davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Madison County Democrat. (London, Ohio) 19??-1958, 1953-01-27
Grand Jury Will Hear Potts
Case Here Next THURSDAY
Potts Confession
Vital Evidence In
Ex-Wife Staying !.

The Madison County Grand
Jury will be recalled Thursday,
Jan. 20, to consider the charges
against Louis Potts, so, who adj
mltted shooting his former wife,
Bertha Russell, with a % rifle
here last Friday. Mrs. Russell died
at Mt Carmel Hospital Friday
afternoon from the gunshot wound
which penetrated her brain. The
% slug entered her forehead after
Potts fired at her from distance
of 6 feet, police said. Potts admit
ted the shooting and is in the
county Jail. He will be arraigned
by Mayor +. p. Speasmaker. Potts
said he shot Mrs. Russell because
she threatened to leave him. He
had been married to the Russell
woman but they had been divorced
over 20 years ago. He had been
living with her for the past year,
1t was said.
Potts father, Henry Potts, died
in the Ohio Penitentiary in 1920
for a similar crime. The elder
Potts had been sentenced on a
charge of manslaughter when he
admitted killing his wife, Victoria,
with a revolver in 1919. Henry
Potts died Nov. ~, 1920, the day
before he was to have been parol-
ed. His death was due to "infirmi-
ties of age" according to the rec
ords.
The younger Potts admitted the
Staying to Police Chief, German
Clark, after neighbors had sum-
moned police following the fatal
shooting. He told Chief Clark that
ne and Mrs. Russell had gotten in
10 an argument after they return
ed to the housetrailer in which
they lived. They had been in .
local tavern prior to the shooting
She had threatened to leave him
ana return to her second husband
it was said.
He said he fired one shot in
the floor of their trailer home "to
pIuff her" and then fired a shot
between her eyes at a distance of
about six feet.
After the shooting Potts ran To
the home of a neighbor and asked
that an ambulance and police ba
called. When they arrived at the
scene he was seated on the floor
his ex-wife's head Graded in his
arms.
Mrs. Russell was rushed to MI
carmel Hospital where doctors
said the bullet had penetrated her
brain.
Potts and Mrs. Russell had been
divorced 20 years ago. They be-
gan living together again last Feb
ruary, police said.
Madison County Democrat. (London, Ohio) 19??-1958, 1953-01-27
Ag Secretary
Benson Regroups
Department

WASHINGTON P,-Secretarv
Ezra Taft Benson, in his first Off
cial act, today regrouped agricul-
ture Department agencies to Sc
cure better and more effective
coordination"
This regrouping, he said, is the
torerunner of a gradual stream
lining" of the department designed
to bring about economy and great
er efficiency.
In announcing the changes in a
formal statement, the new COP
administration farm chief took a
Jab at the size to which his demo-
cratic predecessors had built the
department.
The u. S. Department of Agri-
culture, largest of all the nations
civilian agencies, swollen into a
huge bureaucracy of 20 agencies
and bureaus in the last 20 years.
is getting a major oyerhauling,"
the state said.
Madison County Democrat. (London, Ohio) 19??-1958, 1953-01-27
Gibson, Latham
Found Guilty
Both Plead Guilty
And Get | : 20 Years

Thurman w. Gibson and William
Scott Latham were sentenced to
from l to 20 years in Ohio Penal
institutions by Judge James F. Bell
on Saturday, Jan. "a Both had en-
tered pleas of guilty to the court,
it was said.
Gibson, "a, was found guilty of
second degree manslaughter. He
was sent to the Ohio Penitentiary.
Latham was found guilty of
forging and uttering on four counts
which will run concurrently, Dep
uty Kenneth johnson said. Lath-
am, %, will enter the Mansfield
Reformatory.
Madison County Democrat. (London, Ohio) 19??-1958, 1953-01-27
Rheumatic Fever
Fatal To IL Year
Old Jane knisIey

