davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-11-23
NINE. VAN DER VELDE
IN CITY TO EXPRESS
BELGIUM'S THANKS
Wife of Minister of State
Grati6ed by America S
Splendid Response to
Country's Appeal.

Madame Van der Velde, wife of one OF
the Belgian Ministers OF State. who IS in
Philadelphia, will address a large meet
ing tomorrow on behalf of her suffering
compatrlots.
The indefatigable lady has come from
Pittsburgh, where she raised $4,000 at a
single meeting. In tho course OF seven
weeks of public addresses she has gath
cred fund OF more than $4,000.
Il would do anything In the world to
help my unfortunate countrymen," she
said enthusiastically, "and 1 shall stay
in America just as long as l can collect
money--perhaps for another three months.
do not know. l think that the Ameri-
cans are the most generous-hearted peo-
pie In the world, and they have responded
to all appeals magnIncently. The suffer-
ings of the poor Belgians have touched
the American heart to it's very founda-
ton, and everywhere I go 1 receive
showers of contributions"
DO you send the money over to Europe
dlrect?"
oh no. said Madame Van der velde
quickly "The money that is collected in
each city is spent in each city in buying
toodstuns to be shipped over For in
stance, in st. Paul and Minneapolis we
bought $4,000 worth of flour with the
money collected"
appeals?"
"splenddly.'' said Madame Van der
Nelde. In Chicago a working girl of
the very poorest class gave me SO that
she had raised among the girls she
worked with in her factory. II is the
same everywhere, 1 have never before
seen such magnificent generosity as the
Americans display.
The first time I have ever spoken In
public she continued, was at a great
meeting IN the Kings Way Hall, in Lon
don, on the 7th of last September when
] pleaded the cause OF my suffering fell
low countrymen, and, ouriously enough,
the very first person to donate money to
the fund was an American man at that
meeting.
II think 1t perfectly wonderful how
quickly the ship Thelma was loaded and
sent of after the appeal came. When the
orn goes of on Wednesday / shall make
a point OF being down to see her on II
1t can possibly be managed.
II want to tell you that / have let the
King of Belgium know how wonderful
my reception In American has been and
how splendidly all my appeals have been
answered.
my home is In Brussels, but / have
not been able to hear anything from my
friends there since August. After I left
Brussels In August I went to Antwerp,
then to London, and II WAS IN London
that ! decided to come over TO America
to plead the cause OF the Belglans. After
my arrival in this country l spoke at diff
ferent summer resorts along the north
shore and then I'm any number of towns
afterward, such as Chicago and Minne-
apolis. In Toronto, Can. the Town Coun-
ell donated $4,000. which consider a
magnificent subscription.
don on the 7th OF last September, when
TO Baltimore, Boston, Washington and
will visit New York on December IS, GO
ing on to California In January. II / re-
ceive as much money there AS have done
in the other towns I shall be more than
delighted"
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-11-23
CHESTER COUNTY SkEpTlcAL
But Time Was When "Doc" Teacle
Had Many Patients.

WEST CHESTER. No. 23.-"Hex" and
voodoo doctors do not flourish and grow
rich in any section Of Chester County.
In this place there are a few OF the more
ignorant Negroes who cling TO the stories
Of their early life in the South, and are
Arm believers in anything OF a mystic
rious nature, but voodooism is not prac-
ticed to any extent among them. A few
believe still In love charms.
Some years ago West Chester had n
real witch doctor" in the person Of
Doe Joseph Teacle. who had home
in the white residential section, and
boasted OF hundreds Of patients" among
the whites as we'll as among the colored
population. Many came a long distance.
At one time he was summoned to the
home Of prominent farmer in the coun-
try. where a child was III, and was to
name his own price for a quick treat
ment
The doctor" mixed some herbs in
pan and then fried them, filling the room
with n dense smoke This caused the
girl to vomlt. which was the only relief
required, and in an hour she was perfect
ty we'll For this cure" II Is said the
farmer paid Teace 500. II afterward de-
veloped that the girl had eaten green
apples.
Al the time of his death the voodoo
artist had n good-slzed fortune. Fifteen
nunuTeu uollHTb oi NHls ne set Hslue 10
pay for his burial casket, several hundred
dollars to pay for the funeral services
and large amount for the erection of a
monument In Chestnut Grove Cemetery,
where his body now lies. and is still
Stunned by the superstitious.
Jacob Van Ness and his wife, the for
mer nephew and the only known rela-
tive OF Teacle, contested the will, and
long fight In court ended in verdict
against them. and the money was ex-
pended as directed in the will.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-11-23
DEATH OF 5 In FIRE
STTUS NEW YORK TO
SMASH BLACK HAND
Police Vow to Extemina!e
the Band of Tncendiari $
and Bomb Throwers.

