davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-05-28
Body of Frank
Smith Found West of City
Ralph Fritz at the Reid
Memorial Hospital
BELIEVE BOYS HIT
BY RAILWAY BRIDGE
Fritz's Mind Almost Blank,
His Skull Fractured-Can
Not Remember Very Much
About the Accident,

The mangled body Of Frank Smith,
II, chum of Ralph Fritz, the Dayton,
o., youth who is now lowering be-
tween life and death at the Reid Men,
orial hospital with a fractured skull.
was found by crew of railroaders
in the Pennsylvania yards at West
Sonora. o., yesterday, cut and disfigur-
ed almost beyond all recognition.
The boys, both aged IL. and both
residents of Dayton, O., left home on
Thursday night with the intention of
beating it, on freights to Indianapo-
lis where they hoped to secure work.
When the Pennsylvania freight train
in charge of Conductor Jones stopped
at the first station west of West So
members of the crew wandering aim
lessly along the side of the train, in
a dazed condition, with blood stream
ing fro ma severe cash in his head.
Hurried to Hospital.
= He was placed in the caboose and
brought to Richmond and hurried to
the Reid Memorial hospital. Fritz's
mind seemed to be a blank as to what
had occurred. He talked incoherent-
ly to the hospitals authorities of the
member nothing of the accident it
accident and apparently could remem-
ber nothing of what had happened to
him. He said that he and a compan-
ion whose name he refused to divulge
at that time, left Dayton Thursday
night enroute to Indianapolis via
freight. He said that the last thing he
remembered was being seated on top
of freight car and he recalls that
his companion was seated on top of
the car just ahead. which he stated
was considerably higher than the one
on which he (Fritz) was seated. He
said there was a crash. a scream and
then darkness. Fritz's skull is frac.
tured, but there is possibility OF
him living.
The supposition is that Smith was
struck by an overhead brige and his
body ground to pieces beneath the
wheels Of the train just west Of West
Sonora. How Fritz was injured re.
mains a mystery which no one is able
to explain. Fritz was asked to reveal
the name of his companion yesterday
afternoon and did so, but was not ac.
quainted with his chum's death. He
said that Smith lived at 62S Xenia
ave-. at Dayton and gave his own resi-
dence as 1909 Xenia avenue, and his
mothers name as Mrs. c. B. Wagner.
Until about a week ago. he says, both
he and Smith were employed by the
National Cash Register company.
1t is said that the condition of Fritz
is serious, his skull is fractured and
he Is otherwise injured. He is very
weak from loss of blood. The man
gled body of Smith will be sent to his
home in Dayton for funeral and burial.
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-05-28
MAY REDUCE LOSS
OF LIFE BY FIRE
BY the Adoption of a Proper
Policy of Prevention
Says Croker.

New York, May 26.-In the address
delivered by the State Superintendent
Of Insurance. William H. Hotchkiss,
at the tenth anniversary dinner of the
Insurance Society of New York, on
Tuesday evening of this week, he said
that the state is hereafter to exercise
to a higher degree than ever it's duty
OF supervising the insurance COM
panies, both life and fire, and he be-
lieved that this would be the policy
followed by the insurance depart
ments of all states of the Union.
There were intimations, too, that
while the life insurance companies
are making great strides, not so much
in preventing death, which is inevita-
Bile, but in postponing it, the fire in
surance companies of New York,
within the next 10 years, will have
solved, in part at least, the great prob
lem of prevention of fires. That prob
lem is to be worked out in this city as
far as possible under the leadership
of Mr.. Croker. who for years was the
Fire Chief of New York, and one of
the best in the world.
The appalling fire in the shirt-waist
factory in this city early in the spring,
which cost so many lives, gave to
Chief Croker a new conception OF
what was possibly great opportunity
for himself and for the community.
The greater part ofo his active life
he has been engaged in fighting fires;
the remainder of his life he proposes
to spend in perfecting means by which
fires may be prevented. He is OF the
opinion that. under thorough inspec-
tion, both private ard official, and by
the adoption of new legislation by
which emergencies can be reached, or
ioopholes in the present law stopped
up, it will be possible in the course OF
a few years to establish a system OF
prevention Of fires whose effect will
be revealed through great diminu-
tion in the number OF them.
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-05-28
Small Car Dashes into Rig,
Occupants of Machine, H.
Lane, j. Weber, Having
Narrow Escape.
AUTO TURNED OVER
INTO SMALL CREEK
Large Rock Holding Up One
Side of Car Prevented the
Young Men from Being
Killed-Lane Lucky.

