the < imaha Corning Bee i=:= ^ t ^ jour hands—but following them you 4 - , ' reach your destiny.—Carl Schurz. ,1 -VOL. 54—NO. 166. OMAHA, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1924. * TWO CENTSu t9Gft2& SSS'LS."^ --}J > -!_______ ■' '■ ■■■ 1 -jP"*mms •. Hight and Woman Are Convicted Pastor Given Life Term and and Mrs. Sweetin Must Serve 35 Years for Poisoning Mates. Jury Ballots All Night lly SOMA I.HE, Int.riiRtioiMl »w* Service Staff ('orrr*t|Hinclc*ut. Mount Vernon, ill.. Dec. 24.—I,aw venee Might and Elsie Sweetin, the woman lie had loved, were today sentenced for the murder of Wilford Sweetin. The preacher will lead the rest of his years behind prison bars. His accomplice will leave her youth behind when she has served her sen. tence of 35 years. On the edge of Christmas, 12 men came in at 8:45 o’clock this morn ing after an all-night “'deliberation and retifbned a finding of guilty. H. H. Thurness, -the foreman, read 1he verdict to a small audience which had hastily gathered from the streets of Mount Vernon. The defendants were brought from the jail. Elsie Sweetin leaueii against tlie railing, speaking low to her brother, Earison. Hight was sitting alone. His chil dren had gone back home, not wait ing for the jury to determine the fate of their father. Victim's Father in ( oui't. The old father, who had burned his pain into the hearts of the jury when he had testified agalnsc the wife of his dead son—Columbus Sweetin, waited. Berths^ Bumpus, the dead I man's sister checked her tears. • inly a. flicker of interest marked the two accused as Judge J. C. Kern called upon the Jury to deliver their verdict. “We. the Jury, find Bawrenc# M. Hight guilty of murder of JXVilford Sweetin, as charged In the indict ment. and sentence him to life im prisonment. "We, the Jury, find Elsie Sweetin, guilty of the murder of Wilford Sweetin, as charged in the indict ment, and sentence her to 35 years' — •- imprisonment.” Woman Falters. It was Elsie Sweetin who faltered. Ixawrenee Hight's swinging of his legs was only accentuated. There was a pause—that invariable one. which follows the deliverance of a sentence of portent. ,"My own father is sending me to prison," were the compressed words "f the woman who had been found guilty. "It is Ills testimony which is tak ing me away from my children and leaving I Item motherless: hut X don't blame him. He did what he thought was right. He told what he thought ‘ was the trut. ley all misunderstood l pip and T am the one to pay the pen * (city. What can I say but that X air. innocent?” "But I don't look forward to the years before me with fear. I am not . fraid. 1 am going through that, too, x I have gone through othei things." Whatever one may say of Elsie Sweetin, it can never he charged that she lacked courage. Pastor at Peace. The preacher, unfrocked, dishonor ed. convicted, too, has made peace with himself. There is no punishment here," he said before the verdict was read. "So ''man can punish us for our sins. We have tea wait until we are dead." Hut limiK found a way to Inflict punishment and Xxawrenc-e Might ac counts for it only with the trite , phrase that “man is man." "IxUin" Sweetin, the one most he (Turn fee I’sse .Nine. Column One.) DECISION READY ON SUGAR TARIFF Washington, Dec. 13. — After months of study, President Coolldge has completed a statement announc ing his decision on the question of increasing the sugar tariff. tt'hile House officials would not say A today whether the announcement ' would he made before Christmas, but said It would not be much longer de lated. The tariff commission after a two year study of the sugar rates, pre sented a divided report, and It be came necessary for the president to conduct his own Inquiry. H. K. Jnesting, President •loesting A Schilling, Hotel Outfitters, SI. Paul, .Minn. Mr. Joestlng tmd Mrs. Joestlng are . stopping a few days in Omaha cn route from California to their home In Ft. Paul. As president of the Joestlng A Schilling company, outfitters for hotels throughout the country. Mr. .locating Is Interested In everything fjn -hotels front the smallest dish to butty Otcls of yards of rugs. Mr. .meeting's company when a new hotel Is completed tnl.i s charge of till the burnishing* for the hotel. Aftet (t„* hotel Is completely outfitted the company replaces woinotit furnish logs Mr. Joestlng has been III th iamine many years 0 \ . % $1,000,000 BLAZE DESTROYS STORES New York, Dec. 24.