davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1903-09-06

|HE old-time friends OF Thomas
Marshall. the great commoner of
Il Kentucky. and some OF his rela-
tiyes who live in Washington, have
taken exceptions to the remarks al
legged to have been made by Gen Gag
sius NJ. Clay. not long before death
claimed the old soldier and abolitionist
These remarks take one back 70 the
Mexican war, and 70 a time when duel
ing in the army and out OF IL was com
r,on. II recalls the chivalry OF the
South long before the civil war came to
destroy an aristocracy the like OF which
the world had never before seen, and
which IL is not likely to see again. 1t
is an echo. however, OF the troublous
times out OF which the war grew.
AT one time, It is said, Clay and Mar
shall we're the best Of friends. and both
were making history in the Blue Grass
days which have themselves since be-
come historical. But Clay finally quar-
relied with Marshall. as he Quarreled
with about everyone who became inti-
mate with HIM. Politics were at the
bottom Of the trouble. Before a duel
could be arranged the Kentucky troops
were on their way TO the front. Clay
and Marshall being with them. Both
we're in the company OF Major William
Coleman, ot Kentucky. the father of
Col Walter C. Coleman, Of the seaboard
Air Line.
Clay and Marshall met frequently, but
military discipline kept them in re-
straint Finally. one night, when the
Federal troops were camped before the
City OF Mexico, Clay could restrain his
rage no longer, and, seizing his pistol
q weapon OF the old dragon pattern
he rushed into Marshall's tent deter
mined 20 shoot down the commoner.
Marshall was at bis table reading
i've come for satisfaction" shouted
Clay. land I am going to have it. Draw
your weapon. sir. for I am going 10
shoot"
Marshall arose. He folded his arms
The Washington times., 1903-09-06

the officials lay some claim TO lnsIlnc's
of decency.
The ex-convict Is a young man OF ABOUT
twenty-seven years of age, intelligent
and OF a good family here in Washington.
He was a wild boy who liked to stay out
nights. got into bad company, and was
sent to the penitentiary on conviction
upon a second charge of larceny. He
was convicted in Criminal Court Dy
Judge Anderson on December 2l, 1871
The man is slight build, weighs 125
pounds. and has little OF the look OF a
criminal about him. IN his conversation
there was an earnestness and directness
Of statement indicative OF truth-telling.
His name is suppressed at his own re-
quest, 10 save the feelings OF his mother
and father.
After conviction the young man re-
mained in the District jail thirty-tve
DAYS. when with twenty others he was
then taken to Moundsville- In the same
car were several old Jail birds, and
more than half of the number were
negroes. The party left Washington on
an afternoon train, rode all night and
reached Moundsville penitentiary the
next day. They were taken in, register
ed, and clothed in the prison garb OF
The Washington times., 1903-09-06

report them to the treasurer or the
proper official.
Many Committees Needed.
The committee in charge of the social,
Intellectual and physical Improvement
of their fellow-members should be
large and able one. Its duties are Of
the most exacting character.
Encouragement of the art of music
places the Deutscher Central Verein at
once on the same footing with the San
eerbund and the singing societies who
lately won the Handel bust in Baltimore.
II is not unlikely that German will be
spoken exclusively at the meetings and
a study of It's philology and literature
taken UP by the members in succession.
To keep alive the fine determination
of the early German settlers in Amer
lea will be labor of love. 1t win re
ouire, however, study and perseverance,
to teach the growing generation of Ger
man-American citizens what 'teir
fathers did in building up the American
nation. To protect the German omi-
grant against the sharper who lies In
wait for him upon the American shore
is a principle which cannot be-too highly
The Washington times., 1903-09-06

vice president; Gustave Bender, secre-
tary, and Charles E. Gerner. treasurer.
Since its organization it has had the
following officers: President, 1890. Paul
Schulze: 1892. L. w. Habercom;
1892 90. John Hockmeyer; 1s93-97, Ru-
dolph Saur; 1s97-1s02, William L. Ell
terick
Treasurers: 1890, John Hockmeyer;
1ss1-1eO2, George J. Bessler-
Secretaries: 1s90-93. William F. Mey-
ers; 1s93-97. B. T. Schubert.
In Flourishing State.
At present the Deutscher Central Yer
elm is in a fourishing condition The
plans laid out by its officers and mem
bers are great, but a knowledge OF the
society's past leads to the firm belief
that they will be accomplished.
One of the dearest projects before its
members in the immediate future is the
fair which Is to be held in Convention
Hall November 23 TO IS OF this year. 1t
Is believed that this will be a great sue
cess. for since the Incorporation in jan
uary of this year the Deutscher Cen
trail Verein has grown more compact.
All the societies are represented on the
committee in charge, which consists OF
the following:
Kurt VoeIckner. chairman; Wolfgang
Ruckdaeschel. Henry Wassmann, Charles
E. Gerner, Gustave Bender, secretary.
The Washington times., 1903-09-06
:: GREAT STRENGTH OF BIRDS :.

