davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-14
SPEAKS AT ANNUAL DINNER
Church Extension Society Meets
With Methodist Union.
WORK IN THE LOCAL FIELD
An Old-Time Dream of New-Time
City Used by Way Of
Illustration.

Church extension problems were dis
cussed at the annual dinner of the
Church Extension Society and the Meth
odist Union at Foundry NJ. E. Church
last night. about $50 members of the two
organizations being present. The princi-
pal address of the evening was by Bishop
Theodore S.. Henderson, who responded
to the toast The Throne il the City,
Following the dinner the first address
was by G. w. F. Swartzell, president of
the Methodist Union. who spoke of the
extension work of that church i'm and
about Washington. Rev DR.. ]. NJ NJ.
Gray of Hamline Church. speaking in
the place of DR.. WhitforA L. Mcdowell.
recently appointed superintendent of the
Washington district. who was unable to
be present. spoke for an expansion of
Methodism in Washington by growth
from within. rather than for unlimited
expansion by outward growth. Bishop
Cranston. senior member of the present
board of Methodist bishops and resident
Bishop of Washington, congratulated
the union on the high character of the
ministers occupying the pulpits of the
Methodist churches of the city. and es-
pecially commended to the confidence and
support of Washington churchmen DIR.
Mcdowell. whom he appointed to sue
coed DR.. Sumwalt.
Problem of Methodism.
Chattanooga, taking his theme from the
story of st. Johns dream on PatmoS-
an old-time dream of a new-time city
declared that the problem of Methodism
is how to help realize the dream. Christ
-..rx L. l. ID
vidual. but in society. The Christ of the
individual marriage obligation must be
the Christ in divorce legislation, of the
banker and the banking business, of the
citizen and the Senate and House. The
church must be awake to the value of or
ganized Kindness
The opening invocation was delivered
by Rev. DR.. James Shera Montgomery,
and Rev. DIR. Wedderspoon pronounced
the benediction. Music was furnished by
of Miss Mary Sherier, soprano: Miss Anna
Brett. contralto; J. +. NJ. Bowie, tenor,
and Charles w. Moore, soprano.
Officers and Members.
The officers and members of committees
of the Methodist Union are:
President, G. w. F. Swartzell; vice
presidents. Rev. II. r. Naylor, S. H.
Walker and A. b. Browne: honorary
vice president, Mrs. D. B. Street; cor
responding secretary. A. c. True: as
sistant secretary, j. S. Barker; recording
secretary, Edwin Williamson; treasurer.
George H. Stewart; trustees, Whitford
l.. Mcdowell, George w. F. Swartzell.
Edwin Williamson, William T. Galiiher,
Charles NJ. Forrest, Arson s. Taylor,
Alvin w. Chaplin, Adds B. Browne and
Henry L. Strang; cutive,
Rev. w. L. Mcdowell, Rev. w. r. We'd
Do Z
S. France, Rev. ]. c. Nicholson, Arson
S. Taylor, Charles f. Birch, James H.
Allen, A. H. Hitler and j. H. Goodrich;
meetings. z. L. Booraem, Rev. A. s.
Mowbray, Rev. c. +. Wise, Rev. S. ".
Grafflin, George S. Gibson, James l..
Ewin. DR.. George w. Stiles, Dr.sD. Grin
Leech. w. S. Dewhirst and D. +. De-
fandOrf.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-14
What Association Can Do.

Supt Davidson's address was on "Some
Things a Home and School Association
Can Do for a Public High School,
Zone way in which such an association
| can help" he said, lis to recognize that
teachers are here with standards of
work. Pupils are sent to school to work,
and to work hard. These associations
should, spread among all patrons the
fact that they will stand for standards
| no loafing, but work while working and
play while playing. Parents should not
| be too sensitive Of criticism of their chill
dren."
The fact that some parents begrudge
! the money they have to spend for school
books and supplies for their children was
condemned by DR. Davidson
Cigarette smoking by schoolboys next
came in for adverse criticism. Here
again, said the speaker, home and school
associations could help by creating a SEN
timent against the practice.
Latter-Day Changes.
DR.. Davidson spoke of the changes
which, he said. had taken place in the
home and school life. "Austerity and
severity were predominant in the old-time
school and in the old-tilne home. In
Simultaneous obedience was demanded and
1t made for a pretty good kind of citizen
ship.
Modern tendencies have been to de-
throne fear; in place of austerity and
severity self-control has been developed
Comradeship and cOmpaniOnship are the
dominant notes between parent and child
and also in the schools. 1 think We have
swung to an extreme almost. Where love
comes in 1t must not be jellyfish love- 1t
must be love coupled with power; this is
the greatest thing in the world
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-14
Take American Tastes a
and Ideas Back Home. Dao

