davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Mena weekly star., 1911-04-20
TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE
Thrilling Escape of Two Women Tornado Whirls Their House
 Through Air-Left Destitute.

Written for The Star by Robert J. Brown,
 well known newspaper man Of Little Rock.
 One of the most thrilling experi- ences of the recent tornado was that of Mrs. M. A. Ferguson, an aged widow, and her widowed daughter, Mrs. Rosa Huddleston, who occu- pied the two-story frame building north of Roachs Wholesale Gro- cery on Fourth street.
 How they ever escaped with their lives is the wonder of all who view the mass of wreckage which was once their home. The upended frame of the two front rooms stands fifty feet from it's original foundation, damned up against the concrete wall of the big wholesale house, amid a tangle of splintered boards and broken timbefs, like the hulk of a storm-wrecked ship on the jagged rocks that have de- stroyed it.
 We had gone to bed" said Mrs Ferguson, but when the storm struck us we got out and sat on the floor. The lamp was burning be- side the bed, but we had no time tC do a thing. I felt the house rock and then it seemed to swing as i
 it was in the air"
 Tt was in the air" said Mrs. Hud-
 dleston. T felt it go up-a hundred feet, it seemed to meand then l came down with crash
 Tt was crash and roar iron ] first to last" continued Mrs. Fer l guson. The whole house creakel
 and popped when it commenced t
 go, and when we crawled out of, tn
 wreck everything was III an up
 roaf."
 That's so." added Mrs. Huddle
 ston. Tt was awful. It was darl | except for the frightful Lightning
 We were covered up with board
 and broken furniture, and when W
 dug our way out the drenchlng raj
 beat on us and the wind and thun der roared. Somehow we got to tn fence and chung to a post. Twlc the wind tore us loose and fun us from our feet. The fence wer down. Water covered the grount We found ourselves struggling the tangled branches of a falle tree. and then we dragged ourselyf into the street. Somehow we stag gered on through the mud and wa ter. | could see that the hous across the street was standing an we managed to reach it."
 That seemed to be about all ther was of the story. The house whic became a refuge for the two tel
The Mena weekly star., 1911-04-20

ceivable form, especially after his divorced wife married Ellis. It is said to have even gone so far as an attempt to ruin the character of the child's mother, and several at tempts at kidnapping.
 During the trial of the last case in fight over the little girl in Little Rock in 1909 in the presence of the court and in a crowded court room Ellis suddenly drew a revolver and killed Willis.
 Ellis was tried for murder and sentenced to five years in prison.
 Following this petition contain ing thousands of names was pre- sented to Governor Donaghey ask ing for the pardon of Ellis. At that time the governor refused the par l don.
 Ellis is a man physically weak and it is probable that his present physical condition has had much to do with the pardon just granted
The Mena weekly star., 1911-04-20
NoRwOOD UPHELD
Special Telegram to The star.

Special Telegram to The Star.
 Little Rock, April f7.-The Su- preme Court today reversed the case Of Caldwell & Drake vs. Auditor lobe and sent instructions to the Pulaski circuit court to sustain the demurrer entered in the case by Attorney General Norwood, when the case was on trial.
 Caldwell & Drake presented a claim for about s30,000 to Auditor lobe, which they claimed had been allowed by the old capitol commits sion. lobe refused to issue the warrant for the amount, claiming It was not just.
 The matter was taken to court and Attorney General Norwood en- tered demurrer, which was over ruled and a mandamus was issued by the court directing Auditor lobe to issue the warrant for the S30,- 900. The case was appealed by the Attorney General to the Supreme court. The opinion handed dowr by the higher court today upheld Attorney General Norwood and Au- dltor lobe in their contention tha the old contractors were not entl tied to the money claimed.
The Mena weekly star., 1911-04-20
SPENT TWO DAYS IN A TREE.
Azel Titus Has Hard Experience 1T
 0uacEita River Flood.