jamie Knisley, 12-year-old
daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. Noah
Knisley, Jamestown, r. D. Route
l, former Madison County resi-
dents, died Saturday in Greene
Memorial Hospital, Xenia, of a
heart condition caused by rheu-
matte fever. She was admitted to
the hospital Friday evening.
She was born in Madison county
December 5, 1910. Survivors in
clude her parents, II krothers and
sisters.
These are. Serry, her twin
brother, Janet, David and Joan, all
at home; Mrs. Richard Lovett.
jamestown; Mrs. Robert Broom
field, Mrs. Joe Windon and Ray
mond Knisley, all of Springfield;
Woodrow with the U. S. Navy in
japan and Wilde of Xenia.
Funeral services at two o'clock
Tuesday in the South Solon Chris
tian Union Church, the Reverend
Russell Knisley of Washington c.
H., her uncle, officiating minister.
1nterment in South Solon Gene
tery,
Madison County Democrat. (London, Ohio) 19??-1958, 1953-01-27
Blood Donors Are
Given High Praise
Scion, SedaIia And
Sterling Communities
Donate los Pin+s

The workers from the communi-
ties of Sedalia, Mt. Sterling and
South Solon, who combined their
efforts for the first visit of the
Blood Mobile Unit to Madison
county in 1858, were highly com
plimented when the unit spent the
day last Tuesday at the school in
Midway to receive donors.
Deserving a great share of this
praise were the three recruitment
chairmen, Mrs. Harry Pugsley for
Sedalia; Mrs. Kenneth Lugenbeel
for Mt. Sterling, and Mrs. Reyn-
old Slaughter for South Solon, VINO
were responsible for getting the
large number of donors by whom
105 pints were donated.
Mrs. Martha Eckstein, deputy
nurse from the Area Center in Co.
umbus, stated that the officials
had never received finer co-opera-
ton than that accorded them by
all Madison county workers, who
assisted at Tuesdays visit.
There is always great demand
for donors, those from the Red
Cross responsible for the program
in the county stated, but now that
the National Red Cross has volun-
teered to assist with the gamma
globulin program for aiding in ar
resting paralysis in polio sufferers,
donors are in even greater demand.
Plain City will be the next stop
in the county That community has
an enviable record for number of
donors recruited each time. Offici-
ais stated that it is hoped other
parts of the county will try to
match or top the number of pints
donated there.
1t has been suggested that it
would be of great help if donors
would register their names as soon
as visit to the county is sched-
uled and the name of the recruit
ment chairman is published.
Madison County Democrat. (London, Ohio) 19??-1958, 1953-01-27
County Elementary
Teachers Hear
R. E. Lucas At MEETING

Following week of schoolroom
visitation by Elementary Super
visor Robert E. Lucas, County Su-
perintendent Rolla d. Webster
called meeting of all the ele-
mentary teachers of Madison
County.
The meeting was held Thurs
day evening, January %. After an
outstanding address by Mr.. Lucas,
the teachers met in several groups
for a short workshop" conference.
Refreshments were served by the
elementary faculty of the Madi-
son Rural School. The teachers
then assessbled for a question and
answer session.
Madison County Democrat. (London, Ohio) 19??-1958, 1953-01-27
Mothers March
OF Dimes" Here
January 29
"Mo+hers March Of
Dimes" Here Jan. 70

Plans for the Mothers March on
Polio in Madison County, to raise
funds for the care of local polio
victims and to continue scientific
research intended to eradicate the
crippling disease, were announced
today by Mrs. r. N. Ardrey local
campaign chairman of the March
of Dimes.
Mrs. Gordon Stahl, Mrs. Wilbur
Hume, Mrs. p. F Lanigan, Mrs.
James Willard, Mrs Frank Jenk-
ms and Mrs. Thomas Selby will
head up the drive against the
Great Crippler, Polio.
During that hour-from z to 8
pm. on the designated evening
you may make your donation-a
dime, a dollar, or dozen dollars
No matter where you live it is the
plan of the leaders in this fight
against polio that someone, prob
ably a neighbor, will call and ac-
cept your gift.
Now the immediate need is for
an army of volunteer workers 4.
mothers and housewives to
pledge an hour of their time on
the evening of the Mothers March
to make this unusual effort a real
success. Volunteers are needed.
Women wishing to volunteer may
do so by calling Mrs. Ardrey now.
Madison County Democrat. (London, Ohio) 19??-1958, 1953-01-27
James Murray Is
Promoted By Navy

