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The Decatur Daily Review from Decatur, Illinois • Page 3

The Decatur Daily Review from Decatur, Illinois • Page 3

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Decatur, Illinois
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3
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Sunday, January 19, 1947. DECATUR SUNDAY HERALD AND REVIEW LOCAL Putnam Gives Self Up in Chicago SLAYER BEING BOOKED AT POLICE STATION Iff 4j Ov p-JcS 1 Hospitalization Benefits Enlarged Hedrick, Albert, Rehfelt, Hughey File Petitions Mayor James A. Hedrick and $7 Donation to Man On Street Pays Woman $37 in Turf Return Seeing a man en a downtown street Friday who apparently was in needs of funds, a prominent Decatur woman handed him $1 with the remark, "Keep your spirits high." The man looked up a racing chart, added $1 to the gift, and placed a S2 mutuel racing bet on "High Spirits." The horse won and the bet paid oft $75. Yesterday the woman who made the original $1 gift was astounded when the man pre-' sented her with $37 as her part of the winnings. Longer Time Allowed, Other Items Covered By KENT ALVERSON Jf The Herald and Review Staff Sweeping changes in the local Blue Cross plan of hospitalization insurance which will greatly increase the benefits to members with only a small increase in rates, were announced yesterday by the board of directors of the Decatur Hospital Service Corp.

Affecting approximately one-half the population of the city of Decatur which is enrolled as members in the non-profit community service, the revisions provide for liberalized benefits in 22 specific instances, either in the form of increased allowances or in coverage not previously given. Official approval of the increased benefits for members and a new schedule of rates was obtained a week ago from the state Department of Insurance by the new managing director, Francis A. Walker, and final plans for putting- them into effect were made at the annual meeting of directors Thursday noon. Time Benefits Greatly Extended Under the new certificate of membership soon to be issued to groups participating in the Blue Cross plan, each member is entitled to 30 days of full benefits of hospital service and an additional 90 days of 50 per cent benefits in a "plan" hospital during one calendar robbery of a crap game Jan. 4.

Putnam surrendered through an intermediary in Chicago Saturday, according to Police Chief W. Glenn Kerwin. Seated in the rear is Police Detective C. W. Henry who, with his co-worker, "Chuck" Peebles received the tip on the surrender plans Friday night.

(Herald and Review Photo) Finance Commissioner George Albert yesterday filed petitions and certificates of candidacy for nomination in the Feb. 25 city primary election. At practically the same time of the filings yesterday, shortly before noon, there came an announce ment from Corporation Counsel Byron Merris that candidates will have an additional day beyond Monday in which to file. In a schedule submitted to the city some time ago Jan. '20 was listed as the final filing date.

City Clerk D. F. Davis, however, called Mr. Merris to check the schedule. After some research Mr.

Merris determined that the correct final date for filing is Tuesday, Jan. 21. The statute provides that peti tions for candidacy in the city pri mary election must Be inea noi 1 more -than 50 days nor less than 35 days before the primary elec tion. The primary is seven weeks; UClUlb lilt v. Hughey, Rehfelt File Other filing -petitions yesterday were Beecher Hughey and John Rehfelt, both former commissioners, both seeking to regain the offices they once held, and Gus Brown, who filed for police magistrate.

Yesterday's filings brought to five the number who have signified their intentions of seeking the office of mayor. There have been eight filing as candidates for com missioners. Those who have petitions out but have not yet filed them are Capt. Earl V. Smith, former commission er, and Arthur A.

Stern, who have announced they will be candidates for mayor, and Walter Molash, who is circulating petitions for com missioner. It was said yesterday that Captain Smith will file Monday. Following is the list of tnose wno have filed petitions: Mayor Mayor James A. Hedrick. E.

Voris Conner. Elmer Boyle. P. Lincoln Hensley. "Col." Enoch Pinkston.

Commissioners George Albert. Dr. P. A. Steele.