by actual count zoo grass seeds IN
day. and. relatively. these grass seeds
are, for the bird. as big. and even more
nutricious, than as many French rolls
would be for a man.
The strength of the bird. said the
scientist, is equally amazing. He cited
the instance OF a white-tailed eagle
weighing between eleven and twelve
pounds, and with a wing sweep OF little
more than three feet on each side, which
swooped down upon a pig of forty
pounds, rose with IL TO height of 100
feet. and started for his distant eyrie.
The bird had actually covered half
mile OF the distance when II was shot
by the owner OF the pig.
Sandow undoubtedly could stagger for
fifty. possibly hundred. yards upholding
the weight OF four men. but at the end
of the Journey he would be ineapacitated
for further physical effort for hours
The feat OF the eagle rising into thin air
with four times its weight was ten times
more difficult than carrying the same
weight on the ground
A pair Of house martins In the nesting
season feed their young on an average
every twenty seconds. To do this each
bird makes ninety flights back and forth
each hour. or as many as 1000 day.
on each fight the bird has the added
work OF spying chasing and capturing
the insects upon which the young are
fed. Supposing each flight 10 average a
quarter OF a mile, the parent mar
tins fly $50 miles a day in the search
for food. This does not take into &C
count the soaring and sport, especially
Of the male birds. when the weather Is
fine. Our informant thought IL quite
probable that a male martin might ty
a thousand miles a day in the summer
season.
The scientist once watched tiny
wren and counted l10 trips made 10 and
from the nest in the space OF 430 min
utes. She carried home insects much
larger and more diffCult TO capture
than those or the martin. Among them
were seven spiders, eleven worms, ten
grasshoppers, and twenty good-si<ed
caterpillars.
The Washington times., 1903-09-06
bia know much about the life led |

~ EW people in the District OF Colum-
bia know much about the life led
by convicts in the Moundsville
Penitentiary, in West Virginia. where
many criminals are sent from this city.
The District, having no penitentiary of
its own. is obliged 10 send men convicted
OF the more heinous crimes to the peni-
tentiary Of the States, where they are
received as United States prisoners"
At Moundsville they seem to be treated
with a rigor which in many instances
amounts 10 barbarity. A young man liv-
ing in the northwest section has COM
pIeted a term OF two years in that insti-
tuition. and has returned to Washing
ton 10 reform. he says. as he does not
wish to pass through another such ex-
perience.
To a Times reporter the young man
related a story calculated 10 make the
blood creep. and in its main points it
will be told for the readers of the Sun
day edition almost in the prisoners own
words. Few will suppose such things
would be allowed in State in which
The Washington times., 1903-09-06
The Roll of Its Officers aud
the Splendid Work 1t IS
Doing-Coming CeIebra-
ton of German DaU D. D.