1t remained for one cylinder Cad
lilac to pry open the automobile acci-
rent season in Richmond yesterday af.
ternoon.
The first mishap of the present sea-
son occurred about o'clock, two and
one-half miles north of Richmond on
the Middleboro pike when the machine
in which were seated Howard Lane
and John Weber both of this city,
skidded across the road, turned tur-
tie over a six foot embankment and
held the occupants beneath prisoners
in a muddy creek until help arrived.
Weber was knocked unconscious and
had portion of his left ear torn off,
He was also badly bruised and scratch
ed. Lane escaped with few
scratches.
Lane, aged II, the son of ]. w.
Lane. 412 North Seventeenth street,
was driving the automobile which was
going north. When just south of the
Sixth district school house at the foot
of steep hill, he attempted to pass
an approaching rig, and in turning
sharply to one side the rear wheels
skidded in the heavy dust and the
driver lost control.
Jumps Into Creek.
The car skidded across to the left
side of the road and jumped off the
embankment near the bridge, turning
completely over and pinning the occu-
pants beneath. In it's zig-zag journey
across the road, the machine struck
the rear wheels of the carriage in
which were seated Charles Ahl and
wife of Pleasant Hill, Ind. and two
children. The wheels of the rig were
torn from the axle.
Perhaps the only thing that saved
Weber and Lane from more serious or
doubtless fatal injuries was the fact
that in landing in the creek bottom
the automobile struck against a large
rock which held up one side of the
machine enough to prevent crushing
the automobilists. Had not assist
ance arrived Immediately Weber un-
doubtedly would have drowned, it is
said, as his face was completely un-
der water and he was unconscious
when rescued from his precarious po-
sition. He did not regain conscious
ness for about half an hour. A hur-
ried telephone call was sent in to this
city and an automobile fastened with
medical aid to the scene of the acci-
dent. An examination of Weber by
the physicians failed to disclose any
broken bones or other particularly
serious injuries. He was removed to
the home of his father. George Weber.
SIC North G street. His body is cov-
cred with bruises but it is believed no
internal injuries will develop. He is
II years old. Lane was not injured
to speak of with the exception of the
bruises and scratches referred to.
| The machine was badly demolished.
| The wind shield was broken and the
mud guards were twisted and bent all
out of shape. None of the occupants
of the carriage were injured.
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-05-28
FORMER POLICEMAN
KILLED BY NEGRO
tNational News Association,

Jackson, Miss, May 27-Dan Shan
non, former member of the Jackson
police force, was shot and instantly
killed in a pistol duel with negro
named Joe Phelps, at Merrill Lumber
plant near the lake. Phelps escaped
after the killing. A posse of mill en-
ployes organized man hunt shortly
after 10 O'Clock. The negro was found
in a cabin several miles from the
scene. The posse was first bent on
lynching him but when it was discov-
cred that the negro had been desper-
ately wounded in the encounter with
Shannon he was put in wagon and
hauled to Forest where he died shortly
before night
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-05-28
EACH DENIED THE
ENGAGEMENT STORY
(National News Association)


New York, May 27.-Mrs. Lucy
Hayes Heron Laughlin of Pittsburg,
sister of the wife of President Taft,
and widow Of Thomas X. Laughlin.
when questioned today If an engage
ment existed between herself and Ma
ior Archibald W. Butt, exclaimed:
why, l never heard of Butt-who
IS he?"
1t was explained that Major Butt
was the presidents military aide.
There is absolutely nothing in it, .
said Mrs. Laughlin- 1T is the most
ridiculous thing ever heard of"
Major Butt was asked to confirm
the story. in Washington and replied,
There's nothing in it. I'm not that
fortunate. / don't believe shall ever
marty
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-05-28
DOG USES TELEPHONE
Locked in Shop, Canine Calls
for Help.

