davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-07-24

gan 20 neglect his farm. Things grew
seedy in the family: the hideous spec
tre of want overshadowed the once
happy threshold.
1t was the old. old story The grim
habit seized upon Gould: no could not
resist. ''The lust for checkers got into
his blood" Unable to ind any one at
home with whom he might play the
fascinating game. nc went around the
neighborhood. a checkers Alexander.
signing for more checker Kingdoms to
conquer. Finally he left the commun-
ity. and was charged with deserving
his family A warrant was sworn out
for his arrest. The pale weary wife
told the authorities that Gould would
be found In some place where a check
er tournament was going on. She was
right Gould was arrested Just as he
was Jumping" his opponents king.
What a melancholy case! 1t is but
one OF thousands. and the wonder is
that Congress does not appoint q COM
rnittee to investigate this spreading
checker evil. which only such states
men as the Hon Halvor Steenerson
and the Hon. Napoleon Bonaparte
Thistiewood could check by their
united congressional efforts Look at
the Gould case. where checkers
brought on all the troubles OF once
happy family and cut off Gould from
any hope OF useful citizenship. There
is no asylum where Gould can be
checked with a checker cure Well
may we inquire. in the words OF the
kansas City Journal: How long will
civilization tolerate this terrible
scourge that has wrecked so many
happy families and brought such I'M
told misery upon the human racer"
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-07-24
MUNICIPAL EFFICIENCY n,,pr

according TO the Providence Tribune.
municipal committee In ST. Lou,s
has lately issued an interesting and
important eight-page pamphlet. which
VIII attract attention wherever muni-
ciYal problems are studied. The aim
81 tl.s publication is to exert infu-
enee IN establishing in ST. Louis and
IN other cities municipal efficiency
bureau. or. as it is more Frequently
called bureau OF municipal research.
This committee has gathered informa-
ton concerning the operations Of such
bureaus where actively operated in New,
York. Chicago. Philadelphia. cincin.
natl, Milwaukee and Memphis.
1t defines these bureaus as ;ns,itu-
lions which are designed to Introduce
into public administration the most
economical methods of private bust
ness. to proven, waste and to provide
an effective agency OF citizens inquiry
to ascertain exactly how the public
business is transacted. to bring this
information to the people in digestible
form and on the basis of exact know
ledge to assist city administrations in
increasing efficiency"
In New York. where the bureau of
municipal research is declared to have
saved several millions ) of >dollars for
the city. the cost of its maintenance
last year was 100000, while in Chi
cago 1t was $4,000, in Philadelphia
$40, 900. in Cincinnati $4,000. in Mem
pills $4,000. and in Milwaukee $4,000.
In New York the larger part of the
expense was contributed by about
twelve citizens, although there are be-
tween a hundred and two hundred
smallet contributors In Chicago four
teen men subscribed $4,000. and an
additional $4,000 was sent unsolicited.
The Philadelphia bureau derives its
support from tho contributions OF a
small number of men. as is also the
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-07-24
rnE cnEckERs CURSE.

Baseball is generally regarded as
the American national game Some
think poker deeerves the title. Count
less others would confer the distinc-
ton on that game which is played
wherever men are. the good old game
OF checkers, the game that has made
statesman and undone the good and
great. The Kansas City Journal now
adds another chapter to the history
OF this famous game, saying again
we are called on to chronicle the
downfall of confirmed checker play
er." This one is Myron Gould. He was a
prosperous young farmer OF lWVandotte
county Kansas His future was of
bright promise" 4 young and happy
wife waited for him at event!de Two
little daughterseblesse his home The
young farmer "beamed upon the world
IN supreme contentment" Into his
sden there came, however the serpent
In the fascinating form OF checker
set At first Gould paid little heed to
the -tempter. Gradually 1t exercised
Its baneful influence until. he began
to play a great deal. SIN, like all
men in the grasp of fearsome habit no
maintained that he could play check
ers OF leave IL alone, Just as he willod.
his VIE became alarmed. Gould be.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-07-24

