davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1912-07-05

The city heart, attuned to amuse-
ment parks, moving picture shows and
theaters. cannot appreciate the joys
of real, old-fashioned, country Fourth
of July celebration!
Here is the stage of life with action
in every speech. Here are actors who
are acting life, not flction-and here
is the cradle where patriotism is nur-
tured and given incentive.
From whence came the great armies
of the past that have bled upon the
field that this country might be pre-
served?
For the most part they came from
the great, free, untrammeled, patriot
land, from the cottages of the country
town and the broad acres of the farms
And the Fourth of July as it is cele-
brated in the rural communities has
much to do with the virility of coun-
try loving, it is an annual awakening
for patriotism and home pride.
Let US go down to Berryvale prior
to the Fourth 1t is evening and the
foremost citizens are meeting in the
town hall where fund is being sub
scribed for fitting celebration No
body gives much-for there are few
rich men in Berryvale-but each his
mite
Committees are appointed-and 1t is
fitting compliment to a mans activ-
ity and enterprise that he is selected
to be Chairman" of the celebration.
There are committees on finance, ora
tory, sports, decoration, singing, pa
rade, and so on down the list. The
ladies are invited to cooperate and
they do, willingly and with a spirit
that puts to shame some of the more
laggardly male residents.
And for two months the local news
papers are filed with glowing descrip-
ton of Berryvale's Fourth of July cele-
bration Neighborhood papers, like
wise boasting of local celebrations,
say sighting things of Berryvale's
celebration and Of Berryvale, whereat
the patriotic home editor, stung to the
very soul, replies in his best and most
vigorous English, letting the barbs
fall where they may.
Everybody is at work, the baseball
team is practicing daily and the hose
company boys make nightly runs, for
they are to vie with Hicksville's men
on the day of days to be. A subdued,
surcharged spirit of something big
about to burst, fills the air. Some
times the citizens speak in whispers
as they impart confidential informa-
ton as to what part Andrew Hicks or
Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1912-07-05

Oh. that ball game! can feel my
thorax warp now at the thought and
I'm SO hoarse I can't tip the waiter
at the Press Club because / can't or
der. Eight innings and tie of eight
cen to eighteen. Gee! And Lindaman
In the box, with two out!
"Banty" Johnson of Hicksville
swipes hard and misses, while we
cheer. Then Lindaman puts through
an in-drop. The umpire declares it a
strike. The Hicksville crowd tears
into the diamond with blatant protest.
So does the Berryvale crowd. There
would be more people In the diamond
II the diamond were bigger-but it is
made to play ball in and not for q
prize fight with eight hundred on a
side.
The sheriff and the marshal stop the
wrangling Just prior to the first blow
and everybody gets into the game
again. 'Play BALL" is the slogan.
The noise the Hicksville crowd
makes stands out like woman in a
polka-dot dress at a Shakers picnic,
for nobody of Berryvale is saying a
word, we are just weeping internally!
Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1912-07-05

their faces. From store front and
across the street in gay arch with
the word Welcome" extended there
from, futter red, white and blue bunt-
ings with graceful training of colcred
papers and a liberal interspersing of
the star spangled banner On the street
the vendors are busy with their lem
onade and pop and sandwiches. Every
body Is dressed in his or her best, the
men for the most part in black and
the women in white. Hank Craig, the
local stone mason, appears with real
linen collar choking at his erstwhile
collarless neck. Andy Brown has a
new pair of shoes that plainly would
hurt his feet on any other day. Widow
Scroggs looms forth in a new triumph
of millinery that almost staggers staid
old Deacon White as she sweeps by
Bingle's restaurant where the deacon
is investing five cents in peanuts.
And from over the hills come the
country folks, the families in carriages
and in democrat wagons, the father
and mother in front, she with the
baby, he driving, while behind are
grouped the progeny of varying years.
All are happy and expectant.
The Ragamuffin Parade.
And now all is scurry and excite
ment. The ragamufflns are coming!
The marshal of the day, George Gran
ger of the Town Market, rides import
antly down Main street and warns the
people to beware Of their horses, the
parade Is about to start The people
strain their ears-and then on the air
there bursts the glorious discord of
the village band, playing America"
And now the sound grows nearer as
the band takes on a livelier air. The
word is passed from mouth to mouth:
Its coming!"
All, the rare excitement of the min
ute! How few thrills III this old world
have eQualed it! How few have been
the occasions for such ultra joy!
And it comes! First is the band,
then beautiful float representing
columbus discovering America" The
air is filed with "Ohs!" and "Ahs!"
as the float comes into view. But this
gives way to laughter as the next We
hicle rolls along bearing travesty
on the local barber shop. The BARRIERS
are dressed like the devil" with cur
ling bow-catchers and waxed mus
taches, with claW-hammer coats and
long, pendulous tails! And In the chair
is a victim! A victim, indeed, for
they are making lather In a wooden
pail with boom and shaving the GUS
toner with a meat ak!
And then another f1oat-this time
representing 'Evangeline'' and telling
again the story Of the Acadian expul-
sion. The mayors wife is Evangeline
land no well does she look the part
Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1912-07-05