East Orange, N. j., May 27.-Rover,
a yellow dog owned by Michael Bel
lott. bootlblack. of 391a Greenwood
avenue. this city, called help when
it found itself locked in the shop early
today by knocking down the telephone
calling Central" and then sending
such noises over the wire that the tel
ephone operator sent word to the po-
lice that something was wrong at the
shop. The result was that a police
man was sent there and the dog was
released. Rover, in his efforts to re-
concile himself to his Imprisonment,
had eaten most of Bellottis blacking.
He also had reduced the shop to a
condition of unprecedented disorder.
One of the girls in the telephone ex-
change was nodding near the switch
board early today when a call came
from the Bollotti telephone.
'.Hello!" she said.
There was no human response, but
she heard coming over the wire a
whining and snarling noise, and, at
intervals, the sound of things falling.
Once she thought she heard human
being pleading for mercy, and immed-
lately afterward came gurgling
sound. The uncanny Inoises worked
on her nerves, and She called up po
lice headquarters.
Il am sure there is something wrong
there are simply terrible"
Patroleman link rushed to the
place. forced window and found Ro
yer making desperate efforts to get
out.
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-05-28
SPEEDWAY ACCIDENT.
(National News Association)

(National News Association)
Indianapolis, May 27.-While round
ing the northwest curve at the Speed
way late this afternoon, Harold Van
Gerder. driver. and Walter Bardell of
Brooklyn. were hurled from the racing
car. L.ozier, No. %. Bardell was bad
ly injured. Van Gerder was severely
bruised. The car was travelling SIS
miles an hour when the front tire
burst, due probably to the swift pace
on the hot pavement of the track The
car got beyond control, crashed into
the cement wall and was complete
ly wrecked. Bardell is a mechanician.
Van Gerder says he will start in the
500 miles sweepstakes Decoration
Lay race Notwithstanding the acci-
dent. The escape of both men from
instant death was near miracle.
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-05-28
THE WEATHER

INDIANA AND LOCAL Increasing
cioudiness, Sunday. Probably
showers and cooler tonight.
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-05-28
COMMITTEE REPORT
(National News Association,

Washington, May 27.-The senate
on privileges and cleo
tions today favorably reported the
Root amendment providing for plur-
atty rather than a majority vote of
legislatures In the election Of United
States senators. The full committee,
however. took no action
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-05-28
SAILS FOR LONDON
fNationaI News Association,

NNdtioHdI NEWS AsSocIatfOn1
New York. May 27.-John Hays
Hammond, special ambassador OF the
United States to Great Britain at the
coronation of King Geoge v. sailed for
London on the White Star liner Ced-
ric today with Mrs. Hammond, his
sister. Miss NJ. E. Hammond, and the
four Hammond children.
The Washington herald., 1911-12-04
The Case of Thomas Harrison,

The case of Thomas Harrison. the
government clerk who, at the age of
eighty-three, asks that his salary be
reduced because he is no longer able
TO do justice to the responsible position
he is holding, is in itself an eloquent
and pathetic commentary on the lack
of provision this government makes for
its old and faithful employees.
For more than half century, Thom-
as Harrison has served his country
faithfully and with ability. Day after
day, year after year, he has unostenta-
tiously performed his duties, to the en-
tire satisfaction of his employer, until,
worn out by the long grind and the
weight of years, he finds himself un-
able to go on at the old pace. Were
Thomas Harrison working for one of
our "soulless" corporations, the chances
are that he would be held up as an
example to the younger and less ambi-
tious employees, and his long and faith
full services would be adequately re-
The Washington herald., 1911-12-04
Shall the Panama Canal Be Free

The Washington Herald gives space
this morning to an interesting and novel
suggestion of Mr.. John Barrett, the di-
rector general of the Ran-American
Union. that the Panama Canal shall be
free to all ships of all nations.
1t would seem, at first blush, as if the
proposition could not receive serious
| consideration. The United States will
have expended upon the canal, at the
time Of its completion. approximately
$500, 100000. We have. in the past, DEM
onStrated our Willingness to eXpend
money and treasure for the good of
humanity, as in the case of Cuba; but
unless we are to pose as the dispensers
of worldwide benefits we are entitled
to receive some return upon the cost Of
the canal project This. at least, will
be the view that will at once suggest
itself to the average practical mind. Mr..
Barrett points out. however, that the
cost of maintaining the canal will be
only 100000 a year, which is not a
large matter for I government whose
budget annually exceeds $I.ooo.OOo,oOo.
In addition TO this, he shows that if
this cost. as well as the SI2.ooo,ooo in
terest on the investment. is assessed
against the vessels which use the canal,
it means that the amount will be added
to the usual freight rates. and that
eventually the consumer will bear the
burden 1t must not be forgotten. how
ever, that the canal will enable ships to
make two or three voyages in the time
now occupied by one. and that the saw
ing i'll time will more than compensate
perhaps, for the money paid in tolls
Mr. Barrett also believes that a free
canal will greatly stimulate ocean carry
ing and will contribute directly toward
the development of this republic. as well
as OF the sister republics OF South
America. This argument, as we'll as
others which he advances, will be, Of
course, subjected to critical inquiry
We believe that Mr.. Barrctt's earnest
statement will be read with interest as
an important contribution to one of the
largest problems now before Congress.
The McNamaras find that they can stun
more people with a confession than they
can with dynamite
The Washington herald., 1911-12-04

