davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-12-19
BLOW up SAFE
AT SHERRARD
Robbers Gain Entrance to Postoffice
and Make Way With Stamps
and Money.
TAKE ABOUT s4oo IN ALL
Explosion Is Not Heard and Burglary
Is Not Discovered Until Morn -
ing-No Trace Of Men.

Sherrard, H., Dec. 10. - (Spe-
cial)-The Sherrard postoffice was en-.
tered by robbers this morning, short
ly after midnight. and about $400 in
stamps and money secured by blowing
open the safe. The robbers secured
about 5000 worth of stamps, but the
amount of cash taken cannot be def.
niteiy determined until the accounts
have been checked.
The robbers gained entrance to the
building through rear window, which
they pried open. The safe was blown
to pieces with a heavy charge of ex.
plosive, presumably nitro-glycerine
No one noticed the explosion, which
in any other than a mining town
would have attracted attention. The
mining company frequently explodes
charges of dynamite under ground, and
even had the explosion set off by the
safe-blowers been heard, it would not
likely have attracted any attention.
Leave Tools in Haste.
The robbers took everything of value
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-12-19
MUFFLED PLEA FOR LIFE ANSWERED
BY SHOWER OF NIGHT Rider BULLETS
Colonel Taylor Companion Of Dead Man. Gives Graphic Story
Murder Of Captain Ranken by tennessee
Outlaw Band.

Union City, Tenn, Dec. 19.-In the
trial. of the night riders for the murder
of Captain Quentin Ranken, Colonel
r. z. Taylor, his companion, today re-
cited in minute details the story of
the hanging and shooting of Ranken
and his own escape from death at the
hands of the murderous band The
aged witness made a most profound
impression. He said that while Ran
ken was hanging by rope to tree,
the latter made a muff1ed appeal for
life. which was answered by a fusil.
lade of bullets from the night riders.
State Makes Progress.
Union City, Tenn, Dec. 19.-At the
end of the first days testimony in the
night rider trial the state had made
material progress. 1t had introduced
testimony covering the murder of Cap
tain Ranken and supporting an identi
fication of two of the prisoners as
members of the masked band
The prisoners, unkempt, scowline
and silent, paid little attention to the
proceedings. Only once did they be
tray emotion. One witness, sworn into
the band against his will, testified that
the only part of the oath he remember
ed was the part that provided they
would kill him if he revealed any
thing. At this a sardonic grin spread
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-12-19
Attorney General HadIey
Springs Coup on Har-
vester Combine
IN ACTION TO GUST IT
Rests Case After Only compa-
ny's Witnesses Have
Been Heard.

Jefferson City, Nd, Dec 19-Attor.
ney General Hadley announced today
he has notified attorneys for 5the In
ternational Harvester company that
the state will present no further testi.
mony in the custer suit which the at
torney general is prosecuting against
the concern on the ground it exists in
violation of the antitrust laws of Mis-
souri,.
would Attack Own Statenients.
The case for the state will thus rest
upon the evidence of officials of the
defendant company, only, no other
witnesses having been called by the
prosecution. If the defendant inter-
ests wish to offer testimony it will be
placed in the shameless position of at
tacking the statements of its own off,
cials.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-12-19
RAMMED STEAMER
SINKS AT NEW YORK
Thirty Members Of Crew Are Rescued
BY Boats Of the Other
Vessel.

New York. Dec. 19.-Amid pounding
seas and heavy mist the British
freight steamer Daghestan, outward
bound for Marseilles, was sunk last
night outside the harbor by the tramp
steamer Catalone, owned By the Eng
lish and American Shipping company
of London. That no lives were lost
was due 10 the prompt action Of Cap
tain Glover of the Catalone in lowering
lifeboats. His men put out in the
rough seas ano went to the rescue OF
the 80 sailors aboard the stricken yes
sci. The paghestan after being ram
med settled so rapidly that some of its
crew were compelled to jump into the
sea.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-12-19

