davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-31
Where Wonders Appear In Myriad Numbers
Sale of United Army and Navy Goods by W. S. Kirk of
Phad ph 121-123 w. Third St. Davenport, Creates Magnet
Draw Not Only Buyers But Also People Search of Education

They were taken from certain army
coats. Now they have been made into
pretty shirtwaist sets. Each set is
accompanied with a description tell
ing just where the buttons were used.
They are priced at only 10 cents.
Right beside the sets OF buttons is a
PLAGUE containing the United States
coat-of-arms. II is only So cents.
On the wall is hanging candlestick
which was made OF q United States
army bayonet. The bayonet has been
turned into such shape that ii makes
a pretty decoration. Here also are
scenes made from United States bay
onets and are priced at 81.
Hundreds OF chevrons to trim fancy
pillows. rest On this table with the
price tag of cents attached Many
fancy pillows, untitled, are priced at
50. Other fancy pillows. with navy
cap ribbons, showing the insignia OF
many different government battleships
and transports, are certain to attract
the eye. They are things of immense
beauty
One looks at a leather continuance
and wonders what 1t is. He takes
hold and examines it, and then is told
that II is a carbine scabbard that was
used at such and such a period by the
army. Right near it is long sword
OF wood. What could that have been
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-31

ing material TO At up a den" is the
comment registered by one OF the
women visitors to the place. 1t i'm
presses everyone in just this way
There are so many novelties that one
can find just the right articles for
fitting up den or coy corner. Girls
will be delighted with the little pillows
and the wall decorations.
Handed Down for Years
Some OF the guns and swords have
been handed down for years. They
will grace the wall OF any so-called
den and would make it seem more like
a real den. Just a glance at photo
graphs which are reproduced with
this article will give a clear idea OF
what there is in this shop that would
be excellent material for dens. The
things out of the ordinary include
bayonets, converted into sconces, with
candles, plume sockets turned into
candlesticks, helmet spears into paper
weights, brass eagles into United States
coat of arms, projectiles into orna-
ments, guns into hat racks, war orna-
ments placed on PLAQUES, chevrons
turned into fancy sofa pillows, etc,
etc.
People who have travelled around
the world have declared that they
never have seen such wonderful
curios. Mr. Kirk has often been COM
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-31

mobile and drove away as fast as he
could. Some man attempted to defend
the Wychodil woman, so | started after
him, but he ran down the street as
fast as he could.
Or Henssler must have gone
straight home, as when | arrived at
my fiat found that he had put some
clothes in a grip, and had left the
house. | have not seen him since"
At their home, 4145 Indiana avenue.
the Wychodil and Machek girls de-
clared last night that no such dancing
as Mrs. Henssler alleged took place
at their home.
CALL MRS. HENsSLER JEALOUS.
Mrs. Henssler is a foolishIy Jealous
woman" said the Wychodn girl Our
party here was an innocent one. even
if it did last until after midnight. We
merely danced ordinary dances and
played cards Mrs. Henssler struck
me with the whip' because she is teal-
GUS without any reason. DR.. Henssler
is old enough to be my father. He
Is an old friend of our family and
I have known him all my life. There
Is no ground for the accusation that
Mrs. Henssler makes against me-"
Il hardly know DR.. Henssler," gaid
the Machek girl 1T is d terrible mis-
take for his wife to bring my name
into this case. / know nothing Of the
cause of the horsewhipping after we
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-31

Mr. Kirk. Army knives and forks,
articles that are necessary to camp
life, are priced at Is cents a set.
hey are substantial. The pattern is
one OF the best ever used by the
government. Anvils for tool boxes
are priced at 10 cents.
Hanging from string, running to
The ceiling is a round net device which
attracts much attention from all
visitors. 1t is an Alasan insect pro-
tector and is placed over the head so
that mosquitoes cannot bother the
"earer. 1t gets its name from Alaska
The United States army. used this kind
IF head protector in Cuba.
There are so many hundreds of
Tarieties OF articles in this wonder
Jul stock that everyone Is amazed.
There are things great and small. For
instance, on one of the counters are
many plain looking straps, and one
soon learns, upon inquiry that these
we're made from leather bought OF
the government and that they are
book straps. In other cities where
this kind of a sale has been conducted
hundreds. of these straps have been
sold.
In one purchase Mr. Kirk bought
more tran $4,000 cartridges. All the
powder and caps were taken from
these and now the shells, some OF
hem eighteen inches long, form most
beautiful souvenirs.
Danger in Work
Mr. Kirk says that these shells
caused him great concern at first. He
bought them at large auction sale
and paid an insignificant sum for
them. But he was up against a prop
osit.on when he came TO unloading the
powder from the shells. The job was
q dangerous one, for the cartridges
We're liable to explode. He finally en-
gagged crew of men and set them tC
Tork in an out-of-the-way place. The
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-31