Theodore Ubner, Louis Brandt, Fritz Won
Briesen. Oswald Edert, William Field
baus. Carl z. Gundlach. Carl Hammel. =.
Imhof. John Kraft, George Kramm, Fritz
Kneffner. Albert Lepper. U. D. Man
ger, F.Oscar Martin. Karl T. Meyer, John
Mass. William Pooh. Leon Pohlmann.
F. Redeweg. Ung. Schmidt. J. u Schner-
ger. P. Schwartz. P. Schweitzer. Emil
Spohn. F. Stohlmann. Theodore G. Ston-
er. DR.. Christian strad, William Staehr-
mann. George suppes. Martin wiegand.
William Wiegmann. and Henry Zoell-
ner.
Societies Embraced.
The following societies are banded to-
gether to form the Deutscher Central
Verein:
German Orphanage Association. Vet
eran Union. Eighth Battalion, d. O. ",
Verein Bayern. Arion. Verein Germanis,
Germania Mannerchor. Occasia Lodge
No. 1, I. D. X. P. Hessen-Darmstadt
Aid Society. German Aid Association,
District No. 16o. Flattduetscher verein,
Concordia Circle. Suabian Sick Benefit
Union, German-Union Benefit Union.
Bakers Aid Association. German Aid
Association, Washington Hahn, No. 1,
V. A. o. D.. and Uncle Braesig Amuss-
ment Society.
The celebration Of German Day has
been planned on a very extensive scale
this year. A miniature of the quaint old
German town Of Nuremberg. with its
Wurst-gloeckel at Dunony pavilion. Is to
be built up in Convention Hall. A mSn-
ster Christmas tree forty feet high. and
decorated with electric lights and appro-
pirate gifts, will be set up IN the center
OF the great hall Amusements will be
provided In abundance for old and young
There Will be a dancing pavilion, re-
freshment booths. bowling alleys on
which live geese will be the prizes, and
number OF other typical German diver
siors
G. r. Pohl. an architect Of this city.
has prepared the plans, and An exhibit is
promised which will be remembered for
years after by those who see f. The
money necessary TO provide for the en-
tertainment has been all paid in, and
the committee have leisure 20 turn their
whole attention solely 20 inventing new
forms OF amusement
The Washington times., 1903-09-06
ONE OF WASHINCTONS POPULAR GERMAN SOCIETIES

So successful were their efforts that
the members of these societies. accom-
panied by a number OF other organlza-
tions, marched in review along the prin-
cipaI streets of Washington. This parade
was very imposing and was considered
one of the most successful ever given
by any society. The citizens OF Wash
ington showed their appreciation OF 1t
by lining the route of march in large
numbers. A banquet was held on the
evening of the parade. After paying OFF
all expenses, S35S.77 remained in the
treasury from the amounts contributed
toward the celebration.
Encouraged by this unlookedfor sue
cess. the committee OF arrangements ap-
pointed william F. Meyers, John Hook
meyer, A e l. Reese. Louis Kettler.
and H H. Bergman to draft constt-
tuition for a permanent organization.
This constitution was adopted in No
vember of the same year, and the
Deutscher Central Vcrein was founded.
The following officers were elected for
the first term:
Paul Schulze, president; R. Saur. nrst
vice president; Louis Kettler, second
vice president, and John Hockmeyer,
treasurer.
The quickness with which the organi-
The Washington times., 1903-09-06

THE feats which birds perform. as
compared with their size. put to
= shame the mightiest efforts Of
man. Samson was proportionately a
pigmy when placed alongside Of one Of
the eagles nesting IN the forests Of
Lebanon. A swallow in its nest beneath
the frieze in the Temple of Jupiter could
endure more than a soldier OF the le-
gions of Caesar. A fshhawk any day
can outdo the best OF Sandow's per
formances. and a carrier pigeon will
tire the best Red Devil" ever turned
out of the shops.
The blood of the bird is several de-
grees warmer than that OF man. To
a human being the temperature OF the
chicken or crow would be a dangerous
fever. and require immediate applica-
tions OF ice TO save his life. The heat
of the bird. however. is not uncomforta-
BILE 10 II, but is a wise dispeDsation Of
nature to enable 1t to assimilate the
food necessary for the strain OF aerial
0lEnI. ne bllu 4AhOS AAAcAC ~ -
and at much more rapid rate than
man. Changes take place in the tissues
of the brain and body more quickly
than in animals. and the bird is enabled
to do the work required OF IL without
pressure upon muscles OF nerves.
AS compared with their size and
weight. a Times reporter was informed
by a scientist Of the Smithsonian. birds
eat and assImilate from ten 10 thirty
times as much food as human beings,
and by that means are capable OF an
amount of physical effort far in excess
OF the relative power of man. If man
should eat as much as a robin in pro-
portion 20 his size he would devour a
whole sheep for dinner. two dozen fowls
for breakfast. and six turkeys for sup
per. With the same taste as the robin
he might eat FIVE or six boa constructors
between meals.
one of the little brown sparrows seen
in the meadows has been known TO eat
The Washington times., 1903-09-06
A Sketch of the DeutsCheT
Central VeTein From Its
Foundation Thirteen Years
Ago to the Present Day D.