FAR EAST (FHTNC) - On
the way up in the Navy is James
E. Murry, son of MIR. and Mrs.
H. R. Murry, Box 108, Washington
Street, South Solon, Ohio.
Murry was recently advanced
in rate to seaman, USN, aboard
the attack transport USS Telfair
The Telfair left the West Coast
Oct. %, 1852. The attack trans
ports ports of call have included
Yokohama, Japan, Manila in the
Philippine Islands and Hong
Kong, China.
Madison County Democrat. (London, Ohio) 19??-1958, 1953-01-27
Filling Station
Robbed Monday

The Berry filling station was
entered sometime early Monday
and an adding machine and a
shotgun were stolen. Entrance was
made through a window on the
north side of the building, police
said.
& Billy German, an attendant at
the station, said that he discovered
the theft when he reported to
work Monday morning. Value of
the stolen property was set at
$50 The adding machine was
brand new, according to Chief
German Clark, who investigated.
Madison County Democrat. (London, Ohio) 19??-1958, 1953-01-27
Wind Prevents
Big Fire Loss

A fire at the farm home of Ker-
NIT Parks, Old Xenia Road, was
brought quickly under control by
members of the Community Fire
Department when the roof of the
house caught fire Sunday. Accord
ing to the report, the fire could
have been a bad one had not the
wind been blowing from the east.
The prevailing wind from the west
would have caused much damage,
firemen said. The fire was due to
a loose brick in the chimney of the
house.
Madison County Democrat. (London, Ohio) 19??-1958, 1953-01-27
Long Illness
Fatal To
Evelyn White

Miss Evelyn White, 21, died
Wednesday at the home of her
sister, Mrs. Logan Chaffin, Lilly
Chapel, following a long illness
with heart ailment.
Surviving are two other sisters,
Mrs. William Rich of Greensboro,
North Carolina and Mrs Virgil
Martin of Pontiac, Michigan.
Funeral services Saturday at
two o'clock at the RAIDER Funeral
Home, West jefferson. Interment
in Pleasant Hill Cemetery.
Madison County Democrat. (London, Ohio) 19??-1958, 1953-01-27
Mayor Resigns
Job At McCord

Mayor E. P. Speasmaker, who
has been employed as traffic man.
ager for the McCord Corporation
at its London plant for the past
several years, has resigned effec-
tive Feb. /.
Speasmaker explained that re-
cent illness has caused him to re-
sign. According to present plans,
he will devote more time to his
office and his farms.
He will run for office again this
year, it was said. Speasmaker has
held the position of Mayor of Lon
don for the past IA years.
Madison County Democrat. (London, Ohio) 19??-1958, 1953-01-27
Dr.. Effie Koontz'
Brother Dies

Word has been received from
Fresno, California, that Jerima
Koontz, 81, a brother of DR.. Effie
B. Koontz, died Sunday, Jan 18.
Mr.. Koontz lived at Clovis, Cali
fornia and was buried there at the
Toulouse Cemetery. Surviving are
DR.. Koontz, another sister, Mrs.
Annabelle Mayberry of Kansa.,
and a brother, j. G. Koontz of
Fowler, California. Mr.. Koontz has
two sons, Charles Edward and
John Ray. Both live in Clovis.
Madison County Democrat. (London, Ohio) 19??-1958, 1953-01-27
Coach BowIus
Recovering

Word was received Friday by
Supt. j. j. Hartley that James
Bowlus, football coach at London
High School, would be confined
to bed for at least another week
at the home of his parents in
Pemberville, Ohio.
Coach Bowlus suffered an attack
of mumps while he and Mrs. Bow
lus and their son, Master "Jeb"
were spending the holidays in
Pembervile. Nervous exhaustion
followed and he has been COM
PEELED to remain in bed for the
last several weeks, Mr.. Hartley
said.
Madison County Democrat. (London, Ohio) 19??-1958, 1953-01-27
DOLLAR DAYS FEATURED

