davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-12-29
ALI Have Defects.

Every country in the world, no matter
how enlightened it may be, has its de-
fects as web as its qualities, and there
fore 1t stands to reason that before at
tempting to criticise a nation the critic
should, at least, see with his own eyes
all he possibly can OF the republic he
intends to censure, and then impartially
state his opinion regarding it. The writer
has visited the Mexican nation on more
than one occasion and has lived in this
country a number of years. He has
studied carefully the manners and the
customs of each respective country, and
so it is only logical that what he says
should have some value.
Let US take a rapid glance at a Mexi-
can Indian. His characteristic trait is
politeness. He is, as rule, short, dark
complexioned. and physically much
stronger than the average American.
Sometimes he becomes intoxicated from
excessive ''pulque" drinking, as the
American sometimes walks zigzag, and
feels little happier than usual when he
takes more whisky than Is good for him,
but IL is an absolute falsehood that the
Mexican Indian Is nearly always found
drunk.
The Mexican Indian is not a great
criginator-that is to say, he is not gen.
orally gifted with an inventive mind. but
once he sees a thing done he initiates 1t
with surprising accuracy and inconceiva-
BILE rapidity. He has learned the art OF
an automobile extremely well,
and consequently in Mexico City to-day
most Of the best chauffeurs are natives.
As scholar he Is always bright and
attentive, and learns his lessons with ex-
facility and apparent pleas
ure.
Many Americans, especially those hav-
Ing read blood and thunder novels Of
yelling and revengeful Indians, really be-
lieve that the Mexican red man is cow
ardly, mean. and Yarlike, and that he
will unhesftatingly stab a white man in
The ribs 10 ind out u his dagger Is sharp
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-12-29

1t is not the Americans that have re-
sided in the Mexican republic for some
period of time and are thoroughly &C
quainted with that Latin-American
country that censure its customs and
speak of its inhabitants as "greasers.'
1t is the I-know-it-all Americans that
have never set foot on Mexican terri
tory, and merely read about it in the
thrilling dime novels, cheap sensation
al magazines, and scandalous periodi-
Gals, and attend moving picture shows
where fictitious Mexican scenes are
shown, that Judge 1t unfairly.
1t is true that there are Indians
throughout the Mexican republic, many
Indians, a large number of them IL
literate. uneducated, and superstitious,
but are there not in the United States
also thousands of persons that don't
even know how TO read and write? It
is also true that in Mexico bloody bull
fights delight thousands of people
Americans included-and that the pas
time is a barbarous spectacle, but are
there not also in this wonderful and
progressive nation some mighty cruel
and uncivilzed sports, such as football
and prize fights? More football players
are seriously injured and killed annu-
ally in the United States than bull
fighters during one years time
throughout all the Latin-American re-
publics nut together
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-12-29

very few skyscrapers IN Mexico City, as
earthquakes threaten TO do great dam
age frequently.
Most Americans are thoroughly &C
quainted with the works of the most
celebrated Spanish novelists, play
wrights, and poets, through the excel
lent literatures of Kelley and Tickner,
but what do most Americans know
about Latin-American literature? Prac-
tically nothing. The other day a Yam
kee friend of mine actually asked me
II the Spanish language was spoken in
Mexico. Now, suppose a Mexican ques-
toned you as to whether the English
tongue was ever heard in the United
States. Really wouldn't you consider
him mentally unbalanced or lacking a
knowledge Of general history OF course
you would. ! merely cite this amusing
incident to show how ignorant some
Americans are regarding everything
Mexican.
Law Students Authors.
In Mexico City nearly every law stu
dent is a writer and enjoys literature
immensely, and thousands of educated
young men are ardent wooers of the
Muses.. There is a common saying down
therwe as follows: IF you were to
throw a stone from the window of the
National Palace you would surely hit a
poet"
Mexico City also can be proud of hav-
ing dramatic societies which produce
plays from the pens of local play
wEights, as well as school of oratory,
and other institutions of learning. Writ
ers from Spain and from many Latin
American countries are always warmly
welcomed. and their works are impair
tally criticised by srudite Mexicans.
To fully describe Mexico, volume after
volume could be written, and every
chapter would undoubtedly be entertain
ing as well as instructive. But the
writer has attained his object with this
brief article II he has impressed his
readers with the fact that a nation
should never be Judged by what other
people tell US about It," but by what
We ourselves know regarding it,
To conclude: II an American wishes
to find out whether all that has been
said Is true or not the only way he can
do so is by visiting the land of Monte
yuma and seeing Mexico as it really
Is and not Mexico as II really isn't"
as shown on the American stage and in
the scent moving picture shows
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-12-29
Writer Defends Mexico
From American Attacks
Land of Montezuma Libeled by Theatrical Pro-
auctions, Motion Pictures and Sensational
Magazines Nth o. S.

