The Franklin Evening Star from Franklin, Indiana • Page 1

Indians Division (Comp) Indiana State library IFmMisiLnEJ IEviEMnMcE LOCAL FORECAST CLOUDY J0HII50II COUNTY'S LEADING PAPER VOLUME 60. NUMBER 221. FRANKLIN, INDIANA, TUESDAYMARCH 27, 1945 PHONES Bistness 710. News 55 PRICE FOUR CENTS SGT. BECHMAN AWAITS NEW ASSIGNMENT GOOD FRIDAY RITES TO BE UNION EVENT COLLAPSE OF GERMANY HASTENED AS ALLIES CRUSH RESISTANCE IN SMASHING ATTACKS Eight Armies Now East of Rhine; Russians Driving Into Baltic And Hungary; Guard Against Premature Nazi Surrender Reports By International News Service.

Crumbling German resistance, battered by eight Allied armies now east of the Rhine, led today to a belief that the collapse of Germany's military forces was but a matter of days. While the Germans were bewildered by the intensity and the widespread Allied attack on the western front, Russian troops pounded their way forward in the Baltic region where they are battling for Danzig, and poured across the plains of Hungary for a drive on Vienna. Seven Allied armies were revealed offici3lly to be hammering at Germany's inner fortress east of the Rhine today and reports from Swizerland that the French were over the historic stream indicated that a A eight powerful forces were engaged FIRST GERMAN PRISONERS OF RHINE CROSSING Part of an fight and surrendered to the Allies, these German prisoners to Rhine are marched away from the battle area by men of the entire battalion which refused to be captured on the east side of the Third Army. NEA Telephoto. Bulletin PARIS, March 27 (INS) The once-mighty Germany army is a "whipped army" as an effective fighting force on the Western Front in Europe, General Dwiht D.

Eisenhower told a special news conference today. General Eisenhower spoke at a moment when all official communiques and battle-front dispatches clearly indicated complete collapse of all organized Nazi resistance. "Germany's main defense line on the Western Front has been definitely broken. Unconditional surrender," he added, "will be imposed and not negotiated." 1 95- REPORT YANKS STAGING TWO NEW INVASIONS Jap Radio Implies Attack Was Successful Ryukyu Islands Still Under Bombardment By International News Service. American forces were starting two important invasions today, according to the Japanese radio which said the threatened regions were the strategic Ryukyu Islands southwest of Japan, and Cebu in the central Philippines.

The enemy broadcasts which were neither confirmed nor denied in official U. S. circles declared that a contingent of Yanks went ashore on the Kerama which Aie about 15 miles west of the Okinawa area of the Ryukyus, at a point rouehly 400 miles below the home Japanese Island of Kyushu. By implication, the Japs indicated that the American landing was successful, for the enemy announcer failed to mention repulse of the landing party. This Broadcast was heard by FCC monitors.

Fleet Adm. Chester W. Nimitz, in his regular communique issued at Guam, announced the fourth straight day of fleet action against the Okinawa Islands in the Ryukyu chain. He said that carrier planes bombed the airfields and other installations on Monday, adding that "fast battleships" took shore installations under fire. Previously, the warships were revealed to have shelled the 'islands on Friday and Saturday, while naval aircraft bombed it on Sunday.

Six Islands In Group. The group of islands the Keramas which the Japs said were selected for in sion by the Yanks, are made up oi some six small isles and lie less than 20 miles west of Naha, chief port of Okinawa. Okinawa, approximately 65 miles long, is the largest of the Ryukyus and the site of vital naval and air installations. Its occupation would not only sever enemy communication lines to Formosa and provide a basis for developing the left arm of a pincer against Japan: it also would constitute a wedge driven into the outer defenses of occupied China. Concerning the other invasion reported by the enemy, the Tokyo radio said that an U.

S. emphibious force "commenced landings on Cebu, in the heart of the Philip- pines. At least six cruisers and several destroyers were said to be supporting the landings, staged along the east coast of the island. Cebu, lying west of the liberated Leyte, is one of the last major Philippine islands tob be invaded by (Contained on Page Six.) PVT. CRAFTON DEATH LISTED Died In Germany March 11, War Department Has Notified Relatives Pvt.

Harlan A. Crafton, 26, of Fairland, brother of Mrs. Margaret Miller of Franklin and Mrs. Delphia Thompson of near Trafalgar, died in Germany on March 11, according to a war department message received today. Mrs.