—A cheerless Christmas eve for many of the small merchants in the block opposite the new Albee theater In tlie h£art of Brooklyn's shopping district was ushered in today w it it a fire whose loss totaled* $1,000,000. One-half of this sum was an actual damage by fire and water. The re mainder was an estimate of the loss of Christmas trade to the little de partment stores, jewelry shops and other small stores which burned. Eight Burned to Death in British Passenger Plane Flying Machine Headed for , Paris Crashes Near Croy* den, Hursts Into Flames; Pilot an Expert. By KOBFHT J. PKKW. I niversal Service staff Cormpnnilent. London, De<\ 24.—The worst dis aster in the history of British com mercial aviation occurred near Croy den today when a machine headed for Paris crashed and burst into flames, burning eight persons to death. The record of highly efficient pas senger service operated between the two capitals by British companies was marred during the Christmas fes tivities under the most distressing circumstances. The airplane, a DeHaviland, arose from the famous Croyden airdrome at noon carrying seven passengers and a pilot, D. A. Stewart, who won fame as a war flyer, and was regarded as one of the finest airmen in the Lon don-Paris service. - Failed to 4 limb. The machine, flying against a strong wind for seven minutes, failed to climb and Stewart swung her back toward Croyden, almost grazing the slope of a hill.* Then the machine side-slipped and nose-dived to the ground from a height of 100 feet. The engines sank two feet Into the ground and Immediately flames hurst forth and the gas tanks exploded. From that moment all on board were doom ed to a horrible death. Within a few minutes dozens of people were on the scene but were tmable to approach the fiercely burn ing heap of human beings tangled in the wreckage. One family, was ob literated by the disaster, A. J. Spros ton, a noted motorist, perishing with his father and mother. This party, like all the others, were rushing to the continent for the Christmas fes tivities. IHlier Victim*. The other victims were Mrs. W. Bailey, 50, who intended to visit rela tives in Paris; Maurice Luxemburg, son of a London merchant who was going to visit his sister In the same city; Dr. Barliosa Lima, a Chilean doctor who was passing his vacation' in Europe, and Cedric Trudgett, a Chincan newspaper correspondent. Twelve passengers were booked for seats in the machine hut five had to wait for a second plane and al though news of the disaster readied the airdrome Immediately, all per sisled In making the air journey. PRINTERS PLAN FOR OLD TIMERS Indianapolis, ]nd., Dec. 24.—Print ers in more than 00 cities have ar ranged Santa Claus visitations for old timers In the I'nlon Printers' home at Colorado Springs, Colo., It was said today hy J. W. Hays, secret,iry-treas urer or the International Typograph ical union. Turkey dinner, a long es tablished custom, will be served to morrow. Candy, books and warm clothing constitute the hulk of Christ mas cheer sent hy local unions to home residents from their sections. New York Typographical union, No. fi, sent $5 In addition to the regular weekly allowance, to each New York resident in the home, Kiwani* Club Takes Lead in McCook Civic Movements Modook, Dec. 24.—^fcC’ook Kiwani* club, which now bn* 53 member*, elected the following officer* *t the tegular luncheon this week: President, J. a. Colgan; vice president, <\ I). Ritchie; district triiHtee, Roland Scott; treasurer, F. K. Hillman; board of dt rectora: (I. A. Ranh, John Hurtle**, Vrnnk Colfer, (*. M. Mntaon, II. (\ Clapp, C. H. Stephen* and Dr. J. M. Mini*. Although the dub hn* l»een organ ized little over a year It bn* taken the lend In McCook club circle* and 1* figuring In practically every civic movement Name of Man Dead Nearly Two Years on List of Jurors Fall* (‘Ity, Dec. 24.