davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-08-03
THE DROUGHT

Every day the weather forecasts
are looked for. For this week it is
reported that there will be local
rains. We hope so, and that these
local rains will come TO this section
which is literally parching up.
Some of our farmers are feeding
their corn to the stock. The truck
ers are down-hearted. the people de-
pressed. If this is so in the middle
of the summer, what will the condi-
ton be next winter? Prices were
high enough before. Our advice is
for all our people to watch their eX-
penditures and prepare for the com
ing winter. Every thing will be
high; so we should prepare to meet
these conditions. We are not among
the calamity howlers or the pesSi-
mists, we only speak the truth and
meet facts and conditions as they
are. The drought here, indeed all
over the country is alarming. and re-
minds US to be on our guard IN maxi
ing rational, sensible preparation, If
we can. for what will be- brought
about by it in the cost Of living.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-08-03
IRRIGATION PROBLEM
(By Il. III. Harris. }

Man progresses 80 long rs he is will
ing to learn. Mistakes cost money. and
when an idea is presented it is up to
the man to see if he can use it to his
advantage and not always to try and
see if he can get on without IL. On the
Florida trucking lands the new settler
begins his first year farming by plant
ing round potatoes; this crop is ready
for market in about ninety days. follow
ing this crop of potatoes that frequent
~ nets $500 an acre, the farmer plants
corn and in order b. get the corn off at
the right time the land has tile laid
under the corn; this thing is usually
laid twenty feet apart and about eigh-
teen inches doep in the ground. When
the crop needs water the head bitches
are filled and the latterals I'LL the
ground, taking the water from the til
ing, all surplus water going off when
the land IL full. Besides these tile drains
take the water away when the rainfall
~ excessive in wet seasons. The water
supply is supplied as in the Western
irrigation lands. The irrigation sys-
TEN put into operation in the
Rappahannock Valley would make the
pickle growing take on life never
known in this part of the country. Now
some seasons the growers get small re-
turns for their labor and IN cases sell
other articles TO pay the fertilizer bill.
That's bad luck. Other crops may
be- grown and the land may be richer
and better growing two crops year.
The better the crop, the better the
market; the better the market. the
more money for the grower. because
the sweet potato grown in Hanover
county makes its market in Chicago,
and the strawberry grown in Caroline
makes express time to Pittsburg.
Fredericksburg. Va. Aug. |, 1911.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-08-03
NORFOLK WOMEN WILL BE
WITNESSES At BEaTIIE TRIAL

While not fully confirming ali that
they had previously stated IA Norfolk.
Marie HAYNES and Mayme Shafer. OF
Norfolk, gave DISPOSITIONS bearing on
the Beattie case Tuesday ln Richmond,
which are cassed by the officers for
the prosecution Us ''most satisfactory ~
They were allowed TO return To Nor
folk on their promise 10 appear for the
grand Jury Ou Aug L.. Both women
were taken {. the ilOnricO county jail,
and there positively identified both
Beattie and Beulah Binford IS the
couple who had spent much time IN
their company daring the Norfolk races
last spring The dispositions taken by a
steuographer Nere not made pubic, but
confirmed various remarks of Beatue
and Beulah 8infofd. which bear on his
alleged motive for. and intention Of,
making way with his wife.
The detectives are carefully guarClng
the name of Richmond woman %to
was in the automobile party in Norfolk,
and who was also examined closely,
practically substantiating the testimony
of the Norfolk women as to Beattic 3
infatuatlOn for the Bldford girl. Other
members Of The party can be produced
If necessary.
Judge Walter A. Watson,of the Ches-
terrified Circuit. had a conference with
Commonwealth Attorney Gregory as
to preliminary arrangements for the
trial. On advice Of Attorneys Wenden-
burg and Gregory the witnesses, Paul
Beattie and Beulah Binford. were not
transferred from the Hcnric0 Jail to
the city jail, as had been proposed. a
satisfactory agreement was reached,
and instructions were given TO deputy
sheriffs as to who was to be admitted
to the prisoners.
All parties expressed themselves as
satisfied with the clear understanding,
and as the grand jury is now less than
two weeks off, a removal was decided
to be unnecessary. Before Aug. II all
the prisoners will be taken to Chester
field county Jail.
Mr.. Wendenburg said he saw no rea-
son why the trial should be uuduly pro-
longed. Efforts will first be made to
secure a jury from Chesterfield county,
and only when this has failed will a
venire be drawn from elsewhere.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-08-03
NO MEETING
State Democratic Committee Again
Fails TO Secure a Quorum.