maiden appears-of course she's ar
American girl. Now you trembIe more
than before; now your heart beats fast.
er than it ever did, for you know, you
have seen with your own eyes thai
fierce-looking murderer hide behind a
tree.
Will Villain Sill Pursue Her?
will the villain still pursue herr
Will he have the nerve to rob her,
strange her, shoot her? VIII he drive
the knife inside her paIpitating bosom.
What will he do to her? Quicker than
1t takes to tell it-and to make a long
story short-the villain springs to his
feet with the agility of a panther, and
there in your very presence digs his I'M
cut finger nails into her soft neck, and
with a fiendish roar OF laughter starts
choking her.
The beautiful victim screams. Her
shrieks reach the Utmost fibers of your
pumping heart. Now silence, a grave
yard silence prevails. Is she breathing
still? VIII the bandit actually murder
her before some one comes to her aid?
The villain then lifts the death-dealing
dagger, and the Mortified maiden faints
The outlaw is on the point of stabbing
her; the assassin's weapon is descend
ing slowly but surely to her motionless
body. When, ah! you heaye a sigh of
relief, for the hero appears-a broad
shouldered and handsome American
youth-and bang! The defamation of a
shot is heard, and the Mexican villain
falls heavily upon the floor cursing in
the melodious language OF the immortal
author of Don Quixote."
A kiss revives the rescued maiden
She comes to; she presses her golden
locks against his manly breast, and
ioyously exclaims, probably, something
like this: where am 1? All! Jack! It's
you; you have saved me from the jaws
Of DEATH" And Jack probably an
swers with indescribable delight: Eyes,
yes, sweetheart; at last you are mine,
mine forevere Tomorrow will be our
wedding day" And the curtain falls
amid vociferous applause.
Should Suppress Movies.
In the moving pitcure shows Next
can scenes are likewise shown which
ought to be suppressed. They are an
insult to Mexicans. The Mexican is
nearly always made to be a Ioafer. a
1runkard, a cutthroat, or a vagabond
musician playing la Paloma" on his
guitar day and night. Americans |
should awaken y the fact that in ]
Mexico. besides ign Srant Indians, there |
IRE men highly edul eted and laborious. J
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-01-11
WISCONSIN CRANBERRY
GROWERS IN SES-
SION HERE TODAY

Z. e. Warren, A. E. Bennett, s.
N. Whittlesey, Ed. Kruger and JOS.
w. Fitch of Cranmoor; A. c. Ben
nett of Cameron, Andrew and Clar-
ence Searls of Walker; E. Z. Warren
of Marshfield, Richard Rein and E.
Warner of Warrens, w. N Chase
of Rice Lake, Henry and Herman
Gebhardt of Black River Fails, C.
R. Treat, Valley Junction, o. G. NAL
de, Madison, Wis, c. M. Seeker,
Mather, S. A Warner, Warrens,
Mrs. Ralph Smith, Walker, J. D. Pot
ter, Pittsville, A. R. Lang, Berlin
are in the city attending the annual
meeting Of the Wisconsin State Cul-
tivated Cranberry Growers Associa-
ton and are registered at the Com
mercial House.
The annual meeting of the Wis
consin State Cultivated Cranberry
Growers Association is being. held to
day at the city hall on the west side
At the morning session the. following
officers were elected:
Andrew Searls, President
o. Potter, Vice President.
j. w. Fitch, Secretary
Herman Gebhardt, Treasurer.
There is quite a large attendance
at the meeting.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-01-11
MOTION TO DIS.
MISS WAS DENIED

