The Daily Mail from Hagerstown, Maryland • Page 1

DAY BY DAY The County Girl Scout Council is observing National Girl Scout Week this week with a series of interesting Mail. WEATHER Fair and continued cool tonight, with heavy frost tomorrow; fair and riting temperature tomorrow. VOL. CX. No.

254. daily Sumday) th. Mail Co. Entered second-class at tht HAGERSTOWN, MONDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1938. SINGLE COPIES 3 CENTS Scientists Record Slayer's Heart Beats During Execution WIRES HOOKED TO HIS WRISTS CARRIED BE ATS Slayer Of Businessman In Holdup Goes To Death Be- fore Firing Squad Pleads Guilty SALT LAKE CITY, Oct.

31 AL firing squad executed John W. Peering at dawn today in state pris- on while an electro-cardiograph re- corded probably for the first time the action of the human heart pierc- Ed by bullets. Deering, who had sought in every way to speed his death and who participated willingly in the scien- tific experiment to determine how his heart would beat after be- ing struck, wa.s calm to the end. The five man firing squad was given the order to fire at 6 4 a. M.

S. and at 3 a. m. Deer- ing was pronounced dead in expia- tion for. the May 9 holdup murder of Oliver R.

Meredith. Salt Lake City businessman. There were ominous clouds against the pale sky over the moun- tains as Deering was led quickly from his cell block and strapped in his chair against a prison wall. Electric wires attacked to his wrists carried his last heart beats to a delicate machine. Scientists began an immediate sutdy of the re- cord but said it would be a number of hours before they could announce any findings.

One Gun Not Loaded. Utah is the only state in the Un- ion now using a firing squad. Con- victed men are given the alterna- tive of this or hanging. One of the five rifles used is loaded with a blank. The five marksmen who acted as executioners were recruited by (Continued on Page 12) PARCEL POST CELEBRATION Silver Jubilee Of Found- ing Will Be Observed In November.

HUGE PARADE, MYSTIC REVEL Cantrel Tells Constituents To Vote For Byron And Feel Secure Montgomery Countian Pays Glowing Tribute To Democratic Candidate For Congress And Urges All To Rally To His Support. Monster Alsatia Club Festivi- ties Expected To Make History Mrs. Florence Peters. SS-year-old farm wife and mother of four chil- dren pleaded guilty to charges of murder and attempted murder in superior court in Madison, after she reportedly confessed she poisoned her first husband eight years.ago and tried to do away with her second husband in the same manner several months ago. Sus- picion that she had killed her first husband, John Kessenich, arose last July when her second husband, John Peters, AVHS taken violently ill.

She lived near kee, Wis. the village of Wauna- Accordiug to Superstition, witch- es are making their final trial flights; hobgoblins are dancing un- der the Hunters' Moon and every- body is ready for the IStli annual Alsatia Club's Mummers Parade and frolic tonight, the mystic night of the year. Grownups and toddlers and all between will descend upon Hagers- town from miles around in swarms to join in the revelry that Hal- lowe'en brings through the med- ium of a concentration of beauty, color and comedy in a bewildering and sinuous parade in which thous- ands will participate. The prediction of fair weather will enhance the attractiveness of the festivities and help to make history for Hagerstown's outstand- ing event, one of the largest of its character in the East. The Parade The parade will start promptly at o'clock with an aerial bombard- ment.

The march will be' headed by State and City police, followed by "The Colors" Company Maryland National Guard. Next in line will be an automobile carrying Mayor Elgin and General Parade Chairman W. Reefer Bower. The parade will form not later than 7:30 o'clock, but all persons (Continued on Page 12) In calling recently on the voters of Montgomery county to rally on November 8 to the support of Wil- liam D. Byron for Congress, Joseph A.

Cantrel, of Chevy Chase, whom Mr. Byron defeated for the nomina- tion in the September primary, paid one of the finest tributes a loser could accord a winner Declaring his hat was' off to "Bill" Byron, "his worthy conqueror," Mr. Cantrel asked his friends and neighbors throughout Montgomery county and the district to give 'Bill' Byron their vote at the election and then sit back in complete confi- dence and feel absolutely secure that they have rested their cause in good hands. The occasion of the tribute Was a rousing county-wide rally in Rock- Mr. Cautrel paid the same tribute on three occasions last week" at rousing rallies in Rockville, Bethes- da and Silver Springs.