and along with it American thought and
American customs. Scarcely a village
there is now without its returned immi-
grants. They bring American phono-
graphs. American collars and ties, Ameri-
can taste for modern clothes. 1t is no
novelty even in the remote mountain vii
lagos to hear an American talking ma
chine screeching American ragtime
In every country the returning immi-
grant Is somebody in his little community
He has made as much in America in a
week as he made at home in several
months. and his savings Of a thousand
dollars make him a nabob. The people be-
lieve his stories of American genius and
achievement until he gets to telling about
q fOrty-story building. and then their
faith breaks down. They can believe
that the Americans have a machine into
which one can feed iron and wood. and a
wagon comes out of it finished: they can
even believe that We have machines which
will cut wheat, thresh it. grind the flour
and then make bread or cake out of it, ac-
cording to which button is pushed: but
when it comes to a forty-story building,
that Is impossible.
The pitiful thing about the new" i'm.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-14

And so it has been everywhere. On
the tide starts in given country it keel
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-14

And SO it is proving throughout south
ern and eastern Europe The returning
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1912-03-24

next important one was the death of the
elder Peterman.
The sky became overcast while he was
blowing. and heavy storm came on. He
hurried to the barn, put away his horses.
and was running to the cabin when a big
oak tree blew down on him. breaking near
ly every bone In his body.
The widow lived on In the evil place
with her two sons. John and Abram. In
the course Of years Ahram married, and
once more the cabin was made bright by
the faces Of little children. 1t seemed as
though they might heal the deep wounds
in their grandmother's heart and certainly
they had twined themselves about the az.
fections Of Abram as no one else had ever
done.
But the Nemesis Of the place was too
much for them. The youngest fell OF
hay wagon at the barn door and broke his
neck, The other was accidentally jabbed
in the head with pitchfork and died from
the injury.
Many persons who knew Ahram In his
early manhood think that his mind was
unbalanced By the shocking deaths Of his
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1912-03-24

children. He became morose, and then a
homicidal mania developed. He would as
sault men with whom he had previously
been on the friendliest terms, and on one
occasion he rushed at his brother with
pitchfork, thrusting 1t into his back several
times. John was rescued in time to pre-
vent murder. but another incident had been
added to the bloody chapter connected
with the place,
From this time on there was deadly
feud between the brothers. Ahram on sew
eral occasions tried to burn down the
house and barn. but the watchful John
thwarted him Each man was constantly
on the lookout for the other.
Just before their mother oied Abram was
carried OF to serve sentence in the peni-
Tertiary. not for any crime that was COM
mitted within the confines Of his accused
home. To be. specific. ii was for gouging
gu. the eye of a relative by marriage.
Seventeen years ago Abram was released
from prison and returned to the cabin.
He was still as dangerous as ever. On
many occasions he threatened to have
Johns life blood" Returning late one af-
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1912-03-24
The Last Tragedy Of the Unluckest Half Acre in Americ

ternoon about year ago In this mood. be
unIuckily encountered his brother as he
entered the front yard.
"Pn have your hearts blood" he
shrieked, as he closed the gate behind him
and stood painting with rage inside the
fatal confines of the farm. TN have your
life's blood. say! And III have 1t right
nowi" ST..
He sprang at John with q knife in his
hand as John bent to pick up q stone.
The impact threw the two old fellows
sprawling on the ground. for they we're far
from agile, John being seyenty-one and
Abram seventy, and both as full Of "rheu.
mates" as Is usual In countrymen Of their
age.
But no full-blooded youth was ever
swayed BY more furious passion than led
these unnatural sons of one mother to .ear
and bite and claw and kick at each other
in the shadow Of the old log cabin that had
seen the ruin and degradation Of their
clan
How long they fought John does not
know, although he thinks sit might have
been an hour or two" He remembers that
they were both covered with blood that
blinded them and choked them, and caused
Abram to mutter over and over:
His LIES blood! His life's blood"
Their wind not being so good as it once
was, they would lie quiet in each others
embrace for a minute at a stretch. but
when the inertia Of complete exhaustion
had passed, they would begin again. Goug-
ing. striking. scratching, biting. clutching,
with never thought Of asking or receiving
quarter.
Finally Johns right hand came In con-
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1912-03-24

