Call On Spirits to Help Convict Negro

1921

(Special to Post-Crescent)

Des Moines, Iowa. — A voice from the spirit world is being used to help forge the chain of evidence against Tom Lewis, negro, charged with assaulting and murdering 23-year-old Sara Barbara Thorsdale, Des Moines school teacher.

Miss Thorsdale's body was found in a clump of bushes alongside the lonely road she took in walking from her school to the street car. Lewis, who lived in a shack nearby, was traced by bloodhounds. He denies all knowledge of the crime.

The spirit voice is that of the slain girl, transmitted through Mrs. E. C. Head, a Des Moines medium, to Mrs. Gladys Conway, Miss Thorsdale's dearest chum.

The chum, skeptically but hopefully, applied to Mrs. Head after Lewis protested his innocence. She says she heard the voice of Miss Thorsdale clearly, that it told her a negro and two white men were responsible, and that it explained the crime in this way:

"I was walking casually along, and when I reached the thicket a hand was stretched out and caught me. Another hand went over my mouth. That was 4:40 in the afternoon, but my spirit did not leave my body until the next day. I was taken to a cabin and kept there. Early the following morning they took my body to the river to throw it into the water, but the men were afraid. There were two men. Another knew, but did not help."

Names of the two white men have been turned over to officials, who say they will be arrested.

Sheriff W. E. Robb plans to use both Mrs. Conway and Mrs. Head as witnesses.

—Appleton Post-Crescent, Appleton, WI, July 25, 1921, p. 6.

Is Bride Only 11 Years Old? Dentists Helping Find Out

Nebraska, 1921

TO EXAMINE BRIDE'S TEETH

Believe That Maria Gollardo Is Eleven Years Old, But Facts Are Lacking

HASTINGS, Neb., Dec. 3. — Examination of the teeth of Maria Gollardo by Hastings' dentists will be resorted to in an effort to determine her age. Maria, a Mexican girl, was married to Jose Gonzales on November 21 and because the school authorities are convinced she is only eleven years old, the county attorney has been trying to establish the girl bride's age with a view to beginning action to annul the marriage.

Miss Clara Altman, teacher of Spanish at Hastings college, has been drafted as interpreter in the investigations but nothing definite of the girl's age has been learned. She is the foster child of Butamio Gollardo and all they can say is that when they got her in Oklahoma four years ago, Maria was losing her first canines.

Meanwhile Maria and Jose are seemingly happy and can't understand what the officials are wrought up about.

—The Nebraska State Journal, Lincoln, Dec. 4, 1921, p. 8-B.

Grafting In a New Root — Renew Your Old Life, Do Something New

1921

By DR. WM. E. BARTON

IF THE top of a tree dies down, or does not bear a satisfactory kind of fruit, new branches can be grafted in. But what if it be the root that dies? Is there any way of grafting in a new root?

In Riverside, California, stand the two parent navel orange trees. If I have the information correctly, the entire navel orange industry on the Pacific coast began with the successful propagation of that kind of orange from these two trees.

One of them stands on Magnolia avenue, and the other was transplanted by President Theodore Roosevelt, and stands in front of the Mission Inn.

Both these trees are very old and manifestly dying. But they are trying the experiment of creating a new root for one of them. If that succeeds, I presume they will do the same for the other.

They take a vigorous young tree, cut off its top, plant it as close to the old tree as possible and at an angle, and graft the top into the side of the old tree a little above the root.

They have grafted in several such young roots, and they appear to be growing and to be saving the life of the old tree.

Such an undertaking lends itself to reflection. There are men who are dying at the top because they have not sufficient root. Why not dig down near the root, and put in a new one?

You can learn Greek at forty, or study Browning at fifty, or become an expert on psychoanalysis at sixty, or make yourself either a learned man or a fool at seventy.

Maybe you do not care for those particular studies — in that case there are others.

Why should not a man who lacked opportunities, in his youth for higher education, set about it in middle life, and pursue a course of good reading? Why not study astronomy, or botany, or literature?

Many men die a good many years before the undertaker carts them away. A man begins to die when he ceases to grow. Why not graft in a new root?

Dishwasher Runs Amuck With a Bread Knife

California, 1921

History states that the Battle of Thermopylae Pass in ancient days was not such an exciting affair, and if so, it faded into oblivion, alongside of the affair of late yesterday afternoon in which Denny Zanatos, proprietor of the restaurant on Main street above Third, known as Guidi's, did a Marathon down Main street to avoid the wild charge of a Greek dishwasher in the same restaurant, who took after the fleet restauranteur armed with a butcher knife.

