Jefferson City Post-Tribune from Jefferson City, Missouri • Page 1

Net Paid Circulation November 1930 10,162 Full Leased Wire of the Associated Press rifame Member of Audit Bureau of Circulation FINA1 I I If VVOLUME 65, NO. 281 JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1930 J. C. PilPS WTEIPIS TO LIFE AFTER EMBEZZLEMENT Fires Bullet In His Head and Is Taken To Hospital, But the Wound Is Not Expected To Prove Fatal. HE ROBBED TO COVER SHORTAGE Taking Money From Produce House of Which He Was Proprietor--Has Wife and Seven Children.

Revolting at the ignominy of arrest and trial on an embezzlement charge J. C. Phelps, manager of the Davis- Cleaver 'Produce Company, 200 Broadway, shot himself in the head with a 22 calibre rifle- shortly before 7 o'clock this morning. He will recover. Calling central over the telephone Phelps said "somebody is being murdered down here," and then put the small rifle to his temple and pulled 'the trigger.

The cartridge failed bo explode and Phelps reloaded the weapon and fired again. This time the bullet glanced from the skull and creased the side of his head inflicting a scalp wound. The telephone operator called the police who found Fhelps slumped a chair. He was taken to the hospital for treatment. Feared Winter The attempted suicide climaxed a series of embezzlements, followed a confssion that he had robbed the place in order to cover his defalcations.

Phelpc in. is the father of seven children the youngest of whom is only 22 months old. He was in the dairy business here for a number of years and was regarded as an honest and industrious citizen. Last week Phelps reported to the police that the produce store had been robbed while he was at luncheon and while his assistant Ernst Stewart had stepped into the yard to get some chickens. Stewart said he was out of the place less than two minutes.

He told the police no one was around the place at the time. He said he had gone into the yard in response to a telephone order from a restaurant. The call was never traced and the restaurant reported to have phoned the order said no such call had been placed. Police -Suspicious Working on the theory that too little time elapsed between Stewart's trip to the yard and his return to the store for anyone to have entered the place and escaped with the money the police labeled it an "inside job." They questioned Stewart and Phelps at length. Stewart was quickly absolved.

Sunday morning Phelps was again called to police station and Chief of Police Parker accused him of the theft. Phelps broke down and confessed Reaching into his sock he produced the cash. He said the checks al- to have been taken were 'dummies" placed in the cash box T-. to cover up his defalcations. He said a large number of credit slips deposited in the drawer to cover cash withdrawals he had made from to time were burned by him immediately after reporting the 'daylight robbery." Funds Ha said he had been short of money for months and "borrowed" from the company.

Facing a bleak winter with a prospect of a reduction in wages or perhaps even the loss of his job Phelps had hoped to meet his bills by embezzlement which he hoped to cover with the robbery story. He was taken before J-ustice Leslie charged with embezzlement and upon waiving preliminary hearing was bound over to the circuit court the sum of $500. Fred O. Schwarzburg sent here from Illinois to investigate the alleged rpbHery told the police he had no desire to insist upon punishing Phelps if he made good the defalcations. He readily agreed to recommending a parole when the man faced Judge Stilwell in Circuit Court this morning.

Will Recover Phelps left his home shortiy after 6 o'clock this morning. Members of his family said he appeared to be morosa and dejected. He had written a note in which he called attention to $9,000 in life insurance Tjrtuch he hoped would repay the and keep his family from rwant during the winter. He asked Vheir forgiveness but wrote that he could not face the world branded as a felon. At the hospital he said to Chief Parker, "I wish my aim had been better." He was to be closely guarded during his convalescence.

Phelps had been in the produce business here for a short time. Bad luck had pursued him for several years. The dairy business at which he worked from early morning until late at night prospered for a short time and then slumped. He lives on the Schumate Chapel Road west of the WATER HAUL BUT ME PLEADS GUILTY Although county officials, who raided his home Sunday did not find liquor "Slewfoot" Robinett is in jail today on a liquor charge. The officers said they had not raided the Robinett premises in the hope of finding liquor but just to satisfy themselves on some other suspicion.