He presided at the rallies and introduced the Washington countian. On each oc- casion he reviewed Mr. Byron's splendid record in public life and characterized him as a man pos- sessed of talents particularly adapt- ed to public service. 'Bill' is a doer of things, and not a boasting individual--and his modesty has endeared him to the peoples of our district His un- bounded popularity is immediately evidenced by the very splendid testimonial given him by the vot- ters of his own, Was-hington Coun- ty, in the recent primaries," he de- clared. Continuing he said: "My friends and neighbors of (Continued On Page 12) F1RJOVES TO PREVENT A RAILSTR1KE Calls Representatives Of Rail- roads And Labor To Con- sider Program THOUGHT END HAD COME TWO KILLED IN AUTO CRASH Wife And Granddaughter Of Edward L.

McClannahan Meet Death Public participation in the cele- bration oC the Silver Jubilee of the Parcel Post system during the month of November is asked in a statement issued today by Acting Postmaster Thomas M. Simpson. The public is asked to participate by making greater use of the pos- tal facilities at their command and particularly greater use of the par- cel post system. In his statement. IUY.

Simpson points out that the Parcel Post System, of which Congressman David J. Lewis is universally ac- claimed as the founder, was inaug- urated in 10i: with only 2f post- offices extending the service. To- day the Parcel Post System is the largest single business in the world. Also today 45,000 postofllccs sup- ply the service as do 35,000 rural routes covering a distance each day of 1,280,000 miles. Receipts of the system arc enormous.

During November the local post- office will join in the nation-wide celebration with local employes ex- plaining the far (lung services Uncle Sam extends through the postal system and urging the pub- lic 1o make greater use of the sys- tem. Child Burned To Death In Heater COLUMBUS. Oct. 31 Burial was arranged today for three-months-old Priscilla Ann Turner, who Police Captain J. T.

Spence said was burned to death when placed in a coal heater. Spence said Mrs. Lucile M. Adams, middle-aged widow, placed the baby in the heater at her home where the infant's mather, Mrs. T.

E. Turner, rented living quarters. Mrs. Turner told officers she left the baby with Mrs. Adams Satur- day at the latter's request, and left the room.

Hearing screams, she rushed back and dragged the child from the fire, but it died later. Police Chief J. W. Satterfleld said Mrs. Adams probably would be given a.

lunacy hearing. He said she was being held on a charge of murder. DESPONDENT, HE BURNS HIMSELF NEW YORK. Oct. SI pondent because he was unable to bring his young wife here from Poland, Philip Maziraka.

22, lock- ed himself in his car. Detective Ed. Fitzgerald said, sprayed the interior with several cans of gasoline and then ignited it. A passerby broke a window in the car and dragged the youth out but. he died of burns several hours later in a hospital last night.

Police said Maziraka had work- ed for a lire-proofing concern. Immunize Many From Diphtheria Schick Tests Being Made Available For First Grade Pupils. Scores of children in the first grades of the public schools of Ha- gerstown and Washington County have received the Schick test for diphtheria during the last week. The immunization was made available by the Health Depart- ment after a number of cases of diphtheria and one death occurred here this month. All of the cases were among children of pre-school age who had not been immunized.

About 20,000 school children in the city and county were immunized over a period of three years by the Health Department, with the members of the Washington Coun- ty Medical Society assisting. No case of diphtheria has developed in this group. A number of children entering school for the first time this fall had been immunized at the pre- school clinics. It is to protect those children who did not take advan- tage of the test last summer that the tests are now being made avail- able. The tests are made with the written consent of the parents.

There have been no cases of diph- theria reported here during the last week. Mrs. Seawillow McClannahan, wife of Edward L. McClannahan, of San Antonio, formerly of Williamsport, and their grand- daughter. Seawillow Grace Hardie, were killed in an automobile acci- dent at San Antonio on Saturday, according to a telegram received by Samuel L.

McClannahan, of Wil- liamsport, from his brother. The message contained no details of the accident, which is believed to have happened in or near San Antonio. Miss Hardie was aged about 15 years. Further details of the- tragedy are expected to be re- ceived by Mr. McClannahan's rela- tives soon.

Mrs. McClannahan is survived by her husband and a Mrs. Grace Hardie, who lives with her parents. She has a son, Jack Hardie. Mr.

McClannahan is division pas senger agent for the Southern Pacific Railroad, a position he has held for some time. He began his railroad career as a telegraph oper ator for the Western Maryland Railroad at Wililamsport and latei was in the company's service in Hagerstown. He went to Texas number of years ago. and has lived there since. TWO WOMEN DIE IN AUTO CRASH BALTIMORE, Oct.