The motion to dismiss the case
of Robert Schonock. an infant, by
Catherine Schonock his guardian
al litem versus the Minneapolis, ST.
Paul and Sault Sainte Marie Rail-
way Company, made by attorneys
Geo. l. Williams and w A Hayes
for the defendant was argued Satur-
day morning and part of the after
noon; attorneys D. D. Conway and
Goggins for the plaintiff argued a.
gainst the granting of the motion.
The motion was denied by the court.
The defendants attorneys then ask
ed that a stay of proceedings be
granted to give them time to pre-
pare an appeal % the Supreme Court
Of Wisconsin, The court granted
the stay of proceedings as ask
ed for
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-01-11
JANUARY THUS
FAR VERY COLD

The year 1912 started in cold
There has not been day this year
so far in which the mercury has
climbed above the zero mark The
minimum temperature for the pre-
ceeding twenty-four hours of each
day of this year is given here:
Monday, Jan. l, Is below zero.
Tuesday, Jan. 2, 81 below zero.
Wednesday, Jan. 3, 81 below zero.
Thursday, Jan. 4, % below zero.
Friday, Jan. 5, 27 below zero.
Saturday, Jan 6, "a below zero.
Sunday, Jan. 7, 35 below zero.
Monday, Jan 8, II below zero.
This is the coolest spell of weather
we have had in the last twelve years
The average minimum temperature fol
the eight days given has been TWEEN
ty-four below zero. Twelve years a.
go We had a spell of continuous cold
weather lasting three weeks. At no
time during the three weeks did
the mercury rise above zero and
the lowest it went was forty below
zero. The temperatures as given
in the foregoing are for the twenty
four hours proceeding 7:30 o'clock
p. m. of the date given. The pre-
vailing winds have been westerly.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-01-11
HIGH SCHOOL DE-
BATTING LEAGUE

APPLETON, Wis, Jan. 3.-For the
purpose Of stimulating interest in
debate among the high schools
throughout the state and developing
the idea of getting ''at the bottom"
of important questions, the North
Central Wisconsin High School De
batting League has been organized un.
der the dictatorship of Prof. F. w
Orr of the School of Expression, Law
renee College.
The high schools Of Appleton, Grand
Rapids, Hudson, Marshfield, Menom-
inee, Oshkosh, Stevens Point and
Tomahawk are members of the lea
que which is divided into four groups
as follows: l. Hudson and Menom-
inee; 2 Grand Rapids, and Marsh
field; 3. Tomahawk and Stevens
Point; 4. Appleton and Oshkosh.
The first preliminary debate will
be held on Friday, Jan 19, when the
members of each group will meet in
debate. The second preliminary de-
bate will occur on Feb. 26, when the
winners Of groups / and 2 and 3
and will meet The final debate,
between the two winners will be held
at Lawrence college the latter part of
April or first Of May, and Lawrence
will give silver cup to the team win
ming the final debate, to be held for
one year unless won three consecu-
tive times by the same team or
school, when it becomes it's perma-
nent property.
The question for debate on Jan 10,
is Resolved: That the initiative
and the referendum should be a part
of the legislative systems of the diff
ferent states" In both the prelimin-
ary series the visiting team will have
the choice of sides Of the question.
In the final debate, the sides taken
by each viii depend on which side
eachteam has previously represented.
If in the second preliminary debate
neither school has had home de-
bate or if both have had home debate
the place for holding the second de-
bate will be determined by lot, other
wise it will go to the school which
has had no home debate.
Next year it is planned to form lea
CUES in each section of the state and
to conduct enough preliminary debate
to bring two teams to Lawrence for
a state contest in the spring.
Under the rules of the league the
expenses Of the visiting teams and
judges will be paid from the door re
ceipts but if that is insufficient the
deficit viii be shared by the two
teams. All expenses for the final
contest will be borne by the Law.
renee School of Expression
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-01-11
ected as holder Of the forfeits.

