davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1904-07-27
She Would Not Do.

A Boston mother with the true Bos-
ton wo1nan's born-and-bred horror OF
anything "yulgah" had to engage a
nurserymaid to take the place of one
who had married. An advertisement
calling for the services of another maid
was inserted in the papers, and an
applicant appeared in the person of a
demure-looking young woman, to
whom the mother of the four young
hopefuls said, II am very particular
regarding the language used by my
nursery maids. am especially partic-
utah regawding the use Of slang. /
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1904-07-27
The Plodder Wins.

I have often met the fellow
$50 have you'd
Who proclaimed in accents mellow
What to do.
But whene'er we sought assistance
In a task that took persistence
He'd forgotten our existence
Sad, but true!
Many preach who never practice.
AS Of cid,
And the unpoetic fact is
We were "sold."
Just dispense with airy graces;
In success-as other races
IT'S the plodder gets the places
And the gold!
New York Press.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1904-07-27
IN ANY GARB.

In oden times, when girl grew up,
They tied her with ropes Of gems
They shackled her ankles and wrists with ore
And they crowned her with diadems.
They soaked her tresses in perfumed oil,
They rubbed her with pastes and thinga
Then brought her forth queen, beft
To rivet the gazes OF kings.
But nova dip in the tumbling waves
With rest the sands between,
linen skirt, and sailor hat
And-she's just much of queen!
Madeline Bridges in Life.
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1904-07-27
A Negro and English.

You are almost an octogenarian,
sah," said the semi-educated, young,
yellow negro, pompously.
"Wha-what's dat yo' says?' snapped
the venerable but unlettered darkey.
II specified, sab, that you are almost
an octogenarian."
"Well, dom yo' do it ag'n, boy, or
I'll done bust yo' head wild my stick
yo' heads my prognostifcatien!
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1904-07-27

A woman who was lately divorced
is quoted as saying: There are too
many men in the world to be unhappy
with one of them"
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1904-07-27

Ever remark how timidly and hesi,
tatingly bald-headed man takes OF
his hat?
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1904-07-27


young people on his side by the way he
began to talk to Ned about trout and
pickerel, and about deep-sea fishing;
but when he got to eel-traps, Ned's
face was purple, and he blessed that
tea-bell, fancy. However, Mr.. Thorn
ton might have found that it wasn't SO
easy to range the young people on his
side, if he had made long continued
effort. We enjoyed romance under
our eyes, but we had no sort of notion
Of his taking our Aunt Helen away.
We were just coming out from tea,
and were patronizing the sunset lit
tie, which was uncommonly fine, and
I thought / never seen Aunt Helen
looking like such beauty, with the
rich light OVERLAPPING her like a rosy
bloom, when John came Fastening up.
II just want you all to step inside
the barn door with me If you please,
marm,' said he. And we went after
him to be greeted by the sweet smell
Of new-mown hay, and to be gilded by
the one great broad sunbeam swim
ming full Of glory Of notes from
door to door. "Do you see that?" said
John. 1t was flock of the hens and
chickens on their accustomed roosts.
and now do you see that?" he said;
and he turned about and showed US,
on the top rail of the pony's manger,
the big, black Cochin also gone to
roost, but separately-and his wife be-
side him? No, but little Mrs. Ban
tamil
The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1904-03-05
Another Railroad Coming.

From the following account, Abbe-
vile and VermiIlon Parish stand 8
Glance to get q new railroad. We
believe a little work in the way OF
calling the attention OF the interested
parties to the resources Of this paris
will result in getting the road TO
come this way
The Houston Chronicle says; In
connection with the charter granted
to the Houston, BeNninont and
Northern, in which Colonel B. T.
Y0akum of the Frisco and Hon.
John Kirby of the Kirby Lumber
Company are jointly interested, it
is reported that a Loui lana cor
poration is proposed to be known as
the Bowie, Lafonrche and North
western , which will be parallel the
Southern Pacific from New Orleans to
Beaumont. 1t is further reported
that this line will be closely as
sociated with the Houston. Beau
mont, and New Orleans, thus secur-
ing Houston another route to New
Orleans.
The nucleus of the new road will
be the White Castle and Lake Nat
chez railroad, and the promoter is
President r, IL. bowman of tue
White Castle road. The total mile
age of the new load will be 27O
miles, and connecting with the
Houston, Beaumont and New Orleans
at its terminus, will give another line
between Houston and New Orleans.
The chief engineer is now in New
York contracting for mrterial, and
tue estimated cost of the road will
be SO, 900 per mile.
The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1904-03-05
General Meyers Vigilance.

