The Decatur Daily Review from Decatur, Illinois • Page 14

Wednesday, January 3, 1940. THE DECATUR REVIEW FOURTEEN PAGES TODAY, Funeral Thursday Hopes Revived For Drilling Of Oil Test Well nntimism for the drilling of an Couple Burned to Death, Three as 5 A.M. Fire Sweeps Building '1 TO DEATH, FOUR ESCAPE IN EARLY MORNING FIRE Three were taken to the hospital for treatment of burns. $4,248 Raised In Red Cross Special Drive Macon county contributed to the Red Cross during its roll call last November, according to final figures contained in a report made by Miss Mary V. Love, executive secretary of the Macon county chapter, at a luncheon meeting of the organization in the Decatur Club this noon.

Of the total $2,109.03 came from the city of Decatur, and S2.139.16 came from the rest of the county. A sum of S146.87, added into the total for the report but kept apart for special use. was raised by th-' Junior Red Cross in the county outside of Decatur. Not Usually Held Here Goal for the roll call was $7,000 for Macon county, of which $5,000 was to be raised in Decatur and the rest outside the city. Failure of the city to make its goal was attributed to the fact that the Decatur organization was set up just for this year's campaign.

Not usually held in the city because the Red Cross -in Decatur usually receives funds from the Community Chest, the roll call in the city was authorized this winter because of the war emergency in Europe. Macon county's roll-call total was contributed by 3.750 persons who bought $1 memberships. 12 who bought $5 or $10 memberships, and many more who contributed amounts under $1. The Junior Red Cross enrolled 152 schoolrooms in the county outside of Decatur at 50 cents a room. The 50-cent contributions $76 altogether will go to the national Junior Red Cross; the rest raised by the junior organization will be spent in the county.

Half For War Victims Of the sum raised by the Macon county chapter of the Red Cross, 50 per cent will go to the national organization for use in helping refugees and war victims all over the world. The rest will be kept for use in the county. Budgetary plans were discussed at today's meeting. The Red Cross here will use a part of its funds to buy materials from which clothing will be made for refugees. L.

Clarke Grandfield of Elwin acted as general county chairman for November's roll call. Harold Irish was chairman for the campaign in Decatur. Hitchcock in London After Circuitous Trip Went Via Madrid and Paris After Delay at Gibraltar Word has come to Decatur of the arrival in London this wcck of E. B. Hitchcock, former managing editor of The Review and recently secretary in this country to Dr.

Edouard Benes, cx-prcmicr of Czechoslovakia. Mr. Hitchcock had a date for a lecture in Decatur but it was cancelled because of the decision to go to Europe to get material for a book on international affairs iiiid lectures and special magazine articles he is preparing. The book will be published by Harper Brothers in the spring and the journey is made at their expense. One of the earliest lectures Mr.

Hitchcock will give on his return to this country late in February is expected to be in Decatur. Other engagements in Central Illinois are under consideration. Mr. Hitchcock went to Europe on the Excalibar. It was due to arrive in Genoa Dec.

21 but was held up at Gibraltar for examination by the British. As the delay there was uncertain Mr. Hitchcock left the ship and went to Madrid for Christmas day, then went to Paris and then on to London. Mrs. Hitchcock and son Edward are at their home in Weston, a suburb of Boston.

Truck Drivers' Deaths Found to Be Accident A coroner's jury last night held accidental the deaths of Douglas Seeman and Carrol Jacobs, transport drivers, who were burned to death after their truck crashed into a bridge a mile and a half north of Blue Mound at 2:15 a. m. Dec. 26. Deputy sheriffs Earl Rcitcr and Lloyd Smith were the only witnesses to testify at the inquest, conducted by Dr.

I. V. Grissom, coroner, in the Moran funeral home. The jury decided that the two men were aleep in the cab at the time of the accident. TWO FREED ON BOND Free under bonds of each today were Jewell A.

Washburn, 17, and Clyde H. Flemings, 18, both of Decatur, charged with petit larceny in connection with the alleged theft of scrap metal from the CCC warehouse. The youths were released in couijty court yesterday by Judge Martin E. Morthland. Their cases have been set for hearing Jan.

15. Old Courthouse Badly In Grip of Winter's Sub-Zero Weather The courthouse was in the grip of Old Man Winter today. There was no drinking water because the pipes were frozen. Heaters were burning in parts of the building, while in other rooms windows had to be opened because of too much heat. The old courthouse clock was being "defrosted" and put in running order again after it had frozen up.