go into court and break up the con-
spiracy. He was baffled by the ma
chine at every turn. The inspectors,
machine men in nearly every instance,
reported they were unable to find any
evidence.
Seeing that practically every federal
officer in the state was attempting to
make his probe fruitless, Holton finally
induced the internal revenue depart
ment at Washington to detail Secret
Service Agents j. M. Wright and E. P.
Adams to North Carolina for an in
vestigation.
Many Stills Not Destroyed.
In 1905 these officers developed 70
cases in which machine appointed rev.
enue agents had reported the destruc
tion Of Illicit stills, when in reality
they had cooperated with the block
aders, allowing the stills to remain
in business.
Twenty-eight revenue officers were
indicted at one time, and nearly 81
distillers. Thousands of dollars oi
fines were imposed on scapegoats.
But the story of the trial of Deputy
Collector Laus f. Davis, a machine
man, before Judge Boyd, the machine
judge, is worth narrating.
Davis was chairman of the Wilke.
county board of commissioners whe1
arrested and convicted. Judge Boyt
sentenced Davis to II months in thu
lpenitentiary, and imposed a fine o
81 900. In doing so the court was NOV
ed to use scathing language. He sal,
There was no doubt Davis was the lead
Ter of the band ofSrevenue agents-aI
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-12-19
TO START A BANK
Henry E. Agar, Indiana Man Whom
Woodmen Traced, Prospered
in Texas.
LIVING A RESPECTABLE LIFE
Says He Had Determined to Begin
Life Over Again and Did Not
Know Insurance Was Collected.

Princeton. Ind, Dec. 19.-Henry E.
Agar, who disappeared Jan. %, 1907
and is alleged to be an embeZzler and
forger to the extent of s125,00O. has
been living a respectable life in Texas
nearly ever since
When arrested, he. with others, was
preparing 20 open bank in San Ben
ito. AS A. r. Corners of the real es-
tate firm If Conners & Purvis, he was
one of San Benito's foremost citizens,
and his arrest was a shock to that
community.
Employer Skeptical of Charge.
He also was secretary of Colonel
Alba Haywood, a prominent business
man. Colonel Haywood refused to- be
lieve the charge On which Agar was
arrested and instituted habeas corpus
proceedings to obtain his release
Agar, however, confessed, and told the
story of his disappearance from In
diana
Agar was thought by everybody here
to have been drowned near Mount Car
mel, ILL., He was aboard the steamer
Lafayette CT the night he was last
seen. The evidence that he fell into
the river was so strong that his wife
collected enc insurance policy on the
theory that he was dead.
Determined to Start Life Anew.
Agar told Colonel Haywood that
while standing on the ship that fateful
night, he was accidentally knocked
OFF, but was picked up by houseboat
a few minutes later. The next morn
ing, realizing he was facing ruin, he
decided to take advantage of the op-
portunity and get away. A short dis.
tance farther down he left the house
boat and msde his way to Louisiana
determined to start life anew. Under
the name of Ralph A. Corners he got
job with Colonel Haywood.
He quickly rose in the estimation OF
his employer and went with him to
Jennings, Tex, then to San Benito
where he :lso engaged in business fol
himself. He said he was not aware
that his wife had attempted to collect
insurance money.
Mrs. Agar, who up to yesterday
maintained that her husband was dead
| now thinks the man in Texas is Agar
| having received message from his
lawyer there. She is holding intact
the insurance money paid her and is
| ready to return it.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-12-19
over the features of the prisoners.
PoweIrs story of the Murder.

over the features OF the prisoners.
PoweIPs story of the Murder.
Ed Powell, husband of the only wo-
man witness. yet to be called, was an
important factor in the states behalf.
Powell was dragged from his bed the
night of the Ranken murder and forced
to accompany the band to hotel, from
which Ranken and Taylor were taken.
Powell recognized Frank Fehringer
as the man who opened Rankep's va
lise, took out and read a letter. He
identified Garrett Johnson as the leader
and Guy Ransom as the man in the
white mask, the only one who was dis
guised. Fehringer has confessed
When the riders took Ranken and
Taylor to the woods they took Powell
along. He heard them questioning
the two men as to their title to the
land in the Reelfoot district
Witness Feared for His Life.
Near the spot where Ranken was
murdered, they halted Powell until the
murder was done. Then they asked
him if he recognized any of them, and
when he said no, they told him to tell
Ward, the hotel proprietor, to come
down for the bodies of his guests.
Powell was arrested by the soldiers
and testified before the coroner that he
failed to recognize the riders, but said
yesterday he did so because he feared
for his life.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-12-19
C0NGRESSMEN NAME
CENSUS OFFICIALS
Rule Prevailing Heretofore Will BE
Followed, Favored Candidates
Taking Examinations.