NEW YORK, Nov. 23-Aroused as u ~
have not been since the outrages at I'm
souare wears ago New York police o /
cials today declared a war Of extermi A.
,iop against the city's Black Handers
with record Of two bomb explosions
and two incondlary hres within th'es
weeks against the criminals. the pov er
81 the entire police force was cent "a
on running them down. One OF the hrc9'
yesterdav. resulted in the death Of eiHW
persons. -. .,,s-.
six members OF family of seven were
trapped I'm the flaming hallway OF the
tenement al 400 East 18th street ana
burned TO death Police officials declared
today they have conclusive evidence that
the building was fired by Black Handers
whose demands for protection money
we're refused by Gaotano Srambri, ten-
ant. or the two other Victims one was
a woman who got out alive but died
few hours later from shock and exposure.
A score or moro tenants were burned ana
injured when they Jumped from WINDOWS
and fire escapes
Less than ten hours after the 18th
street tenement had been destroyed ana
while detectives swarmed through the
neighborhood, a second fire was started
last night at 14 West 2sth street. The
tenants were rescue with difficulty.
AS the first step today In the Black
Hand hunt. Inspector Faurot began an
investigation in the Municipal Building.
Tenants who escaped from the 2eth street
tenement were questioned. Suspects
rounded up early today were questioned
and their actions investigated.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-11-23
BLACK MAGIC IN sCHUYLKILL
Recent Lawsuit Brings Memories Of
aHex Cat'' Killed with Silver Bullet

PoTTsyILLE, Pa. Nov. 2s.-Several
times, during the last decade, there have
been legal actions growing out of ''witch-
rraft'' in Schuylkill county Among the
illlterate class of farmers. who believe In
s,signs'' IN lower Schuylkill, there is com
mon belief in evil influences wrought by
s.hex'' cats, black as midnight, and by
wrlnkied persons. OF great age and aueter-
fly, who cast spells"
A few years ago. the Thomas family, az
Tumbling Run, several miles from this
city. were obsessed with the idea that
s'hex'' or witch cat. seen by members OF
the family prowling about the farm at
different intervals, was responsible Tor
the place going to rack and the stock
perishing.
climax was reached. when silver bub
let's were nodded and fired from rifle
at feline providers at night. Farmers be-
lieve the cat was killed, for short time
later the sensation died out. At Orwigs-
burg and at Friedensburg within the last
two years farmers attributed death of
their cattle TO witchcraft.
The case before Judge r. H. Koch, In
court last week. wherein Mrs. Lizzie
Short, of Gllberton. was charged with
witehcraft by Mrs. Michael Zamowski,
was taken seriously only by the principals
and their friends, The Court ruled out the
charge.
Ths woman accused Of assault on the
alleged hex was permitted to go free,
being deemed mentally deficient, but her
husband. Michael Zamowski. who aided
her in the attack. was convicted of as
aault and battery Mrs. zamowsid testi-
deds
while at Mrs. Shorts home. she asked
me to have a drink OF whisky. While she
~as pouring out the alcoholic beverage,
che said something over It. When drank
The whisky I choked and lost my voice
end did not get Il back for several weeks"
She finally consulted Gilberton woman
shout her case. who advised her to scratch
the womans face until the blood came
and then the evil spirit would leave her.
4 feather sent up the chimney would also
drive the witch away, she said. Mrs.
zamowski waited her chance and did as
she was directed.
zamowsh and his wife are convinced
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-11-23
PoWWoWERs IN BERks
Magical Qualities Attributed to Them
bv Votaries.

