davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-21
IL FIREBUGS ARE CONVICTED
State Fire Marshal Is Active During
November and December

During November, and up to the
present time in December, the Depart
ment of the State Fire Marshal has OBJ
tanned the conviction of seventeen fire.
bugs, the majority of whom set fire to
buildings in order to get the insurance
money.
These convictions covered wide ter
ritory. showing the extensive work of
the deputy marshals, convictions being
made in Berks, Crawford, Carbon,
Westmoreland, Laekawanna, Franklin,
Mexican, Westmoreland, Schuylkill,
Clarion and Beaver. There was one
case in Dauphin county, that of Ward
Sheets, who pleaded guilty to setting
fire to the property of R. l. Young,
near Middletown, in October, and was
sent to the penitentiary from two to
ten years.
Six of the men sentenced, when con-
fronted with the evidence of their
guilt gathered by the deputy marshals,
confessed rather than go to trial. All
were sent to the penitentiary except
one who was sent to the insane asylum,
two to county jails and two who are
awaiting sentence.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-21
Late WAR news SUMMARY

The operations of the allies in Flan-
The heaviest fighting in the west
since the Germans made their attempts
to force way to the English channel
is now in progress. The French and
German statements of to-day show that
yesterdays engagements were contest
ed keenly along most of the front from
Alsace to Flanders and on each side
claims are made of the capture of
trenches and other victories Of impor-
tance.
The German War Office gave out
what was described as French army
order signed by General Joffre and
found on the body of French soldier,
calling for general attack on the Ger
mans. The order recites that heavy re-
inforcem had been received by the
allies and sit is now our business to
clear the fatherland of the invaders. y
In Poland the Russians are Offering
determined resistance to the German
armies which are advancing on warsaw.
Less than 30 miles from the city one
of the most stubbornly contested battles
of the campaign is still in progress, the
Russians for three days having held in
checks the German column which is
seeking to force a passage of the Bzura
river.
Emperor Williams departure for the
front, announced yesterday, is said to
have been decided upon against the ad-
vice of his physician, Notwithstanding
his Improvement in health. The En-
peror desires to spend Christmas with
his troops.
ders, for long period of sporadic tight
ing at detached points, apparently have
now assumed the character of general
movement in an attempt to press back
the entire western end of the German
line. The latest French official state
ments say that appreciable gains have
been made, although it is admitted that
the Germans are resisting with determi-
Continued on Eighth Page.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-21
A C t j o n of Cincinnati
Coroner Upsets Plans
for Hohl FuneralHe
Tomorrow
$500 OF LOOT
is RECOVERED
Money Is Found Concealed in Various
Articles of Furniture in a Room the
Harrisburg Desperate Had occu-
pied in Western City

Arrangements for the funeral in this
city of Frank G. Hohl, the automobile
bandit, who last Thursday robbed two
Cincinnati banks and fatally wounded
policeman before being killed after
revolver duel with bluecoats, were held
up to-day by the refusal of the coro-
ner's office in Cincinnati to release the
body.
According to advices received in this
city this morning the body had not
been released although all arrange
ments for its shipment to the mother in
this city had been made. Money COW
ering the cost of transportation has
been deposited with an express COM
pany here and everything had been
planned for its reception by local
undertaken, but the Ohio coroner must
release the body before it can be
shipped and that legal formality had
not been gone through with at an early
hour this afternoon.
1t was at first believed that the dis.
position of $S,160 found in one Of
rooms in Cincinnati that had been oc-
cupied by Hohl had some bearing on
the failure of the western authorities
to release the body. District Attorney
Stroup, of this county, however, when
asked what bearing this could have ON
the ease, said he could not see how it
could have any bearing whatever.
The plan of Mrs. Hohl was to hold
the funeral from the undertaking rooms
of c. IL. Mauk, Sixth and Kelker
streets, at 2 o'clock to morrow after
noon, with the Rev. A. NJ. Stamets, of
Augsburg Lutheran church, officiating,
but this arrangement may now have to
be altered. The funeral, when held,
will be private, and there will be
squad of police reserves on hand to
keep back the curious crowd.
The $S,160 was recovered Saturday
in a room at 1905 Vine street, Cinein-
natl, according to dispatch from that
city. Detectives found the money
stuffed in mattresses, behind pictures
and in many other places concealed
from the eye. A valise and revolver
also were found in the room.
1t had been believed that Hohl had
obtained $4,000 from the two banks,
but final check up to-day revealed
that the West End branch of the Provi-
dent Savings Bank and Trust Company
had lost s7,100, while the Liberty
Banking and Savings Company was
minus $500, and the total Of the loot
$12,660.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-21
MAY REDUCE COAL HERE
Service Commission Ruling May
Have It's Effect on Harrisburg

