davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-07-06
Georgia Man Has Worlds Only Terrapin Farm
Discovers How to Incubate the Diamond Back.
Alexander M. Barbee, Of Savan-
nah, Shows Government Experts
He Can Prevent Extinction.

SAVANNAH, July Sat Isle
of Hope. a Savannah suburb, is the
only farm in the world where diamond
back terrapin are Matched and reared
by artificial means Alexander NJ.
Barbee, proprietor of this unique in
dustry, has solved the problem of
terrapin propagation. He claims TO
hatch and rear more young terrapin
than the females themselves, because
the protection he gives the eggs and
young from the enemies of the turtle
family He sells terrapin regularly
to hotels and restaurants of the larger
cities.
Barbee now has a business that
brings him a handsome income. He
has done what experts at Washing
ton failed to do He has hit upon a
method OF incubation. His discov-
cry was accidental. but it probably
means the prevention of the eX-
tinction of the diamond back terra
pin.
The terrapin farm at Isle of Hope
is one of the show places of Savan-
nah. Thousands visit it annually.
Five hundred baby terrapin were sold
to tourists as souvenirs last winter.
There are more than 5000 terrapin
in the Is pens on the farm, not in
Guiding 5000 that have not reached
a marketable age.
The terrapin know Barbee's voice
and step. They will come at his
call and eat out of his hand. but sour
~ to cover at the approach of a
stranger
Terrapin intended for the market
are kept segregated, and there is a
special hospital pen, where sick ter
rapin are isolated from the we'll ones.
The loss by death is exceedingly
small. The terrapin are sold by the
dozen and in barrel lots through the
winter season.
Artificial incubation OF tsrrapin
eggs heretofore has ben considered an
impossibility. There are now 5000
eggs in the incubators, and the lit
tie terra pin are coming out every
day. There are 80 incubators on the
farm. Incubation in the hatcheries
occupies approximately II weeks,
which is twice as long as is neces-
Sary under natural conditions. Out
of the 5000 eggs in the incubators
Barbee expects to raise $500 ter
rapin.
Barbee started % years ago. He
now is an expert and is acting in CO.
operation with fisheries experts at
Washington. It is probable that the
Federal Government eventually will
adopt some of his ideas with a view
to restocking depleted streams and
swamps along the Southeastern coast.
Few Eaten in South.
The demand for terTapin is small
Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-07-06
Turning Basin for
Savannah Planned
Federal Engineer Says II viii Han
die Any Ship That Can Go
Through Canal.

SAVANNAH July 5.-A turning
basin at Fig Island big enough TO
handle any ship that can go through
the Panama Canal will be constructed
at Savannah, according to Colonel
Dan c. Kingman. chief of the Gov
eminent engineers for the Savannah
district.
A preliminary examination has
been made by Colonel Kingman and
his report sent 10 headquarters in
Washington. and the department has
authorized Colonel Kingman to make
estimates on the project
The great size of the BASIN, 900
by 500 feet-was thought by many to
be unnece ssary, but Colonel KingTnan
is building with an idea of the great
influx OF trade that is likely to accrue
to Savannah and the South Atlantic
coast with the opening OF the Pana.
ma Canal
Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-07-06
Soda Clerks Mutiny;
Demand Better Pay
AS High Skill Required at Fountain
as In Sanctuary Of Chef,
They Declare.

SAVANNAH, July 5.-Preparatory
to asking for higher wages and
shorter working hours, soda water
dispensers are planning to form a
union. They say they are determined
to walk out IL other means fail
The clerks say they work for a
minimum of ten hours day. with a
maximum Of sixteen hours, and that
they do not receive enough pay. They
hold that their art is one that re-
quires just as much skill and knowl-
edge Of how to tickle the palate, as
hotel and restaurant chefs, bakers
and cooks at other public establish
ments where edibles are served.
There are in Savannah about $50
soda "jerkers." The majority of them
were members Of a union that broke
up something over a year ago, when
the treasurer disappeared with the
total funds of the organization.
Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-07-06

