davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1911-12-26
FORGERY Charge
Stranger Pays For Christmas Pur-
chases in Dallas With Worthless
Bank Checks.

Sheriff Grant is in Portland today
where he went to bring back a man
wanted here for passing alleged
forged checks on Dallas merchants
last Friday, while making Christmas
purchases. The stranger bought an
overeoat at the Bee Hive store and
gave a check for sl6, signed by "W.
H. Walker" and drawn on the Nc
Minnville National bank, introduc-
ing himself as the owner Of a 400
acre ranch between here and the
Yamhill county seat. Within a few
moments later he bought a couple Of
rings at Shepherds jewelry store
and rendered in payment a check on
the same bank but bearing the sig
nature Of "W. II. Snyder" " Mr..
Shepherd was suspicious Of the man
and lost no time in forwarding the
check to the bank upon which it was
drawn, shortly after receiving the
information that it was Of no value.
sheriff Grant was notified and
discovered the check artist in Port
land where he had been arrested on
a similar charge. He viii Be brought
back here for trial.
Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1911-12-26
REMAINS OF INDEPENDENCE
MAN FOUND NEAR BRIDGE
IN THAT CITY; NO CLUE
TO DEED.
MURDER THEORY ADVANCED
Footprints in Mud Lead Form Scene
Beneath Bridge; Two Men Seen
in Converse Near Bridge at Mid
night; Coroner Chapman Investi-
gates.

The town of Independence was
thrown into excitement this morning
by the discovery Of the body of Mike
Cassidy, a laborer, who had met
death during the night, while on his
way home from celebrating Christ
mas. The discovery was made about
daylight near the end of the steel
bridge on the Salem road, and the
corpse was so badly covered with
mud that it was some time before
it could be identified. When it was
recognized by his wife, she broke
down completely.
Cause Unknown.
The cause of the death is a mys-
terry. SO far, it has been impossible
to determine whether it was case of
murder or suicide. Cassidy, it is
said, had been drinking Christmas
night. One report says that he start
ed home about 10 O'Clock, while
another gives it as midnight. Will
H. Block, a member. of the Independ-
ence meat company, passed the
bridge about midnight, and says that
he saw two men standing talking
about where the body was found.
Tracks were noticed in the vicinity
of the body this morning, it is said.
They were traced from the body to
the slough and also from the body
to the bridge. As far as could be
discemed there were no marks of
violence on the body.
Coroner r. l.. Chapman left for
Independence today to conduct an
inquest.
Cassidy was laborer and had
lived in Independence about two
years. He leaves a wife and large
number Of children.
Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1911-12-26
SPRING VALLEY RETAINS EN-
VIABLE LEAD AS THE ONLY
STANDARD SCHOOL IN
POLK COUNTY.
IMPROVEMENTS ARE MADE
Many Others Striving Hard to Add
Remaining Points to Certificate
Long List of Roll of Honor Dis
tricts for Attendance and Absence
of Abhorred Tardy Marks.

The regular monthly statistical re-
port of the public schools of Polk
county for the month ending Decem-
Der l, has been compiled by Super
intendent H. C. Seymour and is pre-
sented herewith. In commenting up
on the results shown, the superin-
tendent says:
"While we still have only one
school in the county that has won
all the eleven points for a Standard
School-Spring Valley-we have
many schools that have won many
more points than they had last
month and many now have nine and
ten points, which means that before
long we will have many Standard
schools.
"The attendance for this month
is the best ever reported ana all
schools show a great improvement
in attendance.
"Nearly every school officer in the
county is working to make his school
Standard school" "
Results in Figures.
Number of schools reporting cor
rectlv and ON time, 56.
Names Of schools not reporting
correctly and on time-Salt Creek,
Airlie, Brush College, Harmony, Fir
Grove, Greenwood, Oakdale, Lone
Star.
Number of pupils remaining at
time of last report, 1920.
Number of pupils registered new
during month, 1OS.
Number of pupils registered sec
ondary during month, 81.
Number of pupils readmitted dur
ing month, $50.
Total number of pupils on regis
ter during month, 2SlO.
Number of pupils dropped during
month, 25l.
Number of IApils remaining at
time of this report, 1853.
Number of days taught dunng
month, ISL.
Whole number of days attendance
44,495.
Whole number of days absence
1881.
Whole number Of times late, 5l3.
Number of pupils neither absent
nor tardy, 1921
Average number Of pupils belong
ing, 2557. o,-o
Average daily attendance, 24iIS'
Per cent Of attendance, 600.
Number Of visits by parents, l4S-
Number of visits by school boards
80. -
The following schools have been
plaeed on the roll Of honor Tor 'ne
comfy for having made per cent
Of attendance Of 95 or more. Dai-
las Smifhfeld. Pedee. Red Prairle'
TavisviIle. Ballston. Salt Greek uaA
Grove. Monmouth. District No ID
Airlie Bethel. Ward. Goose1esA'
RiekresIl. Oak Point. rlHus- inde-
Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1911-12-26
Committed Suicide.