The assailant began arguing with Zanatos over wages. Then the battle began, resulting in the knife wielder being arrested by the fire chief and is facing a charge of assault with intent to murder. It is claimed that the prisoner chased Zanatos about the Guidi restaurant a dozen times, not giving the fleeing Athenian a chance to open the door to make escape. Finally a waitress came to the man's rescue and when the door was opened he made one grand leap for the street and would have made Atlanta in her race of the Golden Apple look like a novice had he been her opponent on the mythical cinder path.

—Woodland Daily Democrat, Woodland, California, Dec. 17, 1921, p. 1.

Words of Wise Men

1921

Diffused knowledge immortalizes itself.

A little commendation goes a long way.

Ambition to merit praise fortifies our virtue.

He who does what he can has done what he ought.

The strength of will is the test of a young man's possibilities.

Truth is a mighty instrument, whatsoever hand may wield it.

All the best men have been best because they possessed "ideals."

The thought that conquers the world not contemplative but active.

Some doubts are as generous and passionate as the very noblest conditions.

Every noble life leaves the fiber of it interwoven with the work of the world.

To strive with difficulties and to conquer them is the highest human triumph.

Writer Says Age Doesn't Matter, Keep Going for Success

1921

Emerson Hough Says No "Dead Line" at 40, Former S.U.I. Man

By DALE E. CARRELL

There has long been a sort of "unwritten law," or at least common belief, that if a man didn't make his mark in the world or achieve real success by the time he was 40, he never would. After 40, it has been held, a man simply fights to hold his own or start down-grade.

But, along comes Emerson Hough, and proceeds to rip to pieces this so-called iron-clad rule which would end man's climbing of the ladder of fame at the age of 40. Mr. Hough very emphatically says, there is no dead line at two score "milestones," and the noted author points to his own life as an example and illustration to prove his point.

Emerson Hough is well known personally to many Iowans and Iowa City and University people for he is a graduate of S. U. I, having won his degree in 1880, just 41 years ago. The University of Iowa is very proud of her eminent alumnus and he is just as proud of his alma mater. And, those who do not know Mr. Hough personally, know him thru having read his delightful novel, "The Mississippi Bubble," which made him famous, almost overnight. Therefore, Mr. Hough's declaration will make Hawkeyes, especially, sit up and take notice.

Mr. Hough is now 63 years age and his big success in life did not come until he was 45. Up to the time that success came, he had tried numerous occupations and couldn't make good, or keep happy in any of them, but the former S. U. I. man never once gave up. He soon found, in writing, the real star to follow and he hitched his wagon to it. He is now an author and wealthy. He says "It is within your soul — this question of achievement. It is not decided by the clock or the calendar."

Mr. Hough's statement should hearten a lot of fellows who haven't really found themselves after the 40 mark has been passed, and his own career should serve to inspire confidence and instill new energy in some of the faithful plodders who have almost given up hope. Hough didn't give up during the days of adversity — that is the main thing to remember. Keep on trying and even if you are nearer 60 than you are 40, you can still strike, in the vernacular of the oil field, a "gusher" in some field of endeavor, that means real success. Let no one set a "dead line" for you — you have everything to say about that yourself. The movie director continually yells for "action" when he is making the film you are soon to enjoy on the screen. If you can provide plenty of "action" in your struggle for success, you will not only achieve it, but keep pushing that "dead line" farther and farther away. There is no "dead line" at 40!

—Iowa City Press-Citizen, Iowa City, IA April 11, 1921, p. 1.

Swindlers 'Giving to The Poor' Take More Than They Give

Ohio, 1921

OLD GAMES

Prove Good In Relieving Northwestern Ohio Residents of Their Wealth.

That the same tricks swindlers have been using for many decades are still good, was proven this week at Toledo, when George Kostak, fifty-one, was swindled out of $2,400 by two confidence men. Posing as an heir to $1,800, one of the swindlers said his father's will instructed him to give the money to the poor. Ostensibly he placed the money in a tin box with Kostak's cash and then told the victim to hold the box for safekeeping.

