davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Mena weekly star. (Mena, Ark.) 1904-1977, 1911-12-28
Virginia O'Hanlon,
Mast Nipnfv Hffh Cfroot


ii5 West Ninety-fifth Street.
Virginia, your little friends are
wrong. They have been affected by
the skepticism of a skeptical age.
They do not believe except they
see. They think that nothing can
be which is not comprehensive by
their little minds. All minds. Vir-
ginia, whether they be mems or
children's, are little. In this great
universe of ours man is a mere in
sect, an ant, in his intellect, as COM
pared with the boundIess world
about him, as measured by the in
telligence capable of grasping the
whole of truth and knowledge.
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa
Claus. He exists as certainly as love
and generosity and devotion exist.
and you know that they abound
and give to our life its highest beau
ty and joy. Alasl how dreary would
be the world if there were no Santa
Claus. 1t would be as dreary as if
there were no virginias. There
would be no child-like faith then.
no poetry, no romance to make toll
cradle this existence. We should
have no enjoyment, except in sense
and sight. The eternal light with
which childho d fills the world
would be extinguished.
mot believe in Santa Claus! You
might as we'll not believe in fairies.
You might get your papa to hire
men to watch all the chimneys on
Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus.
but even if they did not see Santa
Claus coming down, what would
that prove? Nobody ever sees Santa
Claus, but that is no sign there is
no Santa Claus. The most real
things in the world are those that
neither children nor men can see.
Did you ever see fairies dancing on
the lawn? OF course of, but that's
no proof that they are not there.
Nobody can conceive or imagine all
the wonders there are unseen and
unseeable in the world.
"You may tear apart the baby's
rattle and see what makes the noise
inside, but there is a veil covering
the unseen world which not the
strongest man nor even the united
strength of all the strongest men
that ever lived, could tear apart.
Only faith, poetry, love, romance
can push aside that curtain and
view the picture IF supernal beauty
and glory beyond. Is it all real? All,
Virginia, in all this world, there is
nothing else real and abiding.
mo Santa Clausl Thank Godl he
lives, and he lives 1orever. A thous-
and years from now, Virginia, nay,
ten times ten thousand years from
now. he will continue TO make glad
the heart Of childhood"
The Mena weekly star. (Mena, Ark.) 1904-1977, 1911-12-28
RUSSIA DECLARES
ON TARIFF WAR
p.onoses to Raise Duties so High
on American Goods That Trade
with the United States Will
Re Practically Wiped Out.

81 Petersburg, Dec. PA legis-
latiye proposal to provide for tariff
war schedules applicable to the
limited States at the expiration of
the Russo-American treaty of COM
merce and navigation of 1882, has
been introduced into the duma by
ex-president Guchkoff and other
sirners representing the Octoberist
and nationalist parties, which con-
trol the majority Of the duma.
The bill proposes to raise duties
nv 100 per cent and also to propose a
duty of 400 per cent on articles
which are admitted free under the
nresent Russian tariff. Besides these
impositions, The bill proposes also to
lew double the gross weight tax
established by the law on June 81,
1901. on merchandise arriving by
sea and to levy a double tonnage
tax. Should the present American
tonnage tax be raised to the disfavor
of Russian vessels, then the Rus
sian tonnage tax will be correspond
ingly increased.
II is said that the schedules are to
be applicable to all countries which
don't grant to Russia the most fa-
vored national treatment in com
merce and navigation.
The necessity for the proposed
legislation is explained in an ac-
declaration in which il
is stated that the regular American
tariff schedules which will be APP
plicable to Russian goods at the ex-
piration Of the treaty of commerce
and navigation OF 1882 will be so
high as to have a prohibitive char
lcter and that they greatly exceed
he Russian normal tariff and navi-
-ation taxes which would be natur-
lily applicable to American goods
he absence Of the treaty.
The Mena weekly star. (Mena, Ark.) 1904-1977, 1911-12-28
MENA'S WATER SYSTEM
Facts and Figures Compiled by the
Frank ]. Dove, Engineer, in
Charge of the Work.

