davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1909-07-27

Mark Means, who handles the White
motor cars in Idaho, writes the follow
white Owners John F. Eolimer. e ba :
Hu" . recently sold
Whfte steamer:
he might understand steam, but he is a
complete failure at air brakes, said
Conductor Harry Norris of the hlgh
line train recently, after he had mar
form as the train pulled up to the
depot for the engine yards at Lewis
ton. The conductor was referring TO
Tohn p. Vollmer, the millionaire OF that
city, who had climbed INTO the engine
with Engineer Bill Houghton in the
wards and had explained that he could
make his White steamer automobile
climb a tree, after which he accepted
the engine in pulling the train mile
IN ia the depot. The train kept the
track and kept within speed limits,
but il was at the switches where stops
were made and the air applies that the
new engineer shook up the passenger
list little bit 'Houghton doesn't
drink said Conductor Norris. after he
had plunged from his seat, so there
must be something wrong with the en-
eine." Then he learned that new
engineer was in charge. I repeat,
the conductor remarked, "he might
know something about steam, but he
doesn't know a lllQB dDOUl dn Oil
brake" Mr. NoIlmer had offered to
pull the train up the Cul de Sac hill.
but Engineer Houghton, after the de-
pot was reached, fired him from the
engine and back into the day coach.
Far more strenuous than the work
contestants are called to perform in
:. this years Glid-
of E-M-F,s task of the two
:. Studebaker EMF
80 pilot cars. In
this case they are cars belonging to
class D, and as contestants will be en-
titled to one hour handicap over class
A. the big. high powered contestants.
AS pilot cars, however, they must run
under A schedule, starting two hours
ahead of the caravan each day and ar
rive at the days destination two hours
ahead in the afternoon.
It is said that added interest will be
taken in both the Mount Badly auto
.:. mobile race and
c.rt,s, pvus the Los Angeles
VIII Drive to Phoenix race
,... when the an
nouncement that
Fl. d. Ryus viii enter the events again
is made public. In addition to the win
ner of last year in both the events. the
White this year will probably have
fast field of cOntenders. For the race
over the desert, in addition to those
already entered. the Chadwick, Lozier,
Locomobile and Stearns will make a
class that should make the race even
The San Francisco call., 1909-07-27

a greater event than it is. Entries
for the Mount Baldy race close next
Sunday. although there IS a possibility
that an extension will be made al
though this is not certain.
The San Francisco call., 1909-07-27

Word has been received by A. E
Hunter, local agent for the Mitchell
The San Francisco call., 1909-07-27

If Portland sustains its great win
ming streak against Oakland this
week it surely viii loom up as the
team for san Francisco to beat. Los
Angeles has a chance to make up lost
ground with Vernon. but still, Happy
Hogans men are liable to take brace
and win the series.
The San Francisco call., 1909-07-27

Mark Means, who
motor cars in Idaho,
The San Francisco call., 1909-07-27
Good Work
of Mitchell

Word has been received that there
5 a possibility of another race be-
The San Francisco call., 1909-07-27
Loco and Sfearns
May Race

The many accidents which are con-
stantly before the public, due to a col
The San Francisco call., 1909-07-27
Sheriff Springs
His Auto Trap

city limits, with the result that George
Forderer. a San Francisco iron manu-
facturer, and d. A. Doubleday. a
wealthy resident of Millbrae, fell into
his hands. Both men were released on
depositing $25 cash bail with Justice
James Harmon.
The San Francisco call., 1909-07-27

den tour is the
task of the two
Studebaker EMF
30 pilot cars. In
The San Francisco call., 1909-07-27
Strong Lighting
Law South

REDWOOD CITY, July 26-Sheriff
Robert Chatham's auto speed trap was
The San Francisco call., 1909-07-27

F. H. Torpey. who attends to the
freight interests of the Pennsylvania
line on this coast, has returned from
a much needed vacation. Torpey is
one of the hardest workers on the
coast, and is well known and well liked
by local shipping men as well as by
those in the interior of the state
The San Francisco call., 1909-07-27

tween the Locomo-
bile and Stearns in
Los Angeles. Ar
ticles of agreement
have already heep
The San Francisco call., 1909-07-27

handles the White
writes the follow
ing story about
John 2. Nollmer,
TO whom he has
recently sold a
w J, @ Gfpa m err
The San Francisco call., 1909-07-27

Nd D NIid Z " ILIlUN q Z
an effort to estab-
lish a record for
touring cars, DIR.
@. 2. Bowie driV-
The San Francisco call., 1909-07-27

PHILADELPHIA, July 26-Philadel-
phia punched its hits today ard defeated
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1909-12-16
SYNOPSIS.

