davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1914-12-24

often, tor the stranger is never
overly welcome at the feast, am
invited by some big hearted, whole
souled embodiment of the Christ
mas spirit who guesses at my lone
illness. Not that l go; il would be
only too vivid a reminder of the
old days.
But, most poignant of all, is to
witness the hustle of preparation
which accompanies the real home
going of those who are departing
for the little towns of their boy
hood, where Christmas can only be
really kept for them. l can picture
each Homecoming SO wildly.
Friends of the past will greet him
at the depot, each genuinely glad.
But more than these, more than
brothers and sisters or nephews and
nieces, will be his mother, her face
shining with joy. At the old home,
a fire will crackle cheerily in the
living room, mistletoe hang in the
archways, and holly in the windows.
A door opens and someone skurries
upstairs with queer, odd-shaped
bundles clumsily hidden under an
overcoat. Boys and girls, all aglow
with excitement, ask questions. hun
dreds of them, the house is all per-
vaded with the mystery and wonder
of the Christmastide.
Then. on the Friday night before
the great day. there will be Christ
mas exercises at the church. A lit
tie boy will recite The Night Be-
fore Christmas in manner that
does not change with the years.
Santa Claus appears from some
cleverly improvised chimney and
distributes candy and nuts. All, it
will be just as in the old days!
Christmas in Homeberg, the little
town of childhood, doesn't change.
1t will be just like it was quarter
of century ago.
But why cannot l 90 home for
Christmas. you ask? That's where
the answer comes hard. Let's have
1t over in a word Long ago, in
frenzied moment, | took step
which made me stand forth in my
own little town, defaulter, an en-
bezzler, betrayer of my trust,
whatever you may choose to call
me. Whether l was trusted en-
ployee, banker, or a business man,
does not matter,-the best the pity
ing friends of my family could say
was the Characterization, A good
man gone wrong" Arrested, tried,
and convicted, / served my time and
moved thousand miles away, to
forget and be forgotten. AS | have
said, that was years ago.
Finding employment in another
line, have succeeded in quiet,
unobtrusive fashion, found my
place in a rut as it were. | have no
hardships, no tale of persecution to
recount. My pay envelope, while
not plethoric, is still sufficient to
give me the comforts of life. In a
modest way | have made good, as
any man of average intelligence and
determination can.
But, even at Christmas, can't 90
home. The episode is a closed one
and yet. rightly or wrongly. l am
not forgiven or forgotten. My fam
lily, good one, of position and
standing, would not wish to have
me. l am the black sheep.-Ex.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1914-12-24

All inmates are hereby requested,
when writing, to place their register
number and page number on the
upper right hand corner of the en-
velope, in the space to be covered
by the stamp. Your page number
will be found written with a lead
pencil on all incoming letters.
Compliance with this request will
cause letters to be mailed promptly.
Also, inmates are cautioned against
writing between the lines, and be
careful to sign your full names to all
letters.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1914-12-24

Inmates Attention /!

All inmates who buy or have
sent in to them socks, underwear.
nightshirts, bath towels, handker-
chiefs, etc., should send them to
the laundry and have your number
marked on them before using.
Write your name, register number
and cell number on slip of paper,
attach to articles and give to cell
hall captain.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1914-12-24
TAILOR SHOP AND LAUNDRY
By EQuO Amino -4O34
A CHRISTMAS PRAYER

Glory be to our Father above, this
Christmas day,
For the felicity that rapt this
heart o mine,
As the tokens of remembrance, from
far away
Are best bestowed upon me, by
those so dear,
True symbols, of our Christ's precious
love divine,
That cast a ray of sunshine
DER me here.
-Aequo Amimo
loathe the profane.
Two more men were assigned to this de-
partment during thew
''It is in the power of every wise man.
if he pleases, to be as eminent for virtue as
for TALENT
cit is strange that an honest man never
suspects his neighbor of being knave
while rascal is ever distrustful."
A beautiful calendar was received from a
very dear friend during the week, and we
wish to extend our sincere appreciation for
same.
Monday, the 21st., is quoted to be the
shortest day of the year; but they all ap-
pear the same to us herein, as they seem to
pass so slowly.
Nil Desperandum has just completed his
latest hit "The Panama Slide.' A hest
tation waltz filled with dreamy pauses and
rapturous glides.
The Deputy's new runner is certainly on
the Job at all times. He says he is surely
going to give Cyclone the race of his life
for that front office job as soon as there is a
vacancy.
Never mind, Rex, there are lots of worse
things than squash; even cabbage don't
agree with some people. But we notice
there are others who keep our Chinese wait
er busy keeping their plates filled.
Cast away the revengeful thoughts that
tend to foster hatred, and let the evidence
of good will towards each other take a
pertinent hold in our daily activities. 1t
makes life worth while if we but cultivate
an amible disposition.
Mr.. Nelson's star clothing man, key,
was on the sick list one day last week. We
heard apples was the cause of it, but Mr.
Nelson says he saw him sign a dentist
voucher for $13. 13, and he thinks that had
something to do with making him sick.
Mr.. Nelson surely believes in early prep
aration for the coming spring and summer,
as he expects to start cutting uniforms from
the six thousand FIVE hundred yards of khaki
just received, and in addition, several hun
bred var ds of cotton flannel for underwear.
New-York tribune., 1914-12-23
FAMILY REUNION TO
WELCOME MRS. COBB
Relatives Plan to Greet Woman Who Spent lhirty-si>
Years in Prison for Staying Ilusband-Will
See Granddaug ghter for First Time.