Iected as holder of the forfeits.
The match looks a little one sid
ed from the records Of the men. In
a previous bout held on Nov. ,. 1907
Flynn was knocked out by Johnson
in II rounds. Flynn has not shown
any great Improvement since that
time and it is difficult to see him a
winner in this coming fight at this
time. Johnson will weigh 40 pounds
more than Flynn and has had long
eT ring career.
Since April 1904, Johnson has lost
but one decision among his principal
fights and that was lost to Marvin
Hart in a twenty round battle.
Flynn on the contrary, since Oct
1906 has been knocked out four
times. Once by Tommy Burns, once
by Johnson, once by Al kaufman
and once by Sam Langford. Kauf-
man knocked him out in 9 rounds on
Aug. %, 1908, and in a return fight
on May ), 1911 knocked Kaufman out
in rounds. Johnson pays Flynn
the compliment as being the tough
est and most feared white hope"
so far developed.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-01-11
MERCHANTS
ATTENTION

We understand that we are criti
cised for running Montgomery Ward
& Cos. advertising in our Weekly
newspaper, We expected that, and
every merchant who buys everything
at home and has all his job printing
done by local printers and has his
advertising run in some or all the
local newspapers is justified in their
criticism. Every merchant who is
trading outside, getting his job print
ing outside, has no right to find any
fault with our position We plead
guilty of taking a contract from Mont
gomery Ward & Co, and we had
a purpose in it.
Ever since we have published the
Wood County Reporter or been con-
nected with it, We have refused to
take catalogue advertising excepting
twice which our files will show. We
have never urged or adEocated our
se3---.23 TO parronize catalogue or
mail order houses, but to the CON
trary have published hundreds of col
umns in favor of home patronage and
against catalogue houses. We desire.
and prefer to stand with, and by
the local merchants, but we also be-
Iieve they should reciprocate. There
is two sides to this question and we
hope the merchants will look at both
sides. We do, and want 10 meet all
local dealers on the square. We
charged Montgomery Ward & Co,
price and half for their advertising
and there was no composition-an
plate. They were glad to pay that
amount We mention this simply
70 show that outsiders willingly pay
more than We charge local advertis-
ers Why the difference?
We have authorized our solicitor
W. H. Heath to say to all merchants
that for 1912, we will refuse all for
eign advertising that in any manner
conflicts with our local merchants
and shall expect the merchants to
do the same when it comes to job
printing and other things that the
local printers can furnish. What's
good for the goose ought to be good
enough for the gander
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-01-11
ROPE BREAKS At
AN EXECUTION
Fearful Botch Made of Hanuinu
When ElroY Kent Pays Last
Penalty.

Windsor, VT, Jan. S.-Elroy Kent
was hanged at the state prison here
Friday for the murder of Miss Della
b. CoRgdon, a deaf mute, three and
a half years ago. Although death
was practically instantaneous, it was
accomplished by q grewsome acci-
dent, the rope breaking when the
drop fell
In the opinion of DR.. S. z. Nc
KerFen. the prison physician, who
witnessed the execution Kent suffer
ed no conscious thought after the
first tightening of the moose, al
though his neck was only partly
broken By the fall.
When the trap was released Kent
shot downward, but the strain was
too great for the rope, which broke
near the ring in the top of the gal
lows. While some of the witnesses
lifted the body others took the IN
noosed end of the rope and fastened
it over the balustrade in the rear of
the galiows.
Seventeen minutes later the body
was taken down. This is the second
execution in Vermont in recent years
which has been marked by an acci-
dent. When Mrs. Mary Rogers was
hanged December 8, 1905, for the
murder of her husband, the rope,
which is said to have been the same
one used today, stretched so that
her toes touched the floor.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-01-11
DEATH OF JOE
PROCKPETz

Joe Procopetz, formerly a resident
of this city, and sixty-two years OF
age who has been an invalid Of the
Wood County Asylum since its open
ing died there Friday last. His re-
mains were brought to this city in
charge Of J. R. Ragan and prepared
for burial The funeral services took
place from the house Monday morn
ing and then to IS. Peter & Paul
church where Father William Red
ing offieiated. His remains were
laid in their final resting place in
Calvary cemetery. He leaves a wife
and one daughter, Miss Celia, to
mourn his demise. Mr.. Procopetz
had always been a hard working man
and while a resident of this city was
employed at the Oberbeck Mfg. Plant
On account Of age and declining heal
tn he lost his mind and was oblig-
ed % be committed He was highly
thought of by all those who enjoyed
his acquaintance.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-01-11