31 Washington (D.C.) women were ailed early today in a motor car rash into a tree near Suitland, Vlaryland. They were Mrs. Helen Vaccaro, 22, of 222 Eleventh street, south- ast, and Mrs. Anna Vaccaro, 48, of the same address. Bladensburg police reported the ar was driven by Vincent Vaccaro, husband of the younger woman, who said he was blinded by lights of an approaching car.

CHARLTON ROAD IS ABOUT READY The Charlton Road, a farm-to- market W. P. A. project, has been completed and is ready for oiling and chipping, which will he started tomorrow. The road was rebuilt from Charlton station to the Poto- mac river, a distance of about two miles.

TO ADDRESS CONVENTION. Dr. W. Ross Cameron, city-coun- ty health olliccr, has been invited i week to address the convention of the West Virginia State Depart- ment of Health, which is meeting in Bluetteld. W.

Va. His subject will be "(general Public Health." WEATHER 0. 8. Wfnthrr Rarcxv Maryland: Fair and continued cool tonight, with light frost in central phrtion and heavy to kill- ing frost in extreme west portion; Tuesday fair i sUnvly tempera tnro. Chesapeake Bay: Fair and con tinned oool tonight; Tuesday fair slowly rising temperature; TIP ON FIRE BEST OF WEEK HONEYMOON SPECIAL TERRE HAUTE.

Oct. 3, --Mestre K. Radicali, 21-year-old Robles, cafe owner, rode miles on a motorcycle to mar- ry Miss Georgia Taylor, here. For a honeymoon they planned a return trip to California--on the motorcycle. Local Boy Was Aboard Plane WASHINGTON, Oct.

31 President Roosevelt took personal charge today of efforts to effect a peaceful settlement of the critical railroad wage dispute. The Chief Executive called rep- representatives of rail management and labor to the White House to consider some long-range program to aid the carriers. Of immediate importance, how- ever, was the 15 per cent wage re- duction ordered by the roads for Dec. 1 and the threat of almost 000,000 rail workers to strike if the cut is carried out. Ttie President's emergency rail- road investigating board recom- mended Saturday that the railroads withdraw their notices of the re- duction, which would slip 000 annually from their payrolls.

Before the White House confer- ence, there was no indication whe- ther the roads would accept' the recommendation. A committee ot the carriers' executives was asked to meet during Its chair- man, H. A. Enochs, said the wage (Continued on Page 12) A well known volunteer fire- man burst into police headquar- ters last night and in a hysteri- cal voice informed the sergeant at the desk that the end had come, that New York and New Jersey were being attacked. He had been listening to the too realistic drama at a near- by fire hall.

In one home here, it wag re- ported that a woman fainted and was revived with difficulty. Two telephone girls who were listen- ing to the program said today that despite the fact that they heard the announcer say it was only fiction, it was so real to them that they too became fright- ened. Telephone calls swamped po- lice headquarters and the local newspaper office for hours the broadcast of H. G. Wells' "War of the Worlds" had been completed.

This morning a housewife phoned the Daily Mail and told of her sensations while listen- ing to the drama and inquired if something couldn't be done to prevent such programs. She was informed that an investigation had been started in Washington. THOUSANDS IN PANIC DURING BROADCAST Federal Communications Commission Begins An Investigation Listeners Believed From Mars Were At- tacking Country. WUCHOW FALLS TO JAP ARMIES DRIVER HELD AFTER CRASH A resident of Chambevsburg wins last week's news tip first prize for his tip on the church fire in that town, which he phoned in. The second prize is.

divided on tips on two accidents, one from a West Washington street resident on the serious injuries sustained by a. former local resident, in Wash-1 ington. and a tip from an East street resident on the a wounding of a W. P. A.

worker. Tips are accepted by the Daily Mail each week day from 7:30 a. moderate to fresh northerly winds. Jin, until 1:30 m. Raymond W.

Forry Faces Charges After Crash Near Middleiown. Raymond. W. Forry, 24, this city, sustained a fractured collar bone Saturday when his automobile ran off the road two miles west of Mid- dletown, and struck a pole. State Officer T.

A. Short, who investigated, entered the charges of driving while under the influence of liquor and reckless driving against Forry, for which he was jailed 'for a hearing in default ot $100 collateral, after treatment at the Frederick hospital. Claude Roof Is Membei Crew Of Big Navy Flying Boat. Claude Roof, who for many years was a member of the crew of the Akron, all-fated U. S.