— When the roll of 50 petit Juror* drawn for the fed era! grand Jury at Lincoln 1* called at least one name will he unanswered. Among the BO name* drawn wai that of J. Rock Williamson of Humboldt, former sheriff of RD hardnon county, who died February 1, 1023. Track Ditched; Driver Hurt. York, Dec. 24. -Heorge Rel*heck, drivei nf one of the Mlfdd Mercantile rare, was hurt In in auto accident Monday when hi* c.ir went into a ditch near Waco, Neb., and h* was thrown out. He had about $2,000 worth of good* In the truck which e* raped Injury. Both men were employed on the S Burlington section here. From Grave Chemical and' Medical An alysis Will Be Made to De termine Cause of Million I aire Orphan's Death. By A. .1. I/OKFNZ, I ^ilor.itl Service Staff Cnrrr-ptiii.lrnt. Chicago, Dec. 24.—The darksome wraith of doubt hovered over the broken tomb of William Nelson Aic Clintock today. It was cited by the sudden action of the authorities who ordered the body of the youthful mil lionaire orphan exhumed today. With medical men. attorneys and detectives watching every step the concrete vault in Oakwoods cemetery was opened this afternoon. Young AicCllntock’s body was disinterred and the vital organs removed for the most minute chemical and medical analysis. While the first tests will he for poison, said Chief Justice Olson of the Alunicipal court who ordered the investigation into the death, negative results will not bait tile examination. “Negative results wilt not be at all sufficient.” Justice Olson declared. Suspicion Still Clings. “They will not remove the suspicion that has arisen In this case. It is probable that the autopsy will con firm the physicians' diagnosis of typhoid.” State's Attorney Robert F. Crowe indicated that three theories of violent death will be weighed. They are: 1. Death by some baffling, subtle poison. 2. Death by typhoid fever as a re sult of the administration of disease germs. 3. Death as a result of Improper treatment of typhoid fever by permit ting young McCHntook to partake of solid food against~the strict injunc tions of the attending specialists, that the patient be given only a liquid diet during the crisis of the malady. Two specialists who attended Mo* Cllntock wMJe he was ill in the home of his foster parents. Air. »nd Mrs. William T. Shepherd, who also fell heir to the major part of his $3,000, 000 estate, ascribed #the young mil lionaire's death to typhoid fever. Shepherds Represented. The Shepherds, who were reported ns hastening back from Albuquerque. N. M., where they had gone immedi ately after their ward died three weeks ago. were represented at the exhumation and the autopsy by their own physicians and attorneys. The first steps, beside the chemical analysis, in the case were taken Jate today by detectives of the state's at torney s office, checked up prescrip tions filled In Kenilworth, where the Shepherds lived while McCHntook was ill. A Kenilworth druggist was re quested to deliver full Information on all prescriptions Issued by him for AlcCItntock. The first prescription was one for the treatment of Influenza which It was believed the youth contracted while attending the Ikirtinouth-liar vard football game. Dlngnoaed flrat as "Intestinal Influenza,” McClln tock developed a severe rase of typhoid from which he was said to have died. I.lfe Has Insured. It was also learned, investigators of the state's attorney's office de clared that young McCIlntock'a life was Insured by the Equitable I.lfe Assurance company shortly before his death. The amount of the policy was JtOO.OOO. The Insurance company, it was declared, started an independent investigation Immediately after Me Cllntock’S death and It now Is expect ed to he merged with the official ex amination ordered by Chief Justice Olson. Leo Wilson to Join The Omaha Bee Staff The Omaha Itrr aiiiinimrr* an rxtrnaion In Ita organisation through thr ralahliahnirnt of thr position of advrrtlalng dim-tor. Thr dutlrs of thla position will hr takrn ovrr on Itn-rmhrr ?9 hy Mr. last Wilson. Mr. Wilson lias hrrn ar llvr for many jrara I i nrwa paprr work For thr laat srvrn yrara hr has hrrn ad v r r 11 sing mans grr of thr Omaha World- llrrald. - This fa ir., Wilson. largrmrnt In Hkoalun-t Photo adxrrtls Ing organisation will rnalilr Thr Omaha Itrr to rxtrml a wldrr srrx hr to advrrtlsrra and mnkr pos slhlr thr Inking of ailtniilngr of anthi|H«trd Imprnxrinrnt in bttal liras i-onrilt