davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Imperial Valley press., 1923-12-20
DEATH COMES TO
0EHLER, RESULT
OF AUTO CRASH
Body, Escorted to Station
By Elks, Goes East
to Relatives

Louis e. Oehler, well known bar
Der of this city, died at the FL
Centre hospital last night. as & re-
suit of injuries sustained III an au-
tomobile accident on the Calexicc
highway Sunday night, when the
machine i'll which h., was riling,
driven by the owner, -. r. Steyen.
son of lmperiaL collidcd with Dis
irict Attorney Utley's machine at
Heber.
Oehler was severely injured about
The head, but it was believed he
would recover. His condition con
;Inued to improve Tuesday and yes
terdav and he was able to talk with
several friends who visited him
yesterday afternoon. Death came
suddenly shortly after 6 clock last
night, and was caused, according to
physicians, by Il broken blood vessel.
The deceased was well known in
Ell Centre, and for the past four
years had been employed at James
Davis barber shop on Main street.
OF & genial disposition, he had Il
wide circle of friends who were
greatly shocked to learn OF his I'M
timely death, particularly when ear
iier reports gave every indication
that he would :ocover from the ac,
cident. l.-
Ochlcr was 80 years old and sim
gle. He is survived by several re-
lativcs in Sheboygan, Wisconsin,
where the body was shipped this af-
ternoon Tor burial, IL accordance
with telegraphic instructions receiv-
ed from his brother. Members Of
the Elks' lodge and the local bar
bers' union escorted the body 10 the
train. All the barber shops in the
city were closed between 3 and 4
clock to allow members of the
union to, attend the funeral. In
addition 10 the SElks and the bar
bers union, Oal.lere was also mem
ber. of the Eagles and the United
| Spanish War Veterans.
Imperial Valley press., 1923-12-20
SHENK LOSES in
SUPREME COURT
DECISION EDlCT
Reversal By High Court
in Famous FranZen
Litigation

BY a divided decision of the sta
tc supreme count, recorded late yes
terday, the judgement of the I'm
2erial County superior court i'll ia
vor Of A. NJ. Shenk the one of ',ht
largest ranchcrs in the Imperial
valley, who was sued by Miss Mabel
Franzen far malicious prosecution,
is reversed and judgement recorded
il favor of the plaintiff.
The case, which aroused c0nsid-
cradle interest in Imperial county
originated three years ago, when
Shenk alleged Miss Franlen to pe
insane ana sne was given IN III.
sanity hearing in the local superior
court, the verdict being that She was
sane. She had formerly been Il busi-
LESS partner of Shenk and follow
IEg the declaration of her sanity,
instituted suit against Sherk for
S31 1,040, alleging malicious prosecu-
tion.
Judge Franklin J. Cole, who pres
i'tCi oNtf dllt sNliCl
the evidence, Instructed the jury on
November -, 1921, to return 4
verdict i'll favor OF the defendant
An appea was taken from the decI
sion of the local court, and the dis
trict court of appeals, with Justice
Conrev presiding, rendered an opin.
ion in favor Of the defendant.
The case vas referred TO the
supreme court for decision. Justice
Lennon wrote the decision in favor
Of Miss Franzen, Justices Lawlor
Scawell and kerrigan concurring
Chief Justice Wilbur and Justic,
Myers wrote dissenting opinions
Ine majority justices ruled that the
Imperial county superior court hat
erred in not allowing the matter OF
the damage action to 90 before th'
jury for verdict.
Ault and Anderson were attor
neys for Shenk, who is Il brotle
of Judge John W. Shenk, and Nj
,Franzen was represented by G. b
Tonlin and j. ". Hooker.
Imperial Valley press., 1923-12-20
Postpone Hearing
For New Trial
In Dengen Case

