davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Los Angeles herald., 1909-12-20
BRILLIANT PROMISES END
IN POLICE COURT RECORDS

only few short years ago the Har-
ris family were looked up to and re-
specteG by all with whom they came in
contact. viii A. Harris was lawyer
in the best of repute. his clients were
numerous and he himself was in re-
ceipt of a handsome income.
The sons, Lamar and Leslie, were all
that could be expected as the Off
spring OF such a brilliant parent and
gave every promise OF emulating their
father. Lamar passed his examina-
tiOns for the bar, and was soon a valu-
able addition to his fathers staff.
Leslie attended Mount Tamalpais
academy and there distinguished him
self for his scholastic attainments.
After his graduation he returned to
Los Angeles, and a short time later
married Gertrude, only daughter OF
Abner l.. Ross the wealthy owner of
the Rosslyn hotel and other properties
With the death of the elder Harris
came the change in is sons. or one of
them, at least. With the few thousand
dollars left by his father Leslie began
to patroniZe the white lights and night
life in all its deceptive brilliance
Night after night he was seen at cafes
with parties of friends, and when the
closing hour for the downtown places
came he rented high-powered machines
and adjourned to the roadhouses.
All these things took money, and
soon Leslie was accused of giving his
friends checks for which no funds were
on deposit in the bank to meet them.
All this time Lamar Harris was at
tending strictly to the business left
by his father, and as fast as COM
plants against Leslie came in he set
tied them.
Then another change transpired.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-12-20
WILLARD NJ KNIGHT,
LOCAL MAIL CLERK,
ON HIS SECOND TRIP

The case of William NJ Knight, in
red in the wreck of the Golden State
Limited, was peculiarly pathetic. For
four years or more Knight was a con-
ductor for the Pacific Electric and Los
Angeles luterurhau systems. Most of
that time he operated on tine NonroVia
and Glendale lines
He took the examinations and quail
fled as railroad mail clerk ana the
trip on which he received What may
prove to be fatal injuries was only his
second out. His ham. is at 689 Ruth
avenue, this city, and as soon ae she
was notified Of the wreck his wife and
child left this city f.r Iur-ou
Knight is "a nephew of Jc-se
Knight Of 59l North orange Grove
avenue, Pasadena, and had tine rapu-
tatiOn of being one of The most COM
petent and most popular employees of
the Pacific Electric system.
"They didn't make 'cm any better"
said the Pacific Electric official i'm
charge at the superintendent Office
last night when hc was told of
knights injuries. He was with us
long enough for us to know, and he
was all right"
Los Angeles herald., 1909-12-20
MANY ACCIDENTS
HAPPEN AT PARK
Continued from Page One,

dirt track. was the last man at the
line, and received a thunderous vel
come back to the racing game.
But that was all the glory that was
coming to Paul I'm this event, for his
arch enemy De Roster rode like a
fiend. Derkum chasing him at break
neck speed. Unfortunately for Paul,
on the backstretch he struck hole,
bounding into the air fully three feet.
This cost Derkum valuable seconds,
which permitted the willy FrenChman
to sneak a goodly portion of the track
on the local lad which he never again
recovered, De Roster crossing the final
line in 9:23 2-5. with Derkum at his
heels second and Mitchell third.
Derkum at this point made n per
sonal and verbal protest against
awarding the race to the Irenchman
upon the grounds ,hat De Roster had
fouled him at the three-quarter pole,
having applied his brakes ahead Of
him but this was disprOved promptly
by De Roster calling for the referee to
examine his machine, when it would
be found that his machine had no
brake whatever. Fifty-fiye fiat was
the best mile made in the event. slower
by threc-ffths than one made by
young Graves.
Graves took the three-muo event for
five horse power machines, Beuneman
second, and Barnard third.
1t was Graves again i'm the ten-mile
free for all. with a score of 9:35, and
Shafer at his rear wheel at the finish.
Then came an Interpolation m the
program in the shape Of a novel race
with two entries 1t was slow race
for fifty yards, which was won by W.
ID. Carter in minutes and 80 seconds.
Excitement was at this point again
wrought up to high pitch by another
showing of professionals on the track
this time a five-mile event for those
with amateur rubbed from their pro-
gram entries, and again with Mitchell
Whittier Derkum and De Roster as
the battlers for the championship. An
attempt had been made by Starter
Adair to make a rolling start but
after three attempts, and having
found it impossible to get the con-
testants punched at the pole, he or
dcred them to the tape properly 10
make a standing start, which, Of
course, accounts in part for the slower
time than usual for such an event.
But when it is considered that the
mark for the first mile is recorded Of
trially as 1:02, they were doing some
riding the first mile, with all the use
OF legs getting away at the start.
1t took but "a minute to make two
races out of it, with De Roster and
Derllum battling for supremacy in the
lead and Mitchell and Whittier an
other road scrap by themselves. The
riding between the local boy and De
Roster was fierce. They plunged round
those corners like demons, kicking up
fully as much dust as the four wheeled
cars that do turns on the same track.
Both hung to the fifty-nve-se clip
Los Angeles herald., 1909-12-20
FRAUD INFORMER
MAY Get CLAIM
LOEB APPROVES OF PAYMENT
TO DEPUTY COLLECTOR
Man Who Stirred Up Scandals Which
Involved Sugar Trust Probably
Will Become Wealthy
as Result

