davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening journal., 1912-02-20
HIS WRENCH ON
HIS OWN HEAD,
COHEN FREE

Andrew Cohen, the West Front
street merchant, accused OF having
inflicted injuries on Raffaele Ross, an
Italian. that sent him to the Della
ware Hospital yesterday for repairs
was arraigned in City Court this
morning on the charge Of assault and
battery, but was discharged after
self-defcnse had been established.
Cohen, who has been here but FIVE
months aud speaks little if any Eng
lish. was represented by David j..
Rcinhardt
Ross said he lived in Chester While
on Front street yesterday he said
Cohen pulled him into his store and
offered to sell him a pair of shoes.
When he refused to make the pur-
chase he said Cohen cursed him and
then struck him Through Joseph r.
Emory, an Interpreter, Cohen said
Ross entered the store and wanted to
sell a coat and when he refused a
fight started during which Ross chas-
cd a young fellow along the street
While in the store Cohen said he
grapled with Ross and later Ross re-
turned with a monkey wrench which
he got from his wagon outside. Cohen
says he got the wrench and used il
on Ross.
Charles Pritchett. colored. who was
passing the store at the time said he
saw Ross enter the store with tn.
monkey wrench.
Evening journal., 1912-02-20
FOUR MANCLED
BY ACETYLENE
GASEXPLOSION
James M. Dewey One Of Vic
tins, Nay Die Of In
iurisS
PART OF FACE BLOWN
OFF BY FLYING IRON

An acetylene gas plant owned by
Ernest b. MacNair. at Hillcrest.
short distance above Shellpot Park,
exploded yesterday afternoon about
. o'clock and four men we're badly
injured, one of them perhaps fatally.
The tank containing the carbide had
been removed from the building and
a machine used in pumping was
taken apart when the mishap oc-
CURED. The injured are.
James NJ. Dewey. aged about 60
years. a tinsmith. OF No. West Thir-
tieth street. His right eye was
blown out, both jaw bones are frac-
tured and a part of the right side
OF his face is torn away. He is at
the Delaware Hospital and may not
recover.
Ernest B. McNair. OF Hillcrest,
owner OF the plant. Both his eyes
are burned and he is burned aud cut
about the face and head.
Charles b. Way. Of Twenty-frst
and Monroe streets. burned about
the eyes, face and head and badly
cut and bruised. He was treated at
the Delaware Hospital and sent
home
Preston Dewey, aged 10 years, Of
3 West Thirtieth street. one arm and
leg hurt, slightly burned, cut and
bruised. He was treated at the Del
aware Hospital and sent home.
The plant was located in one-story
frame structure along the Darby troll
lev line, some distance from MacNair
home. and as the tanks had frozen
Mr.. MacNair had tried to thaw them
out. The carbide tank had beer
emptied of the gas-generating ma.
terial. Failing in this, he secured
the assistance of Charles b. Way wh'
installed the plant, and James Nj
Dewey. a tinsmith, to make repairs
With Preston Dewey, aged 10 years.
grandson of the tinsmith, they wer'
al work In the building when tho tx
! plosion happened
The elder Dewey had his face clos
to the bottom-Of the engine used
punp water 10 the aceiylene tank, an
was chiseling on tho last piece q
metal which held the engine, whe
there was terrific explosion. Thi
shook the surrounding houses to thei
foundations. Mrs. MacNair, from he
home. 40 feet away, rushed to Oh
building. AS she reached tile struc
ture she stumbled over young Dewe,
who asked her to help his grand
I father All but the elder man got Z
their feet. but he was blown to tn
ceiling OF the building, and fell bac
through a trap door.
Mrs MacNair rushed out crying 70
help, and as no men were about th
place. all having gone to work in tn
morning. the women living nearb,
helped her get the dazed men out @
the building The men were carrie
into the MacNair home, and Drs. "
e. Postles and B. Allen Jenkin sum
moned. They arrived on the seen
shortly afterwards. and realizing tn
seriousness of the mems condition, ha
Continued on Second Page.
Evening journal., 1912-02-20
CITY MAY
CARRY ITS OWN
INSURANCE

