davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-12-11

Club this afternoon the Rev Dr. Percy
5tickney Grant viii deliver lecture for
the benefit Of the Manassas Industrial
School for Negro Boys His subject will
he "Is Bernard Shaw an immortal? 90
Among the patronesses are Mrs, Angus,
Belmont. Mrs, Philip NJ. I.ydIg Mrs
George Ethrdge, Mrs John f. Berwlnd
and Mrs James A. Wright
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-12-11
George Iesserlr.

George NJ, sserlc. ~ who was connected
with the old wall street firm OF YER
milyc n co for twenty-five years, died
on Wednesday nj his home 4uS FrtuNlm
avenue, Brooklyn Ne was one OF the
oldest members NJ Leasing Lodge ~ COS
T., a. A. VI His wife, two SONS and a
daughter survive him
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-12-11
stephen IIerig.

Stephen Hcrig, A.. for many years pro-
prietor Of n hotel ami summcr qmuSe-
mcnt resort on Newark Blv at the foot
OF Danforth avenue. Jersey city. died
Yesterday after a long Illness
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-12-11
Miss Beatrice stevens Engaged.

Or. and Mrs. Junius NJ Stevens OF SIS
Carroll street. Brooklyn. have announced
the engagement OF their daughter, Miss
Bea;rice June stevens. 10 Donald O.
Stuart. son OF Mrs. James II. Stuart Of
3ib East sixteenth street. Flatbush
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-12-11
NEW SOCIAL REGISTER" OUT.
Issue for 1915 shows wars Eject
on Foreign Travel.

Tn 1913 Social Register of New York.
which has just been issued. shows a fall
irs or Of 33 per cent In the foreign de
isrtures sine" July | and a falling or of
OILY u per cent. in arrivals from Eu-
rNpe indicating a return to this coun-
i-y ~ many American families who
have heretofore been living abroad.
The following comparison Of marriages
a . deaths for the past three years In
Gates but slight variation;
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-12-11

THIS ear the scope OF the Social Reg
',.'" bias been increased to include seat
'.i Portland, ore, and southern Call
!.rfi1, comprising Los Angeles and Pasa.
'.0f. p acucaliy covering. with San Fran
CISCO ola Il the Pacific coast
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-12-11

The marriages and deaths for all the
'es covered by the various coclai Reg
..' Pc are
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-03-18

Two significant things have occurred
within the recent past They happen
ed at opposite ends of the earth, but
they bore a relation to each other. Aft
er launching the greatest dreadnaught
ever built, the British government let
it be known that it is to be the last
of the dreadnaughts. And at San
Francisco an aviator dropped sand
bag on an American battleship.
The British attitude is that the de-
veIopment of the submarine boat is
rendering the dreadnaught useless.
The recent British naval maneuvers
showed that the submarines could
easily destroy all the battleships and
come away unscathed. Hence the plan
for the future is to build the smaller
types of fighting craft-the torpedo
boat destroyers and the scout CRUZ
sers.
The American battleship was COM
ing in through the Golden Gate from
the open Pacific. coasting easily along
with the tide. a speck in the sky be-
came blot, bird. and was an aero
plane. Thud, a small bag of sand
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-03-18
LOAN ON CHARACTER.