looked upon the long chain Of tragedies
which made the place a byword throughout
the State as mere condolences.
The Peternan log cabin was built by
John Petermsn jus. before the Civil War.
The Oldest Inhabitants say Of him that he
was an honest. hard.working. Godfearing
man. careful, prudent farmer. a good
father. a kind husband and a pleasant
neighbor.
Almost before the mud plaster between
the chinks Of the logs had hardened, how
ever. the tragic record began.
One day Mrs Peterman was boiling soap
In q large caldron that hung upon crane
in the fireplace. While she was working
with her back to the fire, there was
crash and sputtering, followed by a
chorus OK screams, and the woman turned
to find her three little girls drenched with
the boiling soap. The youngest child had
pulled down the kettle In some way, i'm
mersing herself and her two playmates.
All three died within few hours.
For a-short period the family lived in a
shack on the other side Of the farm. Their
return to the log cabin after q lapse Of a
few months was signalized by o FIRE which
nearly overwhelmed the entire remaining
family while they slept and which did
burn one OF the sons seriously.
For thu next three years accidents came
thick and fast. For example, Peterman,
anxious tc sci, his farm and escape further
misfortunes, hired surveyor to straighten
out disputed line. The chairman fell
over a stone pile back OF the cornerib and
broke a'leg in'two places. Such minor &C
cioents there were by. the score. but the
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1912-03-24

1--WE hit the line at once. The wo-
mems race, where the mothers ran
with their kids in the hoods OF their
kooletahs, was greeted with fervent
applause. Our messroom was all
decorated with Com lander Peary's
fiags, and we had a great and won.
drous spread. the inevitable climax
to our ideas OF enjoyment"
When not hunting and making
sledges, the men were much amused
by the antics OF the Eskimos and
their wives. f3orup and Macmillan,
on Pcary's trip, trained six dusky
squaws to dance like "Florodora"
sextette. The Eskimo mothers
looked after their children and
washed them Just as cat does her
kittens. This Ia vouched for BY
Matt Henson. One OF the ladies'
used 10 90 mildly crazy. so much
30 that Borup writes in his book:
There was a husky lady, q
widow, dubbed Buster Blanket by
our facetious cook, and she distinct.
ly contrived TO dispel dull care. One
night we heard eommotion for
ward. There was the lady In a pool
Of Ice water. under the bow, look
ing like an inebrlated fish. treading
water, singing like a siren and bang
ing her hands together: Yah! Yahi
A yah YAH II she'd had more
pleasant surroundings she'd have
made the Lorelei look like the hat
father wore on St Patrick's Day. 10
took the whole crew some time to
get her back on board"
But most OF the time the squaws
were too busy making fur hoods and
coats for the explorers &c take dane
ing lessons or go crazy. They had
to do all the sewing In preparation
for the dash. Borup says In "A
Tenderfoot":
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1912-03-24

tact with stone about the size Of his two
fists. With all the strength that was left
in him. he brought it down upon the head
OF Abram, who lay quite still and ceased
his monotonous murmurs Of Blood, blood,
blood" H- "... .
John was too near gone to rise. but he
managed to crawl to the doorway, where
he tainted. Thus the neighbors found them,
frightfully haggled, the one apparently dy.
ing. the other dead with grisly smile
upon his face and punches Of bloody gray
hair locked in his stiffened fingers.
And now John. the only survivor Of the
Inflated Peterman family, is awaiting trial
for the last tragedy Of the blood.soaked
half-acre.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1912-03-24