First and second readings of the
traffic ordinance were given by the
Street and Sewer directors this morn
ing.
The city treasurer's report gave a
balance in the bank current expense
fund Of SIC. .2s2.92, and special fund,
$153,406.72. The department pay
roll for the week was: For carts,
$4s925. and for labor. S694O6.
Much Of the time at this mornings
session Of the board was occupied
with the reading of bids on indemnity
insurance for the city. from the fol-
lowing agencies: Gilpin Van Trump
and Montgomery; G. E. Pierson;
Joseph c. Lawson; Ralph c. Lupton
Company; William ]. Highfeld and
Bird, Ford and Company.
The bids were on liability for ac-
cidents 10 employees OF the city, and
for liability Of the city for accidents
to the public. There were long
tables Of estimates for the various
sorts Of persons and Of accidents.
The Street and Sewer department
has at previous times considered the
question. but there is doubt on tho
part Of the members as to whether it
is not cheaper for the city to carry
its own insurance. Street Commits
sioner Pierson stated that there had
been few accidents TO employees. no
man having been killed since he
took office.
Secretary Leslie Y. Christy will tab
ulate the estimates and compare with
the city's expenses for accidents. r..
F. Swan, OF Philadelphia. appeared
before the board for William J. High
field
Evening journal., 1912-02-20
FOR and AGAINST
PAID FIREMEN

Although the Reliance and Fame
fire companies sent communications
to City Council last week setting forth
their attitude toward paid fire de-
partment, the communications wero
not read publicly The Fame Com
pany's letter set forth that It favors
a volunteer department but the Re
lance Company declared unanimously
for a fire marshal and a paid de-
partment The Reliance has forty
seven active members.
The Reliance Fire Company values
its property, including everything. at
S2S.b00; the Independence. real cs-
tate, $4,000. personal $4,000, total
S2b.5O0; Washington. real estate. SIS.
GOO, personal. SS,440, total, S23 ,440
Fame real estate, $4,000. personal
$500. total, S21 200; Liberty. rea
estate. $1,000, personal. 1000 total
$4,000; Delaware, real estate, $4,000
total. S14,S00; Weccacoe. real estate
10000. total, S33,350; Brandywine
real estate, $4,000. total, $3O,66S;
Phoenix. total, S43.500
In the report submitted by tho
Water Witch. Friendship and Union
companies no valuation was placed
upon their holdings
The Reliance is the only company
that favors a paid department
Evening journal., 1912-02-20
MAYOR
WELCOMES
STATEJUNIORS
Tells Visiting LOdCemen vii.
minGtOn is Proud Of Their
Fraternity
REPORTS SUBMITTED
SEOW GROWTH OF ORDER

The nineteenth annual session of
the State Council Junior Order
United American Merchanics is beinr
heid in Junior Hall today. Mayor
Harrison W. Howell welcomed the
lodgemen this morning. Or. II. M.
willis, past state councillor resnond-
ing. Delegates from the forty odd
subordinate councils of Delaware
We're present Richard Hodgson.
state councillor. presided. and George
f. Lang. chairman OF the finance
committee introduced the speakers.
Mayor Howell said he considered Ia
n privilege TO be asked to extend the
courtesies OF the city to the organiza..
lion. He extolled the members upon
their unwoakening patriotism. their
reverence for the American flag and
spoke Of their incessant efforts to
establish the emblem over SCHOOL,
houses and Fairgrounds.
Tho Mayor was glad to SEQ such
a large gathering OF members before
him, he said. and pressingly solicited
them TO augment their numbers. stat
ing that there was an almost para
mount tendency among members of
fraternal organizations to remain
away from the meetings OF their
orders and permit the work to be
carried on by others. The Jr. o. u.
A. NJ. he said. was too good an order
TO be exposed to this influence, and
he importuned the members not to
avoid lodge meetings. Wilmington,
the Mayor added, was proud OF the
order.
Past State Councillor Willis thank
ed the Mayor for his courtesies, and
said It WIS the aim OF the order to
develop its youth into men OF worth
and purity and TO train them cor
recily. He spoke OF the public
schools as the bulwark of the nation
and added that the American nae
+ would not be dethroned. even by the
combined strength OF the powers.
Mayor Howell was then presentel
with bouquet and in accepting /
said he had intended 10 go ff6Hi ttiA4
I Jr. O. u A. NJ 70 the City Hall 5u
now that the flowers had been giver
him he would alter his destination
and make his way home
State Councillor Richard Hodgson
OF Townsend, in his annual repor
Continued on Page Eleven.
Evening journal., 1912-02-20
RACE
AFTERTAXICAB
BANDIT GANG
PlnkertOns, Burns Men and
New York City Detectives
After the Robbers
TOLD THEY MUST FIND OUT
WHO STOLE TIE $4,000
By Mo Unlted prass.