Gen. Adolph Meyer is n Con-
gresham who does not 60 TO sleep
while his constituencies interest S are
at stake. We are pleased to note
that he succeeded i'll getting the
New Orleans Naval Station Inserted
10 the appropriation bill, although 1t
had been omitted in the estimate OF
the department. General Meye1
briefly aud forclbly defended the
New Orleans Naval Stations merits
for existence and maintainance. He
said the reason it had not been in
cluded in the S~eoretary's estimates
was that he had not been adequately
informed OF the local situation, and,
as is done in similar cases, left it to
the house committee to settle.
General Meyer showed what had al
ready been done in the way Of con-
struction and insisted il had been ad
mitted by the best authority that the
nc~al station at New Orleans was q
military as well as a commercial
necessity. This was fully recognized
by the committee, which unanimous
ly, after careful Investigation, incor-
porated the provisions IN the bill.
General Meyers strong and vigilant
guarding has undoubtedly saved the
New Orleans Naval Station.
The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1904-03-05
RELIABLE SEED!

In order to raise good crops, you
must plant acclimated Southern
seeds. We are prepared to fill all
orders promptly with new crop of
the following: Turnips, cabbage,
caulilower, radish, kohl RABBIT
beets, mustard, celery, tomato,
eggplant pumkin, carrots, lettuce,
leeks, endivet small seed IRISH pota-
toes for August plant, bermuda and
Creole onion seed and sets, red and
white shallots, field peas. bolo
beans in fact the entire line of field
flower, grass and garden seed for
the southern soil Towering plant,
shrubs, fruit and shade trees veg
etable lats in season, fancy poul-
try, eggs, fancy dogs and berk-
shire hogs, j. Steckler Seed Co.,
Ltd, New Orleans, La. Catalogue
free to all applicants. Mention this
paper in ordering. Successors to
Richard Frotscher, 518 to 526 Ora
vier ST., New Orleans, La, Nursery
garden and poultry farm 54O2 to
3412 Esplanade ST., opp. St. Louis
Cemetery, Cumberland and Peoples
Phone 428. 2. o. Drawer 436.
The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1904-03-05
$10O Reward, $1OO.

The readers of this paper will be
pleased to learn that there is at least
one dreaded disease that science has
been able TO cure in all Its stages and
that is Catarrh. Halls Catarrh Cure
is the only positive cure now known
to the medical fraternity. Catarrh
being a constitutional disease, re-
qires a constitutional treatment.
Halls Catarrh Cure is taken inter-
nally, acting directly on the blood
and mucous surfaces of the system,
thereby destroying the foundation of
the disease, and giving the patient
strength by building up the consi-
tuition and assisting nature in doing
its work. The p%roprlntors have SO
much faith in its curative powers,
that they offer one Hundred Dollars
for any case that it fails to cure.
Send for list of testimonials.
Address. F. j. CHENEY,
Toledo, o.
Sold by Druggist. 75c.
Halls Family Pills are the best,
The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1904-03-05

A little occurrence the other day
illustrates in a striking II the
innate cannibalism and sayaeery of
the negro. An estimable lady of
this town left home to make some
social calls, intrusting her boy baby,
six months old, TO the care of a little
negro boy about ten yeers old.
When she returned she found that
the little savage had bitten the child
in dozens Of places on the face, body
and legs, and it was 10 such a prec-
elious condition chat the physician
who was called was apprehensive of
The result of the injuries.
The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1904-03-05

Mrs. Savilla p. Roberts, the Write
woman who was convicted at Alex
andria last week of poisoning R. Ii.
Williamson at Colfax and given a
life sentence, made a full confession
and duplicates a nephew of the
mulde.ed man, Charles Denton,
whom she accuses of giving her the
s%tlychnine with which she killed
williamson.
The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1904-03-05

We have received an invitation to
attend the annual joint Convention
of the Louisiana State Agricultural
Society and the Louisiana Stock
breeders Association to be held at
Lafayette March 30th TO April LIST,
1904 inclusive. This is a most i'm
portant convention and should be at
tended by u agrculturalists and
stockmen as a subject Of vital i'm
portance TO their interest will be in
diligently discussed.
The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1904-03-05
The situation in the Balkans is
still regarded as threatening despite
BuIgaria's peaceful assurances.
MORE RIOTS,

Disturbance of strikers are not nearly
as grave as dn individual disorder of the
system; Overwork, loss of sleep. nervous
tonslos will be followed by utter col
lapse, unless a reliable remedy is immed-
lately employed. There's nothing so
eftlcient to cure disorders of the Liver
or hlndneys as Electric Bitter, It's
wonderful tonic. and effective nervine
and the greatest all around medicine for
down systems. 1t dispels Nervous
ness, rheumatism and Neuralgia and ex-
pels Malaria germs, Only soc, and salts
iactlon guarnteed by Druggist Snld by
a. }, GODDARD.
The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1904-03-05