All efforts to secure n quorum OF
the state Democratic Committee in
RichmondTuesday night having prov
ed futile, the twenty men who an
swered to their names adjourned TO
meet August Is at p. IN. A mo-
ton to meet in Roanoke instead Of
Richmond was defeated.
There were naturally some dis
on the part of the
"Straightout" contestants from Nor
folk county over the failure OF their
efforts TO present their petition 10
have the State Committee take up
the contest and decide it.
1t is now regarded as settled that
no decision in the Norfolk matter
need be anticipated until after the
primary of Sept. Z. Whether or not
the Norfolk county committee shall
have disposed of the contest by Au-
gust IS, when the state Commit
tee meets again, it is not believed
that the latter will hold a third
meeting until it gathers a week or
two after the primary to canvass the
returns of that election. Should an
appeal be the nature of the proceed
ings on August Is, the appointment
of a subcommittee would proba-
bly, be the course pursued.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-08-03
STATE COMMITTEE LACKED QUORUM
Norfolk County Contest Went Over
for Hearing.

All efforts in Richmond Monday night
to 20 into the Norfolk county contest
by agreement in the absence OF a quo
rum of the State Democrat Committee
having been frustrated by Judge K. /.
w. Dukes insistence on point OF or
der. the committee adjourned to 3
O'Clock Tuesday night, when an effort
will be made to get together the re-
quisite number of twenty-six for the
transaction of business. Only two
members were needed Monday night to
make a quorum, but these were not
forthcoming.
State Chairman EllysOn sent out tel
egraphic notices to all the absentees,
urging them to reach the city by Tues
day night.
Hill Carter has been secured as asso-
ciate counsel for the "Straightouts,
who were also represented by j. Lind
say Heard, James G.. Martin, Law
renee Brooke and Russell Bradford.
Attorneys for the contestees were
Capt. John w. Harper, l.. w. W;
peterborough, F. l.. Croker and
George Pitcher.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-08-03
BskTTlE SAYS He WILL
GET OUT OF JAIL

"All this Norfolk stuff makes
me tired 1t is without foundation
and absolutely untrue. Certain eff
forts are being made to get witnesses
to testify against me. They can {
hurt me. will be out OF here in a
few weeks. The newspapers have
tried me They write me up for
everything | do-cven for smoking.
This outburst by ii. c. Beattie, Jr
was evoked by the presence in Rich
mond of two Norfolk women, from
whom the prosecution was seeking to
get statements tending to show
Beattie's desire TO get rid of his
wife. Beattio was talking in his
cell to his barber. The prisoner con
tinued
when | quit this place. | guess
! will have to rent a tent and charge
so cents admission for the people TO
look at me. ! am getting tired Of
people hanging around the Jail
was at first worried about my little
baby. l was afraid it was not re-
.ceiving proper attention. but now
that it is i'm Mrs Owens hands | am
satisfied. Don't forget what | say
l will soon be out Of this place
free man
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-08-03
WHY DIVORCES INCREASE

Would national divorce law. or
uniform divorce laws in all the
States lessen the total number OF
divorces throughout the country;
The number has increased dur
ing the past half-century and Is still
increasing. and the fact is deplored
by all except by those who obtain
divorces or who want them. DR.
Lichtcnberger, a professor OF sOciOl-
Ogy at the University Of Pennsylyan
ia, believes that the solution OF the
divorce problem will not be found
in any divorce legislation, for the
rapid increase OF divorce Is due to
"A social condition apart from the
law This is his reasoning: "Our
whole social condition is in process
Of evolution the same as our indus
trial world The department store
has made an cmploye OF the butch
er, the baker. the small mcr-
chant who used TO own his own store
and trade with his friends aud neigh
bors. The consolidation of capital
and the wonderful improvements and
inventions in machinery have work
ed great changes In the Industrial
world. These same agencies have
upset our social system. A better
social adjustment IS the only cure "
The professor does not suggest
how the better social adjustment
is 10 be brought about. but his view
chat economic conditions are in
timatoly related with the divorce
rate Is shared by an increasing num-
Der of thoughtful men and women,
who holds that just social system
is impossible unless it is based upon
a just economic system Alexandria
Gazette.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-08-03
FREE LIST PASSES
Amended Bill Goes Through
the Senate.
CONFERENCE ON COMPROMISE
ali Insurgents and Two Regulars
JOIN With Democrats in
Passing the Tariff
Measure.