NEW YORK, Dec 19.-William Loeb,
jr.. collector of the port Of New York,
has approved the claim TO moiety by
Richard Parr, deputy collector, and
original informer in the sugar frauds,
on the 81 1856 4S6 paid into the United
States treasury by the American sugar
Refining company as restitution Tor
duties evaded by underweighing.
According to the statutes regulating
such awards, Parr will receive mot
exceeding in amount one-half Of the
net proceeds" which will mean in this
case, if the claim is approved by the
treasury department. approximately
81 900 900.
Mr.. Loeb approved the claim only
after "a thorough investigation by Har-
rison Osborn, solicitor Of the customs
He held the claim was valid in that
Parr, November 20. 1907 detected Il
steel spring used by the company $
checkers, to influence the weight Of
draughts of sngar adversely. This laid
bare the scheme to defraud and it was
due to evidence obtained as the con-
sequence of the events of November 20
that the jury in the civil suit against
the company last spring gave a verdict
of guilty, which was followed by the
payment of the penalty, $135, ,4S6, and
the restitution of S2000,000.
Mr.. Loeb could not be seen tonight.
1t was said at his house that he had
retired early.
Parr is not the only claimant for the
award. He has a serious rival in Ed
ward l. Anderson, another customs
employe, but the inference is that Parr
will win for the treasury department
has ratified practically every move of
Mr.. Loeb in the sugar scandals.
There is some conflict Of statutes
concerning payments of this character
but is it said that i'm any event Parr
will receive 30 per cent of the amount
named, or approximately 100000. Parr
tonight confirmed the report that Mr..
Osborn has acted favOrbaly on his
claim and that Mr.. Loeb had ratified
the decision.
81 do not know exactly how much l
viii receive" said Parr. "In oXcep-
tional cases the government awards 80
per cent, but more usually 80 or 30 per
cent All the other claims were before
the solicitor but the fact that mine was
upheld speaks for Itself"
1t was largely on PARIS evidence as
the discoverer OF steel springs that five
other employees OF the American Sugar
Refining company were convicted last
week At present he has charge Of the
weighing department of the customs
service here
Los Angeles herald., 1909-12-20
HARRIS ARRESTED
FOR BOLD ROBBERY
CcontInued from Page One,

with the youth than the latter dropped
several gold pieces i'm Quinns hand
and said: "That will make it about
even. l am going to beat it," and
ran out of the room. Quinn found the
officers who were searching on the
fourth floor and informed them what
had happened. They made a search
for the young thief but were unable
10 find him. Later they learned his
name, which they refused to divulge
and are looking for him.
Find More Money
The officers. after searching the
fourth floor. entered the mems toilet,
where they found spas hidden in the
cuspidor. Later Patrolman Parker
made a further search of the lavatory
on the second floor and found a single
dollar which had been hidden where
the $l05 was found, making the total
amount accounted for s643. OF this
amount MacFarland had $50, having
remembered he had taken that much
out of the safe before closing the store
for the night. This leaves S275 that is
missing, which evidently is in possess
sion of the young fellow for whom the
detectives are searching.
MacFarland stated Harris entered
the store late Saturday night and
stood around and discussed business.
He came in while | was making out
my daily reports and asked me if busi-
ness was good" said MacFarland.
He continued discussing the matter
and finally asked me how the busi-
ness of the day compared with the
business of the same date last wear.
In that manner he learned approx
mately Just what money had on hand
in the safe.
Il had no reason TO mistrust him,
for he had been employed as a clerk in
the store, but resigned his position
about two months ago and went to san
Francisco Hetold me he had been
looking after some mining business i'm
the north and just returned to Los
Angeles Saturday"
When seen at his cell i'm the city Jail
Harris declared there We're two sides
to the story, and declared he was not
ready to make a statement until Mon
day. He did not mention his older
brother Lamar, who had a tragic end
ing in a suburb of Chicago, but stated
his wife and baby would suffer for
anything he had DONE He also mem
toned the fact that his aged mother
has not quite recovered from the shock
due to the circumstances connected
with the death Of Lamar.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-12-20
LIMlTES DERAILED
MAKING CURVE
CContioued from Page one,