However, a witness' appeared against Robinett and furnished the authorities with information. He was faced with it and when it was suggested that pleas of guilty usually result in leniency he bowed to the inevitable. Judge Smith apparently decided that anything short of a year was lenient and gave him 6 months. The funeral of Mrs. John Riensch who died at the home of her daughter, Mrs.

Martin Haverkortt 1133 West High Street, will be held at the Catholic Church at Koeltztown on Wednesday morning at 9 clock" it was announced today Mrs. Riensch was 72 years old when she died. She was born in Germany, January 19, 1S53 an is survived by three sons and a daughter. They are: Joe Massmann, St Louis, Mrs. Martin Haverkortt, Jef- j.ersoii Cl ty, Ike Massmann, who lives Nebraska and Christ Massmann of Koeltztown.

Three stepchildren also survive. They include- Mrs. Joe Hoedel, Kansas City- Herman Reinsch, Washington, Mo- and Otto St Loais Mrs. st. Elizabeth- until 25 years, ago: Since that time until recently she had made her home at Koeltztown.

Surrounded by 100 relatives including ten sons, three daughters and twenty grandchildren, Mr and Mrs. G. J. Geiger celebrated their golden wedding anniversary at Jamestown, yesterday. Mr Gwger is 76 years of age, and Mrs' Geiger 68.

All but two sons of the couple's children and their families who are now living in Great Pali, Mont and Los Angeles, were pres- The father and mother were presented with $50 in gold to commemorate the occasion. A high tribute was paid to the aged couple bv jRev. Schmidt, followed by a delightful dinner prepared and decorated for the occasion. ETlH IS EM OESTH SPRINGFIELD, Dec fAP--Leonard S. Sanor, Springfield produce man who was killed a Chicago cafe Saturday in a 1 gun fight between a policeman and bandits, was secretly married last Sjptcmber at Port Scott, Kan to Mrs.

Mary Price Williams, employe of a bank here, friends revealed today. Sanor had gone to Chicago lor a business connection and his wife planned to join him there soon She was there today to claim the 8 PAGES BROTH TO 8 YEARS IN Will Serve Time In the Federal Penitentiary At Leavenworth. CRASH INVOLVED $2,000,000 LOSS Fred and William Pleaded Guilty To Mail Fraud. ST. LOUIS, Dec.

1--(AP)--William and Fred Young, investment brokers, who failed last March for approximately $2,300,000, were sentenced today by Federal Judge C. B. Paris to serve six years each in Leavenworth prison for using the mails to defraud. They plead guilty October 30. When the two brothers pleaded guilty the government dismissed similar charges against their younger brother, Harold A.

Young. Sentence was deferred with the approval of prosecutors because of the illness of Mrs. William Young, and the brothers continued at liberty under bonds they furnished last spring. Coming from Oklahoma in 1927, the brothers set up offices in St! Louts and dealt in insurance stocks and other unlisted securities on a small scale. Branching out early in 1929 they sold 12 per cent preferred stock in their own company and in so-called holding companies which they organized until they had offices in 55 cities with customers in many states.

The collapse last March left investors with a total loss of about $2,368,000 including $1,700,000 of worthless preferred shares in Young Bros. and $500,000 worth of other stocks which the company's salesmen sold but did not deliver. The stock had been sold to thousands of people of modest means through glowing accounts of the stocks and, backed by encouraging letters 'from officers' of the company. These letters were used as the basis for the mail fraud indictments. The principal talking point was the dividend of one per cent a month offered by the company, but when the company collapsed its customers learned the dividend had been paid out of their own money.

Are Ordered By Court To Remain Home At Night. TRIED TO TURN NIGHT INTO DAY Presiding Judge Bode Is Present First Time In Month. Inmates of the home for the aged and infirm at Elston must cease running around all hours of the night. Jolin Melcher, the superintendent of the poor farm complained to the members of the court today that some of the inmates insisted upon turning night into day just as the younger generation is doing. Pear- ing that they might have met with harm Melcher has several times searched the woods for missing inmates only to find that they had been gadding about.

Under the order of the court they must remain in the home unless they secure permission from the superintendent to remain out after a certain hour. The court allowed all the paupe" accounts and a number of other bills a brief session today. The court appropriated $50 toward the building of a road near Ceiitertovm Residents had previously subscribed $88.50 toward the improvement Presiding Judge Henry B. Bode was present for the first time more than a month. He did not act strictly according to doctor's orders in coming here but declared he could not remain away duruig-- the last sessions at which he will preside.