ton of the Philippine Islands now un-
der military rule, the rest of the archi-
pelago having its own civil govern
ment under a governor general appoint
ed by the President. 1t is also the most
fertile section and the best adapted
clinlatically TO settlement by the white
man. The few Americans who have
settled there have Jared very we'll in
health. and have demonstrated the rich
ness and fertility of the soil. The crops
that seem to thrive best are hemp,
.cocoanuts, and sugar, while the cultiva-
ton of rubber, coffee. and rice has met
with great success. There are millions
of acres of the finest hardwood in the
world as yet untouched by the AK, and
gold has been found in different por-
tions of the district As yet. these un-
surpassed natural resources of the Moro
province have scarcely been scratched
OH the surface, owing to the warliEe
character of the tribes which inhabit
the territory The United States gov
crnment has tried now for eleven years
to bring order into this unexpIored El-
dorado at the expenditure of millions
of dollars for the upkeep of large
armed force, and the results have been
practically nil 1t has long been recog
nized that the Moro will not submit to
peacable suasion, and the course adopted
by the government is the only one that
is likely to have the desired effect. The
Moro is just as bitterly opposed to the
intrusion of the Filipino as to that of
the white man, and this is another fac
tor that has retarded the development
of the Moro province.
The Washington herald., 1911-12-04
Punishment and Probation.

\ recent session of criminologiStS in
Milwaukee developed two distinct ideas
in connection with the effort to reduce
crime. \ committee reported in favor
OF more severe endorsements of the
laws against criminals. while Judge
Backus, of the Milwaukee Municipal
Court. led contingent who believed in
less harshneS, and more humanity.
The question is one that may well
command the attention of all those who
concern themselves with social condi-
tionS The first aim OF organized So
ciety is to secure safety for its mem
ber> and to lessen the amount OF crime
In line with the humanitlriani>m OF the
age. VIC find increased consideration for
til poor, the establishment of psychopa-
thIc hospitals for the mentally afflicted.
the maintenance of reformatories for
those who develop criminal tendencies.
and, as the latest phase, the creation of
probationary officers whose function it
is to exercise a paternal care over those
who have strayed away from the path
OF right conduct 1t is Judge Backus'
belief, based upon experience. that the
man who is released upon probation be-
comes d better citizen than if he is COM
mltted to the penitentiary. In the year
and six months that have been on the
bench. he says, Il have placed I2o first
offenders on pro alton who have COM
mitted state pri-on offenses. and in that
time but FIVE have beer returned 10 the
court for viola ion of the rules of pro-
baton" He asserts that the practice
results in the future well-being Of %
per cent OF the persons charged with
crime.
There is no doubt that the present
tendency is toward an amelioration of
the conditions which attach to violation
of law. but the movement has not pro-
gressed far enough to determine whether
II Is the most effective method of reduc-
ing crime. In this city the experiment
is in full force, and apparently has pro-
duced excellent results In order to
demonstrate its universal value. how
ever, it will be necessary to secure and
tabulate statistics such as are furnished
by Judge Backus. and then, as the wears
progress, observe whether there is a
diminution in the number of criminal
offenders
The Washington herald., 1911-12-04
STATESMEN, REAL AND NEAR.
By FRED C. KELLY.