Los ANGELES, Dec. 2o.-Judge
Shcnk today postponed until Satur-
day ruling on Michael Degnan s
motion for a new trial.
Degnan was convicted On tive
coun,s of attacking Miss Eloise
Clement, Hollywood actress and lee
turer.
District Attorney Keyes was to
call Van Dwiaell, investigator for
the dictrict attorneys office, be-
fore him today, and ask him to ex-
plain how certain documents, includ-
ing the transcript of testimony tax
en- by Dwinell in the Degnan case
came to fall into the hands of lie
Compile Davis, counsel for the def
CmSe.
Judge NJ. w. Conkling of El Cen
tro presided during the famous
trial.
Imperial Valley press., 1923-12-20
ACTION ON SENDING
LIEBE ERT, HEALD
EAST DEF Err RED

No action was taken by the board
of directors of the Imperial Irriga-
ton District at yesterday S meet
ing relative to sharing the expenses
of Mike Liebert and Elmer Head,
whom it is proposed to send to
Washington, to lobby for the Swing
Johnson bill as respective represent
atives of the Imperial County Farm
Bureau and the InterPost Council
of the American Legion.
The board decided to defer the
matter until tomorrow, when spe-
cial meeting will be held, and the
question will then be referred to
the directors of the Farm Bureau,
who meet Saturday. 1t is hoped
that an amicable adjustment can be
reached by the farm bureau directors
and the Irrigation district, relative
to defraying the expense of Liebert
ed at Washington according to Mark
Rose, member of the Irrigation Dis
trict board, who is at present at
the capital.
In a letter received by the Dis
trict from Rose, he states that he
has high hopes that the Swing-John-
son bill will be acted upon by the
present congress.
Rose adds that quick work is ne
cessary in order to achieve action
on the Swing-J ohnson bill, and sug-
gests that Liebert and Heald be sent
to Washington to assist him.
Stating that Il is difficult to get
proper publicity for the Swing
Johnson bill in the newspapers of
the capital in those journals having
correspondents at Washington, Rose
suggests that it might be advisable
for the Irrigation District board to
reconsider its decision not to send
+. w. Greer to Washington. or in
the event this is impossible, that one
of the Los Angeles papers be asked
to send man to carry on the pub
licity campaign.
Imperial Valley press., 1923-12-20
U. S. CANNOT STAY AL00F
IS ASSERTION OF SPEAKER
AT TEACHERS NSTI TU TE

In spite, of the many leaving yes
terdav to attend sessions elsewhere
the Teachers Institute at the high
school opened this morning with
over 70 per cent of the county
educators in attendance.
A talk by FL Centro's city sup
crintendent, A. p. Shibley on
Achievement TESTING and the
ensuing discussions occupied the en-
tire morning. The problem of hand
ling the child who makes high grades
in certain subjects, but is cores
pondingly below the average in 9th
ers was mentioned, and the best
methods of handling such cases in
the busy school routine considered.
Following Shibley's address, G. r
Prince of the Calipatria schools and
George r. Momyer of Brawley and
others asked various questions and
Imperial Valley press., 1923-12-20
FATE OF KHAN
OFFICIAL RESTS
WITH GA. JURY
ny United Press Leased Wire

ATLANTA, Ga, Dee. 2G-The
fate of Phil Il. Fox, Ku Klux Klan
publicity director, charged with the
murder of Nv. S. Cobnrn, will rest
with the jury this afternoon.
Arguments to the jury will be
concluded today, after which Judge
Howard will deliver his charge.
w. S. Howard, attorney for the
family of Coburn, opened the argu-
ments to the jury with an attack
on 'the defense for not seeking a
lunacy commission and for failure
to put DR.. Newdigate ownesby, a
noted alienist, who made a detailed
examination Of Fox, on the witness
stand. -''tf '-.ls.a s.a, ot.
Imperial Valley press., 1923-12-20
POincare Regime
Suffers Defeat