He will be succeeded by Judge Hogg January 1. Bode says his health is improved but he must move slowly and cautiously for a tew months'longer. Several Persons Injured and One Man Is Arrested. JAIL SENTENCE FOR A DRIVER R. O.

Nichols Is Charged AVith Doing Much Damage. mm KRIS TOPEKA, Dec. H. Kimmel, former packing company president, went on trial today on a charge of murder in connection with the slaying last March of Roy Kramer, one of his business associates. Selection of a jury was expected to occupy a day or more.

Kimmel, 48, was arrested after Virgil Pointer, packing plant handy man, was said by authorities to have confessed the actual slaying, implicating his employer as the instigator of the crime. Kramer was vice-president of the packing concern with which Kimmel wa associated. After Kramer's death, the concern collected $30 000 under insurance politices on his life. FMHK LOETe HIT 8Y Loethen was struck on the nead by an unknown assailant Saturday nsght. He suffered a badlv and face LooHl did not see his assailant but in- a on are successful he may file a complaint within a day or two.

Weather Forecast Is Pair, Colder Tonight RIVER Flood Stages Stages 7 a. m. Kansas City 21 5.9 Waverly 21 Boonville 2i 6 8 Osceola 2 2 4 0 Warsaw 22 3 6 Hermann 21 5 5 for yesterday. Missouri: Fair an a colder ionfght with cold wave In east central i Tnesday fair, slowly rising; temperature In north portion. Illinois: Fair tonight and Tuesday.

Colder tonight, with cold wave In central portion; slotfly rising temperature Tuesdrvy in north and central portions. Fall 0.5 Fall 0.3 Rise 1.2 Rise 1.4 Rise 0.1 MESTdST Tl OAKLAND, Dec. man with a long criminal record identified by police as the leader of the gang that robbed a Southern Pacific train of 536,000 at Nober Nov 9, was trapped by ten officers in his Oakland home yesterday and shot pft ri nj-hirtn i The averted bandit chieftain was TM ASl alias Fra Ellis, Harris alias 2 h. Police said the. Nobel was only one of a long series of holdups engineered by Smith from Vancouver, B.

to Fresno, As the officers surrounded his home the other four members of I robber ans fled from their hideouts in this vicinity, police SHERIFF IS COILiy DOT Li 1 OKLAHOMA CITY, Dec 1--(AP) --Sheriff c. A. Wages, two deputies and 12 other Tiltman county citizens, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to violate the national prohibitory act. Nine, including V. Rucks, Tiltman county attorney, pleaded not guilty and their trials were begun in federal court.

The deputy sheriffs are Bud Walts and Robert S. Rogers. The cases are the outgrowth of an investigation into an alleged hquor ring in Tiltman county which reached all parts of the sta.te 1 neva McKinney filed suit the Circuit Court today against A. Bryant and Came Bryant to recover moncv she declared is still due her on a judgment of $6,000 she obtained against Bryant a breach of promise suit She alleges full settlement has not been made. CTNCIKNATT, Dec.

men obtained $18,800 in cash today by holding up three employes of a Cincinnati street railway money truck. Police at first were told an American Railway Express Company truck had been robfced. Several persons were injured and one was arrested as the result of a series of axitomobile accidents in and around Jefferson City over the week-end. August Zehender and Jim Todd were cut about the face and head when an automobile in which they were riding struck a guy wire at Atchison and Broadway. The machine was not badly damaged.

A Buick automobile driven by S. S. Sehrimpf, 776 Clark Avenue collided with one of Oberman's trucks at Adams and. McCarty Street this afternoon. Sehrimpf's car was badly damaged but he escaped injury.

Two men whose names were not ascertained were Injured when a truck in which they were riding overturned at the Green Berry road near the home of Attorney General Shartel. Both were cut about the hands and face but their injuries were not serious. When R. O. Nichols appeared in police court this morning to answer a charge of driving while Intoxicated he found two corporations looking to him for settlement of damages.