Washington. Aug 1.-The farmers
free list bill, not in the original form
10 which 1t came from the house, but
a, amended by Senator Kern, Of In
u.ana, was passed by the senate by a
final vote OF Is ayes to 80 noes
Tie bill as passed is materially dif-
icient from the house bill. by the
force of an amendment offered by Sen
ator Kern. Of Indiana, meats and hour
arc admitted free only when coming
from Canada
This amendment was adopted by AZ
L. -. and was the real test OF the
question whether the bill would pass.
Lad the measure been left so as to
provide for free meats and free -four
from all parts Of the world number
OF the insurgents would have refused
t. support II They insisted that they
could not venture to put the farmers
from ihcir states into competition with
Argentina. Australian and the Carib.
Ian region on meats, and with Argen-
ma on flour.
The paragraph relating to free ad-
mission OF leather and boots and shoes
was strengthened. Cement and lime
were added to the free list. Senator
a,ic made an attempt to get free pa
FER and pulp from all parts Of the
world This was beaten by % to 81.
This action by the insurgents and
democrats uniting made it clear that
ARRANGEMENTS had been made to put
through the bill substantially as had
icen done IN the case of the wool
measure
Tie action of the senate means that
President Taft will have another tariff
bin put up to him to veto or to sign
Tie measure will go to conference
snd there will doubtless be an agree
mont between the two houses.
II is not yet quite clear just how
far the house Democrats will resist
the adoption OF the senate bill IA II
passed They will probably put up
ptrinnctOry fight against the Kern
ain,.dmcn,s. which have the effect of
lufDng free meat and free -four pro
visions TO such countries as we have
reciprocity arrangements with and adj
nat certain Of our articles free, that
g. l. Canada.
The insurgents voted for the free
list bill. and so did Senators McCum-
lcr and Nelson, of the regulars. on
,Le theory that they were paying back
The farmer in part for his losses on
reciprocity.
J. is regarded as certain that Pres-
don't Taft will veto the bill in case IT
rea, hes him. as there is now every in
dica ion IL will.
A. The bill now stands the following
are among the chief articles admitted
free.
Agricultural implements, cotton bag
r,nr. cotton ties. leather, boots and
shoes fence wire. timber, lumber, sew
ing machines and salt from all coun-
tries.
Importations from Canada Of meats.
cereals. -four and bread are admitted
free As already mentioned. lime and
cement We're added.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-08-03
ANOTHER WITNESS
Woman In Norfolk Connected With
Beattie Case.

The mystery of the murder of
Mrs. II. c. Beattie. Jr., has been
cleared up. so far as motive Is
concerned This is the statement
made in Norfolk Monday night by
Major Kizer, chief of police; John
G Triton. Commonwealth Attorney.
and members of the detective starr.
The name of Mamie +. Shafer. who
lives in the segregated district OF
Norfolk, is being used.
4 statement was made by both
Major Kizer and Mr. Tilton that
Norfolk will produce the witness 10
furnish the motive that actuated
the killing of the young Richmond
matrOn.
The whole story hinges around
Beattie's trip to Norfolk during the
spring meeting of the James
town Jockey Club. At that time
Beulah Binford was living with her
mother at boarding house on Col
leee Place in Norfolk. Beattie call
ed on the BinfOrd girl. with whom
he had been intimately associated
for several years. and took her to
the races nearly every day. Al night
they would 20 out together. and the
police who have traced their tran,
say thy paid regular visits TO Ger
tain sections. and generally visited
the homo OF Mamie Shafer. On one
occasion. the police who have inv'sl
gated the case say Beattie tried 10
persuade the Binford girl to 20
away with him.
Il will not 20" she is declared TO
have said. "until you get rid of that
ID wife of yours. -
Leave that to me. / will get
rid OF her. Is the reply Bet'tie
mad. according to the evidence The
police have.
Major Kizer. Attorney Tilton and
Police Sergeant Freeman will leave
Norfolk for Richmond with the Sha-
fer woman
The Shaf,r wCm.n was not put
under arrest Her place was clos b.
ly watched by the police. however.
The Shlfer woman VAS taken to
police headquarters during Mon
day in cab and examined
Ii was not until o'clock Monday
night that she WAS allowed 10 leave.
After Thirteen hours OF almost in
cessant questioning she went back
to her house in closed carriage and
escorted by Police Captain Mayo.
Henry Clay Beaitie. Jr.. made de
NAL of the report that he had ever
said a word in regard to ending his
life before ne would 30 to the death
chair He declares that he never
thought of such a thing Mayme
Shafer and Ida Hildrcth. both Of
Norfolk. were brought here in con-
necliOn with the Bcattic case and
each denied ever having heard Beat
tie say anything about getting rid OF
his wife They are being grilled by
the detectives
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-08-03
JONES IN THE SOUTHWEST

