davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Detroit times., 1911-12-08
GIRL LEAPS TO DEATH
FROM BELLE ISLE BRIDGE
Friends of Ida Studier Sure
She's Suicide; Had Suffered
With Mental Trouble.

Poising for an instant on the railing
OF the Belle Isle bridge, seven spans
from the Detroit end, a young woman,
thought to be Miss Ida Studier, OF No.
96 Heldelberg-st., plunged into the
river. shortly after o'clock, Thurs
day afternoon. and after floating a
short distance down stream, threw up
both hands and sank In the Icy waters.
The only witnesses of the tragedy
were Gordon Meyers, No. 2S3 Joseph
Campauave., and Daniel Shea, No.
113 Humboldt-ave., steam-ftters, who
were at work on the roof of the Nor
gan & Wright building, near the
bridge approach. They were unable
to leave their work until three quar-
ters of an hour after the tragedy,
when they notified police headquar-
terS.
There seems to be little doubt that
Miss Studier was the suicide. She left
her home, which Is about half-hour's
walk from the bridge, at about l
O'Clock, and has so far failed TO re-
turn. Only week ago she returned
home after spending Is weeks IN
Eloise, where she was sent to recup-
crate, her relatives declare, from a
complete nervous breakdown. She
was employed. up to that time, in the
business Office of the Michigan State
Telephone Co.
Her widowed mother, Mrs. Mary
Stndier, and her brother and younger
sister are all sure that she was the
victim OF the tragedy, though they all
insist that she had never threatened
to take her life, and gave no such in
timation when she left home, Thurs
day afternoon.
Meyers and Shea declare that the
young woman was walking from the
direction of the island when she
stopped, and climbing with great
agility over the railing, made the fatal
plunge, their story indicating that the
suicide had twice traversed the
bridge, before steeling herself for her
deed. They say that one Of the bridge
automobiles, bound for the island, and
"a private car coming toward the city,
were each within a hundred feet OF
the young woman when she leaped
from the bridge, but it Is thought that
the big iron girders obscured her from
the view of the autoists.
Harbormaster Ellison and his as
sistant, Thomas Leavey, dragged the
river until a late hour Thursday
night, without success, and the op-
erations were resumed, Friday morn
ing
"We are all practically sure that 1t
was Ida" said her brother when seen
in his home, Friday morning. All
that we can do is TO wait, until the
body is recovered
Miss Studier was 20 years old.
The Detroit times., 1911-12-08
POLICE DISCOUNT TALES
OF ATTACKS ON GIRLS
Fevered Imagination and Craze
For Publicity Responsible
For Many Stories.

The police are not placing mucn
stock in the host of reported attacks
on women and girls that are pouring
into the central station and the outly-
ing precincts. There always are many
exaggerated reports as an aftermath
TO real attack, and in this instance
the fevered imaginations OF women
and children In all sections OF the city
are occasioning a number of unfound-
ed statements, which upon investiga-
ton, prove to be worthless.
An east side young woman is re-
sponsible for the latest hectic story
of abuse. She was found by the po-
lice about 4 o'clock, Friday morning
at Townsend and Mack-aves. She
told a wild story OF having met two
men about s o'clock, Thursday even
ing. They dragged her into a COW
cred buggy and drove her into the
open country, where they attacked
her, she declared.
Detectives went to investigate and
the girl broke down and weepingly ad-
mitted that her story was a myth, that
she had met the two men and had
gone with them willingly. The hour
was SO late that she was afraid to go
home, for fear OF parental chastise-
ment.
Cases of just this nature and other
"prowler" reports coming from excited
imaginations or from women looking
for publicity are causing the police
considerable annoyance. These stories
are given credence by newspapers
who pander to that sort OF stun and
the result is that the detectives are
being hampered rather than aided in
their efforts to find the person who
has been responsible for real attacks
upon young girls.
The Detroit times., 1911-12-08
POSTOFFlCE OFFICIALS
MAY PRESS CASE AGAINST
M'NAMARAy AHORHE|S
Inspectors Work Hard To Sho&
Funds Were Solicited When
Mems Guilt Was Known
McMANIGAL ON THE STAND.
Repeats His Entire Story Which
He First Told To Detec-
tive Burns.