Murray Sinclair and his gang of wreck
ers We're called out to clear the railroad
tracks at Smoky Creek. McCloud. a
young road superintendent, caught Sim
clair and his men in the act of loo,ing
the wrecked train. Sinclair pleaded in
nocence, declaring it only amounted to a
ueLscharged the whole outfit and ordered
the wreckage burned. McCloud became
acquainted with Dicksie Dunning, girl
OF the west, who came to look at the
wreck. She gave him a message Cor Sim
clair: Whispering Gordon Smith told
PRESIDENT Bucks of the railroad of Nc
Clouds brave fight against a gang of
eerazed miners and that was the reason
for the superintendent appointment to
MS high office. MeCloud arranged to
board at the boarding house o. Mrs Sim
clair, the ex-foreman's deserted wife.
Dicksie Dunning was the daughter of the
late Richard Dunning, who had died of a
demise, which occurred after one year of
married life. Sinclair visited Marion Sim
Glars shop and fight between him and
McCioud was narrowly averted. Smoky
McCfoud prepared to face the situation.
President Bucks notified Smith that he
days and finally got the division running
In fairly good order Ee overheard Dick
sic criticising his methods, to Marion
Sinclair. A stock train was wrecked by
an open switch. Later passenger train
was held up and the express car robbed.
TWO men of posse pursuing the bandits
were Killed. McCloud was not1hed that
Whispering Smith was to hunt the des-
peradoes. Bill Dancing, a road lineman,
proposed that Sinclair and his gang be
sent to hunt the bandits A stranger, APP
parently with authority, told him to go
ahead Dancing was told the stranger
was Whispering Smith Smith APP
preached Sinclair He tried to buy him
Off but failed. He warned McCloud that
his life was in danger. McCloud was car
red forcibly into Lance Dunnng's pres
ence. Dunning refused the railroad a
right of-way, he had already signed for.
Dicksie interfered to prevent a shooting
ARRAY. Dicksie met McCloud on a lonely
trail to warn him his life was in danger.
On his way home shot passed through
his hat. Whispering Smith reported that
Du Sang, one of Snclair's gang, had been
assigned to kill McCloud. He and Smith
saw Du Sang. Whispering Smith taunt-
ed Du Sang and told him to get out of
Medicine Bend or suffer. Du Sang seemed
to succumb to the bluff. McClouds big
construction job was taken from him be-
cause. of an Injunction issued to Lance
Dunning by the United States court. A
sudden rise of the Crawling Stone river
created CONSERVATION. Dickse and Ma
rion appealed to McCloud for help Whis-
pering Smith joins the group.
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1909-12-16
Dicksie Ordered Horses Saddled and
Rode to the River.

quick you can get your gangs over
here with what sacks they can carry
and walk fast. II you will put your
men on horses, Mr.. Dunning, they can
help like everything. That bank
won't last great while the way the
river Is getting under 1t now" Dam
cling wheeled like an elephant on his
bronco and clattered away through the
mud. Lance Dunning, recovering from
his surprise. started his men back for
the wagons, and McCloud, dismount-
ing. walked with him to the waters
edge to plan the fight for what was
left of the strip in front Of the alfalfa
fields.
When Whispering Smith got back
to the house he was in good humor.
He Joined Dicksie and Marion in the
dining room. where they were drink
ing coffee. Afterward Dicksie ordered
horses saddled and the three rode to
the river. Up and down the bank as
far as they could see in the misty
rain, men were moving slowly about
-mWe men, 1t seemed to Dicksie,
than she had ever seen together In
her life. The confusion and the noise
had disappeared. No one appeared to
hurry, but every one had something
to do, and, from the gangs who with
sledges. were sinking "dead-men"
among the trees to hold the cables Of
the mattress that was about to be
sunk, and the Japs who were diligent-
ly preparing to float and load 1t, to
the men that were filling and wheel
ing the sandbags, no one appeared ex-
cited. McCloud joined the visitors for
a few moments. and then went back
to where Dancing and his men on life
lines were guiding the mattress to it's
resting place. In spite OF the gloom
OF the rain. which Whispering Smith
said was breaking, Dicksie rode back
to the house in much better spirits
with her two guests; and when they
came from luncheon the sun, as Smith
had predicted, was shining.
"Oh, come QUIT" cried Dicksie. at
the door. Marion had a letter to write
and went upstairs, but Whispering
Smith followed Dicksie Does every
thing you say come true?" she de-
manded as she stood in the sunshine.
She was demnre with light-hearted-
ness and he looked at her approving
ly. II hope nothing | may say ever
will come true unless II makes you
happy" he answered, lightly. 1T would
be shame If it did anything else"
She pointed two accusing fingers at
him. do you know what you prom
ised last night? You have forgotten
already! You said you would tell me
why my leghorns are eating their
feathers off,
(To BE coNTINuED.)
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1909-12-16