Machek girls, DR.. Henssler and the
other men, but she does not know this
woman's name.
DR.. Henssler, who is a graduate of
the college OF physicians and surgeons
with an extensive practice, and is also
a writer OF valuable articles on medi-
cal subjects, was not al home last
night. and Mrs. Henssler said he had
taken his grip and clothes and left
the house. She did not know where
he was. she declared. She told the
story OF her Sunday night auto chase
and the hOrsewhipping as follows:
y have suspected for months that
something was amiss. DR.. Henssler
for the last two years has not been
the loving and attentive husband that
he was when we eloped and were mar
ried in San Antonio, Texas.
Il was told last night that a Joy
riding automobile party had been ar
ranged and that DR.. Henssler was q
member Of it. so with Mrs. Strayer
two other detectives and our chauffeur
I went downtown early in the evening
/ I concealed myself in the car so thai
/ should not be seen, but | saw The
automobile party as it came along
+ There were three women and three
men il the automobile, and my hus
band was one Of the men.
FOLLOWED TO GIRLS HOME.
we followed them TO the home o
. Marie Wychodl- 4I45 Indiana avenue
just few blocks from my own home
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-31

people all have told the energetic
manager that his shop and produc-
tons are unique among the worlds
stock OF peculiar and yet useful
creations.
The rubber ponchos, or rain coats,
are the kind for which the govern
ment paid S4S2. They are the style
used by soldiers in marching or per-
forming guard duty. They make ex-
cellent lap robes or can be used as
rain coats by letter carriers, motor
cyclists, etc. &,
Those candle sticks are certainly
unique" remarked a woman visitor at
the Kirk exhibit and sale yesterday.
She was looking at one OF the sticks
made out OF a bayonet. 1t was ex-
planned TO her that several thousands
OF these bayonets had been converted
into can6lssticks through taking the
temper out of the metal and through
mounting the bayonets in nice form on
plaques, which certainly made the
article attractive. Scabbards for
knives also have been made into neat.
unique articles as we'll as into orna-
mental articles.
Low Prices Prevail
Cutlasses from the United States are
priced at 81. These are very fine and
cost the government several times the
price that is now asked for them by
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-31

Mrs. Strayer and | took up our posi-
ton on a porch right opposite. We
were hidden from sight, but We had
a good view of the Wychodil apart
ment.
They certainly were having a very
good time, with dancing and music
and actions not known in good society.
Maybe they danced the turkey
trot' or the bunny hug or something
else l really don't know what the
dances were. They certainly were a
novelty to me.
About midnight the party came out,
got into an automobile and drove to
the apartment of Walter G. Mueller,
l124 East Twenty-second street We
started our vigil again. We saw d
man come out OF the apartments and
go into a saloon. He went back soon
after. his arms laden with bundles.
Il hate 10 say what took place up
there | saw my own husband fondIy
icaressing this Wychodil woman. Tha,
was enough for NE.
ANGRY WIFE YIELDS HOUSEWIFE
Il waited and waited, and was re
warded about o'clock this morning BY
and when / saw my husband come cut
/ with the Wychodil woman Just
couldn't restrain myself any longer.
! Pulling a horsewhip from the folds
/ Of my dress. I attacked them both
and I hit about 10 times as hard as
knew how.
Ny husband climbed into his auto
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-31

