davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Prescott daily news., 1910-08-10
COMMITTEE OF INVESTIGATION HEARS OF INSPIRATION OF
 WASHINGTON TELEGRAMs.
TESTIMONY OF OPERATOR
Tells of Message Sent by Attorney to Son-in-Law of Chef-Gore Ex- onerates Vice-President and
 Senator Curtis.

McAlester. Okla, Aug. 1O.-The con- gressional committee, probing the charges of bribery brought by Sena- tor Thomas P. Gore, learned that the telegrams, which poured into Wash ington last May, urging the approval of the McMurray contracts, calling for a $30, 100000 sale of Indian lands, were prompted by J. F. McMurray, who would have received $3000,0 ,0O0 in com missions had his contracts been ap- proved.
 A. L. Watson, telegraph operator at Kinta. Okla, was called to the stand and produced telegrams that passed through the Kinta office, show ing that McMurray wired George Scott to induce the Choctaws to send such messages.
 Curtis and Sherman Again Mentioned.
 The names of Senator Charles Cur tis, of Kansas, and Vice-President sherman were again mentioned dur ing the hearing when telegram to Richard c. Adams, Washington. from George Scott, was read Senator Gore immediately explained that he wanted it understood that he was not trying to drag the names of Curtis and sherman in the matter and exon- erated them of any connection with the case.
 T have produced this telegram" he said, merely to explain how influence was sought in Washington by men, who, in private correspondence, men, toned the names of Sherman and Curtis.~
 After Senator Gore made his state ment regarding not trying to drag Sherman and Curtis into the case, Dennis T. Flynn, attorney for McMur- ray, asked:
 Do I understand Gore exonerates Vice-President Sherman and Curtis?"
 T think the records have shown 1 stated that" said Gore. "It has been shown their names were taken in vain once and 1t may have occurred again.
 Telesrams to Influence Congress.
 Many witnesses testified they had been asked by George Scott, mer- chant of Kinta, and son-in-law of Chief Green McCurtain of the Choctaws, to send such telegrams. The committee endeavored to draw out of the wit nesses that the purpose of the tele- grams was to influence congress and the president to approve the McMur- ray contracts.
 S. NJ. Mackey, who signed one of the telegrams, has lived in the Choctaw nation fifty-six years and he testified that so per cent of the Choctaws and 9S per cent of the Chickasaws signed McMurray contracts, although the Choctaw council had passed resolu- tions disappearing them and Chief McCurtain had sent out letters urging his people not to sign up
 The testimony showed it was the bird in the hand" theory which led the Indians to agree to pay McMur- ray 10 per cent commission if he would get settlement for them. There had been great delay and they believed McMurray could get their money quickly.
The Prescott daily news., 1910-08-10

the suprlus of receipts over expendi- lures, which Is nearly fifteen millions of dollars greater than was recorded for the previous record year of 1907. The total ordinary receipts for the year ending August 6, 1910, were s6TS,- S50,S16.
 The enormous gain in revenue un- der the Payns-Aldrich law is shown by the statement that, with the year of 1907 omitted, the revenue received under the new law was greater by $75 100000 than the sum received in any other year.
 The receipts under the new corpora tions tax were only s207,0O short of the amount assessed.
The Prescott daily news., 1910-08-10
MONEY DOUBLER GETS $65
Victim Says Wizard Told Him to Close His Eyes and Then
 Fled With Coin.

Cleveland. Aug. 10.-John Milan Of Cleveland, a passenger on steamer that arrived from Detroit, told the po- lice he met a man on the boat who told him he could hold money in his hands and double it in ten seconds.
 'I gave him $65 in bills, all had" said Milan, "and he told me to close my eyes and count ten. did SO. When opened my eyes he was gone"
The Prescott daily news., 1910-08-10
Quito Exposition Opened.

Quito, Ecuador, Aug. 10.-President Eloy Alfaro today formally opened the great exposition designed to celebrate the hundredth anniversary of Ecua- dors independence. The manufacture CTS of many foreign nations have fine exhibits in the exposition. which will remain open for two months. Ernest H. Wands is the commissioner of the United States.
The Prescott daily news., 1910-08-10
Michigan Hay Association

Detroit. Mich., Aug. 10.-The tenth annual convention of the Michigan Hay association opened today in the Hotel Fuller. A considerable number Of asriculturists attended and Presi. dent w. l. Biles of Saginaw was in the chair.
The Prescott daily news., 1910-08-10
APPLE RAISERS' CONGRESS
Pomologists Meet in St. Louis to Hear and Discuss Papers on Grow.
 ing and Marketing Fruit.