A report received in Dallas today
convened the information that Bert
Miller, a young man about p years
old who had been employed on the
farm Of J. o. Graves, in Namhiii
county, near Sheridan, had commit
ted suicide BY shooting. No details
were obtainable here.
Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1911-12-26

At a special election held IN road
district No. u. in Bridgeport vicin-
itv last Saturday. the efforts 20 vote
district tax for the improvement
of roads met defeat by a ballot Of
a 20 u
Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1911-12-26

Confined a. Page Fivs)
Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1911-12-26
CENSUS SHOWS INCREASE
Many More City Pupils Than
Last Year.

As result of the annual
school census made of this city
by Tracy Stats, clerk Of the
School Board, it is shown that
the increase in the number of
children of school age, during
the past year amounted to l42,
an unusual growth for a place
of this size. A remarkable fact
in connection with the figures
given is that there is a differ
ence Of only four in the number
Of boys and girls.
The census for this and the
preceding year is as follows:
Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1911-12-26
Patrons of Salt Greek
Rural Route Remember
Carrier in Generous Nav
F. j. MORRISON RETURNS FROM
TRIP WITH MORE CHRIST
MAS PRESENTS THAN
HE TOOK OUT.

Remarkable Example of Apprecia-
tion of Years Work of One of
Uncle Sam S Faithful Workers
List Includes Everything From
Cash to Good, Wholesome Eatables
How would you like to be the post
man?
With a mental picture Of driving
rain, biting snow, frostbitten fingers,
cold feet, and mud, mud, mud, and
more mud-mud, miles of mud-the
responses come few and far between,
for such are a few Of the things
that go to make Uncle Sam s rural
mail carriers realize that they are
earning their salaries by the sweat
of their brows. In the gladstone
summer time, when the humming-
bird is on the honeysuckle and the
hired man is on the bum, and all
nature is gay and frolicsome, and
the grass is green and the sky is
blue, and the weeds are in the garden
and the beautiful wildfowers rear
their tiny tokens of creations
matchless imagery, and the price Of
eggs goes down, and the roads are
smooth and dusty-oh, then, then,
indeed, is the postman's lot a happy
one, and he goeth forth and trilleth
a song of gladness from the first
rosy streaks of dawn until the west
ern horizon separates the day from
the night. But in the winter-that s
another story.
Hooray!l!-
But, even in winter, there are rec
ompenses even in the work of a rural
route carrier. There are times when
the way seems not so long nor the
mud so deep-when the knowledge
that he is doing his duty in way
that s appreciated shortens the cold
est hours and smooths the toughest
trail.
Christmas time is when the rural
route man is at once the most bur
dened and the most remembered.
1t is then, if at all during the year,
that the patrons of the route bestow|
upon him various practical ways
their recognition of his courtesy and
accommodation.
The most astonishing example OF
generosity ON the part of the patrons
of a rural route in this county, and
perhaps in the state, occurred on
the Salt Creek route last Saturday,
when Rural Carrier +. j. Morrison,
made his last trip before Christmas.
At practically every home ne was
stopped to partake of some remind
er of the grateful than Ks Of those
whom he had served so faithfully
and diligently throughout the past
II months. For four years Mr.. Nor
rison has been delivering the mail
in the district that comprises Salt
Creek. Perrydale, BallstOn, Smith
field and Polk Station, and he has
made many friends by his obligIng
ways. The result was that when he
from his trip he brought
hack more Christmas packages than
he took out. As evidence Of this,
a list of the presents he received
Is given herewith:
One Days Receipts.
One box Of fancy. pack apples
from J. S. Parker.
One box fancy pack apples, EW-
ing Brothers.
twenty-five pounds Of veal, F. J.
BisselL
Five pounds of pork, John Grip
pen
Ten pounds Of pork and sausage
James f. Hill
4 = cheek. J. +. GOetz.
Cash. ". J. Garner.
Five pounds Of smoked sausage
Frank Fuesen-
Two chickens. g. Beck
One gallon Jar mineemeat' .
B0wles-
How would you ike TO be the
nostmani
Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1911-12-26
new MASONIC OFFICERS
Jennings Lodge, No. 9, A. F. & A.
NJ, Holds Annual Election and In
stallation.