Just how the decision of the Public
Service Commission in the matter of
reducing anthracite coal carrying rates
from the coal regions to Philadelphia,
will affect rates from the coal regions
to Harrisburg, is not yet known by the
Harrisburg dealers. If the decision ap-
plies all along the lines of the coal
carrying roads it is expected that the
reduced rates will apply to this city
In other words, if there is reduction
to Philadelphia, there ought TO be
corresponding reduction here, and
consequent drop in the retail prices.
manager of big Harrisburg re-
tail coal company said this afternoon
that he could not see why the decision
reducing rates to Philadelphia should
not make difference all around, in
cluding Harrisburg. In the matter of
the rates for carrying egg coal from
the mines to Philadelphia the rate has
been $1.7O, and to Harrisburg $1.5O,
or difference of twenty cents for an
additional carry of 1O4 miles, which,
to Harrisburg dealers, seems to be out
of all proportion. 1t may mean an all
around reduction in retail prices of
coal, but dealers here cannot figure it
out until the decision is interpreted by
the commission to apply locally.
This information will be obtained
as soon as the commission meets here
on January 4, but it is possible an
Interpretation on the Harrisburg rate
can be obtained sooner.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-21
Cars Forces Keeping
Kaiser's Soldiers in
Check in Advance on
Warsaw
FIERCE BATTLE
TO CROSS RIVER
For Three Days German Army of 2OO.
600 Men Endeavors to Cross Chan
mel and Throw Back the Russians
on Right Bank

Petrograd, via London. Dec. 81, LAS
p. M.-The Russian forces are still
holding at bay the German column
which is seeking to cross the Ezura
river at Sochaczew and advance an
Warsaw, thirty miles away. For three
days this German army of about 200,-
600 men has been endeavoring to cross
the river and throw back the Russians
who are holding the right bank.
SochacZew continues to be the Ger
man objective in the attempt to reach
Warsaw. The Russian forces on the
right bank OF the Bzura are heavily en-
trenched. Their artillery is so placed
thaSit commands the river to its june
tiou at Vistula eighteen miles north.
Southward the Russian line extend 10
Oroczano, twenty-five miles east of
Pietrkow, which recently was evaeu-
ated, and, <arty-fve miles east of
Schaczew, where the Russians first op-
posed the German extreme right.
1t is pointed out that the Russians
have thus assumed positions on. their
third line of defense. The evacuation of
Lodz, which lies to the west of this line,
was thus in logical sequence to this
movement and, according to the gen
eral opinion here, had no bearing on the
attack on Warsaw. The Russians for
the present apparently are attemyttng
nothing more than to retard the enemy
and to defeat attempts at flanklng
movements.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-21
Smith TO Be sent away
Insane Youth Indicted on Murder
Charge Ordered to Norristown Hos
pital--Not Criminal Institution

Edward G. Smith, under indictment
on charge of numbering his grand
father, John f. Bush, and who, Grim
inal court jury has decided, is lunatic,
will be sent to the State Hospital for
the Insane, in Norristown, Pa, under
an order filed by Judge McCarrell at
the opening of court this afternoon.
Smith will be transferred from the To-
cal prison to the hospital within the
next several days by Sheriff Wells.
This order practically marks the
closing of the last chapter in the
Smith case, since physicians have said
that he can never be entirely cured of
his insanity. However, if he should at
any time recover his reason and his re-
lease from the Norristown institution
be recommended by the superintendent
there, he will be brought back to Dau.
phin county and compelled to stand
trial on the charge Of murder.
The Norristown hospital is not an in
stitution for the criminal insane and
attorneys here figure that the courts
decree really settles all doubt as to
where shall be committed insane per
sons who, before being tried of crimes
for which they are indicted, are found
to be lunatics. 1t was contended by
Smith s counsel that only such persons
as are acquitted of crime on the ground
of insanity or who after being con
victed are found to be mentally unbal-
anced can be sent to hospital for the
criminal insane.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-21