Bushrod Sattley. Lyle Kirby. Ellis Wheeler. Beecher Hughey. John Rehfelt Paul Kalem.

The first four candidates for commissioners are incumbents. Those who have filed for police magistrate are Harold F. Paine, Bert L. Weaver, Gus Brown and Marcellus J. J.

Polk. Dr. Wolfe Speaker For University Club Wolfe, A. E. Staley Mfg.

chemist, will speak at the meeting of the University club Thursday in the library of Millikin conservatory. Dr. Wolfe's subject will be, "My Impressions of Eu rope Before and After World War II." Dr. Wolfe returned to Europe last summer to take his doctorate in Switzerland. Parking Space at Downtown Curbs Very Costly, Survey Shows Parking space on the streets is often thought of as "free" space.

Actually, it is very expensive space when one considers the value of the land, the cost of street paving, and the cost of maintenance, the parking survey points out. A study made in New York City showed that curb space for a single car on Fifth avenue was worth $34,000. When Pittsburgh widened streets to increase parking facilities, it was calculated that the cost was $12,932 for each car space. RED CROSS MANAGER L. Philip Bruso, manager of the Macon county chapter of the American Red Cross since the fall of 1945, has announced Returned to Decatur, Talks Little of Killing Continued from Page 1 he slept most of the way down to Decatur.

"The prisoner did not appea nervous until we hit Eldorado street In Decatur," said Detective Henry. "Then he rubbed his hand over his forehead. He appeared to be grateful that he was back home gain." Walks Briskly to Cell Tiny beads of perspiration were noticed on the prisoner's brow during his visit at headquarters and in the county jail. But he adopted a stoical attitude and walked briskly Into the cell which will shelter him while he awaits trial on the murder charge. Asked where he had stayed in Chicago, Putnam said, "first one place and then another." The of ficers said Putnam's ankles were rwollen to twice their normal siz, as if he had been walking a lot.

He did not remember having seen any police searching for him white he was in Chicago. Putnam was quoted as saying that he had not had a good night's sleep since "it happened." He said that he did not remember how he got to Chicago. Read in Chicago Papers "I read about what happened in the Chicago papers," Putnam told police. He said that in that way he had learned that Mayor James A. Hedrick had withdrawn the liquor license at the Decatur Labor temple and was planning to question Labor temple officials about the presence of gambling there.

"How's my wife and Baby?" Put-cam asked several times following his arrest and on the way to Decatur, officers said. He was assured that they were all right Yesterday's seizure of Putnam brought to a close an intense two weeks search which was launched the night that six witnesses named him as the slayer of Rice, a former well-known gambling figure in Decatur. Used Borrowed Gun Investigation disclosed that Put-ram had borrowed a single-barreled shotgun from his brother-in-law, and had gone to the recreation room, where he purchased icme drinks. He was carrying the gun in a cloth casing when he entered the temple recreation room. A short time later he sauntered Into an adjacent hallway which was found to lead into the gaming room, which was usually kept bolted.

Gaining entrance to the gaming room where a crap game was in progress. Putnam was said by witnesses to have approached the end of the table and to have ordered Rice to gather up the table takes and place them in Putnam's pocket Rice complied, but pushed the gun aside, and remarked, "Be careful with that gun, June, you've got what you wanted." The gun barrel swung back and was pointed directly at Rice. A lir.gle shot blared. Rice fell in his tracks; the charge pierced his chest tore away part of his heart and scattered in the lungs and rtomach. Gun Found Later The witnesses said Putnam broke the barrel of the gun, as if to reload, changed his mind, turned and ran out of the building.

Later the death weapon was found at the north side of Central park. Putnam's car was found parked on Franklin street For two days no trace of the fugitive could be found. A bus driver and Pana optometrist then identified a picture of Putnam as the man who had run for a bus leaving the Decatur station, and had ridden to Chicago, where the driver saw him run from the bus. That wa- the last seen or heard of Putnam until his "go-between" got in touch with detectives Friday right The shooting touched off a gam-tiling investigation af the activities in the basement of the Decatur Labor temple, where seven slot machines, card tables, chips and other equipment were seized by police. Gaming Trial Pending State's Attorney Ivan J.