Inside this issue will be
found advertisements featuring
Dollar Days" by the progress
sive merchants of London. The
London Retail Merchants Asso-
citation has sponsored the Dol
lar Days feature found in the
advertisements and it will pay
you to visit these stores during
the three-day sales.
Remember to patronize the
stores whose ads you see in
this issue! They will have
special window signs to distin-
guish them from other stores.
Madison County Democrat. (London, Ohio) 19??-1958, 1953-01-27
Mrs. A. M. Moore
Dies Following
Long Illness
Was Mother Of County
AGENT John Moore

John Moore, Madison County
Agricultural Agent, received word
Sunday of the death of his mother,
Mrs. Arthur NJ Moore in Darke
County, Ohio. Mrs. Moore died late
Saturday night at her home near
Hollansburg after months of seri-
Gus illness.
Funeral services will be held at
Cedar Grove Church on Wednes-
day afternoon at two o'clock.
Madison County Democrat. (London, Ohio) 19??-1958, 1953-01-27
Nellie Newell
Suffers Stroke

Mrs. Nellie Newell, was report-
ed as slightly improved Monday
morning following a stroke of
paralysis Sunday.
Her son, DR.. Norman Newell,
and Mrs. Newell of New York, ar
rived Monday by plane to be with
her.
Madison County Democrat. (London, Ohio) 19??-1958, 1953-01-27
Polio Dance At
Deercreek School

The Deercreek Community club
IS sponsoring $3.50 dance at the
Lafayette school on Saturday, Feb
ruaryN, the entire proceeds from
the event will go to the Polio
Fund. The March of Dimes"
dance will start promptly at
8 pm.
Madison County Democrat. (London, Ohio) 19??-1958, 1953-01-27
Methodists VIII
Hear R. B. EckIe
At February Meet

The next meeting of Methodist
Laymen of the local church will be
held Thursday, February 5. Sup
per will be at $50, followed by a
program. The guest speaker will
be Deputy Warden r. B. Eckle.
Madison County Democrat. (London, Ohio) 19??-1958, 1953-01-27
DAVID LEE BROWN
ARRIVES SUNDAY

Pvt. and Mrs. John L. Brown,
London r. D. 2, announce the birth
of a son, David Lee, at Mercycrest
Hospital Springfield, S un d a y
January Is
Mrs. Brown is residing with her
husbands parents Mr.. and Mrs.
Lawrence Brown, Mechanicsburg
Road, while Pvt. Brown is with
the u. S. Army of Occupation in
Austria.
Madison County Democrat. (London, Ohio) 19??-1958, 1953-01-27
John Bacon With
RYAN Aircraft

John A. Bacon, son of Mr. and
Mrs. P. E. Bacon, North Union
Street, until recently with the U
S. Weather Service is now asso-
ciated with the Ryan Aeronautical
Company at San Diego, California.
Madison County Democrat. (London, Ohio) 19??-1958, 1953-01-27
ENTERS MT. CARMEL

Mrs. Ella Laferty, Graham Ave-
nue., who injured her shoulder in
a fall, has entered Mt. Carmel
Hospital. Her room number is
756.
Madison County Democrat. (London, Ohio) 19??-1958, 1953-01-27
i OUR
"a Town
FIVE HATS