By The United Press.
NEW YORK. Feb. 20.-A desperate
race between the two biggest detcc-
tive agencies in America is ON here
today. The prize is the thousands
OF dollars paid out annually by tho
American Bankers Association for
guarding the institutions members.
The object is the capture Of the taxi
cab bandits who held up members of
the East River National Bank and
stole $4,000, And as a third party.
vitally interested working tooth and
nail to euchre the private agencies
is the New York Detective Bureau,
which will be utterly discredited If
the private agencies score where Il
has failed.
The wave OF crime IN New York
has been lost sight Of since the fight
started. When the Burns agency got
the American Bankers Association
away from the Pinkertons the latter
charged Burns had used underhand
measures to secure the rich plum.
Recently there have been a number
OF unsolved bogus check transactions.
which have cost the associated banks
upwards Of $4,000. Then came the
taxiCab holdup aud even before the
news had reached headquarters the
Pinkerton people. alive TO their
chance. had their best men on the
job with instructions that they must
land the robbers Burns was no less
active. and his sleuths were promptly
told that their jobs depended on theiI
success.
When this news reached headquar-
ters. Deputy Commissioner George
S. Doughorty, who used TO be a pri
vate detective himself. got on the job
lie called in his best men, brough
back from the tail grass Of the su
4 burban sections the old time detec
tives who learned tho business unde
Tom Byrnes, and put them ON th
job
Today Doughcrty insisted that h
was on the right track lie said ths
he would land every man concerne
I'm the robbery. before the priyai
sleuths realized what was going on.
Evening journal., 1912-02-20
$40 FINE FOR DRUNkENNESs.

Deputy Judge Joslyn. in City Court
this morning, imposed a fine of $40
and costs on William Russell, charged
with drunkenness. John Sweeney
and Harry Doyle were fined 81 and
costs on similar charges.
George McClane and Patrick Burke
were each sentenced TO 10 days in the
workhouse on the charge Of vagrancy.
Harry Brown and Lena Blake, coll
ored, charged with disorderly conduct,
had their case continued until tomor-
row. Both denied the charge. Brown
said he wanted witnesses and the
case was continued.
Evening journal., 1912-02-20
THIS "JEFF"
PROVES MUTT" TO
WOMAN FRIEND

Elizabeth Mason, colored. charged
in City Court today With disorderly
conduct called "Jen" as her witness.
but unlike the immortal TJeff' ha
proved a Mutt" for he knew nothing
about the case. Mary r. Dorsey, COLI
ored, said Elizabeth had threatened to
stab her with a potato knife at Eighth
and Orange streets.
Elizabeth denied the charge. and
called Eugene jeff who said he knew
nothing about the case. JEFF" sat
down while the spectators laughed.
Elizabeth was fined $40 and costs.
Evening journal., 1912-02-20
TO TEST CITY
WATER SUPPLY