Following are some figures and
facts regarding the new waterworks
system WI ich has just been COM
pleted for Mena by the Tonkawa
CONSTRUCTION Company of Tonkawa,
Ok, and which was accepted by the
Board Of Water commissioners Of
Waterworks Improvement District
No. 2. The figures were compiled
by Frank ]. Dove, the civil engineer
who has had cha. &c of all The en-
gineering dork during the construc-
ton Of the system.
The entire system has 4i,f62.8 feet,
or nearly eight and three eighths
miles of high grade cast iron pipe,
made up as follows
The Mena weekly star. (Mena, Ark.) 1904-1977, 1911-12-28

of corn grown by a Polk county boy
on upland, and also the first prize at
the Arkansas State fair for the best
ear Of corn grown in the state. He
also was the recipient of a trip to
the Interstate fair at TT. Smith, the
guest of Mr.. Ragland. The yield
that won the prize was 94.5 bushels,
Winmon was a sturdy and robust
lad, and his death is a most unex-
pected and unhappy surprise to all
those who knew him.
The Mena weekly star. (Mena, Ark.) 1904-1977, 1911-12-28

There were 10 SlX-lncn IRE ny
drants and 50 four-inch hydrants
put in.
The system is well supplied with
valves, so that in case of any trou-
BILE on any part of the line which
should require that the water be
|shut off of that part, it may be shut
off without effecting the rest Of the
system. There are three t2-inch
valves, three i0-inch wales, three s.
Inch valves, 40 6-inch and is 4-inch
valves.
The lead which was used in max
ling the pipe joints amounted to
about $4,000 pounds, or twenty-one
and one-half tons. The pipe which
was used was what is known as
grade &C" pipe, and is next to the
heaviest cast pipe, which is known
as grade 3D." The average weights
| of each f0-foot section of pipe of
the different diameter pipes are as
The Mena weekly star. (Mena, Ark.) 1904-1977, 1911-12-28

Without opiates or harmful drugs
Of any kind. foley'e Honey and Tar
Compound stops coughs ana cures
colds. DO not accept any sDbsti-
tute. For sale by Jackson Drug
and Furniture Co.
The Mena weekly star. (Mena, Ark.) 1904-1977, 1911-12-28
TANGLES MEN HIGHER up
The Great SwindIer Tells of Al
legged Connection with SwindIe
Of Ex-COunty and City

Officials,

VttititsiS.
Council Bluffs, Ia, Dec. 2i.-After
giving details of the handling of
large sums Of money and telling of
the alleged connection with the
Mabray swindle of an ex-county
and city official, John G. Mabray
left the witness stand in the trial
Iof Benjamin Marks tonight, to re-
sumo the stand again tomorrow.
AS a climax to a series of pointed
questions Mabray was asked why
he had not told on direct examina-
tion all the facts with reference
to the extra per cent which he
testified he had paid to Marks. The
witness testified that Marks had
told him per cent of this extra
amount demanded was for the then
county attorney, ]. J. Hess, who
was to be paid by Marks, and for
THAT no notice was to be given of
complaints that might be made at
This Office"
The other per cent, the witness
testified, was for the officers of the
First National bank.
The witness said that at different
times Marks turned over to him
letters and kilograms addressed to
the county attorney and George H.
Richmond, then chief Of police,
complaining of the operations OF
the syndicate.
The defense introduced a sup
posed perfect list Of the swindles
perpetrated by the Mabray gang at
New Orleans and Seattle, aggregat-
ing over S450,000.
The list bore the names of every
victim, the date of the swindle and
| the sum taken from them. It was
also shown that swindles were per-
petrated in Davenport, Ia; San
Francisco, Denver and South Bend
Ind Ind.
Concerning the statements Of the
witness with reference to the col
lection of percentage of the plum
der for payments to J. J. He
George H. Richmond and the First
National Bank, vehement denialS
are made by Cashier J. J. Spindlol
for the bank, and by Hess and Rich
lmond. Hess said he never haf
heard of the man whose name is
mentioned as having telegrapheC
him conn laining of having beer
swindled here.
The Mena weekly star. (Mena, Ark.) 1904-1977, 1911-12-28
FoIey's Kidney Pills