Norwich, Conn, Dec. EN- little
yellow cottage nesting among the
hills OF Eastern Connecticut there VIII
be held on Friday "A remarkable re-
union. Kate NJ. Cobb. who was re-
leased from the state prison Saturday
after serving thirty-six years OF life
sentense. is going home to her daugh-
ter. Mrs. Luther Spauldng, in Lebanon
twenty-five miles north Of here.
Gathered at the home OF Mrs.
Spaulding will be her seventeen-year-
cid daughter Flora; Charles Cobb son
Of the pardoned woman; his wife;
Mrs. William Bagley, of Hartford: and
a few oIdtimc friends of Mrs. Cobb
Christmas cheer will abound. the
mast will be wiped off the slate, while
Kind relatives and friends will ma ke II
nlain that Mrs. Cobb's debt has been
Maid Thus "A woman who entered
nrison nj the age Of thirty. to emerge
M sixtv-six. will be rcsurrected from
"A living death.
NJ Cobb was sentenced to life I'M
,risonmant in 1878 for the murder OF
ber husband, Charles Cobb. town clerk
Of Norwich. During her long near
ccration she never has admitted her
guilt Each one Of her eight petitions
for pardon has contained An emphhtlc
denial
When she left the prison at Weth-
orBfeld on Saturday and was dflNeh
New-York tribune., 1914-12-23
JOHN D. AIDS MAN HUNT
Rockefeller Auto Used to
CAPTURE Negro Gunman.

But for the assistance rendered the
Tarrytown police yesterday by John D..
Rockefeller it is probable that William
Brown, a negro, who shot Patroman
Frank 4. Minnerly, Of Ossining, would
have escaped. As soon as William J.
Bowles. chief Of police. heard Of the
shooting he pressed Mr.. Rockeieller's
auto into service. The chauffeur tele-
phoned TO Pocantico Hills, and Mr.
Rockefeller sent back word for HIM TO
aid the police In every way possible.
With Chief Bowles and Patrolmen
Ryan and Egan in the car, the chauf-
four dashed over the icy road al d
speed Of sixty miles an hour.
Brown was found behind hedge at
Lyndhurst. Mrs. i. J. Shcpard's estate.
The policemen, with guns IN their
hands, captured him.
The shooting occurred when MIN
rcrly attempted 20 arrest Brown for
alleged rObbcrics.
New-York tribune., 1914-12-23
MURDER REVEALED BY
LIGHT OF TROLLEY CAR
Motorman Finds Wel-to-Do Farmer Slain in Lonely Spot
on New Rochelle Road-AssailantF Frightened Away
Before He Could Rob Victim Police Believe.

The approach Of a trolley car pre-
vented slayer from carrying out his
purpose Of robbery last night and re-
vea.cd the murder OF Charles Seacord,
a well-to-do farmer. while on his way
70 his twenty-acre place, adjoining the
Wykagyl Golf Club, on the outskirts
OF New Rochelle. Three bullets had
been fired into the body, found in the
roadway.
A car, with Richard Lawrence on the
front end, left Waverly Square, Tucka-
hoe. at 6:40 for New Rochelle. Not
long afterward. while running along
side the game preserve of Adrian
Iselin, Lawrence was forced by wagon
on the track TO slow down. There was
no response TO a repeated ringing of
the gong. and investigation showed
that the horse had no driver. Further
search Of the lonely spot revealed the
body Of the victim back in the road.
New-York tribune., 1914-12-23
FOIL RECORD OPIUM
SMUGGLING PLOT
Customs Men Get $500
Worth of Drug Held,
One a Japanese.