After waiting vainly three days for the strangers to re-appear, Kostak opened the box and found nothing but a wad of paper. The victim was first approached by a stranger who said he was seeking his wife who ran away from Lorain. Kostak solicitously accompanied the stranger downtown, where they were joined by a second stranger, who incidentally related the story of inheriting the money. Both men prevailed upon Kostak as a sign of Good faith to withdraw his $2,400 from a bank before they produced the tin box.

—Van Wert Daily Bulletin, Van Wert, Ohio, April 29, 1921, p. 5.

Room Belongs to The Children

1921

Properly Equipped Playroom a Paradise for the Little Ones.

The most interesting feature of a New York home, according to Town and Country, is the "Do Do Room," a completely equipped playroom where the word "don't" is never heard. The idea of this juvenile paradise originated with paterfamilias, whose childhood was marred by continually hearing "Don't do this!" or "Don't break that!"

The room itself is a large sunny place, splendidly ventilated by plenty of windows, which are safely barred. One end of the hardwood floor is uncovered, while the other has a thick woolen rug, fastened down so securely that acrobatic feats or any amount or running or sliding cannot loosen it. The walls, which are deadened, so that noises cannot penetrate to other parts of the house, are covered with blue paper from which finger prints can be easily washed off. The pictures and electric lights are caged, this precaution making possible a mild game of baseball or any amount of handball or bean bag tossing.

The chairs (minus rockers) and the tables are made with rounded corners. The fear of breaking dainty bric-a-brac does not bother the little inmates of the "Do Do Room," and the built-in bookcase, where favorite books and magazines abound, has no glass doors to be kept away from, or silk curtain which must not be touched.


Twenty-One Yards of Sausage

In the rivalry to make the biggest sausage some wonderful specimens are being produced by Germans in Pennsylvania. The latest record-breaker is the work of Jacob Ackerman, of Limeport. It is 64 feet eight inches long.

Broncho Busting Near Its End

1921

Said There Will Be No More Wild Horses in Rocky Mountain States

CIVILIZATION SPELLS FINISH

Ranches Are Being Fenced and No More Do Wild Horses Range the Plains of Wyoming and Adjacent States

Denver, Colo. — Broncho busters of the northern Rocky Mountain states are about to go out of business, according to reports from officials of wild West and frontier shows. The reason is there aren't any wild horses to bust. At least not around Wyoming and this part of the country.

But down in Arizona they have wild horses to eat. There are 10,000 of them. They belong to the San Carlos Indians, who have a reservation not far from Globe. But there isn't much chance of getting the Arizona ponies for the broncho busters of Wyoming, for the Indians won't give them up.

Growing Shorter

The day of the wild herd of horses roaming the plains of Wyoming and adjacent states has been growing rapidly shorter with the encouragement of civilization. More and more ranches are being fenced in, herds of cattle are reduced or confined, and to make the matter worse for the existence of the wild steeds, oil drilling camps have been extended over wide areas of Wyoming, northwestern Colorado and Utah.

But down on the San Carlos Indian reservation there are 10,000 wild steeds, roaming at will over the fields, destroying mile after mile of grazing land which might be put into good use for cattle, and turning green grass of the prairie into a scrawny covering for their bones which hardly makes even a decent meal for an Indian.

The cattlemen have tried to buy them, but the Indians wouldn't listen. The government, through A. H. Symonds, Indian agent, ordered to purchase them at about $6 a head, invest the money in cattle and save the meat from the horses, giving it back to the Indians for winter food.

Horses Are Worthless

But the Indians would have none of it. The horses are worthless, even for hides. They cannot be domesticated and the meat isn't much of a delicacy, but the Indians insist on their age-old prerogative to have their herds out on the open prairie even as their fathers did. The Indians also have about 2,000 wild burros which they say they will keep.

"And when an Indian makes up his mind," Symonds says, "you've got to have patience to get him to change it. They are proud of the horses and burros for some reason, and although some of their leaders have tried to persuade them to accept the offers made, so far they have refused to sell."

Here and There — Miss Fairy Straley's School Closed

Pennsylvania, 1921

Miss Fairy Straley's school, Midway, closed on Tuesday. A summer school will be opened in Midway schoolhouse on Monday by Miss Ioma Yake to be conducted for the next eight weeks.

A .22 cartridge in a pipeful of tobacco exploded as Chas. Kappes was smoking in the Eagle's home, Gettysburg, on Tuesday night, shattering the pipe. The bullet just missed the head of Wm. Tipton, Jr., who was seated nearby.