Chiefly Gilner, self-appointed
custodian of the public grounds and
buildings and all that appertains there
to, enclosed in the Capitol Park, bios
somed forth to-day-if the weather is
fine-in all the glory of fine raiment,
with pride that goeth not before a
fall.
Ed. s. Eisley, messenger in the State
Health Department, made his annual
pilgrimage among the departments this
week and collected the money to deco
rate "Chiefy' with new glad rags,
etc, and has succeeded in getting
quite stunning in the way of joyful
toggery. The careful watcher of the
destinies of the public property, has
been furnished with a new suit of
clothing, "Bill McCann" overcoat,
as he calls it, one of those swell ones
that bell out aehind; new shoes of a
beautiful ecru shade; new lid
or topper of late style; shirts, un-
derwear, gloves, collars, neckscarf,
socks of cerulean hue; supporters for
those same socks; suspenders of the
dependable kind, handkerchiefs, new
cane, a bull dog pipe, horseshoe scarf
pin with an emerald in it, and, on his
manly bosom, a new ser OF medals for
long service.
Before donning this gorgeous outfit,
"Chiefy" got his annual bath in
the fine Tai Mahal bath room in the
Capitol basement, and had his hair
cut, which with close shave will suf-
ficiently disguise him, so that even the
park squirrels will have to look twice
to make sure that it is their "old col
lege chumpie.'' To all of this will Be
added new 50 bill, and to crown his
joy Chiefly" will be seated at din
ner that will consist mainly of roast
turkey.
Christmas will be a great day for
the custodian, and there will be no
prouder man than he in all the wide
domains of the old keystone State.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-21
SNYDER DECISION STANDS
Court Refuses to Grant Rehearing in
Divorce Case

A motion for an arrest of Judgment
and a rehearing of the Jacob against
Louisa Snyder divorce case, was re-
fused by the Dauphin county court in
an opinion filed with the Prothonotary
this afternoon. The court holds that
the jury's decision shall stand and
sets out that decree granting Snyder
legal separation from his wife will be
signed.
Snyder is his wife's senior by a
score or more years. Their separation
occurred shortly after the wedding,
the wife going to New York. While
she was being paid alimony, the has
band brought srit for divorce, alleging
wilful and malicious desertion. Mrs.
Snyder opposed the suit, claiming that
the desertion was forced upon her
through her husband s failure to carry
out pre-nuptial contract.
At the hearing Mrs. Snyder said her
husband before marriage promised to
grant her title to a part of his real
estate. She admitted that she did not
love her husband and that she entered
into the marriage contract solely be-
cause she would have a home and also
because she would get the real estate
holdings.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-21
FINDS WORK FOR mother
OF A STARVING FAMILY
Home and War Relief Association
Hunts Out Woman and Gives Her
the Opportunity to Earn Bread For
Her Four Little Children

Weary from 'tramping the streets in
fruitless search for work, a mother
of four children, who had lost her
part time" position in factory
where she got 81 week, dragged her
self into her 6reless home Friday
night. She had only bread and cab
bage for the evening meal. The chill
dren gathered round her as she slowly
prepared it. AS she worked, tears for
her hungry little ones came to her eyes.
She could see no way out. One day S
washing each week couldn t keep the
little family going.
The five were eating their meal in
silence when representative of the
Associated Charities knocked. She
brought with her nourishing food and
better still-news of work to be had
if the mother could sew.
The mother could, so on Saturday,
Mrs. Francis Jordan Hall, chairman of
the Home Relief Division OF the Home
and War Relief Association, gave her
enough work to permit her to earn $S,
and at prices which would still permit
of her keeping the days washing she
had obtained.
Throughout a full day-Saturday
was no half holiday for the division
chiefs at headquarters, Z South Front
street-busy volunteers passed out un-
sewn clothing to needy and worthy
women. There was brisk demand for
sewing though announcement of the
fact that work was to be had had not
then been widely published.
Mondays, Tuesday and Wednesdays,
work will be given out. 1t is to be re-
turned Thursdays, Fridays and Satur-
days.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-21
No Trace of Structure
Will Remain. 1t Is
Said. by End of Nexk
Week
MECHANICSBURG
TO GET SAWDUST
At Closing Meetings of Campaign Yes
terday DR.. Slough and Party Re-
ceived $6,OOO-Trail-h -hitters Total
1000