Navy dirig- ible, and who is a member of the crew of the giant new Navy boat which made a remarkable non-stop flight across the continent last week, spent the week end with his parents. Mr. and Mrs. Frank R. Roof, 500 block -of West Franklin street.

Mr. Roof, who has been with the U. S. Navy for 11 years, was trans- ferred to the heavier-than-air branch of the Navy after the Akron fell into the Atlantic ocean off New Jersey in a storm. Roof was not aboard the dirigible that night.

He was selected recently of a member of the select crew which brought the big plane across the United States from San Diego, Cal. President Franklin D. Roose- velt viewed the new flying boat Saturday on its stop at Washing- ton. WEDDING GIFT SLAYER DIES Miner Goes To Chair Af- ter Execution Delayed Seven Times. BELLEFONTE, Oct.

.31, (ff). --With a prayer on his lips, An- tonio Peronace, 36-year-old coal miner, paid with his life in the elec- tric chair at Rockview penitentiary early today in expiation for the "wedding gift" slayings of his wife and father-in-law. He was sentenced May 12, 1937, for killing his bride of six months, Mary, and her father, Vito Mariello, of Kulpmont, Pa. The execution had been postponed seven times. At his trial Peronace testified his father-in-law broke up tbe mar- riage and with his wife demanded that he return a bedroom suite that Mariello had given the couple as a wedding present.

In the argument that followed Mariello and his daughter were fatally wounded. Fifteen Election Appeals Are Filed Fifteen election appeals have been filed to date with the Clerk of Court and all will be heard Sat- urday morning at 10 o'clock, it was announced today. Chief Judge D. Lindley Sloan will hear the ap- peals. The appeals are taken from the action of registers of voters in striking off the names of voters.

Petitioners include D. Angle fmger, Flora B. Taylor, Frances Kline, Crace Summer and C. Sturgis. Dayton Schools Remain Closed Students Start Holiday As Controversy Heads For Court Test.

DAYTON, Oct. 31 The controversy over closing Dayton's city schools headed a court showdown today as 34,000 pupils started the first day of an indefinite holiday which may end tomorrow or Jan. 1. The president of the Board of Ed- ucation joined his dissenting vice- president, Richard L. Withrow, in a view that the Board's order dis- missing the pupils and 1,300 teach- ers and other employes Friday be- cause of lack of operating funds and a $61,000 deficit was insup- portable.

With a statement that he now un- derstood that state financial aid was available, President Frank W. Miller reversed himself on last Wednesday's decision and said, "If I had known then what I know now, I would not have supported the or- der." He indicated he might ask the Board to reconsider. Winthrow, who obtained a tem- porary injunction against the clos- ing Saturday announced that any attempt to have it vacated would be met with a request for an im- mediate ruling holding Superintend- ent merson Landis in contempt of court. Five other board members dis- closed that they had requested City Attorney Herbert S. Beane to de- fend the board today in ignoring the injunction.

Gateway To Kwangsi Province Being Evacuated As In- vaders Push On NARROW MARGIN Republican Leader CANTON, Oct. 31, in- land port of Wuchow, gateway to Kwangsi province was being eva- cuated today under pressure of Japanese aerial bombardments which were believed to be a prelude to a Japanese drive in that direc- tion. Wuchow, 90 miles west of Canton and terminus for ocean going ves- sels of the West River, is a large trading center and distributing point for northern Kwangsi, south- ern Hunan and Kweichow pro- vinces. The Japanese also were driving northward from Canton. acknowledged the invaders had cap- tured Kwangmoon, about 80 miles north of the fallen metropolis, bui said 300 Japanese had been killed northeast of Tsiingfa, about 50 miles from Canton.

Pupils Killed. Japanese warplanes were inten- sively bombing Tsingyun, 45 miles north of Canton, and Yuyuan, 70 miles farther to the north. Chinese said 34 grade school pupils were killed at Large forces of Chinese peasant militia were reported to have been massed along the West and North rivers, definitely checking Japa- nese advance forces near Tsingyun. Foreign military observers, how- ever, expressed the belief the re- sistance still was irregular and dis- organized. Canton continued deserted eight days after the Japanese occupation and there were no signs that the populate intended to return immed- iately.

Sporadic rifle and machine- gun fire still could be heard as Japanese soldiers pursued looters, WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 The Federal Communications Commission began an investi- gation today of a dramatic ra- dio broadcast which led some people to believe last night that men from Mars had at- tacked the United States. Chairman Frank P. McNinch, asked the Columbia Broadcasting system to furnish the commission with an electrical transcription of the broadcast, a dramatized ver- sion of H. G.