I To loan to wage-earners and others
of small means all over the country al
fair rate of interest with character
as security instead of chattels, is the
/ plan recently announced of a $4,000.
! 900 corporation formed the other day
at Richmond. Va. Banks OF the new
sort, it is declared, will be established
in all sections where they do not ex.
ist already. Among some % cities
seeking them already are New York.
Chicago. Pittsburgh, New Orleans,
Knoxville, Nashville and Chattanooga.
The principle that character is a
mans greatest asset has been taught
for centuries, but the teaching has
been theoretical rather than accepted
as a practical truth in the financial
world. Yet IL is logical and equitable
to accept a mans good character as
security. To find and determine the
financial value OF character IS perhaps
not so serious an undertaking as 1t
has been believed to be. At least
such men as Nicholas Murray Butler,
Oscar 5. Straus, Vincent Aston. Theo-
dOre p. Shonts and others well known
for their success in dealing with men,
nave had faith enough in the ability
to fix a value upon character. that they
have become directors of the new in
stitution.
Character loans IS not a new idea.
II is merely proposed to Americanize
the Schulze-Delitzch cooperative banks
of Germany, which for half a century
have proven a boon to peasant farm
ers, small business men and wage
Of that country. Some years
after, the German banks were adapted
to Italy by Luzzatti and recently they
were started on a small scale In this
country. where the idea has worked
out so well that the movement has
enlarged from a local undertaking
In only II American communities to
a national enterprise.
The idea must appeal to the Ameri-
can public. Il easily resolves itself
Into benefit for wage-earners seek
Ing small loans and heretofore fac
Ing exorDitant interest rates and re-
quirements not easily met. Under the
new plan. applicants of good character
will beloaned small sums on their char
acters, such TO be determined either
by the endorsement of persons known
10 the banks or by the banks own In
Yestigation.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-03-18
MAKING BATTLESHIps HARMLESS

! dropped from the air machine fell in
the waist of the ship squarely amid
ships. Almost before the startled
crew could look up to see whence the
missile had come the aeroplane was
far in the distance beyond range of
sky guns.
OF course, it was a friendly act,
merely to demonstrate the ability of
the aeroplane. For the bag of sand
might have been a pellet of some ter
rible explosive which would have torn
the vitals from the ship. The officers
must have stared at the skyman much
as the aborigines looked at the white
men with Columbus-the herald of a
new epoch.
After all. science may bring about
international disarmament, and that
speedily. The submarine causes the
abandonment of the battleship type
The aeroplane drives the cruisers and
destroyers from the sea. Nations re-
stricted TO aeroplanes, which can not
yet convey armies across seas. When
it comes to this point, the worlds
sense of humor may bring about the
peace millennium.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-03-18
PURE SEEDS

While farmers Just across the river
from Rock Island county are enjoying
all the benefits of organization those
in this county are doing nothing. In
Scott county no less than IS meetings
have been arranged for by the Farm
Improvement league to spread the
gospel of pure seeds. These meetings
will cover every township in the
county during the last three days in
March and the first three days in
April. The subjects to be considered
are: Testing and grading OF seed
corn, treatment of oats with Tornado
hyde for smut, treatment of barley in
the same manner for smut, treatment
of potatoes for scab. examination OF
clover and alfalfa seed to discover
foreign weeds. Demonstrations will
be conducted wherever possible.
In this one item of pure seed the
county probably will save enough
money this season to pay all the ex-
penses of the organization.
Yet Rock Island county is standing
back because reluctant to expend the
comparatively trivial sum it will cost
to form the preliminary organizations.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-03-18
The Daily Story
The Thunder Bird.-By Clarissa Mackie
Copyrighted. 1914 by Associated Literary gprsan

Dick Forsyth paced the earthern foot
of the Chinese howell which was his
prison cell. Three weeks had passed
since he and his little party Of friends
had been captured by the hostile ma
tives. To his bitter amazement the
others. Blakely, Dorr and Remington,
! had managed to escape from their butts
on that first night of Imprisonment,
and he had not been taken into their
confidence. He had been left behind.
Why?
What had become OF his servants
He was almost certain that they had
lost their lives in his behalf.
1t was growing twilight, and be
heard the conglomerate noises Of the
village dying down into silence.
Two men were talking beneath his
window. He knew enough of the
Chinese language to gather words here
and there and to piece them together
into some sort of comprehensive fabric.
1t was a welcome diversion for him
in his loneliness.
In substance this is what Dick For
syth heard:
Every night it appears in the west
and hovers over our village. It pre-
sages disaster for u.s." said one gloom
fly.
at is an evil bird conjured by the
foreign DEVIL" returned the other.
81 never saw a bird like it 1t flew
straight out Of the setting sun, and its
color changed from red to gray. and it
vanished in the clouds, and while it
few there came down strange roar
ing sound like the beat of thunder"
1.-The thunder bird is larger than an
eagle" said the first man. i
at is larger than the house we lean
a gainst," muttered the other.
Dick Forsyth, idly skeptical and a |
little contemptuous of the credulity of |
the superstitious Chinese, looked out !
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-03-18