crushed. Tho injured We're nearly all
in the tourist sleepers and the mail
car.
There was difficulty in getting two
Of the injured mail clerks out Of their
car Prompt work on the part of the
train crew prevented fire treakiug out
i'm the NrocEaPe. The injured We're
taken i'm a relief train to Benson and
later brought to Tucson.
Engineer Walker. who was killed to-
day, met with "a similar accident at
the same curve three years ago, when
he was seriously injured in exactly
the same Way by his engine topping
over when it struck the curve while
going at high speed.
Following the accident the uninjured
and slightly hurt among the passen-
gers were taken to Benson, and con-
tinued on their journey in a new train
which was made up.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-12-20
.LEOPOLD'S BODY
RESTS IN STATE
MANY PAY HOMAGE TO DEAD
SOVEREIGN
PRIESTS CHANT "MISERERE" AND
NUNS TELL ROSARY
Guards Stand Silently by Catafalque,
Forming Impressive Scene, While
Newspaper Denounces Dead
Ruler for Despotism
Associated Pressl

ASSOCIATED press
BRUSSELS. Dec. 19.-The body OF
King Leopold lay in state in the royal
palace today while guards filed silently
before the catafalque and paid homage
to their late sovereign.
IN the presence of Prince Albert and
officers and dignitaries OF the court and
government the coffin had been borne
to the mOrtuary chamber while priests
chanted the "AIiserere" and a process
sion of nuns told the rosary for the
dead.
Passing through the garden and
CourtWay up the broad marble stair
case and across the vast reception hall
those who had come to the palace
found themselves i'm room Of state,
the draperies of which were black with
silver fringe.
The room was bright with the glare
of electric globes and the soft glow of
hundreds of candles.
The mahogany caskct i'm which the
king lay was half drapcd with the
colors of the old Grenadier regiment
and surmounted by his daughters floral
wreaths. II was guarded on either side
by three officers i'm uniform glittering
with gold and with swords raised TO
the royal salute.
Against the walls and between the
tan palms other officers held the stand
ards of the kingdom. In front of the
coffin were kneeling nuns and priests
For three hours people passed through
the palace. witnesses of the impressive
scene.
Pastoral Issued
The Belgian episcopate today issued
a pastoral eulogizing King Leopold as
the apostle of the peace of justice, the
glorifier of the Catholic faith and the
promoter Of Christian civilization
through the founding and development
of the Congo Independent State.
on the other hand the general So
cialist organ has issued n proclamation
in favor Of a republic and condemning
Leopold for imposing upon the country
the costly burden of the Congo. The
proclamation adds that the Socialists
decline TO swear allegiance to Albert,
who as monarch is bound to represent
the oppression Of those who labor, by
those who fatten on the fruits Of their
labor"
Princess Louise. who has begun a
legal battle for the estates of King Leo
pold and of Baroness Vaughan, has
not arrived. 1t is said that new COM
plications have arisen which will result
in her refusal TO come to Belgium alone.
Count Lonyay, husband Of Princess
Stephenie, is here.
The Soir publishes a dispatch from
Rome stating that II is confirmed at
the Vatican that King Leopold and
Paroncss Vaughan were married both
by a civil ceremony and religious
ceremony at San Reno, and that the
king pardoned his daughters, otherwise
he could not have been absolyed.
According to newspapers, former En-
press Charlotte, widow Of the late Max
imilian of Mexico, has not been in
formed Of her brother LeOpOld's death.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-12-20

