Man and Bear Die In Fight

1920

Rancher Finds Their Skeletons, Still Clasped Together.

LIVINGSTON, Montana. — The skeletons of a man and a bear, clasped together, recently were found a few inches underground on Chicken Creek, near here, R. A. Fifield, a rancher, reported.

The skull of the human being was missing, and because the discoverer has been a resident of the district for thirty-seven years, it is believed the man was either one of the earliest prospectors or an Indian.

No weapon was found to show how the man, while within the clasp of the bear, was able to kill the beast.

—The Saturday Blade, Chicago, Aug. 7, 1920, p. 1.

Sears Wife's Tempter With a Red-hot Iron

1920

Angry Husband Then Plies Whip to Victim's Wounds.

SEATTLE, Washington. — Branding with a red-hot iron, administering a horse whipping and driving him from the State, was chosen by Alvin Steigerwald, widely known Washougal dairyman, as punishment for Walter Groth, an employe, whom he accused of attempting to violate the sanctity of his home, according to a statement made by the former to county officials.

Steigerwald is said to have returned to his home and found his wife in tears, sobbing out Groth's name. Steigerwald claims to have taken his shotgun and hunted Groth. He changed his mind, he said, about killing Groth and determined to brand and horsewhip him and send him out of the State.

Attorney Yates, investigating the affair, stated Steigerwald told him he paid Groth's fare out of the State and that realizing that Groth's wife and 14-day-old baby would be entirely destitute, took them under his protection and provided for them until he found their relatives in Portland, Ore.

—The Saturday Blade, Chicago, Aug. 7, 1920, p. 1.

Wins French Bride in 13 Minutes

1920

Yank Voted Speed Demon of A. E. F.

SOMERSWORTH, N. H. — Paul J. St. Jean, wounded hero of this town, has returned with his French bride whom he met for fifteen minutes in Angouleme, France, while on his way to the front in 1918, wooed by mail and made a special trip to her home to marry.

Now the citizens of this ordinarily quiet village vote unanimously that Jean can claim the A. E. F. record for a speedy courtship. And Jean says nothing. His record speaks for itself.

Mrs. Paul J. St. Jean has settled down to learn the English language.

Private Paul J. St. Jean left Somersworth in 1917 with the Yankee Division for France. He went thru every battle from the engagement at Seicheprey to Chateau Thierry, where he was felled with a machine gun bullet in the first American push. Out of the fighting, he was invalided to Camp Hospital 5, near Bordeaux. For over two months he hovered between death and life, and on Sept. 29th left again for the front to join his division.

Could Speak Language.

Then Cupid got in his work. While serenely traveling by train at the rate of three knots an hour, the French Limited stopped at the town of Angouleme. On the platform watching the train pull in were three French mademoiselles. Jean had the advantage. He was the only doughboy on the limited that knew French without the aid of a "French Made Easy" book, so he engaged the young women in conversation.

Two of the girls talked. The other didn't. Thruout the fifteen minutes that the train waited, a quiet French maiden of 16 summers hung back, saying nothing but thinking a whole lot. That young lady is now Mrs. Jean.

Jean, like any enterprising Yank, took their addresses and corresponded from the front. The shy young miss, whose name was Gabrielle Deleichelle, and whose father was at the front during the war, made it known to Jean thru her sisters' letter that she wanted to write.

Kept Writing to Girl.

The soldier came home with his division and started on a course of vocational training in New York. Altho unable to visit his young friend on his way home, he kept up the correspondence, which grew more interesting with each succeeding letter. In June, 1919, the obvious happened. They became engaged with the aid of a 5-cent stamp and several pages of uncensored French.

The vocational training complete, on April 10th of this year, the Yankee hero sailed from New York, arrived at Angouleme, and on May 17th married the young lady who had kept the postmasters at Somersworth and Angouleme busy for nearly two years.

Mr. and Mrs. Jean then came home. They visited New York and spent three days in Boston. But the big cities displeased Mrs. Jean. She liked the quietude of country places like Somersworth, and So they arrived home on her eighteenth birthday.

Mrs. Jean admires her soldier husband, is amazed at the progressiveness of America, but says with a far-away look: "I will always love my old France and expect to go back some day," and Mr. Jean, who is of French descent himself, is quite willing to go, too.

—The Saturday Blade, Chicago, Aug. 7, 1920, p. 1.

Train Passes Over Baby; She's Unhurt

1920

BUTLER, Pennsylvania. — Agnes Deamore, 2-year-old daughter of Antonio Deamore, has the movie picture actors beaten a mile when it comes to realities.

Agnes' home is near the Bessemer railroad. She wandered out of the back yard of her home onto the railroad. She was sitting between the rails of the main track playing when a double header freight train came along. The first locomotive struck Agnes, and she fell face down between the rails. The two locomotives and ten freight cars passed over her.

Witnesses who rushed to the scene expecting to find a mass of mangled bones and flesh found Agnes much alive and yelling for her mother. She sustained a few abrasions of the scalp and face, but was not seriously hurt.

—The Saturday Blade, Chicago, Aug. 7, 1920, p. 1.

Judge Fines "Dead Man" $15

1920

Soldier, Reported Killed in France, Hits Man With Auto.

ST. PAUL, Minnesota. — In the casualty list of August, 1918, appeared the item: "Killed in action, L. D. Caye." The same L. D. Caye, a contractor, appeared in police court, charged with running down with his automobile a street car switchman. His death in France was a clerical error.

Caye produced a citation of the War Department: "Died on the field of honor, L. D. Caye, August 9. 1918." Caye read from the citation and then offered it to the judge.

"Fifteen dollars" was the only emotion it awakened in the judge. Caye's emotions were deleted by the censor.

—The Saturday Blade, Chicago, Aug. 7, 1920, p. 1.

Note: It appears this incident happened in mid-July. I saw another reprinting (July 18) of an earlier article from the St. Paul Dispatch, essentially the same as above. And it gives the location of the accident, at Fifth and Wabasha streets.

Girl Makes Choice of Lovers; Faints

1920

When Two Bring Licenses, She Tears One Paper to Shreds.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota. — For better or for worse Miss Margaret Corcoran made her choice between two lovers and was to be married at once to Howard Rebeck.

Faced with the necessity for making a choice between Rebeck and Donald Walp, both of whom visited her home armed with a marriage license, Margaret fainted. Her parents favored Donald.

As the men glared at each other across a library table the girl picked up Walp's license and tore it to shreds. Then she fainted. Her parents have assented to her choice.

—The Saturday Blade, Chicago, Aug. 7, 1920, p. 1.

Airplane Is Stolen, Then, Given Up by Two Flying Burglars

1920

The first airplane theft in Chicago has occurred at Checkerboard Field.

The field hangars are not extensively guarded. So there was no interference to the two men who arrived at the flying field at daybreak and opened a hangar where a Standard plane was housed.

The pair trundled the plane around so that its nose pointed into the wind. Evidently both understood flying. One climbed into the pilot's seat, while the other turned the propeller and primed the motor.

Then at the shout of "contact" the switch was on and the blades spun into action.

The man who had cranked got into the forward cockpit and with a roar the Standard sped across the ground and skimmed into the air.

Two or three sleepy mechanics who had watched the take-off suddenly realized what was taking place. A telephone call was put in for officials of the field.

An hour afterward several ships had taken the air and from extreme altitudes the pilots were searching with glasses for the stolen plane.

But later in the day the missing machine was found. The would-be thieves had been forced to land four miles from Checkerboard Field. The men had stripped the plane of instruments, valued at several hundred dollars.

—The Saturday Blade, Chicago, Aug. 7, 1920, p. 1.

Man Dragged By Lioness To Her Lair

1920

Escapes After Having Had Fingers and Ears Chewed by Cubs — Will Survive His Wounds.

CHESTER, California. — That after firing four shots into the body of a lioness and stabbing her with a dagger he had been dragged to the mouth of the cave lair of the beast, when he became unconscious, and that two cubs had chewed his ears and fingers, is the harrowing experience told by Giuseppi Martin, a shepherd.

When Martin recovered from the unconscious state caused by his desperate fight with the lioness he says he found her carcass within four feet of him.

This is the story Martin told Everett Goings and others who found him in his camp some miles from here, trying as best he could to dress his wounds.

The party headed by Goings dressed the shepherd's injuries with the aid of a first aid kit.

Ears and Fingers Chewed.

Martin's ears had been nearly chewed from his head, his fingers were badly mutilated, and his body and face severely lacerated.

According to the tale of Martin, he drove his flock of sheep toward the summit of a mountain when the sun arose. Leaving the sheep, he walked to the top of a crag, where he found himself confronted by a mountain lion, which promptly attacked him. He fired four shots from a .32 caliber revolver and then drew a knife from his belt when the beast closed with him, inflicting several stabs.

Martin lost all sense of what next happened. When he returned to consciousness, apparently some time later, he found he had been dragged a short distance to the mouth of a cave in the rocky ledge. The lioness was stretched dead four feet from him. Two cubs had gnawed upon his ears until they were almost gone and had chewed upon his fingers.