Los ANGELES, Cal, Dec. 8-Th1<
the federal grand jury which n nov
probing the alleged dynamite con
spiracy, will devote most OF its atfeu-
ton TO the reputed misuse OF the
malls In connection with the coIIec~
ton OF the Mcnamara defense fund
seems certain today.
Dozens Of postofice inspectors are
working hard I'm an endeavor to g.
cure evidence which will show that
despite the admission OF certain at
torneys for the defense that they
knew the men were guilty for months
they have persistently written to AN
inquirers that they were absolutely
Innocent.
AS q result they received many
contributions which would otherwise
have been denied. The inspectors
have possession of many letters sent
to Attorney Darrow and his associates
and their replies and are now trying
to determine whether there has been
any violation of the law. II so, an
dictments are certain.
Meanwhile the examination OF Ortio
McManigal and others who have been
subpoenaed to corroborate his story
continue. McManigal repeated his en-
tire story as first told to Detective
Burns. Now special Federal Prose
cutor Lawler and Assistant District
Attorney Regan are endeavoring to
confirm this. For this purpose they
have a dozen labor men from San
Francisco and Seattle here and win
interrogate them.
Interest in the bribing scandal Is In
creasing as result Of the announces
ment of Detective Sam Browne that
he will claim the reward which was
offered for the arrest and conviction
of the dynamiters. He viii base his
claim on the announcement OF Judge
Bordweil from the bench that the
bribery revelations caused the plea OF
guilty.
The Detroit times., 1911-12-08
REP. FORDNEY AND
BEET GROWER CLASH

WASHINGTON, Dec. S.--A lively
clash between Rep. Fordney, (Rep,
Mich), and James Bodkin, sugar
beet grower of Mead. Colo, marked
yesterdays session of the Hardwick
house sugar investigating committee.
Fordney objected to Bodkin's state
ment that "derelicts from the slums
are employed at back-breaking work
I'm the sugar fields at extremely low
wages" and demanded that Bodkin
retract.
why you talk just like the agents
OF the sugar company" retorted Bod
kin.
What. You mean to say that am
hired agent OF the sugar trust?'
demanded Fordney.
NO, sir" returned Bodkin, Il say
you talk like one"
Fordney obtained the committees
consent to call beet growers from
Michigan and California to refute the
testimony OF the Colorado beet farm
ers.
The Detroit times., 1911-12-08
CONVICT BROCK COMES TO
ATTEND FATHERS FUNERAL
Youth Allowed To Leave Mar
quette Prison To Be Present
at Obsequies.

Leo Brock, convict, came all the
way from Marquette prison, to attend
the funeral of his father, Michael
Brock, who committed suicide in his
home, No. 1872 Roosevelt-ave., Wed
nesday. Young Brock arrived in De-
troit, Friday morning, accompanied by
Deputy Warden s. b. Catlin. 1t was
necessary for the prisoner to obtain
permission from Gov. Osborn, to come
from the. prison, and when the gov
ernor learned the circumstances, he
willingly granted young Brock a
respite.
The prisoner has served about
three years in Marquette for burglary
and he still has IL years to serve. He
was sentenced with John Bourke, the
man who tipped OF the plot to dyna
mite jackson prison, for the blowing
or the postoffice safe In Hillsdale
several years ago.
Brock has convict brother, who
Is serving eight years in the United
States prison in Fort Leavenworth
for an offense against the government
The unhappy lives of his two sons
is said to have weighed heavily upon
the mind of the father. He brooded
much upon the fact that both of them
were spending their days in prison
and It was his constant brooding over
this that was partly responsible for
him taking carbolic acid.
Brock was notified of his fathers
death by telegram and he used the
money he has earned while a convict
to come here to the funeral He did
not know his father had committed
suicide until the police advised him OF
1t, Friday morning. He was overcome
with grief, when the manner of his
parents death was told him.
The Detroit times., 1911-12-08
STATE TAX COMMISSION
HOLDS MEETING HERE

