Bloomington (Monroe County, Indiana, June 17, 1955, Section 1, p. 7. NOTE: The item below was abbreviated from the original as shown by the ellipsis. BURNHAM TAKES STAND IN SMITHVILLE HEARING In Martin Circuit Court this morning, Arthur Burnham, leader of the faction asking that Smithville High School be closed, took the stand briefly in the hearing expected to decide the schools' fate. Burnham testified that he and Robert Fowler, another Clear Creek Township resident, took the six-part petition asking that high school students be transferred out of the township and the high school building converted to elementary use to Mrs. Pearl Deckard, then township trustee.The petition was presented to Mrs. Deckard May 22, 1853, Fowler and Burnham stated. First on the stand this morning was Irl (sic) H. Ingram who carried one of the petition copies for signatures. He testified to those names he actually saw signed. The same testimony was obtained Thursday afternoon from petition carriers Sherman Smoot, Lawrence Hazel, Jr., and Robert Ingram. (Mrs. Deckard) refused action until she had consulted her attorneys. Clarence Stewart, Monroe County superintendent of schools, was the last witness in the morning session. Stewart testified to Smithville High School's enrollment since the controversy arose. He stated that enrollment was 144 in 1952-53, 117 in 1953-54, and 116 in 1954-55. He estimated next year's total enrollment at 165.