at a dinner party for sixteen in honor
Of Miss Katherine Ises' guest, Mics
Helen Smith, and Miss Susie Win
burns guests, the Misses Swisher and
Agnes Chiffon.
After-dinner dancing was enjoyed.
Miss Bryson's guests included Miss
Smith, Miss Chiffon. the Misses
Swisher, Miss Wlnburn, Miss Lenore
Hunter Miss Della Lindsay, Dudley
Hull, Fftzhugh White, william Hunt
er. Ormande Hunter, Charles Mac
lean, Hamilton Cults, William Win
burn, O'DriscOll Hunter and T. A..
Bryson, IT.
The Misses Anna Warren and Re
bekah Clark, two attractive girls from
Moultrie, who are spending a few
weeks at the Tybee Hotel with thier
parents, Colonel and Mrs 4. II. Clark.
are being delightfully."- entertained. A
supper at BannOn Lodge was given
for them during the week, and was
followed by a theater party at the
Bijou. Saturday afternoon they, with
party Of friends. were the guests OF
Lieutenant Richardson at a tea on
board the Tacoma.
The week was pleasant one in the
college set of boys and girls who are
home for the holidays. Monday night
there were two small supper parties
for visiting girls. Mrs. A. A. Law
renee entertained for Miss Agnes
Reese and her guest. Miss Margaret
Hoppe, Of Marietta, and James Shell
ton entertained for Miss Catherine
Ives and her guest. Miss Helen Smith.
Wednesday night Mr. Raymond De-
mere gave a small theater party for
Miss Ives and Miss Smith, with sup
per afterward at the Hotel Savannah,
and next Monday evening Miss Edith
BrysOn win give a theater party in
their honor
DR.. and Mrs. Craig Barrow will
leave next week for Kanuga Lake
Club where Mrs. Barrow and the
children will spend the summer They
will make the trip in their automo-
bile.
Mrs. Noble Jones and children have
also gone to Kanuga Lake Club for
the summer.
Mr.. and Mrs. Edwin w Cubbedge,
Jr., who spent their honeymoon in the
North, have returned home
Mrs. J. T. Charlton, Sr., has gone to
Brunswick for the summer
Mrs w. d Simkins and Miss Har-
rtet Colquitt have returned from a
visit to Mr.. and Mrs. Clarence Ander-
son at White Bluff.
Mrs Mant Hood. of Birmingham, is
the guest OF Mrs Walter e. Coney.
Miss Kate Thrash, a member of the
faculty of the Georgia Normal and
Industrial College at Milledgeville, is
the guest of Mrs Walter f. Coney.
Miss Louise Warren. Of Louisville.
who has been spending several days
with Miss Aimee Battey, has gone
North for the summer.
Mrs. T. J. Lynch Mrs John C. But
Ter and Miss May Butler have gone to
Boston They will spend some time
at the seashore near Boston before
going to the Adirondacks for the last
Of the summer. They will be away
until October
Mrs. w. f. Reid and Miss Annie
Hart left Thursday for Asheville and
WaynesbOTo.
Mrs p. w. Meldrim and Miss Jane
Meldrim are at Atlantic City.
Miss Lila Nichols has returned
from Jacksonville and will be at home
until August l. when she will leave
with her mother Mrs e. II. Nichols,
for Virginia Springs
Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-07-06
SOUTH GEORGIA
To ASK SCHOOL
FOR 100 DEAF
Legislature Will Be Asked for Ap-
preparation to Establish Branch
of Cave Spring Institution.

TIFTON, July 5.-The urgent need
for a school for the deaf in South
Georgia is demonstrated by the sta
tistics furnished by the State school
census, which shows that Of 1862 deaf
children in the State, 1879 are in South
Georgia. There are approximately $50
deaf children in South Georgia who
are not attending school.
According to State Superintendent
OF Schools NJ. L. Britain the statis-
tics furnished by the State school CEN
sus taken in May are complete ex-
cept for four counties and twelve To-
cal systems. where the enumerations
must be made again. In LA coun-
ties there are 202 white and 124 col
ored deaf children. OF these 102 white
and 81 colored are in South Georgia
The counties and local systems not
enumerated will add twelve or fifteen
more to this number.
Last year the total enrolment at
the Cave Spring School was 1873. OF
this number less than fifty were from
South Georgia, leaving approximately
$50 deaf children in South Georgia
to whom the liberal appropriation
for the institute at Cave Spring is
practically worthless. 1t is to rem
edy this that the Legislature will be
asked to pass a bill to establish a
branch school in South Georgia.
At a meeting held in Triton last
March an executive committee with
R. c. Postell, of Triton, chairman. was
appointed to inquire into the need for
a school for the deaf in South Geor-
gia. Chairman POstell has called a
meeting of this committee in the Tiff
ton Chamber Of Commerce rooms
Monday afternoon, July I, at o'clock.
The purpose Of the meeting is to
frame a bill providing for the es-
adjustment Of such a school and to
arrange for It's introduction.
Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-07-06
DEATH TOLL IN
SAVANNAH LESS
YIN DECADE
Improvement in. Milk Conditions
Given as Cause of Marked
Decrease.