READING, Pa, Nov. 22-Aeroplanes
may soar in the heavens, the wireless may
carry messages from midocean, symbolic
ing the rapid strides OF Invention and
modern education, yet IN Berks County
IS miles from Philadelphia, live thousands
OF persons who still believe that when
night falls and darkness envelops the
countryside. the witch mounts her broom
and gallops through the air. performing
weird lncantations. Not only In remote
rural districts does this impression pre-
vail, but In this city are many persons
Of education who believe In sorcery.
"Powwowlng' is the name by which
their peculiar faith cure Is known. Prac-
titioners Of the cult are known as HEX
DOCTORS" and n number are reapng "A
harvest from persons who engage them
TO treat bodily ailments. These doc
tors" are supposed to be gifted with
supernatural ability to cure anything from
are tales OF remarkable cures after all
hope had been given UP by physicians
There are also amateurs supposed to
have inherited the gift from parents or
grandparents, or 20 have acquired the art
through reading rare books The services
Of these are gratis, but they confine their
practice among their friends and rela-
tives. 1t Is no unusual sight TO see a
neighbor "powwowlnR" another TO relieve
bodily ailments, such as removing FIRE
from burns, restoring to health infants
who apparently are destined to waste
away. and relieving chronic sufferers from
rheumatism.
There are instances In Berks County
history where a hex" has been blamed
for sickness In families, business reverses,
woe to cattle or chickens. prolonged
droughts, scanty crops. etc. Stories.
some of recent years, narrate how
hex" has cast spells on Infants, caus-
ing them to waste away, Transforming
husbands from industrious citizens into
brutes and causing nelghbors whom they
dislike to become nervous wrecks. These
people only recover their normal condi-
tion when the witch" dies
Red woolen yarns and shovels of hot
Goals are prominent instruments in the
of the "powwow" doctor.
In such cases as pneumonia, etc, these
Instruments are said to have been used
with wonderful curative powers.
On several side streets of this city
there are two-story dwellings with the
steps worn through the frequent vista
ions Of Readlngites who seek the pow
WOW doctor" to relieve mental or bodily
lis.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-11-23
EVIL EYE" IN LANCASTER
Many Persons Dread It's Venomous
Glance, Presaging Trouble.


LANCASTER. Nov. 23,-With the most
perfect of school systems, centre of
learning, with n college, seminary and
other advanced educational institutions.
Lancaster County still holds many be-
levers in witchcraft. They are, confined
largely to the northern section of the
county For believers in the cult there
are guide books. hex" books, so called,
on sale in the city They contain recipes
for all ills OF the flesh, spells" for find
ing thieves. incantations for removing
fancied "spells' from man and beast.
There are plenty OF persons who still
believe In the existence OF a power to
'bewitch" man, woman, child, or animal
Here arc found persons who have the
"evil eye" venomous glance from
which presages trouble.
In many families black cat would not
be hRrbored. as 1t brings bad luck" and
is the cause of infants deaths, and not in
frequently. It Is believed by the super
sttious, suck the baby's breath If they
have the opportunity. There are per-
sons who profess to have power to give
"fetishes" that will ward off any kind
of hoodoo or spell"
There Is hardly n community that does
not have one or more old persons who
are known as ''powwow" doctors, and
whose special forte is treating infants
afflicted with 'opnemme," or wasting
away" These powwow'' doctors use
no medicines, their sole stock in trade be-
ing incantations and Charms"
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-11-23
ToDAY's MARRIAGE LICENSES