Elderly Injured Four Escape, Suffer in 1 Below Zero Temperature Decatur's third disastrous fire In as many days today claimed the lives of an elderly couple and brought injuries to three other per-lons. Mr. and Mrs. Elic Bafford, aged 89 and 78, were burned to death at 5 a. m.

today when flames gutted a long, two-story frame building at 909 South Jackson street, in which six persons made their home. George A. Sargent, 50, owner of the building, was the only occupant to escape injury, although he was overcome by the fumes. The others injured were: Mrs. George A.

Sargent, severe burns on hands, neck and head. Phillip Sargent, 53. George's brother, broken right foot and ankle. Mrs. Ofel Barker, 42, bruises and cut on left leg.

Firemen answered the call at 5:13 a. but by that time the building was enveloped in roaring flames. Pumpers from No. 1 and No. 2" enginehouses answered the summons as well as the service truck from No.

1. Abrams Starts Probe Tom Abrams, deputy state fire marshal, this morning opened an investigation into the cause of the blaze. While inspecting the ruins with Fire Chief Will Piatt, Mr. Abrams said that it may have been started by spontaneous igni tion of oiled rags used on autos Cars owned by George and Phillip Sargent were kept in the building George Sargent estimated the loss at $10,000, but fire department officials said it would not exceed $2,500. No insurance was carried.

The fire was discovered at 5 a. m. by Mrs. Barker, who, along with Phillip Sargent, occupied upstairs rooms. Awakened by dense smoke, Mrs.

Barker rushed from her quarters to awaken Phillip Sargent. Together they ran to the stairs, where they were forced back by flames. They then turned back to the unoccupied north side of the building, where Phillip shattered a window and the pair plunged 15 feet to the icy surface below. Mrs. Barker landed on top of Phillip, and both were injured in the fall.

Summons Firemen The downstairs rooms on the south side of the building were occupied by Mr. and Mrs. George A. Sargent and Mr. and Mrs.

Baf ford. George Sargent, awakened by the shouts of his two tenants overhead, ran to the nearby home of his mother, Mrs. Katie Sargent, 9131; South Jackson street, to summon firemen. Meantime, Mrs. George Sargent, ill of influenza, rushed into the apartment of her brother-in-law and sister, Mr.

and Mrs. Bafford. But before she could get there, she collajised. Flames quickly surrounded her, cutting off help. After calling the fire department.

George Sargent ran back into the flaming building. He heard his wife cry out in pain but twice he was beaten back by the flames in his attempt to rescue her. Finally. Mrs. George Sargent was rescued by a neighbor.

Mrs. Granville Shepherd. 921 South Jackson street, with the aid of George himself scarcely able to walk. Mrs. Shepherd is Mr.

Sargent's sister. Die of Suffocation Mr. and Mrs. Bafford. both suffering the infirmities of old age.

were trapped in their rooms and died of suffocation. Their bodies were removed shortly after by firemen. The four survivors escaped with nothing but their night clothes, all else being destroyed by the flames. The Salvation Army has launched a drive to obtain beds, clothing and food for the victims, according to Erig. W.

R. Conway. The building. 80 by 36 feet, was constructed in 1930 for use as the George Bafford Gravity Level Factory, but the depression prevented its opening for that purpose. Since 1936 the building hiis served as a home for" the Sargents after being used as a dance hall in 1934 and 1935.

As a dance hall it was first known as the "Wild Canary," later as the "Trianon." George Sargent is a cabinet maker, employed by the recreation department. Mr. Sargent said that he had planned to open his factory next year, but it will now be impossible, lor all his tools also were destroyed in the fire. Inquest Probably Thursday The body of Mr. Bafford was taken to the Dawson and Wikoff funeral home, and the body of Mrs.

Bafford to the Moran and Sons' l.ir.eral home. Dr. I. V. Grissom.

coroner, said that an inquest into the deaths prbabry will be conducted Thursday A Moran ambulance took Philip Sargent, Mrs. George A. Sargent and Mrs. Barker to the Decatur and Macon County hospital, where they were released after emergency treatment. Today's fire was the third disas- trous blaze in Decatur since the! start of 1940.

Early New Years! day, the Elks Country club, outside the city limits on the west shore cf Lake Decatur, was burned Xol I i oil test well northeast of Decatur appeared again today after Louis B. Cassell filed in the office of County Recorder Clifford H. Bell 22 assignments of oil and gas leases covering 1,040 acres of land. The assignments were made to thp Fureka Oil 'by Mr. Cas sell and his wife, Caroline Cassell, who first filed the leases in their own names on March 6, 1939.