Following his return to camp Martin did the best he could to dress his hurts with the conveniences at hand. When the Goings party happened upon the camp his wounds were further cared for. Shortly after the owner of the sheep arrived and Martin was rushed to a nearby town for surgical attention.

Tells Story of Escape.

"I was caring for my sheep up in the lonesome and deserted section of the hills," says Martin, "when I heard a great commotion among the flock. I looked about me but could see nothing. Then I left the sheep and walked over to a crag near there.

"I found myself face to face with a huge lioness. I drew a .32 caliber revolver from my pocket and fired four shots point blank at the animal. It only wounded and served to enrage her.

"I just had time to draw my knife from my belt when the brute closed it with me snarling in a horrible manner.

"I knew that it was a fight for my life, so I exerted all my energy. I was badly clawed and knocked down several times, but I inflicted several deep stabs on the lioness. I felt everything growing dark in front of me and knew that I must fight harder if I wished to save my life. But I was so weak that I could no longer hold my knife in my fingers. That is the last thing I remember — the knife dropping to the ground and the hot breath of the lioness, its gaping jaws only a few inches from my face.

"It seemed years later when I awakened. I heard snarls as when I had dropped into unconsciousness. The light was very dim, but finally I made out the forms of two lion cubs. My ears pained me. I reached my hand to them and found that not only my ears but my fingers were terribly lacerated. The cubs had chewed them and were at that moment snapping ferociously at me."

Surgeons at the hospital said that Martin's injuries were serious but not necessarily mortal.

—The Saturday Blade, Chicago, Aug. 7, 1920, p. 1.

"Poor and Old and Only in Way," Song of Music Master Was Prophecy

1920

Years ago Carl Raymond, the old music master of Chicago, wrote a song by this name:

"I'm Poor and Old, and Only in the Way."

Today Raymond is poor and old and he says he's only in the way. His home is wherever he hangs his hat. He has had riches and fame; now he has but memories. Sometimes he plays the piano in a little restaurant on a Chicago avenue.

Just now he's in the county hospital — broke and friendless. Weakly reclining on a hospital bed, he repeated words from one of his songs:

As we walk down the street,
How, how often do we meet
Some poor old man whose life is naught but woes;
And with age his form is bent,
In his pockets not a cent,
And for shelter he does not know where to go.
With relations by the score
Who turn him from their door
And, sneering, in the street just pass him by;
If you ask why 'tis done,
He'll answer you and say:
"I'm poor and old and only in the way."

As the old fellow's voice died away he said sadly: "That's my life in a nutshell. I never thought when I wrote those words that some day I would apply them to myself."

Raymond was born eighty-one years ago in the shadow of Bunker Hill monument, the son of a banker. At 16 he enlisted in the Mexican War. After peace was declared he became an intermittent correspondent for the New York Herald. Then came the Civil War and he joined the colors again. In 1857 he came to Chicago. All this time he was writing songs — hundreds of them, including "Just One Girl," "There Are No Friends but the Old Friends" and "Passing Away Beyond the Clouds."

"But now I'm thru," he said sadly. "You see, I'm poor and old and only in the way."

—The Saturday Blade, Chicago, Aug. 7, 1920, p. 1.

Bride Braves Flames for Another's Babes

1920

Alone, She Invades Smoke-filled Rooms on Fifth Floor.

NEW YORK, N. Y. — Thru blinding, gagging smoke, Mrs. Marie Kearney, 20 years old, groped for two children supposedly left behind in the burning five-story house in the Bronx, until she collapsed. She was found unconscious and brought to safety by other women.

Mrs. Kearney, a bride of two months and a former yeomanette, was on the roof of her home when the frantic appeals of a mother who believed her two children were in a top-floor apartment of the imperiled tenement reached her from the street.

Alone, she crossed the roofs and climbed down thru the suffocating smoke, entering all four smoke-filled apartments on the top floor in a vain search for the youngsters. Mrs. Kearney then continued to the next floor, where she met a man who told her the children were safe.

—The Saturday Blade, Chicago, Aug. 7, 1920, p. 1.

Saves 4 From Runaway Trolley Car

1920

Rescuer Catches Up With an Auto

WORCESTER, Massachusetts— There are a lot of thrillers in real life that rival anything ever seen in the movies. And Mrs. Bertha Velle and her three children of Bramanville, Mass., will fervently subscribe to the statement. For Mrs. Velle and her youngsters had an experience with a trolley car followed by a heroic rescue that they'll never forget. In some unknown manner the brakes became loose just after they had climbed on the car and the car started on a wild run down the steep hill. Mrs. Velle fainted and her children clung frantically to her. But Arthur Heywood, the motorist, hailed a passing auto, gave chase, and pulled off the rescue in a manner that would have made Douglas Fairbanks green with envy.

It all happened a few days ago. Mrs. Velle and the three children went to Worcester to bring a charge of non-support against her husband. They waited for a trolley car in the outskirts of the city. Finally one came. The motorist and conductor went away to make their reports while Mrs. Velle and the children entered the car.

Car Speeds Down Hill.

They were chatting when the car suddenly began to move a little. In a few seconds it had gained more speed. Mrs. Velle gave a scream of horror as she saw that they were going over the brink of a steep hill. She rushed to the brakes. The car had already started down hill and was going at a terrific speed, swaying from one side to another as if it were to leap the rails at any moment.

The woman tugged frantically at the brakes, while her babies clung to her and screamed. Then she fainted.

Arthur Heywood, the motorist of the car, appeared on the scene. just as the car began to speed down the hill.

Catches Car in Flying Leap.

He hailed a passing automobile and a wild race began. But the auto, a high-powered machine, soon caught up and Heywood made a flying leap from the auto to the car platform. It was soon brought to a standstill.

Mrs. Velle, after being revived, went on to Worcester, where she appeared in court against her husband on a charge of non-support.

—The Saturday Blade, Chicago, Aug. 7, 1920, p. 1.

Attorney is First To Break Own Law

1920

AUBURN, N. Y. — Writing a law, being the first to break it, and then being called to the police station to tell why — that is the experience of Corporation Counsel William S. Elder of this city. Elder has just sponsored a new set of traffic regulations destined to aid in the safety movement.

It was discovered that the corporation counsel's sedan was resting comfortably in the restricted area where automobiles are allowed to park for only ten minutes, while its owner labored on city law problems in his office.

A traffic officer tied a little tag on the machine, notifying the driver that he had broken traffic regulations.

—The Saturday Blade, Chicago, Aug. 7, 1920, p. 1.

Stock Prices Stage Upturn

1929

New Year Advance; Many Issues at New Highs

NEW YORK, Jan. 2. — Stock prices were up, a bull-market, as the New Year began, with many issues up $5 to $21.50 a share.

Nearly 40 stocks, including General Electric, Bethlehem Steel, Anaconda Copper, Allied Chemical, Standard Oil of New York and Pennsylvania Railroad, were at their highest prices in years, perhaps ever.

The ticker fell behind nearly a half hour, so great was the volume of trading, and it was necessary to eliminate small sales volume from the tape.

Radio was up $20.50 a share to $395, International Nickel Certificates hit an all-time high at $275, up $21.50, General Electric and Union Carbide were up $10 each, and trading higher by $5 to $8 a share were National Biscuit, American Express, Adams Express, American International, Victor Talking Machine, Warren Bros., Purity Baking, Dupont, Liggett & Myers, Rossia Insurance, and Midland Steel Products.

—Jan. 2, 1929, written by Clippique from information in original article.

East African Battlefields

1916

If the occupation of Ruanda, German East Africa, by Belgian troops from the Congo, and their establishment of a provisional government in this territory prove to be permanent Belgium will possess the most densely populated as well as one of the most fertile and salubrious territories of central Africa, says a bulletin of the National Geographic society.

Ruanda lies to the east of Lake Kivu, through which runs the boundary line between the Upper Congo region and the German possessions. To the north lies British East Africa. The Kagera river, also known as the Alexandra Nile, flowing in irregular S shape, east, north and west, and emptying into Lake Victoria Nyanza, is the eastern boundary.

While there are two considerable tracts of forest in Ruanda, the central portion of the territory is bare of trees, but on the mountain slopes there is to be found wonderfully rich grass, on which graze magnificent herds of cattle that constitute the chief wealth of the natives. The agricultural possibilities of the region are almost unlimited.

One of the most striking advantages of this territory is its high altitude, an average of nearly a mile above sea level, so that although it lies under an equatorial sun, the temperature is usually about the same as that of a warm summer day in central Europe. Malarial mosquitoes are not known here, nor does the dread tsetse-fly hover over the land, bringing sleeping sickness to human beings and quicker death to cattle.

Contrasts in the Natives.

Two remarkable contrasts are to be found among the natives of this region. The highly developed, intelligent Watussi are magnificent physical specimens, lithe, well-proportioned and athletic. It is not uncommon to meet men from five feet eleven inches to seven feet two inches tall. On the other hand, on the island of Kwidschwei, in Lake Kivu, and in the bamboo forests of Bugoie the traveler finds the pygmy Batwa tribe, whose spear-carrying warriors are under five feet in height, shy, timid and devoted almost entirely to the chase. The aborigines belong to neither of these tribes, however, but are the Wahutu, a medium-sized, agricultural people. The black sultan of the region, one of the world's most powerful potentates ruling in territory held by white colonists, is a Watussi. His word, subject to the censorship of the European resident or governor, is law to a million and a half people.