The State Central Committee met
IN New Orleans, on the lst and Or
gained by electing I. J Mcclellan
of Madison, chairman pro tenn. Hon.
Z. b. Krutschnitt was elected per-
1nanent chairman. In the matter OF
the treasurership Mr.. Smith defeated
Capt Steele by a vote of 81 to ~.
>Ophelias Bourgue represented Yer
million parish an voted for Steele.
The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1904-03-05
PROBATE NOTICE

State of Louisiana-17tb ~
fFiet oonrt-Parish of Ysrni 1ralelal Dis
Succession of Emilia LeB,.ns y
Notice Notice is hereby given to an ..,.,..
snss nave within ten.dsys from than ! any
upon which the present notice i aay
tah'aa showing the reasons WIN p y
sao,eau o. debts and charges ana .,' ~
, neailon thereof, and account u ', ~
.ea : hlea by the Administrsetsassa
should not be h"'nologated and aasaear
dance Herewith. IL aceor-
Granted under my hand ana S..
' Ds1ss' SA's 18Th day Of February a 4 = =
simonet Leblanc.
Edwards & Greere Clerk Of Cout.
The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1904-03-05

st. Martinyille, La, Feb. 28.-
Disappointment of Education A.
5. Wood, who was convicted here on
Feb. 20 on the charge Of embezzle-
ment of school funds, was sentenced
yesterday by Judge Foster to two
years imprisonment in the State
Penitentiary, the minimum allowed
by law. The defendants counsel.
Messls. Martin and VOORHEES,, will
apply to the Supreme Court for a
rehearing.
The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1904-03-05
SUCCESSION NOTICE

State of Lcufsi;tna-l7th .Jud;o;.,
tries Court-Parish Of VermiJion NJ II ~
Succession Of Gnstave Lacomhs
whereas henasse Lacombe Of Vernil-
ron PARISH La. has filed in this Hona,.
able Court his petition praying that !.
Nc appointed and confirmed Admins.
traitor Of the above numbered and sntit.
led sncca saion 4as
Notice is, therefore. given to anv Is
and all whom it doth concern to g.
ca'1se, II any they have, within ten All,
why the prayer Of the said nat;t,as.s
should not be granted.
By order of Court.
sfislonet Leblanc.
Clerk Of Court
CLERKS Office February 18th. 1904.
Edwards & Greene, Attorneys
The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1904-03-05

State of LouiSiana-17th Judicial Dis
trict Court-Parish of Vcrmilion-No 52l.
Succession of james q. Tyree.
Notice is hereby given to all parties
interested to make opposition if any they
have, within ten days from the day upon
which the present notice IS published
showing the reasons why the tableau Of
debts and charges and classification there
OF, and aceount of cash received, fled by
the Administrator, shoall not be hon,olo-
gated and approved, and distributed
among ting heirs i'll accordance Herewith
Granted under my hand and seal Of
office, this 18th day of February A. D. 1904
Siinunet Leblanc,
Clerk of Court.
The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1904-03-05

Rumor has it that the Russian
central revolutionary committee, with
headquarters in Switzerland, have
perfected arrangements for an out
break at several points in the Cars
domain as soon as the Far Eastern
situation becomes more disastrous
to the home government.
The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1904-03-05

~ " = HA AA
trict Court-Parish Of fermlaonA
$50,
Succession of 1upre HebeFs
Whereas Lastie Hebert- Admillisslghsss hi
of the Succession of Dupre Hepe, ,s,aaa
filed in this Honorable Court a .aOe.s
of debts and charges and final setai0'nsr
in said succession, and his petition ~
ing that the same be honologatea IN m
approved, that he be authorized Y 80
in accordance Herewith. D npon Il
settlement and proof thereof una 81:
then discharged and his be Dona =
ceIled. - auy
Notice is therefore hereby giVsn i
and all whom it doth or may COM III
show cause if any they have Wlsh. 1904
DAYS from date hereof, why tne u
of said petition should not Dc g1au
simonet Leblanc
CLERK of couns
Clerks Office February litn 1--WE
Felix J. Samson, A%ttorneEt
The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1904-03-05

The Louisiana Boil Weevil Comms-
sion has agreed to compensate the
cotton planters of Sabine parish at
the rate Of $500 per acre upland and
$3.50 per acre for bottom lands, the
understanding being that no cotton
is to be planted during the year.
The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1904-03-05
w. B Gordy, Attorneys.
MON IIION.
State of Louisiana--Parisn of Vermil
lon--l7 judicial District Court
Parish OF Vermllion--No 2070.
Ernest Dartez