John North is going to take in the
phantasmagoria parade-the ragamuf-
an retinue Of ogrec and grotesque mon
sters.
And Little Johnny Jones is working
like trojan. moving lawns and weed
ing gardens! He must have money
for firecrackers and lemonade and
hump-backed peanuts! And he gets
It'll In after life, If Johnny had work
ed half as hard for success in his chos-
en- employment. he could have retired
at forty-fve, rich man.
And darkness falls upon the day pre-
cedlng the Fourth The town board
has passed an edict that no firecrack-
ers shall be fred prior to the morning
OF the Fourth-but the pent up enthu-
siasm cannot be entirely stopped. Now
and then, from the unpoliced districts
(Which means In spots where the To-
cal marshal IL not parading) the pop.
pop Of explosives may BE- heard. BY
midnight the noise Ia freqhently inter
Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1912-07-05

mittent. BY three o'clock all but the
deaf ones are wideawake. The
grouches growl because their sleep
has been interfered with. but get up
forthwith when Bill Blunt fires his
first salute to sunrise, letting the town
cannon boom at least an hour before
the faint light of the morning glows
up from the eastern horizon!
The Old Town Cannon.
All, that old town cannon! Well I
reras~~ber it! The town made much
ado over the congressman when he
presented 1t to Berryvale. Henry
Churchill canvassed the citizens and
solicited fund with which to erect
fiagpole alongside the cannon, and aft
er weeks Of importuning begged two
nice little piles of cannon balls to
stack in pyramids about the grim
armament
And Bill Blunt, veteran Of the war,
his face SCARED, two fingers gone,
dressed in blue clothes with the G.. A.
r. hat and buttons, swiped and loaded
QIlL1GQ LILO C<1AuOn WILL CA0 dAA VI
a colonel while the small boys stood
round him In awe and prayed only that
they might pass the ramrod or fetch
the powder or strew a little explosive
on the printing hole!
And then. as Bill waved his hand,
back, back they fed and stood on tip
toes as the veteran applied the match
and stepped hurriedly behind the flag
pole. With a puff of smoke. the pow
der flashed, followed by resounding
roar that shook the hills and went re-
yerberating adown the Cedar Valley
like a rough rider on q league-shod
Pegasus!
The people cheered, and Bill, sweat
ing, but radiantly happy, again swiped
and cleaned the cannon, for another
charge.
The People Arrive.
And now from every side street the
people come hhrriedly, smiles upon
Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1912-07-05

although the slanting roof extends 50
far down as to form caves which come
below the level of the platform. Ac-
cess to the platform Is furnished by
some logs placed so as to form slop
ing ladder and in addition to the main
one the Papuans have a custom Of pro-
viding smaller one to be used by the
dogs.
What little work needs to be done
on the island seems to be done by
the women; the men are apparently
too deeply occupied in exhibiting
themselves to the other members of
the community. Their costumes may
be said to consist of loin cloth, which
is really the only article Of actual
dress they have; however, to make
up for the lack of tailor-made gar
ments, the rest of the body is fairly
covered with miscellaneous ornaments.
Every man has around his forehead q
large number of dogs teeth made
into a necklace; these teeth are look
ed upon as being quite necessary, and
the desire not to be without them is
so strong that a few of them are usu-
ally sufficient to buy a wife. These
teeth form a good setting for his elab-
crate headdress; the hair Is carefully
fuzzed up, dyed a rusty red, surmount-
ed by fiat circular SHE'LL and dec
GRATED with feathers and colored
grasses, sticking outward and upward
a distance of foot or more.
Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1912-07-05
ODD ISLAND TRIBE
Queer Inhabitants Of the Land
of Star.
Whole Population Number Only $40,
Yet Forms a Distinct Tribe With
Manners and Customs Pc
cuiIar to Itself.

