a similar one recently filed was that Mrs. McPherson signed her name to the latest plea.

%4 V SEASHORE ff m I EXCURSIONS JCJ ATLANTIC CITY mod other mMf F Southern New Jersey Seashore Resorts JULY 18, AUGUST 1 and 15 $29.02 H INDIANAPOLIS THROUGH SLEEPING CARS TO ATLANTIC CITY Liberal stop-orer privilege* returning Illustrated descriptive folder* showing time of trains, stop over privilege* I and other details mar he obtained from Ticket Agents or J. C. Millspaugh, I Division Passenger Agent, 116 Monument Place, Indianapolis, ind.

RUTH INSISTS SHE WILL SPAN OCEAN

Injured Flier Refuses to Give Up Plans for Sea Trip. ST. JOHN, New Brunswick. June 24.—Miss Ruth Nichols, American woman flier, insisted today that despite injuries suffered when her plane cracked up in landing here, she would make another attempt to fly the Atlantic in September. The New York society aviator will be in a hospital for some days, attending physicians at the hospital here said. She may return to New York shortly, however, after the swelling caused by her injuries has gone down and plaster cast fitted. Miss Nichols suffered a cracked spine and painful injuries to one of her legs when her plane crashed as she landed here at the end of the first phase of her proposed trans-Atlantic flight from New York. She said she wanted to fly her damaged plane back to New York, and said she disliked the idea of a train journey. The plane was inspected and insurance representatives were to report on its condition. Persons who viewed the machine said they believed > Miss Nichols would need anew plane. Clarence Chamberlin, trans-At-lantic flier, and Mrs. Chamberlin, who flew here in another plane, remained to discuss further flight plans with Miss Nichols. Ft. Wayne Banks Merged Today in $36,000,000Deal By United Press FT. WAYNE, June 24.—Merger of the Old National bank and First and Tri-State National Bank and Trust Company, with combined resources of more than $36,000,000, was announced here today. The two institutions will operate temporarily under direction of Frank H. Cutshall, president of the Old National, and Henry C. Paul, chairman of the board of directors of the same institution, it was announced. Charles M. Niezer was president of the First and Tri-Siate. The merger, described as one of the largest in middle west banking history, was for the purpose of providing. greater strength and security and to avoid expenditure of $1,500,000 on a building expansion program which would have been necessary for the Old National. Capital and surplus of the combined bank will be $3,500,000, the announcement said. New capital stock of $2,500,000 will be issued. The Old National was organized in 1835, and the other bank in 1863. The merged institution will be known as the Old First National bank. Niezer is president of the Indiana Bankers’ association. HUNT DEAD IN BLAST Ten Known to Have Lost Lives in British Explosion. By United Press POOLE, England, June 24—Rescue workers ’ searched the ruins of a section of the Royal Cordite factory at Holton Heath today for bodies feared buried, in a terrific explosion. At least ten workers were known to be killed. The explosion rocked the countryside for miles and caused wild excitement. Families of workers swarmed to the scene, seeking word of relatives. Nineteen men were injured badly, and doctors treated about fifty for minor-.hurts. Windows were broken and the blast was felt over an area extending twenty miles from the factory. A man two miles away was knocked from a chair by the explosion. The blast occurred in the nitroglycerin shed, where workers were adding nitrates to explosives. The exact cause was undetermined, the admiralty announced. A naval inquiry was started. INSULL UTILITY ASKS INCREASE IN STOCK Boost in Common Securities to $20,000,000 Is Petitioned. Increase of $7,500,000 in the common stock of the Central Indiana Power Company, an Insull utility, is sought today in a petition filed with Frank Mayr Jr., secretary of state, by officials of the company. If the stock boost is granted, 75,000 shares, with a value of SIOO each, will be issued for sale. This would boost the common stock value of the company to $20,000,000. Preferred stock now totals $10,000,000. The move was approved at a special meeting of stockholders June’ 3, according to the petition. The company has headquarters in Indianapolis.

Accused *

Deputy William E. Guess, on trial on charges with murdering two wealthy Mexican youths. TRY OFFICER IN BOYS' KILLINGS Oklahoman Charged With Slaying Mexicans. By United Pr^^s ARDMORU, Okla., June 24. William E. Guess, former deputy sheriff, went on trial today on charges of murdering Emilio Rubio and Garcia Gomez, sons of wealthy and Influential Mexican families. Cecil Crosby, a fellow officer with Guess when the youths were shot, will be tried later. Rubio, a nephew of President Ortiz Rubio of Mexico, and Gomez were shot- June 7 while en route by automobile to their homes in Mexico City from a school they attended at Atchison, Kan. The officers admitted they mistook the youths for bandits. Prosecutors and defense attorneys began questioning today of the first of 110 veniremen called for the trial. County Attorney Marvin Schilling said that the jurors would not be qualified on the death penalty. Not since the famous Clara Smith acquittal in Jake Hamon’s murder case eleven years ago had the Carter county courthouse attracted such a crowd as was gathered today.

HOME OWNERS! PLUMBING COSTS ARE LOWER than in years. Families living- in non-modern properties should take advantage of sub-normal prices NOW by installing sanitary plumbing fixtures. The convenience and increased value obtained by having running water available more than compensates for the expense. You may enjoy the many advantages of City water this summer by making a small down payment with a plumber and getting started now. Indianapolis Water Company A Permanent Investment For Your Home Is Money Well Spent

THE TRADING POST 1514 N. Illinois St. HOUSEHOLD HINTS TO THE - WISE. SHOPPER Greatly Reduced Merchandise Children s Furniture and Toys Clocks and Pictures Wardrobe Trunk and Fireless Cooker See Our Values in Wearing Apparel

JUNE 24,1931

CITY MAY RENT SCHOOL BOOKS AT LOW COST Gary Plan to Be Studied With View of Local Adoption. Intensive study of the school book rental plan used in Gary and methods whereby it can be adopted in Indianapolis, is planned for next winter by Paul C. Stetson, school superintendent. Recommendation that the Gary plan be used here is contained m a report submitted by the textbook committee appointed several months ajo by Stetson, and of which Miss Nelle V. Green, principal of School 43, was chairman. Study Other Systems Systems used in various mid-west cities were studied by the committee, which after a lengthy search recommended the Gary plan, whereby the pupil pays 25 per cent of tils cost of the textbook for a semester's rental. Approximately SBO,OOO would be needed to inaugurate the system in Indianapolis schools, A. B. Good, school business director, informed the committee. Additional appropriations would not be necessary as the receipts from rentals would pay for new texts. Budget Is Difficulty Because of the 1931 statute limiting the budget for 1931 and 1932 to that of 1930, Good explained the difficulty which would ensue in obtaining the necessary funds to inaugurate the system. Stetson, however, hopes to be able to discuss the situation with the school principals of the city and at least start on a limited rental system, which gradually could be increased in scope. The committee report suggested September. 1931, as the time to begin operating the rental plant. HIGHWAY BOARD MEETS Sapp, New Member Succeeding Murden, Attends Session. First meeting of the highway commission with Arthur Sapp, Huntington, attending as a member, was held today. Sapp succeeds Jess Murden,. who resigned last week. The board held an executive session with department heads and engineers and John J. Brown, state highway director. Governor Harry G. Leslie failed to attend, saying he had made his policies sufficiently clear to be understood by the commission.