In his mad ride through the city Nichols had damaged equipment of the Capital City Telephone Company and the Missouri Power and Light Company to the extent of $120. Representatives of the two companies were in police court with itemized bills for the damage. Judge Leslie sentenced Nichols to thirty days in jail with $25 fine. The jail sentence was to be stayed the two-; companies. He said-he had $100 and the injured parties could pro rate it.

This was done. flBHTfllSTWEST TO BE HELD SfflMY The Third Annual Peace Oratorical Contest of the senior colleges of Missouri will be held at the Public Lobrary Saturday, December Gth. Entrants in this contest are representatives from the coleges and University of Missouri, speaking upon some phases of the Peace topic. Each orator is chosen to represent his school as a result of an elimination contest in his own college. The local contest is a part of a nation-wide program sponsored by two sisters in an eastern city who annually contribute $5,000 in prizes for the various state and national contests.

Enrollments are not all In but It is definitely known that the following colleges will be represented: Drury, University of Missouri, Park, Central, William Jewel, Westminster, and Kirksville Teachers' Cil- lege. Governor Caulfield today announced the appointment of Kiehne, of Cape Girardeau as superintendent of schools of Cape Girardeau county, to succeed James McDonald, resigned. The appointment is effective January 1. The governor also announced appointment of Mrs. Gillie Simmons, of Buffalo as county treasurer of Dallas county succeeding Simmons, her former husband.

Mrs' Simmons was recently divorced from her husband, and he resigned ms position, recommending her to succeed him. SOCIETY FLYER IS OFF OH LflSUIP BE KINGMAN, Dec. -Ruth Nichols, society girl of Rye, N. took off at 11:24 a. m.

for Los Angeles on the last lap of her attempt to better Mrs. J. M. Keith- Millers transcontinental flight record for women. KANSAS CTTY, Dec.

1--(AP)-As Missouri Pacific passenger train No. 209 came to a halt here last night at the end of its run from Joplin, M. Laycox, the conductor swung down to the platform into retirement after 46 years of service with the company. Laycox, who has been railroading 48 years of his 70, received a message of congratulations from L. W.

Baldwin president of the Missouri Pacific ILLINOIS El PLflYEB DIES OFJp NECK MONMOUTH, Dec. 1--(AP)-Stanley McConnell, star fullback on the Monmouth College football team who broke his neck durinr the Thanksgiving day game Knox College, died yesterday Santa May Be Qreeted Only by a Few Christmas Floats Santa Claus is coming Thursday evening and he will proceed through the business streets in toe Post-Tribune's Christmas float. How many floats will follow him and compete for the $100 prizes awarded by the Post- Tnbune was still a matter of conjecture today. Apparently top busy with arranging their windows and stocks for the official opening of the Christmas shopping season Thursday evening the merchants have not responded to the parade idea. 0 half a dozen na ve signified their intention of cooperating with the in lending additional color and features to the inauguration of the season.

Several organizations are planning to decorate cars and participate in the parade and compete for the prizes. Seven prizes are to be awarded and unless there is more enthusiasm some of them will R0 beff- ging. The first' prize is $35 But regardless of the parade Santa OJaus will be here on time and will greet the children along the parade route. The work of decorating streets will begin tomorrow. Jefferson City is to have a real festive attire.

It is to be a big evening. PRICE TWO CENTS Prominent Capital City Business Man Dies Early Today. WAS LEADER OF COMMUNITY Leaves Many Friends Church and Civic Circles. In Fred J. Hollerorth, 57, one of the city's best known business men, died shortly before 7 o'clock this morning after a lingering illness of complications.

Mr. Hollerorth hnd been In ill health for several years and underwent a serious operation about two years ago which was believed to have corrected his trouble. He suffered another attack eight weeks ago and since that time his decline had been rapid. Hollerorth was born In Westphalia, April 24, 1873 and came to Jcffei-son City with his parents when a boy 13 years old. After attending school here he secured a position with Charles Czarllnsky where he received his early business training.

Later he associated himself with the late D. C. Weathcrby. In 1920 he formed a partnership with Paul Wischmcler mid the two purchased the store from the Weatherby estntc. Out of respect to the memory of the founder of the store the name was never changed.