The largest seizure OF refined Smok-
ing opium ever smuggled into this city
was made on Monday night and yes
terday morning by Surveyor Thomas
L. Rush and members Of his staff.
James Murphy, storekeeper Of the
White Star liner Adriatic, who brough
the drug into the country, Il is alleged.
and Toro Sata, a Japanese magazine
writer. charged with receiving IT, we're
arrested and held in $4,000 bail each.
At the Custom House il was believed
yesterday that the train Of the biggest
opium smuggling gang in the history
of the port had been struck. The
heavy bail imposed upon Murphy and
Sata when they were arraigned in the
Federal Court before United States
Commissioner EOughton indicated that
it was the desire of the authorities to
keep the men In the ombs during fur
Their Investigation.
in the Adriatic's storerooms, VIXEN
Murphy was arrested on Monday night,
were found 100 cans of opium, each
tin being valued at $50 When Sata's
rooms, in West 8lst St., we're searched
yesterday seventy more tir5 were
found Each can was of the size
Of an ordinary cocoa tin, and held al
most q pound of the drug. The total
value Of the seizure was $500. The
opium viii Uc destroyed by the govern
ment-
Acting on information from secret
agents abroad. Surveyor Rush sent Ed
ward K. Norwood, acting Deputy Sur
veyor. and q squad Of six men 10 board
the Adr.atic shortly after the steamer
reached her Dier i'm the North River
On Monday afternoon.
As they approached the storeroom
Murphy called 70 his assistant, James
DevereauX, who gathered about TWEEN
tv-tive tins of opium in his arms and
ran 70 the de,E. As he approached the
rail Walter +. Murphy, one Of Nor
woods men, captured him.
Both the storekeeper and DevereauN
were placed under arrest and a search
Of the stores was made. a grilling by
customs men revealed the name Of the
accOmplice.
According 10 Murphy, he was 10 meet
Sita in West 23d ST. The address in
West S1st st. was obtained, and yes
terday morning attaches of the sur
veyor's staff. armed with a federal war
rant, visited the Japanese. He main
tanned two roonis in an apartment OF
unouestioned character
When arraigred in court neither
man was represented by counsel
Murphy admitted buy the drug IN
London. The men we're remanded 70
the Tombs for hearing on January 4,
While large seizures Of crude opium
have been made before, yesterday
was the largest amount Of the refined
rroduct intercepted here.
Murphy asserted that it was the first
time he had attempted 20 deceive the
customs men. but the latter were skep-
teal. They have been aware for sew
crsl months that the narcotic was be
ing successfully smuggled, and 1t IS
believed that when the storekeeper
and the japanese writer become ready
20 talk several arrests viii follow
Devereaux. the assistant storekeeper
was released by the court
New-York tribune., 1914-12-23
WOULD BAN FREE DRINKS
New Jersey Saloon Men Want
Law to Make Them Spugs.

Christmas. New Years and other
gifts Of free intoxicants to customers
will be illegal if new bill becomes a
law in New Jersey. The Wholesale
Liquor Dealers Association of Hoboken
is backing the bill. Joseph II. Buck
ridge, the agent for the association,
said yesterday:
aside from the pecunisry loss
forced upon those obliged TO give be
cause their neighbors do are the
abuses" said Mr. Buckridge. Every
one knows that the dealer must com
pensate himself somehow.
"At this time, with depressed busi-
ness conditions and an emergency rev.
enue tax saddled on the industry, the
system has become particularly oner-
Gus Many of our allied locals have
asked relief.
'No reasonable objection to such leg
islation can be offered Pennsylvania
nv has a law which prohibits such
giving"
New-York tribune., 1914-12-23
GUST CLEARY, SAY
IRATE TOWNSMEN
HaverstraW Citizens Plan
to Ask Whitman to
DepoSe Clerk.