SAVANNAH, July Sin the
face OF an increase in population Sa-
vannah's death rate shows a steady
decrease.
In the first six months Of this year
there were ISL deaths. and there were
but two records lower than this in ten
years. In 1909 the number of deaths
during the first six months was GA.
During the same period of 1906 there
were 7O7 deaths.
Ten years ago, in the first half Of
1904, there was a total Of SIG deaths
The first six months of 1905 saw a
death record of $50. In the first six
months Of 1907, S51 people died in
1908, 765; in 1910. 500; in 1911, 1,016,
and in 1912. S44.
Negro Fatality High.
On the average there are twice as
many negro deaths as there are white.
In the first six months of 1913, 5O4
negroes died and 247 whites. In the
first half OF last year 5S4 negroes died
and 264 white people.
When 1t is considered that the pop
ulation of Savannah is steadily in
creasing, 1t can be seen the death rate,
In proportion to population, was lower
IN the first six months Of this year
than any similar period in the last ten
years
Pure Milk Betters Record.
The death rate would be even lower
than it is were 1t not for the fact that
large numbers of people come here
from the surrounding territory for
treatment. Their death here is
charged against Savannah.
One reason the death rate has
shown such an encouraging decrease
is because milk conditions have been
improved reducing the number Of in
FAINT deaths. A large percentage Of
infants who died in recent years were
victims of bad milk.
Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-07-06
Three Towns 'Kick'O on
RID. Mail Service
TayIors Creek, Pennington and Trim
ity, in Liberty County, Want
Fostoffices Reopened.

SAVANNAH, July 5.-Three thriving
Liberty County postal centers have a
big kick on against the Democratic
administration
The postoffices at Tayiors Creek,
Pennington and Trinity, all Of which
have been in operation for many years.
have been closed, and these towns have
been made a part of a rural free delivery
route that meanders out of Hinesville
into the wilds of Liberty County.
AS a result, IL requires nearly a week
to write a letter in Savannah, dispatch
it and receive an answer from one of
the towns named.
Congressman Edwards and Senator
Bacon and Senator Smith are being
bonn barded with letters and kilograms
from their constituents demanding that
something be done to improve condi-
lions.
Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-07-06
Fewer Wed, More Go
Insane, Than in 1912
Savannah 6llnks Its Eyes at Record
for First Six Months of
Present Year.

SAVANNAH, July 5.-Fewer peo-
pie were married and a great many
more went crazy the first six months
of 1918 than in the same period last
year.
The disparity in the marriage IL
cense record is not so great, though
fewer licenses have been issued. 1t
has been the history Of the marriage
license office that when money is
tight and people are talking hard
times there is a slump in the mar
rage market.
Up to this time last year $50 mar
rage licenses had been issued. So
far this year the number has been
572
There have been nearly as many
lunacy warrants issued in the last
six months as usually are in a whole
year. The record is 95.
Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-07-06
FIANCE WATTS
At STATION AS
FIANCEE. WEEDS
South Carolina Girl Bids Betroth-
ed Fond Adieu and Then Hur-
ries to Marry Atlanta Man.

SAVANNAH, July 5.-After bid
ding the young man to whom she was
engaged a fond farewell at the rail-
road station at Varnville, S. c., Miss
Lula Rhett Bowling, daughter of Mr..
and Mrs Lucius R. Bowling, Of
Varnville. boarded a train for Sa-
vannah and on her arrival here be-
came the bride Of r. D. Reid, of At
lanta. The South Carolina fance had
no intimation that his wedding would
not take place as announced.
The engagement of Miss Bowling
to the young Carolinan was an
nounced a week ago. When she and
Miss Ida Speakes left Varnville
Monday morning for Savannah. os-
tensibly for a shopping trip, there
was no intimation that the young
woman had changed her plans. Her
fianoe took the couple to the train in
his automobile
That an understanding had been
reached between Miss Bowling and
Reid, however, is shown by the fact
that upon her arrival in Savannah
her Atlanta admirer was waiting for
her. The decision TO be married was
reached after a short conference, and
the ceremony followed.
Immediately after the ceremony
Reid departed for Atlanta alone,
leaving his bride at the Savannah
Hotel. She telegraphed her husband,
however, when the facts of the mar
rage became known, and he met her
in Macon on the following train. The
girl stated that she remained here for
the purpose of breaking the news
gently 20 her Carolina sweetheart,
whom she had summoned by tele-
graph.
Miss Bowling acknowledged that
she was engaged to both men at the
same time, but said that as the time
for her marriage drew near she
found that she loved the other man
best
Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-07-06