Wells' imaginative story "War of the Worlds." Any broadcast that creates such general panic and fear as this one is reported to have done is, to say the least, regrettable," McNinch said. Some women listeners to the broadcaefe-faintedr- Others hecairie hysterical. Thousands believed the drama to be authentic news re- ports. McNinch told reporters that He had received many telephone calls last night about the" broadcast, hut that the commission had received only ten telegrams, all protesting 1 it, this forenoon. NEW YORK, Oct.

31 Thou- sands or terror-stricken radio lis- teners throughout the country fled from their homes last night when. they tuned in on a series of synthe- tic news broadcasts which depict- ed the beginning of an interplafle- tary war. The simulated news bulletins, which accompanied a C.B.S. drama- tization of H. G.

Wells' fantasy, "The War of the World," became so realistic that they sent a wave of mass hysteria across the con- tinent. The broadcast was intend- ed only as fiction. Explanatory announcements dur- ing the program, between and 9 p.m., were overlooked by thousands who were led to believe that a poi- son gas expedition had arrived from Mars and was spreading death and destruction over the New York metropolitan area. Demands for an investigation (Continued on Page 2) Arrests Ordered In To Vote Democratic I Marriage Of Girl, 10 CORRIGAN MAGIC MILWAUKEE, Oct. 31, "Watch me pull a tack out ot my mouth," said Jerome Gatchell.

7, to a companion as they walked to school. The companion watched and wait- ed. Jerome gulped and looked startled. An X-ray showed the tack lodged in his stomach. KANSAS CITY, Oct.

31, (ff). For more than a year William J. Walker, stationed on the U. S. S.

San Francisco at Long saved and sent money to Miss Elizabeth Blanchard to finance their wedding and a trip back to the coast. Walker arrived and Miss Blan- chard drew the money from the ROCKVILLE, Oct. B. Mellen, one of the most active Republican workers in Montgomery county, recently elected president of the Young Republican Club of the county, has announced his resig- nation as president of the club and declared in an open letter that he intended to support the Democratic I candidates in the coming election. Mi'.

Mellen's letter of resignation set forth his observations of the poor record and favoritism in office of the Republican Party. PANGBORN PARK WORK SPEEDED Work has been started at Pang- bank. Later it disappeared born park on two small buildings, a comfort station and a skating shel- ter, which will be built of native stolen by a sr.eak thief The couple went ahead with the wedding, but they found they had only to finance their trip to California. Walker still is trying to figure a way. PRESTONSBURG, Ky.

Oct. 31 County Judge Edwin P. PI ill today signed warrants for Fleming Tackett, 34, his childbride, Rose, and Tackett's mother-in-law, Mrs. Grace Columbus. The warrant against Tackett, charged the miner with rape.

Rosie, who was reported as "under 14" in a second warrant, wag charged with being a delinquent child growing up in "idleness and crime." Medical records in Johnson county show Rosie is 10 years old. Mrs. Columbus was charged in the third warrant with conspir- ing with Ttackett "in the crime of rape upon the person of 'Rosie Co- lumbus." Judge Hill said officers went to the cabin in the hills near here early today but found no one there. Hill said the Tacketts and Mrs. Columbus were reported to have are also being erect- gone to Paintsville in adjoining Johnson county and that Floyd county officers had taken the war- rants there.

O'Conor Making Windup Drive Centering His Effort! In Baltimore And County; NiceOn'Sho. BALTIMORE, Oct. 31 Democratic candidates for state- wide offices brought their campaign into Baltimore today while RepuV" lican forces led by Governor Nice stayed oa the Eastern Shore for a wind-up tour of Wicomico county. Led by gubernatorial nominee Herbert R. O'Conor, the Demo- crats met the State Central Com- mittee for Baltimore county at Towson today and proceeded on a tour of the county, the beginning of an intensive last-week drive for Baltimore City and county votes.

Governor Nice and the Repub- licans are expected to invide the Metropolitan area this week too, after today's tour on the Eastern Shore and a rally tonight at Salis- bury, where O'Conor spoke Satur- day. HIT BY AUTO, ANKLE BROKEN stone. I Bleachers I ed overlooking the tennis courts. It, is planned to use the lake for skating this winter. Alvin Strock, 36, Vine street, admitted to the hospital early morning for a broken ankle ant- tained when struck by the automo- bile operated by O.

Baker of 100 block of West Franklin street. Police are investigating the dent..