News reached Mena Tuesday of the thrilling experience of Azel Titus, son of l.. P. Titus, formerly of Mena, but who now lives on farm near Dallas.
 Azel started out Thursday for a fishing trip on the Ouachita at the mouth of Board Camp creek. He took his supplies in light one- horse wagon. That night he un- hitched his horse, tied him to the wagon and then went to sleep in the wagon. Sometime during the night ne was awakened by the horse pulling at the wagon. He was much surprised to find that he was sur rounded by the raging waters of the 0uachita. He cut loos his horse who swan to the shore, but did mol care to fight the current himself IIe therefore climbed a nearby tree and remained there until Saturday when George Harrison found him and by the use of rope helped hin 10 reach dry land
 Tn the meantime Azets parent became anxious ever his failure q return and bsrra 3 search for hin
 Sunday morGine lhe horse wa found outside !. F. Thompson place near Dallas. This raesed Mi md Mrs. riius t5 become macl Gore worried about theIr s0n. Lat
 er in the day Sgndev Azcl arrive
 at his home Allee bein@ rescued !
 had spent a day n bed al the hom of Mir. Harrison.
The Mena weekly star., 1911-04-20
APRIL TERM OF
 CIRCUIT COURT
Judge ]. T. Bowling on the Bench Grand and Petit Juries 0rgan- ized and Work Taken Up One
 Day Earlier Than Usual.

Contrary to the custom which ex- isted when Judge J. S. Steel was circuit judge, Judge Jeff T. Bowling, the present judge of the circuit court, opened court last Monday morning, instead of waiting until Tuesday to prevent it being neces- sary for those called upon to at tend court travelling on Sunday. Judge Bowling believes that with the present convenences for travel it is no great hardship to be on hand at t0 o'clock Monday morning. When Judge Bowling rapped for order the room was crowded. Cir cult Clerk Green called the list of grand and alternate grand jurors and twenty-three out of the twen- ty-four answered present. The twenty-fourth man had been ex- | cused.
 Court was opened by prayer by the Rev. J. s. Edmonds. Then fol- lowed the courts instruction to the grand jury. Judge Bowling deliv- CTS his charge speaking most of the time in a conversational tone, but his words carry force and for about an hour and half he held the close attention of the members of the grand jury and the large audience that filled the court room. He urges especially the enforcement of three aws-the law against car rying pistols, that against gambling and against drunkenness, stating that if these lessor crimes are stopped, the greater crime of mur- der will seldom be committed Re- garding the selling of pistols and pistol cartridges, Judge Bowling stated that it was not only against the law to sell pistol cartridges, but it was violation of law to sell or keep for sale rifle cartridges that can be used in pistols.
 Regarding the Sabbath law, his honor told the grand jury that it was a violation for fruit stands to remain open and sell fruit, candies, etc, on Sunday, and that while drug stores could sell medicine, they could not remain open under the guise of selling medicine and sell cigars and other articles not ne- cessity. The judge closed his re- view of the criminal law by referr- ing to two that have been enacted recently, one which makes it a crime to be drunk in public, and an- other which provides severe pun ishment for a man who abandons his wife or children. Judge Bowling stated that down at his home they had man who was now serving sentence of six months in jail and
 must pay $500 fine for abandoning
 his wife and children and running off with another woman.
 | At the close of the judges ad-
 dress the grand jury retired, with
 Major E. H. Poe as foreman. The
 other members are: J. s. Wood, 2 lB. Isett, John Aston, ]. R. Connally lE. c. Turner, J. w. Hembree, J. M T Goodwin, w. c. McCaulley. F. c
 Embry, H. w. Finger, l.. o. Cooper U. B. Littlejohn, I. Blanton, J. P | Davis and D. A. Daniels.
 | Before the noon recess the peti | jury was sworn in and in the after
 noon the regular grind of court wal
 taken up.
The Mena weekly star., 1911-04-20
INSURANCE FRAUD
 STAGGERSOFFICIALS
Prominent Citizens of Columbia County Are Forced to Restore S5,OOO Obtained by Amaz-
 ing Swindle.

Magnolia, April i6.-An insurance fraud involving some of the most prominent people i'll Columbia coun- ty has just come to light, and $5,000, the amount paid two years ago to the perpetrators of the fraud, has been returned to the insurance com pany with additional 5000, which covers interest and expense of un- earthing the fraud.
 Detectives for the insurance com pany have been staggered, not so much at the amount lost but by the prominence of the people and the manner in which a country woman acted her part. She was the sup posed wife of the dead man. When the agent for the insurance com pany who paid the claim talked to her she burst into tears and said that she felt as if she were taking blood money and did not want any insurance. When it was intimated that there had been some crooked ness in connection with the claim, the agent of the company hooted at the idea, and when he was finally convinced, he remarked: That woman can give Sarah Bernhardt cards and spades and beat her as an emotional actress
 The fraud was perpetrated by four people. An imaginary person took out a policy for 5000 and gave his note for the first premium. He was supposed to have gone duck hunting, to have fallen into a stream, contracted pneumonia and died. It was such pitiful case that the agent for the insurance company had a letter written by the be- reaved wife, telling what good thing life insurance is and how the S50O0, which her husband left, was all that she and her two children had to support her.
 The signature of a justice of the peace of Magnolia was forged to the affidavit, and this forgery was 
 largely responsible for the matter being exposed. But for the justice of the peace being absent from Mag noIia when the agent of the com pany went there to pay the claim, 1 the fraud would have been exposed at that time.
 The people connected with the fraud are very prominent, and as restitution has been made the mat ter has been suppressed, but there may yet be prosecutions.
The Mena weekly star., 1911-04-20
NOBODY SPARED
Kidney Troubles Attack Mena Men and Women, Old and
 YOunn.