FIVE HATS
My son showed me this one
concerning three men and five
hats-two white hats and
three green hats. You must
assume that the men wearing
these hats are all facing in
one direction and that the
first man cannot see the two
men behind him, the second
man can only see the man in
front and the third can see
both of the men in front of
him. Now out of the five
original hats, each man has
hat on his head which is either
green or white. The last man
looks at the two men in front
of him and says that he
doesn't know what color he is
wearing, the second man says
he doesn't know either-the
first man, the man in front
says that from the answers of
the other two he KNOWS
what color he has on. Remem-
Der that none can see his own
hat. The first man says he
knows that he has a GREEN
hat on. How does he know
this? (answer in next column)
HABIT
Just can't get used to call
ing Ike President Eisen-
hover. Am inclined to con-
tinue General Eisenhower
all the time.
BIG WHEEL
Fellow walked into a rail-
road station during the eve
ming rush hour and, elboWing
his way to the front OF the
ticket line, reached into his
pocket and threw large wad
of ten-spots on the counter.
Gimme a ticket! he said in
a loud, impatient voice.
"Where to?" asked the
ticket seller.
who cares said the big
wheel, "I got stores all over|
(Thanks, Grouchoo
SNEAK
Suppose you've heard the
one about the pleaslngly
plump package of pulchrltude
who ducked into the deserted
store entrance, dropped a
phony penny in the scales, and
silently stole a weigh :!
sEsoul
Ohio is celebrating its 15Oth
Anniversary this year and
many towns and cities have
been granted special highway
signs which call attention to a
famous person or happening
for which the town or city is
famous. What are your sug-
gestions for a highway sign
for London? We are looking
for. the most important event
which ever took place here
with an idea to ask the High
way Dept. to erect such a sign
at our city limits. Let us
know!
SLOGAN
Every day in every way
I'm doing better and better
with what I've got to do 1t
withw
METHOD
George M. Cohan liked to
walk but never started from
home. He always had someone
drive him out in the country
and walked back. This seems
like a better method since one
doesn't have to retrace his
steps-this is, if you like, walk
ing in the first place.
THoT
Wonder II Ine money will be
available for a trip to South
America during spring house
cleaning this year? This is the
time when the man of the
house just isn't given a whis-
per of consideration.
EQUALITY
A man who should know
says that the reason many
people are not treated as
equals is because their stand
ards of cleanliness and their
manners do not come up to
snuff.
LAST WORD
Just wait till she gets home
-PIl tel her a thing or two!
Madison County Democrat. (London, Ohio) 19??-1958, 1953-01-27
BRILL IN HOSPITAL

Dean Brill, North Oak Street,
custodian of the London High
School building, has entered Mt.
Carmel Hospital for observation
and treatment.
Madison County Democrat. (London, Ohio) 19??-1958, 1953-01-27
MRS. McWHIRT
RETURNS HOME

Mrs. Joseph (Grace) McWhirt,
was returned to her home Sunday
from Mt. Carmel Hospital where
she underwent a major operation.
Madison County Democrat. (London, Ohio) 19??-1958, 1953-01-27
Local Men Sent
To Camp Meade

Madison County Selective Ser
vice office Friday received wofd
that Phillip Eugene Richardson
Mt. Sterling and Clarence William
Donaldson, West Jefferson, had
been sent to Ft. George Meade,
Maryland.
The two boys were inducted at
Ft. Hayes from Madison county
on Tuesday, January 20.
ENTERS HOSPITAL
Mrs. +. F. Cecil, So North Wal
nut Street, entered Mt. Carmel
Hospital, Saturday, for major OPP
Grafton. Her room number is 405.
Madison County Democrat. (London, Ohio) 19??-1958, 1953-01-27
MT. CARMEL PATIENT

Richard Townsend, 90 West Sec
ond Street, entered Mt. Carmel
Hospital Friday for an operation
for appendicitis. His room number
is 219.
Evening star., 1953-08-23
BY John A. Giles

The Air Force sent out strict
orders yesterday to all jet pilots
to refrain from conducting flight
operations producing sonic
booms" near heavily populated
areas except during specially
staged demonstrations.
The boom results from an air.
craft passing the speed of sound.
The phenomenon comes about
when sound waves build up in
front of an airplane wing and
are pushed ahead of the craft
and eventually bounce of the
earth.
A memorandum sent to all
commands stated the explosive
like noise produced in passing
the sound barrier can create
serious public alarm when di-
rected at populated areas"
It said Los Angeles had ex-
perienced IL sonic blasts since
Evening star., 1953-08-23
,OOOGopeo Veteran Teeters
II Hours on 74-Story Ledge
Firemen Prepare for Desperate Attempt
To Stop Suicide Leap at Hospital