How long can mother-in- visit
her son-in-law or her daughter-in-law?
Ten days; simply that and nothing
more. accordin. to the decision of Mag
istrate Mcclure. OF Brooklyn. Wife
complained to Magistrate Mcclure that
her mother-i n-law had been at her
house ten days. during which period
the old woman had run things TO suit
herself. She keeps me SO ratified all
the time that can't even wash the
baby" avowed the wife. IT'S time
for you to so home said the magis-
trate to the motherin-law, You have
been there long enough. Ten days is a
plenty of time. and when You go there
again don't stay over ten days" 1t is
safe bet that the magistrate mar
ried an orphan.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-07-24

Some vacation bromidioms are thus
noted by the Chicago Tribune:
Il don't care anything about it, you
know, but the women folk insist on it."
NO, I don't expect to have a good
time. Ill feel worse tired out when I
come back than when 1 went away"
Its such u bore. don't YOU know
this thing of having TO pack up and
go gadding all over the country under
the pretext that you need a rest"
The misery OF it is that you can't
get good coffee anywhere"
And. besides. 1t always rains when
1 90 on my vacation"
You never meet any but selfish
people at summer resort
"I'll be mighty glad when It's over"
All these are heard almost every
day. To these might be added Il few
retrospective vacation brom!dioms:
The hotel was full of peaches. and
L was the only man they fell for"
Yes. 1 met a rich widow, and she
took me driving every day, and has
telegraphed me begging me to come
back
we had fried chicken for every
meal"
NO. I had to argue with tho pro-
prietor to let me pay my bill"
"Oh. no. there were no mosquitoes
there it was cool and nice. all the
time"
The Index-Appeal can add a hundred
more 20 the list.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-07-24

The score was tied in the tenth. The
down. Two We're on bases. Two strikes
and three balls had been called. The
next ball over was met on the nose
and smashed into the next county. CIV
ing the man up a home run. Captain
John Cook was in the grandstand. and
had been roofing for the home team.
When the ball went whizzing over the
fence. the Captain got so excited and
shouted so loudly that he burst blood
vessel and died Immediately. What a
glorious death for a fan! This took
place in Los Angeles last week.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-07-24
"JEFrs AND .IAckn

TO many red blooded Americans the
fourth of July is a sad anniversary.
because 1T chiefly recalls to them tho
downfall of the white mans hone"
at Reno in 1910. James ]. Jeffries. who
continuously protests that he would
do nothing that "a Jerries" would be
ashamed Of was battered into tam
porary imbecillty by a big black man.
VINO was one of the chief attractions at
the late coronation of King George.
All this might be forgotten If II were
not Tor the temperance of Jeffries
from time to time to chatter foolishly-
and loudly about his former proves.
JeHries is now a bar-keepcr in San
Francisco. and holds court across the
brass rail. receiving many sport-struck
pilgrims who wish to indulge in bathos
over the pristine pugilistic glory OF
the bo!lermaker barkeep.
Some few days ago Jenrfes told with
pride about how he had snubbed Jack
Johnson in London. To hear him talk
one would think that the dusky cham
pion was frightened to death at the
sight of his unlucky competitor. JEFF
fries said:
The night seen the big smoke was
at Komano's in London. You ought to
have been there. The smoke comes in
with his gold teeth all shining. All
blacks are white to them English, and
right away We heard from all sides.
There's Jack-bully old boy Some
body told the smoke that was pres
emit or else he saw me. and he came
walking right over to the table where
Walter Kelly. the Virginia Judge, and
me were sitting Just before he got
there 1 turned my back The smoke
knew just what ] meant and didn't
lingerie beat it" Z.
Johnson behaved with extreme cour.
tesy. He showed no anger, but talk
ed to the other men at Jenries' table
and then resumed his seat He meant
to do what any decent sporting gent"
would have done. wished to show his
good feeling and amiable disposition
that was all. Having fought John
son. Jeftries was on no higher social
level than the black man. whose con-
duct was as gentlemanly as that of
Jeffries was churlish. But there is
no dearth of mean white men"
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-07-24

is Monroe Park. Last year number
Oh trees in that Park were cut down
because they had died or were dying,
ana there are number In that Park
now that need the care of some physi,
can In Franklin Street, which is the
snow drive of the City. because it is
30 beautifully shaded. number OF
trees are dying or will die II they are
not given prompt attention. 1t would
take ten years to grow others. and
they might be soved by ten minutes
attention now. What is the matter
and who is to blame for this condi-
ton OF things?
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-07-24