 Kidney ills seize young and old. Come quickly with little warning. Children suffer i'll their early years
 Can't control the kidney secretlons Girls are languid, nervous, suffer pain. n. Women worry, can't do daily work.
 Men have lame and aching backs. The cure for man, woman or chlld Is to cure the cause.-the kidneys. Doan's Kidney Pills are for SICK kidneys
 Have brought relief to Mena peo- pie :.
 Mena testimony proves 1t.
 Mrs. H. NJ. Ferris, 1901 $. Seventh street Mena, Ark. says: T can strongly recommend Deans Kidney Pills. as several members of my fam ilv have received relief from kidney complaint through their use. rms remedy has certainly worked won ders. I was often bothered by pans across my back which made lit think that my kidneys were not IT normal condition. I used a supply of Deans Kidney Pills and they helped me. strengthening my Kid, news and driving away the pains. do moi hesitate one moment Tn en- dorsing this preparation. IA For sale by all dealers. Price DUG DUG Foster Milburn O., Buffalo, N. l. sole agents for the United states.
 Remember the name-Doah s-- and take no other.
The Mena weekly star., 1911-04-20
Grcen-Chote Wedding.

The Rev. J. M. Green and Mrs. Is. E. Chote were quietly married Thursday afternoon at the home oi the bride in the western part of the city. Rev. J. J. Haynes performed the ceremony. Both Mir. and Mrs Green are well known. having been residents of Polk county for many years. The Rev. MT. Green is the father of w. I. and Circuit Clerl Green of this city. The couple expec to make their home in Mena.
The Mena weekly star., 1911-04-20
Miss Onie Okeson Married.

The many friends in the city of Miss Onie Okeson, daughter of MT. and Mrs. J. M. Okeson, were greatly surprised Thursday to hear of her marriage to Mir. Jenkins, which oc- cured at Texarkana Wednesday. Miss Okeson has been visiting rela- tives at Texarkana for three weeks, and not even her parents were aware of her marriage until she and her hus- band arrived in the city on the early train Thursday morning on short visit. They returned Friday afternoon to Texarkana, where they will make their home.
The Mena weekly star., 1911-04-20
Mrs. T. A. Allen Dead.

Last Thursday night, at 9.2O o'clock, mid the deafenine claps of thunder, the vivid flashes of lightning and the downpour of rain, the spirit of our sweet little friend, Minnie Allen, wife of T. A. Allen, took it's flight to the unknown beyond, after a short but severe illness of pneumonia. Mrs. Allen was only girl in years. but a mother. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved companion and family.
 The funeral was hel1 at the home Saturday morning at ten O. clock. and burial at the Odd Fellows cemetery. xxx
The Mena weekly star., 1911-04-20
W. Y. ELLIS PARDONED
Governor Donaghey Gives Freedom to Man Who Killed Wife's
 Tnrmenipr.
special Telegram to The Star. Little Rock, April Ex-Governor Donaghey today pardoned ". Y. Ellis, who killed N. P. Willis in 1909.

Owing to the prominence or the parties and the circumstances sur rounding the killing and the mo- lives leading to it this case has aeld the interest of tee people all ovcr Arkaasas and even beyond.
 A number of yegrs ago the wIe of <. ?. Willis secured divorce from him aad the custody CT theif oniy child, T litlle grl They were prominent people in Iadian2poi's Wills and they cane to make iheh homo at Pine HIuif Ark. Willis following his separation from hi; wife and baby, started q legal bats tie for the custody of the child This was carried on in every con-
The Mena weekly star., 1911-04-20
RTTHERFORD AND
 MURRAY INDICTED
Men Held Without Bail as Re w .ns;bIe for Death of Oscar rbi.wood Must Stand Trial
 Sid Houpt Again Indicted.

