The Independent-Record from Helena, Montana • Page 1

Hired Assassin of Canton Underworld Convicted of Slaying Editor THE WEATHER Weatticr for Montana: Saturday unsettled, snow west portion, colder east portion; Sunday partly cloudy. gperifoni NfnAY N'DAY Full Associated Prest From East and Weft Member of the Newspaper Enterprise Association VOL. 61--No. CENTS. HELENA, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1926.

CHRISTMAS EVE FINDS M'DERMOTT IN PERIL OF HIS LIFE Ca-nton, Ohio, Dec. 2 4 Patrick Eugene McOermott, was found guilty early tonight of first degree murder for the death of Don R. Mellett, Canton publisher. The jury of ten men and two women returned its verdict with a recommendation of mercy after deliberating but one hour. The case was delivered into the hands of the jury just as dusk of Christmas eve fell over the city where the crusader-editor a few months ago launched his attack on the underworld and its alleged police protection.

From the time Mellett was struck down at his garage door in a fusillade of shots discharged from ambush there has been one predominant theory that he was slain by the underworld. Only the Tool. McDermott, the state charged, was (Continued on Page Two) LI NEW YORK GIRL TAKES POISON New York, Dec. John Wilgus, whose father is a noted engineer, tonight claimed' the body of Mrs. Vivian Minor, who cornmittecd suicide in her room at the Martha Washington hotel Wednesday.

Wtlgus, who is unemployed and estranged fiorn his father, spent Christinas eve in collecting enough money to defray the funeral expenses of the woman he said he had planned to marry. Wilgus said that he and his fiance had quarreled. Find Poison Poison tablets were found! in her bedroom near the tfody. In Salt Lake City tonight, 13. F.

Grant, general manager of the Desert News, told the Associated Press that the woman was a niece of his and of ITcbcr J. Grant, president of the Church of Latter Day Saints (Mormon). He said lie had not scon or heard from the young womsn for about 10 years. TAKE BANK RAIDER AND RECOVER COIN NICARAGUAN LIBERALS TO BE OUSTED BY U. S.

THE NIGHT'S N1S (By The Associated Press.) FOLD TO LEAVE HEADQUARTERS OR THEY WILL BE DRIVEN OUT--PROTEST FILED DIPLOMATS THINK HE IS ON HIS WAY TO BUCHAREST Wallace M. Probasco, New York society man, was about to return to his wife, with whom he is shown at the top, when Mrs. Robert H. Ingersoll, wife of the.watch king, shot him and killed herself in her New York apartment. The Ingersolls are shown below.

Mrs. Probasco is the daughter of "Bob" Ingersoll, the atheist, but was not related to the watch man. Paris, Dec. former crown prince of Roumania, has been absent from his home' at Neully, a suburb of Paris, for more than 30 hours. Diplomatic circles aver that the prince is on his way to Bucharest to resume the prerogatives of the Hoh- enzollern dynasty which he renounced some months ago.

Neighbors of "Mr. Cariaman," as he was kliown in Neully, believe that he has just advanced his Christmas celebration. Reports current Neully are that Carol's private secretary boarded the simplon express going in the direction of Bucharest Thursday night'- Others say that Carol left in an automobile Thursday afternoon in time to catch the Simploii express leaving Paris at 8:30 p. m. Thursday.

It is also reported that Carol boarded the express at the first stop after leaving Paris. Friends describe the demeanor of Carol for the past three months as that of a man who has seen a great light, and that he appears desirous of having the public at large, and especially the people of Roumania forget 'the past. King Ferdinand, although he agreed to the renunciation of Carol at the is anxious that he conie NEW RULER HAS BEEN REGENT FIVE YEARS, AND POLICIES CONTINUE Yoshihito, mikado of Japan, (above), dead in Tokyo. Hirohito, prince regent (below), succeeds him. Tokyo, Dec.

Japan's invalid emperor, died in the early hours of this Christmas morning. Hirorito, his eldest son, who, since November, 1921, had ruled the empire as regent, immediately became Japan's 124th emperor. The ceremony of the ascension of Hirohito to imperial office took place in the main hall of the villa Hayma at which his father had just succumbed to pnuemonia after critical illness of more than two weeks. Hirohito went almost directly from the death bed of his father to the ceremonial which proclaimed him (Continued on Page Two) He Murders Nine and Tries Suicide Amarlllo, Dec. Tbo correspondence quoted bos- Wichita Falls, Texas, Dec.