Crafton. who is the former Miss Katherine Leggett, had received a letter from her husband dated March 11 but he made no comment of an illness or having teen wounded. No details were contained in the official telegram. Pvt. Crafton entered armed service on September 6.

1944, through the Shelby county selective service board and after training at Fort McClelland, was sent overseas to ierve with an infantry unit in February. He was born in Noble township, Shelby county on July 3. 1918, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Sherman Crafton.

His mother died five years ago. He attended schools at St. Paul and Fairland. Surviving are the father, the widow two children, four brothers! and five sisters MCKLEY RITES HELD TUESDAY Funeral services were conducted Tuesday afternoon from the Kurtz church near Seymour for Mrs. Mary Bicklev.

92- ear-old lifelong resi- dent of Jackson county who died early Sunday afternoon at the home of her son in Brownstown Mis. Bicklev, who had been ill ei'iht weeks, was a sister of Jesse! Callahan of Franklin. Burial was iin cornctfs Grove cemetery. I i i TRAFALGAR TO HAVE PROGRAM School And Pastors Plan Annual CrtlCltlXlOn Day Service On Friday TRAFALGAR, March 27 Contin-! uing the custom of recent years, a special Crucifixion Day service will be presented at the Trafalgar Chris-' tian church at 2:30 o'clock Friday A. the local pastors.

Franklin Man In Southwest Pacific 43 Months, Now At Miami Sgt. Bozell With 7th Sgt. George R. Bechman, 26, husband of Mrs. Virginia Fern Bechman of Franklin, has returned from service outside the continental United States and is now being processed through the army ground and service forces redistribution station in Miami Beach.

where his next assignment will be determined. Sgt. Bechman served 43 months as a chief of section in the Southwest Pacific theater of operations. Wnile there he was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific campaign rib with two battle stars and the! American defense ribbon with one star. Before entering the service Sgt.

Bechman was a farmer. He became a member of the armed forces on March 26, 1941. Fired First Shell Staff Sergt. Wayne Bozell, of Ed-inburg R. R.

2, is a member of the 989th field artillery battalion which fired the first Seventh Army shot from a position on German soil, the war department has announced. The field piece was a 155-mm. gun. The battalion with which Sergt. Bozell is serving is a former Indiana National Guard unit supporting American troops in General Jacob L.

Devers' Sixth Army gToup. Set up just behind a forward observation post, the gun pounded railway yards in Hamburg, Germany. In 215 consecutive days' combat. the 989th has fired more than 35,000 rounds of ammunition. Its 155-mm.

guns, capable of effectively hurling 95-pound shells 10,500 yards, specialize in long-range harrassing and destruction missions, blasting bridges, fortresses and enemy gun positions out of reach of other artillery. Bridwell Home T.Sgt. J. H. (Cotton Bridwell of the 204th Combat Engineers has returned from Germany to spend a thirty day furlough with his wife and mother, Mrs.

James W. Bridwell. 551 North Duane street. Sgt. Bridwell has received the Purple Heart, the silver tar, five bronze stars and the Good Conduct Ribbon.

Walker Back In U.S. Mrs. Daisy Walker and family of Bargersville R. R. 1, have received word from her son, Pfc.

Lloyd C. Walker, stating that he has arrived safely in the United States from a hospital in England, where he had been confined for more than three months. He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in action with General Patton's Third Army in Germany. LIST PROGRAM FOR EDINBURG Three-Tour Services Being Planned At Methodist Church At Noon EDINBURG. March 27 "From Gethsemane to Calvary" will be the theme for the three-hour Good Friday worship services to be held at the Methodist church here starting Friday noon.

A 15-minute instrumental prelude will feature Miss Mary Stine at the organ; Miss Wanda Stewart, pianist; James Parr, trumpet; George Dolan, clarinet; Ronald Jones, trombone; Jesse Jones baritone. Seven stages in the journey of the Saviour from Gethsemane to Calvary will comprise separate parts of the program. The first, entitled "The Garden of i will be in charge of the Business Professional Women's Club. The Methodist church will present the second section of the program, the subject for which is "The Ecclesiastical "The Courtyard" will be tne theme for the third section, which will be presented by the Christian church. Chaplain Milton C.

