davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1908-05-23
PREACHER MURDERS WIFE
Chases Her Into Their Garden and
Cuts Her Throat.
MAN SUDDENLY WENT GRAZ,
As Soon As He Saw What He Had
Done, Rev. 8. A. coffman Says
His Sanity Returned.

Fairmont, W. Va, May 1s.--Rev. 3.
A. Coffman, of the Methodist Episco-
pal church, murdered his wife at their
home, Rosstown, two miles from here,
early yesterday morning by cutting
her throat. The body OF the dead
woman was brought here and placed
in the morgue. Coffman is in jail
Coffman sent word to the church
Sunday by one of the congregation
that he could not hold meetings be-
cause he did not feel well and intend
ed to stay home. Coffman said that
at IL O'Clock Sunday night he got up
and dressed He awakened his wife
and told her to get up. that he was
sick. She arose and while putting on
her shoes some sort of murderous
feeling came over him that he could
not control. and Selling a poker he
struck her several times on the head,
She made her way through the house
and into the yard, the blood flowing
freely from her wounds, and finally
fell to the ground unconscious. He
then secured razor and slashed her
throat and from appearances. hacked
her face. She evidently died instant
ly.
Coffman then went to Mr.. Mere
dith's house and told Meredith what
he had done. Coffman pleaded with
his neighbors after he had murdered
his wife to hang him. He is thought
to be insane.
During the last week or two Mr.
Coffman had been holding series OF
revival services and had been adding
to the membership of the churches
under his care. He had closed the re-
vival and seemed we'll pleased with
the result. Coffman was so years old
and his wife 33.
According to statement made by
Rev. Mr.. Coffman, when he looked on
! the lifeless body of his wife his sanity
was Immediately restored, and he real
lied what he had done. He came here
and surrendered himself to the police.
Mr.. Coffman said it had been his in
tention to kill not only his wife. but
also his family and himself.
Held For Grand Jury.
Rev. Coffman was taken before
Justice Amos Monday evening and at
ter waving a preliminary hearing, de-
cided to bet his case go before the
grand il.gv on June g
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1908-05-23
Improvements.

Mrs. Sallie Gerling, West Burke
street, is having her property or
South Raleigh street painted. Mr.
Aaron Cline is the contractor
Mr.. Edward Matthews, North Queen
street, is having his front porch
painted
Mr.. M. G. Tabler is having the
woodwork OF hi house painted or
Messrs. Lambert and Dorm are hav-
ing concrete pavement laid In front
OF their property on South Raleigh
street.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1908-05-23
MUNsEY IN PHILADELPHIA.
Leases Old Bulletin BUILDING anc q
Issue Another Newspa amer.

Frank A. Munsey Saturday announc
ed that he has leased the building on
Chestnut street, near Sixth street,
Philadelphia, so long occupied by the
Evening Bulletin and which has
moved to new quarters, and says that
within a few weeks he will establish
a new evening newspaper.
Mr.. Munsey says the new paper will
be Independent in politics, in keeping
with the policy of the other Munsey
newspapers-the Boston Journal, the
Baltimore News and the Washington
Times.
Mr. Munsey, in an interview, said he
will carry forward his policy already
announced, OF purchasing and estab-
fishing daily .apers to be Grated
under a common management.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1908-05-23
CORNER STONE LAID
IMPRESSIVE CEREMONY TUES
DAY AT HEDiNcToN.
New Methodist Church, South, viii
BE Completed by September -
VIII Cost Nearly $4,000.

The cornerstone OF the Methodist
church, south. at Bedington, was laid
Tuesday morning at eleven O'Clock
with Masonic rites, Mr.. A. G. MAIDEN
bousch. acting as grand master. Rev.
w. F. Locke. pastor OF the M. II.
church, south. this CITY. acted as
grand chaplain
After the Masonic ceremony tho
people adjourned to the Jr. @. u. A.
M. hall, nearby on account OF the
rain where religious service was held.
The pastor, Rev. I. G. Michael, vas in
charge OF the service.
The address was delivered by Rev.
ID. Fl. Kearn. of Winchester, and was
a mastery effort.
The rain kept many people away.
but stilia large crowd was present.
The ladies OF the congregations
served suriptuous dinner in the hall
from which was realized t135.
The church will be of brick. the
auditorium being 34x44 feet In siso
with Sunday school annex 30x34 feet
In dimensions. The edihce will be
completed by September and will
cost between 5000 and $4,000.
Mr.. w. 8. Small, this city, Is tha
contractor. .pAF.A " FMtr1vE3j
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1908-05-23
ATTEMPT AT SUICIDE
Mrs. Susan Mercer Swallows Car
bonic Acid.
lad Just BEEN DIVORCED
Scene Of Tragedy at Gertie 6usch's
Dewn the Tracks-Unconscious
Five Hours.
From The World of Tuesday