Washington, D. c., Dec. 19.-The ap.
pointment OF clerks and other EN-.
ployes needed for work on the 18th
national census~wilI be congressional
patronage as in the case OF the taking
of the previous censuses. Senator
Long, chairman of the committee on
census, today reported the senate and
house bill providing for non-competi-
tive examinations to be held through.
out the country by means of the civil
service machinery but based on the
form of examination to be prescribed
by Director North of the census, and
confined to persons designated by sen.
ators and representatives.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-12-19
LAST TO SUFFER
Trust Witnesses on Tariff Declare
Lower Duties Would Not A.
feet Them Much.
BUT WOE TO INDEPENDENTS
Ebert n. Gary, Chairman of Board of
Directors of Steel Corporation
Heard at Washington.

Washington, D. c., Dec. 19.-"lf you
protect our competitors you leave us
above protection, and | believe that
the United States Steel corporation
should make public its affairs and sub
NIT to government CONTROL was the
remarkable declaration of Ebert H.
Gary. chairman of the board of direc-
tors of the United States Steel corpor-
alton, at The hearing before the house
ways and means committee yesterday.
This is radical" he added, "but re-
member that am not speaking for the
steel corporation in saying this.
Proved Good Witness.
Mr.. Gary, like Charles NJ. Schwab,
who appeared before the committee
Tuesday. was an admirable witness.
giving much information and submit
ting to severe cross examination.
His testimony in substance showed
that the tariff is needed more as a
protection for the Independent steel
manufacturers than for the steel cor
poration. Like Mr.. Schwab. Mr.. Gary
declared that the reduction of the duty
on certain steel products would compel
the steel companies to reduce the cost
of labor
Corporation Can Care for Itself.
He said that the competitors of the
steel corporation needed protection but
that the corporation could take care Of
itself.
Suppose this committee were tt
wipe out the, steel duty entirely, the
United States Steel corporation would
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-12-19
Yesterday in Congress

Washington, Dec. 19.-Following is
a summary compiled from the official
proceedings of the work of both houses
of congress yesterday:
SENATE-The senate was not in ses-
sion.
HOUSE-Because of the general ex-
odus of members for their homes for
the Christmas holidays, the attendance
less. a good deal of business was trans
acted. This consisted mostly 6 the
passage of war claim bills, some OF
them giving rise to considerable discus
sion. AT 4:47 p m. the house ad-
journed.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-12-19
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE
WINS IN MISSOURI
No Law 20 Prevent Healing of Sick,
Court Decides in Kansas City
Test Case.

WarrensDurg, Mo-, Dec. 19.-There
is no law in Missouri prohibiting the
practice of healing members of the
Christian Science church according to
decision banded down today in the
cirSuit court In the case brought to
Theresa NJ. Haywood, prominent Chris
tian Science practitioners of Kansas
City, were charged with violating the
laws that make it an offense to prac-
tice medicine or surgery or treat the
sick for pay without license.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-12-19
TELEPHONE GIRLS GO OUT
Rockford Operators Say They Want
Time to Fix Hair.

Rockgord, ILL.,, Dec. 19.-Declaring
that their fands were slapped by an
assistant supervisor if they tried to
arrange their hair or collars while
working at the switchboards, one-half
of the force of the General Union tele-
phone operators went on strike yester,
day. They demanded better treatment
by supervisor operators and double pay
for Sundays and holidays Manager
Eby says the charges of hand slapping
are ridiculous, and that the places OF
the strikers have been filled.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-12-19
BURLINGTON BUYS
A COLORADO. LINE

New York, Dec. 19.-Leading inter.
|ests in the Colorado & Southern Rail-
road company announced today the
sale of the road to the Burlington
Railroad company.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-12-19
Insurgents Declare They
Will Split Republi-
can Camp.
GET CHANGE IN RULES
Propose to Make it Necessary
to Call All Committees
Once a Week.