Approximately which was stolen from the First State bank at Tell, 15 miles southwest of Childrcss, this afternoon, a recovered by officers following the arrest of a man gave his name as Bob McFall, of Oklahoma City. Delayed by car trouble, he had gotten only two miles from the scene of the robbery when apprehended by Sheriff John Compton of Childress county- George J. Hassell, charged with, slaying his wife and eight stepchildren, at Parwcll, disappeared from a hospital in Clovis, New Mexico, late tonight, a despatch to the Amarillo News from its Clovis correspondent states. Hospital authorities were unable to say where he had gone or been taken, but it is presumed dispatch said, that he has been removed by authorities fearful of mob violence. Wreck Dead 19, Blame Dead Engineer Rockmart, Dec.

crt M. Pearce, engineer, died in a hospital late today about the same time Southern railway officials announced that his failure to take a siding had wrecked two crack trains last night and cost 19 lives, besides his own. More than 30 persons were injured, but it was believed that most of them would recover. Another body, mangled beyond recognition, was found in the wreckage tonight. Pearce, a road foreman or traveling engineer, had relieved J.

Keith, regular engineer at a point just 12 miles from where his train, Xo. 2, the Ponce de Leon, crashed into Xo. 101, the Royal Palm. The Ponce dc Leon was loaded i people coming home from Florida for Christmas and the Royal Palm was bound from Chicago to Florida. A statement issued at the chief (Continued on Page Twelve) pilal authorities as saying that Hassell would survive his self-inflicted wounds.

A dispatch from the Xew's Farwell correspondent says (bat clothing of the family was found packed in four and a suit case in the Hassell ranch house. It was stated that the authorities are now working on a theory that Hassell's brother, whose widow the man now charged with murder married, did not die a natural death. As Hassell was being questioned by officers, he is said to have stabbed himself with a pocket knife. Ho was brought to a hospital. Hart Deranged.

Police were called to the farm by anonymous reports that Hassei; had been acting strangely and thai his family, whom he announced (Continued on Paee Twelve) WEATHER OUTLOOK GROT FILLS Mexico City. --Santa Claus delt unkindly with the employes of the Mexican government this Christmas. Instead of a bonus, everybody from President Calles' cabinet ministers and army commanders down to the humblest porter will get a cut in pay of at least five and perhaps ten per cent. The decreases arc a further step in the government's program of economy. San Juan, Porto Rico.

--Santa Claus for the first time in many years will fail to bring the December pay checks to insular government employes. Slow collections of taxes, together with requirements for interest on bonds and the retirement of an issue of bonds on the first of the year, have resulted in the treasury lacking sufficient funds for early payment of December salaries. Washington. --Wounded heroes of the World war in the Walter Reed hospital received a Christmas gift from school children--24 trees laden i presents and candy. The trees are presented annually to the hospital by the children of a Chevy Chase, N.

school. Each class takes a hand in the gift, the older boys cutting down the trees, the manual training classes making the bases for them and the girls in the cooking classes making candy. Stockholm, --Christmas cheer Sweden includes extra allowances of "Brannvin" or Swedish brandy. The governmental liquor monopoly is allowing its customers to buy an extra litter during the holidays. This privilege is limited, however, to those whose regular allowance is less than the maximum of four litters a month.

Buttc, Dec. Union cafe of Hcadcrville, a suburb of Buttc, was raised by fire today a caused damage estimated at $10,000. The cafe was one of the old landmarks of the suburb. "I he cause of the fire could 1 not be determined. Great Falls, Dec.

24-- said by authorities to have been caused by an incendiary last night, did damage tentatively estimated at between $25,000 and J60000 to the icw Blue Moon cafe, winch was to be opened next Wednesday night. WOMAN DEAD, SON SHOT, AFTER ROW Spiingfield, Dec. were searching the Orark liills today for a trace of Richard Lawrence, 40, a farmer, residing five miles northeast of Protein, Tancy county, who yesterday shot and' killed Mrs L. A i 40, widow and neighbor, and seriously wounded her only son, Clmc, 19, in a dispute over rented land. BROTHER HELD IN HALTERMAN CASE Washington, Dec.

B. Sacaea, leader of the liberal faction in Nicaragua, who claims the of that republic, together wrth his cabinet and army, have been ordered by American naval authorities to leave Puerto Cabezas, his headquarters, by 4 o'clock tomorrow, Dr. T. S. Vaca, his confidential agent here, was advised tonight.