There is abundant water in Ruanda, the small mountain streams never running dry. When the grass becomes parched on the hillsides, the natives burn it off and immediately there springs up fresh, tender pasturage for the cattle.

The perfunctory salutation among friends is one of the interesting customs of the country. Upon meeting they either place their arms lightly about the waist or else grasp each other's elbows, holding them for a while, then one declares "I wish you cattle," while the other replies, "I wish you women."

First Explored by Von Gotzen.

This region was first explored in 1894 by Count von Gotzen, formerly governor of German East Africa, who came from the coast as far as Lake Kivu, about which Arab traders had frequently brought vague reports. This beautiful, island-dotted body of water, 5,000 feet above sea level, was the last considerable lake to be discovered in central Africa. Its outlet is the Rufiji river, which flows south into the famous Lake Tanganyika.

One of the most noted parties of exploration which has visited Ruanda was that headed by Adolphus Frederick, duke of Mecklenburg, who marched through the territory with an impressive retinue of carriers in 1907-8. In his report he said of this region: "Ruanda is eminently adapted for colonization by white men. The country possesses a fabulous amount of wealth in its herds, to the breeding of which its pastoral people are particularly devoted. Also agriculture may be carried on in a remunerative way, for the quality of the cattle itself is as excellent as that of the milk they yield. As to the quality of the soil, it simply leaves nothing to be desired, so that it is evident that there is a splendid opening here for the establishment of business on a vast scale."

Immense Territory Involved.

When the American public reads that the troops of the Belgian Congo have defeated the colonial troops of German East Africa at Shangugu and that the victors are proceeding southward from Lake Kivu in the direction of Lake Tanganyika, it is hard to realize that the two colonial possessions involved have a combined area four-fifths as large as all of continental Europe, the Russian empire excepted. Belgium's territory alone in this quarter of the globe is 80 times as large as the mother country, while the population of the jungle wilds of the Congo basin is variously estimated at from 14,000,000 to 30,000,000. The German colony is nearly double the area of the home country, while the population is estimated at 8,000,000. In both possessions, however, the number of Europeans, chiefly officers of the home government, does not exceed a few thousands.

Shangugu lies on the southern shore of Lake Kivu, which has an area almost as large as the state of Rhode Island and is nearly a mile above sea level, with gigantic volcanic peaks looking down upon it from the north.

The most interesting settlement in German East Africa is Ujiji, a town of 14,000 inhabitants, chiefly Arabs. This slave and ivory mart of the nineteenth century was first visited by Europeans in 1858, when Richard Burton and J. H. Speke discovered Lake Tanganyika, on whose eastern shores the town is situated. Of even more interest, however, is the fact that it was here that Henry M. Stanley's famous undertaking to find the lost explorer, David Livingstone was accomplished on October 28, 1871.

Experience Proves It

1916

We see in one of these New York papers that women have a "Hereditary Fear of Man," that this fear has come prowling down the ages from the time when woman was not safe from the predatory male, and so on. Yes, we can prove it.

Some twenty-odd years ago or more we came face to face with our teacher over a small difference of opinion concerning a matter of deportment. We looked her right in the eye as lion tamers do now in moving pictures, and we talked up as United States senators have always done. We remember very clearly the haste with which she grabbed into her desk for her ruler. That hereditary fear was working.

Over what followed we draw a veil — no doubt she did it in self-defense and the interests of culture. We are still sorry we scared her so badly and it is rather nice to know that it was really her fear of us that made us such a model pupil for the next week or two. You see they didn't have all the advantages of sociology back in 1880 odd, but we can all live and learn and read the papers. — Collier's.


Where He Had It

Little Fred — I've been awful sick.
Little Harry — What was the matter?
Little Fred — I had brain fever — right in my head, too — the worst place anyone could have it.

A Tribute To The Home of His Childhood

Maine, 1916

By Rev. George B. Ilsley.

Where was it? In Limerick — one of the best of all the towns in York county, Me., encircled by hills on every side — with excellent farms and orchards, having "fine variety of hard and soft wood growth." The old academy stood upon one of its most sightly hill tops — with the village just below it to the north. From this eminence a splendid view of Mt. Washington was obtained. Except for the climb, it was an ideal spot for scholars. It was a High school, indeed! The village with its three meeting-houses and numerous stores was a centre for trade to surrounding towns. Stages ran daily to Portland, Saco and every other to North Berwick via Alfred.

Not a mile south was the home of my childhood. In 1825 grandfather and father bought one of the Felch farms, and lived together upon it, till 1856, when within three weeks they both died. Until then for 16 years it was my happy home. Working on the land was conducive to physical health and vigor.

Going to the summer and winter terms at the old schoolhouse, developed our mental abilities from the A B C's up to admission to the academy where I began to fit for college in 1856.

"How dear to my heart are those scenes of my childhood!" The making of maple-sugar was strenuous recreation — to lug up the sap from the woods and the boiling of it down to syrup! But, oh how sweet it was! Then came the putting up the gaps in the walls which the frosts had made all around the fields and pastures. It was an early spring task. In haying 5 and 6 would be mowing one after the other. It was fun for us boys to follow up and spread it; and then ride the horse to rake it with "the old revolver."

Sometimes it would be September ere we finished.

The old farm of 200 acres seemed immense to my childish comprehension. It was two miles around it. To go through the woods to the Marr's pasture, where the sheep and oxen were kept, was quite an expedition. But it was always a delight to go with father to salt the sheep!

The farm was well located, all in one solid block, bounded on the west by the Main road, on the north by the county road to Limington, on the east by Peter Fogg's pasture, and south by Isaiah Guptil's farm. (He had six boys, Moses, the triplets, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Hiram and Stillman, and five girls. At one time five in the family could not walk alone.)

To the south Ossipee Mt., 4 miles away, was the highest point to gaze upon. Shapleigh hills and plains were beyond. To the north those of Cornish and Limington appeared. The outlook, going back and forth to the village was always beautiful and inspiring. It is still so as I return to it. No other scenery is quite like it. II. No neighbors were quite so good as those just at a near by "Felch Corner". Shall I name them? Across the garden, below, was uncle Jeremiah's house, with cousins Ben and Ed. The Allen sisters, who sold out to Stoddards and moved to the village, one was my earliest school teacher. Then the Meserves, and aunt Polly and son, Nathaniel L. The Brackett Leavitt family with Shubel, Sarah and Louise; across on the corner. The FelcheS, Amos Gene, Amos Jr, and Alvan, the preacher, then beyond Major his son, Moses Fogg. Westward a bit the little Knowlton home, and then the Pierce family, Daniel and Josiah brothers; then the old wooden school house now since 1858, the brick one then, Albion Bradbury, mother and sisters, then the Doles and Gilpatricks, just on the brow of Favor's hill, where we had our best coasting in winter. Half a mile from Felch's Corner to the East way Tufts bridge. Here was the trout brook running through Bradbury's and Tufts field above the road and through Fogg's pasture south of it, and then into Cradbourne's, then into Pierce, and Gilpatrick's meadows. Do I not still see the hole where I caught my first one? Yes indeed, and going back to it 40 years later cutting away the alders I took another out of the same place. I may do it again before I'm eighty.

The new Dole, Gilpatrick, and Hodgdon saw-mill in which father had a share was a place of great attraction to me and all the boys of the neighborhood. In early spring we could get a big trout, and in summer pickerel. It was a fine place for swimming also, and for building rafts to paddle over the pond to fish and dive from when in bathing.

Many a pleasant picnic was held here, as well as on the old farm when the cousins came in summer time from Portland and Chelsea. But now the old mill is all gone.

Planting time always had some excitement about it, carting out the barn dressing, then plowing it in. Breaking up new ground required all the oxen and steers we could muster. It was a big team sometimes.

One year, Abe Guptil was the hired man, one of the twins. We began spring work April 9th and got all the planting done on May 13th. Then came the sheep washing when the flock was driven to the County Bridge over a mile away. Sometimes we boys, in ducking the big lambs, got plunged in ourselves by their vigorous resistance. This with the shearing and the marking of the lamb's ear, by splitting them was a time of great interest to us. There was nothing dull or dreary about such childhood days.

The hoeing, when the twitch-grass was stout I never enjoyed very much. But I recall one time when grandfather was about 80 and I 15. We had a race to see who would hoe his row out first. I did my best, but he beat me. Up to 83 he was a smart man to work, no matter whether it was hoeing or mowing, digging potatoes or husking corn, he was sure to do his part.

Seventy years ago we as boys had no boughten toys. We had to make our traps for squirrels, skunks and woodchucks if we caught them. Our bows and arrows to shoot with, and our kites to fly we made.

Grandpa being a cabinet-maker in Portland brought many of his tools to Limerick, and had a shop for them. This was our resort on rainy days; and we were not slow about using them to make what we felt we wanted most. At one time I strove hard to construct a violin, but failed in glueing it together. At bow-guns, stilts, traps and sleds, we became quite proficient.

