153 Pushed Overboard From Torpedo Boat

1909

Jam at Opening of St. Louis Carnival

ST. LOUIS, Mo., Oct. 8. — Fifteen thousand enthusiastic and curious persons tried to board four tiny torpedo boats at the same time. The boats wouldn't hold them, and part of the overflow, numbering 153, were pushed into the Mississippi, to be drawn ashore by police, sailors and others. Many were trampled under foot when two squads of police reserves charged the crowds to drive them back from the boats.

The torpedo flotilla, whose officers and crews are the first of the official guests at St. Louis' one hundredth birthday party, anchored at the levee, and the public was allowed to inspect the vessels. A small squad of police was stationed at the wharf-boat to which the boats were anchored to keep the visitors all in line.

In an hour the squad had been increased to sixty and the policemen were being hustled about roughly. There was not a square foot on the torpedo boats above or below that was not crowded and twice as many persons on the wharf-boat were trying to shove their way aboard.

Scores of women fainted. These were carried into the wharf-boat at the landing. The police, as a last resort, began to thump heads with their clubs, and the executive officer of the fleet ordered the boats closed to the public. The greater part of the crowd, which was good natured though rough, then dispersed. No sooner had they gone than another multitude arrived and the pushing, stampeding and cracking of heads were repeated.

Centennial week began in earnest here at 6 o'clock in the morning by the blowing of whistles and ringing of church bells. Sermons in the churches were devoted to centennial themes. In the afternoon, 15,000 children assembled in the Coliseum and sang patriotic and religious songs.

The aero grounds drew many thousands who viewed the airships and balloons which were made ready for the races. Ormon, with a Farman aeroplane, has arrived. Ten balloons will ascend and prizes have been offered for time and distance and the entrants hope to win the Lahm cup by exceeding 475 miles.

She Shot Him Just for Fun

1911

The Editor Muses

A St. Louis woman, asked why she shot her husband, said she did it "just for fun." And yet they say women have no sense of humor.

The agitation to make the upper berth lower continues; but no matter at what figure they fix the price it will still be high.

A St. Louis man made his wife cut his hair. Barbering, however, will never be included in any domestic science course.

There is a woman wireless operator. The old saw must be amended to read: "What man has done, a woman can and will do."

Fashionable women in the national capital climb the Washington monument to reduce their flesh. Thus does the uplift reach society.

A woman of ninety-one in Massachusetts wants to go up in a balloon. Another example of how people are as young in times as they want to be.

If a girl has a grown up brother she acquires a pretty fair knowledge of men without having to pass through the agonies of matrimony.

Whoso neglects learning in his youth, loses the past and is dead for the future. — Euripides.

The Desire to Leap, Commit Suicide at Niagara Falls

1899

THE DESIRE TO JUMP.

An Unexpected Sensation Experienced by Many Persons.

Many persons who visit Niagara falls find they have a great desire to leap from various points on the several bridges or from one of the numerous points of observation. For this reason, after once having experienced the fascinating sensation that coaxes them on to death in the deep and rapid running waters, they never go near any of the seductive points without being in company with some one who will guard them from harm as a result of what perhaps might be termed by some their weakness.

Many people who have visited Niagara have confessed that the waters of the beautiful river had a weird fascination for them while standing at places where death would be easy by simply letting go one's hold and slipping into the river, and people saved from suicide there have admitted that they knew no reason why they should end their lives, but the scene was so delightful that it coaxed them to seek the peace of death there.

In other places than at Niagara the public comes in touch with folks who, when on an elevation, have a proneness to jump off, and for this reason they keep away from all such danger points. An interesting explanation of this desire is that given some years ago by Professor Low of the army balloon corps. He had frequently invited a newspaper correspondent to make an ascension with him, but each time the invitation was declined.

Later he told the professor of the temptation be had to jump from high places and that he feared making an ascent. For this he was laughed at, the professor stating that the reason people had such desires was that they were full of electricity; that the magnetic current in the earth was the attraction and that what he was standing on carried the current. He also said that up in a balloon the continuity was cut off. Finally the man made an ascension and found that the desire to jump was not present. It is a curious statement. — Philadelphia Record.

They're Smoking Cigarettes to Match the Gown

1920

Cigarets Same Color As Gown

Paris. — Cigarets rolled in paper dyed delicate shades of rose, blue, green or orange are declared by the Daily Mail to be the latest vogue for women. Women wishing to be really smart fill their cases with cigarets of a tint harmonizing with the color of their gowns.


Missing Navy Balloon Is Found

Rockaway, N. Y.—The missing navy balloon A-5598 landed 10 miles northwest of Moose Factory, Ontario, and the crew of three men is safe at a Hudson Bay trading post, according to a telegram received at the naval air station here. The balloon had been missing since December 13.


Manager Caught In Machinery

New Castle, Pa.— Robert Hengst, manager of the Universal Sand Company, was caught in machinery and his left arm was mangled. He was removed to the Shenango Valley Hospital, where an effort is being made to save the arm.

—Bedford Gazette, Bedford, Pennsylvania, January 9, 1920, page 4.