The Heirs of F. L. Dartez and the
Heirs of Sosthene S~hexnayder.
To 5. T. Watts of the parish Of Yer
million curator Gd hoe to Edmaze
Shexnayder, wife of Lessin Mouton of
Beaumont, Texas, Marcelitte Shexnay-
der wife of Felix Guidry of the parish
OF vermillon, Azelie ~Shexnayder, wife
OF joseph PrImeaux, of the parish of
Acadia, Charles Sheznayder, Pierre
Shexnayder, Adam Shexnayder, Thom-
as Shexnayder, and Syphroyen Shex.
nayder, of the parish of Termilion and
Letltla shexnayder of the parish of
Acadia; heirs of Sosthene Shexnavder
) ana belzlre Daltez, widow of Arvenne
Heoert Alexandrine Dartez and lrer
husband Pierre Marceau; Alexandra
Dartez, Fe!ecian Dartez, Alexis Dartez.
Alike llartez and her husband Aryyn-
ne Marceau; Eugenie Dartez and her
husband Ophelias Bourquc; Eliza OAR
teZ and her husband Simeon Rrous-
s;trd, and the minors Flavy, Lucide and
Eleoi"fe Dartez, represented by Lao
aice Dartez, Tutor, and the said Lao
dice Daftez in, his individual capacity,
al OF the parish of Vermilion:
rake notice that plaintiff, Ernest
DarteZ, III the suit entitled and num-
heled as above, has fled his petition
praying, amongst other things for n
Judgment reviVing, renewing and rein
stating, the deeds of sale hereinafter
described, which were of record in
the office of the Recorder of the Parish
OF Vernlilion and DESTROYED by fire. at
the burning OF the Courthouse OF said
parish on the 7th day of April 1885,
ana perpetuating the evidence of said
sales to-Wit.
i6t. An act of sale and transfer with
full guarantee and subrogation, from
Sosthene Shexnayder to Francois Evar-
is1e l'aIlez, passed sometime about the
year 1901, tor the Northwest quarter
OF Section So in Township y South Of
Itahge J. East, containing 161.l6 acres
Tor the consideration and price of Two
hundred anc Twenty six 45- 100 Dol
lars, cash.
End. The process verbal of the pro-
pate sale Of the property Of the success
sion OF Francois Eyariste Dartez, made
On the 3lst ofsAugust 1876 with the
lolioWlng adjndlcations, to-wit;
a.: One adjudication of the North
half OF the North West quarter of Sec
ton 36 in Township twelve South of
Range one East, containing Eighty
eo-O00 acres, to Ernest Dartca for the
price and sum Of Forty 42-lOO Dollars.
cash on day ofsa!e.
Q. One adjudication of the South
ha'f ofttle Moth Vest quarter of Sec
ton 80 n Township - South of Range
one East, containing Eighty S5-l0O
acres, to A%rvenne Hebert, for the price
and sum Of Twenty 22-I0O Dollars,
Cash, paid on day of sale.
, You are, therefore, cited to appear
before our above said court. at the
Court House, in the town of Abbeville,
IL sald parish and state, within six
weeks from the second and last of the
tWo publication Of this notice and eta
ton; and file your answer, under oath.
TO the demand of plaintiff as required
by law.
Witness the Hon. Mines T, Gordy,
Jr., Judge Of said Court, this Oath
DAY OF February, A. D. 1904.
STM0NFT T EpT aNr
The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1904-03-05
e, NJ. STEDDINS &
COMPANY.
STATE OF LOUISIANA - l7th
Judicial District Conrt-ParisA
of Vermilion-No. 525.

Succession Of Agathe Mouisset:
Notice Is hereby given to all per
sons interested, including the BEERS,
to make opposition, il they think vt,
within ten days from the day upon
which this present notice is published,
showing the reason why The tableau
of debts and charges filed in said
succession by H. Libersat, Datural
tutor, and his demand for It's homo.
legation should not be granted.
Granted under my hand and seal
Of office this, the goth DAY o.
JaBuary, 1904.
SIMONET LEBLANC,
Clerk of Court.
Broussard, Kitchell 4 Bailey. AttorneJS'
The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1904-03-05

Two white men c%riminally assault
Ell q young white woman, Miss
Florence Kreider of New Iberia, at
New Orleans. One Of them was ar
rested and the other is being search
ed for. Both will be given the full
penalty Of the law. The girl was
afterwards carried by a former
sw eetheart has since disappeared.
The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1904-03-05