Hutchens ordered city and state warrant against five persons when John O. Street admitted that he was the gaming room operator and named Bob Hynds and Harry Meisenhcltcr as the ones to whom he paid half cf the profits of the gamine room. Two of the alleeed keepers pleaded puilty and paid fines. Three are scheduled for trial Jan. 23 in- the court of Justice Rudolph Lorenz.

Putnam, a Purple Heart veteran cf 32 months service with the army in North Africa and Italy, is a former taxicab driver and recently had been a civilian employe of the army signal corps depot at Deca-tur. The accused slayer has been arrested numerous times on minor charges and was indicted in 1941 for assaulting his wife. On joining the army, the indictment was rolled. Chief Kerwin congratulated the men on the force last night for the keen interest they had taken in following every lead which might have led to the apprehen of Putnam and said he was thankful that the nerve-wracking search was over. SEEKS RE-ELECTION B.

F. JOHNSON B. F. Johnson Seeks Approval At GOP Caucus B. F.

Johnson, Decatur township supervisor, announced last night that he will be a candidate for the Republican nomination for reelection in the party caucus on Feb. 19. Mr. Johnson is completing his first term of four years. If he is nominated and re-elected, Mr.

Johnson said, he will aid in carrying through the program of improvement of the county home and hospital, to qualify them for recognition by state welfare authorities as a nursing home eligible to care for persons receiving age and blind pensions, as well as elderly persons on relief rolls. Board Has. Approved The county board of supervisors has approved the proposed conver sion of the home and hospital into a facility suitable for all elderly persons receiving, public aid, but the program has been hampered by shortage of materials. A contract for a new well to provide an ade quate water supply has been let and the county home committee, of which Supervisor Johnson is a member, is moving toward a con tract for a sewage disposal system. After the disposition of sewage is provided for, the home and hospital may be qualified under state regulations.

Supervisor Johnson said, although an elevator in the hospital building is planned to com plete the program. On Board 8 Years Supervisor Johnson operated a barber shop near the Millikin bank for 16 years before his election as township supervisor in 1943. He also served as an assistant supervisor for four years before becoming the supervisor. He and his family have been residents of Decatur for 27 years. Before coming to Decatur, he operated a grocery store in Bement.

He was chairman of the county board of supervisors from April 1945, to April, 1946. As township supervisor, he has supervision of the administration of relief to needy families. In his candidacy for re-election he will have the support of the regular Republican organization in the township. Up to last night, he had no opposition for nomination. Burial Today Orville Brown, former Argenta resident who died in Chicago, will be buried in Friends Creek ceme tery near Argenta this afternoon.

The body was returned to the Hein le funeral home. There will be no graveside services. RESIGNS his resignation and will take over the operation of his father's business in San Diego, Calif. (Herald and Review Photo) A P-f- Ki-: Si IVsK'i I Blaze Damages Veteran's Home A young navy veteran and his wife lost most of their living room and kitchen furniture on the eve of their moving to a new home when fire destroyed two rooms in their four-room house late yesterday afternoon. Firemen said the blaze was started by the explosion of a homemade oil heater in the living room of the small frame house at 1863 West Center street while the occupants, Mr.

and Mrs. Harry Warnick, and their four-month-old daughter, were away from home. Damage to the house, owned by Vernon Durbin, was estimated at S500, and to the contents at $500. Company No. 6 answered the alarm turned in by a neighbor, Mrs.

James Hawkins, at 4:05 p. and No. 3 was dispatched at 4:16 p. m. Mrs.

Warnick said the contents were not insured. Jack Vest, rural route 2. suffered a cut on his upper left eyelid when his glasses were broken as he assisted neighbors in removing contents of the house. He was treated at D. M.