Following Instructions at the meet
ing Of the Board Of Health yesterday
afternoon. the executive officers Of
the department this morning procured
sterillzed bottles from the Water De-
partment. in which they will collect
samples Of all water from the various
springs about the city. The board
decided to request the Kiamensi and
Westbroa Springs Companies TO
furnish them with samples OF their
water, and this with that from the
springs in this city, will be analized-
Secretary Malcom was instructed to
notify the owner Of the property, No
2l7 West Fourth street, 10 clean the
cellar and first floor Of the buildlni
within twenty-four hours. A typhoi'
fever patient was remover from th'
building to a hospital a few days
ago.
Dr. C.. Anthony Beck reported that
on Saturday last, accompanied By
Chief Engineer Kienle and Commits
sioner Poole. Of the Water Depart
mont, he had held a conference with
State Health Commissioner Nixon. OF
Pennsylvania, relative to the fever
outbreak there. The Pennsylvanians
assured the Delawareans that the 20
square miles of water sheds along the
Brandywine in Pennsylvania were be-
ing guarded.
During the discussion OF this subject
DIR. II. A. Cleaver suggested that a
sanitary drinking fountain be located
at the Pennsylvania Railroad station.
II was decided to ask tho railroad
authorities TO consider suggestions.
A special meeting viii be held on
Saturday afternoon when the specifica-
tions for the garbage contracts will
be considered prior to the asking for
bids
Evening journal., 1912-02-20
BANDIT HOLDS UP CAR
LOAD OF PASSENGERS
With Revolver in Each Hand, He Forces SIeepers on
Baltimore and Ohio Train TO Get Up and Sur
render Their VaIusbIes---BrakemanA Arrested

was opening the door on the rear
of the sleeper Before | could utter an
outcry, he had entered and with a
revolver in each hand started firing at
the roof of the car. The passengers
became panic stricken and he had
them at his mercy.
THE man was very cool and after
placing one Of the revolvers i'm his
pocket compelled the passengers 10
lump their money and valuables on
the floor He then gathered them up
and just as the train reached Alta
mont. jumped of and disappeared in
the darkness"
brakeman Arrested.
Within seven hours after the hold-up
Brakeman Becker was arrested and
locked up in the Keyser. w. Va. Jail
charged with the hold-up. The money
and jewelry was found ON Becker, il
is alleged by the police.
Little is known here concerning
Becker by Baltimore and Ohio officials
end employees. He boarded at Keyser it
is said and has run from Cumberland
to Grafton. w. Va. He was arrested at
Forty Mile Water Station" nine
miles west of Piedmont by Lieutenant
Kenny of the Baltimore and Ohio
police force.
Becker was found calmly sitting by
a small camp fire not far from the
water station He made no attempt to
escape when he saw the sheriff and
his deputies.
In his pockets we're found $50 and
three watches and a red bandana
handkerchief folded into the shape OF
a half face mask The police saw the
imprint of the mans nose was easily
discernable in. the mask.
Becker readily gave up the money
and jewelry in his possession but
denied that he was in any way i'm
plicated in the hold up He insisted
that "A tramp with whom lie had spent
the night had given him the stuff.
The Contributors.
Among those who reported to the
railroad officials that they had ICON.
tributed" to the bandit we're:
Pullman Conductor e c. Hubbill
S25 and a gold watch; Porter Scott
/ S1.45 and a watch; Elizabeth Flynn
! New York, S11 cash and a $50 check
/ II. c. Chambers, Hagerstown, Md.
$40 and watch; Mr.. and Mrs. Samue
Lawrence, Hamlin, ~ c., watch an
/ fountain pen; A. S Funkhausen, Hag
erstown, Md, 81; Fred Menu, Cincin
natl. S4S.50 and a watch; Mr. and Mrs
\ w L. Bond. Chillicothe. Ohio. s2l
,Other. passengers refused to give thel
names or the amounts taken fror
them
Evening journal., 1912-02-20
BY The United Press.