When grandpa found that we had dulled his saws, planes or chisels, and each of us answered that "I didn't do it," he would make his earnest reply to us, "Nobody did it." "Nobody did it."

But we loved him if sometimes he did seem to scold us. We knew he loved us. He was a kind and great hearted, Christian man.

Every morning just before gathering about the big, round breakfast table, when all were present, was his time to furnish devotion. A chapter was read from his Bible, taken down from the dinning room shelf, then he knelt in prayer on our behalf. At every meal it was his custom to ask God's blessing on the food before us.

When the weather was too cold for the Sunday evening prayer meetings to be at the school house our dining room was the usual place for them, at early candle light, where 50 or more, by opening the sitting room, could be seated. In this he always took some part by prayer or testimony. He was a good singer and joined in every song. As a small boy I remember how I helped bring in the chairs and arrange them in rows, for men on one side and women on the other. The light-stand with the Bible and hymn book for the minister was always near the sitting-room-door. The young folks used to gather and those who were not church members used to take the sitting room.

It was grandfather's custom to have a song service after the people had gone.

It was his delight to rehearse many of the old hymns, and have us gather round and help him. With my three sisters and two brothers we had a good time of it; especially when he got out the old bass viol, and uncle Jeremiah came in with his clarionet, and if Aunt "Nodie" was there with her excellent soprano voice, those to me were pretty fine concerts. Here I took my first lessons in music. One of his favorite hymns was "How Firm a Foundation Ye Saints of the Lord." Such influences tended to draw me early into Christian life, and later all my brothers and sisters.

Our aged grandpa's example and life were a constant benediction upon us, filling the home with the sweetest of good influences. His benignant face stills hangs upon my study wall.

It was always a pleasure to be with him in the field, in the carriage, or in the old meeting house on the Hill. One of my boyish amusements in the square pew at the right of the pulpit, with closed door was the getting of flies and wasps into a paper box which was made for that purpose. In the winter Grandma had her foot stove there. Old Elder Flanders of Buxton, who had a very big nose, whom my father used to shave, before he went to church Sunday morning to supply, was one of the first I can remember. He used to put up at our house. When he blew his nose with a big red bandanna handkerchief he made a loud noise of it. In the "40's" when Josiah Tilton was pastor I remember going to the Donation Party at the parsonage and the eating of blancmange of which I still have a fondness. Then came Elder Tripp who taught one term of winter school, whereby my thirst for knowledge was much strengthened. After he came Rev. Jeremiah D. Tilton under whom I joined the church in 1854.

It is with grief I think now of the diminished membership and the closed doors on Lord's Day of the Little White church on the Hill.

Most of the people of 70 years ago are buried in the cemetery close by. What a joy it would be to go back and meet them there again as in the days of childhood.

"Backward, turn backward,
O Time, in your flight,
Make me a child again
Just for to night!"
***. (To mother)

"Many a summer,
The grass has grown green
Blossomed and faded,
Our faces between;
Yet with strong yearning
and passionate pain
Long I tonight
For your presence again.
Rocke me to sleep mother
Rocke me to sleep."
—Earnest Leslie.

"Be it ever so humble,
there is no place like home;
A charm from the skies
Seems to hallow us there,
Which, seek thru the world,
Is ne'er met with elsewhere.
Home, home sweet, sweet home."
— John Howard Payne.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 8.

Maine Notes

Maine, 1916

The annual reunion of the 4th Maine Regiment, 2nd Maine Battery, Berden's Sharpshooters and Naval veterans was held at Grand Army Hall Friday. Conspicuous among the members present was Percy Montgomery, aged 99, who served in the battery.

Harold S. Wright, a carrier at the Lewiston postoffice, was one of a mounted delegation in the parade which greeted Theodore Roosevelt Aug. 31. As a result papers have been served on him, alleging partisanship contrary to civil service requirements.

At Dexter Friday two bolts struck the belfrey of St. Anne's Catholic church, badly demolishing one side and doing damage estimated at $500. Lightning also entered the mill of the Dumbarton Woolen Company and started a fire, which was extinguished before any serious damage was done.

Freeman Mariner, 25 years old, of Patten is on the dangerous list at Bangor hospital with a shattered shoulder, caused by the accidental discharge of his rifle, which he had placed in the bottom of a canoe on a lake at Moro.

John Scott, 80, died at Ste. Marie'es General hospital at Lewision, as the result of injuries sustained when he fell from the hayloft in his barn. Mr. Scott suffered a fracture of one hip and also internal injuries.

Think of it, for September; Seven hundred and seventy-five guests at Kineo and every one of them having the time of their lives, as well as the opportunity of seeing white frost on the trees and a temperature in the early morning of an even 30, as was afforded last Monday week.

Miss Ellen Olive Walkley, of one of the oldest families of Southington, Conn., is soon to become the bride of Rev. Dr. David Nelson Beach, president of the Bangor Theological Seminary, Dr. Beach is much older than his fiancee, nearly 70. He graduated from Yale in 1872 and from Yale Divinity School in 1876. He filled pastorates as a Congregational minister at Westerly, R. I.; Wakefield, Mass.; Cambridge, Minneapolis and Denver.

It is quite likely that the work of the Rockland Y. M. C. A., which was dropped two years ago, may be taken up again this fall, using the association's old building on Limerock street until the way can be paved for a suitable structure on the new lot, bought this year. Interest has been sustained among the boys through the medium of the High School Annex, founded by Supt. G. A. Stuart.

Portland is not likely to land the Eastern League pennant this year. Local fans have supported the team almost up to a profitable point, but the season is said to show a net loss to the owner of the franchise. Sentiment at Portland seems to be that there will be another change in the circuit in 1917.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 8.

What Congress Has Done

1916

Congress came to a halt yesterday. In this interval between the achievement of one Administration and the choice of another we can look out, as from an opening in the trees, over the slopes up which we have climbed.

Steep was this journey, often perilous, and to climb it required of the Administration both ability and courage.

First came the tariff. The Republicans had been put into office to revise the tariff downward. They coolly revised it in the opposite direction. Their retribution came in 1912. The Democrats were put in power to revise the tariff downward. They did so. The Underwood-Simmons bill of October 1913, was the first tariff in the history of this country which was ever made in the open, where it was difficult to slip in "jokers" and such clauses as the famous "Schedule K."

To that Congress has now added a Tariff Commission for the scientific, nonpartisan study of the problem. This body is fortified by a clause against the danger of European Nations seeking to recoup their war losses by "dumping" goods in our markets to destroy our industries. In respect to tariff, therefore our commercial ship is in storm trim to meet the heavy weather which is anticipated at the end of the war.

It had been complained, prior to 1912, that the control of financial credit was in the clutch of a few financiers who used that power selfishly and unjustly. The administration proceeded with its Federal reserve banking and currency act which, though bitterly resisted in certain financial quarters, is now admitted by bankers themselves to be an excellent measure.

Our foreign trade was stimulated by permitting National banks to establish foreign branches, thus releasing merchants from being obliged to pay tribute to London for financial transactions outside the United States.

The effect of financial legislation has been especially beneficial to the farmers. It has already enabled them, in many instances, to borrow money at 6 percent, which had formerly cost them 10, 12 and even 15 percent.

The Federal Rural Credits act has been pronounced one of the greatest pieces of constructive legislation in the last half-century.

Farm and town alike will profit by the law granting Federal aid to the States for the building of good roads.

A European war, unprecedented in world history, was "sprung" on the Administration, as it was on the rest of the world. In response to a very clamorous demand the Administration has enacted measures for defense involving an outlay of $662,476,512, the largest appropriation in peace times in the Nation's history, and of a magnitude which has mollified the complaints even of the rabid militarist.

Labor legislation which other Administrations have promised this Administration has performed. The Federal law prohibiting child labor is one of the most sweeping humanitarian measures of recent history. We now have a Workmen's Compensation act for Federal employes; an eight-hour day for Government employes in Alaska; an eight-hour day for women and children workers in the District of Columbia; a law requiring better treatment and better living conditions for American seamen; and the establishment of a Federal employment bureau, which, in its first year, obtained jobs for 75,156 people.

By the Clayton Antitrust act human labor ceased to be classed as a "commodity." An income tax and an inheritance tax have shifted a part of the burden of public expense to shoulders which are better able to bear it. The Government has undertaken to build and own a railroad in Alaska and to invest $50,000,000 in a merchant marine, under certain specified conditions protecting private initiative.

Nor is this by any means the whole record of the Administration's achievements. These are but the high lights. They are enough, however, to show that campaign promises have at last been removed from the category of a cynical joke about broken pledges.

What a Progressive party promised to do if elected, this Democratic Administration has largely done. And of its total achievement this record of progressive legislation is only a part, and perhaps not even the most distinguished part.

A great philosopher once passed what he called "a quiet hint to conservatives." It was that the only kind of conservatism that is possible is progressivism. You cannot, he said, make man walk backwards, crab-fashion.

The present Administration has been conservative in the best, in fact, the only sense. It has conserved by going steadily forward. — The Boston Globe.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 8.