A Useful Citizen He was a progressive business man and never hesitated to give of his time and his money to further the interests of the community was his home. He not ostentatious in his work Ixit he was thorough and effective. He was a loving husband and father. He was a consistent member of the Central Evangelical Church into which he was confirmed in 1887. He lived a true Christian life, and was ever mindful of -those-afcjut him; Hd was prominent in church work being a member of the brotherhood antl active in its promotion.

'His life was exemplary and it is no exaggeration to say that Jefferson City is better because of him antl that his life was one of usefulness. His passing is a real loss. Mr. Hollerorth is mourned by his wife, who before their marriage November 23, 1904 was Miss Minnie Opel and two children, Raymond Hollerorth employed iij the Exchange National Bank and Miss Lucille, a stenographer in the State Public Service Commission. Two brothers, Hugo Hollevorth, manager of the Transportation branch of Missouri Power and Light Company in Jefferson City and Walter of Escanaba, and one sister, Mrs.

W. Otte of Chicago, also mourn his passing. He was a member and officer of the Masonic Lodge. The body will be removed to the family home from Ihe Wymore- Gordon parlors tomorrow morning. Services will be conducted at the house at 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon and a half hour later at the Evangelical Church.

Rev. E. W. Berlekamp will conduct the services and the music, will be by the choir of which Mr. Hollerorth was member for more than a score of years.

Burial will be in Riverview cemetery and the Masonic lodge will have charge of the services at the grave. IS TAKEN WILLIK SMITH JS STILL ROSS HUNTER Willie Smith of Creedon's restaurant not only retained his unbroken record of a wild turkey for lx years but pointed out for his hunting partner to topple Smith specializes In turkeys. lie goes hunting once a year niul then only after the rare bird which used to grace the thanksgiving table of the pilgrims "I know where they ure." snld Smith in explanation today "and I do not make it a habll to broadcast nil I know." He will have to enlei-taln his friends nt wild turkey dinner since under the law one is not permitted to sell wild meat. SO.S. GIN OUT TO SMS flT WASHINGTON, Dec.

to permit the government to advance available federal road funds to skites before they are matched by stale appropriations, ns now required, was advocated today by Senator Coupons, Republican Michigan. He announced the plan today sifter a week-end visit to Washington by Governor Green, of Michigan, who was understood at the Capitol to have placed the proposition be- I fore President Hoover. The governor lenrned additional legislation would be required. Governor Gvcn wants some $4,500,00 in federal aid road funds already allocated to Michigan, to be employment. State funds to match those of the government will not be available until June.

Couzcns explained additional appropriations would not be required but merely the advancement of money already appropriated ami awaiting assignment. Governor Green returnee! home alter his conferences. PIPE LINE GO. DIME IK The Pandhandle-Eastern Pipe Line Company today filed a condemnation suit in the Circuit Court against Sylvester H. Dulle.

The company seeks a right-of-way through the Dulle farm for its pipe lines and being unable to reach an agreement with Dulle filed suit to have Judge Stillwcll name a commission of three to fix the damages. The petition was filed on behalf of the company by Irwin and Bushman, Mrs. Oval Roe, a former resident of this city, died at St. Louis Sunday morning of peritonitis. She had been taken to the Christian hospital for treatment.

Mrs. Roe, who before her marriage was Miss Helen Roark, was born in Russellville 21 years ago. She came to Jefferson City five years ago and resided here until about a year ago when she went, to St. Louis to make her home. Besides the lereavcd husband she is mourned by a little daughter, Peggy Louise, her parents, Mr.

and Mrs. John Roark, and one sister, Miss Louise Roark. The body will be brought here to- morow and funeral will take place from the Church of God, at 11 o'clock tomorrow morning. Burial will be In Riverview cemetery. WASHINGTON, Dec.

-There was confusion at the labor department today as Lo who was secretary of labor, if anyone William N. Doak, of Virginia, went through the form of taking the oath of office, with pictures being taken and the other usual formalities carried through. Inquirers were told he was actually secretary of labor- ana his predecessor. Senator-elect James J. Davis, said he (Doak) had "assumed the office." It developed, however, that the resignation of Davis was written to become when he became Senator from Pennsylvania His assumption of senatorship i being held up pending further Inquiry by the Nyc committee Into his campaign expenditures.