St. Louis, Aug. 1o-Scores of fruit growers were present in the Planters hotel today when President J. w.. Stanton of Richview, H., called to order the seventh annual meeting of the American Apple Growers con
The Prescott daily news., 1910-08-10
$3O,ooo Fire in St. Louis.

St. Louis, Aug. 10-Fire that de stroyed the St. Louis Axle company g plant, at 123-127 Soulard street, caus ing loss estimated at $30,000, start ed anew the next day, but was extin- guished promptly by the fremen.
The Prescott daily news., 1910-08-10
Bootie9ging Prisoners Strike.

Okemah, Okla. Aug. 10.-The pris- oners in the county jail here serving sentences for bootlegging offenses have struck. The county has provid- ed guard and picks and shovels, but the prisoners decline to work tte roads.
The Prescott daily news., 1910-08-10
YEARS TARIFF REVENUES
Fifteen Million More Than High Mark of 1907 for the Year
 of 1909,

Washington, Aug. 10.-Figures show ine the operation of the Payne-Aldrich tariff law for it's first year, which end ed last Saturday, are announced with a total of $20,214.026 to its credit in
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-25

TO many If the milkInan failed to
chow up in the morning, or if the ice
man forgot to make his daily call. And
so it is with the firemer> policemen, post
men. motOrmen, conductors, nurses. doc
tors. walters. mattresses and a host of
others who perform the same duties to-
day as they ordinarily do. and in a GER
tain sense. keep the city running.
OF all who work on Christmas day 1t
Is the postman, perhaps. Of whom the
majority of people are most aware. But
for his morning visit Christmas would
lose much of its charm, and the excite
ment Of waiting and hoping for another
package would have TO be deferred until
the following day. In speaking of the ex-
ira amount of work that the Christmas
season makes for the employees of the
city post office, Postmaster Merritt said:
AS soon as the holiday season ap-
proaches all the members of the force are
keyed up to the highest pitch and get the
work out as rapidly possible But work
as We may, it Is impossible to so arrange
matters as to avoid work on Christmas
day. Those who work the hardest are the
clerks in the delivery division. They Lave
to open the mail sacks as they come in
and sort the packages and letters for the
carriers. Nearly every year they are
forced to work Christmas day. and this
will be no exception. Christmas day COM
ing on Sunday will make 1t .-arder for
some of the force, too, as We will be
short-handed. OF course there is but one
delivery Christmas day, and this year the
holiday service VIII be followed Monday,
SO that there will be but one delivery then,
too. AS for the .pOstmen, they are free
for the day just as soon as their mail
has been distributed, and that depends
to certain extent upon their rap dity."
Leaving home In the early morning.
realizing that you are leaving a merry
household of little folks who will soon
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-25