The President on "Our Interests"

1916

The characteristic aberration of Mr. Wilson's mind and his self-complacent disregard of traditional American principles are never more clearly shown than when he discusses American interests and the relationship of them to the interests of the world at large. It is a favorite theme with him, lending itself with facility to that fashion of phrase-making which forms so dominant a part of his public utterances, and in dealing with it he displays not only the self-complacency to which we have already referred, but also a degree of inconsistency which is actually bewildering.

It was only the other day that in a public address at the capital he rang the changes of emphasis upon the proposition that we should never exert the physical force of America for our own interests, but only for the interests of humanity, or for our own only when they were identical with those of humanity at large. He was, of course, entitled to that view of the case as his own. But how presumptuous an error it was to declare that to be the traditional American policy, established by the fathers of the republic, is suggested by simple reference to Washington's Farewell Address, in which Americans are exhorted to adopt and maintain a course of policy under which we may choose peace or war as our interests, guided by justice, shall dictate"!.

Again, speaking of the European War, Mr. Wilson has said that Americans have "no part of interest in the policies which seem to have brought the conflict on." We are not sure that even his epochal "too proud to fight" comment upon the Lusitania massacre was more repugnant to humane feeling. We have, then, no interest in the protection of small nations from oppression and spoliation; no interest in the respecting of neutrality; no interest in the faithful observance of treaty obligations; no interest in the substitution of justice for brute force. Those would be astounding declarations for America to make in the twentieth century! Why, even a pagan comedian twenty centuries ago declared that because he was a man he was interested in everything that concerned humanity. Have we fallen below Terence's code of ethics? We should like to bracket by the side of Mr. Wilson's inhuman disclaimer of interest the studied statement of England's poet-statesman, Wordsworth, that "every independent nation is interested in the maintenance of the national independence of every other country." By the side of such a proposition how sordid appears Mr. Wilson's plea of "no interest"! — The Boston Transcript.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 8.

Brass Tacks At Washington

1916

Judge Hughes and the Republican Party are challenged in the new Democratic National Textbook to speak out for or against the record of achievement made by President Wilson and the Democrats.

The challenge is issued in twenty-one brief, direct and pointed questions addressed to Judge Hughes and the Republicans by the Democratic National Committee and the Democratic Congressional Committee. All the large issues, domestic and international, are treated. The questions carry the caption "Appeal for Light for Sixteen Million Voters: Let Mr. Hughes and the Republican Party Answer."

These questions are:

1. Do you favor repeal of the Federal Reserve Act passed by a Democratic Congress, recommended and approved by President Wilson, under which the danger of financial panics is forever banished from the United States?

2. Would you have protested against the violation of Belgian neutrality and have backed the protest by plunging America into the European carnival of slaughter?

3. Do you favor repeal of the Rural Credits Act, passed by a Democratic Congress, recommended and approved by President Wilson, which gives long-term credit at interest rates that promise an annual saving of $150,000,000 to the farmers?

4. Would you have recognized Victoriano Huerta as President of Mexico?

5. Do. you favor repeal of the Clayton Anti-trust Act, passed by a Democratic Congress and approved by President Wilson, which overthrew the principle that the labor of a human being is a mere commodity of commerce?

6. Will you, Mr. Hughes, recommend, and will the Republican Party in Congress support a law establishing universal compulsory military service in the United States?

7. Do you advocate repeal of the Federal Trade Commission Act, passed by a Democratic Congress, recommended and approved by President Wilson, which has given so much assistance to legitimate business enterprises and under which adequate protection against unfair competion is provided?

8. Mr. Hughes, would you have tried the policy of diplomatic negotiation as a means of summoning the moral force of law and neutral opinion to stop Germany's illegal use of submarines?

9. Do you favor repeal of the "porkless" Good Roads Act, passed by a Democratic Congress and approved by President Wilson, for the development of rural highways?

10. Would you, Mr. Hughes, have broken relations with Germany and sent our young men by the hundreds of thousands to nameless graves at the bottom of the Atlantic or in Flanders before the policy of diplomatic negotiation had had thorough trial?

11. Will you undertake to repeal the income tax, passed by a Democratic Congress, recommended and approved by President Wilson, which places a just share of the burden of taxation upon those best able to bear it?

12. Do you favor violating neutrality and risking the future safety of your country by placing an embargo on munitions of war?

13. Do you favor repeal of the Agricultural Extension Act, passed by a Democratic Congress, recommended and approved by President Wilson, which for the first time provides facilities for carrying direct to the farmer practical scientific knowledge of how to increase the profits of his farm?

14. Do you favor intervention in Mexico?

15. Do you advocate repeal of the Grain Standards and Warehouse Acts, passed by a Democratic Congress, recommended and approved by President Wilson, which aid commerce in the great staple cereals and enable owners of stored agricultural products to secure loans on warehouse receipts on better terms?

16. What is your attitude towards the disloyalists of your party who have attempted to prevent the enforcement by President Wilson, both on the part of the American government and by all American citizens, of an honest neutrality towards all the warring nations of Europe?

17 Inasmuch as the largest amount collected in any one year under the highest tariff ever enacted (Payne-Aldrich Act) was $333,000,000, what form of taxation would you substitute to pay a "Preparedness" cost of $630,000,000?

18. Do you favor the reactionary Republican plan of granting huge subsidies to favored corporations, money collected from the people by taxation, as the best way of encouraging the development of an American merchant marine?

19. Do you favor repeal of the Child Labor Law, the Anti-Injunction Law, the Seaman's Act and related social justice measures of high importance, passed by a Democratic Congress and recommended and approved by President Wilson?

20. Do you favor re-enactment of the Payne-Aldrich Act which betrayed your party's campaign pledge of 1908 and which has been repudiated by many Republican and all Progressive leaders?

21. Do you stand with those Progressives and progressive Republicans in Congress who voted for practically all the progressive measures mentioned above, or do you stand with the reactionary Republicans who voted against them?

In conclusion, the two Democratic Committees say,

"President Wilson and the Democratic Party submit their case to the American people on the record they have made. Broadly speaking that is the issue of the campaign. Upon the public survey and estimate of that record depends the outcome of the election.

"If, as charged by you, Mr. Hughes, and your supporters, that record is bad and does not justify the continued confidence of the country it will become your duty, if elected, to do all in your power to change that record. We submit that in all fairness the American people, for whose verdict you are contesting, are entitled to know how much of this record you and your party will attempt to destroy if placed in power."

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 8.

Coca-Cola Fair Ad (1920)

Click graphic for bigger version

Interesting artwork, state fair theme, with the midway, featuring favorites of the sideshow, Cora the Fat Woman (450 lbs.), the Smallest Man Alive, Mazye the Snake Handler, and who knows what all else. A barker calls to patrons, barefoot children share a bottle of Coke, and everyone seems to be having a great time. It's August, a hot summer day on the midway!

—The Saturday Blade, Chicago, Aug. 7, 1920, p. 2. Approx. 4-1/8" x 7", the heavy black border's dimensions.

Folks, Facts and Fancies

1916

British Official Gazette announces removal from blacklist of American firm names of Electro Bleaching Gas Co. of New York and Niagara Falls, Richard Neuhaus of Electro Bleaching Gas Co. and Gravenhorst & Co. of 96 Wall street, New York.

Senator Martine made an attack in the Senate on the Pennsylvania road Friday morning for printing extracts of campaign speeches of Mr. Hughes on menu cards of dining cars, and claimed this to be proof of close alliance of railroads and Republican party.

King George on Friday signed proclamation requiring British subjects to make returns in regard to property owned by them in countries at war with Great Britain; also of claims made by them against subjects of governments of hostile countries.

Lord Robert Cecil, British minister of war trade, says: "It is not likely that Great Britain will change her blacklist policy at the request of the United States. The ideas expressed by some newspapers that Great Britain is adopting a deliberate policy with which to injure American trade are purest moonshine, since outside of our own dominions our trade with United States is the most important. Any impression that the blacklist is merely an entering wedge for a trade warfare after the war may be dismissed at once. The blacklist is purely a war measure, and the government is taking every precaution to guarantee its enforcement so as to cause as little hardship as possible to innocent traders."

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 8.

Recent Events

1916

According to Seattle Times, a $22,000,000 fleet is to be built in Pacific coast ports for A. U. Anderson & Co. of Copenhagen, Denmark, which will be placed under American flag. 14 vessels already have been contracted for.

Citizen soldiers who attended earlier camps at Plattsburg, N. Y., as well as those now in training there, will receive from government their traveling and subsistence expenses under army appropriation bill passed by Congress.

Mexican de facto government has promulgated decree requiring companies engaged in production of crude oil in Mexico to register in the tax bureau of ministry of finance before Sept. 15.

Department of commerce reports that 221 firms are holding nearly 5,000,000 cases of eggs — about 143,000,000 dozen — in cold storage, or 10 per cent less than a month ago.

Herald New York despatch says railroads may delay attack on eight-hour law. Prominent officials believe President Wilson's statement to Congress Friday was a pledge of remedial legislation and are inclined to await outcome of election.