Friedrich Wilhelm Hafen. - No
international exposition or large fair
is supposed to be complete now
adays without its native village, where
two score or SO Of men, women and
children, preferably cannibals. from
some far distant land, and supposed
to live more or less In their ma
tive state for the edification Of the
curious.
A visit to Star reminds one irresist-
IDLY of such an exposition village; the
difference being that the inhabitants
instead of displaying their charms to
crowds of civilized visitors, are en-
gagged in doing SO to each other. It
is hard, on visiting the island. to real
ize that the natives are specially got
up for ones particular benefit.
The island of Star, which Is less
than a mile round, lies in an archipel-
ago on the coast of German New
Guinea and close to the principal port
In the colony, Friedrich Wilhelm
Hafen. This town boasts Of white
population of about rs and contains
only ten or a dozen houses half hid
den among the cocoanut trees.
The whole population of the island
of Star is about 140, and these people
really constitute tribe distinct from
the inhabitants of the mainland or Of
the other islands The natives Of the
mainland, who are themselves sufi-
GENTLY curious people to excite the
wonder of anybody, are ready and anx-
ious to point out the islanders to wis.,
itors and make money out off one by
rowing one over in boat on the
monthly visit of a steamer.
On approaching the island nothing is
seen but the dense vegetation which
covers 1t all over. However, on pene-
trating few yards inland two clear
ings are reached around which are
grouped 30 or so huts that form the
village. The word hut is really too
dignifled one to describe their rude
dwellings,; strictly speaking, they live,
eat and sleep on straw and wooden
platform raised four or five feet from
the ground, and which is covered over
by rudely-thatched grass roof. There
are no sides to the dwelling, the front
and back being generally quite open.
Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1912-07-05

eve are not going to permit Gov.
Wilson's fight for the presidency to fail
at this crisis for lack Of funds said
Mr.. Ludlow after the conference. eve
will be prepared to pay the hotel bills
and other living expenses which the
Wilson delegates at Baltimore are I'M
able to pay. We expect to spend at
least $1,000 this way. If necessary we
can raise $4,000 in twenty-four hours
and viii do so. We viii pay any sum
needed to keep these men in Baltimore
Mr. Ludlow said that he and Mr..
Bernstein are ready to sucaor the needy
Wilson supporters.
Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1912-07-05

But we have our turn at bat and
Hash" McElroy leads off with pref
ty little single, steals second and gets
close decision on third when John
Prank sacrifices Andy Bits strikes
out, while all Berryvale groans. And
now Bill North strides to the plate and
swipes. He misses. Why, can feel
my heart going just like it did the
first time came to the city and went
down in an elevator from the eight
eenth story!
He swipes again-but this time he
lands, and "Hash" comes tearing home
as the ball thrown in by the left field
er flies over the catcher's head and
lets Andy make third before 1t is dis
entangled from the tall grass. And
now "Old Hoss" Hughie stands beside
the plate and dares EN- to throw it
across. They do, and he knocks fly
so high that the shortstop and the
third baseman bump heads reaching
for it-and amid the howl of joy that
follows Andy scores the winning tally.
Frank Corson strikes out, but no.
body cares about that. The despised
Hicksville crowd is defeated-and
there's the great big exhibition of fire.
works left for evening and after that
the Fourth Of July dance!
The Fireworks.
It is dusk along the Cedar river. The
moon comes out and sends its SHIN
mer across the ripping waters. Along
the green banks the people Of the
countryside are gathered, awaiting the
first flying rocket that shall cleave the
air as an announcement that within
ten minutes the fireworks will be on
their way to the starry heavens.
And as the rockets ball rises in
graceful line, the crowd breaks forth
into EXPLANATIONS of delight
"Oh!"
"Ahi"
You've heard it-and so have land
nothing happens in this world that
better exemplifies happy people at
the acme Of their enjoyment.
And now sky-rockets, showers, PIN
wheels, balloons and the whole FAM
lily of pyrotechnics from firecrackers.
by the bunch, to the set piece, "Good
Night" delight and entertain q happy
and a healthy people!
The Dance.
The Fourth Of July ball is given In
the skating rink, for the benefit of the
local flremen. The orchestra consists
of two violins and pianist. And the
floor is filed with tripping, rhythmic
feet The bashful swain is timid no
longer. He can dance and he is at
home with his strong arm clasped
about the waist of a buxom lady.
Around and round they go to the
catchy music of the players then
to seats and rustic for new partners!
And now come the old dances-the
Virginia reel, money musk, the Ian
GERS, the gallop, the quadrille, varied
occasionally with the innovations like
the barn dance and the grizzly bear
that are somehow lacking In popular
ity where the people are slow to take
on new things, terpsichorean or other
wise!
And at ten cents couple. collecta-
Bile just before the music starts, the
dance goes on-ahd on, scene Of rev.
elry and gladness. And after the
goodnight waltz, he can ride home
with her In the gray night and he can,
If she is willing, whisper endearing
words and steal kiss or two, for 1t is
way that young lovers have, and for
my part, wouldn't change 1t IL
could any more than could take
away from the country its greatest
| festival. the Fourth-of-July!
Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1912-07-05
Deadlock Unprecedented.