The regular annual election of
Jennings Lodge, No. 9, A. f. & A.
NJ, of Dallas, was held in Masonic
Hall last Friday night and was fol-
lowed by the ceremonies of install
lation. A noteworthy feature of the
occasion was the retirement of Sec
retary J. c. Hayter, whose business
interests made it necessary to give
up the exacting and numerous du-
ties that are a part Of that import
ant Office. In recognition Of Mr..
Hayter's long and valuable service
in that capacity, the lodge voted to
present him with a costly Masonic
emblem. The list of newly installed
officers follow:
Worshipful Master-W. L. SOeh-
ren.
Senior Warden-E. A. Hamilton.
Junior Warden-U. S. Grant.
Treasurer-W. G. Vassal.
Seeretary-Walter S. Muir.
Senior Deacon-Carl B. Williams.
Junior Deacon. r. Mills.
Marshal-George L. Hawkins.
Senior Steward-A. B. Muir.
Junior Steward-Edward Biddle.
Tyler-D. S. Mcdonald.
Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1911-12-26
Dol PATRONS
MEETINGS TO
| RESUME
OF INTERESTING SERIES
be CONDUCTED sATUR-
BAY, JANUARY 6, AT
i SPRING VALLEY.
bSSIONS FOR EVERYONE
ste List of Sections, Districts,
/ and Names of Chairmen who
Preside-Association officers
Large Attendance and Hearty
acipation.
jSSIONS FOR EVERYONE

series of school officers par
hnd teachers meetings which
aeretofore created such univer-
'erest and advancement in the
.of education in this county,
be resumed and the first one
i held at Spring Valley, Sat
January 6, starting at 10
/ in the morning. 7. w.
president, and H. c. Sey-
secretary, of the Polk County
Officers association, under
auspices the meetings are con
|, have issued the following
Ient in announcing the sched-
the gatherings:
lese meetings have in the past
very interesting and now for
ming school year, if all will
and take whatever part they
the discussions, we will be
0 make the meetings for this
he best ever.
)ping that we may have the
cooperation of every school
parent, teacher, and patron
county who is interested in
hools, we are, etc. >"
Schedule of Dates.
swith is given a list of the Sc
5, place Of meeting, time and
of presiding officer:
ng Valley section: Brush
:, Lincoln, Zena, Spring Val
d Lone Star. Meeting held at
Valley Saturday, January 6,
chairman.
oy section: Bethel, Mccoy,
errydale; meeting at Mccoy
ay, January 13, NJ. A. Lynch,
an.
section: Eola, West Salem,
ain View, Popcorn; meeting
st Salem Saturday, January
5. Ruge, chairman.
reall section: Rickreall, Oak
Crowley, Smithfeld, Green
Polk Station; meeting at Oak
Saturday, February 3, J. E.
chairman.
! section: Buell., Harmony,
Ieek, Butler, Valley Junction,
ROnde, Pleasant Valley;
g at Harmony Saturday, Feb
10, Alferd Hall, chairman.
och section: Antioch, Mistle-
Oehran, Elkins; meeting at
Zoe Saturday, February IL, C.
, chairman.
geport section: Bridgeport,
7, Oakdale, 0akhurst, Powell
Rock Creek, Guthrie; meeting
thne Saturday, February "a,
y. H. Mack, chairman.
Greek section: Salt Creek,
Salt Greek, Concord, District
) North Dallas, Pioneer; meet
: Salt Creek Saturday, May
Z. Hart, chairman.
'e section: Airlie. Ward. Val
= AairfleW, Lewlsvllle; meet
Airlie Saturday, March 16,
.eh, chairman.
Z section: Pedee, Fir Grove,
'nery, Cherry Grove. Maple
meeting at Pedee Saturday.
- j. w. Yost. chairman.
,,ol = section: Ballston. Enter
Hed !. I. PraiHe. Seroggins; meet
o--l1ion Saturday. March 80.
Sresg. chairman.
Il N.a section: Buena Vis-
- Highland Hoprille. su-
: 5S''5s : At Parker Saturday.
y y. II p-s---
Norwich bulletin., 1911-12-02
TRAFFIC VIA PANAMA AND
 TEHUANTEPEC,