Work was to-day begun on the dis
manthng of the Slough tabernacle.
where the last service was held last
night The plumbing is being taken
out to prevent freezing and consequent
bursting of pipes, and the electric light
globes are also being removed. At a
meeting this morning of the committee
in charge of the disposition of the
building it was decided to continue the
fire protection ON the structure for sew
eral days. 1t is said that by the latter
part of next week there win be nothing
on the tabernacle site to show that the
building stood there for seven weeks.
The structure will be razed by the
company which supplied the lumber, ac
eording to the contract made with them.
There will be no cost to be met by
the campaign committee in the work of
demolition. The sawdust will be taken
to Mechanicsburg to be used in a taber-
nacle now being erected there, together
with the signs on the posts. Many ap-
plications have been received by the
committee for the use of the building
for secular purposes, but all have been
refused. 1t is thought best that the
tabernacle be used for no other pur-
pose except that for which it was par
ticularly erected.
Thank Offerings Total $4,000
The "thank offerings taken at all
tabernacle services yesterday for the
benefit''of DIR. Slough and his party
amount, it is thought, to little less than
$4,000. The morning collection was
$1,700 and the afternoon collection
S1,100, in round numbers. The re-
ceipts in the evening, in bills, amounted
to $4,000. Pan collections, which DR..
Slough took with him in hags uncount-
ed, world bring the total. CLOSE to
$4,000. The running expenses of the
cempaign together with this remunera-
tion to DR.. Slough and his party for
the seven weeks, amount to approx
mately $4,000. The total number of
converts is 1000.
DR.. Slough Bound for Home
Although DR.. Slough has been sub
poenaed to appear at Wilkes Barre this
afternoon for a hearing before a board
of arbitration in his slander suits, he
left at 1.25 O'Clock this morning for
Continued on Eighth PnEe.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-21
KAISER IGNORES DOCTORS
AND AGAIN Goes To FRONT

London, Dec. 21, so P. M.-The
departure of Emperor William for the
front, announced yesterday, is said by
the Exchange Telegraph Company cor
respondent at Amsterdam to have been
decided Rpon against the advice of the
Emperor ) physician, who strongly OPP
iosed his making the trip at this time.
The military chiefs, however, insist
ed, the correspondent adds, that the
Emperor spend Christmas with his
troops, and he decided to do so.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-21
1900 TURKEYS ARE HERE
Carload of Virginia Fowl Received by
Local Dealer

Fifteen hundred Virginia turkeys,
exactly a carload, were received at the
II. D. Rooms stock yard, Sixth, and Ma
clay streets, yesterday, and this morn
ing more than two hundred of the birds
were sold. Koons said the demand for
turkeys is far greater than the supply.
The turkeys are being sold by live
weight, the price ranging from % cents
pound for 100 pound lots to 23 and
25 cents a pound for single birds. There
are all sizes of turkeys some weighing
as little as six pounds and others ex.
ceeding twenty-five pounds.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-21
MEETS DEATH IN COAL NINE
AFTER HE DESERTS COLORS

Pittsburgh, Pa, Dec. 21.-After
emerging unscathed from a number of
battles while serving under the Russian
colors, Joseph Kaminski deserted, made
perilous trip to a seaport, boarded a
steamer as stowaway and came TO
America, only to meet death three days
after arriving here.
kaminski was employed at coal
chute and was killed yesterday when he
fell and was buried under tons of coal.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-21
CLAIMS INSURANCE BENEFIT
Mrs. Ella Getkin Enters Suit Against
Pennsy Relief Department

Suit for $2,250, the amount of an
insurance benefit claim, was to-day
filed by c. H. Backenstoe, counsel for
Mrs. Ella Getkin, against the relief de-
partment of the Pennsylvania railroad
The claim, Mrs. Getkin alleges, is due
as the result of the death of her hus-
band, David Getkin, who, she sets out
was killed in railroad accident at
Williamsport and who was a member
of the railroad relief.
Some months ago Mrs. Getkin, in a
suit for damages growing out of the
death of her husband, was awarded a
verdict of $7,160. 1t is said that the
relief association contends the court
verdict offsets this latest claim.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-21
Governor viii Act as Santa CLANS