imminence of the bill has received but
little advertising) the railroads them
selves are not especially opposing the
adoption OF the bill.
For that reason, the passage of the
measure seems to be certain. 1t has
the approval of Chairman Clark, of the
interstate commerce commission. The
interstate commerce committee of the
house seems to be favorably disposed
toward the bill, and IL would not be at
all strange if it were adopted at this
session of congress.
The railroads seem to be welcoming
this measure, and there are a number
of reasons to explain their present atti-
tude. In the first place, they recog-
nize the public demand for the en-
forcement of safety regulations on
railroads. The people want these
regulations made the law of the land.
The railroads know that to install the
many safety devices demanded will
cost much money. Therefore, they
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-03-18
SOCIAL WORK IN SCHOOLS

Members OF the Rock Island board
OF education in planning future i'm
provements and extensions OF school
buildings will do well 10 keep in mind
the importance OF providing for par
ents' meetings and social center work
in general. A room large enough for
assembly purposes should be provided
and equipped with seats. A gymnas-
ium IS equally important. as it fur
nishes the best means of arousing the
interest OF the boys and young men.
Wherever social center work has
been tried It has accomplished much
good. Schools used for this purpose
are not diverted from the use origin
ally intended. for the work is educa-
tional. the parents being as much or
more directly benefited than the chill
dren. Anything which helps to broad
en-. enlighten and bring about a better
mutual understanding among the peo-
pie cannot fail TO make for a better
city.
Rock Island has hundreds OF thou
sands of dollars invested in schools
which pay no dividends except on five
school days each week for Sc weeks
out OF the 50. This money can be
made TO give returns on evenings and
during holidays as well.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-03-18
Capital Comment
BY CLYDE II. TAvENNER
Congressman from the Fourteenth District.

would prefer to have the interstate
commerce commission in authority to
say what devices shall be installed anc
what safety measures in the operation
of trains shall be taken, for the reason
that IL the commission prescribes
costly regulations It has the power 70
allow the railroads to increase their
revenues.
The Stevens bill. drawn to give
greater safety in travel. empowers the
commission to have full supervision
OF train schedules. operating rules,
size of train crews. hours of labor and
any other matter affecting safe opera
ton The commission is given the
power to enforce changes in the road
bed and structures. equipment, signal
systems, train control devices, auto
matte stop devices and so on. This
practically submits every railroad
operating rule to the supervision and
approval of the commission.
"This bill is revolutionary" said
government railroad expert the other
day. at will be more far-reaching In
it's effects than even the physical valu-
alton of the carriers. 1t means that
the commission will practically con-
troll the service which the roads give
to the public. 1t means that the gov
eminent will manage the roads while
the roads remain as now in private
ownership"
The railroad point of view was
summed up by ex-senator Faulkner,
who is representing the railroads be-
fore the committee.
"The strongest argument in support
of this bill is that the commission con-
trolls receipts of the carrier" he said,
with full knowledge of the financial
condition of each road. The body that
controls the revenue of these great
systems should there |
fore be the authority to impose such |
burdens as are proposed. Knowing |
the revenue of each carrier, it can in
diligently require the installation of
safety devices, determining what char |
acter of device shall first be installed |
in the public interests"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-03-18
REGIsTRATIoN OF WOMEN.

:. II the registration OF women voters
10 the number OF more than $500 on
the first day the opportunity 10 do SO
was given means that there are 20 be
that number or any considerable part
of that number OF additional voters.
sfhs fact Is most significant. Votes OF
women will then have an important
Darr in settling every issue brought
before the people from now on. II.
however, the majority were registered
merely because ft was the popular |
thing 10 do and there was no serious |
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-03-18
WHY NOT UNIoNIzE 2

or less steady Job for the election
boards OF the future. with the numer-
4 Gus primaries and regular and special
elections. and the attending days Of
registration. Judges and clerks will do
well 70 take some steps to get together.
There IS no denying that 50 day is
pretty small wages for the work done
and responsibility carried on the first
day OF registration. However. instead
aof trying individually 70 evade the
rules. wouldn't II be better to form a
union and carry on the agitation for
shorter hours and more pay IN the
usual manner?
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-03-18
Under Suspicion.