week. even if he has leave coming to him.
unless he's sick.
come don't bother about That's my
idea of things And SO saying, he swung
on the car that was to carry him home
and to his family for few brief hours
until he would have to report for duty
once more.
With the firemen it is a little different,
and they have a short Christmas holiday.
which is welcome. even if it does not
happen to fall just on the 25th.
More careful? We are always care
full" and Fire Chief Wagner laughed.
christmas is just like the other days.
We try to give the men little more time
off. SO that they can be with their fam
when asked about his Christmas the
chief replied:
II will be on duty. too. I'm used to- it.
though. and so is my vile. Years of
such life have made her accustomed to
lots of young men who come into the
fire department single. who marry short
time afterward, SO it can't be so bad"
In speaking OF Christmas fires caused
by the lighted candles on the tree, CHIEF
Wagner said:
christmas fires are not as numerous
as they were several years ago. One rea-
son is that 1t is against the fire regu-
lations to have lighted candles on the
trees"
In some Of Washington's twenty-three
engine houses are small Christmas trees
which have been decorated by some men,
Der of the force who wanted some touch
of holiday cheer while on duty.
"Christmas day We usually play cards
or checkers or read" said one Of the
men In first district engine house.
But this Christmas we won t be able to
even do that, as we are not allowed to
play games on Sunday. One thing that
we do get, though, is extra time. Each
man during Christmas week gets sixteen
hours additional time off. AS rule we
the sixteen hours extra that means con-
siderable time In which to celebrate. For
our meals on Christmas day We get extra
time also. The usual time is an hour
and half, but On Christmas day we have
three hours for dinner
At one Of the engine houses In the city
there is a member who has been busy for
weeks making toys for his two little
which will revolve for twenty minutes at
a time. is one of the toys he has made.
On the wheel are tiny swings. and in
these will be placed little dolls A mer-
animals to ride upon is another Of the
playthings he has fashioned. All these
he has made during the hours on duty
when the alarm was not sounding and
carrying him away to answer it.
AS for the girls who are mattresses.
Christmas day also holds its unpleasant
features. To one Of them. at least, i,
is a very dismal affair.
Somehow 1 think it's worse for us
than for the, rest of the people who
have to be at work on Christmas day.
We have to leave home. too. and some
Of us haven't even a home to leave.
only some cheap boarding house. And
then when we get here we have to
wait on a lot Of people who are trying
to have good time Christmas and are
making a mess Of it. You don't see
jolly parties in here Christmas day.
No indeed! You see solitary women
or men who have to eat just like on
every other day. But the Christmas
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-25

ness she insisted. for it helped me
through a trying day.
To the average person it would seem
that in Washington. OF all places, there
lonely hours that come to strangers on
the great home festival day OF the year.
But while some may solve the problem
readily, to many it is bahiing.
The average Washington boarding house
is no more cherries than other boarding
houses, but a boarding house at best OFF
fers slight inducements to pleasure seek
ers. And especially when a, combination
of Sunday, Christmas and Monday din
ners makes rigid economy. necessary on
the part Of the boarding house cook. So
the exiled little department clerk is apt
to be driven elsewhere. not only for her
entertainment, but for sony of-the sea-
sons delicacies as we'll.
Washington is richer by several bril-
liantly lighted cafes than 1t was last year,
pared for the extra rush. So 1t Is pos
sible for the crowds of apartment house
dwellers and the humber ''boarders' to
enjoy the traditional goose and plum
pudding in a CHEEKY place where gala
decorations. music and gayly colored
lights herald the fact that 1.-The fun Is
on
Uncle Sam is a firm believer in Christ
mas and in Santa Claus. Accordingly,
all the public buildings and other places
Of interest operated by the government
will be closed botn Sunday and Monday.
The doors Of the Public Library and the
Corcoran Gallery of Art will also be
closed to the casual visitor who inds time
heavy on his hands. However, the de-
partment clerk may stif1e some OF her
longings by spending the late. Saturday
afternoon at the art gallery. in viewing
either the regular or special collections
on exhibition. The annual display OF the
works OF American artists Is always an
event Of the early winter that interests
connoisseur and layman alike.
Saturday evening before. Christmas the
solitary little department clerk may. with
perfect safety. join the world and his
wife downtown. II she but keep her
eyes open and her wits on the alert. she
will notice many diverting incidents in
the shops, along the streets and about
the busy markets. where one may buy a
few wreaths and bit Of holly to brighten
up a room and help keep up brave ap-
pearance. In fact, the happiness and
jollity which seem to prevail throughout
the nations capital on 1.-The night before
Christmas are contagious-and even the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-25