JqRH S.,H T. G5G0E I4tS 1ttS s7th st. and Sarah
Louisa Gerhard, il4o y. orkney st.
Charles l., BueEloss. Sli2 \; 18th st. and
Hsny M%5nf l. Tqt ois ss sS St. st. and Lii
liam n i,, HOpsiERs psE 2Ss2 Fit5w9ter St; ,a s.d,
'qmss sms ao65 oSSford S fst"'''F st. st. ana Saa''
Walter W. Carter, Camden, N. j.. and Laura
p. Richardson. Holmesburg, Pa;
Caroline swedlige, 2322 N. Paiethorp st.
Guslielmo Ricel. Wayne. Pa, and Fiore Bian-
Herbert Norris, 2345 Ingersoll ST., and Mary
John e. Keghtiy. 1851 Westmoreland st.. and
john % J. Glynn lisa s. 2ist st., and Marsarc.
Feeley. 2l2O oakford ST.
William w, Anncar 1902 Locust ST. and
Louisa Rippman, sill Holly ST.
Robert Wagner. Jr'' o226S 26S cornw9ll st., and
FrIedricis Peulsen ,2s55 Almond St. and Eta
Paulsen, 2s55 Almond St.
Florence s. SG SsascR o 4oi WHOM st. ST.
John r. SST @ Aysns Ws SPa FsSseea PSs
Csriess, 3lll Higbee st.
Philip segal, SIS. Reed St. and Rosa BoOkIar.
P5s9aais esacellierl, ,tS 4Se " wayns ave, and
5Ii Bridget Ryan. Ei0tl \ I.sF I'm St Ave. anu
Ffsnss Es i5i Zee FeGSs EoGSst s: st. and
Rutledge Miller, Magnolia, n, j., and Cora
l.. Hutton 3b0S BrandyWino st.
Harry Mctiee. 1885 Lombard st., and Fannie
Mickey, 1907 Naudain st.
James G. MoBTearty, 1i9 8. 6Oth st., and
Mary z. McCrossin 20ia 8. Alden 81.
Howard Schod, i01l Glenwood ave, and Eva
paya Hqsrt a asn~RGa jF sS cayura st. and
Mary G. Monaghan, 1922 Drummer st.
Rachel McGowan. 519 N. Marshall ST.
Frank j.. Bcoles, 1T2s Reed ST. and Katherine
wiiilam n" o. chaimers. lime 22ss 2 Il. nth st. and
Arizona Burrell, 1b2s Euclid ave.
Samuel Elliott. 404 Berka ST., and Caroline
+. Mckee, 2Ol1 Abigail st.
George r.. skllman. 3s03 Clifton ave., and
Sophia May Jory 1903 johnson ST.
William Lsntz. ll4 Earle ST., and Clementine
Holder, 1915 Winter IT.
Marwood i, Good, 63{2 Haverford ave. and
Isabella F OBrien, 62i4 Hsverford ave
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-11-23
CHILDREN'S CORNER


Out in the big back yard, where
~ an sorts of nice things happen
sometimes, line full of wet clothes
hung dismally down.
Isn't this the very hardest work
sou have to do all week." said a great
big sheet Il just simply hate wash
day ike thisl'
Hate itp exclaimed pillow case
nearby. 4 think rs worse than
thatl 1 can hardly wait till they give
ap trying to dry Us outdoors and
tske is IN BY the warm FIRE"
But do you think they ever willl"
asked the table cloth IN a discouraged
voice
Indeed. they willr declared the
liz sheet stouily. They'll have 10
i they want me TO get dry, for I've
firmly made up my mind that III
never dry any other way
Aau, an this time the little napkins
and haHdkerchiefs and towels listened
carefully 70 al that was being said.
hat spoke no word themselves. But
HnalIy the biggest handkerchief
iHoa9hk he might as we'll be real
ats aid speak what be was think
|HR shout.
ealhcfed sii ais damp courage
iaIu nna e5fner Of himself and said,
e6Fe ne, Mr. Sheet but don't you
M that # Fou would tFy 70 blow
ned little as ! do you might md
Ie1 d get dryf
h4Ks lhat7 What's tbatg re-
|.z4.s7s q. Hiy sheet rfozzIr And the
sfchieI politely repeated
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-11-23
CONSPIRACY HlNTED At IN
SEASHoRE ROAD CONTEST
Charles D. white Opposes sOutheriy
Routes for Boulevard.