Tonic in action, quick in results.
Will cure any case of kidney or
bladder disorder not beyond the
reach Of medicine. No need to say
more. For sale by Jackson Drug
and Furniture Co.
The Mena weekly star. (Mena, Ark.) 1904-1977, 1911-12-28
Tbe Spirit
of christmas

Every year, when the spirit of
Christmas makes even the ear tin
gle with its happiness and its Joy
Of givink, there comes from some
questioning little pair of lips the
query: rs there a Santa Claus2"
A million times has it been asked.
and in a million varied ways has it
been answered. But perhaps the
kindest, sweetest answer of all was
given years ago IN the editorial coli
umns of the New York Sun:
Dear Editors: | am years
old. Some of my little friends
say there is no Santa Claus.
Papa says, IF you see it in the
Sun, it's So" Please tell me
the truth; is there Santa
Claus?
The Mena weekly star. (Mena, Ark.) 1904-1977, 1911-12-28
STOLE WAGON LOAD OF GIFTS
Thieves in Chicago Save Driver the
Trouble OF Delivery.

Chicago, Dec. 22.-Search is being
made today for thieves who stole a
wagon lead of Christmas presents
from one of the downtown streets
yesterday.
The presents belonged TO a whole
sale liquor house and consisted Of
wines, liquors and cigars. They
were given to Henry Hartig. a driv-
er for a teaming concern, TO deliver
to customers. Hartig had just start
ed out on his Santa Claus" mission
when the theft took place.
The Mena weekly star. (Mena, Ark.) 1904-1977, 1911-12-28

This grade of pipe has been well
tested, and is known TO be entirely
satisfactory in all ways, and the
chances are that they will last for
several generations.
The cost of the construction work.
as contracted by the Tonkawa Com
|pany, was Si0,tf6.44.
The Mena weekly star. (Mena, Ark.) 1904-1977, 1911-12-28

N few days more the world will
will write it 1Ol2---we will have passed
another mile post in Time another twelve
months gone that we can never live again
But the year 1911 has been good year
Business has gone forward in healthy,
wholesome way, and we are pretty well
satisfied with the outcome. We have made
many new friends, have lost few if any old
ones and can face 1912 with that confidence
that makes it pleasant to greet our fellow
men.
With these thoughts, we desire to renew
our oft-repeated invitation to visit our big
store, to get better and better acquainted,
and to extend to you our heartiest wish
that the New Year will to you be Glad
New Year, Happy, Prosperous New
Year.
PATTON HARDWARE s.
FURNITURE COMPANY
The Mena weekly star. (Mena, Ark.) 1904-1977, 1911-12-28
DECIDES TO CUT
COTTON A FOURTH
Executive Board of Southern Con.
gress Adopts Plan TO Reduce the
Acrcage-Calls on Bankers
TO Help the Movement.

