davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-05-25
BY WILLIAM j. FLYNN
(Head Of the Bureau of Detectives

New York city,
IN HE death sign, used exclusively
among southern Italians and
Si~cilians, is made by placing
the forefinger Of the right hand be-
tween the teeth. The instant the
sign is seen by the one for whom 1t
is intended the finger Is withdrawn.
The entire movement rarely takes
more than two or three seconds.
Often It Is made in a single second,
and for that reason 1t escapes the
notice Of ever the sharpest observers.
When this sign is made by a leader or
representative of a gang of bad men
1t never fails to strike terror into the
hearts Of witnesses, no matter how
bold or courageous they may be. l
have seen witnesses who had pre-
viously declared their willingness to
testify and who were assured Of pro-
lection suddenly turn white as a sheet
and refuse to utter another word
against the prisoner who was on trial.
The death sign had been given to
them in open court, and they knew
they would be killed If they said an
other word. And 1t is undoubtedly
true that their lives would be for
feited If they disobeyed the sign. Not
In open court, of course, for the mem
bers Of those gangs are arrant cow
ards, but sooner or later some of
their number would murder their vic
tim.
The ~uneducated southern Italians
and Sicilians with whom the police
have to deal are more superstitious
than any other a Of people living
In New York. Sign omens have q
peculiar significance for them. The
death sign Is a tradition with them.
They have heard about 1t before they
could v talk. They are brought
up to dread it, just as they are
brought up to dread the Black Hand.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-05-25
CURED ITCHING AND BURNING

Il was taken with the itch in April,
1904, and used most everything. I
had a friend pay me a visit from
Cumberland, and she advised me to
use Cuticura Remedies which l did.
The cure was certainly quick, and l
use them to this day. / had it terri
bly, under my knees. l only used one
box of pills, but two boxes Of Cuti-
cura Ointment, and I use the Cuti-
cura Soap all the tiAe. l hope this
will benefit others, as 1t has me, after
DR.. - and others could do moth
ing for me-" (Signed) Miss Lu John
son, 1923 Ninth ST., N. W., Wash
ington, d. c., April 3, 1910.
In a later letter Miss johnson adds:
"The trouble began with an eruption
under my knees, and extended up
wards toward my waist, until l was
not able to sit down. 1t kept a con-
slant itching and burning all the time,
night and day. / went to my doctor,
but he could do me no good after l
do not know how many medicines he
gave me, and then told me I would
be compelled to go to a skin special
list, which l positively refused to do. l
cried all the time. Finally l made
up my mind to try Cuticura Rem
edies, and tried Cuticura Pills, Oint-
ment and Soap. and was entirely
cured of the itching three days after
l started using them. The healing
took about eight days. l consider
Cuticura Remedies marvellous, and
would recommend them everywhere"
Cuticura Remedies are sold through
out the world, Send to Potter Drug
& Chem. Corp, Boston, for free book
on skin Affections.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-05-25
Impossible to Make
Woman Give Testimony,

Suddenly she shrieked: mo, no; ]
know nothing! l swear l know moth.
ing at all" Her lawyer jumped to
his feet and told the court that she
had confessed her part in the crime
to him and that she had agreed to
tell 1t on the witness stand. But the
Martinese woman was immovable.
She would not utter a word except to
deny her knowledge of the crime.
While she was protesting her in.
nocence a policeman rushed to the
prisoners pen and caught Pietro Pam
pinellt, the man on trial, by the arm.
He had seen him give her the death
sign and he so informed the court.
Subsequent attempts were made to
get the Martinese woman to confess,
but without success. Like others who
had received the sign she knew any
confession on her part would be fol
lowed by a hideous death.
OF course, there are scores of writ
ten death signs. The skull and cross.
bones has been a sign of death for
centuries. The Chinese have a death
sign with which they mark the house
of a man selected for slaughter, and
| suppose every rae has some sort
Of written sign which is synonymous
with death and which has come down
from the earliest times. To this day
when an Italian is murdered his rela-
tives dip their fingers in his blood
and make a cross with 1t. The cross,
by the way, has been the symbol of
death in almost every cline and age.
But the death sign we are confront
ed with today is the quick gesture
which have described. 1t is peculiar
to the southern Italians and the
Sicilians. I have never known 1t to
be employed by criminals of any 9th.
er nationality, and in my career I
have dealt with men of all races It
is a serious thwarting of justice, but
l have no doubt that 1t really e
death for the person who disregards
1t. While Italian criminals are cow
ards when it comes to fighting any
n not OF their own race, the spirit
of the vendetta Is born In them. The
fact that several witnesses who impli-
Gated their fellow c%ountrymen in seri-
ous crimes have been mysteriously
murdered not long afterward proves
that the death sign Is a dreadful,
horrible reality,-NeW York Sunday,
World.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-05-25
Just Homes.