Washington, Dec 19.-The insur-
gents against the present rules of the
house are leaving Washington for their
homes jubilent over the progress they
have made in stirring up an insurrec-
ton in the republican ranks. They
will tell their constituents that before
the end of the session the rules will
be amended.
One Change Certain.
One of the insurgents expressed him.
self today as certain that at least one
change will be made in the rules. He
said he believed there would be no OPP
position to it at the republican caucus.
That amendment would provide for a
day each week for the call of commit
tees of bills on the union calendar and
on the house calendar.
Say 1t Is Enough.
Some of the most optimistic claim
this is all that is necessary to get re-
lief from the present rules. The call
of the committees would enable the
committee to get before the house all
important bills of various kinds and
would remove the speaker of liability
to the charges of preventing legisla
ton which was demanded by the peo
pie.
Both Houses Adjourned.
Washington, Dec. 19.-The senate
adjourned at 1850 until Jan. 4.
Washington. Dec. 19.-The house adj
journed at 1874 till Jan. 4.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-12-19
MRS. RITTMAN
GAINS OFFICE
BY COURTS ACT

Chicago, Dec. ,19.-The validity of
the election which made Mrs. Rose D..
Rittman high chief ranger of the Wo-
mems Catholic Order of Foresters was
affirmed by Judge McEwen in the SUI
perior court here today.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-12-19
Packers Don't Need Tariff.

A R, Urion of Armour & company,
the first representative of the larger
meat packers to appear before the COM
mittee, also was witness yesterday
He declared that it would make no diff
ference to the concerns he represents
if the tariff on hides is lower, raised, Or
taken off entirely. He said that the
tariff has acded from 80 cents to $110
to the value of hides. He asserted
that the farmer received the entire
benefit of this increased value
Mr. Urion said that the statement
that the packers control the tanning
as well as the packing business is in
consistent.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-12-19
Indiaaian a Football Victim.

Laporte, Ind, Dec. 19.-Frank Han
mum of this city died yesterday at
Seattle, Wash, of injuries received in
a football game. He was 26 years old
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-12-19
Indiana Educator Dead.

Terre Harte. Ind, Dec. 19.-Dr.
Thomas Gray, vice president of Rose
Polytechnic institute, died today after
a long illness.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-12-19
Cuts OF Fingers to End Thefts.

Cornwall. Ont, Dec. 19.-W. Bero.
arrested on a charge Of theft yester-
day, chopped off his fingers, saying,
those fingers will steal no more.'
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-12-19
HOUSE MEMBERS SAY THEY
HAVE CANNON ON THE HIP

still survivor" inquired Representative
Champ Clark of Missouri.
81 cannot say" replied Judge Gary,
but | am of the impression that if we
did we would have monopoly of the
market in this country. l don't think
We could make reasonable and fair
profit if he tariff were put on that
basis"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-12-19

Continued on Page Four.)
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1908-06-18
EAST MONTPELIER.

-slTs. Andrew Tracy Of East Montpelier
died at 9i30 o'clock Friday evening, af-
ter q weeks illness with erysipelas.
The funeral services took place at $50
O'Clock Sunday afternoon, with inter.
ment in the Lewis cemetery, Rev. j. 70.
Wright officiating
Mrs. Tracy was born In Worcester and
moved to Middlesex when very Young
and there spent her girIhood She later
came TO Montpelier and worked as a
tailoress for some Of the leading firms
such as the Kicker Co, and Woolson
Bros, and before coming to Montpelier
was employed BY one Of the leading
tailoring establishments in Worcester,
Mass, for about two years. Her first
husband was William Cummings and
after her marriage to him she lived on
the George Lawrence farm until the
death Of Mr. Cummings Twenty eight
years ago next October she married Mr..
Tracy and they moved to East Mont
pelier and resided on the farm. she being
Mr.. Traey's second wife. Mrs. Tracy
was 10 years of age and was we'll pre-
served for her years She was the
daughter of Jesse and Fanny Flint. Mrs
Tracy had two sisters and four brothers,
Jessie, Alonzo, Joseph, Fannie, Prentice.
and John ID. all dead except John ID
Flint, father Of Leroy Flint Of the Sher-
bnrne & Flint company 81 Montpelier,
and they We're all over seventy when
they died.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1908-06-18
TALK OF THE TOWN