State department has received information of an agreement between Great Britain and Norway whereby latter will place an export embargo on raw copper and will receive without interruption imports of copper from this country.

Copper is now chief article of export from Alaska. Export value for year to June 30 was $26,488,000, compared with $5,182,000 in 1915. Receipts of copper from Alaska aggregated 117,000,000 pounds.

A new labor union, composed of government employees, has decided to ask President Wilson to make Saturday a half-holiday for all government workers throughout the year.

Arrangements are being made for formation of a $50,000,000 automobile company in France to manufacture cheap cars after war capable of competing with Ford.

New revenue bill makes income tax returns public records, with proviso requiring an order by the President before such records can be seen.

London Times says that Swedish harvest will be finest on record, crop yield being from 50 per cent to 200 per cent above average.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 7.

Reject Principle that All Submarines Are War Vessels

1916

Washington, Sept. 5. — To the proposal of the Entente allies that neutrals accept the principle that all submarines are vessels of war, the United States has dispatched a reply which it is understood holds to the principle that the characteristics of each individual submersible must govern the case.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 7.

New York Millinery District

1916

New York, Sept. 10. — With the avowed purpose of shifting the leaders in the millinery trade from Broadway and its vicinity in the section between Bleecker and Fourteenth streets to West Thirty-fourth street, in the Pennsylvania station zone, and to Seventh avenue between Thirty-fourth and Forty-second streets, John A. Larkin yesterday announced the determination of the Larkin and other prominent building interests to proceed immediately with the construction of five sixteen story buildings and one seventeen story structure within the boundaries outlined.

The six new buildings will provide ninety-seven floors of modern show and sales rooms, containing approximately 1,500,000 square feet of rentable floor area, practically all of which huge amount of space, according to Mr. Larkin, already has been underwritten by the leading millinery firms of the city now located south of 14th street.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 7.

Villa Reports Unfounded

1916

El Paso, Tex., Sept. 8. — Villa, on his northward march, told the natives that he would take part in the celebration at Chihuahua city on the evening of Sept. 15, which is carnival night in Mexico. Such at least is the story brought here today out of Mexico by a man well acquainted with the people. He also said he talked to a Mexican who recently had a conference with Villa and the Mexican said the bandit chief looked very thin and still used crutches when walking, although he was able to ride a horse.

Washington, Sept. 11.—All efforts of General Pershing to confirm persistent rumors that Villa is moving toward the border in northern Mexico so far have been fruitless. The general so reported today to the War Department.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 7.

Mexican Attack Engineers' Camp

1916

El Paso, Texas, Sept. 8. — Thirty Mexicans supposed to be Villa followers, made a raid on the engineers' camp of the American punitive expedition and escaped with a mule, according to members of the expeditionary force arriving here today from Mexico by way of Columbus. This raid, which took place last Wednesday on an isolated portion of the camp at Ojo Federico, is believed by military authorities here to have been indirectly responsible for today's rumor of a clash between the fifth cavalry and the 16th infantry of regulars, and a band of Villa followers south of Ey Valle, Chihuahua.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 7.

Strike to Help Jitneys?

1916

Wilkesbarre, Pa., Sept. 10. — A general strike of all crafts of labor, numbering approximately 75,000, is a contingency that faces Wilkesbarre and the Wyoming Valley as the result of efforts of labor union officials to obtain an immediate stay in the enforcement of the city ordinance which jitney owners say will make it impossible for them to continue in business. The result, union leaders say, would be to break the street car strike that has been in effect since October 14, 1915.

Mayor John V. Kosek announced on Friday that the ordinance will go into effect at 6 o'clock tomorrow morning.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 7.

Republican Uber Alles

Maine, 1916

Portland Sept. 12. — Maine Republicans reinforced by returning Progressives, won a signal victory at the State election yesterday.

They elected a Governor, auditor, two United States senators, four congressmen, and wresting control of the State House of Representatives from the Democrats, will be able on a joint ballot of the Legislature to elect the other State officers not chosen by popular vote.

Carl E. Milliken led his ticket, defeating Gov. Oakley C. Curtis, who sought re-election, by a plurality of approximately 12,000.

The Republican drift extended to county tickets, the greater number of counties choosing county attorneys and sheriffs. These offices are important locally because the holders are charged with the enforcement of the prohibition law.

The vote was heavy, as has been expected, for the campaign has been waged with a determination not seen in recent years. The country was searched out for speakers of national prominence by both parties, and the greater number of these battled on national issues. The fight was particularly hot for the two United States senatorships, and the four places held by Maine in the lower House at Washington. The national defense, the tariff and the eight-hour law for railroad men loomed large in the discussions.

The Progressives, who two years ago cast 18,226 votes, returned largely to the Republican party, in the opinion of Republican leaders.

The closest fight was for congressman from the second district, where Congressman Daniel J. McGillicuddy was defeated by Wallace H. White, Jr., whose plurality was about 500.

United States Senator Charles F. Johnson, whose wide popularity had given the Democrats great hope of his return, was defeated by Frederick Hale, son of the ex-senator, whose margin was approximately 9500 votes. For the other seat in the Senate for the short term, former Governer Bert M. Fernald defeated Kenneth C. M. Sills, dean of Bowdoin college, with 12,000 votes to spare.

L. B. Goodall won from L. A. Stevens in the first congressional district by 3000. Congressman John A. Peters retained his seat, defeating John E. Bunker in the third district by 4000. Ira G. Hersey defeated Leonard A. Pierce in the fourth congressional district with a plurality of 5000.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 7.

U. S. Will Retaliate Only as Last Report.

1916

Washington, Sept. 6 — What shall be the attitude of the Entente Allies toward American trade relation legislation, will be determined by the Grand Trade Council of the 10 belligerent Governments at Paris.

Entente diplomats here said tonight no action will be taken until authorization has been received from the council, and in the meantime all information on the subject obtainable is being forwarded to Paris.

Formal notes of protest from the various Governments are not expected. It is thought no formal action will be taken unless the President actually puts into force the discretionary power of refusing clearance papers to ships discriminating against American goods, withholding the use of telegraphs and cable lines from subjects of discriminating Governments and denying import privileges to countries which restrict American trade.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 7.

Greeks Plan for War

1916

Athens, Sept. 9, via London, Sept. 11. — "If the Entente and anti-Venizelist factions can only keep quiet for 10 days and not embroil the situation, Greece's entry into the war will be a settled fact," said a prominent Greek official to the Associated Press this morning. "If not," he continued, "it is the end of Greece."

King Constantine and Premier Zaimis had a lengthy conference on the situation today. On the whole, the situation with regard to Greece's entry into the war on the side of the Entente Allies seems favorable.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 7.

England Will Not Drop Blacklist

1916

London, Sept. 8. — "It is not likely that Great Britain will change her blacklist policy at the request of the United States," said Lord Robert Cecil, minister of war, in discussing today the possible effect of recent American retaliatory legislation. To the Associated Press, Lord Robert stated that a reply to the blacklist protest made by the United States may be expected soon. Lord Robert, however, declined to enter into the details of the contents of the reply beyond the statement that the principle embodied in British legislation forbidding trading with an enemy country is unlikely to be surrendered in any measure.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 7.

Sweden and England Exchange Sharp Notes

1916

London, Sept. 10. — There has been a further, and rather sharp exchange of notes between Great Britain and Sweden regarding the difficulties brought about by the allied blockade and Sweden's retaliatory seizure of mails in transit between England and Russia. No solution of the problem is in sight. The British foreign secretary, Viscount Grey, insists that as a condition to submitting the matter to arbitration Sweden must promise not to interfere again with English parcels post matter in transit across Sweden. The Swedish government apparently is determined not to make such an engagement.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 7.

Hindenburg at Western Front

1916

Amsterdam, via London, Sept. 9. — According to Berlin dispatches received here Field Marshal Von Hindenburg, the new German chief of staff, has arrived for the first time on the western battle front and will inspect all the principal positions in company with Crown Prince Frederick William.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 7.

The Rumanian Campaign

1916

The German-Bulgar spectacular rush at Tutrakan has, according to a report telegraphed from Athens to the London Daily Mail, been speedily countered by an equally spectacular rush of Russians and Rumanians for Nish, the Serbian capital, after the fall of Belgrade, now in possession of Bulgaria. If the invaders manage to reach the neighborhood of Nish they will achieve a sensation and furnish a service to the Allied Balkan campaign of immense importance — the cutting of the Berlin-Belgrade-Constantinople Railroad.

The Athens despatch reports the Russo-Rumanian troops have already advanced more than ten miles into Serbian territory having occupied Negotin and doubtless pushed on at once. At Negotin the expedition is about seventy to seventy-five miles from the Orient railroad. Allowing for delays to despatches the invaders must have been in Negotin on Wednesday night or Thursday morning.

The crossing of the Danube from Roumanian territory was made to Prahavo on the Serbian side, near the river. Prahavo is seven miles from Negotin. The success of this attempt depends entirely on speed and surprise. Doubtless the Rumania staff was aware that this section had been skinned of troops to furnish the Bulgarian rush into Rumania.