Practically 100 million dollars worth I'of domestic merchandise from the United States was transported across the isthmuses of Panama and Tehuan tepec in the fiscal year 1911 via the two railway lines connecting, in ths one case Panama on Pacific with Co.,
 lon on the Atlantic, and, in the other,
 Salina Cruz. the Pacific terminal, and
 Tehuantepec with Puerto Mexico on
 the Atlantic.
 Trans -isthmian traffic between the eastern and western coasts of the
 United States and between the east ern ports of our country and Pacific
 coast points in Central and South Am
 erica has greatly increased in recent
 years. In 1908, when the Panama
 railway offered the only rail connec-
 tion via the isthmus between the At Iantic and the Pacific coasts, the total traffic amounted to about 6 million
 dollars. In 1907, on January 1 of which pear the Tehuantepec railway
 became available, the total was 21 mill .lion dollars; in 1908. A million; in 1909, 62 million; in 1910, S2 1-2 mill lion; and in 1911, 99 million dollars, exclusive of more than three quarters of a million dollars worth of foreign merchandise.
 The growth in traffic by the respec- tive routes has been, according to fig ures compiled by the bureau of statis- tics, department of commerce and la Dor: Via the Panama railway from 10 million dollars in 1907 to 26 million in 1911; and via the Tehuantepec rail- way from II 1-2 million in 1907 to T3 3-4 million in 1911. In 1907 the traf- fic was about equally divided between the two routes. while last year about three-fourths of the total was moved across the isthmus of Tehuantepec.
 Of the merchandise passing from the Atlantic coast ports westward across the isthmuses, aggregating 62 1-2 mil lion dollars in value, f million dollars worth went to Hawaii via Tehuante- pee; 4S 1-2 million went to Pacific coast cities, Al million dollars worth being shipped by way of Tehuantepec and 12 million dollars worth by way of Panama; little over 1-2 million dollars worth went to foreign countries, of which all but 1 million dollars worth was by way of Pan anna. These west-bound shipments left the Atlantic seaboard at New York and Philadelphia the latter's share being less than 1 million dollars value and that of New York 61 I-2 million. The westward movement in cluded a total of 32 1-2 million dollars fe--NO eO A-NS 3AASCASSs dDOuI d nall million dollars each to Tacoma and Portland, and smaller amounts to Oak land and other Pacific coast points About so per cent. of this traffic was moved via the isthmus of Tehuante- pee. To foreign countries the ship ment from the Atlantic coast cities. aggregating 1-2 million dollars in 1911 as against 3-4 million a year earlier, were distributed-to Peru. ? million dollars; to Colombia l 1-2 million; Ecuador and Chile, each about 1 million; to Central America over 2 million; and to Canada, about $20O. 900.
Norwich bulletin., 1911-12-02

determination to see always the best In everything.
 She had met much care and hard work in her younger days and together they had overcome it with energy. and now in later life were able to enjoy the rest and comfort which their thrift ty habits had made possible for them. With capable help in the kitchen and on the farm, their declining years were running on peacefully; and as their steps were turning westward they could look back with pride on d well spent life. and look forward without fear to their future rest
 They had reared a large family of children, ana though none remained with them at home. all did them credit and most of them were near enough hearts and brighten the lives of the old people.
 Thanksgiving brought them all to- gether, if possible, and today the fa- ther and mother, left once more to themselves, were recalling the events of the previous day. The three mar ried daughters lived in the vicinity; and they and their children were so oIten at audma's that both mothers and children could act as hostesses to those from greater distances
 T am sure I don't know how I should have got along without the girls yesterday" continued Mrs. Hewitt in a musing tone Wasn't Marv's
 
 made all those little pound cakes that the children liked so we'll
 All right" reElied her husband Who made all the pies? I'd rather have them than the cake"
 "Oh. l did those some days ago.
 T thought so. Can't fool me on pies know yours every time, and nobody can beat them. not even your own daughters.
 Then Ben's wife made the salads, and they did look so pretty"
 very good; but who stuffed the turkey and made the chicken pies :? Ihey seemed to be in greater demand than the salads. I noticed for I did the carving. Ben offered to do it. but told him 1 would serve my own table as long as l was host. I have not forgotten how to carve a turkey yet; and ours are not tough enough to re- ouire much outlay of strength"
 And so the talk ran on from one point to another of the feast, which included so many of the o1d-time dish es, for Mrs. Hewitt remembered all her children's especial favorites in that line. and tried to cater to them all.
 Then their thoughts drifted to those who had been with them as guests.
 Ben was a prosperous merchant in a neighboring city.
 Ben's good boy and generous to us.' continued his father. He handed me $50 check before he went away. Of course, I know he can easily afford thought Of doing it."
 He always was q good son.. joined in the old lady. and Amy makes him good WiTe, She brought me a fine piece of cloth for q new dress didn't need it. but she wants me to have it made right away for the win ter l am sorry they have no chil- sren They will never know the pleas ure we are having with ours"
 Well. John has enough for both five, I believe. though somehow l get them mixed up with Mary's and Mar tha's boys and girls. John tells mo hI= law practice is increasing. This last case about the railroad has brought him considerable notice. He
Norwich bulletin., 1911-12-02
5O5 WHITE, WEED AND BUG
 EATER.