lolls. Thr prrsriit nil. • i |9*lng orgnni /ntlon and thr prrsrnl ariwrtlaing staff xx ill hr lonllmnil nllliont i-hangr. s.. .. f • V | M einry Gmstm&g i «f Old Scrooge didn't know how to be happy until he -ft if experienced the awakening joy of making others happy, ft gg That, after all, is the sum total of human happiness— ft £ making others happy. “A Merry Christmas" sounds good ft as a salutation. A Merry Christmas for you because you ft ^ have made Christmas merry for others is the real kind of ft & Christmas. Making others happy costs so little. The re- ft Eg turns in happiness are so big. We should all invest more Sf The real secret of happiness is revealed in a song num- ft 8? ber in the popular comic opera, "No, No, Nanette." ft gj Perhaps the author did not realize fully when he wrote ft gg it that he Was offering a poetic £ey to unlock the door ft P of the heart to let genuine happiness come in and dwell: e Pasco, Magma and 1'nlted Slates Smelting. A brisk demand also developed for (lenernl Motors nnd Dupont, which climbed three and four isdnts, i-. spectlvely. Powerful financial Inter ests wer* said to he accumulating these stocks. Declaration of nn extra dividend of $1 a share by the Dickawanna railroad, although having little effect on the stock of the company, coll tiihuted to the more cheerful tone and the favorable tenor of the week ly steel trade gave ground for added confidence. The wheat market was unusually buoyant, prices advancing 2 3 9 centa to 3 ,V9 Cene a bushel on buying. Inspired by the bullish in terpietnllnn of foreign markets, Spilltul Hpuiis T.nitl to Arrest of Pair at kimliall Bridgeport, Dec 21 i i|o Olson and Joe Dm-ev me In Jail at Kimball, charged with theft of a truck load of beans from the warehouse of the Kim ball Mill a nil Klevatnr company of fb ers tracked the men lo a house where one of them lived, bv means of a trnll of beans In the highway, Hint had leaked from s tern - ok. thiougli il hole In Ihe truck bed. Nonagenarian Dir* al York. Vnrk. IVr "4 In. t»h Hmllli. !M*. • Hfl m hi* hotiir m Vnrk uft*M brief 1)1110**. Mr. Hmilh m i* a tl\|| war irlWin, hnvltm *fi\f»eeri an invalid, and to this is attributed in large measure his present decision to re tire. Notwithstanding his advanced age of nearly S2. and the long service oil | the bench. Justice M< Kenna's heafth has isused him to miss few sessions of the court in recent years. Kyos Troubled Him, Kor a time lie was much troubled with his eyes and was compelled toj wear a green shade while sitting on the bench, hut he has fully recovered from that alTUctlon. Should Justice McKena adhere to his present decision and resign, the resulting vacancy will I* claimed by the Ninth or Pacific coast circuit. He was appointed from California, and that i irrut now has no other repre sentative in the court. The presi dent, of course will lie free to select Justice McKenna's successor without reference to geographical location, hut It has often been contended that It was desirable, as far as possible, to have each of the nine circuits rep resented by a justice. The court, hi sever, lias not been so constituted for years. Massachusetts and Tennes see each being represented at pres ent with two justices and several of the circuits are assigned to justices who never resided within them. VESSEL AGROUND ON CANAL BANK Panama, T>ec. 24.—The steamship] Anglo Kgyptian. from Vancouver for Gibraltar with wheat, struck the east hank of the Panama canal at Iwtpita point yesterday and now is benched at Gamboa. It will bo returned to D'tlloa for repairs. Part of the cargo was ruined byj water and the remainder is being un -j loaded into canal barges. COAST GUARD IN LARGE RUM HAUL v*w York. Gee. 24 Coastguard officer* tonight captured 114 prisoners, a British schooner, three motor boats and liquor valued at more than $500. 000 liere. The l.ritleh schooner Pe ts ra, with seven prisoner* and 45.000 eases of alleged champagne, liquors and whiskies, was among the vessels brought to the barge office, Bealrirr kiddie* Give °l »**n-Air t iiIp Program Beutrlce. iVc 24 Fifteen hundred kiddles were madv happy bv recelv* ing gifts from the community Christ mas tree in Charles park. Christmas program was given by the children In the open, and with the decoration* on the platform and a soft snow falling the si ene was l»enutiful and realistic. Hundreds of Beatrix'* residents at I tended the affair. "Big Jim*" Bin'll* to Death After Kirill \\ itli “l.ittlo Jot*” Bridgeport, lVo 24.