PIERMONT, w. Va, Feb. 20.--About
midnight a lone bandit held up the
passengers in the sleeping car attach
ed to the St Louis-New York Express
an the b. and o. at the point of a
brace of pistols, took $1,000 in cash
and much jewelry, was hidden some
where in the foothills beyond Alta
mont
While the train was going up the
steep grade from this city to Cumber-
land, Md. a man swung on TO the
rear platform of the last car.
He entered the sleeper, snapped out
two revolyers and while he held the
conductor, brakeman and porter COW
cred with one, fired six shots through
the roof from the other.
Get up all OF you" he yelled "snd
bring your money with YOU
ESssengers Gave Up.
It did not take long for the terrified
passengers, sixteen in number. to
climb down from their berths They
handed over their valuables and were
ordered back to bed.
"A sound from one Of you and | will
kill you" snarlcd the bandit, but this
notification was not needed as every
passenger was unarmed and all were
frightened In few minutes the rob-
her had all of the visible wealth in
the car. He then retreated to the rear
of the car and jumped off to the
ground. He disappeared in the woods
as the train swung around a curve,
with some of the men passengers, the
conductor, and several trainmen on
the rear platform.
AS soon as the train reached Alta
mont it was stopped and news Of the
robbery telegraphed back.
That the man was at all times in
control of the situation was made
plain by the stories of all of the occu-
pants of The car. AS soon as he had
discharged his revolver as the signal
for the passengers to climb out Of
their berths. they said, he returned
one revolver to his pocket SO as to
have his right hand free. Then he
made the terrified passengers deposit
their wealth in heap so he could get
at it He was perfectly cool and col
lected throughout and waited till he
reached just the spot he was looking
for before jumping off the car.
While the officials have a general de-
scriptiOn of the man, they have no
details to work on as he kept his face
covered with a handkerchief all the
time he was in the car
Conductors Story.
Tho daring hold up was described
by the conductor here today as fol
lows:
when l first saw the bandit hc
Evening journal., 1912-02-20
CHrRCH aY. nm SnCIAL.

The monthly meeting Of the Della
ware Avenue Baptist Y was held at
the home Of Miss Jennie Groves. No.
522 East Eighth street last evening.
After the business meeting an enjoy
able social was held. Those present
were: Martha B. Colt. Blanche Alex
ander. Reba l. Barnes. Jennie
Groves. Elizabeth Cleaver. Mildred
i. Hobson. Maude T. Gaynor, Mary
Gaynor. Ida Warren, Louisa Walz,
Mabel Groves. Mis- Alice Groves,
Elsie Rutan. Jessie Willis. Mrs. II. K.
Link, II. e. Link. Samuel Johnson,
Alfred l.. Barnes, Earl Donaldson,
Ernest T. Dawson, Arthur j. Sparks,
Carl Jack.
Evening journal., 1912-02-20
MILLER BECISION
OVER UNTIL TUESDAY

Owing to Deputy Judge Joslyn not
having read the stenographic report
of the testimony taken on Saturday
in the case Of Clinton r. Miller. the
aviator, charged with committing a
felonious assault on Mrs. Bertha B.
Haines. the decision in the case was
not given in court this morning. The
case will be disposed Of by Thurs
day.
Evening journal., 1912-02-20
COrNTY FINANCES.

County Treasurer Robert M Burns
reported the following county ball
ances at the meeting of the Levy Court
today: Credit Of the Levy Court, $685.
517.24; special bonds. S13.025.97: high
way improvements. S66.O34.27; Chris
tiana. $4.1i6.34; Mill Creek, $2,365.55;
White Clay Greek, S1,976.99; PEN
cader, 81 1.64702; New Castle, $406S.00;
Red Lion, 81, $50 sc; St Georges. ST.
O9S Go: Appoquinimink. $l,367.07;
Blackbird, $2,2243S; Brandywine, So
012O1
Evening journal., 1912-02-20
Males Females
COMPLAIN OF Nuisance.