or all our native birds that have been studied Bob White has been found 10 be the most useful to the agricuI- turisr because of his destruction of noxious weeds and insect pests. Mrs. Margaret Morse Nice has excelled the agricultural department at Washing ion for exhaustive study of the food habits of this popular bird and has discovered in it's diet 6I species of nOzious weed seed. which, added to the eS already known, makes a total of 12s. And Bob White has a relish for 155 species of insects, among which is the cut worm, squash bugs, potato, bugs peach tree borers. the carpet bee He and the Hessian fly.
 Among the insects Bob White has eaten in a day has been 1850 flies, s.eeo plant lice, 1,2s6 rose slugs, IT ErAsshoppers. s5 large black crickets. roo bugs. including 300 grasshoppers. which shows how useful a flock of them would be on a farm.
 Mrs Nice estimates that a. hen quail will eat 75.00O insects and 5000, 600 weed seed in a year-about TAP pounds Of insects and 10 pounds of noxiousa weed seed per bird
 4 pair of quail, this writer says. win lay a hundred eggs q year-and from i've hens she had in captivity she pro- 1-ScN 1A a Nt 1sC OA oo SsBS +pAete- She regards Bob White too valuable a bird to farmers to be killed for sport especially when the country is actually suffering for just such a help CT in large numbers
 Nature and Culture. a little monthly magazine printed by Eugene Swope at Cincinnati. sends out a beautifully Illustrated supplement of this bird. which may be had by any bird student for two 2-cent stamps. It does not tell the whole story of Bob White, but in IS handsomely printed pages it says enough to dispel all doubt as to the usefulness of quail as reducers Of insect pests. and noxious weeds.
Norwich bulletin., 1911-12-02

C.-How shall we understand the Apostle Peters words where he says, quoting from the prophecy of JoeI- And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, will pour out of My spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall proPhssy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; and on My servants and on My handmaid- ems will pour out in those days of My spirit; and they shall proPhesy2' (Acts il, ", 1a) Are we to under stand that there will be two Pente- costaI outpourinss of the Holy spirit7 (W. J. E.)
 Answcr.-Glancing about over the world today. and noting the events of the past We see that at no time thus far has the Lords spirit been poured out upon all flesh" But we do see that, beginning with the day of Pente-
Norwich bulletin., 1911-12-02

worked hard to get his profession, and deserves 10 succeed
 T wish Tom could have been with us," added Mrs. Hewitt with a gen tie sigh, but he is too far away 10 be expected. He is doing well. he tells us, but Australia is long way orr and we can hear from him so seldom-
 Now don't worry over Tom, re- oll right. He has too much of his mother in him to go wrong and will win friends wherever he goes"
 Children had filled the house with their laughter and happy frolic the day before; and roamed over the farm, the little city cousins filled with wonder and pleasure at the strange things shown to them by the country bred lads and lassIes, only too eager to dls- play their Knowledge of the surround ings to the visitors. They had made their elders happy as they watched them. and today the echoes of thelr merriment still remained about the old Ilace.
 Not a bad looking or i'll behaved one in the lot boasted their grand father, and I am sure they will grow up to do the old name credit"
 Yes" assented Grandma Hewitt, i've have so much to be thankful for, that my heart is full to overflowing; Iorg life. prosperity dutIful children ana loving grardchiidren. What more can we ask"
 -rhank the Lord for his mercies," added her huskand reverently.
 Just then came the summons to the midday meal; and they were amazed to find how the time had slipped away while they were recalling the events of their Thanksgiving day
 But the climax of all came 10 mem while they were at the table to Wh1ch they had been called. A rap ar the door was immediately followed by the entrance of a young man whom they welcomed with great joy.
 Their boy Tom, the youngest or the flock. would always be my baby boy to his mother
 T found if possible" he explained. ito get in a short trip home just now. Meant to be here for yesterday, but missed connections. I always was the day after the Fair, you know. Any thing left for a hungry man to eat I've been tasting Mothers pies all the way from the city Went up to see Ben. and they wanted me to stay there tonight. but I was in hurry to get here to the old place and you. It seems good to be here again, all though it can be only a flying trip.
 How great was their pleasure in seeing him was plainly seen in the faces of the old people. How they hung on every word that fell from his iipsi How they loaded his plate with dainties till he cried for mercy! Tie crowning joy of their Thanksgiv- ing had come as an after-thought. AN IDLER.