From 1 ne WOTlu Oh IueSuAy
Miss Susan Vulgamott. until re-
Gently Mrs. George w. Mercer, Center
street, attempted to commit suicide
early this morning by swallowing a
dose of carbolic acid at the home OF
Mrs. Gertrude Busch, down along the
railroad near the gas works.
Miss vulgamott went to the Busch
house Monday evening and staid
there all night, sleeping with Mrs.
Busch Shortly after four O'Clock this
morning the natter was awakened by
Miss Vulgamott who told her she
had swallowed nearly table glass
full of carbolic acid and that as she
expected to soon, lose consciousness
she thought 1t better to first make the
confession.
Mrs. Busch sent for DR.. w. T. Hen
shaw as quickly as she could. The doc
tor arrived on the scene and found
the Vulgamott woman unconscious.
TIC duiuiuiSISiOu lie uCOCSSdiy iCh
edies, but she remained in that condi-
ton till IL O'clock this morning.
Though still in a critical condition
the chances for the womans recovery
are reported as being favorable and
she may yet pull through.
The causes that led to the tragedy
.
are briefly these: At the last term of
circuit court this unfortunate woman
was granted "a divorce from her hus-
band, George w. Mercer, when she as.
sumed her maiden name Susan VuIga-
mott. BY some freak of fancy she set
her affections on her husbands son,
George w. Mercer, ir. Monday after
noon marriage license was granted
to them and they were to nave been
married Monday, May 25.
But subsequently they quarreled
and Susie said she wouldn't marry
George and later went to the Busch
house. where she made up her mind
to end her unhappy life and chose the
means described.
This morning about 10 O'Clock Mer-
Ger went to Clerk Bender's Office and
returned the marriage license, remark
ing that he had decided not to get
married Whether he knew then that
his former fiance was lying at
deaths door is not known. He is a
railroader and is 30 years old.
Miss vulgamott is daughter OF
Moses vu'gamott and was born out
along the mountain. She is 80 years
old and has no children by her former
husband.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1908-05-23

There Us a Pink Palm Tablet made
by DR.. Shoop. that will positively STOP
any pain, anywhere, In 20 minutes
Druggists everywhere sell them as
DR.. Shops Headache Tablets, but
they stop other pains as easily as
headaches. DR.. Shops Pima Pain
Tablets simply coax blood pressure
away from pain centers--that Is al
Pasn comes from blood pressure con
geStiou. Stop that pressure with Or.
Shops headache Tablets and pain
is Instantly gone. 20 tablets 25c Sold
by all druggists
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1908-05-23
ACCIDENT AT FLAGG S
HORSE FRIGHTENED AT TRAIN
AND UPSET BUGGY
/. M. Bailey, Wife and Child, This
city, Hurt IN Accident, But None
Seriously.

While Mr.. and Mrs. Il. M. Bailey
and two children. Hess avenue, wero
returning from the funeral Of relar
tive at Leetown, Monday afternoon.
they met with an accident at Flagga
crossing, mile and half southeast
OF town.
The horse frightened at a passing
b. and o, train. turning short around,
overturned the carriage and thew tho
occupants out.
Mr., Bailey's ankle was sprained aadr
both legs bruised. His wifes bach
was bruised and her arms skinned.
One Of the children got an ugly cut On
the forehead by striking the wheel
The other child was not hurt.
Mr.. B. B. Newcomer who resides at
the crossing, saw the accident and
FASTENED to the assistance Of the in.
jured people. Later he brought them
home and DR.. Oates dressed their
wounds.
All are much improved today. but
still suffering from nervous shock
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1908-05-23
WILL MEET AT LURAY
SUNDAY SCHOOL WORKERS OF
BAPTIST ASSOCIATION.
Seventh Annual Convention to be
Held May Observation-Disclosures
on the Program.