The announce plan Of William Y.
Cleary, acquitted slayer of Eugene VI.
Newman, to resume his Office Of Town
Clerk Of Haverstraw OH returning from
the trip on which he, Mrs. Cleary, his
daughter, Mrs. Anna Marie Cleary New
man, and his tifteen-year-old son start
ed yesterday. will be defeated if the
campaign to be waged by some of the
prominent citizens of Haverstraw is
successful.
A reporter for The Tribune was told
by several influential residents Of Hav-
erstraw yesterday that they will ask
Mr.. Whitman, wnen he takes office as
Governor, to remove Cleary. The lat
ter's term does not expire until De-
cember 81, 1915.
should Cleary be permitted 20 serve
out his term" said one of the men in
terviewed by the reporter, this town
never would recover from the shame
How Cleary can seriously contemplate
such move is beyond me. Though
he was acquitted, the fact is disgrace
fully plain that he is murderer and
a shamefully heavy drinker; certainly
far from the type of man 10 hold Office
"As we feel that we cannot accom-
plsh anything until after Mr.. Whit
man goes TO Albany, 1t Is unwlse 10
disclose the names of the men who
are lining up against this individual,
but after January ! we shall drive into
Clesry and his friends that Haverstraw
will not stand for the spectacle of
boy-killer playing a part in the ad-
ministration of our civic affairs"
Sentiment against Cleary is gather
ing strength daily. and when the time
comes TO bring the matter before Mr..
Whitman it is expected that the per-
sonncl Of the protesting body of citi-
zens will be sufficient TO insure Cleary's
removal.
The Cleary family left their home.
the Graylene apartments. $40 West
l52d ST., about II O'Clock yesterday
morning Cleary told the superintend-
ent Of the building that he would be
back some time in January.
Mrs. Cleary's mother has a farm
somewhere in Connecticut, and it is
not unlikely that the family has gone
there 10 spend Christmas 70 wait un-
ti the storm Of public disapproyal Of
the verdict loses some of rs force It
was said by one Of the attorneys for
Cleary just after the jury had ac-
quitted the slayer that Cleary intended
20 20 TO his mother-in-law's farm for
"a brief stay prior to sailing to the
tropics.
Further reference 10 the verdict vas
made yesterday by the Rev. Thomas J.
Coultes, pastor Of the Haverstraw
Methodist Episcopal Church, who Off
ciated at the funeral Of young New
man.
I'VE are not through with Clcary,"
the clergyman said yesterday. If he
tries TO 90 back 10 his Job as Town
Clerk ne will find the town a great deal
hotter than when he left it. We are
waiting for him to show some sign Of
coming back here
Fred. +. Newman, father Of Cleary's
victim, was asked II he was interesting
himself in the movement to prevent
Cleary returning 20 Haverstraw.
~ don't want TO say now what | in
tend 10 do" he replied. "The oppor-
tunity is not yet here for action
New-York tribune., 1914-12-23
DAUGHTERS R0UT
FATHERS SLAYERS
With Hair Brushes Drive
Burglars from Wound
ed Brother.

Los Angeles, Dec. 22.--William Mont
rose Alexander, q retired attorney, said
20 be q millionaire and for many years
a resident of Dallas. Tex, was shot
and killed early to-day by burglars,
whom he discovered in his home. W.
II. Alexander, jr, in endeavoring 20
aid his father, was shot in the breast.
Another bullet severed the index finger
of his left hand.
Penelope and Anna Alexander, daugh-
ters, heard the shots fired by their
brother, and rushed 20 his aid. With
silver backed hair brushes they beat
the burglars on the head as they
struggled to free themselves from the
grasp Of the wounded brother. The
burglars finally broke away from the
grip Of young Alexander and his Sis
ters, and escaped.
Glenn Witt and Ethelbert c. Oxman
we're arrested this afternoon on sus-
picion Of being concerned in the muir
der. Witt is said to have confessed.
Both were wounded.
Oxman also confessed, the police de-
clared, saying that it was he who had
shot and killed Mr.. Alexander.
The two men we're taken TO the Alex
ander residence. where both were iden-
tilted by Mrs. Alexander Afterward it
required two hours work at hospital
TO bandage the wounds inflicted by the
two girls. The silver-backed hair
brushes had made severe scalp wounds.
"Thosc two girls fought like Wild
cats said Witt
Witt said, according TO the police,
that he shot William Alexander, Jr.
when the son rushed TO the aid Of
his father. Penelope and Anna made
such a brave showing that the men
fed from the house. leaving their ha.s,
shoes and socks on the lawn outside.
Witt and OXman were captured after
q telephone message to the police to
day from a woman who saw them enter
a house in search Of medical attention.
"Whcn the old man was awakened
by noise / made he fired at me.
returned tho FIRE" was OXman's state
ment as reported by the police.
Mrs Alexander said she was enter
ing the room where Mr.. Alexander was
killed and had taken of her rings to
give TO the burglars when the fatal
shot was tired. Her husband died IN
her arms.
New-York tribune., 1914-12-23

in the first automobile she had ever
seen TO the home Of her friend. Mrs.
Bagley. she declined TO talk OF her
prison life. 81 want TO go home, back
i'm the woods, where there won't be
any reporters or any one else 20 ask
me questions she said. 81 shall never
say word about those years except
what | have already told you. ! want
TO forget and be forgotten"
And she couldn't have picked bet
ter spot than Lebanon. from the point
of view of contrast. She will gaze at
no granite walls there. From the cot
tage where she will make her home in
future she will look upon miles of roll
ing hills and down the broad valley of
the Thames.
Mrs. Spaulding's house is on the one
street Of Lebanon. miles from the rail-
road. Even the trolley cars have not
penetrated the place. There she was
found this morning. busy with her
preparations for receiving her mother.
Flora, the granddaugh whom Mrs.
Cobb has not seen, was aiding in the
work
Since the death of Mr.. SpauldinG,
five years ago, these two have lived
there. They have sufficient means for
their chosen life, and, as Mrs. Spauld
ing said to-day, have no desire to go
anywhere. She went TO New York
thirteen years ago, but is not anxious
TO go again.
She is a typical New Enrlander. 90
New-York tribune., 1914-12-23