fortunate in claiming one Of the adjoining
states as home, the prospect of mid
winter vacation carries with it no mis-
givings.
But for the girl who may be a stranger
within the gates the outlook is quite
different. A brief vacation Of less than
three days precludes the contemplation
OF even a hurried trip to the sunny south,
the rugged north or the golden west.
And the chances are that she cannot so
much as glance in the direction Of the
big white station, with its hurrying
crowd of pleasure seekers homeward bound
with bullying suit cases and mysterious
packages. without tear in her eye and
a lump in her throat
With the closing of the Office door be-
hind her she is thrust into a solitude,
vast and appalling. with only the memory
Of a careless, ,mocking Merry Christ
days until she will again see her fellow
workers. Having been wise" and
early" shopper. her Christmas packages,
cards and letters have already been in
pressing work to occupy her time and
keep her thoughts from reverting to home
and kindred.
She is less fortunate than the little
shopgirl, who, worn and weary from
weeks of ministering to the shoppers.
early and belated. at least appreciates
the long-looked-for chance of physical
rest. Moreover. the club celebrations in
the church. the neighborhood, or at one
of the social settlements, offer her oppor-
tunities for recreation that are denied
the department clerk.
My first Christmas in Washington,
babe fair to be failure said a western
girl the other day, but my longing for
the youngsters at home gave me an in
spiration. So, hastily collecting some fruit
and games, 1 rode out to the Children
Hospital, and in playing with the little
folks I forgot my inconsistencies. But 1t
was selfishness on my part-pure selfish
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-25

the good times Of others. \ person load
ed down with Christmas presents is usual
ly happy and gay, and so the happiness
and gayety Of one person may be con-
tagious and spread through a whole car
Sometimes it's pretty cold on Chris
mas day." was the remark OF one motor
man, but then 1t is cold other days.
too. There are lots OF men in the Same
hole. as We are. and so as another ca
comes by We yell at the motorman. Some
times when a passenger is getting OF
they wish us merry Christmas. 1t Isn't
much, / know, but il helps to make the
day more pleasant
Its that what war is to he poor" was
the way a conductor sized up the situa
ton, and then added: But being as I
am, / suppose l should not mind work
ing Christmas day. There's one thing.
though. / made the missus happy this
morning-gave her a new suit Yes. sir
And 1t sure was peacherino, too
x :;
While the list OF men and women
who are forced to work while others
play might be added to indefinitely.
there is one other force which works
on Christmas day, and which is neces-
sary to the citys welfare. That is
the force which sees that the water
supply is being kept up. They stay at
the District pumping station. Another
part of this force is the leak" squad.
They have to be on duty at all times
to answer emergency calls. They
answer perhaps half a dozen calls a
day. In case OF fire. too, the general
foreman must answer the alarm to see
that the water supply is sufficient. In
case OF large fire the water may have
to be turned off at several places in
order to concentrate the supply at the
most necessary point.
Physicians must be ready to answer
the call Of patient Perhaps little John
ny ate too much dinner and is very sick,
or MARY burned her hand badly
with a Chr ,stmas candle" AT the hos
pitfalls the ambulances must be ready
to answer calls to carry persons to
the hospital. Drug clerks also have TO
be ready to aid the sick. Then there
are the express companies. Packages
will be delivered by them. AS for the
department stores. they closed last
night. But many Of the girls did not
get home until the clock announced
the coming of Chr stmas morning.
And SO il goes. While half the world
frisks and frolics, the other half has
to be sober and serious and carry on
the burden of work usually shared BY
all.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-25

len the department
clerk closed her
desk yesterday she
faced an unuSu-
ally long stretch
of Christmas hOli-
day. If she has
been a resident of
Washington long
enough to have
gathered about her
a cot erie Of
friends. or if she is
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-25

But the Christmas dinner asked the
curious reporter
I'VE ell. we have to get that the best
way we can. Some of us are off In the
morning and the rest in the evening.
With me I either have to get it before II
Or wait until after 10 o'clock at night.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-25

But I'll get it. all right. never fear. I've
gotten SO used to that sort of thing that
/ don't bother about 1t any more. Take
what Christmas you can manage to
squeeze in and let it go. 1t wouldn't do
any good to grumble about it. anyway.
because a man can't get off Christmas
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-25

HILE the majority
Of the Inhabitants
of the National
Capital are making
merry today a
smaller portion will
go on working as
though the 25th Of
December were like
any other day in
the year. Christmas
day would be rath-
er a disastrous one
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-25