Yet, another-complication was pro- vicied by an understand ing at the labor department a Doak could not be sworn until his appointment was confirmed by the Senate GIIOPIll HAVANA, Dec. hope having been abandoned here for the safety of Mrs. J. M. Keith-Miller Australian aviatrix, President Mach- aclo today was planning to send "i 0 of indolence to the mayor of Pittsburgh and the British Government.

Mrs. Keith-Miller, who made a flight from Pittsburgh to Havana disappeared on Friday on a return flight from Havana to Miami, Flor- It became known today that the missing aviatrix had been planning to attain American citizenship ST. LOUIS, Dec. Hohenthal, wealthy retired merchant ol DeSoto, and a young woman with whom he was arrested In a small hotel here Novemter 17 were released, today when called up' on their $50 bonds In court of criminal Correction, They had been arrested at the request, of the estranged husband of the woman. Hohentral was acquitted last March of the murder of Miss Pearl Potoskey, St.

Louis beauty shop proprietor, who was found shot to death in his apartment in DeSoto In September, 1928. Two Safes At the Jeff. City Motor Company; Hammered Open Sometime Saturday Night- Get $450. FILLING STATION IS ALSO HELD UP A Dozen Suspicious Characters Are Arrested But No Definite Clew Is Yet Discovered By, Officers. Two safes were cracked at the City Motor Company Garage at East Capitol Avenue and Adams Street, a filling station was held up at the intersection of Highways and 54 on the Noi-thside, one home was burglarized and a number of automobiles were relieved of accessories in crime's big gesture here over the week end.

Keporis of local raids came close upon the hec-ls of reports from Se- ami Pillion that yeggs had been at work there Saturday night. The Jeff City Motor Company burglary was discovered Sunday morning by one of the employees. n. E. Davis, manager, was ou his way hack from Flint, Mich, at the time of tiie robbery.

Into through a itasemeaf wiinJow. Polite first believed the yeggs had used nl- tro glycerine In opening at least one of the safes but later concluded that the burglars had pounded the dial from one safe, Inserted screw drivers in the void and mutilated the tumoler control. They found some cash in that safe and then turned their attention to a cabinet safe which was opened apparently lii the same manner. Papers and nonnegotiable papers wew strewn all over the floor. The burglars were looking only for cash.

They secured about $450, including checks. The company had a good run of business just prior to closing time, attendants at the garage said. Receipts earlier in the day had been deposited in the bank. There was formerly a policeman 111 lhat territory who covered the beat several times every night. When the police force was cut this beat was abolished with others.

Apply Vap Law Chief of Police Parker and Prosecuting Attorney Sevier after investigating the case ordered the arrest of dozen suspicious characters all of whom were questioned. Several were held in jail on vagrancy charges, a policy which Is to be continued In the hope of ridding the city of undesirables and suspicious characters. Armed with search warrants the police raided a house at 207 Rear West Miller Street but pronounced it a water hayl. They also raided the home of a man known as "Slew- foot" Robinett. Robinett later was charged with possession of Hquor and sentenced to six months in jail by Justice W.

P. Smith. Harry Bay- singer, regarded as a pal of Robin- etl's was "vagged" and given ninety days in jail to cogitate on what constitutes useful employment and what the officers term "no visible means of support." Several others were picked up but released after questioning. Milt and Jeff The City Service Company on tne Northside was robbed at 10 o'clock last night by two men driving a Ford roadster. They walked into the station and while one kept the attendant covered with a pistol the other rifled the cash drawer of about $80.

They were said to have in the direction of Columbia. One was described as tall other as short. They were shabbily clad. The basement of the home of Paul Tollman in Wagner Place was burglarized sometime last week and a double barrel L. C.

Smith shotgun, a. .32 calibre pistol and a .22 calibre Savage Rifle stolen. The burglary was not discovered until yesterday. The police expect an early arrest in this case. Cars were looted In the city and county Saturday night and' Sunday and tires and accessories stolen.

H. W. Dennis, i24 Hickory said someone entered his garage and took a wheel and a tire. The names of those who lost goods from parked cars In the county were not ascertained. Two more search warrants were issued this afternoon In connection, with the Jeff City Motor Company burglary without success.

The two raids were the fifth and sixth made since the discovery of the robbery. The approximate area of North America is 8,000,000 square miles..