PARIS, Dec. 20.-Thc Poincare
government suffered a technical
defeat in the Chamber of Deputies
This afternoon when parliament vot-
ed 341 to 200 to sever certain
amendments from bill to provide
a "cost of living subsidy for
government employees.
Communists raised shouts of re.
sign, resign! ~. a. ~.
Premier Poincare hurried to the
chamber and announced the govern
ment would accept Il discussion of
Il compromise in committee, but that
there had been question of making
the vote, on a technicality, ques-
z ion of confidence.
Imperial Valley press., 1923-12-20
Ry FREDERICK G.. NEUMEIER
i, UNITED Press Staff Correspcndent)

MEXICO CITY, Dee. 19.-(9 p.
u,.)~-General Onregon S forces com
pletely defeated the rebels in the
battle for San Marcos.
The insurgents retreating from
that important railroad center, burn
cd bridges and tore up tracks be
hind them.
The federais, however, expect to
turn their attention to the Jalisco
front once more and TO launch a
decisive attack Thursday or Friday.
Scores of rebel prisoners Were
taken when the De la Huerta forces
were defeated at San Marcos and
these were to be released tonight.
President Obrcgon returned from
The east from, apparently in good
health, although lie had slight
Z rough. He received the Mexican
End foreign press in his office at
ihe National Palace and announced
The success at San Marcos
Obregon said The rebel General FL
guero still was operating i'll the
state of Guerrero, but that in view
Of the fact that he was isolated
and doing no harm, his activities
were not considered important.
Explaining the victory Mt San
Marcos, an official war office an
nouncement said the rebels retreated
under cover OF darkness early Tues
day morning.
The federal captured 46 prisoners
on that occasion, as we'll as two
pieces of artillery and y quantity
Of war material.
The insurgents had concentrated
large number Of troops, drawn
from the Vera Cruz, district, for the
attack upon San Marcos, which fail
ed. st
General Martinez wired that he
would launch an attack Wednesday
against the ret,eating rebels.
(This is the General Martinez re-
ported in rebel advices to have been
captured at San Marcos with all his
men and likewise to have been de-
feated AT Pansacola).
Imperial Valley press., 1923-12-20
Is WARSHLPS AT
CANTON TO STOP
CUSTOMS SEIZURE
BY United Press Leased Wire

LONDON, Dec. 20.-Six Ameri-
can warships, with five British
two japanese, two French and one
Portuguese are now assembled at
Canton to prevent seizure of the
customs house by Sun Vat Sen,
southern dictator, according to n
Honkong dispatch to the Daily
Mail.
Sun Vat Sen, who wanted TO seize
the customs to finance his war
against the Pekin government, adds
it would be "crime and an un-
dying shame' if the naval power
of the United States were used to
collect Chinese revenue within his
territory in order, that "traitors
and militarists may flourish at
Pekin.' ."e> a'.
Imperial Valley press., 1923-12-20
TOLL 4 LIVES
in 2 MURDERS
DENVER, COLO.
Moonshine Thought to
Have Crazed Man,
= Kills Two

DENVER, Colo, Dee. 20.-Thrce
victims of two liquor crazed muir
derers, lie in Denver morgues today
and one of the killers, suicide,
makes the fourth victim of two of
the most terrible tragedies of the
year.
William O Malta, 80, shot ard
killed his wife, Carrie O MALTA, %,
and her sister, Mrs. Flora Hans
ford, "a, late yesterday, then turn
ed the gun on himself. The two
women died instantly and O Mail
ia died in the county hospital a few
hours later.
I Mrs. Ada Furnace, 80, was shot
and killed instantly in the yard of
her home at 8 o'clock last night.
Police are seeking her estranged
husband for the crime.
The Youngest of Mrs. O Malta 5
three children, Harry, 18 months
Old, was still held i'll her arms
when police found the bodies q
few, minutes later The child was
crying frantically, his clothing
saturated with blood. Two girls
aged 7 and 6, fled from the room
in terror when the shooting began
Bootleg liquor is believed to have
PLAYED leading hand in both tra-
gedies. A half pint bottle Of moon.
shine was found on O Malta, who
committed the double murder and
suicide.
Imperial Valley press., 1923-12-20
CAL. HIKER IS
FOUND FROZEN
DEAD IN Wis.
Noted Globe TrOtter Vic.
tim to $4,000 Wager
on Trip