Executive officer McNany. OF the
Board of Health, this morning enter
ed complaint with the Street ana
Sewer Department about the side-
walk at the southwest corner Heald
street and Christiana avenue. Inc
drain pipe that runs under the street
has become choked up. This causes
the water TO bank up anc fnose de-
string TO pass the place were forced
to take to the car tracks this morn
ing.
Evening journal., 1912-02-20
BEGIN WORK
ON TROLLEY ROAD

The FIRST active work on. the con-.
struction of the new route of the
Wilmington and New Castle Southern
Railway was begun yesterday, when
employees started TO distribute the
ties to be used on the line. These
are now being carted from the wharf
at New Castle 20 the Reading Railroad
Compauys crossing along the Cause
way.
J. Eugene Wallace, an official of
the road, said today that the order for
70-pound rails had been practically
awarded and they would begin to ar
rive within two or three weeks.
Evening journal., 1912-02-20
Ia FEVER CASES
NOW in CITY

The number Of typhoid fever cases
here is increasing. Last week 8 cases
we're reported and yesterday afternoon
five more were announced One addi-
tional case was reported today
The health authorities are making
strenuous efforts to check the spread
Of the disease and all water from the
houses where fever patients are found
is being analyzed.
Evening journal., 1912-02-20
PAY THESE BONDS
BEFORE MATURITY

The Levy Court at its meeting to-
day received a letter from the Trus-
tees Of the New Castle County Work
house. stating that three more $1,000
bonds against the prison had been
cancelled. Although the bonds were
not due until 1880. the person who
held them needed the money and the
trustees agreed TO pay them.
Evening journal., 1912-02-20
WILLIAM MICHAEL BYRNE
in A BIG CASE.

William Michael Byrne, former
United States District Attorney IN this
city appears as counsel in New York
IN the case Of George Decker. a pro-
fessional nurse charged with being
implicated In a scheme TO obtain
fraudulently the large fortune OF Sam
uel e. Haslett who lived I'm a House
OF Mystery" on Remsen street
Evening journal., 1912-02-20
ONE KILLED, TWO HURT WHEN
AUTO HITS TROLLEY CAR

were A. B. Chessor, a brother Of the
dead woman, and Holmer Waltman,
motorman of the car.
When the fast-moving automobile
and the car met at the intersection,
they came together with terrific force.
Mrs. Pilchard, who sat on the front
seat with her husband, was hurled to
the street with great force The hus-
band and the crew Of the trolley car
we're placed under arrest.
Evening journal., 1912-02-20
TWO KILLED, ONE HURT
IN A ROW OVER MONEY

difference between the two Wallacos
over money matters.
Rex Wallace entered the First Ma
tional Bank last evening. shot Stong
as he was leaving and sent bullets
into his fathers head and stomach.
Then he shot himself twice in the
head. stong Will recover
Evening journal., 1912-02-20
ORSENI GETS OFF.

Frank Orseni was before City Court
today charged with assault and bat
terry on Salvatore Emmy. From the
testimony It appeared that the trouble
started over work but Orseni had wit
nesses to show he did not strike SAL
vatore. The case was then dismissed.
James Mason. colored. denied the
charge of assault and battery and
asked that his case be continued until
tomorrow.
Evening journal., 1912-02-20
MIR. RALsTON BUYS PROPERTY.

Stidham and Son. auctioneers. at
the county courthouse today sold for
John w. Malloy. administrator, the
brick house belonging TO the estate
of Mary NJ. Ralston. situated in Gil
pin avenue near Scott street to Mat
thew Ralston. at $3.50.
Evening journal., 1912-02-20
EVENING AT CARDS.

Mr.. and Mrs. George Whitfield en-
tertained about forty-ive couples last
evening at cards and dancing, at their
home al Farnhurst. The McPike
Orchestra of New Castle furnished the
music. Friends from New Castle,
Red Lion, Bear Station, Christiana and
Farnhurst we're present.
Evening journal., 1912-02-20
nRnp LnTTERY CHARGE-

The case of Joseph w. Houch,
charged with being concerned in a
lottery. was held up following a con-
ference between Houch and Chief OF
Police Black in City Court today after
Houch had agreed TO discontinue the
sale of Easter eggs with which prizes
were given.
Evening journal., 1912-02-20
By ND Unlted Press.

BY The United Press.
PHILADELPHIA Feb. 20-One
woman was killed and two meh were
slightly injured when a large touring
car and a trolley car collided early
today at the intersection of Twenty
Second and Race streets. The automo-
bile was demolished.
The dead woman is Mrs. Ida Pill
chard, wife of William Pilchard, the
driver of the machine Those injured