A whip was claspsd tightly In the right
hand.
Lawrence at once gave the alarm
and Sheriff Doyle and Coroner lies
came 20 the scene. The Sheriff sent
word for the county's police dogs, and
posses began to beat up the woods in
search for the slayer The only clew
is a cheap and battered golf cap, which
was picked up near the spot.
II Is believed that the murder was
committed by some ono who knew that
Seacord was in the habit of making
collections on Tuesdays. The farmer
had retired from active work, but 70
give himself something to do sold con-
siderable quantities OF farm products
in the territory near his place. His
cider was well known and had a ready
sale. What cash he had taken in yes
terday was still in his pockets. from
which arises the theory that the killing
was discovered too soon for the slayer
70 complete his job.
Seacord was ffty-fve years old. lie
leaves his wife and four children.
New-York tribune., 1914-12-23
Check for Starving Barnums.
lBy Telegraph 10 The Trituue.l

Beacon. y. Y. Dec. Harry Thaw
today sent n check for $500 30 How
ard il. Barnum, the attendant who
opened the gate At the Matteawan
ASYLUM when he escaped. barnum
was imprisoned az the time, but not
indicted. and was released.
Unable 20 get work because of the
notoriety OF the Thaw case. Barnum has
suffered greatly. For months his family
has been slowly starving. and for sew
eral weeks Mrs. Barnum has lain at
the point Of death through lack Of
propcr nourishment and care. The
Natteawan journal" published articles
concerning the miscarriage Of justice
in this instance, which brought the
following reply from Ihaw:
"My attention has been called 70 an
article boo your paper speaking OF the
plight Of Nh Bdrnum, who was gate
keeper At Mat'cawan, and Of the dis
trcss Of his family.
at gave AN account Of his maltrcat-
mcnt and stated that he had received
no redress for the same. which in it.
self should never happen 20 citizen
OF the locality in which he resides
"While under no obligation what
ever. ! am anxious TO relieve the dis
trcfs which you have pointed out iu
YOUR paper az existing. and ns this is
the glad season Of tho year, Christ
'mastidc. I am sending 10 the commits
Continued ON page 4, column
New-York tribune., 1914-12-23
LEWlS'S CONDITION GRAVE
Writer'S Death May Be Mat
ter, II Is Said, Of Few Hours.

The condition Of Alfred Henry
Lewis. the writer. who Is ill at his
home. 457 West I4sth st.. was said TO
be critical late last night, and some
doubt was expressed as 10 whether he
would live until morning DR.. William
T. Cuff. of 237 West Tooth st., the
Lewis family physician. was in attend
apce constantly yesterday.
Mr. Lewis has been IN poor health
Tor the last month, and last Wednes-
day his condition became serious. H's
brother. Irving LcWia. managing editor
Of "Thc Morning Telegraph said last
ni0ht that be- considered Mr.. Lcwis's
condition grave.
New-York tribune., 1914-12-23
16. He DIES IN CHAIR
Italian Boy Youngest Slayer
New Jersey Has Executed.

The youngest person to pay the ded.h
penalty in the history Of the State Of
New Jersey was electro-uted in the
state prison at Trenton last night. lie
was Stcdauo Ruggiarri, sixteen years
old, Of Millington. Somerset County.
As u last request his picture was taken
yesterday afternoon, to be sent to mis-
parents IN Italy.
New-York tribune., 1914-12-23
CHRISTMAS CHEER
CHEAP FOR GERMANS
nv CAhl, 70 II. rrihune. |

Rotterdam. Dec. 22.-In order to
celebrate Christmas the Germans
have ordered Ghent TO supply one
million cigars, one million cigarettes
and ninety thousands pounds of to-
bacco. They also have taken COM
plete control of every wine cellar in
town.
One proprietor was ordered TO
supply 500 bottles of brandy, but
the order taking his breath away
he asked the soldier ii mistake
had not been made. The soldier
answered yes, and increased the de-
mand to 1900 bottles. The Germans
have even requisitioned musical in
struments.