SUPERIOR, Wis. Dee. 20.-The
body of man found frozen to death
in haystack near Oliver Sunday
was identified today as that of
Frank Fletcher, SO, noted globe trot-
ter.
Fletcher was on Il world circling
hike from San Francisco TO Bucnos
Aires on a $4,000 wager with the
American Athletic Association, San
Francisco.
One of the terms Of the wager was
that Fletcher sleep under the open
sky at all times. In the fulfillment
of that term Fletcher lost his life.
When the sun set Sunday night it
was warm and clear. During the
night the wind changed and it turn
ed bitterly cold.
Other terms of the contract were
that he was not to use automobiles,
trains, trolley cars or even roller
skates. He must walk--the entire
distance.
From the contents of his KNAPP
sack, found near the haystack to-
day, it was also learned that he
contracted with q rubber manufac-
turer to wear certain brand OF rub.
Der heels on the trip, for which he
was to receive large sum.
Fletcher claimed to have beaten
the record of Edward Payson Wes-
ton in walking from New York to
San Francisco and hoped to establish
a new record in walking around the
world.
San Francisco. has been notified.
Imperial Valley press., 1923-12-20
,KNIFlNC SCRAPE in
PRISON SENDS SIX
MEN TO HOSPITAL

SAN QUENTIN PENITENTIA-
RY, Cal, Dec. 20.-In u fight be
tween three negroes and three white
convicts last night, all six men were
badly cut and were confined to the
hospital today.
Robert Crawford, serving five
years for forgery, and John w. Wal
ton, serving ten years for highway
robbery, nearly died from loss OF
blood. Romolo Sausedo was the
other white man, and Luther Davy,
Solomon Ballard and ii. p. Wynne
the negroes. All six were armed
with knives.
The H. p. Wynne mentioned in
the above dispatch, was sentenced
from the Imperial county superior
court on August IA to serve from
one to 10 years for grand larceny.
Wynne, who is part Indian and part
negro, was charged jointly with
ESsau Mitchell, also negro, with
the theft of Cadillac car, belong
ing to Tom Yglesias of Calexico.
The men pleaded guilty to the
theft, stating they had taken the
car following drinking party in
Mexicali and had driven it to Yuma
They were on their way back to Ca
lexico when their gasoline gave out
and they abandoned the car, return
ing to Yuma where they Were ar
rested. Wynne told the court at
the time he was sentenced, that he
owns 90 acres of land in Arizona and
and 160 acres of Indian reservation
land in Oklahoma.
Imperial Valley press., 1923-12-20

Through the good offices of May
or w. S. Fawcett and the FL Cen
tro Rotary Club, FL Ccntro is to
have II community Christmas tree
again this year, and it is hoped to
have the tree in place by Sunday
or Monday at the intersection of
Sixth and Main streets.
The community Christmas tree,
which created such favorable com
ment throughout the valley last
year, was in danger of being over
looked this year, when the fact was
brought to Mayor Fawcett S atten-
tion and he Immediately got busy
with prominent Rotarians, who as
sured him that the Rotary Gu
would again furnish the tree and
the necessary decorations.
Mayor Fawcett said today that
he believes the community Christ
mas tree should be ain annual affair,
as it creates II Christmas spirit
that adds to the enjoyment of the
holiday and draws the citizens of
Imperial Valley press., 1923-12-20

brought out number of points in
connection with such tests.
This afternoon sectional meetings
of the high school group, the ele-
mentary school group and the Ameri-
canization section are being held.
Yesterday afternoon Prof. H. II.
Stonier of the University of South
ern California gave splendid ad-
dress, basing his talk ON the ques-
tion, "Can the brain of man. be
SO educated as to control and man
age the great developments that he
himself has brought about, or will
this so-called civilization prove a
weighty superstrueture which will
sooner or later fall and crush its
makerP e+....
Presenting forcefully some of the
various phases of this vast problem
Continued on page q
Imperial Valley press., 1923-12-20
WOres'
Decision Reach
Here from JudQe