The crossing of the Danube unopposed substantiates this belief. The country through which the expedition is moving will afford it every assistance possible, as what inhabitants are there are entirely unfriendly to the Central Powers.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 7.

Saturday's Summary

1916

London, Sept. 8 — An ever increasing cannonade by the British and French on the most intense scale is in progress along more than 30 miles of the fighting front on the Somme, preparatory to another rush through the Kaiser's "iron wall."

Repeated counter attacks by heavy bodies of Germans last night failed to move the French, who today pushed further into Vermandovillers Village below the river.

Meanwhile in the complicated struggle of southeastern Europe, where the fighting in large in open field and new developments arise every day, there stand out three great battles, whose result will count heavily before Winter benumbs war-like activity.

First in immediate interest comes the fighting in south Rumania, where a large Russian army has reached the victorious German-Bulgar-Turkish forces and is attacking them from the Black Sea to the Danube River.

Today's announcement of this new Russian offensive relieves Entente Allied capitals of anxiety over Rumania's sudden reverse at Tutrukai.

Lemberg's fate hangs in the balance while Brussiloff's armies drive Von Bothmer steadily across country from the southeast and press on its protecting forces on the east and north. The Germanic troops, retreating 25 miles in three days, have crossed the Guita Lipa River and are attempting to hold their pursuers to its eastern bank.

Passing the broad Dvina River near the Baltic, Russian troops have made good their foothold in the German lines on the western bank, for the first time since last Fall.

Another Austrian defeat at the hands of Rumanians is confessed by Vienna, involving further retreat 50 miles north of Kronstadt.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 7.

London Summary

1916

London, Sept. 11 — Armies of the five Nations have begun to turn back the German-Bulgar invasion of Greek territory. The British have crossed the Struma and driven their enemy toward Kavala in severe fighting. Under Serbian pressure on the other flank the Bulgarians have retreated toward Monastir, and the French, in the center, have let loose the full power of their artillery, pulverizing Bulgaria's defenses.

Greece is on the verge of war. A Ministerial crisis is imminent, and it is believed Premier Zaimis has already tendered his resignation, reports Reuter's correspondent at Athens. The Greeks, fired by the surrender of the whole provinces to the Bulgars without a blow, are flocking to the Allies for arms and a chance to drive out their bitterest foes.

While Russia is pouring troops into Southeastern Rumania, where the German-Bulgar army has conquered most of the Dobudja, it is claimed, the Rumanian forces are still advancing in Transylvania and overcoming vigorous Austrian resistance.

Vienna declares Russian attacks on Halics in Galicia and along the Kovel front in Russia have been brought to a standstill.

German counter-attacks against the British and French on the Somme front last night and today broke down without regaining any lost ground.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 7.

Our Day On Earth

1916

Augusta registered its first Chinese voter this. year, Chin Bong, who runs a laundry there. He was born in Seattle 28 years ago and is married, his wife being at present in China. Previous to coming to Augusta he lived for sometime in Boston and was a voter there.

A. Leon Esty, who was in the automobile with James W. Rafter in the smash-up at the Gardiner railroad crossing of Nov. 2, 1913, has brought suit in the United States District Court of Vermont in the sum of $10,000 against the Maine Central Railroad. It will be remembered that Mr. Rafter won in his suit for damages and was awarded $15,464.99. It was claimed at the time that the gates were not properly operated at the approach of the train.

A grand record for faithful performance of duties was rounded out last Wednesday by Edward G. Wyman of Bangor, when he retired from active service at the First National Bank of that city, after 52 years of continuous service, of which 38 was as cashier. He was given an assistant and granted a long vacation, on salary. Few men anywhere has a longer or more honorable career to his credit.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 16, 1916, p. 1.

More Jokes

1916

The Short Course

When James A. Garfield was president of Oberlin college, a man brought for entrance as a student his son, for whom he wished a shorter course than the regular one.

"The boy can never take all that in," said the father. He wants to get through quicker. Can you arrange it for him?"

"Oh, yes," said Mr. Garfield. He can take a shorter course; it all depends on what you want to make of him. When God wants to make an Oak, He takes a hundred years, but He takes only two months to make a pumpkin."


Young Poultryman

The teacher had recited "The Landing of the Pilgrims." Then she requested each pupil to draw from his or her imagination a picture of Plymouth Rock.

Most of them went to work at once, but one little fellow hesitated, and at length raised his hand.

"Well, Willie, what is it?" asked the teacher.

"Please, ma'am, do you want us to draw a hen or a rooster?"


A Blunder

It was bathing time and from the bedroom of twin boys came the sound of hearty laughter and long crying. Their father went up to find the cause. "What's the matter up here?" he inquired.

The laughing twin pointed to his weeping brother. "Nothing," he giggled; "only nurse has given Alexander two baths and hasn't given me any at all."


Nothing Very Serious

Mrs. Casey — Och, Pat, whin the docther told yez ye had something wid a Latin name to it a yar-rd long, didn't it scare yez?
Casey — Faith, it did, Norah, darlint. But whin he only charged me a dollar, Oi knew it didn't amount to much.

John D's Fortune $1,000,000,000

1916

Information of the existence of a balance sheet compiled at Cleveland ten days ago on the occasion of John D. Rockefeller's 77th birthday, showing that his private fortune, exclusive of endowment funds and other benefactions, exceeds a billion dollars, is said to be in possession of the authorities of Cuyahoga county.

The existence of the balance sheet, indicating that Mr. Rockefeller's fortune exceeds that of any man in the world, was discovered in the search for evidence to present in the United States Circuit Court of Appeals in a forthcoming attempt of Cuyahoga county to force Mr. Rockefeller to pay taxes on holdings of more than three hundred million dollars. Mr. Rockefeller obtained an injunction in the United States District court in Cleveland, preventing the enforcement of tax collection on the holdings in October, 1915, and in December of the same year Cuyahoga county filed an appeal in the United States Circuit court.

Since the county authorities have been endeavoring to obtain evidence that Mr. Rockefeller was a legal resident of Cleveland. He is now at his home in Cleveland, and on July 9 celebrated his 77th birthday. It was about that time, it is understood, that a balance sheet containing the extent and the varied amounts of his holdings was presented to him. The balance sheet, according to authentic information, indicated that the Rockefeller fortune had exceeded $1,000,000,000 and steadily was mounting upward; so rapidly, in fact, that, with all of his enormous benefactions, Mr. Rockefeller was unable to dispose of the income.

Of the enormous total nearly $500,000,000 represents Mr. Rockefeller's holdings in the various Standard Oil companies and their subsidiaries. He holds approximately 247,962 shares out of a total of 883,383 shares issued in all of the companies. The stock is now quoted around $1700, about three times what it was before the federal courts issued the order dissolving the great corporation into independent companies.

The balance of Mr. Rockefeller's fortune, it is understood, is shown to be in enormous holdings in various railway and banking corporations, the United States Steel corporation, and in National, Municipal, State and in foreign bond issues. Among his holdings it is recorded, there are $10,000,000 of Anglo-French war bonds, floated here last year by the Allied commission.

Naturally, with such amazing accumulation of wealth, the variations of the stock market day by day increase or decrease the fortune by a million or more dollars. Since the compilation of the schedule in June, immediately succeeding the announcement that the half year's gifts of the Rockefeller Foundation, merely one of his projects, were more than three million dollars, the fortune is said to have shown a great increase. That is because of the steadily upward trend of various stocks because of the enlivened commerce of the country.

Neither Mr. Rockefeller nor his son, John D. Rockefeller, Jr., are engaged actively in business. Since 1910, when their joint benefactions first began to loom large in the generosities of the world, eclipsing those of Andrew Carnegie, it is estimated that the Rockefellers have given a way approximately $200,000,000.

The most conspicuous of the benefactors have been the General Education Board, which has received about $60,000,000; University of Chicago to which has been given $25,000,000; Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research, $10,000,000; Rush Medical College, $6,000,000; missions of the Baptist church at home and abroad, $8,000,000; to various colleges and universities in the United States, including Yale, Harvard, Barnard, Union Theological Seminary of New York, the Baptist and the Southern Education Fund, about $30,000,000; the Young Men's Christian Association, $4,000,000; to various hospitals and medical colleges, $20,000,000; for juvenile reform work, $3,000,000; and to Cleveland for betterment purposes, $3,000,000.

Since the war in Europe, the Rockefeller Foundation has given about $10,000,000 for relief work for a wide and varied character, but despite the great demands, the income accruing from the endowment fund, it is said, is not entirely used up. To the Rockefeller foundation, organized in the words of Mr. Rockefeller "for the good of mankind," will probably be the disburser of this greatest of existing fortunes. John D. Rockefeller, Jr., is the chief administrator of the great fund. The organization which will use the wealth has the following for its avowed purpose:—

"To make this vast force a living organism, which will have the freedom of a live thing, to give aid swiftly and largely when aid is most needed, not a mere accident of death that may set the money free for certain limited uses. No man can foresee the needs of ten, twenty or fifty years from now. The Foundation is limited only by the field of human civilization and human need. It will be a great clearing house for humanitarian effort all over the world."

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 16, 1916, p. 1.