are now carefully prepared and main
tanned in each Of the breeding pens.
Barbee has only to turn this sand
over with his hands to uncover the
eggs.
Follow Barbee Like Dogs.
Barbee calls the terrapin with
peculiar clucking sound They also
will respond to his whistle, crawling
over his feet and almost up his legs
to get at their food They also Will
come when ne waves handkerchief
Barbee once went into the pens wear
ing a new suit of clothes and a new
pair of shoes His pets raced away
in a panic of fear.
Barbee's dogs run about the farm
at will, carefully avoiding stepping on
the terrapin, which pay not the least
attention.
Barbee's particular favorite among
the terrapin is Toby. Nobody knows
precisely how old Toby IS He was
among the first terrapin Barbee Sc
cured, and he was already an adult
when he first came TO the farm. Toby
lives in a fountain in the center of
Barbee's restaurant The alIigators
grew up with Toby. Toby is as gen
tie and docile as a dog When taken
out Of the water he follows Barbee
like a dog.
Barbee replenishes his stock with
hundreds of fresh terra pin every sum-
mer. He furnishes nets TO negroes
up and down the coast Of Georgia and
South Carolina, who sell him their
catch at the market. Barbee makes
Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-07-06

and protected bays or inlets. Bar
bees taTrapin do not have access to
salt water at all. but appear to thrive
just as well without IT, The little
terrapin are dropped into a bucket
of fresh water several days after they
are Matched.
Sleep Through Winter.
The period Of Information Of the ter
rapin begins soon after the advent
of cool weather, but for some weeks
he energies whenever there IS a warm
day. Eventually he buries himself
at the bottom of a pool and remains
until spring. Eggs are laid in May
and June. The female, with her hind
legs. digs a hole in a convenient bank.
and at a depth from five to six inches
deposits five to twelve eggs She
then covers up the nest and departs.
The eggs hatch in about six weeks
if the weather is warm. but may re-
quire twice as long If the season is
cold one The young soon after
Matching go to the marsh AID dig into
the ground, where they spend the
first winter and a part Of the second
summer. The growth is, for turtle.
fairly rapid. the average increase in
length being about one inch a year
until five inches is reached, when il
becomes slower. Twenty five or thirty
years is the limit Of life
The food of the diamond back ter
rapin consists largely of crustaceans
and mollusks it catches and brushes,
but as it's jaws are weak II is com
PEELED 10 feed upon the smaller and
softer animals Of these groups. Dur
Ing exceptionally high tides It some
times follows the water into the
gra ssv lOWl8nds. and catches and eats
insects Tie tender shoots and root
les Of some Of the marsh plants also
are eaten. Earbee feeds bis tegrapin
or sIrimp and finely chopped fish or
mg-J.
Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-07-06
CIVIL SERVICE
MAY RULE CITY
DEPARTMENTS
Savannah Mayor Considers Law
0bviating Political Influence
Among Police and Firemen.

SAVANNAH, July 5.-To re-
move the police and fire departments
from the reach of political patronage,
and to place the men in these two
branches on a system Of merit, 1t is
proposed to introduce a bill at the
present session Of the Legislature
creating a civil service commission
and requiring competitive eXamina-
lions for places in the departments.
This bill is now in the hands of Mayor
Richard J. Davant
The bill is a result of the scramble
for Jobs In the police and fire de-
partments which occurred following
the change in city administration in
January. If enacted the measure will
make political pull or influence worth
less in securing Jobs
The administration of the affairs
Of the two departments will be in
the hands of a commission. Every
member of each department will be
required to comply with civil service
rules. Whether or not this will APP
ply to men now holding jobs has not
been decided.
There will be a pension feature I'M
der the new system. Men who are
retired after honorable service at a
certain age would receive a pension
based on the number of years they
had held office, and the salary they
received during the five years pre-
ceding their retirement. No man
could be removed from either depart
ment until he had been given fair
and impartial trial on written charges
preferred to the civil service commits
sion.
A special committee of City Coun-
ell was appointed for the purpose Of
drafting the bill The bill was drawn
under the supervision Of City Attor-
ney Atkinson. Mayor Davant will
call a meeting Of the committee to
take action on the measure as soon
as he has acquainted himself with
all its provisions.
Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-07-06