The deadlock confronting the conven
ton il the most remarkable in the his
tory of modern politics. There was no.
ore in the convention able to recall an
other instance in which it had required
anything like the number of ballots to
nominate that so far have been taken
without result.
Many of the delegates were hopeful
that an early decision might be reached,
but the two leading candidates are so
far short of the 725 Is votes necessary
to nominate that the problem ahead
seemed most difficult one.
Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1912-07-05

to carry their banner up ON the platform
behind Bryan. They sealed the press
stand but were hurled back to the floor.
Another series of fist fights enaued. A
score of policeemn fought in vain to
quiet the shrieking, fighting mob.
At one end of the hall the huge Will
son banner used in previous demonstra-
lions appeared. An angry howl from the
Clark men greeted it. The feeling was
running SO high that serious disturb
ance was threatened, and the Wilson
managers, to avoid further fights, or
dered the picture withdrawn.
Meantime the crowd of struggling mem
at the foot of the platform battled to
get the Clark banner on the stage.
Chairman James hurried and took the
gavel from Mr.. Lamb. After five min
utes of effort the chairman, aided by the
police, secured some semblance of order.
Mr.. James finally announced the be-
ginning of the thirty-fourth ballot, and
Alabama, as usual, cast her twenty-four
votes for Underwood, when Mr. Bryan,
who had stood for several minutes stolid
as an Indian, was recognized.
GO on and vote" called delegate.
'Stop him-we want to go home; we
don't want speech. He's paid to stay
here. We're not"
Chairman James explained that Mr..
Bryan had arisen to question of per-
sonal privilege and was entitled to be
heard
Mayor Fitzgerald of Boston objected
ON the ground that he had been denied
the privilege of explaining a change of
vote in the Massachusetts delegation.
Mr.. James said the mayor would be
heard after Mr.. Bryan had spoken.
Mr.. Bryan then was allowed to procee
for moment
Il was seated in my delegation when a
banner was placed in froat of US.
asked those in charge of it to remove it.
They refused. went to the Missouri ,
delegation and asked the chairman !
whether it had been sent there by Mis-
souri, delegation. If that act was an I'M
authorized one by the persons in charge
of that banner, | have nothing to say.
If that was done by the order of Mis-
souri, delegation, claim the right to !
answer the question thus propounded."
A bowling interrupted him. "The
chair regrets to rule that the gentleman
from Nebraska has not stated question
of personal privilege"
A cheer greeted this, and Mr.. Bryan
bowed and left the stand. As he passed
the Missouri delegation, former Gov. A.
NJ. Dockery stopped him and disclaimed
for the delegation any connection with
the appearance of the banner. Mr.. Bryan
went back to his seat with the Nebraska
delegation.
The convention was a turmoil long
after Bryan had taken his seat. There
were several fsticuffs among delegates,
and the big force of policemen had their
hands full quelling the outbreaks.
Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1912-07-05
THUGS DRESSED AS WOMEN
Woman Bound by Masqueraders,
Loses $4,000 Gems in New
York Apartment.