C. hospital and released. Mrs. Warnick. was cleaning the family's prospective home on North Church street when the fire started.

With her was the couple's daughter. Mr. Warnick, discharged from the navy Dec. 27, was at his job in a Decatur shoe store. Firemen said the living room and kitchen were badly charred and most of the contents destroyed.

Damage to the bedroom and its contents was mostly from smoke. Closed doors and windows caused the fire to mushroom quickly through the living room and kitchen, firemen said. Mary Reeser, Formerly Of Argenta, Dies at 85 Mrs. Mary C. Reeser, 85, formerly of near Argenta in Friends Creek township, died Friday afternoon in Denver, in the home of a daughter.

Mrs. Opal Hendricks. Mrs. Reeser lived in Friends Creek township all her life until she went to Colorado three years ago. Besides her daughter she leaves a son, Herbert A.

Reeser of Argenta. The body will be returned to Argenta for burial. Funeral arrangements are incomplete. Fined for Fighting Rolla L. Mears, 50, of 1346 East North street, and Thomas H.

Parks. 53, 487 South Webster street, arrested Friday night on charges of fighting, pleaded guilty yesterday and were fined $14.40 each. Knitting During Begins to Meet By O. T. ANTON Of the Herald and Review Staff The present generation of young folks appears to be developing am bidexterities that are quite baffling to their parents and grandparents.

One of these is knitting and lis tening to the radio while they do their high school and college home work studying. The older folks have been shaking their heads in doubt and amazement over this for some time. But, the bobby sox girls in sist, there's nothing to it; they can study better that way. Some of the girls are so inseparable from their knitting that they take it to the movies, where they knit in the dark while watching the pictures. The young men frown on this, preferring to hold hands at Moires.

Their knitting work is carnied by some of the girls to high school and college assembly and classrooms In some places this has become such a problem that the faculty has started "taking steps" to curb the practise. Banned by History "Prof" At MacMurray college in Jacksonville, which has an enrolment of 780 young women. Prof. Walter Hendrickson, head of the history department, a week ago placed a bn on knitting in his classes. Dr.

Hendrickson is one of the most popular members of tl)c MacMurray faculty, but his edict has jarred the girls considerably. After all, they are wandering, maybe he's just a little bit old fashioned. Millikin i-niversity doesn't appear to be very hard hit by the knitting craze, according to the testi- year. This compares witn zi aays maximum provided under the old certificate. Participating or "plan" hospitals in Decatur are the Decatur and Macon County hospital and St Mary's hospital.

At present an allowance of $3.50 per day is made toward hospital bed and board. This will be increased to full payment for a semi-private room of two, three or four beds, depending upon what is available. When a private 'room is de-' sired, an allowance of $5 will be made for 30 days and $2.50 for the next 90 days. Room service and meals are provided, including special diets and infant feedings. Also included are all the ordinary services of the hospital such as the unlimited use of the operating room, nursing except special nurses, anesthesia, all drugs and special medications including penicillin, and dressings.

Special drugs are not covered in the old certificate. Maternity Cases The waiting period for maternity cases has been shortened from 10 months to nine months with full hospital coverage given, including care of the new-born infant up to 30 days, and 90 additional days at half benefits. Not now provided, but to be covered under the new Blue Cross plan, will be X-ray and fluoroscopic examinations, X-ray and oxygen therapy, physiotherapy, electrocardiograms and basal metabolism tests. Another new benefit is emergency care and minor surgery, when not a bed patient, within 24 hours after an accident Benefits to members when the hospital used is rfot a "plan" hospital have also been sharply increased. The current allowance is $6 per day up to 21 days.