The seventh annual Sunday school
of the Shenandoah Baptist
association wifi be held at Luray. Va.
May 26, q and %. There will be six
sessions OF the convention be ginning
Tuesday evening, with sermon by Rev.
DIR. Julian Broaddus.
MartinsburS is well represented on
the program as published. Rev. w.
D. McCurdy will make an address on
For Whom and What is this Con-
vention Held; Mr.. f. Vernon Aler
will speak on ''Sociability Essential in
and out of the Sunday School;
Prof. G.. w. Brindle will discuss the
subject "The Sunday School. the
Teacher and the Individual while
Mr.. F. H. Graichen will conduct one
of the devotional exercises. Rev. Mr..
McCurdy will, also, deliver a sermon
to the convention.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1908-05-23
MR.. socERr A GROCER
Former Martinsburoer Buys Out store
In Oklahoma.

Mr.. Harry Bogert writes to friend
here from Sapulpa. Oklahoma, that
his father MFR. J. H. Bogert, has
bought out grocery store In that
place and has associated him in the
business under the firm name Of J. II.
Bogert & Son. Harry writes that
they are doing finely In that young
and thriving city and are all we'll.
This worthy family left here early
this spring and their host OF friends
in this community will rejoice to learn
of their prosperity.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1908-05-23
DISTRIBUTE on of The Bible.

Last year the American Bible
Society distributed 100000 copies o.
Bibles, Testtaments and Scripture por-
tons The British Bible Society also
is very active in distributing the
Scriptures. and the two organizations
send the Good Book" to every part
OF the world. The Bible has been
translated into about 100 different
languages, and the American and Brit
fsh Societies thus provide for all
races 1t is stated that Mrs. Russell
Sage has offered to contribute 500 900
toward the permanent endowment
fund of the American society. When
1t Is considered that millions of copies
OF the Bible, or parts OF it, are printed
yearly for distribution from one end
OF the world to the other. it seems
to be clear that religion is not losing
ground. 1t is said that rationalism is
spreading in Continental Europe, and
even in the United States there are
those who profess to see a decline in
religious faith. Yet the Bible is print
ed and circulated as never before.
The best sellers" in fiction are
thought % achive marvellous success IL
the sales reach few hundred thous-
ands. The Bible, or portions of it,
goes out by millions every year to the
uttermost parts of the earth. 1t is in
comparably the greatest of all books
from all points of view.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1908-05-23
BROTHER TAKES A HAND
Count Of Turin Is Coming To Plead
the Cause Of His Brother.

Rome. May 19.-The city Is full of
gossip founded on the movements OF
the Duke OF Abruzzi and his brother,
the Count OF Turin. After spending
two days together here they left at
the same time. the duke going to
Naples and the count TO London.
1t is believed that the Count OF
Turin is on his way to Washington
with a mission 10 connection with the
betrothal of his brother and Miss
Katherine Elkins. .s-
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1908-05-23
MISS BISHOP IMPROVING
Victim Of coastins Accident Will Soon
BE Out Of Hospital.

Miss Ida Bishop. daughter OF Mr.. 7.
J. Bishop, OF Shanghai, is reported as
improving In the Maryland University
hospital, Baltimore, where she has
been for the last three months
Miss Bishop was very severely In
jured last winter at Grafton, where
she was teaching school, by being
struck and knocked down by coast
ing sled, injuring her spine. she was
brought here for treatment and batter
taken to the hospital mentioned where
she underwent delicate operation
three months ago, When she had
about recovered from the operation
she was attacked with mumps from
which she is no conva esclng-
The many friends Of the young lady
in the county will hope for her speedy
recovery and her early return home.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1908-05-23
stonecutters Fight for Union.

Quincy, Mass, May 15.-Nine hun
bred stonecutters employed in local
granite quarries went on strike on
Thursday in an effort to enforce de-
mand that the members of the Manu-
facturers' Association run their quar-
ries on the closedshop plan.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1908-05-23
Hint to Fishermen.

Take water in which walnut hulls
have soaked over night and pour it on
a spot Of ground. In very few hours
the fishing worms will come to the
surface, and can easily be secured for
your expedition.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1908-05-23
Subscribe - The Herald
Mashed Toe.