Representative Crumpackcr. the on
| lone Republican member of Congress
! from Indiana, was having a friendl!
argument about something or other witt
John Elan, once postmaster at Valparaiso
| by Crumpacker's appointment. The Con
gresham sought to use a Scriptural quo
tation to prove his contention, but tht
other man didn't seem to get it.
It's quite plain observed Crum
packer. that you've never read the
! Bible"
Being a native of Indiana. where the
best sellers come from, John resented
the inference that there was any book
that he hadn't read.
"Of course, I've read the Bible, he
declared. I've forgotten good deal ol
it, but read it when it first came out.
Admiral Robert f. Peary, the man who
hunted up the north pole. goes in for
contrasts. Some little time ago l was
seated i'm the living room of Peary's flat
in Washington and noticed two books
living on the center table near by. They
were tho ONLY books in sight and l won
dered what they might be TO nave won
such prominence over all other books In
the explorers possession. so looked tC
see. The books were:
.The North Pole" by Robert L. Peary
Through the Tropics with Speaker
Cannon by J. Hampton Moore.
Senator Jeff Davis, of Arkansas, prob
ably owes a large measure OF his politicai
success to an old property vest he owns.
Senator Jeff is one of our leading plain
citizens Being a plain citizen Is with
him a matter not only of temperament
but of business Moreover, II has become
botb a nassion and a hobby with him.
He goes in for simplicity and unconven-
tioDaIItv inst as one might go in for golf,
or race horses, or settlement work. If
be ala not II is extremely doubtful II he
vyould have the hammerlock hold ne now
hos ON the people of Arkansas. The folks
down that way, for instance, Wouldn
care to he represented in the Senate by
man who dwelt in nineteen-room mouse
finished like a Pullman coach, and who
rodo about the streets in one Of those
raITisb automobiles with a Corliss engine
hidden among its innards, and driven by
q cbauffeur seated on the small of his
back.
Obliged to go to the White House In
hurry. and before he thought he hailed
a taxicab. And he's been busy explain
ing that taXtCaD " bhC iOlho
ever since. The deed was magniffed there
until even close friends of the Senator
Imagined that he was bowling over the
streets of the Capital in an eighty-horse-
power drab juggernaut with a bright gilt
D., a coat Of arms on the door, and
An Iuported chauffeur wearing olive
green livery. Jeff Davis hates automo-
biles as much as anybody, and he has
never gone in for the extras at all But
he didn't stop to think. Now he has
learned his lesson. and after this will
ride in a hack-either tnat or take
street car, or, better still, walk.
All, yes; we are coming to that about
the property vest. 1t seems that Uncle
len was In the midst Of hot cam
paign one year, with the result as un-
certain as the moods of grass widow.
In a single speech he turned the tide in
his favor 50 completely that the voters
The Washington herald., 1911-12-04

warded by a pension which would en-
able him to spend the rest of his days
in peace and comfort But as Thomas
Harrison is not working for a oorpo-
ration, but for the most enlightened
nation" on the face of the earth, he is
reduced to the alternative of sacrificing
his self-respect by seeking a reduction
in rank and pay, or losing his position.
Thus does our government reward its
old and faithful servants.
The Washington herald., 1911-12-04
CURIOUS BITS OF HISTORY.
By A. w. MACY.

THE DEFENSE OF GIBRALTAR.
For centuries the Rock of Glib
raItar has been a synonym for
strength. Near IL in the eighth
century landed Tarik, the first
Saraeen invader of Spain. The
Moors held it till 1852, when it
was captured by the Spaniards.
Charles V fortified it. but in 1904
II was taken by combined Eng
lish and Dutch forces under Sir
Edward Rookie. The Spaniards
and French united in besieging
II, but failed. The Spaniards
tried II again without success In
1927. II seemed impregnable. and
no further attempt was made for
more than half a century. In
1879 1t was again invested, by a
combined army of Spaniards and
Frenchmen. The siege lasted
three years, and immense prepa-
rations were made for a final as
thirsted for revenge. Many
schemes of attack were proposed,
and finally one was accepted
which contemplated a combined
attack by both land and sea. and
included a stupendous array of
floating batteries, which were TO
discharge red hot cannon balls.
Thousands of spectators assem-
bled to witness the fall of the
stronghold, but they were dis
appointed For days hundreds
of cannon belched forth their
shot and shell, but the little
English garrison replied with
such spirit that the floating bat
teries and many OF the attacking
ships were destroyed. Gibraltar
proved impregnable. and remains
an English possession to this
day.
Copyright. 1911. by Joseph b. Bowlesl