The new certificate- provides an allowance not to exceed $12 for one day, $16 for two days, $20 for three days and $6 per day up to 30 days plus $3 per day for the next 90 days. The certificate of the hospitalization plan does not cover professional services of the doctor, the cost of special nurses and their board, or care provided under the Workmen's Compensation act Classes of Members Only two classes of membership will henceforth be offered, directors of the Blue Cross plan announced. Rate to a member only without maternity will be $1 monthly. The rate for a member and full protection with maternity will be $2.25. When will those persons already using the benefits of the Blue Cross plan be given an opportunity to change to the new certificate? Mr.

Walker said yesterday, "It will be impossible to change all of the present groups over to the new certificate at once, but we hope to accomplish it within the next six months. All groups will be notified when they may make the transfer." The Blue Cross plan has been in operation in Decatur since 1938 and has grown rapidly, particularly in the last year when it added 7,000 members. Total enrollment is now 30,839. With a present reserve fund of $93,000 and strong financial position, directors recently decided that an increase in benefits was in order. Enrollment in the plan is in groups only, with any employed person and his dependents eligible.

However, Mr. Walker pointed out that the organization need not be on the basis of place of employment Churches, credit unions and other organizations may participate. Tuesday evening Wabash representatives of the Blue Cross plan will attend a general meeting of all Wabash employes in the large assembly room in the Wabash offices on East Condit street to explain the new benefits in detail and answer all questions. This group will be one of the first to enrol under the new set-up. Fred Putnam, 33, is shown being booked at the Macon county jail early last night on a charge of murdering Dal-ton E.

"Lefty" Rice in the Decatur Labor temple during the Nine Parking Two Garages By C. ALBERT ALTWEGG Of The Herald and Review Staff Nine parking lots and two four-tier parking garages costing at "normal," or pre-war, construction prices would solve Decatur's parking problem. That is the long-range solution recommended in the parking survey presented to the city by Russell H. Riley of the St. Louis planning firm of Harland Bartholomew Associates.

The lots and garages would be created in three stages and, along with changes in street parking, would provide for Decatur's expected parking needs now, in 1960, and thereafter. They would be established by cooperative action of the city govern ment and downtown merchants, with the city holding title to the properties and operation vested in the merchants. Would Share Expense Financial responsibility would be shared on a 50-50 basis, although the survey report expects the lots and garages would be self supporting through use of parking meter funds and charges for use of the parking facilities. Mr. Riley presented his report Classes Disfavor mony of heads of the faculty.

"There is some knitting in chapel and assembly, but none in the classrooms." it is reported by Dean C. L. Miller. "Knitting in the classroom, it seems to me. would interfere with concentration on the classwork.

But it's not a problem at Millikin. At least I have not had my attention called to it." The testimony of Mrs. Ruth Maxwell, J.M.U. dean of women, was similar. "Iyhave noticed none of the girls taking their knitting to the classrooms," Dean Maxwell said.

"At least none has brought knitting to any of my classes. There are some who knit during the assembly programs, but I see no great objection to that." No Time at U. of Knitting in classes is definitely not a problem at the Universityl of Illinois, according to Dr. Leah Ful-lenwider Trelease, dean of women there. 'I have seen the young women knitting at the basketball games, and sometimes while I was making a speech," Mrs.

Trelease said. "But they don't do it in classes here. The girls are too nervous over staying in school; their fingers would be too unsteady to knit. The university is greatly overcrowded, and the women have to compete with the men scholastically for the privilege of staying in school." The opinions of the psychology professors were asked. Prof.

E. S. Boyer, head of the department of religion and sociology at Millikin a-r) who teaches Please turn to Page 10 "Knitting" is so in Herald-Review Buys Building The building at 345-347 North Main street has been purchased by Decatur Newspapers," from Dr. J. Foster F.

Waltz and his brother, Lynn Waltz, of Chicago, it was announced yesterday by F. M. Lind say, vice president and general manager of Decatur Newspapers, Inc. The newly acquired property ad joins The Herald-Review building on the south with a 40-foot frontage on Main street. The addition gives the newspaper a- total front age of 126 feet No immediate change in occU' pancy of the building is con' templated, Mr.