Wil-kerson of Camp Atterbury is responsible for the fourth part, entitled "The Fifth part of the program. "The Civil will be given by the Edinburg public schools; the sixth stage in the journey, "The Road to by the Edinburg USO; and the seventh, by the Presbyterian church. Reading, the Scripture for the seven programs will be Mrs. Margaret Lind. Francis Hamilton, Louise Hamblen, Lowell Daffron, Wanda White, Mrs.

Daisy Miller, Max Patterson. Talks at each will include "The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus," by Mrs. Estella Hinshow; "The Verdict of Annase and Caiaphas" by Mrs. Minnie Gosney; "The Denial of Peter" by W. T.

Barbre; "The Remorse of Judas" by Chaplain Wilk-erson; "The Verdict of Pilot'' by William Fish; "The Experience of Simon of Sirene" by the Rev. Glenn (Continued on rase Six.) City Churches Joining In Program From 12 to 3 Friday Afternoon Stores To Close The Union Good Friday service will be held In the First Baptist church, from 12 o'clock until 3 o'clock. The Last Seven Words of the Cross will be tfie central theme. Seven pastors of the city will have ft part on the program and special music will be provided by members of the entertaining church. The Rev.

Fred Baldus, will preside. The meditation subjects will be. "The Word of Intercession," "The Word of Authority." "The Word of Remembrance," "The Word of Loneliness," "The Word of Suffering." "The Word of Victory," and "The Word of Refuge." Hymns accompanying the meditation periods are, "Jesus Calls Us O'er the Tumult," Jesus, I Have Promised," "What a Friend We Have in Jesus," "In the Hour of Trial," "Beneath the Crass of Jesus," "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross," and "In the Cross of Christ I Glory." Judson Reamy, a student at Frankln College, wiH play the organ. The business houses will be closed during the service thus giving all the employees and employers an opportunity to unite with other people of the city in appropriately com-morating the Day of Suffering. Every person in the city is urged to attend at least one or more of the periods.

People may come and go. since plaas have been made to permit people to enter and withdraw during the singing of the hymns. Rural churches are expected to be represented. The Ministerial Association anticipates a total attendance during the period of at least one thousand people. The spirit of Easter Day in our churches will depend quite a lot upon the devoted and faithful adherence to the traditional observance of Good Friday.

CLUB CHARTER PLANS READY Lions Complete Program At Meeting Monday-Music Is Given Plans for the Charter Night pro-oram of the Franklin Lions club were outlined and approved Monday night during the regular dinner-meeting of the organization. The charter is to be presented on Monday nisht. April 9. with state officers and delegates from neighboring; clubs in attendance. The program for the Charter Night meeting was outlined by Raymond Kisky, general chairman.

En- ai itiiti 'v ij lections presented by Miss Martha Helen Holstcin. Leon P. Vandivier rdalniian A rpnort on a meeting of the Columbus Lions club, attended by D.strict Governor Lewis, was given by Forest Sande- fur, delegate from the Franklin fur, delegate from the Franklin club. Homer Mitchell, engineer with the Public Service Company, wao presented as a new member of the club. President Earl McClelland announced that Alton Snyder and Robert Handley would be the clubs representatives at the meeting Wednesday night when plans will be made for local participation in the United National Clothing Collection.

Plans were also discussed for the club's contribution to the Johnson County Memorial Hospital. TODAY'S WASHINGTON ROUND-UP By International Newt Serrice. In Washington today high military observers are optimistic over cvolvcment of the battle east of the Rhine and predict the fight for Germany will be decided within a few days. To keep pace with the rapid movement of Allied armies, it is disclosed, preparations are being rushed for the four-power Allied government of Germany. Four commanding generals representing the United States, Britain, Russia and France will constitute the Allied control council of Germany.

OP A officials are expected to appear before the senate black market investigating committee today to answer charges by meat packers that price control policies are the cause of a vast "underground" traffic in meat. The compromise manpower bill comes up for but probably safe passage through the house and M-iiate today. Speaker for the service will aRd witn the same saiutation Aiuuei urewiu. sixui gicue teatn- to men and women who dwell in er and pastor of the Church of the; the shadows of uncertainty and de-Nazarene at Franklin. The musical i nd if th in the assault.