The state tax commission held a
lengthy session in the Hotel Pont-
chartrain, Thursday, to discuss plans
for supervising the work of assessing
officers all over the state next spring,
under the authority granted by the
legislature. During the winter months,
the commission will devote it's stten-
ton chiefly to securing the cash values
OF all the big corporations In the
state. Its field men are at work in
Detroit now, and for that reason the
commission found it convenient to
meet here at this time. The meet
ings ordinarily are held in Lansing.
Members of the commission also
listened to an explanation of the Som
mers unit system of realty valuation,
now In use in Cleveland, Columbus,
Springfield, ILL.,, and several other
cities, by Walter w. Pollock, general
manager, and e. w. Doty. manager
of the tax valuation department, OF
the Manufacturers Appraisal Co., of
Cleveland. The company would like
to introduce the system in Michigan,
also, and its Representatives pointed
out several reasons why there are in
S4aeAhhACo a. AOoi CotaSO aooCbonCnto
In this state. Among the reasons
cited were the following: There is
a lack Of common Judgment In ascer
tanning values; there IL lack OF Q
common method Of applying tudg
ment. there Is no basis for comparing
the value OF one lot with that Of an
other, the value of one city block
with that OF another, the value OF one
city with that of another, and SO on
and there Is no analysis of the fac.
tors that enter into the value OF city
sites.
The Sommers system, 1t was ex-
planned, furnishes standard OF valu-
alton, and that standard is the unit
foot, "a frontage of ground one foot
wide and 100 feet deep, located In
the central section of a block away
from any street corner or other infiu-
ence that might affect its value other
than that which 1t obtains by reason
of access to the life and business of
the city through its own frontage
The Detroit times., 1911-12-08
BLINDS MAN WITH
PEPPER; THEN ROBS HIM

Throwing pepper in the victims
eyes, is the latest method employed
by footpads in relieving people OF
yaluables. IL is said to be somewhat
embarrassing to the victim, but II is
recommended in select criminal cir
cles as being far less painful and
much less disastrous than-the time
honored custom OF swiping a man
over the head with a billy" or a
sandbag.
The plan was successfully worked
upon Samuel Moore. No. "a Butternut.
st. Two men approached him at
Trumbull-ave. and Perryst., Thurs
day night. One threw pepper In his
eyes and the other went through his
clothes, taking SIS from him.
The matter was reported to the
police.
The Detroit times., 1911-12-08
DETROIT MEN LOOK
AT GARBAGE SYSTEM

MILWAUKEE,. Dec. S.-After an In
spection trip here yesterday after
neon, Commissioner Haarer, OF De-
troit, says he does not believe Mil
waukee has solved the garbage prob
lem. He looked at the incinerating
plant and stated that the city does
rot appear to be obtaining any by
products to reduce the cost of hand
ling It.
Mr.. Haarer said Notwithstanding
this fact Milwaukee, Columbus and
Cleveland are far ahead OF Detroit in
that they have ample dumping
grounds for so years or more.
DIR. r. II. Stevens, chairman; and
A. ID. B. Van Zandt, Of the sanitation
committee of the Detroit Board OF
Commerce; DR.. Guy l.. Kiefer and
Aid. A. T. Allan were also here, with
Mr.. Harrer.
The Detroit times., 1911-12-08
WOMEN RISK LIVES
FOR SMALL PAY PAY MAKING
BUTTONS IN MUSCAT|NE
Woik kers in Iowa Factory Ex-
poseR To "Shell Disease" From
Putting Fingers in Water.
STRIKE FOR HIGHER WAGES
Here's the Story of Pretty Pearl
Button Which Decorates Gar
ments of Men and Women.
BY E. c. RODGERS.