When A. E. Walker, aged 42, of East Berlin R. D., was arrested by Patrolman Stayman for disregarding the traffic signal Saturday afternoon, he explained, not as an excuse at all, that altho he is the father of nine children and is a truck farmer, he clean forgot all about the traffic regulations. Chief Craver discharged him with a reprimand, declaring that a man with nine children, and who has nerve enough to buy an automobile, too, ought to have some consideration.

A service for the benefit of the starving Chinese will be held in Maple Grove chapel, near Abbottstown on Saturday evening. The Rev. Paul Glatfelter and William H. Menges, of Menges Mills, will be the speakers. A silver offering will be lifted.

George W. Rudisill, about 65 years old, a well-known farmer of near Glenville, was injured in a horrible manner Friday morning, and later in the day had his right arm removed at the West Side sanatorium, York. His arm was caught and shredded in a grain separator, which he was operating at the time of the accident.

—New Oxford Item, New Oxford, Pennsylvania, April 7, 1921.

The Romance of Words — "Marmalade"

1921

It was early in the Fifteenth century that French epicures began to take notice of a new and particularly delicious sweetmeat that was beginning to come over the border from Spain.

It appeared to be a kind of thick jam, well flavored and with a body which gave it distinctly more of a taste than the rather flat preserves which were in vogue at that time. Inquiring into the source of this delicacy, the Parisians found that it came from Portugal, where the natives had discovered the knack of treating quinces in such a manner that they made a paste or preserve of exceptional quality and appetizing flavor. Because of the fact that the Portuguese word for quince is "marmelo," the name "marmalade" was applied to this preserve which, upon being introduced into England, became extremely popular.

During the Nineteenth century the English became very proficient in the making of orange marmalade, and practically captured the world trade in this commodity until American genius added a new tang and flavor at an even lower price. The fact that oranges were almost universally used for the manufacture of this product obscured the original derivation of the word, and today marmalade is generally understood to mean a thick jam made from oranges, while, as a matter of fact, it should be applied only to that which is made from quinces. Even "orange marmalade" is a misnomer, as a literal translation of the term would be "orange- quince preserve."

Wire Replacing Old-Time Fence

1921

Stone Walls, Split Rails and Hedges Rapidly Being Discarded by Farm Owners

MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENTS

Essential That Ends and Cornets Be Erected Firm and Solid—Posts Should Be Large Enough to Give Needed Strength.

(Prepared by the United States Department of Agriculture.)

Of all the changes wrought in the farming industry during the last century none is more noticeable than that in fencing, say specialists of the United States Department of Agriculture. All over the Eastern United States there are hundreds of miles of stonewall fences which are monuments to the patience and thoroughness of earlier generations. Overlapping this territory, and extending west, are found fences of split rails, with their familiar weeds and berry bushes in the angles, while still farther west, where there was neither wood nor stone, are seen osage orange and other hedges. These are natural productions of the time.

The farmer usually finds today that barbed-wire or woven-wire fence will best serve his ends for new construction, and at the same time cost the least. Barbed wire is used on large stock ranges where the loss of one or two animals through wire cutting is not serious, but for the farmer with fine horses, or a selected herd of cattle, large mesh woven-wire fences are coming more into use.

Ends and Corners.

The manner in which the fence is erected has much to do with its service. The ends and corners are by far the most important elements of a fence. It is essential that they remain firm and solid in order to hold the fence rigid. The first thing to consider is placing the corners. The posts used should be large enough to give sufficient strength; they should be set deep enough to prevent heaving by the action of frost; they should be braced from each direction of tension by a stout rail about 12 feet long.

Metal and concrete posts are on the market, but a great many farmers cling to wooden ones. The line posts should be approximately 4 inches in diameter. Various woods are Used, including osage orange, locust, red cedar, mulberry and burr oak. They should be thoroughly seasoned and the bark removed, and to get the longest life should be dipped in creosote at a temperature of about 220 degrees, long enough for the preservative to penetrate the wood. These posts are best set in the spring after the frost is out and when the ground is soft. On level ground they may be driven with a maul, but in depressions should be anchored down by 2 by 4 cross pieces spiked on the bottom of the post before setting. The distance between posts depends on the location of the fence and the numbers and kinds of stock to be turned, the average in field fences being about 20 feet.