uo, snrings. April i6.-The grand .r,, yesterday returned indictments ..;nst John Rutherford and Ben m,,rrav former deputy sherlifs ,.,n;no the administration of ex- choriY Sid Houpt. charing them ,,,i,b inc murder of Oscar Chitwood, ,,,bo was killed on the threshold of ,ho iail on the morning of December 9e while pleading for his life.
 A the same time indictments ,vere returned aganst ex-Sher- ig Houpt, who has been temporarily romoyed from office pending trial m an indictment charging him uiih the technical escape of Ruth orford and Murray. The indictments contained four counts, charging that he failed to carry out orders to bnrn gambling paraphernalia. Dep ntv Sheriff Howard, who has also heen removed from office, was in dicted on three counts, charging similar offenses.
 Following the murder of Chit wood. John Rutherford and Ben Murray were held by the coroners iury to be responsible for the death of Chitwood, and they were not al- lowed bail. They later made appli- cation before Circuit Judge Evans for bail through habeas corpus pro- ceedings, and the petition was not allowed. An appeal was taken to the supreme court and the judg- ment of the lower court was up held. The two, it is claimed, were kept in jail only a>few days. They were allowed their liberty, but were claimed to be under the surveil- lance of the sheriff. The first in- dictment of Sheriff Houpt was the result of the two prisoners being. allowed their liberty.
 Claimed Mob 0verpowered Them.
 When Oscar Chitwood was mur- dered Rutherford and Murray claimed that it was the work of a mob that overpowered them and then shot their prisoner to death. Chitwood, few days before, had been granted a change of venue to Saline county, and Rutherford claimed that he was taking Chit wood to the city jail for safekeep- ing before taking him to Saline county that morning. He claimed that he had heard of threats being made against the life of Chitwood following the change of venue, and that he was taking his prisoner to the city jail as the more secure place.
 An investigation was held by the coroner that was personally con- ducted by Prosecuting Attorney Wood. It lasted several days, dur ing which time the prisoners in the county jail were examined in se- cret sessions. When the jury re- turned a verdict it charged Ruther- ford and Murray with being respon- sible for Chitwoods death.
 It is claimed that the grand jury is still Investigating the death or Oscar Chitwood and that indlct- ments charging others with being responsible with Rutherford and Murray will be returned. When seen in jail today, Zen Murray said that the indictment against him was no surprise, and that he hoped he would be given a speedy trial.
The Mena weekly star., 1911-04-20
To Teachers, Past, Present and
 Eilture

Who would review the essentiais lmn IT he branches required by law. CT tho desire to obtain highef sraue ertifcates or advancement i,dl ln eachipr these progressive times 'ttend the Four Weeks Norinai oneninc May g, in the Mena hisf 'ioo' ". c. Bryant.
 John Trainer.
The Mena weekly star., 1911-04-20
Lawrenee-Nichols.

Joe G. Lawrence and Miss Frankie Nichols, both we'll known young peo- Die of Mena, were married Sun day at 3 D. m. by the Rev. $. A Neighbors of Rust. The couple left here after their Sunday dinner and drove to Rust. A few friends had been told of the coming wedding and had intended to be present but arrived at the brides home after the couple had left.
 The bride is the daughter of Mrs M. Nichols and has for some time held a position with w. w. Towns and. The groom is a son of J. $ Lawrence of Shady and is employed at Crawford X McKinney's store.
The Mena weekly star., 1911-04-20

Purify the blood and put the sys- tenn in order for summer work by using at thls time a short course of Prickly Ash Bitters. It is the great est purifier on earth.
 Jackson Drug Co.,, Speclal Agent.
 W. c. yandiver, Special Agent.
The Mena weekly star., 1911-04-20

Many so-called "bitters" are not medicines, but simply liquids dis guised, so as to evade the law. prlckly Ash Bittefs is not one of this class. It is strictly medicine acting primarily on the kidneys, liv- CT and bowels, and for the danger ous diseases that attack these organs It IS a remedy of the first grade There is nothing objectionable IF It's taste. II has an agreeable flavoI and is acceptable to the most dell- cate stomich.
 Jackson Drug Co.,, Special Agent
 ". c. Vandiver, Special Agent.
The Mena weekly star., 1911-04-20
DEATH OF JUDGE
 JOHN H. ROGERS
Noted Federal Judge Failed to Open Court on Time and was Found Dead in His Room at Ho-
 tel--Brief Life Skitch.