A gentleman never snatches his
trousers away from his wife when he
discovers her going through his peck
cts. He only hopes she will leave him
enough with which to go downtown in
the morning. He is perfectly welcome
to go through her purse any time and
help himself to anything he can find.
That is what married life means. A
mar should not allow his feelings to
be hurt when his wife runs across
loose change or a roll in his pockets;
he ought to play the game and take
such little conjugal pastimes for
granted.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-05-25
EUGENE
How He Did Ii.

At the dinner Saturday of the Mill
tary Order of Foreign Wars, Capt.
Carlyle L. Burridge told of a man
who, returning to his domicile at
cockcrow, underwent an inspection by
his wife, who desired to know how
he came to have a large bump on his
forehead.
That? oh, that's where l bit my
SELF" explained he of the night key.
BIT yourself?" the lady repeated
after him. How could you bite your
self away up there?"
"Why, l stood on a chair" he said
Cleveland Leader.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-05-25

N open court, where justice sits
silk gowned, the very embodiment
of law and order, and in the GER
tain atmosphere of an authority
against which no man may raise a
hand; here, in this very city of New
York, witnesses under oath to speak
the truth only, have halted with un-
spoken word on lip and become as
mutes at the sight of the sign of
death.
The sign of death? A fiction? No.
A meaningless motion made to dis
concert the overtimid? Again no.
A death sigma reality? AS GER
tain as there are courts Of law; a sign
behind which turks the murderous
blade in the hand Of a killer of men;
a sign of as malign significance as
that Of the skull and crossbones on
the black flag at the peak of the
pirate ship Of old.
This sign was made in New York,
in Justice Faucets court, and a wit
mes quailed and became speeches..
1t was made again in Justice O'Sul-
livan's court, and a witness covered
and shook like one with the palsy.
What is this sign of death? Will
liam F. Flynn, head of the detective
bureau, second deputy commissioner
of the police department, for years
a secret service man, shrewd, re-
%sourceful. successful, knows 1t well.
He has seen it. They put n sign
of death on the body of a victim-a
sign Of death accomplished, for to
kill for vengeance without it would
not strike terror. The sign about
which Chief Flynn tells is the other
the warning.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-05-25
REPATRIATED.
HE HAD $4,000 IN CASH IN 1908;
NOW WORTH $4,000.