Tuesday, September 12, 1916 — Editorial Comments

Maine/New Hampshire, 1916

Alice B. Glines, editor

All who ran were elected.

The spellbinders are gone; peace to them.

What is so rare as a day in June? A September day, not infrequently.

We common people get the little end; and deserve it, by voting against ourselves.

The plan to annex South Portland to Portland and raise the Portland tax rate another jog is now on foot again.

Sometimes you can tell what a thing is by taking notice of what something else isn't. The Boston Transcript says there has been "no pussyfooting" by Judge Hughes on the Adamson bill, and declares this to be "the supreme sensation of the campaign."

A woman in Portland who has married the same man three times and been divorced from him twice now wants to be divorced again. Next time she better get someone who does not get drunk to marry her, unless there is some incongruity in that program.

Our present governor's repeated disregard of the nicer things of life, the non-essentials perhaps, had much to do with calling out the huge "stay-at-home vote" which can not he reached by appeals based on the real problems of government. Governor-elect Milliken is his exact opposite in these regards.

Belknap County Pomona last week argued the question whether summer boarders and bungalow residents are more conducive to the prosperity of a town, or good roads and good markets. One trouble with this question is that it is mixed; if a town can get good roads they will not lead to markets or trains, but be laid out to suit that same summer travel. As for good markets, we in northern New England must first decide whether commerce is a good or a bad thing. Markets mean trade.

It was unhandsome of Mr. Samuel Untermeyer to put it in print, but he had no less an authority than the late Thomas Brackett Reed to back up his statement of the abilities of Maine people (Query: Are we different from, the people where he comes from?) to untangle mixed political conditions. Mr. Reed always said that it was foolish to try to discuss public questions on their merits before a mixed audience; and all he ever tried to do in his campaign speeches was to appeal to our sympathies, or prejudices, and make us laugh at his funny stories and witty hits.

President Gompers of the Labor Unions was not fair in his Portland statement of the attitude of the train men, which he said was not at all a threat. He said they merely said to the roads that if they wanted men to work on the present terms of employment they must get other men to do it. But this was in truth not in the least the attitude or the intentions of the trainmen. On the contrary, if an average of one in a hundred per week of the trainmen should really throw up their jobs for some other employment, the railroad agents would voluntarily shorten the hours, or raise the pay, whichever the men seemed to prefer.

Judge Hughes at Rockland on Saturday said, speaking of the Eight-Hour law enacted by Congress under threat of a strike by the train crews:

"This issue transcends every other issue before the American people, because it is the fundamental issue, whether or not we have a Government; and an Administration that yields to force is not an administration at all. It is being driven. It is not government in accordance with the principles of American institutions."

From which the thoughtful reader cannot escape the inference that if the railroad men had not threatened to strike, in that case there would not been any issue of the highest degree of importance for the Republican party to base its canvass on.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 6.

Wilson's Legislative Program

1916

Washington, Sept. 10 — Whether President Wilson is re-elected or not, he has definitely outlined and will endeavor to put through the following program at December session of Congress:

First, a law patterned after Canadian industrial dispute act, providing that strikes shall be made illegal on semi-public utilities until there has been full investigation and report by an arbitration board to be established. It is his proposition that present meditation and conciliation board shall be strengthened and extended to take over functions of arbitration.

A bill to extend membership of Commerce Commission to nine members, to establish a zone system, and to generally revise powers of the commission so that wages may be taken into consideration is estimating what freight rates are reasonable.

Enactment of the Webb law, permitting co-operation among American manufacturers for export trade.

Additional legislation to be worked out by new tariff commission and to be submitted to Congress with a view to meeting trade conditions after the war.

No formal announcement will be made of this program before election, but the President has informally announced to members of his Cabinet that he intends to make a strong fight for constructive legislation at the December session, regardless of manner in which the election turns out. The President has expressed desire to devote himself in the next four years to more constructive legislation, taking the view that the way has been cleared by the past four years. If he finds he is not to have four years more, he will seek to complete his program at the December session, despite the fact that it is always difficult to get through any bill at the short session.

Incidentally, the President has expressed opinion that he hopes Mr. Hughes will continue to dwell upon the eight hour law, insisting that he will welcome this as an issue. Nevertheless, many advisers of the President are worried about this particular phase of the campaign.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 6.

Niece of Poet Resigns Office

1916

Boston, Sept. 9. — Mrs. Marian Longfellow, a niece of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, the poet, announced her resignation, last night, as vice-president of the International Longfellow Society of Portland, Me., explaining that she disapproved of the methods employed by that society.

"I am president of the Longfellow Birthplace Association of Boston. Both societies are trying to preserve the Longfellow birthplace in Portland, but while I am in full sympathy with the aims of the other society I simply cannot approve of its methods. For that reason I have come to the conclusion that I cannot continue my membership in it," said Mrs. Longfellow.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 6.

Is Blacklist Worth While?

1916

London, Sept. 7. — Commenting on the amendment to the revenue bill passed by the United States Senate Tuesday night, empowering the President to retaliate against interference with American commerce, the Manchester Guardian says that although those who see in it no more than a flourish having a special virtue on the eve of election may be right, "nevertheless we should do well to note two things:

"First — These reprisals are directed against the Allies, and primarily against ourselves.

"Second — They are popular in America."

The Guardian says it is not generally realized here how strong a sentiment has been aroused throughout the United States by the blacklist policy and interference with mails, and asks: "If the Foreign Office is convinced these practices of ours are so useful as to counterbalance the weakening of American sympathy they involve, or that they cannot be modified so as to meet American objections without impairing any utilities they may have for ourselves."

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 6.

Closing Days of Congress

1916

Washington, Sept. 5. — An amendment to the revenue bill, authorizing the President, during a war in which the United States is not engaged, to withhold clearance from all vessels which discriminate against American shippers, to withhold privileges from ships of such nations as withhold privileges accorded to other nations from American ships, and to use the army and navy if necessary to prevent departure of offending vessels from United States ports, was adopted today by the Senate.

An amendment of Senator Phelan of California, was adopted, authorizing the President by proclamation to deny the use of the mails, express, telegraph, wireless or cable facilities to citizens of nations which do not accord to Americans all facilities of commerce "including the unhampered traffic in the mails." This amendment, it was declared, was aimed particularly at British interference with American mails.

Under an agreement to take a final vote tonight the Senate continued work today on the emergency revenue bill. Passage of the bill will virtually clear the way for adjournment of Congress probably not later than Thursday, as it is the last of the big measures on the administration program. Adjournment at 6 p. m. Wednesday is provided for in a joint resolution already prepared by the Democratic leaders and its presentation in the House for passage today only awaited word that the Senate could finish its work by that time.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 6.

Sympathetic Strike Threatened

1916

New York, Sept. 10. — A strike of stage employes, longshoremen, brewery workers, machinists, bartenders, moulders and printers in sympathy with the unionized car men who quit their places four days ago, was decided upon at a meeting of the heads of their unions tonight, according to an announcement by Hugh Frayne, State organizer of the American Federation of Labor.

A resolution was passed calling upon all unionized wage earners in Greater New York, Yonkers, Mount Vernon, White Plains and New Rochelle to sanction a strike "in support of the contention, of the street railway men of their right to organize." The resolution recommends that the workers in the various trades "lay down their tools until the companies are forced to recognize the carmen's union."

According to Frayne approximately 750,000 men and women are enrolled in the unions which were represented at the meeting tonight.

Before a sympathetic strike can be declared, however, the union leaders explained, it will be necessary for them to call mass meetings of their respective unions and put the proposition to a vote of the members.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 6.

No More Stamp Taxes.

1916

Washington, Sept. 6. — Elimination of all stamp taxes in the emergency revenue bill, seriously objected to by the House, was agreed upon late tonight by the conference committee, House conferees yielding in exchange for this concession their demand for restoration of a tax on refiners of copper.

To make up for the loss of about $5,000,000 revenue in sacrificing the stamp taxes, the conferees are expected to agree to a suggestion of House members that the net profit tax of manufacturers of munitions of war be increased from 10 to 12 1-2 per cent.

Sacrifice of the proposed stamp taxes gets the revenue bill back in accord with the original determination of the administration leader and the House ways and means committee to repeal all those provisions in the existing war revenue law which were generally regarded as annoyances by the public. The proposed stamp taxes which are now eliminated included bonds, debentures and certificates of stock, agreement to sale, conveyances, warehouse and custom house receipts foreign steamship tickets and Pullman car tickets.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 6.

President Wilson's Sister Ill

Sept. 1916

President Wilson received word late Sunday night that the condition of his sister, Mrs. Anne Howe, who is critically ill at New London, Conn., has taken a turn for the worse. The President immediately cancelled all engagements for Monday and announced he would start for New London early in the morning.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 6.

Suffragettes Disowned

1916

Atlantic City, N. J., Sept. 6. — The National American Woman Suffrage Association today decided to continue its policy of favoring both National and State legislation to bring about equal rights for women.

Virtually all the speakers declared for strict neutrality in the Presidential campaign and to continue the non-partisan efforts of the association to bring about equal suffrage throughout the United States.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 6.