New York.-Thugs dressed as wom-
en- attacked Mrs. May Bernheimer at
her home In a fashionable uptown
apartment house few days ago, beat
her into insensibiIity, bound and
gagged her and escaped with gems
valued at $4,000.
Mrs. Bernheimer told the police that
her maid met her at the door, upon
her return from q shopping expedi-
ton and welcomed her with a blow
upon the head with potato masher.
A second blow knocked her uncon-
ncious, she said.
Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1912-07-05

day and sit on the grass IN the fair
ground ring, and see Vivian Lindaman
pitch a game against Hicksville and
yell for Berryvale than to see the
biggest league game in New York
City.
Huhi What do you care about New
York City and Boston? Nothing, by
heck. But you and do care about
BerryvaIe. We care a lot-and we
don't like Hicksville because they al
ways come over to Berryvale with q
lot Of hired players that they got to
Hicksyille by giving them jobs In the
local printing Offices or as instructors
In the band!
And at 2;ao they SO to I'll
Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1912-07-05
Underwood Hopeful.

Washington insisting that ne
is in the contest to stay, Representative
Underwood, of Alabama, said be was
hopeful.
4 am not going to Baltimore unless
they send for me to approve the plat
FORM" said Mr.. Underwood, but his
friends at the capitol said taey expected
him to 60.
The Alabama candidate expressed sat
isfaction over developments at Baltimore.
He thinks Gov. Wilson cannot gain many
more ballots.
Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1912-07-05
CROWDS RUSH DOORS.
Extra Policemen Necessary to Keel
Them From Convention Hall.

GAIId EO1Ccmcu NCCSSSdAy " SNk
Them From Convention Hall.
Baltimore Convention hall was a
most stampeded by thousands of person
who were refused admission after Chair
man James had ordered the police to adl
NIT no one except delegates, alternate4
and members of the press.
When the order was issued the police
were having trouble preventing brushes
at the doors and in tAe streets around the
hall. Within a few minutes the authori-
ties were confronted with situation sc
serious that reserves were sent for and
the crowds driven back from the doors.
By 10 o'clock it was estimated that
$4,000 people were packed in the streets
clamoring for admission, but none could
elude the police.
Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1912-07-05
FAITH in CLARK.

House Does Not Believe Bryan Charge4
Against Speaker.
Washington.-In answer to attack
upon Speaker Clark in the Baltimore
convention the house adopted a resolu-
ton announcing its entire faith in its
presiding officer.
The resolution, offered by Representa-
tive Austin, OF Tennessee, follows;
ssThe members of this house, regardless
of politics, express their full confidence
in the honor. integrity and patriotism
of the presiding officer of this house,
the Hon. Champ Clark"
Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1912-07-05
FUND FOR WILSON MEN.
$4,000 Pledged to Pay Expenses at
Baltimore.

Seagirt, N. IA pledge Of $4,000 to
pay the bills Of Wilson delegates to the
Baltimore convention was made by Sam
uel Ludlow, Jr, q banker, and Joseph
E. Bernstein, merchant of Jersey City.
Reports from Baltimore that because
OF the extended sessions many of the
delegations were hard up caused the Jer-
sey City men to come here to make their
offer.
Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1912-07-05

And now from every side street the
people come hhrriedly, smiles upon
The Seattle Republican., 1912-08-30

It's sad commentary on the boasted up
rightness of the so-called leading men of
this country to learn
Pray for Reform; that in the cities they
Pay for Vice. for the most part
own the houses in
which the vice of the land is either planned or
actually committed, and that they are not
only aware of the fact, but rented or leased
the property at treble and quadruple it's
regular renting price to persons for such
purpose 1t has been found in many in
stances that leading church members rented
their properties for immoral and vicious
purposes because they could get heavy
rentals for the same Right here in Seattle
leading church men, who prayed loud and
long on Sunday, collected the heaviest
rentals from depraved men and women on
The Seattle Republican., 1912-08-30

Newspapers make fatal mistake when
they report things for the benefit of the
general public and
Newspaper Reports SO carelessly handle
Should Be Correct. the truth as to make
the real fatcs sneak
around the corner lest they meet the gar
bled and contorted facts parading up and
down the streets The newspaper or peri
odical should be so absolutely correct In
whatever it publishes that, the reader can
rely on it the same as if it were the sworn
statement of the publisher. Each reporter
on daily newspaper should be held strict
ly responsible for such items of interest or
news stories as he or she turns in and if
any of them are found to be false at any
subsequent time such reporter should not
only be fred but lose forfeit, which said
reporter should be compelled to put up
when set to work There is no excuse for
yellow journalism and it should be weeded
out of the profession