Routes for Boulevard.
ATLANTIC CITY. N j., Nov. e.
Charles d. white. one or the owners Of
the Marlborough -Blenheim, by limiting AZ
conspiracy. today added fresh confusien
and additional bitterness to the eontro-
versy betweeni'hotel men and merchants
over rival routes for the proposed Abb
secon-Atlantic City automobile speed
way,
In an open letter refutlng statements
TO the effect that he favors the southerlS
route for the new boulevard, parallelins
the tracks OF the Pennsylvania Railroad
and entering the city at Venice Park,
Mr.. White declares n this is the only
route to which the County Board OF
Freeholders will agree. the speedway
should not be built.
After pointlnR to the activity of the
Venice Park real estate promoters ana
mainland politicians In behalf of the lower
route as significant the hotel man says
in his letter:
"Personalty 1 believe the south route
to be a link In the proposed philadelphia
to-Atlantic City trolley scheme, which
they desire built at the countys OK
pense."
other hotel men asserted today there
will be violent opposition to any attempt
TO grant franchise for the proposed
cross-state trolley on any part OF the
Philadelphla-Atlantic city automobile
road. .,.,,.
Former Senator Edward A. Wilson,
leader of the forces seeking the southerIy
road for the meadow boulevard was
anEered by Mr. whites conspiracy hint'
He will issue a statement.
Zachary T. Baldwin, city member oil
the commission appointed by Judge
shinn 10 select a route FOR the new boule-
ward shortening the Philadelphia automo-
bile route by three miles, favors the
upper route, which will cost at least
100000 other members of the commits
sion want the southerly route because II
can be built for about half as much
money.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-11-23
LEHIGH'S FAMOUS CASE
Jury Acquits doctor" Accused of
Necromancy.


Necromancy.
ALLENTOWN. Pa, Nov. 23.-schuyllSill
County Ii not the only place in Pennsyl-
vania where witchcraft cases get into
court, for there was recently in the Le-
high courts a celebrated case. where the
defendant was acquitted. At the October
term Doctor" Dennis Rex, of Washing
ton township. who lives at the foot OF the
Blue Mountains in the extreme northern
end of the county, was tried for practice
ing necromancy, exorcisms and incanta-
tions. Half score of men and women
testified they had consulted doctor"
Rex, who had such an extensive prac-
tice that he had opened an office" in
Allentown. where he spent two days a
week. The District Attorney tried un-
availingly to bring out testimony reflect
ing on the morality OF Rex. Many men
and women testified they had called on
Rex only after doctoring for years with
regular physicians without relief, and he
had relieved them. is method they de-
crbed as the laying on of hands and the
muttering of meant Ions they could not
repeat. II came out that I'm the course Of
some years he had received as n.Ich as
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-11-23
MAY PROBE PRISONERS DEATH
Coroner Will Probably Investigate
Cause of Wilmington Mans
injury.

WILMINGTON, Del. Nov 23.-Coro-
ner Spring will probably be called upon
to investigate the death OF John Kav-
anaugh. 3S years old, sos Lombard
street. who died in the Delaware Hos
pital yesterday from concussion of the
brain. Kavanaugh was found by a po-
liceman, who supposed he was drunk
and sent him to the police station. After
he had remained unconscious for sew
eral hours 1t was decided to send him
to the Delaware Hospital
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-11-23