Little Rock, April i7.-Retiring in apparently excellent health, last night, Judge John II. Rogers of Ft. Smith, judge of the Western district Of Arkansas, was found dead in bed at the New Capitol Hotel, this city, today. He had been holding court here for Judge TriebeF, who is en- gagged in going over the vast volume Of rate litigation testimony, and was on the streets Saturday afternoon. after the courts session. Heart failure is assigned as the cause.
 Resolutions of condolence and sympathy were passed this morning by the legislature. The body was removed from the hotel to the resi- dence of Judge Hemingway, pend ing the arrival of a delegation of friends from Ft. Smith.
 The death was especially sad in that all members of the judges family were scattered. Mrs. Rogers was in Mineral Wells, Tex, with a grandchild, and the only daughter, Bessie, Mrs. Roy Johnson, and son Douglass, were at home here, and the other sons at their homes else where.
 Not Strong for Some Time.
 Ft. Smith, April i7.-Judge Rog- CTS had not been in really robust health for some time, and was suffering with a severe cold when he went to Little Rock to occupy the bench in the Eastern district for Judge Trieber. After reaching that city he was so ill that he was confined to his room for a day or so, but so far recovered that he un- dertook his duties on the bench : writing to his son here of the fact that he was all right again.
 He occupied the bench Saturday, and was expected to do so again Monday morning, but at i0:30 Mon day morning, the hour having passed for opening court, he had not arrived, and, fearing he was i'll, Judge Trieber and Judge Rose went to the hotel, and upon visiting his room it was ascertained that he was dead.
 Review of Public Life.
 After the war Judge Rogers began the study of law, completing his education in that profession at Dan- vile, Ky. In 1869 he came to Ft Smith and shortly afterward formed partnership with Judge William Walker. This partnership contin- ued until Judge Rogers was chosen judge of circuit court, which posi- tion he held until elected to Congress in 1882. It was during Judge Rog- CTS first term on the bench that ht presided at Waldfon at trials grow ing out of the circumstances which led to the so-called Scott county war and in the trial of these cases he displayed a courage and lega acumen that had for long time been wanting among the occupant: of the bench of this district.
 Judge Rogers entered congress IT 1883, having been elected the previ- our year, and served four consecu- tive terms, and retiring voluntarily | in 1892. At the close of his congress sional career he formed partner ship with Ira D. 0glesby, whlcf continued until 1896, when he wal appointed by President Grover Cleveland to the judgesnip of th' United States court for the West ern district of Arkansas.
 Hill May Succeed Rogers. Already there is movement or foot to petition the President fol
 the appointment of Judge J. M. Hll F M Cp,ftb foppnpr chief luStlce
The Mena weekly star., 1911-04-20
Hill May Succeed Rogers.

Already there is movement on foot to petition the President for the appointment of Judge J. M. Hill of Ft. Smith, former chief justice, as the successor to Judge Rogers.
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-01-25
Legislative Proceedings
PVLLS TODAY IN
LOWER HOUSE

Bismal ". d.. Jan. 25.-Bills in
troduced 3 the lower house today
were as fol-. s:
cunninghs< Regulating the issu-
ance Of hearth certificates for live
stock in transit or before shipment
out of state or upon entering state
also making violation misdemeanor,
Tollefson-Relating to duties OF
board Of county commissioners, who
shall report county fiscal affairs, pro-
viding for auditing and checking Of
ficers. @
streeter- Relating to succession of
estate.
Notwithstanding for informa-
ton TO resident taxpayers in respect
to the various publications which are
issued for free distribution by the ag-
ricultural college, and prescribing the
duties of the agricultural college and
county auditors relating thereto.
Anderson of Ramsey Relating to
practice in county court.
Doyle of Foster-P Providing for the
inspection of barber shops, registra-
ton Of BARRIERS and appointment of in
spector and compensation.
Peaft-Provfdes that city council
Of each city under 10000 inhabitants
shall have power to establish a library
and reading room and make tax as
sessments for maintenance.
Seven Bills Reported Back.
Seven bills were. reported back from
committee in the house today. The
more important were:
II. B. 33.-Relating to monthly state
ment by depositary,
Fl. B. 44.-Relating to track from
elevators to railroad.
Fl. B. 77.-zRelating to seals of no.
taries public.
Fl, B. 7s.-To provide for greater
of finances of state.
Z The others were 9, 2 and 1O2.
Bills to be brought up on general
orders are, Sc and 107.
Continued on Page Six