Major Advance In Progress Front dispatches reported that the U. S. First Army sent tank spearheads to Hachenburg, 30 miles east of Remagen, in a new dash of eight miles and that Lieut. Gen. Hodges' forces were rolling over open country almost unopposed by the Nazis.

At the same time Lieut. Gen. George S. Patton's Third Army, which drove into the vital German city of Frankfurt-Am-Main, were reported unofficially to be nearing Wuerzburg and, according to the Luxembourg radio, had expanded his bridgehead until it lacked only seven and one-half miles of bein joined with the First Army's Remagen bulge. The German radio said that Patton's forces were pouring across the Rhine in a constant stream in the vicinity of Oppenheim and admitted that the front was active all the way to the river Main.

"Ahead of Schedule" At the northern end of the raging front the 21st Army group, composed of British. Canadian and U. Ninth Army troops as well as airboin? forces, were reported "well ahead of schedule" today in the Ruhr. Although German resistance was crumbling rapidly, a spokesman at the headquarters of Gen. Dwight D.

Eisenhower warned that reports the Nazi Army had collapsed w'ere "premature." Near Austrian Border Along the Eastern Front the Russians swept over the Hungarian Plains to within 30 miles of the Austrian border while a second Red Army closed in on the strategic Bratislava Gap on the historic invasion route to Vienna from the east. At the same time, the Russians won a terrific victory in the north at the Baltic lagoon of Friches Haff. southeast of Koenigsberg, capturing 21.000 Nazis and leaving the battlefields strewn with enemy dead. The Russians also closed to within a mile of Danzig where Moscow reported the last Nazi defense line had been penetrated. LaGRANGE NOW OUT OF DANGER Franklin Man In Naval Hospital In California Rev.

VanNuys Writes William H. LaGrange, Petty officer 1 U.S.N., Ls making a satisfactory recovery from a head injury at the Oakland (Cal.) Naval hospital, according to messages received by his mother, Mrs. Marie La- Grange. A telegram from the commanding officer of the hospital informed her that her son was now 'out of danger' and a letter was received through Miss Ethelwyn Miller, from Rev. Ezra Allen Vannuys, pastor of the Calvary Presbyterian church in San Francisco, telling of his having visited the hospital and spending some time with Petty Officer LaGrange.

He stated in his letter that the cause of the injury was not known but had evidently resulted from a fall or a severe blow. Everj'thin; possible is being done for her son, he wrote Mre. LaGrange and it is expected that he will be fully recovered in another two weeks. He also stated that Mrs. Marie Dit-mars Hasse also a former resident here, was to visit William at the hospital.

Mrs. LaGrange has also received word from Miss Bethel Webb, formerly of Franklin, now at Berkeley, California, regarding her son. Lieut. Richard LaGrange, who is quarantined at Fort Lewis due to scarlet fever, is also reported as making a satisfactory recovery. WEATHER Data furnished by J.

Van-Cleave, observer for the Franklin co-operative weather station. TUESDAYj MARCH 27 Maximum temperature 75 Minimum temperature 58 Percipitation 03 Low during night 47 FORECAST Clear tonight. Partly cloudy Wednesday. Continued warm. REV.

SMITH IS CLUB SPEAKER Easter Message Given At Kiwanis Meeting By Methodist Pastor Speaking on the subject "The Ap peal oi Easter," Dr. Golden A. Smith, pastor of the Methodist church, delivered the annual Easter message before members of the Kiwanis Club here Tuesday noon. The.program was in charge of Lucian Brackett and guests included Clarence Privitt, Ray Templeton, Harold B. Ogden of Greensburg, Dr.

Roy P. Smith of Gary, and Lt. Louis Leerkamp. Rev. Smith read the story of Christ appearing to the disciples, emphasizing the happy meeting it was for Jesus to revive their spirits after their hopes had been shattered and their dreams were destroyed by the reality of the crucifixion.

"The homely and timely salutation when Jesus spoke to them and said "Good Morning" changed the night into day and thus the first Easter Day became the real morning of life," the minister said. Dr. Smith illustrated this by what took place when the boys came back from World War I and by what we anticipate will take place when thev rptllvn frAm Ha nvm nil return from the present conflict 'Christ still aDDearx in the same him the Eastern dawn will become reality in their own lives, he continued. This was illustrated by the story of the man who had a wayward son. After trying everything else he 'hung a portrait of Christ, by Hoff- man, in the boy's room and a grad-j ual change came over the boy's life.