drop nets over the man had
been frustrated when he ran
down the ledge, which extends
for 100 feet along the side of
the building, to elude the trap.
But as he indicated he was
preparing to Jump they prepared
another snare, waiting for the
approval of DR.. Harvey Kay, a
hospital psychiatrist.
A net 35 feet long and 25
feet wide was held concealed
from the veterans view on the
18th floor. The net was CEN
tered over the distraught man.
Two firemen, strapped with
safety belts, stood at windows
near the extreme edges of the
net. Other firemen stood on
the 18th floor with long hooks.
At a signal from the rescue
chief, powerful f1oodlights in the
yard we're to be snapped on,
binding Mr.. Herman and pro-
viding light for the attempted
rescue.
The net would be dropped
(See JEnGE pace A-6O
Evening star., 1953-08-23
Cent Gas Tax Boost Studied
To Meet Virginia Road Needs
Proposed Increase for ArterioI Highways
May Lead to Fight in Legislature

last year. The council tradition
ally makes such studies, and
handles other spade work to
ready legislative proposals for
the brief General Assembly ses-
sion each two years.
Specifically, the council is to
report on whether arterial, lin
ited-access highway needs "to re-
lieve mounting traffic conges-
ton" can be met by present an
ticipated revenues. The council
also was told to consider the part
toll roads might play.
There was no indication the
council has acted on the COM
mittee's recommendation. It's
reports are not made public
until their presentation to the
Governor and General Assembly
After months of study, how
ever, the committee repeatedly
has found that:
l. Toll roads are not the solu-
ton to the general problem"
of highway improvement. But,
in certain locations, they should
be considered to answer specific
traffic ills.
2. 1t is impossible to provide
new, divided, limited-access
highways-Some costing up to
81 million a mile-out of an
(See ROADS, Paige AID
Evening star., 1953-08-23

1t. Free, who took the prison.
er's statement. said Acuff has
been pickering with the land
lord over piping water into the
2-Story frame house.
Acuff told him the owner,
George w. Godfrey, 1868 Ala
bama avenue Sc, wouldn't put
in the plumbing
So, according to 1t. Free,
Acuff, who rented the top floor,
Stomped downstairs to warn the
flrst-floor tenants to get out be-
cause he was setting the house
on fire.
You're kidding" they said,
and refused to leave.
But they got out after Acuff
returned with a can of kerosene,
doused the downstairs hall and
set it afire, the detective said.
Neighbors said Acuff's down.
stairs neighbors were two women
and their three grandchildren.
Acuff and his wife were the
only upstairs occupants.
No one was injured.
Evening star., 1953-08-23
j. ). Worker browns
In Chevy Chase Pool

A 28-year-old Defense Depart
ment employe drowned yester-
day while swimming at the
Chevy Chase Lake Swimming
Pool.
Charles John Lebert, OF ABA
haywood drive. Mount Rainier.
Md, apparently struck his head
on the bottom of the pool after
diving in at a shallow point,
according to Corpl. L. M. Whalen,
of the Montgomery County Po-
lice.
Another bather saw the body
at the bottom and notified a
lifeguard. Don Dimitrides, IS,
an employe at the pool, pulled
Mr.. Lebert out and members of
the Bethesda Chevy Chase Res
cue Squad tried unsuccessfully to
revive him. He was pronounced
dead at Suburban Hospital.
Mr.. Lebert, a statistician for
the Air Force, had been SWIM
ming at the pool with his wife.
Tessie, %, also an Air Force
employe at the Pentagon.
Mr.. Lebert was said to have
been a good swimmer.
Evening star., 1953-08-23
Pictures Show How
'Tempos' Spoil View

VIEW SPoILER-The way to spoil
q view is Illustrated In the first of
series Of photographs. This one
shows the effect Of Temporary build
ines on the Lincoln Memorial. See
Poee All.
UNLISTED PHoNES-Stor Society
CoIumnist Betty BeoIe discusses the
Washington phenomenon Of unlisted
telephone numbers in on article on
Poee D-3.
POINT LooKoUT-A troqic Civil
War prison comp. Point Lookout, Nd,
todoy is o vacation resort growing
in popularity. Stor Reporter George
Kennedy tells Of this historic spot
on Poss A-3l.
COUNTY FAlR-lt's the season for
county foirs and Montgomery coun-
ty's will open OF Goithersburg Tues
doy. For q prsview. see Page A-e.
Complete index, Poee AZ
lodio- -TV. Programs. Poges E-4-5