Chicago. July Sl.-After trailing her
husband In an automobile for eight
hours, watching his actions through
windows Of two houses where she says
he and a gay party OF men and women
INDUCED in weird dances, Mrs. Otto
w. Henssler. wife of leading south
side physician, living al 36lS Indiana
avenue, dashed her husband and Marie
Wychodil, a young woman known as
The Bohemian Beauty" with a raw
hide horsewhip in the stre6 in front
OF l24 East Twentysecond street Mon
day.
Ten times or more the rawhide,
which the angry young wife had short
ened 70 make Il more effective in pun
ishment, rose and fell Some Of the
blows fell short. but both DR.. HenssleI
and the Wychodil girl felt cruel lsshes
DR. Henssler took 20 his own automo
bile and escaped further attack. A
bystander interviewed and shielded the
girl. but he was In turn attacked By
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-31

- T was not the opening OF a Re-
publican national convention.
neither was il an attempt OF the
- lovers OF Colonel Theodore
Roosevelt to get peek at him,
though 1t might have been either,
from the size OF the crowd that
jammed and pushed and Jared itself
In the endeaycr 10 be there hrst II
was the opening OF 4ne sale Of United
States army goods at 1923 West
Third street oy ". ). Kirk, who on
Monday morning began selling thou
sands OF dollars worth OF goods that
he has bought from the United States
government He is selling them at
prices far below those that the govern
ment paid for them-in many cases
one-tenth and one-twentieth OF the
actual cost.
Many OF the people who crowded
Into the store were attracted there
by the abundance Of decorations on
the exterior OF the building, and by
curiosity. They had heard OF the
sale and wanted TO see just what MIR
Kirk was Offering TO the public But
nearly every one OF them was trans
formed from a sightseer into 4 buyer.
for the many countless number O;
bargains are such that they not only
attract attention, and cause comment
Cfavorable) but they also make one
see the great values that are given for
the amazingly low prices.
Regular Curiosity shop
Indeed. this store at l21-23 West
Third street is curiosity shop, and
TO pay due respect TO It's thousands OF
interesting subjects would take the
descriptive pen OF a Dickens II
truly Is one of the most interesting
collections of cuTiCs and useful
articles that has been placed in the
west IN many years. Hundreds Of the
visitors there yesterday were SO
fayorably impressed that they not only
made purchases then. but they also
declared that they we're going TO re-
turn and bring friends with them Sc
that they could pick out many other
useful and decorative articles.
But for those who have not yet been
70 the Kirk sale 10 view all the won.
ders that are gathered there. a little
journey among the beauties, the
Cur'os, and the hundreds OF practica
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-31
DOCTOR AND AFFINITY
ARE WHIPPED BY WIFE
CHICAGO WOMAN SHADOWS AUTO PARTY, AIDED BY FE
MALE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT BEAUTY
ONE OF THE VICTIMS.
ONE OF THE VICTIMS.

Mrs Henssler, and thought it best
TO run.
Later in the day Mrs. Henssler filed
a suit for divorce, charging cruelty
and neglect on the part Of her husband.
and declaring that DR.. Henssler has
an income Of at least $1,000 a year.
In her bill she asks 5000 a week as
alimony. She alleges further in the
bill that she Is p years Of age and her
husband IS. They were married seven
years ago. having eloped 10 San An.
tonic. Tex.
WIFE GIVEN 500 4 WEEK.
For the first six years Of her mar
ried life Mrs. Henssler says the doc
tor allowed her 800 a week for her
expenses, but during the past year he
has practically cut of her pin money
giving her no more than a $40 bill oc
oasionally.
Three weeks ago. Mrs. Hensslel
says, she was beaten by her husband
and forced 10 call IN the aid OF the
police Of the Stanton avenue station
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-31

prices on these unique little articles
are so very low that none hesitates
to buy because OF the cost.
Impressed in Two Ways
Visitors to the shop on the opening
day were not only deeply impressed
by the great assortment, but they also
were made to feel that the prices were
III every case small as compared with
the original cost of the goods, One
woman picked up a bayonet which
had been converted into wall dec
Grafton and said to friend that the
article probably was priced at 50.
She was greatly surprised, of course.
when she was told that the sale price
was only about a quarter OF the figure
which she had named. Other people
were given similar surprises during
the day.
In other sales Mr. Kirk has found
that the weather does not materially
figure in the amount of business that
he does.
Mr. Kirk declares this is true be-
cause people do not regard his dis
play so much in the light OF a sale
as they do in the way of show. The
thousands of goods appeal to most
people just as a theater attraction
appeals to them. They look at ths
novelty and the entertaining side and
go to the exhibit to be delighted and
amused. SO they are both delighted
and entertained and they also are
led to buy because the bargain OPP
portunity is such that they at once
realize the immense values which they
can get.
Factory Kept Busy
The factory in Philadelphia is kept
busy all the time Mr. Kirk and Lis
workers attend all the government
sales and make great purchases every
year so that it is necessary to keep
the factory continually running In
order TO make goods for the sales that
are held in various parts Of the
country. When Mr. Kirk was here two
years ago he was we'll impressed with
Davenport as business city and came
back this year because he was so we'll
pleased with the reception that was
accorded him when he was here
before.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-31