south of Baltimore. Atlanta. Macon
and other cities in this and neigh
boring States usually purchase doz-
en- or more in a winter to supply tour
lists 1t is said before the war that
slaves along the coast counties were
fed upon them extensively.
Barbee sells direct to the larger
hotels in Washington, Baltimore
Philadelphia, Pittsburg, New York
and Boston. With the growing
Scarcity of diamond backs French
chefs are substituting cheaper and
inferior terrapin. Men with discrim-
mating taste though can tell when
the distinctive flavor of the diamond
back is lacking.
The farm on which the terrapin are
raised is securely enclosed and
rooted, but well ventilated. The en-
tire place can be flooded with water
at will. Pens always are flooded when
the terrapin are fed, usually about
three times a week in the spring and
summer and not at all in the winter,
when the terra pin bury themselves
for their annual Information. Bar
bee has had to dig as deep as three
feet to unearth terrapin for the win
ter trade. They are packed into a
barrel like potatoes.
The trouble with raising terrapin
heretofore always has been that the
animals when in confinement will in
variably eat their own eggs II was
many years before Barbee was able
to overcome this trouble.
One day. after feeding. a small
hillock Of sand was left in one Of the
pens by the receding waters The
following morning Rarbee found this
hillock literally sown with fresh eggs.
He has since learned that terrapin
always seek elevations in which to
deposit their eggs Hilocks of sand
Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-07-06
Girl Scouts Pass
Exam for Red Cross
First AID Certificates Awarded Eight.
Leaders VIII Instruct Their
Commands.

SAVANNAH, July 5.-The leaders
of the Girl Scouts, who have been
studying under DR.. Antonio J. Waring
and DR.. Lawrence Lee for Red Cross
first aid certificates, have successfully
passed the examination.
Only two, Mrs. Charles France apd
Miss Carolyn Myers, were unable to
be present to take the examination
Those who passed were Miss Patience
Barrow, Miss Mary Hirsch. Miss Doris
Lippman, Miss Jane Meldrim. Miss
Rita Wood Miss Marjorie VanDi-
Were, Miss Mildred Guckenheimer,
Mrs. Lloyd B. Taylor and Miss Edith
d. Johnston.
The examination was oral. and in
Guided a demonstration of artificial
respiration, bandaging. splints, etc.
The leaders are now prepared to in
struct the Girl Scouts.
Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-07-06
TORPEDO BOAT DESTROYER
IN SAVANNAH ON CRUISE

SAVANNAH, July with a compile
ment Of machinists' mates on board for
a cruise Of instruction, the United States
torpedo boat destroyer Thornton is an
chored in the harbor. Ensign w d.
Lamont is in command The Thornton
will remain at Savannah until to-mor-
row night when she will go on a
short cruise, finally returning 10
Charleston.
Captain Durell Of the cruiser Tacoma.
also here, and Ensign Lamont ex-
changed courtesies.
Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-07-06
2 Adjudged Insane
By Savannah Juries
Woman Insisted on Posing in the
Nude-Man Believed Himself Men,
tai Replica Of Christ.

SAVANNAH, GA, July 81. H. Mer-
edith, a white man, has been adjudged
irzane He suffered from an hallucina-
ton that he was patterned after Christ
IN every particular, and that this dis
tinction was confined to himself and
one other man.
Meredith told the commission that he
communes with the stars, and that he
understands them as the three Wise
Men did the star that led them to
Bethlehem.
Julia Bryan. who insisted upon posing
in the nude was also sent TO Mtlledge-
vile by a lunaCy commission. W nile
she was in jail she refused to wear any
clothes. The weather was favorable to
the humoring of her whin, but the com
mission was not.
Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-07-06
Spots at Crossings
To Save Pedestrians
White Spaces Will Be Painted, and
All Vehicles Must Pass
Around Them.

SAVANNAH, July 5.-As a means Of
giving further protection TO pedestrians
crossing the streets at busy corners,
white spots, known as safety spots,
will be painted on the pavement at
the intersection of several OF the con-
gested thoroughfares.
Some time ago some of these white
spots were put on the pavement and
proved of great assistance. In a rush
of traffic, the pedestrian seeks the
white spot, which the traffic regulations
REQUIRE all vehicles to pass around
There is no danger Of any person stand
ing on the white spot being injured.
The method has been successfully
tried out in many cities.
Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-07-06
Nightmare No Crime,
Police Judge Rules
Releases Man Arrested as DisorderIy
Who Proves He Was Only
Dreaming.

SAVANNAH. July 5.-Police Court
Judge John Schwarz has been called
upon to define the difference between
a nightmare and a plain drunk The
case was that of j. w. Mcmillan, a
visitor, arrested at the Union Station
charged with raising a disturbance
and being drunk.
The defendant made the plea that
he was not intoxicated, but took
few drinks and fell asleep at the sta
ton while waiting for his train, and
that during his sleep he had a night
mare. The judge decided nightmare
was no offense and the case was dis
missed.