Mr.. George G. KiAmer. day baggage
man at the Baltimore & Ohio station,
is nursing q very sore foot as the re-
suit Of baggage truck running over
'sis big toe and mashing 1t.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1908-05-23
Y. M. c. A. BULLETIN
New Building Up To the First
story.

The walls of the new Y. M. Z. A,
building are now completed to the
first story and the structure Is begin
ming to assume proportions appre-
ciable to the eye.
Everything will be In readiness for
laying the cornerstone on Friday ar
ternoon, May 20, so far as the building
itself Is concerned.
The cornerstone has not arrived yet
but will be here in plenty OF time. the
committee Is assured.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1908-05-23
Robbery at Brunswick.

Brunswick, May 15.-Thieves rob
bed the clothing store of Victor Kap-
ION, on Railroad street, this town,
Thursday night, getting away with a
lot OF jewelry asd other articles.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1908-05-23
DAUGHTERS WILL ENTERTAIN
southerners in Washington Will BE
Entertained BY D. Of c.

Spokane, Wash, May 19.-'Mildred
e. Lee chapter of Spokane, Daughters
OF the ConfedeRacy, will entertain Its
members and number of southern
ers living in the Spokane country at
the home OF Nine. J. NJ Snapp. HOT
shannon avenue, the evening OF June
3, In honor OF the Tooth anniversary
OF the birth OF the president OF the
Confederacy.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1908-05-23
CALL ISSUED
Democratic State Convention Will Be
Held July 20.

The democratic state nominating
convention has been called by Chair
man McGraw to meet at Charleston at
II o'clock on Wednesday, July 90,
1908. Berkeley county will be entitled
TO &c delegates.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1908-05-23
PITrINoER PLAYED OUT
Physically Disabled and Cannot Go
In the Game.

The friends OF king" Pibtinger, the
celebrated National league pitcher. OF
Chambersburg, and later with the Bos-
tons. Philadelphias and Baltimores, Is
reported to be disabled physically and
finacially. He was bought by Balti-
more. but went to pieces and gen
tlemen from Baltimore states that a
collection was taken up for him and
he was sent to Atlantic City In the
hope Of recuperating his exhausted
siren 9Th.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1908-05-23
$500 HATMAkERs IDLE
Failure to Agree With Employers
Causes Orange Lockout.

Orange, N. j., May 1.-THE eight
hat manufacturers here closed their
doors on Thursday, throwing about
$500 operatives out of employment,
because of failure to reach an agree
ment with them as to wages and labor
conditions.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1908-05-23

Subscribe sor The Harafa.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1908-05-23
Held For Grand Jury.

Rev. Coffman was taken before
Justice Amos Monday evening and at
ter waving a preliminary hearing, de-
cided to bet his case go before the
grand jury on June 2.
Evening journal., 1908-06-29

CONTINENTAL p PPePHsFses RI R ana syi; SsasS near
Modern in detail; elevator. private baths,
high-class cuisine; IS to SIS weekly; sl60
TO S3 daily.
MARGARET WALSH DUNCAN. Prep.
Evening journal., 1908-06-29
FRUIT GROWERS
WANT MORE men

Delaware fruit growers continue cry
ing for help in their orchards and on
the farms that the harvests may be
gathered, but they are finding dificultv
In getting a response to their appeals
from the idle men IN Philadelphia. Usu-
ally hundreds Of foreigners 60 into
the fruit and truck districts OF South
Jersey and the Delaware Peninsula at
this season, but scores OF men have
refused to go this year although there
Is work for all who win take Il.
These foreigners have turned a deaf
ear to the appeals for fruit packers. IL
was said recently, because Of a swim
die practiced recently by two men who
represented themselves to he farmers
from South Jersey. Good wages were
promised and the offer was quickly
taken up by some OF the unemployed.
AS a surety Of good faith the men en-
gagged to go were required to advance
their car fare to the fruit district.
They were to meet the agents at South
street ferry. Philadelphia. After wait
ing several hours for the agents who
had their money 10 appear. the victims
reached the conclusion that they had
been cheated.
AS this story quickly went the
rounds of the foreign section, there hats
not been the usual exodus to Delaware.
Josiah Marvel is authority for the
statement that 5000 persons can get
employment in the fields on the PENN
sula.
Evening journal., 1908-06-29
STRICT RULES FOR
PROTECTION OF LIFE

