Jasper County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 72, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 December 1918 — STATE NEWS ITEMS [ARTICLE]

STATE NEWS ITEMS

The Doings of Hoosierdom ' Reported by Wire. SLEUTHS SEEK BOND THIEVES Robber* Who Looted Leavenworth Bank of Securities Valued at $50,000 Used Three Autos to Escape. Leavenworth, Dec. it —Detectives took up the trail of three robbers, who forced their way into the Leavenworth State bank and looted safety deposit boxes of Liberty bonds and War Savings stamps, estimated by the bank officials to be valued between $50,000 and $60,000. The money vault of the bank was not molested and not a cent of the bank’s money was stolen. The bonds and stamps belonged to citizens of Leavenworth and farmers of Crawford county. The robbery was discovered by Elmer Merilese, cashier, when he went to the bank to commence the day’s business. After leaving the bank the three bandits entered an automobile, which had an Ohio license, and started for Milltown hut the machine broke down in the country. Then they hired t William Trusler, a farmer, to take them in his car to MUltown. For a while It was believed they had taken a Southern railway train for New Albany, but this was only a ruse. They hurried from the station and hired a garage owner at Milltown to drive them to Oxonia, in Washington county, where they boarded a west bound B. &O. S. W. train. This was the last trace of them the bank authorities obtained.

Next Convention at Indianapolis. Fort Wayne, Dec. 0. —The annual convention of the Indiana branch of the National Congress of Mothers and Parent-Teaclier associations closed Wednesday following the election of officers. The next convention will be held Jointly with the State Teachers’ association at Indianapolis next fall. Mrs. Hence Orine of Indianapolis was re-elected president of the organization. Other officers''are: First vice president, Mrs. Simon Ackerman, Fort Wayne; second vice president, Mrs. Charles Shields, Clayton; third vice president, Mrs. C. S. Marks, Lafayette; fourth vice president, Mrs. Frank Cauble, Salem; fifth vice president, Mrs. Mary Waldron, Bloomington; recording secretary, Mrs. C. It. Heath, Nohlesvllle; corresponding secretary, Mrs. W. S. Mitchell, Indianapolis; treasurer, Mrs. W, O. Granger, Fort Wayne.

Gives Gas Order for Five Cities. Indianapolis, Dec. G.—An agreement was entered into at a hearing before the public service commission whereby Muncie, Riverside, Normal City, Hartford City and Fairmount will continue to be supplied with natural gas by the Central Indiana Gas company. Provision was made, however, that if, with the approach of extremely cold weather, the supply of natural gas fails, that the city councils Of either Muncie or Hartford City and Fairmount may ask the commission to order the company to substitute artificial gas for a period of not less fhnn 30 days. The manufactured gas tints supplied will be at tin* same rate being charged in other cities served by the company.

Phone Rate Rise Denied. Indianapolis, Dec. 0. —The public service commission denied the Hope Telephone company an increase in rates. The order dismissing the company’s petition criticized the company’s methods of keeping accounts and suggested changes. It also advised the company to charge a penalty of from 15 to 25 cents on bills not paid promptly. The Itoann Telephone company was authorized to issue $20,000 additional capital stock at not less than pur. In the year ending with April there was an increase of nearly 11,100,000 cheep in New Zealand, notwithstanding exports of almost 14,000,000 carcasses.