—Jo# Gome*, known line as "Big” Joe, is dead nnd Joe Mabry, known as "Utils" Joe. Is in Jail, charged with his murder The two had a fight a ft** i being put out of a pool hall where tlirv quarreled, and the sfhnllei man used a knife with fata! result. Gome* bleeding to death from Ids wounds. >kj«I«• r Lull*. Break* \rnt. Beatrice l *e. l .eon Hi liar ton of bis *lfv was the victim of the first sk.ting accident of the season on the Blue rixrq here when he slipped and fell on the h« breaking bis i glu arnr ai tba wiisi Joint. ACCUSED BROKER IS FOUND GUILTY New York, Dec. 23.—Louis Mont gomery Kardos, Jr., former stock broker in the firm of Kardos & Burke which failed two years ago for $5,000,000, was convicted by a jury today of trading against the ac count of a customer. The jury was out 12 minutes. Sentence will be im posed tomorrow. Schuerman’s Fate Is in Jury’s Hands Christmas Eve Slate Expresses Willingness to Leave Case to Judgment of Veniremen in Murder Trial. Sprtlnl IU-.patch to Thr Omaha Bee. Beatrice, Neb., Dec. 24.—The sen sational murder case of the state against 4-ldward Schuerman, DeWitt farmer, went to the Jury at 4:45 o’clock this afternoon after the at torneys had submitted their argu ments and Judge Mjfss had read his instructions to the jury. County Attorney H. F. Mattoon opened for the state tn the morning reviewing the cake in detail from be ginning to end. stating that according to Schuerman's own confession and the testimony given by the state the murder of ffeorge Rheinmiller on Oc tober 10., was premed lated. Tells of Crime. He told of how the defendant had platted a shotgun in his car and had driven from his borne to the vicin ity of the Rock Island bridge south of I>e Witt where he lay in wait for his victim, shoting his twice. He stressed the fact that the state had produced com[ietent evidence to show that the defendant was sane when the tragedy occurred. He charged that the defense counsel had trumped up the insanity plea in or der to dear their man. In closing he stated he was willing to leave the case to the Judgment of the Jury. Mr Mattoon was followed by Attorney Stanley Bartos and F. A. Dutton of the defense who made brief, but strong pleas for their client whom they thought was insane when he shot and killed Rheinmiller. Frank Bartos was next to argue and he made one of the strongest and eloquent appeals on liehalf o£ de fendant ever heard in the courtroom. He empha^xesi the fact that Schuer man had been proven insane bjr the best of expert testimony from Lin coln and not less than 20 witnesses from the vicinity of De Witt. Pleas for Defendant. He spoke of bchuemian s stand ing In the community where he had resided for so long and said that the frequent stsits ttrthe fk-huerman home hr Rheinmiller had driven him Insane. Bartos quoted the Bible as authority on adultery and stated that punishment should b« meted out to those who commit it or try to ruin a home where the faxniy relations snd surroundings iiave always been pleas ant and congenial. Walter A. Vasey, former county at torney who has been assisting Coun ty Attorney Mattoon in the prosecu tion of the case, closed for the state, covering much of the details of the rase tin- killing of Hheinmiller as did Mr. Mattoon. He said he was willing to lea\e the fate of the case in the hands of the jury to decide. Judge Moss then gave his instruc tions to the jury, reviewing the case in all its phases. He charged that if the jury finds the defendant insane or suffering front a mental break down. h# should l>e acquitted. On the other hand If the Jury finds that the killing of Rheinmiller was premedi tated and deliberate, then It is to liricg a verdict of guilty. The complaint charges Schuerman with first degree murder in the slaying of Rheinmiller whom. he charged, had for three years attempt ed to wreck his home. It is believed that the jury will acquit defendant or tying in a manslaughter charge ('oolitlgr lo -\ppoint Now Judfin Next Work Waahtngton. I'ec IS. President Coolldge hopes to submit several Judgeship nominations to the senate nevt week, when congress reconvenes. There are nearh a doten vacancies on the federal bench. Including three In the circuit court of appeals. Phillips Taken to Prison. Pawnee t'llv, l'e, 24.