Can 1t be that women are going to
stop loading down their heads with
bales of dead peoples hair? Consul
General Anderson. of Hong Kong. re-
ports that shipments OF human hair
from various Chinese ports indicate
that there is a great falling off in the
trade. and that there is now an over
supply of corpse wool. Let US hope
that the good news is true, and that
women will no longer wear other peo-
Piles hair when they ought to be wear
ing their own.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-07-24

Is a really fat man a freak of ma
ture" or human monstrosity"? w
C. Brown, superintendent of conces-
sons of the Iowa State Fair. has put
this question 10 the Attorney C General
of Iowa a law in that State prohibits
the exhibition of deformed persons
Idiots. imbeciles. human monstrosities
and freaks of nature. The champion
fat man of the universe wishes TO show
himself at the Fair. and the question
is: Can he? But the law does not spec
ify what weight must be attained in
order for a fat man to constitute n
freak or monstrosity. The superinten-
dent himself weighs moro than two
hundred pounds. The Attorney Gen
eral is considering the matter, and will
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-07-24
~ no MAYoK RICHARDSON.

Richmond has a right 10 be proud
Of it's shade trees in the parks and in
the streets All visitors to the town
are struck by the beauty of their foil
age. and praise lis that in our rush
for material prosperity we have stiii
preserved sense of the artistic why
is it that the trees are not better
cared for? Who is charged with their
protection? Why doesn't Mayor R'ch-
ardson keep his eyes about him and
suggest to City Council the creation
of some board or other whose speciai
business it will be to see that the
trees are nursed when they are sick
or sprayed when they are fun OF IN
socts, afe doctored when they look
pale. are replaced when they die? Is this
not a part of his business as Chief
Magistrate of,,the City, and we don't
mind sayingsa very good chief mag
htrate2
ons OF the show places in tho town
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-07-24
OVERRIDING DIGNITY.

A chair costing $40 was bought for
New York Supreme Court justice
the other day. and when the controller
passed upon the bill ne thought 1t was
excessive and ordered photographer
to go to the Supreme Court room 10 get
picture of the chair to attach to the
voucher. While the photographer was
getting ready to make the picture the
clerk of the Court interfered and said
that the picture could not be taken
because to do so would be onending
the dignity of the court"
What an absurd thing, as the Ohio
State Journal comments. as If the
dignity of the Court We're superior
to the rights of the people. There is
such thing as carrying dignity too
far.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-07-24

chicago's billion dollar police"
STAFF has been disbanded. 1t was made
up OF one hundred and fifty rich men
who live in the suburbs, and who were
taken on as special policemen, serv-
ing withou; pay. Their chief du:y was
10 wear star. which showed them 10
be members OF the police force. Chief
Moweeney has called in ali these extra
stars. He says the millionaire cops
are good for nothing and are in the
way.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-07-24
pnoHlnIrIoN IL TEXAS.

At o'clock yesterday Sunday eve
ming. with nine counties TO be heard
from and with incomplete returns from
thirty other counties. the anti-Prohibi-
t!onists claimed a lead of 2.l70 out
OF total vote OF 1880. The cleo
ton is so close that IL is said that THE
exact result will not be known until
the last box is heard from" The anti
Prohibitionists, however. have issued &
statement claiming the election By
good majority" The election was as
TO the amendment OF the State Consti-
tuition prohibiting the safc or manu-
facture OF intoxicating liquors in
Texas. There are already 1874 Prohibit
ton counties in the State. and the
purpose OF the Prohibitionists was to
make Texas Prohibition as a State. A
very active campaign has been con-
Quoted. and with the result that che
election Is in doubt. although the
chances seem to be that the Prohibi-
tionis,s have been defeated by small
majority
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-07-24
CROP CONDITIONS.