TT is believed with the ascension
of Prince Albert of Flanders to
the throne of Belgium there will
be an end to the misconduct Of affairs
in the Congo Free State, which las
aroused the criticism of humantar-
ians all over the world. Albert is re-
garded as a humane man, and the fu-
ture queen of the Begians is said to
be a woman of the highest humani-
tartan principles. Prince Albert takes
deep interest in the affairs of his SUBJ
jects and is responsible already for
many reforms. He is one of the most
democratic royaists in Europe. One
of the accompanying pictures is
snapshot of the prince in a miners
attire after having made an inspection
of mine. The laws of Belgium for
the safeguarding of minres are very
rigid, and the prince makes frequent
inspections to see that the workmen
Los Angeles herald., 1909-12-20

so closely that 1t was even money
which would come across the tape
first. Derkum fercely followed the
Frenchman, who was riding fiat on his
car frame, patting her on the back for
all she would take, but do what he
could the Frenchman kept the Dare
Devil to his rear.
on the very last lap Of the course
and when just coming into the home
stretch, with all eyes on the racers, De
Roster was seen to fly into the air. his
car running away from beneath him,
and i'm an instant Derkum flew into
the air fully twenty feet. his car
whirllng fully as high, Derkum land
ing twenty-five feet away, sliding clear
across the track and out through and
below the fence.
Hundreds rushed to the scene of the
accident to find both men mashed to a
pulp. The sturdy and nervy French
man, however. was on his feet smil-
ing as usual, his fingers cut and right
arm bruised. Derkum had not Jared
so easily, for he was picked up un-
conscious. his head cut slightly. Res
toratives brought the nerVy lad to in
moment or so, when he was found to
have no broken bones. He complained
of internal pain, but these did not deter
of Intervals pains, but these did not
deter him from making his appearance
before the grandstand, where he re-
Ceiyed an ovation, as did De Roster,
who was carried on the shoulders of
his admirers. After his wounds were
dressed by the track surgeons, De
Roster announced to Manager Hempel
that he would give an exhibition mile
at the close of the program, that would
show his ability to go at any time. The
result was a mile in fifty-eight seconds.
Mile a Minute
The half hour race proved interest
ing. with a new light in the events Of
the day as the winner. Shafer rung
up thirty miles for his thirty minutes
with Ward as the second and Bake the
third man.
It may be truthfully said that if
motorcycle events are to be pulled of
in this city they will have to be on the
order of yesterday which was a glad
departure from the kindergarten meth
DDS which have prevailed at these
events, firing out the patience of the
public and disgusting those who pay
their money to. witness evidences of
skill and of speed in the machines
driven.
DELAYS TO machines appearing
promptly ON the track are wholly un-
necessary. as was demonstrated yes
tcrdaV. No sooner was race COM
pleted than the next event was called
and nut through There was no loaf
ing upon the part of riders, nor was
there a crowd Of unnecessary persons
who manage to keep themselves in the
way. permitted to congregate about the
machines or pits and tell all they know
about motorcycles and racing, when
they might engage a hall somewhere
for the purpose and invite their
friends.
Much of the credit for the expedi-
tious handling of the affair was due to
the excellent work of Referee Gates,
who was clear in his Instructions to
the men, His decisions we're never
questioned. All i'm all the Los Angeles
Motorcycle club is to be congratulated
upon being able to pull off an event
that satisfied so splendid an audience
ass was present at the contests Of yes
terday.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-12-20
TELEGRAPHERS VOTE
IN FAVOR OF STRIKE
BID Four Employees Nearly Unani-
mously Indicate Their Views
Through Referendum

CINCINNATI Dec 19.-With the
referendum vote of telegraphers in the
employ Of the Big -Four railroad COM
pany completed tonight, j. J. Darmody,
fourth vice president of the order of
Railway photographers, announced that
9S per cent Of the members have voted
in favor of a strike
Mr.. Darmudy said that while the
vote was practically unanimous, the
result did not necessarily mean there
would be a strike. lie admitted there
was little probability Of future con-
ferences with officials of the Big Four
who have definitely rejected the de-
mands. but said the question of a
strike was now up to the committee Of
seven who, with the national body OF
the union, will settle the matter
About 1000 men are involved.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-12-20
ROOSEVELT PARTY
EXPECTS BIG TIME
WHILE AT KISUMA
IDEAL HUNTING GROUNDS AT
PORT FLORENCE
Extraordinary Mixture of Races Will
Welcome Former President of
United States-TWo Curses
Threaten Them