MUSCATINE, Ia, Dec. S.-Bright,
CHEEKY pearl buttons.
Pretty pearl buttons that your chill
oren play with after the buttons have
laid or from working up and down
the front of your shirt, sir, and on
Jour shirt waist, madam. Yes, this
Is story about pearl buttons.
Sixty-five per cent OF all the pearl
buttons used In America are made
In Muscatine. Eight factories, en-
ploying 5000 men, women and chill
dren-quite an exclusive little indus
try for this nice little corn belt town
of 1900 population and something
for you to remember the city by.
But did you know also that most
OF the Muscatine pearl buttons on
your shirt. sir, or on your shirtwaist.
madam, were made by native born
American men and women who get
actically nothing for the labor OF
making them7
Sure! But these foolish men and
women OF Muscatine thought they
had to do IL, until few months ago,
IN order to keep their jobs and make
ii living Maybe they will have to,
yet. But In the meantime Muscatine
has strike that is attracting national
attention.
To begin with, the manufacturers
ray a cent to cent and a half
Ecund for the mussel shells. A pound
will make many buttons.
The shells soak a week or two,
while the bodies Of the musCel inside
rots away. Then machines cut many
Little round button blanks from each
sle ell. The cutters who operate these
machines have their hands In and out
OF this fetid, vile-smelling water all
day.
They get 81 to $40 a week-also
they get shell poisoning"-a scurvy-
like disease resulting from soaking
ed water.
Some cutters made as much as SO
n day, the employers say. found
they were the ,few -favorites OF the
weighers. And this weighing Ia the
tig Injustice. the cutters say.
Blanks cut from the thin edges or
shell make poor buttons. So years
ago II was estimated that IA dozen
would yield about gross-12 dozen
good buttons. Cutters are paid by
the dozen. Thus arose custom OF
calling IA dozen a gross.
Then the manufacturers adopted
another trade custom. When cut
ter turned In IA dozen blanks they
called 1t gross. Then they elimin-
ated the bad" blanks all over again,
deducting from the gross credited
TO the cutter. SO, In reality, he got
a net credit of, say, 9 or 10 dozen for
the IA dozen he turned in.
That is, he would but for yet an
other trade custom" It's impossible
10 count all the buttons, of course, so
the logical method is to count few
kandfuls OF given lot, weigh them
end estimate the rest by weight.
Fine. That's what they did. The
veigher counted gross, and dump
ed them in one side OF balance
scales. Then he filled up the other
Continued on Page Ten.
The Detroit times., 1911-12-08
Gombery and Others
Defend TAer,- Coznse7

\ WASHINGTON, Dec. S.-Uniou
labor leaders last night made public
formal defense OF their conduct
In the Mcnamara case. in the form
Of a statement signed by the mem
bers OF the Mcnamara ways and
means committee which raised the
fund In defense OF the two dyna-
miters. The statement was given
cut at American Federation of Labor
Headquarters.
The leaders speaking for union
labor declare they were justified In
| elieving that gas instead OF dyna-
r.ite explosion wrecked the building
ot the Los Angeles Times and in ac-
cepting the word of the McNamaras
that they were not guilty. The three
men who singned the statement de-
clare solemnly that they never had
particle of knowledge of the guilt OF
the McNamaras until the news OF
their confessions was printed in the
They invite an investi-
cation by the state and federal aus
tboTities and stand ready to throw
open the books, records and corre-
spondence OF the American Fedora
ton OF Labor to such an investigation.
The statement Is signed by every
member of the Mcnamara commit
tee except F. M. Ryan, president OF
the International Bridge a. Struc-
tural Iron Workers union, which the
convicted Los Angeles Times lyna-
miters were prominently connected
officilly. Mr. Ryan returned to In
dianapolis early today.
Had he remained, however" said
President Gompers, positively. II am
sure that Mr.. Ryan would have added
his name. He was called back to In
dianapolis by pressure OF business.
He did not see the statement but I
am sure he is in hearty accord with
tts oantfnauta
The Detroit times., 1911-12-08
IRON WORKERS ARE MUM
ON THE M'NAMARA CASE
Will Not Discuss Matter Pend
ing News From the Inter
national Union.