—John X. Phillip*, convict#*! her# of attempt**! H»aault on a 14 year old girl at Table Rook, \*a* takon to Uncoln laat wc<*k by Sheriff Avery to begin a *#itt#nc# , of from three to 15 yrara. The « tin* had l*cen appeal#*! and the aenteno# affirm#*! b\ th# hlg!i#r court*. Mitlnijfltt Carol Serxioo. A midnight carol service will l'e held Wedne»d.v> night it St. Marlin Episcopal church In Scut h Omaha The service will begin at 11 p m \ spe, ial Christmas service, whh com munion. will l>e held »1 St. Bridget Catholic church at midnight. The Weather *- j Nrlntixf* llnmlrfllv IVrcrnt ««*> Tplul «• Total s'nc* .Itmun 1 Mi ttrl* I V t**|sr ml itn * * « M * *' »« • I * • nt * « |*. **i *2 nu i Nurse Dies as Result of Accident E. A. Wickham, Wife and Son, Bernard. Critically Injured When Rock Island Freight Train Hits Limousine. j Car Hurled Into Pole j E. A. Wickham, his wife, his son Bernard and his nurse, Miss Florence Brodahl, 22, were seriously injured Wed nesday when their automobile was struck by an inbound Rock Island freight train at the South avenue crossing in | Council Bluffs. Miss Brodahl died as a re sult 'of her injuries a short j time after reaching the hos pital. Her brother had been called at Wahoo, her home, and was speeding to Council Bluffs in an automobile when she died. Son Driving. Mr Wickham is head of the E. A. Wickham Contracting company, president of the First National bank and the State Savings hank of Coun cil Bluffs, an official of the Nebras j ka Power company, the Omaha and Council Bluffs Street Hallway com pany and the Omaha- and Council Bluffs Bridge company. j Bernard Wickham was driving the car at the time and did not «ee the train coming. The automobile was completely wrecked. A passing motorist picked up the Wickhams and totok them to the Mercy hospital Miss Brodahl fol lowed in the police ambulance. Son Has Fractured Skull. ! At the hospital it was announced that Mr. Wickham had suffered se tore cuts and bruises about the bead and body. His condition is critical. Mr*. Wickham suffered possible in ternal injuries a fractured arm and ' cuts and M%inee. Her condition Is also critical. Bernard Wickham suf fered. in addition to severe cut* about the head, a possible fracture of the skull. Mr. Wickham for months ha* been in tlie habft of walking from his home to the Iowa school for the deaf , each afternoon. His wife and hU nurse always accompanied him. Veually some member of the fam ily would drive out and get the trio and take them home after the walk. Son’s Birthday Today. Bernard. Wednesday afternoon w i« home from school. As well as its K-ir.g t'hristmas eve it was the day before his 16th birthday. Wishing to be with his parents he drove out to the school to bring them home. None of the viciims of the acci dent have been able to tell what hsp Sjened as yet. The engineer of the train. A Pm. told police that he bad scan the car approaching the rroes me and had blown the whistle of f the engine. The family were riding in a limou sine and apparently dui not hear the whistle nor see the train. The car was in 'he tenter of the crossing when the train struck it. Throe Conscious When Found. The force of the impart hurled the nutoni-'hile . ff the track and against a telephone line pole. The henry car wa« almost demolished All of the occupants of the car •* cept Miss Brodahl were confolous when aid reached them. Bernard hao been bulled ciesr of the maehine. The others were half in and half out of the oar. tvx stopped his train ss soon ns possible and hurried back to aid the injured. Motorist* passing along South avenue had stopped hr then. The police w ere ealled and w hen thev arrt\e,l ordered the family tak en to the hospital at once. The pri vate car was pressed Into service. Farmer Soil* Out; ^ ill Go Hack to Old Kentuoky Homo Heatrtce. IVc. ;4-I»eej taken tip with •he State tlep*r; ment. which tt*oM*\l Jthe ko\eminent i\miM rv't h £*Uy *\ h*cn-l nnutey toi then ti |n»|H4 UtlK>tl j hcu\*. I