now" he answered as he offered her
his box with a smile.
Are you taking your hat off for me
in the rain? Put it on again." she in
sisted with little tone of command
and she was conscious of qualification
when he obeyed amiably.
Il won't take your box unless you
can find another" she said "Oh, you
have another! l came out to tell you
what a dreadful man | thought you
were, and to apologize"
Never mind apologizing. Lots OF
people think worse than that of me
and don't apologize. I'm sorry | have
no shelter to offer you, except to sit
on this side and take the rain
Why should you take the rain for
me?"
You are woman"
But a stranger to YOU"
Only in way"
D1cksie gazed for a moment at the
fire. You won't think me abrupt, will
your" she said, turning to him. but,
as truly as | live, | cannot account for
you, Mr.. Smith. l guess at the ranch
we don't know what goes on in the
world. Everything i see of you con-
tradicts everything l have heard of
you"
You haven't seen much of me yet.
you know, and you may have heard
much better accounts of me than /
deserve. Still, it isn't surprising you
can't account for me; in fact, it would
be surprising if you could. Nobody
pretends to do that. You must not be
shocked if | can't even account for
myself. Do you know what a derelict
is? A ship that has been abandoned
but never wholly sinks"
please don't make fun of me. How
did you happen to come into the
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1909-12-16

the bag. What do you think? That
man who is now president OF this road
nae somewhere seen highly-colored
story about me in a magazine, a ten
cent magazine, you know. He had
spotted me the first time | walked into
his office, and told me a long time
afterward it was just like seeing a
man walk out of book, and that he
had hard work to keep from falling on
my neck. He knew what he wanted
me for: it was just this thing. l left
Chicago to get away from it, and this
is the result 1t Is not all that kind of
thing, oh. no. When they want to
cross reservation | have winter in
Washington with our attorneys and
dine with old friends in the White
House, and the next winter | may be
on snowshoes chasing band of
rustlers. / swore long ago | would do
no more of it--that l couldn't and
wouldn't. But it is Bucks | can't go
back on him. He si amiable and
am soft. He says he is going to have
crown and harp for me some day,
but | fancy-that is, have an intima-
tion-that there will be a red-hot pro-
test at the bar of heaven" he lowered
his tone, from certain unmention-
able quarter when / undertake to put
the vestments on BY the way, /
hear you are interested in chickens.
Oh, yes, I've heard lot about you!
Bob Johnson, over at Oroville, has
some pretty bantams | want to tell
you about"
Whether he talked railroad or chick
ems, 1T was all one; Dicksie sat spell.
bound; and when he announced it
was half-past three o'clock and time
to rouse Marion she was amazed
Dawn showed in the east. The men
eating breakfast in tents were to be
sent on a work-train up piece of Y
track that led as near as they could
be taken to where they were needed.
The train had pulled out when Dick
sic, Marion. McCloud and Whispering
Smith took horses to get across to
the hills and through TO the ranch
house.
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1909-12-16