The Detroit Bridge & Structural
Iron Workers union. No. 25. will hold
a meeting in the Federation of Labor
hall, in the Lightner building, Friday
evening, but according to Frank j..
Murphy, former president of the
union, no action on the Mcnamara
case or the threatened investigation
into higher up" sources In the union
will be taken until such time as they
receive some news from the interna-
tional union.
I'VE have had no Official order
about the case, as yet" says Mr.
Murphy, $50 we have nothing 20 say
about IL at this time"
Carl wachmeister, of No. SO Han
ley-ave., is president Of the local
union; l.. "A Noel. No. 249 Twelfth
st, 10 sscretary, and William ]
| lODonnell, No. TOO Wabash-ave., ID
business agent. None OF these ofacers
could be located, Thursday.
Reports from Indianapolis are to
the effect that detectives from the
William j. Burns agency are search
ing in Detroit for the other two men
wanted in connection with the Nc
Namara arrests. and for whose ar
rests, $4,000 each is offered by Dis
trict Attorney Fredricks.
The men are: David Caplan, alias
William Morris. hlias William Caps:
and NJ A. Schmidt, alias +. A. Perry,
alias j. B. Leonard, alias ]. b. Bryson.
Caplan is a Russian Jew, feet 8
or inches tall, weighing $50 to $50
pounds, and 80 to AZ years old. He
has dark hair, gray in front, and with
his dark complexion, looks like an
Italian OF a Mexican. He left San
Francisco. Oct. 4, 1910, and Is said to
peddle ostrich plumes and other ar
ticles around the country.
Schmidt Is a florid-faced German
American, with a heavy head of
blonde hair, and his left eye Is out.
He wears glass eye. The other Is
blue-grey in color. He is. 80 to 35
years old, weighs $50 to 1870 pounds,
and Is about feet 10 inches tall. His
favorits expressions are, on greeting
a friend: '"Wie gents, landsman," and,
during conversation, he frequently
says. Believe me!"
These two men have been sought
all over the country, and IL Ia rumored
that they have been traced TO Detroit.
Capt. Mcdonnell says he has had
no communication with the Burns
agents, relative to the two men. but
Burns former action here, in connec-
ton with the arrests of Mcnamara
and McManigal, indicates that he
might fail to let the local detective
bureau In on his plans, II he were
searching here for the men.
The Detroit times., 1911-12-08
ALABAMA MEN START
BOOM FOR UNDERWOOD

WASHINGTON, Dec. S.-The open
ing gun for the campaign Of Oscar w.
Underwood, majority leader Of the
house, as Democratic candidate for
president in 1912, was fired today by
the Alabama delegation In the house,
which unanimously adopted resolu-
ton commencing him as "eminently
qualified for the presidency"
They declared they would now be-
gin an active campaign for Under
wood.
IL am not a candidate and | will
not be-" said Underwood, but I ap-
preciate the honor of such an indorse-
ment,"
The Detroit times., 1911-12-08
NEW INSURANCE LAW
BRINGS 100000 IN FEES

LANSING, Mich, Dec. S-Insurance
Commissioner Palmer says that the
law passed at the last session OF the
legislature barring unauthorized com
panies from operating IN Michigan is
working out in fine shape as fifty
companies have paid fees amounting
to 100000 and under the old statute
IL was impossible to reach these con
Germs.
Many OF them were mutual COM
panles organized in New England
states.
The Detroit times., 1911-12-08
WOMAN ENvELOPED BY
FLAMES is NEAR DEATH
Mrs. Ella Teetzel's Clothing
Catches Fire as She Is
Preparing Dinner.

VASSAR, Mich, Dec. s.-While
preparing dinner for her son last
night, Mrs. Ella Teetzel's clothing
caught fire from spark from the
cook stove. Her screams attracted
neighbors who rushed to her aid. Mrs.
Teetzel is lowering between life and
death today.
The Detroit times., 1911-12-08
TRIES TO BOARD TRAIN;
IS GROUND TO DEATH

SAGINAW. Mich, Dec. Sep
paniah Phillips, 45 years old. attempt
ed TO catch on Michigan Central train
for Chicago late Thursday night, but
missed his hold and was dragged so
feet and thrown under the wheels.
His head was severed. He was going
to Indiana to look for work. Wife and
five children survive.
The Detroit times., 1911-12-08
MOTHER FIGHTS TO
RECOVER HER CHILD