Later the boy said that where-! ever he went and whatever he did the eyes of the ChrLsf from that portrait seemed to follow him and say "Do right." Dr. Smith concluded by spying, "No man can 'follow the risen Lord without catching a bit of the love and beauty and grandeur of the Christ's life." PVT. COLLINS IN HOSPITAL Greenwood Man Wounded In Germany Reported As Improving GREENWOOD, March 27 Pvt. Omer H. Collins, son of Mr.

and Mrs. Ivalay Collins of received shrapnel wounds February 3 in Germany and a few days later while still in combat his feet were frozen. He is now improving in England, according to word received here. Pvt. Collins' wife, Mrs.

Marie Collins, and their two children, James Omer, a3e five, and Janet Louise, one year old, are residing in Indianapolis. A machine gunner in the glider infantry, the 26-year-old young man has been overseas since December and has been in the army since May, 1944. He attended school at Greenwood and was employed at Allen Hunter's Auto Service in Beech Grove before entering service. A brother and brother-in-law are also in service. Lieut.

Herbert Isaac Collins, a navy flier in the South Pacific, played on the Greenwood high school basketball team which ended Franklin high school's long string of sectional tourna championships in 1940. Another brother. Warrant Officer Oris King, is located, at an air base in Venice, Florida. Pvt. Collins was sent to the hospital February 11.

selections win ce given Dy me music a of the Trafalgar schools. This service, like those or preced- ing years, is expected to be an out- standing event in the observance I of Holy Week and an invitation has been extended to all residents of Trafalgar and the community to participate. maintain headlong drive and Vienna. i ALLIED AIRBORNE ARMY FLY OVER RHINE BRIDGEHEAD Tow planes and gliders of the First Allied Airborne Army pass overhead while British 2nd Army men rest in bridgehead on the east side of the Rhine opposite Xanten. NEA Telephoto.

MRS. McKINNEY DIES TUESDAY Pleasant Township Resi dent III Several Weeks Daughter Survives GPEFNWOOD, March 27 Mrs. Effie M. age 72. widow ot William R.

McKinney, died about 2 o'clock Ttietday morning at her home southwest of Greenwood. She had been ill several weeks. Mrs. McKinney was born in Indiana the daughter of Ruben and Abbie Townsend Sellers, May 29. 1872.

She was united in marriage to William R. McKinney, well known Johnson county farmer, who died in 1J27. She lived on the farm where she died over 30 years. One daughter, Mrs. Gladys Fora, who lives at home, survives.

Friends may call at the Wilson funeral home at anytime. Funeral arrangements have not been completed. Frankfurt Darmstadt orms Mannheim Ludwigshafen Woertn Karlsruhl MILES in A QUICK LOOK AT THE MW TTIIIIIE ID) AY By International News Service PARIS. Nazi military disintegration seen in Olerman inability to cope with seven-army Allied ofFensivc east of Rhine. MOSCOW.

Soviets toward Austrian border ilf GERMANY GLW. Jap radio says powerful U. S. fleet continues bombarding Ryukyus, claims Yank invasion "prevented" by enemy garrison. MANILA.

Airmen batter Cebu with 250 tons of bombs; Japs report U. S. invasion of that island under way. r3i A GUAM. Black Widow interceptor's break up enemy night attack on Iwo.

iW WASHINGTON. Special committee of five senators to go to Europe on military investigation ith hope of entering Berlin with GI's. (T VKoiserslautern nrn LONDON. London refuses to listen to the "if" in President and Mrs. Roosevelt's proposed visit to the British capital this spring.

i ill I I I II mm FRANCE iwissembourfXy PARIS. Battlef ront dispatches indicate that organized German resistance has virtually collapsed at the northern end of the Western Front and unofficial reports placed Third Army forces near Wuerzburg, 221 airline miles from Berlin. ALLIED ARMIES BERLIN BOUND Driving against an enemy apparently demoralized by the stunning advsnce of six Allied armies, German resistance is collapsing along a front stretching more than 200 miles. George S. Patton's pace-setting Third Anny Ls far out in front in the race for Berlin, and has captured, intact, a bridge over the River Main, southeast of Frankfurt.

BUENOS AIRES. The Argentine government will decree a state of belligerency with the Axis powers today..