Owners of motorboats as we'll as
those who permit the overcrowding Of
all steam craft, will be vigorously
prosecuted by the United States
steamboat inspectors, who, in conjunc-
ton with customs inspectors, have
been ordered to see that the law rela-
tive to such a craft is enforced. A force
Of inspectors has been detailed by Col
lector Hill to keep a sharp lookout at
all steamboat landings along the Della
ware river Steamboat inspectors un-
der the control of Captains Sargent
and Howell will also watch all land
ings at Bridgeton, Wilmington, Tuck
erton and Somers Point.
The law requires that every motor
boat shall have a bell, whistle, fog
horn. anchor lights, life preservers and
two copies of the pilots regulations.
When evidence is shown that an at
tempt is made 10 evade the law the
inspections will have at their command
fast launches to overhaul such craft
While serious accidents to excursion
craft plying the Delaware river have
been exceedingly rare. the government
inspectors contend that only by strict
ly enforcing the law will the public be
safeguarded from danger.
Evening journal., 1908-06-29
PAINTS PICTURE OF DOG
ON GRAIN OF SHOT

To paint q study from life on a
grain of shot would seem to be beyond
human possibility. But the artistic
feat has been accomplished by Samuel
I. Schultz, stage manager of the vau-
deville theatre at the White CITY
Trenton. Schultz. who is a former
well-known Wilmingtonian, declares
that 1t is the smallest oil painting in
all the world. and no one, after enjoy
ing a peep at it. is likely to question
the claim
1t required pretty nearly five months
OF painstaking effort on Mr.. Schultz 5
part in order to complete the painting.
He didn't work at it constantly. of
course, for the reason that hIs eyesight
and nerves simply would not permit
1t. It was his custom to tackle the
job only when the artistic inspiration
seized him. Sometimes he would spend
a couple Of hours at a time tracing out
the minute details and at other times
his nerves and vision would compel
him to resist after only a few min
utes' labor.
The painting is of dog with a bird
In its mouth, and is executed on a B.
B. shot, which is about the size of the
head Of an ordinary tack The shot
was. of course. fiattened out in order
to receive the painting. for it would
have been absolutely impossible TO ap-
ply the colors to its original rounded
surface.
Evening journal., 1908-06-29
RESCUED COUSIN
FROM DROWNING

NEW CASTLE Del, June 2s.-Hugh
Wylie, aged IA years son of the Rev
Samuel Beattie Wylie pastor of the
First Presbyterian Church. Of this city
made a daring rescue of the life OF
his cousin. James Peacock. Of Plain,
field, n. j.
Hundreds of people saw the boys in
swimming and then saw Peacock
throw up his hands and call for help
The people were too far away and
Wylie went to his assistance, and
caught him after he had gone dowr
twice and was about to go down agair
probably for the last time.
Wylie grabbed him by the hair, and
although his cousin is about fifty
pounds the heavier of the two, H gh
held on to him and called for help until
William Hanson pulled out in his boat
and took hold of the partially drowned
lad, who was unconscious and unable
TO help himself.
Evening journal., 1908-06-29
MOUNT ETNA.
lie Wonders as Revealed In Tales Of
Travellers.

lie Wonders as Revealed In Tales Of
Travellers.
Mount Etna has furnished more ma
terial for travellers tales than any
other mountain on the earth. Aston
ished Englishmen OF century ago
who fell into the fashionable habit Of
climbing to its highest peak-and some
did so, to the amazement OF the Sicil.
fans, even IN the dead OF winter-have
left on record In the exuberant Ian
guage Of their day the emotions that
thrilled their soul. THE man who
treads Mount Etna." wrote one OF
these, "is a man above the world
Every river on the island can be traced
from its mouth to its source.
"The characters" the same writer
continues, ''of all the climates Of the
earth can be detected-the frigid close
around one. the temperate with its belt
Of trees Just underneath and the trop.
ical at the base Of the mountain, with
fits vineyards and luxuriant groves
The great ocean around, with the Is
lands OF Lipan. Panari. Alicudi, Strom.
boil and Volcano, with their smoking
submits. appears under your feet. and
you look down upon the whole oi
Sicily as upon a map"
In addition to all the climates. Etnr
is reported 10 have trees that rival the
giants OF California, lakes that never
thaw, bottomless caverns and salablt
snow that kept many an ancient bishoT
we'll supplied with tithes.