My parents were originally Cana
dams from Essex County, Ontario. l
was born in Monroe County, Michigan,
from which place l moved to Red Lake
Falls, Minnesota, where / farmed for
% years. l sold my farm there in the
summer of 1903 and in September of
that year came to Canada with my
wife and eight children. l had about
$500 in cash, team of horses, a COW, a
few sheep and some chickens. l took
up a quarter section of land near Jack
Fish Lake, Meota P. o., and later on
purchased for 100000 an adjoining
quarter section. l have now As head
OF cattle, a number of horses, good
buildings and consider my holding is
worth at least 100000. Ny children
have raised from 5000 to $500 worth
of garden truck each year since we
have been here. I have never had a
poor crop and have never had one
frosted. My wheat has averaged from
rs to 80 bushels per acre with one or
two years considerably more. My
oats have always yielded we'll up to so
bushels per acre and once or twice as
high as IS. My cattle have never been
stabbed in winter, and do not need it.
/ consider that this country offers bet
ter opportunities for settlers than any
where | have ever been. I am sure
that almost any person can come here
and buy land at say $500 per acre
and pay for it in one crop. My ex-
perience is that if a man farms his
la' d in the right way he is not likely
to have his crop frosted.
Most Of the settlers IN my district
are Americans and Canadians and I
know lots of them who came here with
little or no capital who are now do
ing well, but I do not know Of any who
have left through disappointment, or
becoming discouraged, have returned
to their former homes.
EUGENE JUBINVILLE.
There are many whose experience
Is similar to that of Mr.. Jubinville.
Secure Canadian Government litera-
ture from nearest Canadian Govern
ment Agent, and see for yourself.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-05-25
If YOU HAVE A SICkLY
YOUNGSTER TRY THIS FREE

The family with young children that is
without sickness in the house now and
tihen is rare, and SO 1t is important that
the head of the house should know what
to do in the little emergencies that arise.
A child with a serious ailment needs a
doctor, 1t Is true, but in the majority of
Instances, as any doctor knows, the child
suffers from some intestinal trouble,
usually constipation.
There is no sense in giving 1t a pill or
q remedy containing an opiate, nor is
flushing of the bowels to be always rec
commended. Rather give 1t a small dose
Caldwell's Syrup Pepsin, which, by clean
Ing out the bowels and strengthening the
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-05-25
DEFIANCE STARCH ss, ss. 'i i.ss.

little stomach muscles, will Immediately
correct the trouble.
This is not alone our opinion but that
of Mrs. N. II. Mead Of Freeport, Kans..
whose granddaughter has been taking it
successfully and Of Mrs. ]. r. Whifjnr
of Lena, Wis, who gives it to her children
and takes 1t herself. 1t is sold in fifty
cent and one dollar bottles at every
drug store, but If you want to test It in
your family before you buy 1t send your
aooress to DR.. Caldwell and he will for
ward a supply free of charge.
For the free sample address DR. w r.
Caldwell. 201 Caldwell building, Month
cello, Ill.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-05-25

benches, bowling, and tn cat, now
thoroughly aroused, attacked the man
on the desk. His only weapon Of de-
Tense was a large bell, with which he
gave the big cat such \. blow as to
stun It. and before it could male
another spring the teacher cracked It's
skull with the heavy poker.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-05-25

sy and my back was so sore and lame
! could not raise my arms above my
head. | was finally induced to take
Doan's Kidney Pills and in six weeks
| was well. My cure was made in
1899 and I have enjoyed excellent
health ever since"
Remember the name-Doan's.
For sale by all dealers, so cents a
box. Foster-Milburn Co., Buffalo, N. Y.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-05-25
ThatTired Feeling

that is caused by impure, impoverished
blood or low, rundown condition of the
system, is burdensome and di-scouraging.
Do not put up with it, but take Hoods
sarsaparilla, which removes it as nothing
else does.
Il had that tired feeling, had no ap-
petite and no ambition to do anything. q
friend advised me to take Hoods Sarsa-
parilla. / did so, and soon that tired
and felt well. | believe Hoods saved me
from a long Illness" Mrs. B. johnson,
West6eld, n. ].
Get Hoods S~arsaparilla today. In liquid
form or in tablets called Sarsatabs.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-05-25