An evidence OF the harm done by
the general drought is found in the
low average condition of corn on July
J. as demonstrated by the reports OF
the Department OF Agriculture 1t was
marked SOL per cent. compared with
S5.i per cent. on July l. 1910. and
ten-year average OF SIT. In a two
billion bushel crop the difference is
very great Wheat has suffered like
wise. 1t is marked 1876. compared with
73.5 last year, and to a ten-year aver
age OF s44. The acreage planted in
wheat this year was almost 6 per cent
Greater. while there were IL per cent
more acres planted in corn. Hay suf-
fered most. the condition on July
having been 64.9, compared to s0.2
last year. and ten-year average of
s57. Oats are marked SIS. compared
to s2.2 and s6.3. Potatoes were
marked 10. compared to s6.S and 904.
/; looks as If foodstuffs and feedstuns
VIII be high for the next year.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-07-24

There were odd names in old times.
The London Chronicle mentions among
the good men and true" on a jury in
Sussex in the seventeenth century
stardfast- on high stringer Kllls-sin
Pimple. God-reward Smart. and Fight
tae-good- hght-of-faith White Hume
refers to man named Mr.. If-Christ-
had not died-for-you-you had been
damned Barcbones, who was called for
short Damned Barebones."
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-07-24

After fighting against real red IN
dams, after struggling for his life at
sea- working in powder factory. sail
ing around the world. and surviving
the San Francisco earthquake. an Eng
lishman named Winslow received late
ly the first injury of his life. He
slipped on banana peel and broke his
arp,
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-07-24

The Charlotte Observer seconds our
motion that DR.. Charles Mphonso
Smith be appointed ambassador to
Berlin by the President. adding that
ut is evident enough from some recent
events that DR.. Smith and the Kaiser
would get along 'hne,'" OF course.
they would, and they ought to be
given chance to do It,
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-07-24
THE LAW is DOING IT'S p.nr


THE Law is DOING IT'S PART.
Last August Henry Clay geattie and
Louise owen were married in the Cen
trail Methodist Church at Mancbester
or South Richmond. Two minister.
TOOK part In the service. Tho yop,,,
man apd young woman pllghted Their
Fotn' they covenanted each VII,
tho other to cleave to one apotbar
70 minister to each other in siclsrss.
aud in health until death did them
part All the sanctities OF the occ,
sion were regarded and they depar,ea
from the altar with the blessings a,
the Almighty called down upon mai,
heads and the congratulations OF tbetr
friends ringing In their ears. Five
weeks ago a man child was born unto
them Last Tuesday night the wife
and mother was brutaily ,nurserad
On Thursday morning she was buried
with all the solemnlties of the Chris.
tan ritual Her husband followed b.r
to tho grave. Her friends covered the
mound above her with nowers. on
Friday the husband was apprehended
on the suspicion that he had slain tho
woman hc had covenanted at the mar
rage altar 10 love. cherish and pro.
tect in sickness and health On sat
urday the Coroner's Jury charged with
the inquiry as to how the woman had
come TO her death, after full In.
quest on their oaths declared that
Louise Owen Beattle came TO her
death on the night OF July Is. 1911.
between 1915 and II O'Clock. on tho
Midlothian Turnpike. at a point about
three miles west OF Richmond. and
about one-fourth Of mile west of
the coiored Church. as the result of a
fiHshot wound. said gun being fred
hy her husband. Henry Clay Beat,ie.
IT. Saturday evening the husband
was committed to the Henr.co County
~. where he viii be kept in confne
'nent until tho time fixed for his trial
go Chesterfield County in the month
- August,
These are the barest outlines Of a
mInty as It was never shocked bcfor.
by any OF the horrible crimes here
committed. 1t is !nconce!vable that
ouch deed should be possible in this
civilized community. ana justice de-
hands that the brutal murder shnu
be avenged. II Beattie killed the wo-
mon that mercy he showed to her the
law should now show to him. 1t is
no; our part to pronounce judgment
u2on him. We would give him the bene-
81 OF every doubt; we would have the
law TO protect him until the sentence
~ the law shall be pronounced upon
m. and then we shall pray with the
'en,enoe OF the Court. May God have
mercy on your soul"
The young man does not appear TO
appreciate his fearful extremity. He
nus manifested since the murder Of
MS wife. so far as the newspaper ac-
counts nave developed. not the least
lseiinG, ana MS iron nerve, we are
'eid. mas not forsaken him for an in
SAINT the wretehed creature with
"Hom he consorted before his mar
'Age' and with whom ne mas been as
s'ciahng since the oirtn OF ms oaoy'
Nis oecn sent 10 jan as an essential
witness and the cousin who bought
the gun for him with which the muir
DER was committed has also been sent
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-07-24