The land, which consists of 22 farms, is located south of Oreana, near the Sangamon river and not far from Lake Decatur. It lpased hv Mr. Cassell during a heavy leasing play through the area, which followed reports tnat favorable drilling structures had been found. The outcome of leases on several hlnrks nf lpases in the same sec tion, which contained provisions requiring that an oil test be started before Jan. 1, has not been made known.

The lend in the area northeast of Decatur is under lease to more than a dozen companies and indi viduals. Stealing Sealed Corn Is Federal Offense Sheriff A. C. Ammann's office today was investigating a report that thieves had broken into a crib of sealed corn on the farm occupied by John Streich, two and one half miles south of Warrensburg. About 15 bushels of corn had been stolen and according to government sealing regulations the theft is a federal offense.

The farm is owned by Hubert Mills. Mueller Gives G.O.P. $1,000 A $1,000 contribution from Adolph Mueller, chairman of the Mueller board of directors, aided the Republican party last year, according to information received yesterday by the House of Representatives. Mr. Mueller's money helped to cut the party's debt contracted during the 1936 campaign.

Of the $1,092,037 collected during 1939, the Republican national committee told the House. $300,000 was scheduled for payment on the $655,000 debt outstanding Dec. 1. The committee also reported that an additional $200,000 has been pledged. More than 200 individual contributions of $1,000 or rnpre were listed for Dec.

29 and 30. A total of $219,138 is owed by the Democratic party, the Democratic national committee reported. During 1939 the party received $731,116 and spent $736,709. University Specialist Farm Meeting Speaker Ralph Hay, extension specialist in safety work at the University of Illinois, will be the principal speaker at a farm safety meeting at 1:30 p. m.

Friday in the Macon County Farm Bureau. Three types of certificates will be awarded farmers who have achieved success in safety promotion, according to Farm Adviser John R. Gilkey. A certificate will be given each farmer who reports no accident during the year, another to those who have made the- greatest improvement in a farm safety device and a third to those having the largest number of safety devices in operation. William Hill, Former Mueller Employe, Dies William Hill of 1253 East Walnut street, formerly an employe of the Mueller died at 11:45 p.

m. yesterday in his home at the age of 67. Death was attributed to heart trouble. Mr. Hill came to the United States and Decatur 60 years ago from Doahringen, East Prussia, Germany, where he was born Nov.

22, 1862. He was married in 1891 in Decatur to Bertha Bredlau. who died May 26, 1938. Mr. Hill was employed by the Mueller Co.

33 years until his retirement in 1930. He leaves two sons, Carl of Decatur and Herman of Rock Island, and four daughters-, Mrs. C. H. Wert of Chicago, Mrs.

Lloyd Shana-felt of Freeburg, 111., and Mrs. Albert Dodwell and Miss Dorothea Hill, both of Decatur. Mr. Hill was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran church.

The body was taken to the Dawson Wikoff funeral home. Arrangements for the funeral are incomplete. $60 More Contributed To Finnish Relief Fund Contributions totaling S60 have been added to the fund for Finnish relief being raised in' Decatur. The fund total now stands at $323.25. The following recent donations have been received by The Herald and Review: Already reported $263.25 A friend 50.00 Fred R.

Cassell 5.00 A teacher 5.00 Total $323.25 Money turned in to The Herald and Review is forwarded to na tional headquarters of the Finnish Relief fund in New York. TWO BURN Flames which swept through this frame building at 909 South 5P The charred body of one of the victims, Mr. and Mrs. Elic Bafford, is about to be loaded Two of tnose wno escaped the flames are Mr. and Mrs.

George Sargent, shown here after Mrs. Sargent received the ground. Then, shortly after noon on the same day. the Church of God at Haworth avenue and West Macon street, was gutted by flames. 17 Fire Calls In 3 Days Mrs.

Br.fford leaves a brother, W. W. Griffith, of Windsor, and three: sisters. Mrs. May Jones, of Wind-; sor; Mrs.

Viola Jackson, of Cali-: fornia. and Mrs. George Sargent Mr. Bafford leaves two daughters' and two sons from a previous rr.3r- riage, Mrs. E.

J. Moreland, of De-j catur; Mrs. Ora Lar.gley. of Macon; 1 of Funeral services for Mrs. Emily O.

Garver, 89 who died Monday at the home of her daughter. Mrs. W. A. Fleck.