humor. That is a ridiculous accident.
and it all came about when | lived in
Chicago. Do you know anything about
the Internal climate there? Well, in
Chicago ] used to lose my voice when
ever | caught a cold-sometimes for
weeks together. So they began call
ing me Whispering Smith, and I've
never been able to shake the name.
Odd, isn't it? But | came out to go
into the real estate business. | was
looking for some gold-bearing farm
lands where l could raise quartz, don't
You know, and such things-yes. |
don't mind telling you this, though /
wouldn't tell it to everybody"
Certainly not" assented Dicksie,
drawing her skirt around to sit in
closer confidence.
81 wanted to get rich quick" muir
INJURED Whispering Smith, conf
dentially.
almost criminal, wasn't it,"
81 wanted to have evening clothes"
yes"
"And for once in my life two pairs
of suspenders-a modest ambition, but
a gnawing one. Would you believe it?
Before left Bucks Office he had hired
ME for railroad man. When he asked
me what l could do, and | admitted a
little experience in handling real es-
tate, he brought his fist down on the
table and swore l should be his right
of-way man"
How about the mining?"
Whispering Smith waved his hand
in something of the proud manner in
which Bucks could wave his presi-
Dental hand. MY business, Bucks
said need not interfere with that, not
in the least; he said that l could do
all the mining / wanted to, and /
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1909-12-16

have done all the mining | wanted to.
But here is the singular thing that
happened: | opened up my Office and
had nothing to do; they didn't seem to
want any right of way just then. /
kept getting my check every month,
and wasn't doing hands turn but rid
ing over the country and shooting
jack-rabbits. But, Lord, / love this
country. Did you know / used to be
a cowboy in the mountains years ago?
Indeed did. | know it almost as well
as you do. ] mined more or less in
the meantime. Occasionally l would
go to Bucks--you say you don't know
him too bad!-and tell him, candid
ly | wasn't doing a thing to earn my
salary At such times he would only
ask me how ! liked the job" and
Whispering Smiths heavy eyebrows
rose in mild surprise at the recollec-
ton. One day when | was talking
with him he handed me a telegram
from the desert saying that night
operator at lonely station had been
shot and a switch misplaced and a
train nearly wrecked. He asked me
what | thought of it, / discovered
that the poor fellow had shot himself,
and in the end we had to put him in
the insane asylum to save him from
the penitentiary-but that was where
my trouble began.
1T ended in my having to organize
the special service on the whole road
to look after thousand and one
things that nobody else had-well, let
us say time or inclination to look aft
er: Fraud and theft and violence and
all that sort of disagreeable thing.
Then one day the cat crawled out of
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1909-12-16

ing all the teams you can at that end
of the work."
Every man that can be spared
from the river shall go at it. Come
over here and look at our work and
judge for yourself"
They rode to where the forces as
sembled by Lance were throwing up
embankments and riprapping. There
was hurried running to and fro, vio-
lent dragging about of willows, and a
good deal of shouting.
Dunning, with some excitement,
watched McCloud's face to note the
effect of the activity on him, but Nc
Clouds expression, naturally reserved.
reflected nothing of his views on the
subject. Dunning waved his hand at
the lively scene. They've been at 1t
all night. How many would you take
away, sir?"
You might take them all away, as
far as the river is concerned" said
McCloud, after moment.
What? He'll! All?"
They are not doing anything, are
they, but running around in circle?
And those fellows over there might as
well be making mud pies as riprap-
ping at that point. What we need
there is mattress and sandbags-
and plenty of them. BILL" directed
McCloud in an even tone of business
as he turned to Dancing. see how
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1909-12-16
CHAPTER XIX.
A Talk with Whispering Smith.

din Witt whispering Smitn.
When Whispering Smith had fol-
lowed McCloud from the tent, Dicksie
turned to Marion and caught her hand
''ls this the terrible man | have heard
about ?" she murmured And /
thought him ferocious. But is he as
pitiless as they say, Marion?"
Marion laughed--a troubled little
laugh of surprise and sadness. Dear,
he isn't pitiless at all. He has I'M
pleasant things to do, and does them.
He is the man on whom the railroad
relies to repress the lawlessness that
and interfereS with the operating of
the road. 1t frightens people away,
and prevents others from coming in
to settle. Railroads want law and
order. Robbery and murders don't
make business for railroads. They de-
pend on settlers for developing a
country, don't you know; otherwise
they would have no traffic, not to
speak of wanting their trains and men
let alone. When Mr.. Bucks under
took to open up this country to set
tiers, he needed a man of patience
and endurance and with courage and
skill in dealing with lawless men, and
no man has ever succeeded so we'll as
this terrible man you have heard
about. lie is terrible. my dear, to law.
less men, not to any one else He is
terrible in resource and in daring but
not In anything else know of. and |
knew him when he was a boy and
wore a pink worsted scarf when he
went skating"
II should like to have seen that
scarf" said Dicksie. refectively. She
rose and looked around the tent. In
few minutes she made Marion lie
down on one of the cots Then she
walked to the front of the tent, opened
the flap, and looked out
Whispering Smith was sitting be-
fore the fire. Rain was falling. but
Dicksie put on her close-fitting black
coat, raised the door-fap, and walked
noiselessly from the tent and up be-
hind him. "Alone in the rain?" she
asked.
She had expected to see him start
at her voice, but he did not, though
he rose and turned around. "Not
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1909-12-16