work was extremely dangerous, and
the men knew 1t, so they asked high
wages and were paid all that they
asked Mr. Kirk was careful, he said,
to remain away from the workers
while the shells were being handled
by the workingmen.
In every city where these sales are
held hundreds of visitors come TO see
the goods who have no idea of the inn
mense display. They do not intend
TO buy when they enter. but many Of
them do buy. Army and navy officers
pay visits to this exhibit. Mr. Kirk
has invited all soldiers and all the
people of the three cities TO visit the
store. None will be importuned TO
buy.
In Los Angeles this spring the
school heads sent thousands of chill
dren to the Kirk exhibit in order that
these young people might learn many
OF the interesting points connected
with the army and navy through see
ing these articles which are actually
used by the government This plan
wes huge success, according to the
reports made by the teachers. In
some of the schools the instructors
informed the pupils that they would
be questioned about the various things
they saw and would be held to answer
for these. This instruction made the
children careful TO take i'll all the
interesting things, and they drew a
liberal education in army and navy
life just through this visit
To show how much can be learned
Mr. Kirk yesterday picked up peCu.
liar continuance and asked a crowd Of
visitors what it was. Only one OF
them knew, and he was posted be-
cause he had served in the army. II
was a field frying pan. But it was
made in such a way that il could be
carried easily by soldiers, on foot oil
horse. There are just hundreds OF
other articles like this, very simply
constructed and being fit for simple
usage, but not being familiar TO the
general public.
This is not the first visit OF Nj
Kirk to Davenport. Two years age
he was in this city and held at tina
time a sale similar to the present one
Curios were then distributed among
thousands of tri-city people. The
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-31

articles will be interesting A trip to
the store is one Of the most educa-
tional entertainments that a person
can now make.
Nearly every article that is used in
TIE army and navy is there. Goods OF
war. goods OF camp life, goods OF
training quarters and just thousands
OF things are shown here in all their
originality. From the days of the
Civil war articles that were used then
have been brought forward TO the
present and arranged 50 that visitor
in the shortest space Of time. may see
everything and gather most complete
idea OF all.
Stops in Rapt Wonder
One who enters the door stops in
wonder at the first glance Lined up
on every side are hundreds OF these
wonderful articles. Even the pillars
are well decorated with the souvenirs.
One can look clear back to the rear
OF the room, and on every side there
is nothing but articles, guns, cart
ridges, belts, army hammocks, wood
swords, leg irons, white canvas hats,
fancy sofa pillows, etc. etc, etc.
Just at the left, after making en-
trance TO the shop, is q counter con
tanning llCuSdllS OF tT4nEeLS ana
other souvenirs. There is a paper
weight. II e made from spear and
base OK a helmet that was used in the
United States army from 1855 10 1900
K was worn on all dress helmets OF
the army and national guard. 1t now
has become 4 thing of immensc
beauty, and it is priced very low
Countless other articles taken from
the army and navy have been con-
verted into useful and ornamental
contrivarces in just the same manner.
Mr. Kirk conducts a large factory in
Philadelphia and there he daily is
making over all these goods that are
purchased from the United States.
after they have been condemned BY
the officials At frequent intervals the
government sells at auction all these
discarded goods and Mr. Kirk, who is
one Of the largest buyers at govern
ment auctions, usually gets the pick
OF all
TrinketS on Counter
But back at the counter in the little
store one sees q set Of army buttons.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-31