To construct a woven-wire fence properly it is necessary to have a woven-wire stretcher, a single-wire stretcher to be used in attaching the fence to the end posts, a pair of wire cutters, a barbed-wire stretcher, a splicing tool, and hammers for stapling and fastening the wire. Barbed and woven wire may be unrolled by attaching the reel to the back of a wagon or by running a bar through the core and drawing it along with a horse.

Stretching the Wire.

After the wire is unrolled it should be drawn up to the line of posts and freed from adhering trash. The stretchers are then attached and the line wires drawn until they are so taut that they can just be pressed together. Some slack may be allowed for uneven ground. In fastening the wire on the posts the line wire should be kept as nearly horizontal as possible and allowed to follow small irregularities in the ground. The staples should permit horizontal movement of the wire, allowing the weight of the fence to come directly on the corner posts, thus taking care of contraction and expansion due to weather conditions. A woven-wire fence is not complete without a strand of barbed wire above it; this prevents the stock from reaching over and crowding it down.

Post Office Workers Listen to Music for Morale, No Jazz

1921

Music for P.O. Night Workers Improves Morals[*]

Minneapolis Postmaster Informs Postmaster General Hays that Psychological Test Proved a Success but No "Jazz" was Allowed

WASHINGTON, Aug. 17. — Music to improve the morale of workers whose duties take them well into the wee small hours has been tried out in the Minneapolis postoffice and proved a success, E. A. Purdy, postmaster, today informed Postmaster General Hays. The idea was tried, Mr. Purdy said, after he had made a psychological study of conditions under which his night force worked. He found men working away from the general noises of the day as a rule showed a low morale, inclined to be morose and generally worried at being away from their families, which resulted in an absence of enthusiasm in their work.

As an experiment a phonograph was installed and records, which it was thought would rest the nerves and enliven the spirits of the employes were tried nightly with gratifying results, Mr. Purdy said, although he was careful to explain that no "jazz" was played, until the fag end of the night as he "did not want the men juggling and tossing about letters and parcels." Everybody was more alert, he said, and at quitting time went home less tired, less worried and with more efficient night's work done. The postmaster general approved the idea and said he would watch further experiments with interest. Mr. Purdy who was characterized by Mr. Hays as a "bird of a postmaster with a batting average of 1,000, although a Democrat," is in Washington to give the department some of the ideas which has made the Minneapolis office one of the most successful in the country, Mr. Hays said.

—Bridgeport Telegram, Bridgeport, CT, Aug. 18, 1921, p. 1

[*] "Improves Morals" is the original erroneous headline, kind of funny. And, hey, it's not that jazz was entirely disallowed, but allowed at the "fag end of the night." That's kind of funny, too.

Note: Back then "post office" was one word, which looks weird, and "employes" generally ended with one "e" like that, also odd.

Using The Telephone – Some of the Travails of "Hello Girls" (Operators)

1878

They All Carry Hard Questions to 'Hello' Girl

Do you know how to use a telephone?

It would seem that everyone knows how to manage a small instrument so much in service as the telephone, but the central girls are of the opinion that there are several who have but a small conception of what a telephone is for.

Information, the young lady who tells you what others want, is probably the most unfortunate of these "hello girls" so far as being subject to the inexperienced patrons is concerned. One girl who had sat in information's chair declared she was tired of having the lady at No. — ask her what her washwoman's phone number was. The gentleman at some other number is forever demanding to know what was the matter with his phone, declaring that he could hardly hear.

About the time she gets through answering his question, a lady from another part of the city wants to know when her train leaves and just how many steps it is to the depot. Hundreds of others will ask other people's phone numbers instead of looking in the phone book, or ask for street addresses. Some inquire of people who never exist — "hello" girls say.

Then at the close of a hard day's work, information has all her troubles topped by a growled request that should have been submitted to an attorney or a doctor.

Telephone girls would endorse the opening of a school to teach people the use of a phone, what to ask information for, how to get the best service, and how to make life itself half enjoyable for the operators.

—The Ada Weekly News, Ada, OK, Oct. 27, 1921, p. 11.

Honest Chicken Leaves Egg Behind As Train Fare

1921

HEN PAYS HER FARE; LAYS EGG FOR ENGINEER

DENVER, Colo., June 23.— Rather than beat her way on a locomotive, a hen laid an egg on the engine's pilot as payment, according to Paul Burkey, Colorado & Southern passenger engineer.