The opinion of Judge George II.
Freeman, of Riverside County, who
presided in the suit of Charles r.
Wores against the Imperial Irriga-
tion District, ana decided in favor
of the plaintiff, has been received
by County Clerk Mousseau this
morning. The opinion covers sew
tral typewriter pages and reviews
;ot length the various ramifieations
of the case.
The court S conclusion of the
evidence presented is as follows:
As | view the law and the facts
i'll this case, | am compelled to
find that the act of 1915 conflicts
with the constitution of the State
of California as hereinbefore indi-
Gated and is therefore void: that
the action of the board of directors
of the district acting as board
of equalization was not authorized
to reduce the value of the property
within the municipalities and the
subdivisions outside of the munich
palities and within the district, and
the reduction of so per cent was in
valid and that by operation of law,
the assessment roll ;is returned by
the assessor remains unaffected by
the resolution of the board of direc
tors reducing the same 80 per. cent
of its full cash value; that the
board of directors i'll levying the
assessment, Were acting for tho dis
/ triot and within the powers and limi-
Stations prescribed by the original
irrigation act of March 81, 1897,
under which the district is organic,
ed and that tshe assessment in so far
;,s it complies with Section SO OF
that act in force at the time the
levy was made, is valid; and that
all actions above and beyond the
powers set forth in Section 80 is
void.
Doubles City Valuations
The decision still leaves taxing
limit over and above the amount
necessary for interest and sinking
funds on bonds of 1922 1t Also
automatically doubles the city val
uations. The net loss to the dis
| tflct through the decision Is Tifo,-
! 79S, a much smaller figure than
/ had been estimated before. In adj
! dition, however, and 10 make up
the loss, there would be authority
for collecting ihe entire water tolls
against the lands under cultivation.
The district by strict enforcement
Of the decision could cause receipts
| Tar in excess OF the old method and
| the change would fall upon the
cities of the valley and upon the
lands under cultivation. but would
permit uncuitiv;ted lands to escape
with the difference between So per
500 valuation and 1922 per hum
dred, the figure which Judge Free
man S decision permits.
/ The total county valuation is ap-
proximately $i3,000,00G The loss on
that would be the difference be-
| tween $500 per hundred and $i.22
per hundred Of rs cents per hundred,
amounting to 1888, 400. The gaii,
by increasing the city's valuations
from $3,7O1 ,472 to $7412,42s would
! be $156,602. This leaves the short
age $176,79S, as stated above.
Imperial Valley press., 1923-12-20
WHAT'S DOING

Bible Chautauqua at Tulane
theatre tonight.
Ell Centre Chapter No. 100
r. A. M. at Masonic hall tonight.
Ell Centre Lodge B. P. o. E.
No. 1926 meets tonight at Elk's
hall.
Imnerial Farm Center meets
tonight. r
"a Christian Church choir prac-
tice, Miss Elizabeth Greer's
tonight.
Troop 3 Boy Scouts meets to-
night at high school.
1.-THE Accidental Husband"
Palace Theatre tonight.
Imperial Valley press., 1923-12-20

with Mrs. Susan @. Simpson-Tucker,
his 80 year old bride annulled, ac-
cording 20 Assistant Prosecutor Ne
Mahon. This despite the fact that
five indictments charging fraud
lave been retained by the Hudson
County court against them and per
sons aiding in the marriage. The
indictments are based on the fact
that the boy pretended to be q and
that the license was issued immedi
ately, after tho application was
made, whereas the law requires As
hours to elapHe.
The justice Of the peace who mar
ried them pleaded not guilty today
to charges of conspiracy and was
held IN $1,000 bail.
Imperial Valley press., 1923-12-20
The Folks Back
Home May Help
Break Deadlock