The orders were that if Sacasa and his forces did not leave the city they would be disarmed, said a telegram to Dr. Vaca, from Rodolfo Es- piniso, minister of foreign affairs in Sacasa's cabinet. The message said that American marines from the cruisers, Cleveland and Denver, had 1 landed at Puerto Cabezas and charged the executive residence of Dr. Sacaza after which the orders were issued. A protest against the landing was made in the telegram, Espinosa declaring "that this abuse of force against a small and weak but dignified country, has been made without motive of justification, because in no way arc American lives and property endangered." --President Diaz narrowly escaped assassination last night.

Two men armed with knives or machcts attacked the presidential ATTEMPT ON DIAZ. Managua, Nicaragua, Dec. THINK ALL TO GET THEIR LIBERTY Landau, Germany, Dec. Guillaumat, commander of the French forces in the Rhincland, today granted Christmas, pardons to Ilerr Kegel and Herr Fcchtcr, two of six Germans who were given jail sentences by a French court- martial in the Roucicr case. It is expected here that the president will pardon the other four Germans.

(Continued on Page Two) COOUDGES ENTERTAIN AT CAPITAL WITH CAROLS MYSTERIOUS KILLING IN IOWA Council Bluffs, Dec. mysterious stranger was sought tonight in an 'effort to solve the death of Mrs. J. E. Berard, 41, wife of the Burlington railroad passenger agent here, whose body, with a shirt twisted around her neck, was found wedged between the furnace and wall the basement of her home.

The stranger angle was given by Robert Moore, railroad man and roomer at the Berard home. Moore said as he left yesterday, he noticed Mrs. Berard was in the parlor, talking to a man whom she introduced as "Mr. Williams." The man was rather poorly dressed and appeared between 30 and 40 years old- Members of the Berard family could shed no light ort the stranger's identity. A daughter, Evelyn, 19, a student nurse, said she had found evidence in the basement that the assailant had attempted to stuff the body into the furnace.

"Washington, Dec. (AP)-- The nation lifted its Toice as a "choir inTisibler 7 tonight rrith President and Mrs. Coolldge listening and singing at the White Honse to usher in the 1926 Christmas to the solemnly inspiring strains of old time carols. With millions of voices raised "in song in every quarter ot the country, It was the first iiatlon-wide yule tide celebration under radio guidance. The choir of Central Congregational church at Brooklyn, of which Dr.

S. Parkes; Cadman is pastor, broadcasting 'between 10:30 o'clock and midnight, orer an extensive radio chain, provided the leadership that attracted singers from coast to coast. Beginning of the celebration in Washington, which llto most ot the country, could look forward only to a rainy, snowy Christmas, rather than a was left to President Coolidge--the lighting of the community yule tree planted near the treasury. Marine hand (Continued on Page Twelve) Stockton, Dec. than a score of people are believed to be seriously injured, sonic perhaps fatally, while many others miraculously escaped injury and pos- death when a northbound automobile strfgc crashed into the end 1 of the Ripon bridge near here, and plunged 40 feet into a ravine bc- and turned over twice, reports received bv I tonight av.

Virtually every available sher- i from Modesto, south of icre, and ambulances from Stockton and Modesto were summoned to care lor the -victims of the crash. According to Modesto sheriff's deputies, 30 people aboard the car. I The action of a French courtmar- tial last Tuesday, in a i i Lieut. Roucicr of the French army of the charge of manslaughter in connection with the killing of a German civilian at Gcrmershcim last September, at the same time sentencing six Germans to prison for attacking Roucicr caused much indignation in Berlin. The German eminent forwarded protests both to the French nicnt and to the inter-allied Rhineland commission BRITISH COLUMBIA PROFITS BY LIQUORS Victoria, B.

Dec 2 4 (ff)-British Columbia today reported profits of $147COfX)0 for five years and three of provincial liquor sales. Judge Holloway Leaves an Estate of $60,000 DPO 2 4 A Intosiat Hollonay, associate 1 left no i that a he i prtiUnn. A Snow in West but Middle States Get Cold Snap at Present Chicago, Dec. 2 4 (AP)--Santa Claus' a a pilgrimage to the middle west is without sleigh bells In Chicago, where he deposited contenis of a 5100,000,000 pack, there was not a of snow for the runnel's of his sleigh and none nas expected tomorrow the en- tiro forecast district of a d.ozen states, except in the upper Great iakea region Instead, the merry gentleman's isit was ushered by a moderate cold and temperatures in the middle west tntiight ranged down to JO above zero, i the zero line running alons the boundary. Fair and cold weather was the general forecast.