teresting talk on the duties and
relation of the plumber to the pub
lie He emphasized in strong terms
the necessity of the legislation now
on the statute books in the state of
Wisconsin, relating to plumbing and
its proper installation being enforced
in all cities to which it applies. name
ly cities Of the first, second and thirt
class. The state supreme court has
declared the law constitutional and
within the jurisdiction of its police
power, and necessary and wise legi
lation to protect the public health.
He advocated strongly to call the at
tention of the Mayor and Common
Council to the law which was passed
in the year of -Wausau Daily
Record Herald.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-01-11
ANNUAL MEETING OF
KRUGER. WARNER co
Very sincerely yours,

The annual meeting of the stock
holders of the Kruger & Warner Co
was held Monday, Jan 8th, at the
company's store. After d reading
of a report setting forth the condi-
ton of the business and showing a
big increase over the previous year,
the following officers were elected:
F. w. Kruger, Pres, F. C. Turbin,
Vice President and F. B. Warner,
Secretary and Treasurer. The stock
holders expressed themselves as
well satisfied with the management
of the business and especially with
the increased amount of business
done.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-01-11
DR.. BREDEIELD
GOES TO BADGER
= STATE PRACTICE

DR.. William Bredfield, for seven
years one of Hancock's popular prac-
titioners of chiropractic, leaves this
evening for Grand Rapids, Wis,
where he will form a partnership
with DR.. F. T. Hoff and establish an
office. DR.. Hoff will take charge of
the outside work, while DR.. Bredfield
will take care of the operating and
the consultations.
Hancock friends regret to lose the
amiable doctor, whose familiar figure
will be greatly missed. DR.. Bredfield
has more than ordinary ability in his
profession, and his cheerful disposl-
iton and straight forward, old-fashion
ed honesty have won him admiration,
Hancock does not like to lose a good
citizen, but it realizes that what is
our loss will be Grand Rapids gain. :
Evening Copper Journal.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-01-11
CLOSE SHAVE FOR
FIRE DEPARTMENT

The West Side Fire Department
had a close call Friday afternoon
when responding to. an alarm turned
in from the Dolan home on Grand
ave. The team aand apparatus came
out of the fire barn On the jump and
turned west on Grand avenue. The
flagman at the c. & n. w. Ry. cross
ing was frantically waving his flag an
trying to hold the department from
crossing the tracks, but the horses
were going at such a rate that it
was impossible to check their speed.
Fortunately they got across the track
safely but only just cleared the track
as the south bound freight crossed the
street. 1t was a matter of seconds
and inches, but the department won
out. The apparatus was loaded with
firemen and had the engine struck it
there would have been some killed
and it would have been a miracle if
any escaped serious, injury.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-01-11

OF OFFICERS

Members of the order of E. F. U.
met in FOresters' hall Thursday e
Vening, at which time the past
President, Arthur Burchen, installed
the following officers for the ensu-
ing year:
Pres.-R. A. Weeks.
Vice Pres. George Waterman.
Secretary-Will Burchell.
Treasurer-Leonard Reinhart.
Warden-Mrs. Fred Mosher.
Inside Guard-Mrs. Joe Kirkland.
Trustee for three years-C. C. Hay
ward.
After the installation was over
with, chicken chowder supper was
served, after which dancing was
indulged in, the music being fur
nished by Ellis Orchestra. A fine
time is reported by all those present.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-01-11
BOWLING

William Gleue won the bowling
shoes given away at the West Side
Bowling Alley as a prize for the
highest score made last week.
Prize offered this week will be
box of Ell VINCERO cigars.
The high scores made Saturday
were Ed Bassett 202, Ed. stanke
189, Ed. Bassett 184, Alex Bandelin
1873, Roy Lester 1871 The highest
score made Sunday was by George
Fay, 1856
L Mathis rolled 224 on the west
side alleys Monday. Someone who
put his name down as Max" rolled
208 and C. Searls made a score of
1879. There ought to be some hot
scores this week. If anyone expects
to make smoke next week they will
have to go some to beat the 224
scdre.