WASHINGTON, Dee. 90 The
senate today carried its deadlock
over the chairmanship of the inter
state commerce commission to the
country.
All parties in the battle over rail
legislation are planning Christmas
holiday campaign to sound out sen
timent of their constituents.
Meantime, the contest will be con-
tinucd Through speeches, kilograms
and letters. Progressives will sound
out the possibilities if they bolt and
elect Senator Smith, a democrat.
Imperial Valley press., 1923-12-20
COOTE STILL ON
STAND IN TRIAL

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 20.-A. w.
Coote, bankrupt broker, was to re-
sumo the witness stand TODAY in
his trial for embezzlement, follow
ing days questioning yesterday.
The prosecution is submitting the
broker to rigid cross-examination,
and there is yet no certainty when
the questioning will end. VS.
Imperial Valley press., 1923-12-20
DEAD LIE IN HEAPS IN NEW BATTL]
Myrtle's Kisse S
4 Don't Win
Liberty

by United Press Leased Wire
PORTLAND, Dec. 20.-"Any
woman who kisses three police
men is not in possession of her
normal faculties and is therefore
lntoXicated,' declared Municipal
Judge Ekwall.
Myrtle Edwards, who sought to
gain her freedom from police
nle:', Drennen, Russell and Multi
gan, kissed each one to gain the
favor.
The policemen wouldn't be
bribed.
Myrtle was fined $40.
Imperial Valley press., 1923-12-20
Widow of King
Tut's Finder Is
Married Again

LONDON, Dec. 20.-Almina,
Countess of Carnarvon, widow
of the discoverer of the tomb
of Tutankhamen was married
yesterday to Lieutenant Colonel
Iian Onslow Denniatoun, a for
mer grenadier guardman i'll the
London registry office.
Imperial Valley press., 1923-12-20
He's AbsOlu te ly
Meanest Thief
Yet

KANSAS CITY, M, Dec. 1e.
Lloyd Mason was a backslider
in the ranks Of Santa Claus.
Mason, hired to deliver dolls
for a department store Santa. ad-
mitted stealing four dolls and
three carria ges which he was sup
posed to deliver 10 good little
girls. He was arrested while trad
ing the stolen goods for quart
Whiskey and fined $780,
Imperial Valley press., 1923-12-20
BOYS WHO SLAY
PLAYMATE ARE
SENT TO lone
by United Press Leased Wire

LOS ANGELES, Dee. 20,-Dis-
crediting the testimony of witnesses
called in alibi pleas of the defense,
Paul Daedler and William Forres-
ter, ii year old Pasadena boys who
shot, tied up and left to die Arthur
Martinez, age 5, were today com
mitted to the state school at lone
until they are 21 years of age.
Imperial Valley press., 1923-12-20
ADAMS S-CROTTY CASE
TO JURY TODAY

LOS ANGELES, Dee. 30.-Iurv
in the case of james Adams and
James Crotty, on trial with Staying
Edward Hall, cafe owner, will prob
ably receive the judges instruc
lions and commence deliberatiOn
late today.
Imperial Valley press., 1923-12-20
COURSE OF TRUE
LOVE DOESN'T
RUN SMOOT HLY

NEWARK, n. j., Dec. 2C.-Six-
teen year old Burton s. Tucker of
South Essex, Mass. c,.n cvade legal
punishment if he has his marriage
Imperial Valley press., 1923-12-20
Obreg0n Returns
From Scenes of
Fierce Battles

MEXICO CITY, Dec. co.
Rebel dead lie hsapsd outside
the city Of Villa Hermosa,
which fell to federal forces af-
ter day and a half Of battle,
official advices today report.
The city, which is the capital
Of Tabasco, was stormed fun
four sides.
LAREDO, Texas, Dec. 90
Revolutionary troops under Gen
eral Castro and General Reyes
today stormed and captured the
important town Of Apizaco, ac-
cording to dispatches from De
la Huerta headquarters at Vera
Cruz, received here.
p Two hundred men were killed
and wounded in the battle.
Remnants of the shattered
federal army commanded by
General Almazan are fleeing in
disorganized rout toward Mex
leo City.