mountains? l do want to understand
things better"
Why, you are in real earnest,
aren't you? But | am not making fun
of you. Do you know President Bucks i?
No? Too bad! He's very handsome
old bachelor And he is one of those
men who get all sorts of men to do
all sorts of things for them. You
know, building and operating railroads
in this part of the country is no joke.
The mountains are filled with men
that don't care for God, man, or the
devil. Sometimes they furnish their
own ammunition to fight with and
don't bother the railroad for years; at
such times the railroad leaves them
alone. For my part, never quarrel
with a man that doesn't quarrel with
the road. Then comes a time when
they get after us, shooting our men or
fooO NJ our agents or stopping our
trains. OF course we have TO get
busy then. A few years ago they wor.
ried Bucks till they nearly turned his
hair Sray. At that unfortunate time
| happened into his Office with a letter
of Introduction from his closest Chi
cago friend, Willis Howard. prince of
good men. the man that made the
Palmer house famous-yes. Now ]
had come out here, Miss Dunning-I
almost said Miss Dicksie, because 1
hear it so much"
Il should be greatly set up to hear
you call me Dicksie. And have won.
dered thousand times about your
name. Dare | ask--why do they call
you Whispering Smith? You don't
whisper"
He laughed with abundance of good
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1909-12-16

the river tonight. It's sort of CON
tinuous performance, you know" Nc
Cloud looked at Dicksie. Take of
your coat, won't you, please?"
Whispering Smith was trying to
drag chest from the foot of the cot
and Marion stood watching. What
are you trying to do?"
Get this over to the table for a
seat"
SILLY man! why don't you move the
table,"
Dicksie was taking off her coat.
How inviting it all isl" she smiled
And this is where you stay?"
When it rains" answered McCloud
Let me have your hat, too
MY hair is a aight, l know. We
rode over rocks and sp gullies into the
brush"
And through lakes-oh, l know. |
cant conceive how you ever got here
at all. Your hair is all right This is
camp, anyway. But if you want a
glass you can have one Knisely is a
great swell; he's just from school, and
has no end of things. I'll rob his bag -
Don't disturb Mr.. Knisely's bag for
the world"
But you are not taking off your hat.
You seem to have something on your
mind"
Help me to get it off my mind, will
you, please?"
If you will let me-"
Tell me how to thank you for your
generosity. | came all the way over
here tonight to ask you for just the
help you have offered, and | could not
1t stuck in my throat But that
me what you thought when l acted so
dreadfully at Maron's.'
Il didn't deserve anything better
after placing myself in such a fool
position. Why don't you ask me what
l thought the day you acted so beau
tifully at Crawling Stone ranch? l
thought that the finest thing | ever
saw"
You were not to blame at Mari
on's."
Il seemed to be, which is just as
bad. | am going to start the phones
going. It's up to me to make good,
you know, in about four hours with a
lot OF men and material. Aren't you
going to take off your hat?-and your
gloves are soaking wet"
A voice called the superintendent
name through the tent door. Mr.. Nc
Cloud?"
What is it, Bill?"
"Twenty-eight and nine-tenths on
the gauge. SIR
McCloud looked at his companions.
Il told you So Up three-tenths. Thank
you. Bill; I'll be with you in a minute
Tell Cherry to come and take away
the supper things, will you? That is
about all the water we shall get to-
night | think. It's all we want"
added McCloud, glancing at his watch
I'm going to take a look at the river.
We shall be quiet now around here I'M
til half-past three, and If you, Marion,
and Miss Dunning will take the tent,
you can have two hours rest before
We start. Bill Dancing will guard
you against intrusion, and if you want
ice water ring twice."