640 West North street, will be held at 2 p. m. tomorrow at the Moran Sons chapel, with burial in Cerro Gordo cemetery. She was the last survivor of the first class graduated from Decatur high school, in 1867. Coal Business Showing Spurt Cold weather during the past few days has resulted in a sudden increase in the coal business, a survey of several Decatur dealers showed today.

At some agencies the price of coal has gone up, some dealers expect it to, and others said they hati no indication that it would. The Macon County Coal Co. moved 1,907 tons of retail coal across its scales near the mine yesterday the heaviest movement since the cold weather of three years ago. "The number of mines in the country shipping coal is decreas-in rapidly," David W. Beggs, Macon County Coal manager, said.

"If the present cold weather continues, there is certain to be a shortage and a sharp price increase." Meat School Plans Tonight Matters such as how to slice pork cuts and how much to pay for a good chunk of beef will be discussed by experts at a school of meat education planned for Jan. 11 and 12 in Decatur. The school will be conducted by the National Livestock Meat board, but 200 local butchers and meatpackers will aid in the teaching. A site for the two days of classes will be selected and other final arrangements completed during a meeting of the sponsors at 8 p. m.

today in the Association of Commerce offices in the Decatur Club. "Counter to Consumer" is the title of the school which will aim at "education of the buying public in selecting, purchasing and cooking meal." Housewives, high school students, business and professional men and all Decatur retail dealers in particular have been invited to attend the school. There will be no admission charge. H. H.

White of the National Livestock Meat board, and W. C. Boatright. St Louis meatpackcr. will be the principal instructors for the school.

Millikin Bank Raises Surplus Directors of the Millikin National bank today voted to transfer of undivided profits into surplus, it was announced by W. R. McGaughey, president. The transfer makes the bank's surplus equal to its capital stock, both of which now are $500,000, and strengthens the capitalization considerably. At the close of business on Dec.

30, a statement issued today shows, total resources of the bank were $14,847,509.98. Young Niantic Couple Seeks First License Macon county's first marriage license, of the year was applied for yesterday by a young Niantic couple so young, in fact, that they had to get their parents' permission. Attached to the certificate issued by Circuit Clerk Laurence Tang-ney is the permission of E. O. Oakleaf for the marriage of his Ison, John V.

Oakleaf, 19, while M. E. Cunningham consents to the marriage of his daughter, Anna M. Cunningham, 17. 5,500 Extra Soybean Edition Papers Sold Five thousand five hundred extra copies were sold of last Sunday's 64-page edition of The Herald and Review, which contained the paper's special soybean sec- itions.

No more copies of the paper are available. Orders were taken for papers jto be mailed to every state in the I union, as well as to England, Ireland, Scotland, Switzerland, Aus- tralia, Canada, India, South Africa, New Zealand, Korea, Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico. infirm couple, while four other persons had a narrow escape. background. Mr.

Bafford years ago had the building erected as for a factory. Recently it has be carried out after aiding a sister to safety. (Herald-Review Photon) rafter in the basement of the Luster Rechtin Ford garage. 385 East Prairie avenue, at 7:25 p. m.

yesterday. Loss was slight firemen said. In the last two of eight calls yesterday, firemen were summoned at 9 p. m. to the O.

C. Carter barber shop, 1021 North Water street where flying sparks had set fire to an awning, and at 9:22 p. m. to the 200 block West Eldorado street where a flue was burining out. Tw0 firemen today remained ill Jackson street at 5 a.

m. today cost the lives of an elderly and onto an ambulance stretcher by firemen, who can be seen dimly in the smoke in the treatment at Decatur and Macon County hospital for severe burns to her hands. Mrs. Sargent collapsed and had to Calvin Bafford, of Jersey City, and; Charles Bafford. of Fallon, Nev.

The sub-zero weather has brought i an unprecedented number of fires, i 17 calls having been received in the past three days by the fire department A mitten used in opening a fur- nace door caught fire at the home: Mrs. Sarah A. Webb. 1237 East-Prairie avenue, at 2:37 p. m.

Tues-: day. Smoke accumulated in the-basement but there was no dam-1 age. according to firemen. An overheated furnace ignited a been used ments. Fighting the fire was a cold job, it was found by Henry F.

Holderness, fireman from station No. 2. in their homes as a result of the blaze which gutted the Church of God early Monday afternoon. Walter Morenz who was overcome by the fumes, has been placed under an oxygen tent in his home at 1040 North Warren street. Capt William T.

Swartz of No. 6 station is under a physician's care in his home at 1729 North College street, suffering from a heavy cold which, Chief Piatt said, was aggravated while on duty at the church fire. mainly as apart-.