ITO have the sewing done well
you'd pick out one girl, make her
think she was Just 1T, tip her hus-
band to get his good will, and give
him to understand there'd be more
coming his way IL bis wlfe's rivet-
ing was cold. II Tn Tskimo wife
didn't do good job for her hubby
he attended TO the makeup OF her
eyes. We objected to our rooms be-
ing converted into facial massage
psrlors, SO II We found q woman
taking homeward-b bound stitches, one
every half mile or so. we'd merely
unravel them with a knife"
"The Sailors" says Borup, put In
part OF their time In boxing tour
nament, but more In assisting In the
taking OF tidal observations for the
United States Coast and Geodetic
Survey" For his last according to
Borup:
Marvin built a large igloo on the
fee, cut hole four feet through the
ice and put In his gauge. The igloo
was canvas lined, to try to keep the
heat In, two-burner stove lending
hand. We stood nine-hour
watches. taking hourly observations,
except near high or low tide. when
they were to be read every ten min.
utes for one and a half hours before
and after the stand OF the tide"
Matt Henson. the negro, who &C.
companied Peary to the Pole, has
also told how the explorers put in
their time in the Big Dark. He
says in his book, "A Negro Ex-
plorer at the North Pole" which
was published this Spring;
Hunting parties were sent out,
for 1t was on the big game Of the
country that the expedition de-
pended for fresh meat. Professor
Marvin commenced his scientific
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1912-03-24

Thy all odds the most unfortunate half
acre in America is the Peterman
- Farm. in Sugarloaf Township, Co
lumbia County. Pennsylvania. Within the
past fifty years no less than eight deaths
by violence have occurred on the place. i've
times the log cabin which constitutes the
farmhouse has been nearly destroyed by
Gre. nearly dozen serious accidents have
taken place there. one Of the occupants Of
the place served a sentence for assault,
and the sole survivor of the family is now
in prison on charge Of murder.
The uneniightened. perhaps, would re.
gard the place as haunted or as cursed BY
hoodoo. but the Petermans themselves
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1912-03-24

paws through, and there you are, on,
dog hooked up and harnessed.
After licking the bites and suck.
ing the blood, you tie said dog to a
rock and start for me next one. II
Is only a question of time before you
have your. team. When you have
them, leave them alone; they must
now decide who is fit to be the king
OF the team. and so they fight, they
fight and fight; and once they have
decided, the king is king. A growI
from him. or only look, is enough,
all obey. except the females. and the
females have their way, for. true to
type, the males never harm the fe-
males, and II is always the females
who start the trouble" ..
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1912-03-24

VVyHAT did Amundsen and
M Peary and Scott do in the
W six months night, which
every pole hunter has TO spend. get
ting ready for his dash In the
Spring? In the old days Of polar
exploration the parties spent prac.
tieally all Of their time cooped up
in shaeks and ship cabins. fighting
with each other. The long night,
six months without a glimpse OF the
sun, made them so nervous that
parties mutinied against their chiefs
ind explorers plotted each others
murder. During General Greely's
expedition his assistants would not
speak to each other for months, and
finally. when their food was gone
the doctor Of the expedition was ac-
cused Of stealing food from his pa
tients.
But Amundsen and Peary OF to-
day are more scientific and the long
night Is the busiest part Of the trip.
All through the Winter the com.
mander Of modern expedition
sends out hunting parties. which
find and bring back dozens OF musk
oxen. and meanwhile get hardened
for the final dash for the Pole when
Spring comes. Between trips, the
men build sleds, take tidal observa.
tons, boss the Eskimo squaws who
sew their fur clothing, lounge In the
cabin telling stories and have ath-
letic games on the Ice. Part OF the
expedition except out on the trek.
laying down caches OF provisions
30 that the final dash will not have
TO depend on what can be taken
from the ship on one set OF sledges.
Between hunting and sledglng. the
men are kept so busy that when
they get back 10 the ship they are
too thankful for a chance TO loaf
and sleep TO want 10 quarrel with
each other. This new system Is
largely due to an Americsn--Ad-
mlral Peary.
George Borup, who was on Peary's
successful dash to the Pole and who
will be part commander OF the
American expedition to explore
Croker Land which starts this COM
ing Summer, describes In "A Ten
derfoot with Peary' how the explor.
ers spent Christmas Day.
Under Peary-s methods" says
Borup. travelling during the moons.
always busy on the ship, II there
was any monotony or dreaded dark
ness going the rounds, none Of US
crossed Its trail. Constantly occu-
pied. we were happy; the working
day wasn't long enough; and I
never knew till then the real Joy
Of living.
when Christmas came II was
celebrated In right royal style. In
the forenoon the Captain and ! laid
out q track seventy-nve yards long
and ten wide. smoothing rough spots
in the snow--otf with picks After
that. we drummed up every avail
able lamp aboard, so that the race
track resembled Broadway after
dark. Then the North Polar Ath-
letic Club held It's FIRST meet. The
A. A. U. sanction didn't arrive In
time. but we decided to pull 1t on
iust the same. sanction or no sane
tion. With the thermometer at
minus % degrees Fahrenheit. 1t
seemed very warm and springllke
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1912-03-24