News Orleans, Dec. 22.-The exec
Iutive committee of the Southern
Cotton Congress adjourned last night
after deciding upon a plan to Sc
cure a reduction in the cotton acre
age of the South to the extent of 25
per cent next year. and taking steps
tor secure the uniform operation Of
the plan in all cotton growing states.
The plan adopted is a modiflca-
| ton of the so-called "Rockhill pian,n
which was proposed to the commit
tee by ]. G. Anderson of Rockhill, S.
c., and provides for securing signed
pledges from farmers through state
and county organizations.
In the declaration adopted it is
specifically stated that the organiza-
ton docs not wish to do anything
which may be in violation of the
Sherman antitrust law"
The state organizations are to call
upon bankers and business men to
assist the farmers in securing sufi-
cient organization expenses. Each
state organization, headed by SUI
perintendent, is to appoint commit
tees in each county, and in turn
township committees are to be or
ganized. Paid canvassers are to be
employed to secure signatures of
farmers to the pledges to curtail
acreage. The form of pledge used
by the Farmers Union was approved
and adopted as the form to be en-
played in the work.
A Serious Charge Brought.
II. ID. Bowen Of Paris, Tex, direct
ed attention to a report published in
the Farmers Union Journal at Ar
lington, Tex. over the signature of
officers of the Texas State union,
charging that the figures on which
the federal Agricultural Department
based its estimate Of the cotton crop
are distorted, to the great injury of
the cotton planters. This statement
charged that 1,250,000 bales of cot
ion are virtually counted twice by
the government in making up the
estimate Of the probable total of the
seasons crop.
Governor Noel of Mississippi sug-
gested that this was a very serious
charge and should be Immediately
brought to the attention Of Secre-
tary Wilson at Washington.
The Nome daily nugget., 1911-03-13
DID YOU KNOW

That Mike Samueis was visiting Ar thur Jett out at Hobson's tunnel. where the Pioneer Company is now working.
 That II s Riley. manager of the local telephone company. returned to Nome last evening.
 That Deputy Marshal Darrah and Bert Brown left for Seward yesterday to bring back George Pendergrast who Is wanted here on two charges
 That the thermometer was 2s below yesterday, when Judge Murane and friends departed for Hot Springs.
 That the racing dogs will be run over the reindeer course" next Sun day in a second mad endeavor to lower Dan Patch's" record
 That Lloyd Scott was a hero at last Saturdays fire It is rumored that he did the "Sappho act" by carrying one of the heightened operators through the dazzling walls of smoke and flame
 That Doc Hill is making some pollti- cal dope now which he hands out with every five-cent purchase
The Nome daily nugget., 1911-03-13
ST. PATRICK BALL MARCH i7.

The committee in charge of the St. Patrick's ball to be given under the auspices of the Robert Emmers have completed arrangements for the proper celebration of the Eth of Ireland
 The ball will he held in Egale hall a Week from last Friday night and a large crowd Is expected to attend The committee has arranged for the music and everything looking toward the sue cess of St. Patrick's ball is arranged for The Knights of Robert Emmet are going to make this affair one of the social successes Of the season and will spare no pains to see that all who st- tend will have a good time
The Nome daily nugget., 1911-03-13
PERSONAL NOTES

Word was received in the last mail that MT. B. l.. Curry the husband of tho woman who was for several years 'stmistress at Deering was stricken Vuu paralysis last fall and his life Was iu great danger for while
 lie is now reported being able o gct a'"ut nn crutches with a fair chance ", recovery. Both he and his iwfe az. no" living on ranch near Seattle.
 F. E. Dobbs is reported with ,le,t- ns success in all the towns he is showing his Alaskan motion pictures. In san Francisco he displayed ,hem to crowded houses both in the N NDrman rall in the Fairmont hotel and the new Auditorium of the Young Mems Chris ton Association.
 He is now in the East advertising and interesting the people with scenes ficm Seward Peninsula.
The Nome daily nugget., 1911-03-13
FOUR START
 FOR SPRINGS
CAPT. cRIMMlNs RETURNS AFTER
 FEW MILES TRAVEL.