y NE of the strongest and best
organized of the many flourish
ing societies in Washington is
the Deutscher Central Verein OF the Dis
trict of Columbia. Composed of a num-
Der of the smaller German societies in
the city. the Central Verein aims to
bind them closer and to give to the
voice of even the smallest an added
strength. It's officers are elected from
all the societies in common, no one hav-
ing any constitutional preference.
What It Is Working For.
gsnized for the relief ''of the needy and
distressed, the encoura cement of friend
l. intercourse among It's members and
their mutual improvement, social, in
tellectual and physical for the study and
encouragement of the art of music, the
preservation of the German language,
the protection of the memory and deeds
of those early German pioneers whose
influence has been OF incalculable bene-
fit to the intellectual and economic de-
velopment of this country. whose loyal
ty in time of stress and strife is mat
ter of history" 1t aims too at the pro-
lection OF German immigrants against
deception and to assist in their natural
ization and the conservation of the prin-
ciples of representative government and
the protection and maintenance of ali
political rights
The field covered by this charter is
very broad To tell the truth, it is
doubtful whether any society In the Dis
trict lays down more far-reaching prin-
ciples. The relief of the needy and dis
tressed" gives the Deutscher Central
Verein at once benevolent turn. This
involves the prompt collection OF dues
and fines so that the treasurer may be
always ready to give assistance to those
members who need IT. Likewise, 1t de-
mands energetic officers to seek out
members who are embarrassed and to
The Washington times., 1903-09-06

there is every reason TO believe It Will
do so, Il Will be a wonderful agent for
good in the District.
In the fall OF 1880 a number of the
leading GermanAmerican citizens Of the
District. and representatives from the
various German societies in Washing
ton. convened in order to make prepara-
tions for a becoming celebration Of
German Day" This falls on October
6, and is commemorated as the day On
which in the year Of grace 1853 the first
permanent German colony in the United
States was founded at Germantown, Pa.
The Washington times., 1903-09-06

praised. If this work were taken up
in the United States, it would uudoubt
edly raise the quality of the immigrants
who land daily in the country.
1t is extremely unlikely that the Deut-
scher Central Verein will dabS:e IN poll
cIes of Incorporation bind its members
to do no more than what the American
society lives up to this constitution, and
The Washington times., 1903-09-06

zation was completed and placed in run
ming order showed how enthusias-
tic the members were. That enthus
iasm has not been allowed to die out
and stlrs every member to renewed
effort today.
man societies were represented by
three delegates from each. October.
1891. there was another parade In cele
bration OF German Day!' The second
parade was on a much larger scale than
the former one. The Marine Band was
The Washington times., 1903-09-06

furnished by the Secretary of the Navy;
the cavalry. stationed at Fort Myer
were. present, and the Washington
Light Infantry also took part. A sur
plus Of 500 was realized.
March, 1891, is remembered by the
Deutscher Central Verein as the day on
which THE Washington Saengerbund"
celebrated its fortieth anniversary. On
that occasion the Central Verein pre-
sented the Saengerbund with five hand
some busts Of famous German COM
pOsers.
The officers of the Deutscher Central
Verein are at present: Kurt Voelckner
president; Wolfgang RuckdaescheI, first
vice president; Henry Wassman, second
The Washington times., 1903-09-06
Dreary on Rainy Days.

The rainy day is an especially dreary
time in the penitentiary. The convlcts
lose their exercise out Of doors. and the
cells are too dark TO read without trying
the eyes. and a tailor who spends ten
hours a day on his machine has need of
all the eyesight with which nature has
endowed him. On Sundays there was no
work. a little more exercise. and an
hour or so in the chapel. where some
one from the town came in to talk with
the convicts. sing TO them. or deliver a
sermon. These exercises are always
welcome to the prisoners, as Il fur
nishes some diversion to their weary
lives. The effect of the sermons is not
much. II the religious community would
direct their efforts TO making the physi-
cal life OF the convict tolerable, there
would be a much better chance to
morally uplift them, but as long as
the governing powers force bad food
upon him and subject him to unreason-
ing punishment. the convict is not going
to pay much heed to the preachers ser
mon. The Catholic mass or confessional
is also a lifeless thing with men half
starved and with backs smarting from
the paddle" This prisoner declared
that what Moundsville needed was a ref
ormation in discipline rather than the
work of religious teachers.
This remark led TO the subject of the
punishment inflicted on the men in the
prison. Slight offenses bring such pen
alties as deductions from good time,
or the allowance made for industry and
good behavior. Another penalty In
fiicted is a certain number OF strokes
with the paddle" This is an instru-
ment with a handle about twenty inches
long, to which is fastened a piece OF
white oak leather about six inches wide
and ten inches long. This does not
break the skin. but is very painful pun
The Washington times., 1903-09-06