much more comfortable If you swing
around and get dry, then you can
blow about on the line and have a
lot Of fun"
No, Mr.. Sheet didn't like that ad-
vice a little bit You know yourself
that when you've made up your mind
to be thoroughly miserable it's an
awful nuisance to have somebody
come along and tell you TO be cheer
full You don't like It any better than
the sheet did, do you?
Il guess | know what / want to
do" he said rudely, "and il | want
to hang right here wet and damp till
/ make them take me in to the fire
III do It; so thereW
The pocket handkerchief didn't
quite know what to say 10 such an
answer, and before he had time TO
think up something a soft little voice
whispered in his ear, "Hush-hush,
wait, I'll fix the cross old fellow"
The pocket handkerchief ehuekled
TO himself and kept still, ready for
the fun. He knew It was Mrs. West
breeze talking, and knowing her. he
knew some fuH was coming
She spoke not a word but began
ot1Hth4 @Ac ple" dud plcW and
blew. The sheets and the pillow
cases and the tablecloths blew and
tossed tn they were as dry as a
bone.
Then she ehpekled TO herself: Il
guess I've dried those Old grouchss
into 4 better humor,a and off she
blew
And, indeed she had The clothes
sil felt So fresh and risky thar they
forgot % grumble any more
1e1ief4ea ~ Lesv Hooa
ll..nalL LlLL 1-l-a Laaran l.l.na-
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-11-23
CHURCH CELEBRATION ENDS
Old st. Georges Gave Week to 1s5th
Anniversary Exercises.

Old st. Georges Methodist Episcopal
Church ended yesterday its week OF
special services in celebration Of It's l25th
anniversary. A special offering was re-
ceiVed amounting to almost $780,
The Rev. DR.. Frank p. Parkln, district
superintendent, preached at the morning
service. and in the evening Bishop
Thomas II. Neely gave an historical SER
mon.
Old st. Georges on 4th street near
Vine, is said to be the oldest Methodist
church building in the world. Its pastor
is the Rev. Dr. ]. s. Hughes.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-11-23
RURAL CREDIT LEGISLATION
Changers and Others Will Urge Ac-
ton at Short Session of Congress.

WASHINGTON. Nov. 2S.-In the hope
of reaching some uniform plan for the
pressing of rural credit legislation at the
coming session of Congress. which gath
ers for the short session two weeks from
today, editors of farm papers. representa-
tives of Progressive State Oranges and
others who have sought to put the law
on the statute books began a three days
conference here today.
The attempt to enact the legislation at
the previous session failed largely be-
cause the House and Senate leaders and
supporters of the measures introduced
could not agree on compromise Sena-
tor Fletcher. of Florida, and Represen-
tative Bulkley. of Ohio. authors OF bills
awaiting action by Congress, led the de-
liberatIons.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-11-23

500 from one family but both husband
and wife said they thought he wac worth
Il.
The Jury was out all night and brought
IN q verdict OF ncquittal, taking the view
Of Attorney George Miller Burgess Of
Slatinston, who defended Rex and said
u he was liable 10 arrest and prosecution
50 was every Chriktian Science practl-
toner IN the land.
Judge Gromnn scoided tho jury for ac-
quitting Rex, denouncing him as a char
iatan who ought to be put out Of business
by being sent to Jail
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-11-23

that the recipe designed % hanle the work
Of the hex worked TO g charm" for
they ray Mfs zamovski. dumb from the
time she drank the hewitched whisky, rec
gained tho use Of her voice end rs now
obie to speak both German and Polish.
She having received additional gifts OF
language.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-11-23
EX-MAYoR DIED POOR
Fred A. Busse, of Chicago, Gave
Much to Charity.

CHICAGO. Nov. 23.--The late Fred A.
Busse, once Mayor. whose charities were
widespread and unostentatious, was be-
lieved TO have left a large estate. Rec
ords of the Probate Court. however, in
dicate that during the last few months
of his life he borrowed thousands of dol
lars from his friends, mostly politicians.
Claims against the estate, now on file,
aggregate approximately $4,000. II these
are paid In full Mrs. Josephine l.. Busse,
the widow, will be left practically penni-
less, 1t is said.
Although the inventory of the estate
was s53l.67O, investigation has disclosed
that large percentage Of his possessions
were valueless. 1t is likely some OF the
claims for money will be contested.