Lindsay said. Breed. en's grocery is at 345 and the Fletcher Shoe Repairing Co. at 347 North" Main street. Dr.

Waltz has maintained his dental office on the second floor of the building for many years. Bruso Resigns Red Cross Post L. Philip Bruso has resigned as manager of the Macon county chap ter of the American Red Cross to assume operation in San Diego, of the agency for fire fight ing equipment distribution now di rected by his father, E. L. Bruso The Red Cross official said last night that he plans to leave here about Feb.

15 for California and that his wife and son Charles, 14, will join him later. Mr. Bruso said no successor has been named to fill his post but that the chapter's executive com mittee is expected tod meet Wednes day afternoon to discuss the ap pointment of a new To Continue Volunteer Work Mr. Bruso and his family have been living at 723 West William street. Mrs.

Bruso is the former Louise Ray. The Brusos' son is a student at Woodrow Wilson junior high school. Although he also is resigning as a member of the national staff of the A.R.C., Mr. Bruso said yesterday that he plans to continue volunteer work for the Red Cross after he enters business in San Diego. Mr.

Bruso was named manager of the Macon county chapter in the fall of 1945. He has been active in Red Cross work since 1929 and has been on the national staff since 1935. Chapter Program Expanding During Mr. Bruso's service as chapter manager, the county unit's progress included adoption of new by-laws, revision of home service in-take" policies, employment of a home service director and full- time junior Red Cross director. establishment of a college Red Cross unit at Millikin university and oth er activities.

The retiring manager also said that the county's junior Red Cross program has become one of the best in the Midwest and that the entire chapter has set new records in sending representatives to conventions and to national aquatic schools. Lots And Proposed verbally to, representatives of the city government, the planning commission, and the Association of Commerce. Completion of the written report expected in about 10 days, after which it will be studied locally. Upon approval, 1,000 copies of the final report are to be printed. The parking survey was commissioned by the city and the Association of Commerce, acting jointly in an attempt to discover a solution of Decatur's parking problem.

Solution Would Save Downtown District Decatur's parking problem is nothing unusual. Most cities in the Please turn to Page "Parking" Refrigerator Rabbit Dies At 7 Years The Belgian rabbit called 'Pete' after a cool seven years of uneventful living, died Saturday in his ice refrigerator home in the Consumers Ice Co. showroom, 365 North' Twenty-second street. Pete's life of celibacy has received national notice and attracted the attention of refrigeration engineers who were interested in knowing how long a rabbit can live in a refrigerator. Pete also made ley's "Believe It Or Not" cartoon.

Pete hadn't had a sick day in his life until Wednesday when Herb Dieckhoff, store manager, noticed that he was acting queerly said to Wayne O. Stone, general sales manager. Illness Is Noticed "That rabbit isn't feeling good," Dieckhoff said, but Mr. Stone pooh- hoohed the idea that Pete was ilL "He's just putting on a rabbit act," Mr. Stone said.

"Belgian rab bits live seven or eight years and Pete is an unusually healthy rabbit." Despite the expert car6 and feed ing he had received Pete evidently felt seven years was long enough. Appropriate funeral services were held by Stone and Dieckhoff. Pete had no surviving relatives. Led Easy Life Pete led a calm well regulated life beginning with a 30-minute exercise period which allowed time for his home to be cleaned. He al ways jumped back into the refrigerator without coaxing.

His diet consisted solely of dry rabbit food which simulated natural winter feeding for rabbits. Green food, in cluding carrots, would have killed Pete. However, he liked candy bars his only vice. The ice firm used Pete to demonstrate to anyone visiting the showroom that ice melting in a refrigerator releases oxygen. Pete grew until he weighed 32 pounds.

Now Mr. Stone is looking rabbit so that he can continue proving that rabbits can live ice refrigerators..

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About The Decatur Daily Review Archive

Pages Available:
441,956
Years Available:
1878-1980