striped trousers and coat. Though they
had rode on the cars all night, ana
were stiff with sitting handcuffed in
cramped positions. and with the cold in
the mountains. they were put immedi-
ately to work that day. Our prisoner
was assigned to the tailor shop, that
being his trade.
Went to Work Hungary.
The prisoners were hungry. but as
they had arrived after the meal hour.
they were not fed until dinner time. a
few minutes before u o'clock. And
suct a meal, They sat down TO a deal
table none too clean. and the food con-
sisted Of steamed cabbage. unsalted. and
a small piece of meat that actually
turned the stomachs of these hungry
men. There was besides two slices OF
bread and a bowl Of water. about a pint
and q half. The young man arose from
the table still hungry. and never had a
satisfying meal in Moundsville for the
entire two years. He lost flesh, and
came out more or less a broken man.
With about twenty minutes for dinner.
the men were marched back TO the
shops and worked hard until 4 o'clock.
Then they we're taken out into the yard
and were allowed TO walk about Tor half
an hour. The air was cool. and the
exercise pleasant and invIgorating.
were marched back TO their cells, and
staid there for the night.
Cell life IS monCtonous in the extreme.
The conyicts are always in the presence
OF guards. who are ever ready to hear
and report the remarks of the prisoners,
and 10 misinterpret their intentions rela-
tive TO certain actions.
They are doomed to absolute idle
ness Reading is allowed to some eX-
tent. and the prisoners may converse in
low tones with one another, but are not
allowed to talk out of their cells" That
IS. when in the cell, he cannot call to
another or talk with anyone I'm the cor
ridor, unless first spoken to by the
guard.
Supper IS served at O'Clock, and con-
sists Of food. poor in quality. and of far
too small quantity for working men. At
supper, and for the greater part Of the
time our friend was in the prison, he
sat at meals between two hig negroes
whose bodies were foul with perspira-
ton. and sIckening TO white man. The
supper was usually of bread and molass-
es. the latter made of sorghum and es-
peciaIIv distasteful TO the narrator OF
this story. There was black coffee,
worse in quality than was ever served at
al railroad restaurant at 10 cents a
cup and had to be drunk without sugar
or milk.
Three Meals Each Day.
There were three meals day.
The Washington times., 1903-09-06
Three Meals Each Day.

There were three meals a day.
Breakfast was of steamed rice, with
little milk. Dinner was cabbage or po~
tatoes, a little meat. frequently tainted
and for supper coarse bread, coffee. ana
molasses. At dinner there would be an
effort at something like variety In veg
etabIes. green corn. string beans, tur-
nips, etc, in season. The food would
have been we'll enough if 1t had been
properly cooked The cooking was done,
however. by the prisoners. All Of 1t was
steamed. the vegetables being placed in
big tub and the steam turned into 1t
through large pipes from boiler which
the narrator thought had not been
cleaned since il was built. 1t gave TO
the food the dirty taste OF stagnant wa
ter. The vegetables were not salted OF
The Washington times., 1903-09-06

in any way seasoned and II was not pos
sible to get salt and pepper on the ia
bles. There was also no vinegar for the
cabbage "Oh," he said that stinking
food hauuts my dreams even now. II is
an outrage that anybody has 20 be fed
upon Il. Decent victuals would take away
one-half of the horror of prison life. OF
course, I expected to be fed on plain
food. and a man could live on cabbage,
meat. potatoes. and bread, with coffee
and good mOlasses. rice and cOrnbread.
But why can't they cook in an institu
tion like that as well as 1t is done in
the average home? That is the ques
tion I have never been able 10 answer
The prisoners work hard and certainly
earn their living. with a good profit to
the State and that would be so IL the
food was plentiful and decently cooked" q"
The convicts are called at o'clock in
the morning. The first duty is to clean
up their cells, make up the cots, and
carry their buckets down 10 the yard.
clean them and return. About half an
hour is allowed for this. and then to
breakfast. Prison life tends TO make a
man a light sleeper, and much OF the
time he does not sleep at all, or only
with dreams which trouble and torment
him. This Is not remorse, but simply
the disorder arising from nervous dys-
pepsia brought on by bad food and lack
of exercise. a man in the penitentiary
does not spend much time worrying
about his crimes. In the first place, he
is not built that way, and in the second
place the time to worry passes after
ones trial