Nope. you can't make me believe
that Bill Hinkley has been leadin' an
honest life since he's been up to the
city"
What you heard about him, Cy?"
81 hain't heard nothin', but when he
was back home to see his folks last
week he was wearin' one Of them coats
with collar made out of curly wool.
I priced one of 'em one time, and a
man that can buy that kind of a coat
when he's only been away from home
four years. didn't come by the money
honest"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-03-18


of the window into the flaming sunset
He had noticed many of the people
| gathered on a little mound near the
temple, and he gathered that they were
watching foH the thunder bird.
1t could scarcely be an optical illu-
sion if the entire village should wit
ness its appearance
Staring straight at the sun, his mind
thousands of miles away from China,
Dick forgot all about the thunder bird
until he was conscious that a black
speck foated against the red dazzle OF
the sun. 1t grew larger and for an
instant the sun was hidden from view
Then, painted with the sunset colors as
it winged its way against the clouds.
the thunder bird became rosy pink.
Larger it grew, larger, and Dick bad
to strain his neck to keep it in view.
At last it appeared to pass over the
roof OF his prison, and then he heard
the muffied throbbing that had caused
the Chinese to name it thunder bird"
He heard the yelps Of frightened
natives as they fed into their houses.
He understood that the thunder bird
had never approached so near before,
had never appeared so appalling.
But Dick Forsyth was not afraid OF
the thunder bird.
He laughed aloud as it passed over
his prison, and he even waved his
handkerchief out of the window in the
hope that the strange visitor might
glimpse it.
The throbbing died away. and at last
silence fell upon the village. There
was no evening exchange of gossip. no
twanging of rasping fiddle or nasal
singsong of voices. The village of
Pao Lao was scared into silence.
Dick realized that his prison was IN
guarded. Now was the time to escape.
But should he venture forth yet? Was
the time ripe?
He sat and pondered that question
over and over after the thunder bird
The moon arose from pale cloud in
the east and flooded the village with
light The shadows of the houses were
sharp and black. The narrow street
that was filthy lane in the daylight
took on strange, mysterious half
light Somewhere q pariah dog barked.
Dick took three steps toward the lit
tie window and paused.
Out OF the night came the distant |
of the thunder birds cry.
His guard, who had timidly returned |
% his post under the window. uttered |
, yelp OF dismay.
"Ai yah!' he quavered. "'Tis the /
huQder bird. 1t is the friend OF the |
'oreign devil. We shall be destroyed"
Dick heard the bars OF the door slip
lside. then the padding OF the cow
'rd's footsteps as he scuttled back to
his hovel.
Saved by the. thunder Bird" ejacu-
".ea Dick as he pushed open the door
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-03-18
Bravery That Came Easy.

Father. have been reading in this
history Of America that many of the
men who fought in the Revolutionary
war left their plows standing in the
burrows to go and take up arms against
the British. 1t was very brave of them
to do that, wasn't ftp
yes. my son, very brave. Still, it
will not be hard for anyone who-has
had experience in the business OF fol-
lowing a plow over stumpy, stony
ground to understand why those good
men and true were perfectly willing
to accept any excuse for trying some
thing else
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-03-18
MONUMENTS TO THE POTATO,
There Are Several Handsome Ones In
England and Germany.

England and Germany.
Although America is the original
home of the potato. Il is only in Eu-
rope that monuments have been erect
ed to honor the familiar vegetable.
There are several such monuments In
Germany and England costing large
sums OF money and presenting the
work of famous sculptors. The most
elaborate is that at Offenburg.. which
honors Sir Francis Drake as the first
man 20 introduce potatoes into Europe.
The monument consists OF an excel
lent statue OF Drake, rising from an
elaborate base decorated with gar
lands OF the potato plant, with full
grown tubers. Several tablets are
placed about tho base stating that
Drake first brought the potato 20 Eu-
rope. with various laudatory inscrip-
tons as 20 the value OF the potato b.
civilization. A similar monument to
Drake and the potato has been erected
lt Murz.
As a natter OF historic fact. Drake
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-03-18