Mrs. Carrie Hawkins, OF Chicago,
arrived in Windsor, Thursday, and
caused the arrest OF Samuel Hawkins
and his wife. charging them with un-
lawfully harboring her six-year-old
son. She declares that Mrs. Hawk
ins, her mother-in-law. one Of the de-
PENDANTS, took the child from her by
force, three years ago, after he had
Deen turned over to her in connection
with divorce she received in Chica-
go from her husband, Frank Hawkins
Since then, she says, she has been
searching the country for the boy,
locating him only recently in Wind
sor. The husbands parents have
been released on bail, pending the
hearing OF the case.
The Detroit times., 1911-12-08
John o. TO Reply to Inyltation,

NEW YORK, Dec. S.-Acting for
John ID. Rockefeller and himself. the
Rev. Frederick It. Gates, yesterday
announced that he would in due time
reply to the invitation of Chairman
Stanley to appear before the commit.
tee of the house of representatives,
which is investigating the United
States steel corporation.
The Detroit times., 1911-12-08
NABBED AS VIOLATOR
OF STATE GAME LAW

MARQUETTE, Mich. Dec. S.--With
Is deer hides in his possession and
alleged TO have shipped away more
than twice that number the past
three months, Jesse Bollnger. a pot
hunter. was captured by game war
dens yesterday near Kates. He will
be tried this afternoon.
The Detroit times., 1911-12-08
Ransdell Heads Waterways conaress

WASHINGTON. Dec. S.--Rep. Jo-
seph 4. Ransdell, Of Louisiana, OF the
house rivers and harbors committee
was unanimously reelected president
of the National Rivers and Harbor
congress yesterday. II. A. Thompson
was elected secretary and treasurer
TO succeed J. F. Ellison. John A. Fox,
was elected special director.
The convention closed at noon to-
day The closing session was given
over TO reports from officers and to
eleeting vice-presidents, one from
each state
The Detroit times., 1911-12-08
WANT BOY CONVICT PUT
IN FORD REPUBLIC

SAGINAW. Mich. Dec. S.--Rev. lfy-
ron Adams. of Detroit. who Is here at
tending the men and religion forward
movement. says petition has been
sent to Gov. Osborn to have f6-year-
old Albert Fisher. OF Saginaw. who to
in Jackson prison. placed In Ford re-
public at Detroit.
The Detroit times., 1911-12-08

CHICAGO-vactav Svcja. gun
smith. didn't know that a gun he was
rC pairing was loaded and killed his
own 17-year-old daughter while jok-
ing with her. lie Is prostrated BY the
accident.
The Detroit times., 1911-12-08
MARKET OPENING.

NEW YORK, Dec. S.-Although
there were some fractional recessions
at the opening of the stock market to-
day a rallying tendency soon de-
velop<d. due to covering of shorts.
The Detroit times., 1911-12-08

Du-tpess-lfke Printing. No fuss ana
no feathers. The plain, 1cit kind that
hooks right. Times Printing Co. rs
tohn R.-st Ph. Main 1923. OF City asss.
The Detroit times., 1911-12-08

EXPRESSING AND BAGGAGE
Main or City n.
The Detroit times., 1911-12-08

Of the NJ r. church. told fellow church
men that David was In the blues when
ne wrote that three-scorc and ten was
life's span and asserted that he meant
12O years.
The Detroit times., 1911-12-08

COLUMBUS, Ohio~-After serving 10
years OF life sentence for a murder.
which it IT, found he was not connect
ed with. George Try will be pardoned
Another man sent up with TRY. aiso
found TO be Innocent, died In the peni-
tentiary fssffs ts'.t
The Detroit times., 1911-12-08

NEW YORK--The New York Wait
ers' union wants tipping abolished. a
fiat salary OF $40 week for the best.
and commission on sales.
The Detroit times., 1911-12-08

Dob rrl.ti.E Done R,sht Ttne.
The Detroit times., 1911-12-08

nrssENeER-MAIN oR crrr-ase
The Detroit times., 1911-12-08

ce--.rcs.i credit Co.. Rssise-