Hon. w. A. Jones spoke at Nor
ton Tuesday afternoon and at Wise
courthouse at night Mr.. Jones'
speech was mainly a discussion of
Senator Martins votes on the tariff.
his advocacy of the Union Station
bill. his position on ship subsidy and
the famous Thompson letters. In
connection with Senator Martin s
record on the first three subjects
he read and commented upon a cir
cular letter. which the Senator has
sent out over his signature. Ex-
planning and defining his record in
this letter. Senator Martin charged
that Mr.. Jones had opposed and de-
nounced ship subsidy until New
port News was put in his district,
and then he voted for it.
This statement, Mr.. Jones de
clares, is absolutely untrue. lie had
never voted for ship subsidy, either
before or after the Newport News
shipyards were put in his district The
only measure which could have aid
ed the merchant marine. and for
which he voted, was q measure that
passed the Senate unanimously. II
was in sense a ship subsidy meas
ure, and did not take a dollar out OF
the public treasury.
AS to Senator Martins defense OF
the Union Station bill, Mr.. Jones de-
clared it was the weakest and most
absurd which he had advanced In
support of his record. that Senator
Ma - L.,
gress bill giving two railroads SO,
100000 and only one other Demo-
erat had voted for It.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-08-03
STATE REALIZES HER FULL CLAIM

Faring better than any other credi
tor Of the Virginia Safe Deposit and
Trust Corporation, of Alexandra, the
State Of Virginia Tuesday received a
check in full Of her claim. The money
was turned over to State Auditor S. k.
Donohoe.
Judgment for the State was recently
entered in the claim against Thomas
w. Robinson, treasurer of Alexandria.
After the collapse Of the bank. it was
found that Treasurer Robinson had on
deposit with the concern, TO the credit
Of the Commonwealth, the sum Of $l8,-
3O9.53. He was also bonded with the
same company, which did trust bust
meas. Suit was at once entered at the
instance Of the Auditor for this amount,
and the courts gave judgment in favor
Of the State. The total amount re-
ceived was $40, 032 81, which includes
interest on the deposit to date amount
ing TO 81. 722. 90.
Other creditors viii get 20 per cent.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-08-03

directed by Simon ilirsh K ffo
Wheat. sjc to SOC; corn, Zoe 10 p
meai. 81. 80 t. 81. per lO0,oats, A. 10 IS
old hens, live, II to II; dressed, Il to -.
winter chickens. - TO 20. lb. dressed Is
TO -; spring chickens, II to - cts 10;
eggs, - to 81; lard. ~ TO IL; ducks,
live. to 10, dressed - to l6;buttcr, 10
to 2.:.ounlr, hars, y 10 l5;baron sides.
l. 70 l5.,risE ,ctatocs SltoSl. %. lambs,
$3.50 to 81 hides, green, Z; dry
sailed, l0to Il: dry hides, T. to -; calf
skins No. /, $i.OO to Sl.25; baled hay,
go to $23 per ton; live hogs. 6 To- 6 -.
beef, live weight. to 3, pork. Z 10 s.;
wool. Is TO ~ per ID, veal. t. &C. 7. sweet
potatoes. 81 to Sl.25; turkeys live. II to
H.; seed Irish Potatoes, 81 10 81. p: ship
s;uT. $26 to $2s; bran. $26 to S29 per
ton. black peas. SR35; black-eye peas,
1926
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-08-03
VICTORY FOR "DRYS'

Judge Barksdale has decided the
contest of the local option election
held I'm Roanoke magisterial district
Halifax county. on May 9th. The
courts decision is a victory for the
drys.
The district. upon the returns, vot
ed wet by a majority of five votes
but the result was contested by the
dry people. and Judge Barksdale has
declared the election Illegal. for the
corrected returns show a dry ma
iority OF four votes.
The grounds of contest were that
10 voters who participated in the
election had no right to vote, and
the evidence brought out showed
how nine OF these voted in the cleo
ton.
There can be no appeal from this
decision, and the district will re-
main dry for another two years.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-08-03