unworthy Of remark.
I wish that 10 were possible, when ] am
well and strong.
To shun the habits which prevent a man
from living long:
When am i'll and toss about upon bed
of pain
list a score of things which shall never
eat gain.
But when my health returns and am
once more on my feet
I cease to wisely shun the things that
should never eat;
To ancient habits 1 return, and lightly
cease to dread
The dangers that appeared so great when
was sick abed.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-03-18

had nothing whatever to do with in
Producing the potato to Europe. 1t is
generally supposed that Sir Walter Ra-
leigh was the discoverer OF the potato,
and stories are told OF his appearing
on the streets OF London wearing n
buttonhole bouquet of potato blossoms
in order to attract attention to the new
vegetable.
According to one version, the potatoes
Were first planted by Drake in Ireland.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-03-18

r. F. Kinsella OF Springfield. not con-
tent with being big league scout and
all round magnate. wants to be United
States marshal for the southern dis
trict OF Illinois and IS kicking up a
pretty fuss IN his efforts TO land. In
this respect Dick has few equals and
no superiors. II there is any trouble
in a situation he can be depended upon
to bring IL out. Perhaps. after all. this
qualities him for the job he's after.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-03-18

COh 81 Cco a w "
the bill OF Repre-
sentative Stevens,
of New Hamp-
shire. which goes
under the modest
title, "A bill to
promote the safety
of employees and
passengers on rail-
roads engaged in
interstate or for
eign commerce."
The bill, If adopt
ed, means that the
interstate COM
merce commission
will assume entire
supervision of rail-
road operation. al
most the next thing
to operation by the
government. More
astonishing (for|
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-03-18

II Kelley's army. or any other OF the
kind. ever threatens Rock Island
arsenal we'll merely call out the golf
dub. A few well directed shots about
the time the whites OF their eyes be-
come visible probably will be suffic-
lent II any OF the invaders survive
the first volley. however. a little arm
play with the clubs certainly viii finish
them
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-03-18
The Usual CHARGE.

He had been the star at a farewell
dinner, because he had accepted a
position in New York" When he re-
turned, six months later, because he
had failed to make good, he said:
"Oh. couldn't stand the town. It's
too un-American for me. The luckiest
thing l ever did was to refuse to sign
a five years contract with the people
who got me to go there"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-03-18

o Senate in a quandry how to
please women" reads a head line, dis
; cussing suffrage agitation at the ma
tionaI capital Bath House John, in
Chicago. running for reelection as al
derman, appears to have solved the
problem by giving pink teas and pass
ing out soda and ice cream coupons.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-03-18

When an American is killed in Mex
leo the Chicago papers herald the fact
with head lines thrown the length of
the front pages. When an American
meets a similar fate in Chicago he's
got to either be high I'm society or
have a big bank account TO make the
first page at all.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-03-18

An Aurora minister has announced
from his pulpit that he will drop from
the membership roll OF his church ev-
cry communicate who votes wet" at
the April election. Inasmuch as the
secrecy OF the Australian ballot sys-
tenn is guaranteed to the voters OF Au-
rora we would imagine that the good
brother OF the cloth has started some
thing that he can't very well finish.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-03-18

intention OF following up the beginning
made, then votes OF women will hardly
turn the scale in ordinary elections
and municipal affairs will go on much
as they have gone.
Whether anything important locally
Is TO come of female suffrage rests
with the women themselves.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-03-18

Sits too bad"
she sighed, that
life can't always
be a honeymoon"
81 agree with
you" he replied.
When we were
having our honey
moon YOU vera
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-03-18
Hear! HearI

What poet reminds us of green Gu
cumbers?" asked the man who was
always handing out conundrums. Then.
without waiting for anyone to guess,
he FASTENED to add, "Akenside."
After which he laughed heartily.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-03-18

Washington - Commander Bostwick
OF the gunboat Nashville, reporting
his arrival at Cape Haitien to the navy
department, said conditions were quiet
in that port.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-03-18
His Greatest Day.

George. which do you regard as the
greatest day OF your life? The day
you married me or the day our child
was born?"
The day / married you, dear. 1t
did seem as If my presence was needed
then"