Burkey told railroad officials here that a hen boarded his locomotive at Trinidad, Tuesday. At Walsenburg, $1.25 by railway fare, the cackling hen flew off the engine pilot and Burkey found a new laid egg on the front of the locomotive. He intends to hard boil the egg and keep it as a souvenir of an honest fowl.

—Oakland Tribune, Oakland, CA, June 23, 1921, p. 11.

Mate Took Food Sent to Lepers, Woman Charges

Oakland, California, 1921

Charging that her husband, Arthur Meyer, head gardener at the county hospital, insisted on eating choice foods reserved for the members of the leper colony and that when she refused to give him the delicacies he cursed her and called her a "crazy fool," Mrs. Cora Myers, former matron of the county hospital leper colony, today filed suit for divorce.

She alleges that shortly after their marriage last January 11, her husband insisted on eating the food provided for the lepers. She says that when she told him he could not take the edibles from these stricken people he abused her so severely that she was taken ill. She further charges that Myers then went to the superintendent of the hospital and caused her to be discharged by stating that she was a trouble maker.

Mrs. Meyers alleges that after she had been removed to a room in San Leandro her husband came to the place and raised such a row that she was forced to leave. She asks $75 a month alimony, attorney fees and costs of action, together with a restraining order preventing Meyer from disposing of his wages. The couple separated March 26, 1921.

—Oakland Tribune, Oakland, California, May 19, 1921, page 24.

Is Cranker of Car Operator? Judge Says No

Oakland, California, 1921

Because they disagreed as to whether cranking an automobile may be considered as operating one, the jurors which heard the evidence against John Trayler, charged with driving a machine while intoxicated, was out for more than two hours, although it required only about 45 minutes to hear the case.

Trayler, who was arrested at Eighth and Broadway, April 6 last, was seen cranking the car, at which time he was under the influence of liquor, but there was no evidence offered that he had driven the machine. The jury finally asked Judge L. S. Church, who presided, to explain just what was meant by operating a car. When he said cranking the engine was not operating the automobile and could not endanger anyone's life, except perhaps the cranker's, Trayler was acquitted.

—Oakland Tribune, Oakland, California, May 19, 1921, page 2.

Exclusive Lingerie Stolen From Line

Oakland, California, 1921

A burglar who will steal women's lingerie from a clothesline in the back yard is one of the lowest kind of thieves, according to Mrs. M. Rigelhupt, 831 East Sixteenth street. The lingerie, which was all made of silk and voile, was of exclusive patterns. Mrs. Rigelhupt had washed it and it was on the line drying. When she went out to bring in the clothes she found that all her lingerie was missing from the line. The police were notified and she values the garments at $75.

—Oakland Tribune, Oakland, California, May 18, 1921, page 2.

Civil War Veterans Entertained at Tea

Oakland, California, 1921

Girls of '61-'65 and veterans of the Civil War were entertained at tea this afternoon by the fraternal service council, Sons and Daughters of Washington, at their quarters in the Pacific building. Charles Secombe and Felix Schreiber gave brief talks. A program of music was rendered by Miss Adelaide Jacobson and Clement F. Rowlands.

The following committees were in charge: Reception committee, Mrs. A. Lathrop, Mrs. E. M. Abell, Mrs. C. J. Snyder, Mrs. A. Robert, Miss Winifred MacCowan, Miss Gladys Snyder; program committee, Mrs. C. Sweeney, Mrs. Frances Wood, Mrs. M. Goebbels, Miss Mabel Hoffman, Miss Grace McCoy and Mrs. M. L. Allen.

A reception in compliment to the Grand Army of the Republic is being planned.

Dr. Aurelia Henry Rinehardt will be the principal speaker at the Memorial Day exercises in Chabot Hall, May 29.

—Oakland Tribune, Oakland, California, May 17, 1921, page 21.

Dance Craze Blamed For Ruin of Youth

California, 1921

Nineteen-year-old George E. Nelson, confessed forger, owes his downfall to his craze for dancing, according to a letter written by his mother to Leonard Compton, probation officer, who has recommended that probation be denied to the youth. Nelson was scheduled to be sentenced to San Quentin late today.

The specific charge upon which Nelson is being held is that of passing a bad check for $112.79 on the First National Bank. According to the police records, Nelson is wanted in a number of other cities for forgery. He came here from Honolulu and by means of false credentials obtained large sums of money under false pretenses.

—Oakland Tribune, Oakland, California, May 17, 1921, page 20.