Yesterday witnessed the departure of Judge Murane, Coke Hill. q. P. Cog gin and Capt. Crmmins, all Of whom started for Hot Springs, despite the cold weather and threatening blizzard However the party had not gone far before Capt Crimmins realized that the team of pups he was driving would not stand the journey so he turned back for Nome. The others of the party kept a going and will soon be enjoying such luxuries as lettuce and other vegetables. which the Hot Springs affords
The Nome daily nugget., 1911-03-13
ABOUT THE MAIL

The mail from the outside arrived this morning at 7:30 o'clock. There was 16S pounds of first class, 25s of second class and 944 pounds of mixed mail for Alaska points. Driver report the way into camp.
 x % <
 The mail for the outside closed this afternoon at o'clock As there is but a few more opportunities for Nomeites to dispatch mail overland this winter. there was quite batch of outgoing letters and papers.
The Nome daily nugget., 1911-03-13
 LITTLE PAMPHLET WILL
 BE ON SALE SOON

That little pamphlet. "The Truth About Nome" will be placed on sale this week. owing to the great demand for the booklet. the publisher has made arrangements to have "The Truth About Nome" on sale at Toby's candy store. The booklet will sell at ten cents the copy. or one dollar the dozen. IL is made to 1t the ordinary sized en- velope. and will be valuable to those who desire to inform their friends on the outside of the true condition of Nome's buiness, mining and social affairs, to say nothing of the numerous other subjects taken up in the edition
The Nome daily nugget., 1911-03-13
MOLOT GETS
 CHILLY FEET
GOLD SNAP oRAos IN MANY VIC
 TINS.

w. II Moldt, the photographer. con tracted pair of frozen feet. and a woman, whose name has not been as- certained as vet. sustains frost bitten cheeks as the result of being spectators yesterday when the Dry creek dredge was being moved. Both Moldt and the woman, with numerous others stood for several minutes watching the pre- liminary work in connection with the moving.
 It was not long before both parties realized that they had been "nipped" and they proceeded to step lively to- ward their respective homes.
The Nome daily nugget., 1911-03-13
CUSTOM OFFICERS ARE
 REMOVED FROM OFFICE

without duty Cntii recently. the charges were not investigated How ever. when the probe was started 1t was ascertained that Leach and the three clerks had received numerous sums of money for permitting dutiable goods to enter this country unchal- irngcd
 Although no proceedings have been instituted against the dismissed men IS yet there probably will he some action taken against them
 IL k rumored that other offices of the customs department will hear in- yestiGation and this city is preparing for a great scandal.
The Nome daily nugget., 1911-03-13
JOHNSON IN
 FROM IOITAROO
REPORTS UNAVOIDABLE coNoI TlcNS AND HIGH PRICES.

John Johnson the man who grabbed tEe first honors in last years Sweep stakes Face, returned from the Iditarod la~t night. with uufayorahle reports ,i utat camp. Johnson has been sojourn ing in the lditarod country for .lru. uH,e and as he is a practical man. his statements in regard to the condit lns can he taken al full value. John states that things are very quiet up above and that tho usual high prices prevail as ever in Iditarod city
The Nome daily nugget., 1911-03-13
TELEPHONE co. WILL
 ERECT NEW BUILDING

shape. and the local lines in readine s for communication. some time this af- tcrnoon." concluded Riley
 Mir. and Mrs. Riley are now staying at the Elite hotel. where they Wil re. main until other arrangemen,s are made.
 When asked what he believed the total loss, caused by the fire. amount ed to. Mir Riley replied Tt Is i'm possible 10 estimate the damage at this time. Personally. feel that got off lucky-that is there are qute a few things which were not burned and which will be all right when get them thawed out"
The Nome daily nugget., 1911-03-13

According to II. s Riley manager of the local telephone company. work win be started in the near future upon the shell of the burned building which now stands. and an effort will be made to convert the remains into a one story office.
 We have no need of two-story building" said Manager Riley this morning and one-story structure will answer our purpose.
 Yes. indeed I was surprised when was informed that the place had been burned down. l believe that we will have everything restored to it's former
The Nome daily nugget., 1911-03-13
HEARD ABOUT TOWN.

lt Is rumored that Ed CNugget) Johnson, who assisted so gracefully at last Saturdays fire. has been promo: ed from the rank of captain to thal ct colonel. At least his friends now ad- dress him by the latter title.
 Fred Hanks dogs. the ones which he loaned Mir. Sam Taggart on hls recent brief trip. are now recovering from their attack of 'cold feet" It Is tie second time that they have recovered.
The Nome daily nugget., 1911-03-13
DISCOVERY NOW ANNOUNCES
 HANDICAP POOL TOURNAMENT

The Discovery desires 10 announce that the entry books are now open for the handicap pool tournament which will be pulled off in the near future There will be no entry fec charged and every pool player in Nome Is urged to get Tn the game. Remember that the entry books are now open and that there Is no cost to get in the tourna- ment
The Nome daily nugget., 1911-03-13
Special Nugget Service.