No matter where they are they CAM
get away from it, because they CAM
get away from themselves. They
have heard Of fellow-countrymen who
d~isregarded the death sign and met
terrible fates. So when the death
sign is given to them it is little won
der that they turn white with fear
and refuse to testify.
More Impressive
Than Spoken Words.
The reason a sign is employed
rather than a spoken word or token
Is due to the fact that Italians and
Sicilians Of the more ignorant class
carry on a large part of their inter
course by means of gestures. A shrug
of the shoulders, the raising of the
eyebrows, a gesture Of the arms may
mean more to them than whole sen
fences. Then, too, a sign is more
impressive than a spoken or writ
ten word. And of course it can be
made more quickly and is far less
likely to be detected.
The origin Of the death sign is OBJ
scure. I doubt If any of the men who
have used it could tell how it orig
mated. 1t is very evident that the
placing Of the finger to the lips means
silence-as a sign of silence 1t is
as old as the hills. Probably the
pressure Of the teeth on the finger
is significant of the fate that will
follow if the injunction covered in
the sign is disobeyed. The sign has
been employed in southern Italy al
most as long as tribunals have ex-
listed, and 1t has doubtless been used
many times here in America since
we began to receive SO many Italians
that a distinct criminal class
among them. Trials of Italians for
such crimes as counterfeiting, Black
Hand and kidnapping cases in recent
years have brought 1t to the attention
of the public. When witnesses In
these cases suddenly refused to tes-
tify In open court the judges, the
prosecutors and the police knew the
death sign had been given, but 1t had
been done SO quickly and mysterious
ly that few knew how 1t was accom-
plished.
While I was in the secret service
/ had to deal with many Italian and
Sicilian counterfeiters, and in several
OF the cases my witnesses whom I
felt certain would come through
this is police p~arlance for telling the
true story on the witness stand
stopped short in the middle of their
testimony, and nothing could induce
them to utter another word. So In
subsequent cases / watched the peo-
pie in the court room very closely
and / was rewarded by seeing the
death sign made clearly and dis
It was made just as i
described tia quick motion to the
teeth with the forefinger of the right
hand.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-05-25
BY the i1arem Code.

DO you think | am really your af-
finity?" Solomon's nine hundred and
eighty-ffth wife asked, coquettishly.
my dear" the Wisest Guy said,
you are n in a thousand"
my dear" the Wisest Guy said,
He got away with 1t too.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-05-25
Made End Of Wildcat

desk. AT sight of the animal the chill
dren huddled in n corner OF the
room. and the school visitor climbed
on top of the teachers desk and
called for her to join him. The
teacher, who was standing by the
stove, seized a poker and stood her
ground. AT this juncture the dog
cane through the window and the two
animals clinched. In less than a
minute the dog skunk under the
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-05-25
"When a Wife ls Cruel"

The husband rushed into the room
where his wife was sitting.
MY DEAR" said he, excitedly,
guess what! Intelligence has just
reached me-"
The wife gave a jump at this point,
rushed to her husband, and, kissing
him %fervently, interrupted with:
We'll, thank heaven. Harry"
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-05-25

Among the hills in the southern
part Of Connecticut. q certain little
sehoolhouse was the scene Of a
perilous incident. The district visitor
was examining a class, and. as the
day was unusually warm for the sea-
son. a window was open. Suddenly a
dos was seen tearing dow the hill
Ind tho next instant a wildcat sprank
through the open window and landed
On the floor IL front Of the teachers
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-05-25

that | am alive today.
The kidney secretions
passed ~irregularly and
were ally
thick; had bad spells
with my head and at
times could hardly
stand. My left limb
below the knee be-
came so badly swol-
len that l began to
treat myself for dron-
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-05-25
Two Cases That Prove
Potency Of the Siqn.

Maria Kappa, who with Stanislaus
Pattenza was on trial last December
for kidnapping Giuseppe Longo and
Michaele Rizzo, was given the death
sign In open court. She would have
told her whole story but for that rea-
son. A member Of the gang Of Black
Handlers who were associated with
her gave her the sign and she posi-
lively refused to talk further. Moth
ing would move her. She knew IL
she made any disclosures she would
be killed. Justice Lewis Fawcett, who
tried the case. admitted it. No one
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-05-25
Nature,s ProvIsion.

Moles and the mole cricket have
the same problem to negotiate in cut
ting caves in the ground, SO here an
insect and an animal both have the
same shaped forelegs and shovelliks|
hands and claws.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-05-25
With one Exception.