Governor and Mrs. Tener will pass
their last Christmas in Harrisburg in
the Executive Mansion. On Christmas
morning the poor children will be re-
membered, as usual, by the Governor,
with boxes of candy. James Auter will
superintend the distribution and the
small child who tries to double
the distributing agency by assuming a
disguise will be f0iled.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-21

New York, Dec. 21.-The closing
was weak. Concentrated selling Of
steel sent the entire list to its lowest
average In the final hour. Steel de-.
clined to 49A, or within 1h points or
its minimum. From the very outset to-
days market movement was one ar
steady recessions, which reached their
climax In the final hour. Most Of the
prominent issues then registered their
lowest quotations since resumption Of
business.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-21
Christmas Hours at the Markets

All of the Harrisburg markets will
be open on the usual days this week,
with the exception of the State street
market, which will be open all day on
Thursday, the only day in the week.
The East Harrisburg market will be
open Wednesday, Saturday and Satur-
day might; the Chestnut street market
on Wednesday, Saturday and Saturday
night; the Verbeke street market. on
Wednesday, Saturday and Saturday
night, and the Kelker street market on
Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-21
January 10 Day of Repentance

Amsterdam, via London, Dec. 21,
$40 A. M.-The newspaper, "Nieuwe
Rotterdamsche Courant," learns from
Cologne that the archbishops and
bishops of Germany have ordered that
January 10 be kept as a general re-
pentance day by the Catholics in the
army.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-21
D. w. BRUBAKER LOSES TOES
Attache of Attorney Generals Office Is
Suffering From Gangrane

Daniel w. Brubaker, messenger at
the Attorney Generals s Department, is
seriously i'll at his home, 1101 1-2
Capital street. Gangrene developed in
his left foot making the amputation
of two toes necessary.
Mr.. Brubaker was able to be about
for while after the operation but his
entire foot became affected and yester-
day an incision was made, an exceed
ingly painful operation. He was report
ed as better to-day and resting com
fortably.
Mr.. Brubaker was for two years as
sistant mercantile appraiser until ap-
pointed messenger in the Attorney Gen
erals Department by Mr.. Bell.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-21
Liquor Licenses rransferrsd

Two Lykens liquor licenses were
transferred by the court this morning.
John Stadnar will take over the whole
sale liquor store heretofore conducted
by d. s. Matter, while John Andulis
has purchased the hotel of which
Stadnar has for some time been the
proprietor.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-21
Stranded Steamer Total Loss?
BY associated Press.

Turks Island, Dec. 21.-The Nor
wegian steamer Anita, 734 tons, from
Halifax for Jamaica by way of Turks
Island and Santiago, Cuba, stranded on
North Caicos island ON the night of
December 10 and probably will be a
total loss. She was carrying a general
cargo which is now being saved. The
members of the crew of the Anita also
were saved.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-21
AMOS SHEESLEY OBSEQUIES
Aged Man Found Frozen to Death
Identified by His Niece

Funeral services for Amos Sheesley
~ years old, who was found frozen to
death Saturday in South street, will
be held this evening at o clock in the
funeral chapel of Undertaken r. X.
Spicer, 313 Walnut street.
Mrs. George Wentzel, niece, who
identified the body, said that Sheesley
left her home two months ago to 90 to
soldiers home in Tennessee. A hun
dred dollars which he is supposed to
have had on his person has not been
located by the authorities.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-21
)r. Slough Bound for Home
houph DR., Slough has been sui
Continued ON Eighth Page.
LEE MCLUNG DIES In HOSPITAL
Former U. S. Treasurer Was College
Mate of Vance G, Mccormick

: Knoxville, Tenn, Dec. 21.-Lee Nc
Clung, former treasurer of the United
States, died in hospital in London
after three months illness of typhoid
fever. Relatives here received a cable
gram from his brother.
MIR. McClung was a former treasurer
of Yale University and had held execu-
tive positions with the st. Paul and Du-
luth Railroad Company. The body will
be brought to Knoxville for interment.
Mr.. McClung was well known in this
city, having visited Vance C. McCor-
mick on several occasions. They both
attended Yale at the same time and
both played on the Yale football team.
Mr.. McClung was the principal speak
er here several years ago before Group
of the Pennsylvania Bankers AS
sociation.