used for? 1t was employed in leuc-
ing and for drilling.
CandlCaticks OF Beauty
From bayonets lIr Kirk has made
seine pretty candlesticks. These catch
the eye. because % their novelty and
beauty. Aiguleltes for society ar
priced at 30 cents. An intrench!ns
knife is certain to be picked up ana
handled By anyone who is not familiar
with the army. 1t is such 4 peculiar
looking article, but one soon realize
that il could lie put 10 excellent ser
vice in the garden or on the lawn. Il
sells Tor 81. On this first table are
many army trappiuGs mounted Or
piacques. There also are screw
drivers, and the price OF them is Only
cents.
But one stops IL real curiosity when
locking at q petticoat. The do not
make petticoats for use in the army
or navy" snecred one visitor at tho
shop yesterday. That is preposteT-
Gus. Why would the government have
PcttiCCats? They surely do not supply
the wives of soldiers and sailors with
dresses. | do not see how this can be
advertised as q sale Of government
articles when petLcoats are included. "
Then the manager OF the sale eE-
planned TO this doubling one and
showed him that the petticC2ts were
made OF five abdominal bands that the
soldiers wear. The factory of NJ
Kirk in Philadelphia takes these alb
dominal bands and converts tlem into
the best wearing petticoaJs that one
could wish for They not only wear
well, but they also look very good
and are representative OF the finest
Find OF workmanship.
The shop certainly will delight
people who are going to live out OF
doors this summer-who are going
TO camp. boat and hunt
One of the finest places for gather
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-31

Two policemen came and stayed all
night about the house, 361S Indiana
avenue.
In her bill Mrs. Henssler tells of her
suspicion Of her husbands fidelity,
of her engaging a woman detective
and two men detectives. of hiring an
automobile, OF getting information that
DR.. Henssler and friends were in a
cafe on Federal street, and of follow
ing them throughout the night and ear
ly morning in her hired automobile,
while the doctor used his own six-cyl-
inder car She tells Of two parties
at two different houses at which she
alleges Dr. Henssler was present and
gives the following as the names OF
her husbands companions:
Marie Wychodl, known as The 20.
hemian beauty" 4l45 Indiana avenue
Rose Machek, said to be the first
Woman TO take out an aviatrix license
( in Chicago. ALAS Indiana avenue.
! Walter G. Mueller. agent for a
brewery firm OF La Crosse. Wis, 12l
East Twenty-second street.
Paul Beck, floor walker in a depart
ment store.
THIRD WOMAN Is UNNAMED.
The two houses which Mrs. Hens
! sleT declares her husband visited were
those OF the Wychodil girl at 414;
Z Indiana avenue and CT Mr.. Mueller al
12i East Twenty-second street She
says there was & third woman in this
automobile with the Wychodil and
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-31

plimented on the articles he has
turned cut, and in his factory at
he has entertained
visitors from Europe and Asia, people
who had had the opportunity 70 see
many wonderful creations. These
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-03-16

days last year and t19,67o year be-
Tore last. and for tho fifteen days o.
March It has been 597.2o5. against
ssI.14o last your apd 2SS,931. year
before last.
Tho movement since September
SHOWS receipts at all United Statos
ports 10,4S0,SS2, against S,870lbl last
year. Overland across the Mississippi,
Onio and Potomac Rivers to Northern
Mltis and Canada. 765.s57. against
u6,21b last year interior stocks In ex-
cess or those held at the close of COM
mercial year. 446.1St. against 425,219
last Year; Southern min takings L.
so6;ooO, against 1.6o6.071 last year.
Der to date is I3.5OI,U20, against
lo.677.6be last year.
3, Foreign exports for the week have
been 2aa.0so. against 99.S51 last year,
making tho total thus far for the sea :
son S,559.Si9, against 6,iSS,24s last
year.
The total takings of Anerican mills,
North, South and Canada. thus far for
the season have been 3,63l,l93, against
3,i01.l92 last year.
Stocks/Ht the scaboard and the lead
ing southern interior centres i:are de-
creased during the week lSS.?0l bales,
against decrease. during the corre-
sponding period last season of TIES,
and are now 51S.302 larger than at
this date in 1911.
Including stocks left over Mt ports
and interior towns from the last crop
and the lumber of bales brought into
sight thus far from tho now crop. the
supply TO date Is i3,193,994. aSa'ni:t
lo?25.61S for tho same period last
year,