Snow AVest. To the Tirst and north, there was olenty of Fnoir. however, and the change for historical sleigh to the modern means of transportation did not line to be made until 'Wiscon- was reached. Heavy snow was remarked in southeastern. Minnesota and St.

Nicholas was welcomed In St. Paul by a carpet of 12 inches. The weather map presented such a mottled appearance that the best that could be predicted for the holiday season throughout the great central area was "frequent alterations in temperature and occasional precipitation." PEOPLE OF LONDON IN NEED OF COAL i i of the supreme court of i of lu.s death, rcUtes peti- tana, ho died at Long i i Win. b. a Judge 1 London, Dec.

frosty wcH.the such as England seldom has for Christmas, for the yalctidc i a But the cold, i otherwise might be welcome as suitable for the holiday, is a misfortune for London for it conies at a time of coal famine and a renewal of long coal queues recalling the ra- Dec. 11, 192n an estate of ap- I a w.is a icMrient of UallaUn Washingtnn Court House, Dec. Leo JfaUerman, a half- of i I i a wlm proximatrly $00.000, consisting of county. Krai estate In Bozeman ron- brotner ot Uins a a who, UozPman islPd of improved property valued with his wife, was slam vcstcrday, sonal in Helena, a i a 510,500: estate was arrested today and is being held jj to a petition filed in the dis-' sharps of in for questioning. I': '-1 have had a quarrel last Monday night.

iimg times of war. THEK STILL Rome, Decv. the brazen-tongued bells heralded the beginning of the midnight Christmas mass over the seven hills of the eternal city, Pope Pius in the Vatican and the people of Rome hi their 20 score churches kneeled in joyful celebration of the birth of Christ. Every house of worship -was crowded, while beyond the Tiber, in his private chapel, surrounded by his household and a few friends, the i prayed in unison with them. He is reported to tnct tod.iy, asking that ous tone-Til-: ca? 1 i his arllslo G.

Kcnion be appointed ad- Brink Tn.st con France Takes Steps to Stabilize Its Currency in the Union mpany a i inmistratnr. Judge Hollow.iy i and other due from state, aie i in the, assets. The hri 5 law are the children, Tinor Holloway Jones, 25, Boston; Wir. L. Hollcwav, 23, San Fran- nco, and John Marshall Hollaway, 17, Helena.

Paris, Dec. 24. (AP) Frenchlelther to take or sell dollars arul trade received an acceptable Christ- pounds to any a the speculators wanted to buy or unload. IN COMING WEEK mas rcsent today in the form ot a FREES A BOY WHO SOUGHT HIS LIFE Close Canyon of Cash to Cheer Worthy Poor Reliable information is that the 1 Vienna, Dec. steadied franc.

Taking the situation I government intends for the. moment Ce 0 Ignaz Sienel. who was seri- Northern Rocky mountain hand on Wednesday, the Bank of HO keep the pound between 121 and woun ded by a would-be as- encrallv fair except unsettled weath- Franco and the French treasury sue- IZ3 francs and the dollar at around 19 hag fl 'cecded in two days in putting the 25 franco. This is taken as indicat- i I PPCQCU in I WO Uilj a HI i i i i i i i i i i i a i i i i i i cr and occasional snows west ot Con-1 crecench mt a uy solid i that 1 stabilization will about the release from prison tmental divide, rather cold in Mon-1 ground through the Mmple an- tana Monday and Tuesday, Inouncement that they were ready be in the neighborhood of these his assailant, figures. worker.

of a young factory New York, Dec. street, connected in the popular mind more with the clink of gold and the cha.ttcr of stock tickers, than i more human sounds, resounded today with the chanting of Christmas carols. Following the example of the rest of the city, denizens of the "canyon of cash" turned from their routine business habits to pay respects to the season- A. Christinas tree decorated with electric lights and topped with a blazing star, was laden with gifts for poor children and occupied the street in front of stock exchange. The stock exchange, which erect- NEWSPAPER! ed the tree, closed its business schedule at noon.

Then amid the chimes of Trinity church, which ushered tit the holiday season, its members joined with the crowds about the tree to distribute the gifts to the poor of the neighborhood and take in the singing of carols. The curb exchange also joined in the holiday spirit with a Christmas tree for poor children and added its voices to the chorus of those observing the season. At, other points of the city, Times Square, Madijoii Square and the various hospiUlj, trees were erected, gifts distributed and carols chanted. rWSPAPER!.