work, and all Winter long parties
were sledging provisions, equipment,
etc. to Cape Columbia, ninety-three
miles northwest In anticipation of
the Journey to the Pole. Those who
remained at headquarters did not
find life an Idle dream. There was
something In the way OF work going
on all OF the time. I was away from
the ship on two hunting trips OF
about ten days each and while at
headquarters shaped and built
over two dozen sledges, besides do
ing lots Of other work.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1912-03-24
ACCIDENTS AND CRIMES ON THE UNLUcKIEsT HALE ACRE

HE UNLUCKIEST HALF ACRE.
7. John Peterman. IT., nearly
killed in fight with his
brother Abram.
s. Abram destroys the sight of
relative and is sent to
prison. .-
9. Old Mrs. Peterman dies of a
broken heart.
10. Abram kills his brother in a
fight.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1912-03-24

ACCIDENTS AND CRIMES ON
!. Three children scalded to
death.
2. Son burned in cabin fire.
3. Surveyor made a cripple.
4. Old John Peterman killed by
storm-struck tree.
S. Grandchild breaks his neck.
6. Another grandchild killed with
pitchfork.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1912-03-24

compared to the minus So degrees Of
q day before.
We had races FOR every one; the
Eskimo men. mothers with their
children on their backs. then for the
white men. In the first heat for the
huskies, they were not up on how
to finish They slowed up before
reaching the tape. and all four or
The Washington times., 1912-02-08
FOR LITTLE FOLK JUST BEFORE BEATIME
The Sandman's Stories
THE UGLY BLANKET.

neatly folded across the white Srread
was the very ugliest old blue and gray
blanket you can imagine II was short
rion was too much of a man to cTy
about blanket, but he was very much
disappointed that his new cover was
not SO pretty as Bertha's.
While they stood looking at A.
fathers voice called up to them, Come
quick, children, Uncle Dan is here!'
and the old blanket was quite forgotten
as they flew downstairs to greet the
cherriest uncle that every children had.
He was not much older than Marion
himself, or did not seem so when with
the children. Uncle Dan never came
without many nice things for boys and
girls in his pockets. He knew the best
ties, or tell story; he was, indeed
quite all that an uncle should be. So
you cannot wonder that the children
fell over one another into his arms at
the bottom of the staircase. When they
all came romping into dinner late that
evening father looked at Marion's
bright eyes and rosy cheeks and said
pan, you do the boy more good than
all the doctors" But Uncle Dan only
laughed his big jolly laugh and shook
evening Of his visit to the children. even
slept In Marion's room, and a fine romp
they had until sleepy time. At last,
t Wnen 1t was long past the usual bed
high upon Uncle Rams shoulder. He
had not been to visit them since they
moved into the country, so had to go
all around and see the rooms. He ad-
mtred Bertha's pretty spread and pre-
tended to pick a rose from it and. Dor
| rowing pin from Bertha, pinned the
imaginary rose in his buttonhole as he
| kissed her good night.
| Now / know we are going to be
| cozy!" cried Uncle Ben as he spied the
ugly blanket. Mother has found my
old blanket"
"why, Uncle Ben. do you like that
blanket? Bertha and thought it was
| the ugliest one we had ever seen, and
we wondered why people made such
| hateful. heavy things" said Marion,
| very much surprised.
| "ff you had to sleep night after night
out on the hard ground, which would
| you choose, this old blanket or .Bertha s
| pretty one, sonny?", asked Uncle BEN
why, this one. of course" said Ma
rion quickly. was It used for that
| Uncle Ben. and who made it?" And g
thousand questions came pouring out
until Uncle Ben laughed and said
| Call Bertha, and I will tell you the
| story of the ugly blanket"
CONTINUED Tomorrow