KISUMA, British East Africa, Nov.
17.-Kisuma, or Port Florence, where
Colonel Roosevelt and his party are to
sojourn at least a day. is situated on
the shores of Victoria Nyanza lake at
the end of Kavirondo gulf, $500 feet
above sea level Kisuma possesses q
drydock, the altitude Of which is the
highest in the world.
As the train nears its destination the
wonderful beauties of the huge inland
sea are disclosed. The water stretches
for forty miles to the mouth of the
Kavirondo gulf, and on all sides are
huge mountains.
An extraordinary mixture Of races
will be here to welcome the Roosevelt
party-EurOpeans in smart ducks; In
dians, Goanese, Eurasia, half-breeds,
Europeans and Indians; Swahalis,
Arabs, Nandi, Lumbwa, Kavirondo anl
Wakambau.
The arrival of the train is a tri-
weekly event of great Importance and
the passengers it will carry on this par
ticular occasion make 1t doubly so.
There are two curses in Kisuma, the
sleeping sickness and intermittent out
breaks of bubonic plague. Europeans
seem to be immune, as, so far, there
| have been no reports of Europeans suf-
fering from either disease at this
place.
The native market is an ever present
source of interest to the traveller and ii
Is a wonderfully sight to see the hun
dreds of naked men and women en-
gagged i'm ardent barter. The food
stuffs are not alawys of the best, and
at times the odors are almost unbear-
| able.
Area Is Diminutive
The Kisii country is only fourteen by
ten miles i'm extent and forms part of
the vast Kisumu province. This small
area was little known until after a
punitive force had been sent IN here in
January, 1908, to settle with the natives
for an attack made on the district COM
missioner when out tax collecting.
The country is densely populated by
q tribe which appears to be an offshoOt
of the Nasal race, interbred with the
KavirOndo tribes. They are fierce and
practically unciViliZed
IN 1905 the government sent an armed
patrol of $50 kings African rifles
through the country under the COM
mand of Major General Atkins Be
fore that time the Kisii had hardly
seen a white man.
They attacked the patrol in camp and
charged right up to the Zareba With
reckless daring, despite the terrific
fire from the troops. Scores Of the ma
tives fell and the patrol was permitted
to finish its survey of the country.
Numerous attacks have been made
in this region upon British officials.
Last year one, ACCOMPANIED by six
armed police, was speared by a war
rier. who was hiding behind a bush
Later it was learned that a witch
doctor had ordered the native to spear
the official, as she wanted to see the
last of the white men in her district.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-12-20

kline bank at Highland Park. Ills, on
October 13 and committed suicide in a
shed to which he had been driven by
the police and citizens after attempt
ing to escape in an automobile. Harris
has been living in Il fashionable hotel
and entertaining actresses and chorus
girls at lavish dinner parties.
Formerly he had practiced law in
Los Angeles. His robbery of the High
land Park bank, to which he sped in
an automobile borrowed from mining
promoter whose, acquaintance he had
made the night before at an Evanston
hotel, following dinner party given
to a well-known actress then playil lg
in Chicago.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-12-20
TWO MEN ARE KILLED
IN WRECK OF TRAINS

ST. PAUL, Mimi, Dec. 19.-Mest-
bound passenger train No. oh the
Minnesota and Iowa division of the
Chicago, ST. Paul, Minneapolis &,
Omaha, which left ST. Paul at 1d a. m.
today, collided with a freight train at
Blakely, Mimi, about noon.
Fireman Joe Zinnell and Mail Clerk
f. Torgerson, both of ST. Paul, were
killed. None of the passengers was in
jured seriously
Los Angeles herald., 1909-12-20
Encamnment Date Set

CHICAGO, Dec. 19.-Samuel r. Van
SAINT, commander in chief of the Grand
Army Of the Republic, announced that
the executive committee today set
September Il to "a as the time for the
next national encampment of the Grand
Army, which will be held at Atlantic
CitN Y /
Los Angeles herald., 1909-12-20
Hamilton Makes Elinht

ST. JOSEPH, Mo, Dec. 19.-Charlos
J. Hamilton, who has just concluded
a series of flights in his Curtiss BIZ
plane here, today made a fight of 12
minutes in which he covered approXi-
mately eleven miles.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-12-20
President Faces Wind

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19.-Facing a
sharp wind, President Taft, without a
companion, spent more than two hours
this afternoon in walking through
marks south of the White House.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-12-20
Five Killed in EXPLOSION

NAPLES, Dec. IA mandatory
of explosives exploded today near Ca
serta five persons being killed and
five injured.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-12-20
LAMAR HARRIS ROBBED
HIGHLAND PARK BANK

CHICAGO. Dec. 19.-Lamar Harris,
brother Of Leslie, who robbed the Frs