The action Of both Democratic fac
tions in Pennsylvania in indorsing
Woodrow Wilson for the presidential
nomination is significant as indica-
ting that the Keystone delegation to
the next national convention will
be for him While New York may
present the name of Gov. Dix his
record as Governor is not of the
character to give him any show for
the nomination and the probabilities
are that New York, Pennsylvan-
la and New Jersey will all be found
voting for the governor of the last
mentioned State. At this time Will
son seems to be in the lead for
the nomination and the tide seems
to be running stronger his way as
the days 90 by. In the meantime he
is applying himself to the work OF
certain reforms in New Jerseys sys-
tenn of State and municipal govern
ment.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-08-03
DOROTHY ARNOLD NOT DEAD

Dorothy Arnold is not dead; she
is abroad and her parents have gone
there to look for her. That is all
that can be said definitely now.
Miss Griffith. companion to MIS-
Rufus w. Peckham. Dorothy's aunt
is quoted TO this effect.
Miss Arnold was heard from
some weeks ago-in an indirect man
ner. The information came that she
was abroad. and 1t was concluded
that further information would fol-
low"
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-08-03
PENSION FOR ANDY 10th
Reward For Man Who Served Twenty
Years For Crime He Didn't Commit.

Pittsburg. Pa. Aug. ANDY 10th.
who was released from the peniten
tiary here last March after serving
twenty years OF life term for a crime
he did not commit. has been placed on
the private pension roll Of Andrew
Carnegie.
10th was convicted for participation
in the killing OF a Waterman at Carne'
gie's Edgar Thomson steel plant az
Braddock. but the confession Of one OF
the rioters in Hungary cleared him
and be was pardoned Carnegie Or
derel that the man receive $40 a
month
10th will leave Plttsburg for Hun
gary. where he will rejoin his wife.
whom he has not seen since his con
victiOn.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-08-03
FORT HUNT SLATED TO GO

Fort Hunt, which for years has
stood upon the western bank OF
the Potomac as one OF two sentinels
over the only navigable approach to
the nations capital, Is doomed If
the plan upon which the officials OF
the War Department are now work
ing meets the approval OF Congress
The old artillery post is historic and
with Fort Washington has protected
Washington against invaders.
Forty-eight other stations are like
ly TO go. II is because they are
deemed unfit for active seryice.They
are not properly located. and have
be- IA kept up largely through senti-
mout. The annual expense Is so
great that II was recommended that
The stations be abandoned.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-08-03

We would suggest that property
owners In Fredericksburg can add
greatly to the looks of the town
by setting out trees in front of their
property so soon as the grade on
the different streets is located. Moth
ing adds more to the beauty of a
city or town than an abundance OF
trees. When you plant them, how
ever, be sure to get the right kind
of tree, else your labor will have
been in vain.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-08-03
SEIZURE OF ADULTeRATtD OATS

Pronounced on analysis to be adute-
rated in tho ratio of something like 80
per cent, two carloads Of oats, en-
signed to a Richmond firm by shipper
in Peoria, ILL.,, were seized Tuesday.
An Inspector made a report on condi-
tons, and on information furnished by
Deputy Commissioner B. -. Purcell,
the consignee refused to receive the
shipment. The foreign matter was
mostly chaff, dirt and weed seeds.
The owner may get possession of the
goods by giving bond conditioned on not
attempting to sell the oats elsewhere
A fine of from $50 to $500 will pro badly
be imposed. although imprisonment is
also q penalty.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-08-03

Members of the old Washington
Guards, which was Co. X. Bird Va.
Regt., during the Spanish-American
War, and in fact militiamen all over
Virginia, will be grieved to learn of
the death of Gen. VIM. Male, which
has occurred at his home in Gull
pepper. Gen. or Col. Male, as he was
more Familiarity known to the men Of
his regiment. the 9rd Virginia, was
a man who attained a high place in
both civic and military life of this
State and who, best of all, won for
himself during the months his regi-
ment was at Camp Alger the affec-
ton and esteem Of his men. He was
a splendid citizen and one whom the
State can i'll afford to spare.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-08-03

With Congress out of the way, the
country's business ought to take a
forward step during the fall season.
Business has Jagged this year as
result Of the process OF econ
omy which the people have been
practicing as a result of the panic
of 1907. At that time the coun-
try was living beyond what sound
business conditions could stand and
the slowing down process is still go
ing on. With fundamental condi-
lions once more settled all kinds of
business ought to take great
strides forward
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-08-03
PREACHING At RAM0UTH

Rev. w. s. jackson, of Fredericks-
burg, will preach at Ramouth church,
in Stafford county, the first Sunday in
August at IL O'Clock and on Saturday
evening preceding at 2:30 O'Clock. The
members are especially requested to
attend on Saturday as there in import
ant business to consider.