CLEVELAND, March l3-Collector Of Customs Charles Leach and thre, assistants. all of this port. were re- moved from office last Saturday. charg ed with receiving money favors. Mir Leach has held the office from which he has been forced to resign for a number of years He Is well known here as are his three former assist ants
 Collector Leach has long been under suspicion and il was commonly rumor- ed that he was receiving bribes for al- lowing certain goods 10 enter his port
The Nome daily nugget., 1911-03-13
ELECTION POT NOW
 SINNERS QUIETLY

Although each day brings us nearer to the municipal election. there has been no preliminary election excite ment or talk which amounts to a great deal. or which carries much weight, thus far.
 IL Is a well known fact. however that William Eddy Is busiIy engaged these days assisting friends to register SO that they may vote right" on cleo tion day. Mir Eddy confesses hat he has thus far accosted about 200 citi- zeus with the idea of learning whether they have registered as yet But MT.
The Nome daily nugget., 1911-03-13

Eddy refuses to come out auld declare his slate-shouId he have such an ar tcle.
 IL is rumored that Billy Rowe and Jo, Montgomery will declare them sc;Nes soon but this news has not been verified.
 There are numerous other election rJmors, some of which may be relia hic and others wild. but taken all to- ecther interest seems to be waning sc f.r, and until within a few days of election. we might expect a continu- Cace of the unusual preliminary peev- ishness
The Nome daily nugget., 1911-03-13
WILL LEAVE FOR THE
 iDITARoo TOMORROW

Frank Moore and Capt Hansen will depart for the Iditarod tomorrow. ii weather permits. Moore will be em- ployed by his brother who runs first class saloon in the Iditarod. The cap tain win spend but a few days in tho camp and will then return 10 Nome.
The Nome daily nugget., 1911-03-13
CHEAP DOG FEED.

Good fish, fine 10 cock up with your cereal, for $500 per 100 pounds. We also have a fine cooked dog feed, 50 per cent taIlow, 30 per cent fish and crack linss and 10 per cent cereal. selling for only 1oe per pound.
The Nome daily nugget., 1911-03-13

You can buy Select Beer at the Eagle for the same price you pay fer inferior grades. You can eompsrs h with any coast or even any Eastern beer and for purity. flavor and cleanliness it has thsm all beaten. Give Select . fair test and you will have no other.
The Nome daily nugget., 1911-03-13
FRESH HOME MADE CANDY.

Now that outside goods arc getting stale. remember you can have fresh made candy daily at Toby's. Don't put up with stale goods when you can pur- chase the fresh made home production for the same price.
 To6Y's CANDY kITcTHeN.
The Nome daily nugget., 1911-03-13
oo66s IS STILL
 GETTING THE COIN

Hazo. "f the Dobbs studio received letter from his employer today in which Dobbs stated that he was doing fine with his moving pictures of the Arctic. The letter was dispatched from San Francisco, and with it was bunch of clippings from various newspapers which commented favorably upon the Northern films
 Good whisky by the gallon or bottle from Seward Commercial Co.
The Nome daily nugget., 1911-03-13
DON'T GET plseUsTEo.

lf your watch is out Of order. Call on C. Shsllit, corner First and streets. Watches cleaned, st.soi main springs, Si.oo. Mail orders attended promptly.
The Nome daily nugget., 1911-03-13

For the best and cheapest meal ln town go to modini's Cafe. Only first class place in town.