spirit has gotten hold Of them all right.
and all have a wistful. unhappy look
And then when somebody does laugh
like they meant 1t you sort OF wonder
what is the matter with them. I don't
suppose all the girls are like me. but
somehow 1 just hate Christmas. l
can't help 1t. just hate it,.
Fortunately some ''of the other girls
do not feel that way. A few at least
there are who are able to find some
pleasure in the day. The recipe for a
happy Christmas as followed by one
others:
Yes. I suppose Christmas is q sort OF
blue day to most OF the folks who come
into q place like this. Nobody wants to
eat dinner alone If they can help 1t. But
I try to jolly them along-tell them II
might be worse. You know II you're
real lonely It's lots Of comfort to tell
somebody your troubles. I try to work
on that plan. hear all kinds OF queer
stories from people. And they are nearly
always sad. too. But after they get it
out Of their systems they begin to laugh,
and sometimes I've had them leave the
place real merry. AS for me, I've got
trouble Of my own, and I forget what
they've told me about as quick as they've
gone
The same story with slight variations
can be heard from the walters who serve
turkey and cranberry sauce Christmas
day, but who are unable to serve the
happiness which should also be plendful
on such an occasion. And the hotel
clerks, too, are forced to put up with
men and women, but it's mostly men
t,n From home
They wander about the Hobbies. go out
for a while and then return. looking
bluer than before.
But II it were possible to decide which
Of all was the hardest il is very posi-
BILE that the choice would fall to the lot
Of the nurse. Not only is she obliged to
be on duty, but she must care Tor the
sick who have, in great many cases. no
way of making merry. In most OF the
hospitals the nurses spend tho days be-
fore Christmas in decorating the WARDS
with Christmas greens. In some cases
tiny Christmas tree will be decorated.
and the nurses will hold little oelebl a.
ton themselves during what time they can
spare Christmas day. But for the most
part they have to care for the patients
who, perhaps on account OF the day, feel
just little worse than usual.
I'VE get used to it," said one OF the
nurses in Q free ward of a city hospital.
when I farst came here 1 was nearly i'll
after having watched my first patient
die. After that got used to It. and now
I can stand by apparently unmoved. It's
the same way with Christmas. We run
across pitiful cases at times, and our
sympathy goes out to The patients. but
all We can do Christmas day is to be
cheerful and patient. That IS one gift
We can give our patients. or course, we
get short time of, and when you realize
that it is all you will get that day you
can crowd a good deal into it,
Then there are the motormen and con-
ductors who go on running the cars and
collecting fares. They get little peeps at
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-25

lots of fires to start up. and people will
have candles on them. even If it Is against
the fire regulations Whenever it is only
small fire we try to put it out our
selves and don't bother with the fire de-
partment, but maybe we will have to call
it in, too"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-25
AYuletidp Exile

loneliest individual may find his little
niche in the general merriment.
This season the American holiday will
be much like the English celebrations,
ligious observation and the following day
for festivities. Sunday will be day of
special services, music and illustrated
lectures in the churches. One can at
tend any or all Of the morning or even
ing or vesper services in the places of
worship Of all denominations and creeds.
The Young Womens Christian Associa-
ton will also be open to welcome visitors,
although no special plans have been
made either for Christmas celebration
or q Christmas dinner.
\ perverse fate usually wills that the
mail is delayed for the most eager and
the most forlorn of all people. Neverthe-
less. the plans of a sanguine person may
letter writing and Of opening and revel-
ing in the contents Of mysterious Christ
mas packages. for with the big post Office
stacked up with fascinating bundles. it
doesn't seem as though any one can be
completely forgotten. And should ones
dream of the box from home be more
than realized, even the newest exile
could find lonely neighbor just across
the hall who would enjoy a feast on
Christmas night. For any girl Of initia-
clude another alien. Even hall bedroom
is not without its pleasure-giving posi-
bilities.
Then again there is skating on the
basin or at the Zoo. Even q brisk walk
through the Rock Creek Park or q trip
out to Great Falls, beautiful in their
winter garb. would be a guaranteed cure
for 1.-The blues and the best known
appetizer for any sort Of dinner. The
theaters, too, with good attractions and
special matinees, will do their part in
affording distraction for Washington
army Of lonely ones tomorrow.
But despite untiring energy and I'M
daunted courage, there will be some
dreary hours for the little department
clerk spending her first Christmas in the
shadow of the big dome on the hill.
And when the familiar desk is opened
Tuesday morning she will be ready and
willing to take up the monotonous
routine Of government Office. But at
least she will feel that something has
been accomplished. The first solitary
Christmas in Washington is part of
the past-and by the next year she will be
able to face her holidays brave in the
knowledge that she is no longer an
exile.