Some of the wise acres and weather
wise chaps are trying to figure out a
cool summer this year. Hope it will
turn out that way bat spring opens
up real warm. 1t is said that the
winters of 1887 and 1856 were very
cold and that they were followed ey
late cool summers.
The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1904-03-05

G. Dewey Haywood, one of the
pioneer and successful oil well men
OF this state and Texas died OF
typhoid fever Monday evening at
Lafayette. His remains were taken
to Battle Creek, Mich for burial.
The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1904-03-05
WORKING

Eight hour laws are ignored by those
t~ireless. little workers-Dr Kings New
Life Pills Millions are olways at work,
night and day, curing Indigestion. Bill
business. Constipation, Sick Headache
and all Stomach, Liver and Bowel troub-
les. Easy, pleasant, safe sure Only 25c
at A j Godards drug store.
The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1904-03-05

The residence of Maurice Stern, a
wealthy resident of New Orleans,
was b~urglarized Of nearly $4,000
worth of jewelry. The thieves effect
ed an entrance while the family was
at dinner.
The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1904-03-05
Domestic Troubles.

1t is exceptional to find a family
where there are no domestic rupturns
occasionally, but these can be lessened
by having DR.. Kings New Life Pills
around. Much trouble they save by
their great work in Stomach and Liver
troubles. They not only relieve you.
but cure. 25c at Godards Drug Store.
The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1904-03-05
STATE OF LOUISIANA-Parish of
Vermilion-l7th Di5t't Court
No. $50.
Succession of Felicia Miguel:

Whereas Theogene Landry of said
parish has presented to this Hon.
Court his petition praying to be APP
pointed al ninistrator of the above
named succession, therefore, notice
is hereby given to any and all per-
sons having any opposition to his APP
pointment to file the same in writing
in this office within ten days from
this date.
Clerks Office, Abbeyille, La, this
10Th day of February, 1901.
Sinonet Leblanc, Clerk of Court.
Edwards & Greene, Attys.
The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1904-03-05

Bayou Lafourche dam at Donold-
s~onvllle is now complete, and five 49,
inch siph,rs will be put there to
pump fresh water into the bayou
which is now only a big ditch, and
salty as high as Lockport.
The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1904-03-05

Over the North and West another
blizzard is sweeping-the temperature
in Nebraska fell ip 6 hours from 70
to 16 degrees-from sImmer to Win
ter at q jump.
The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1904-03-05

The extreme cold of the past winter
has killed thousands of peach trees
throughout the New England states.
The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1904-03-05

Five hundred Albanians were killed
and wounded in an engagement with
Turkish troops near Saionica, in
which the Turks also lost heavily.
The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1904-03-05

The United States government is
negotiating for land with a view to
extending Jackson Barracks at New
Orleans.
The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1904-03-05

Hon. j. Massie Martin, a we'll
known politician and former resident
of St. Landry parish died in New
Orleans, Monday evening.
The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1904-03-05

The Hague Tribunal decided that
the Allied Powers had a right to pre-
ferential treatment of the settlement
of claims by Venezuela.
The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1904-03-05

Bishop Durrier of Natchito ches,
an eminent Catholic prelate died last
Sunday and was buried at Shreve-
port.
The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1904-03-05

Bob Rogers, a white man, was ar
arrested at Girard for the murder of
Jesse Jones.
The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1904-03-05
PROBATE NOTICE.

State of LouIsiana--17th Judfelai y.
trict Court-Parish Of Vermllion-'V
roc
Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1904-08-12
VARIOUS OFFICERS ARE ELECTED
Chairman Was Empowered and
Will Name Road Commiss-
sionerin Each of the Four
teen Precints.

Pursuant to the call of the
temporary chairman, DR.. j. H,
Baldwin, of Sterrett, and the
temporary secretary, Mayor w.
L. Boner, of Durant, there was
held in this city yesterday a good
roads convention of this the
Twenty fifth Recording District.
The convention was enthusiastic
and everybody present were out
loud for better roads and
bridges. The convention, imme-
diately after the assembly, got
down to work.
DR.. J. H. Baldwin of Sterrett
was made permanent chairman.
r. H. Mccormick of Bokchito
vice-chairman.
2. w. Raines of Sterrett treas
urer.
w. L. Boner OF Durant secre-
tary.
The convention named the or
ganization the Good Roads Asso-
citation of the Twenty fifth Re-
cording District.
There was considerable dis
cussion as to the method or plan
of organization, and at the sug-
gestion Of the chairman it was
decided to proceed under tie
methods used in the states, so
far rs practicable, and the chair
man was authorized and em-
powered to appoint an executive
committeeman or road COM