Harduppe-Every man should mar.
ry. Everything I have in the world
l owe to my wife.
Wigwag-Don't forget that ten spot
you W me.--Philadelphia Record.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-05-25

II no God, whence duty? There re-
mains no other source than blind, bru-
tai, tyrannous force. Duty never is
sues from that.-Mazzini.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-05-25
Their lime.

Foolish Fred-Do you like Holsters?
Pert Polly-Yes, both human and
~crustacean, In their salad days.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-05-25

Try Murine Eye Remedy for Red,
Watery Eyes n Granulated Lids. No
S~marting-Just Eye Comfort. Murine
Eye Salve in Aseptic Tubes New Size
CSC. Murine Liquid 25c-50c.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-05-25

Ever notice how many people there
are in the world who say: You Just
wait, I'll get even with you!"
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-05-25

Mrs. Winslow's Soothing Syrup for Children
teething, softens the gums, reduces inhamma-
ton, allays pain, cures wind collie, Csc o bottle.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-05-25

The herb laxative, Garfield Tea, prompt
ly overcomes constipation, b~iliousness,
sick-headache and insures better health.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-05-25

Do your feet feel tired, achy. and sore
at nightf Rub them with a little Ham
Inns Wizard Oil. THEY'LL be glad in the
morning and 30 will you.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-05-25
ELEVEN YEARS OF HEALTH.
Kidney Trouble Never Returned.

Mrs. Everett Griffith, 2S45 E. Indi-
ana Ave, Evansville, Ind, says: 81
was certainly in bad shape from kid.
ney disease and it is really a wonder
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-05-25

the Antiseptic powder to shake into your hoes. Re-
heVes Corns, Bunions, Ingrowing Nails, Swollen and
sweating feet, Blisters and Callous spots. Sold
everywhere, Csc. Don't accept any substitute. Sam
pie FREE. Address Allen 8. Olmsted, Ii Roy, NY.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-05-25
somethlnn a Follow.

Statistical ~Boarder--An aeroplan9
q be built for $3.50.
Practical Boarder-Cheap enough
but It's the funeral that costs.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-05-25

Lewis Single Binder, straight 5c-many
smokers prefer them to l0c cigars.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-05-25

Garfield Tea cures constipation, keeps
the blood pure and tones up the system.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-05-25

Those with whom we can apparent
ly become well acquainted in a few
moments are generally the most diff
fcult to rightly know and understand.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-05-25
DR.. Pierce's FavOrite Prescription
he Got h.

He Got It.
Won't you give me an order?'
pleaded the too-persistent travelling
salesman.
Certainly. Get out!"
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-05-25

Don't let your money burn a hole
In some other fellows pocket.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-05-25
The way Of IL.

Knicker-How does marriage affect
accomplishments?
Bocker-A girl drops her music and
a man takes up his smoking.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-05-25

People who say just what they think
are more numerous than popular.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-05-25

If constipation is present, the liver
sluggish, take Garfield Tea; it is mild in
action and never loses its potency.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-05-25

Flattery is simply the nice things
say about other people.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-05-25

Lewis Single Binder, extra quality to-
bacco, costs more than other DC cigars.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-05-25

The chief secret of comfort lies in
not allowing trifles to vex us.-Sharp,
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-05-25

A Redeeming Feature.
Maud is a harem-scarum sort, isn't
she?"
Eyes, but her skirt isn't"
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-05-25

Don't mind being laughed at; some
day you may splash mud on the laugh
with your touring car.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-05-25

Important to Mothers
Examine carefully every bottle of
CASTORIA, a safe and sure remedy for
infants and children, and e that it
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-05-25

placed s~nywhere,at-
tracts and kiIls all
flies. Meat. clean,
ornamental. conven-
lent, cheap. Lasts all
season. CAM spill OF
tip over. will not sol
o. inIure anything.
Guaranteed effect
I've. OF all dealers or
sent prepaid for zoe.
HAROLD e0MKRS
$50 De Esih Ave.
brpokiyn, H.I.