Cash paid for watches. diamonds, gold
aad silver jewelry. Burr. the JeweIer.
Typewriter desk, fiat top, cost sil.0o.
and swivel chair, cost $3.50, both for
$1,000. 4. A. AverilI.
clairyoyant. Tuesday and Thursday,
2 p. IN. 60 p. M, Mrs. r. u. Ellis. 20
spaulding street, telephone 1861.
A square ton OF coal makes the world
look square. The Scranton coal sold BY
Calder y Richardson is good clean coal.
Joe Oasola's famous spaghetti dress
ing Is the greatest delicacy in the world
70 use as d blessing for fish, eggs, or
meat Of any kind. Ask your grocer
for ii.
4 aperta una infcrneria per cavalIi q
feT cani al No. 10 Cottage sthect; dove
vengano operate agin sorta Ii operaris
nj, Carl, sui cavalli sui gatti. II in
ffrrneria . aperta Ii giosuo al Note,
juno oontenere comodamen to IL
cavalii 3 20 cant. lie dott Arthur II. II.
Lewis, D. VI S., ed il unove laurando O.
n. Barr, graduate sal collegio di On
tprio, assistente. Origin sarta di ejer-
arianoi nj jrossono fare vrezzi miti.
Ti curano lutte 10 malab tie degli ami.
mali, secando sisteni juni nader nj.
TeletOrno, 212-12
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1908-06-18

gliding over d waxed floor with d
dream Of loveliness In his arms. The
soft strains, the beautiful face so near
bis own. the liquid eyes fastened al
ways upon his, were an irresistible In
cantation. Then, too. he was dancing
with one who was, like himself. born
dancer. They passed banks of flowers
and momentarily caught their perfume.
They sailed around water springing
from fountain, and as the tiny drops
fell they sang song Of love. But all
PAM Debonair saw was beautiful
face. a swelling bosom. pair OF dark
eyes.
Paul Debonair realized that he was
being shared. Matrimony had been a
horror to him. and this only possible
outcome to the widows witchery APP
paIled him. He left on the next steam
er for Europe. Angelica followed him.
One evening while he was at a ball at
the American embassy at Rome the
orchestra struck up the waltz to which
he had danced with the Widow BaIIou.
He was standing in dream OF that
one dangerous dance Of his life when
suddenly an arm was laid upon his
shoulder. His own passed involuntarily
around waist and be was whirled
away. Again he was IN the tolls or the
witch.
When they rested, the game had
been played to finish and the widow
had won. Paul Debonair had surren--
dered while they whirled She led him
captive back to America, and the
haunts that had known him knew him
no more. Every one said what a pity
to spoil so delightful bachelor by
making q married man OF him.
GWENDOTIN ADAMS.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1908-06-18
DEDICATION ON JUNE aS.
of The Hale Monument Erected ii
Cemetery Near Lake Caspian.

Of The Hale Monument Erected IN
Cemetery Near Lake Caspian.
The Hale monument at Greensboro is
70 be dedicated appropriately June rs,
al the monument Gin the little ceme-
terry west Of Lake caspian) if the day
Is pleasant, at ten o'clock. a. M; other
wise most Of the exercises will be al
the Congregational church.
The above date Is Che centennial Of
the beginning Of Sunday school work
in Vermont, though the first regularly
organized Sunday school was at Con-
cord Corner in 1911 or 1912, the idea
having evidently been derived from
Dea. Waahburn by the pastor who had
been at Greensboro as missionary a
little before. In 1908 Dea Washburn
began to teach his large family on sun
day evenings, as class ESQ says the
church record,) though he testified that
until several years later he had never
heard Of such thing as Sunday
school.
Before many years his class became
popular, and he was compelled BY nun.
bers to 20 to the school house.
June 25th, 1914, they there organic
cd with superintendent and five teach.
ers June 25th, 1917, they held an
Exhibition as they Of the Moral
society Of Greensboro, Craftsbury and
Hardwick" named it, over 400 children
marching TO music from the school
house TO Esq, Hale's barn, and the min
istry Of all the region, as far away as
Montpelier being present.
Esq. Hale was good man, almost
the leader OF everything good In the
town, and superintendent OF the said
Sunday school for long years. He left
ia legal paper on record, providing for
. suitable monument at his grave, but
when Rev r. B. Fisk became acting
pastor there. be discovered that not
even a rough stone had marked the
spot, and not many were living who
could certainly identify it. He found
snme 81 the hard wood frame Of the old
Hale barn laid up by the late Mr.. Ken.
iston, and marked plainly. From the
old s. s. Born" He conceived the idea
Of making ii up into cane sticks and
and nie.Suaelgs, and making ii the neu-
cles Of fund for the monument, and.
with q few generous private and public
gifts, he has accomplished his task, and
the whole interesting story II to be told
lac the monument A bhochtme Of AL
the data, probably with several photos.
is also to be published