Jasper County Democrat, Volume 23, Number 78, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 December 1920 — STATE NEWS ITEMS [ARTICLE]

STATE NEWS ITEMS

The Doings of Hoosierdom Reported by Wire. DR. J. N. HURTY TO RETIRE Secretary of the State Board of Health Declaree That He Will Refuse Reappointment at the End of Hie Present Term. Ft Wayne, Dec. 24. —Dr. John N. Hurty of Indianapolis, for nearly a quarter of a century secretary of the state board of health, will refuse a reappointment at the end of his present term, which ends in two years. Doctor Hurty gave out this information while here, to speak before the members of the Ft. Wayne Rotary club. He said that he is now more than seventy years old, and he believes it would be better for a younger man to take up the work which he has been In so long.

Cement for Road* Coet $1,400,000.

Indianapolis, Dec. 24.—The state highway department has begun negotiations for the purchase of approximately $1,400,000 worth of cement to be used in state highway, bridge and maintenance construction next year. The department expects to contract for the product with manufactories In Indiana for delivery to designated railroad switches f. o. b. factory. It will accept blds for road construction from contractors who will figure on bids with the understanding that the state is to provide them with cement at the railroad siding nearest the job. Bids for the cement contract will be awarded late in January, if plans are carried out The department has in mind the construction of from 100 to 120 miles of road in 1921. It has estimated 4,000 barrels of cement to the mile.

Town Ready for Bandit*.

Greencastle, Dec. 24. —Alarmed by numerous reports of * operations by bandits tn many cities, dozens of shotguns were placed at strategical points In Greencastle for possible use in preventing robberies in this city. The action was taken by the Greencastle Chamber of Commerce and local banks. One hundred business men know the locution of the guns and, in case of a holdup signal being- sounded, some of these men will be near enough to a shotgun to get it into action before the robbers will have time to get away with any plunder.

Autolsts Plunge Into Creek.

Columbus, Dec. 24. —While Mr. and Mrs. William Ketner of Hope were driving to this city their automobile skidded on the ley road at an abutment of the Twenty-first street bridge over Haw creek, and plunged down a 20-foot embankment Into the stream. In Its descent the machine turned over and stopped in three feet of water. The occupants, however, were not pinned under the car, and with the help of nearby workmen escaped with no serious Injuries. The automobile was left in the creek.

Logansport Youth Arrested.

Logansport, Dec. 24.—Arthur Spillman, age sixteen, was arrested by lo eal police at his home in this city. He is alleged to be a member of the gang of which Chester and William Roland, Roscoe DeFord and Carl Elzbreck, four local youths, arrested Monday, are believed to be the principal members. All five young men have confessed their part in the robbery at the Tony Sand! store in this city Saturday night and the Farmers’ elevator at Clymers Sunday night, officials say.

Fears Sister Is in Peril.

Fort Wayne, Dec. 24. —The State department at Washington, D. C., has been asked to ascertain the whereabouts of Miss LiHie Beaber, for 20 years a missionary in Persia. Her sister fears for her safety. A press dispatch reports that the Russian Bolshevists are occupying Tabriz, northwestern Persia, where Miss Beaber is working. According to the report, consuls and relief workers are evacuating the city.

" Held for Automobile Theft.

Gary, Dec. 24. —Four men, Edward Kupka, Ladd Kakuska, William Hoppe and Jim Alex, all of Chicago, were arrested here and are held for Chicago authorities, who charge they held up the Rosem Teaming company garage in Chicago and stole a touring car worth more than $2,000.

Gets Divorce, Must Pap Alimony.

Goshen, Dec. 24. —Jacob S. Denlinger of Elkhart received a divorce from Bessie A. Deni Inger in Circuit court here. RI treatment was alleged. Although he received the decree, he was ordered to pay his wife $2,700 alimony In monthly installments of $l5O. ,

Rev. L. C. Brink Dies.

Winamac, Dec. 24. —Rev. L. C. Brink, age forty-three, pastor of the Christian church here, died of double pneumonia after a short illness. He came here as pastor of the church two years ago. He is survived by a widow and one son, age thirteen. !

Gary Bandit Gets $1,200.

Gary, Dec. 24.—A negro bandit entered the Safe T. Kros drug store, owned by Mark Friedman, and forced the clerk, N. Kann, at the point of a revolver, to open the cash register. The bandit escaped with $1,200.