report later, we trust. that a fat man
cannot be classified as freakish or
monstrous. The truth of 1t is that
the majority of the illustrious men of
all ages have been fat. II 1t were not
Tor fat men. the world would lose Its
sense OF humor and It's cheerfulness.
Eat men are the salt OF the earth.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-07-24

oet on morse. believing him the fav-
orite, put he came in twenty-third and
last In the race, and his friends twit-
TED him with Now you got your go"
National Pnrks.
Please name the leading national
parks in the United States
The national parks of the United
States are as follows: Yellowstone !
National Park. 10 Wyoming. Montana
and Idaho. 2,142,72O acres; Yosemite
National Park, California, 1869
acres; Glacier National Park, Montana.
$4,000 acres; Mount Rainier National
FarK, Washington, 2O7.360 acres;
Sequoia National Park, California, 1911
2s acres General Grant National
FaTk' Washington. 207.36o acres;
Lake National Park, Oregon. 16e.36o
ceres wind Cave National Park.
south Dakota, 1882 acres Sully's
Hill Park. North Dakota, $50 acres:
Fiat National Park, Oklahoma. SAG
acres; Mesa Verde National Park.
6oiorado' 42,376 acres; Casa Grande
Ruln. arizona. $50 acres: Hot Springs
reservation Arkansas. oil acres. s
A Poem.
to be found? 800
Let me go where'er 1 will,
1 hear a sky born music still:
1t sounds from all things old.
1t sounds from all things young NJ
FROM an that's fair. from all that'A
Peals out cheerful song.
This is from Music" by Ralph wall
do Emerson.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-07-24

case in Cincinnati and Memphis. Mil
waukee is apparently tho only city
which supports a ouread by public
funds. $4,000 being set aside by the
city for this work.
The objects which 1t is hoped will
be obtained by such bureau and the
me tnods OF procedure are we'll outlined
in the st. Louis pamphlet as follows:
SPECIFIC OBJECTS.
Il. To ascertain the powers and linn
itations Of each city official: to elimi-
nate conflicts of power and admins
tra:ive Jurisdiction, and to suggest
methods OF preventing waste and in
efficiency.
2. To aid public officials in SECURING
the information necessary to effective
administration: TO preserve such evil
deHce Of transactions as Is necessary
to locate responsibility. and TO inform
the public OF service performed and
the cost thereof.
3. To scrutinize the general system
OF accounting and make constructive
suggestions for Improvement.
4. To examine the methods of pur-
chasing materials and supplies and the
letting of contracts.
5. To Improve budgetary proceed
ings and assist those who make appro-
priations in securing that classified
and exact knowledge which is neces
sary to prevent carelessness and
waste in approprlating the public
funds.
6. To furnish the public with exact
knowledge regarding public revenues
md expenditures and thereby promote
efficiency and economy in public ser
vice.
METHODS OF PROCEDURE.
cialg nd
secure their cooperation and that of
their subord.natcs IN remedial work.
2. Prepare a digest of the powers
and duties of the department or office
by an examination of the statutes.
ordinances and rules pertaining
thereto
8. Prepare a chart o: each depart
,hority
4. Examine the public records.
analyze the information contained
therein. and make collateral inquiry
concerning matters in which the rec
ords may be. defective.
;. Compare functions and expendi-
lures with work accomplished and re-
suits obtained
6. Hold frequent conferences be-
tween members Of the bureaus staff,
and also between the latter and public
officials on methods used and facts
disclosed
:. submit formal report to officials
on organization. powers. duties and
present methods OF business procedure
S. Submit critical report 10 officials
and general public containing con-
struct!ve suggestions and procedure
incident thereto.
Q. Continue educational work until
something definite is done to remedy
unhusinessllke methods disclosed. AS
s.st officials in installing new systems
recommended by the bureau. or change
in former systems.
10. Support publicity by verifable
data, illustrations. budget exhibits.
etc.
This programme serves to indicate
many ways in which city government
can be made better and more efficient.
It is a part Of the new movement for
hus!nesslike government. which is
making tremendous Roadway in every
part of the nation