davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-05-27

NEW YORK, May M--PRfME MER-
Camille PAPER--3M0l per cent
STERLING EXCHANGE Steady;
slxty-day bills, N7b7b: for cables. N7SS5;
for demand. N763h
srLvER-Bar, 4okc; Mexican dollars,
BoNDs-oOvernment. heavy; railroad.
TINE LoANs-Easy: sixty days. 9s0
"a per cent ninety days. 2&d3 per cent;
nix months, 3k per cent
CALI. MONEY--Steady; highest 2h per
cent. lowest. IA per cent. ruling rate IL
per cent: last loan. per cent: closing
BID. IA per cent: offered at 2 Der cent
Closing quotations on bonds today were
ns fonoWn;
l. $ ~. =. req. q No. PAe ev, ss,....n
% coupon. ......... IN. Y. g. O. she..- 70
DO eoapsa ...,..... Iool.N. y state va. .ioss
a. q A.. reg..sl..,,les ~ ". ~ a. A.
Panama = coupon .ieoss No. Pacific e. 80. 81
sAm smsltafs es...loit do h ............. sSs.
AT.1T q. .4s.iSs go. s; 4 rsf, e.. 8
sBsi 9 Ohio d.. q DO coz Iks.....,,' iasV
Ches. a Ohio ths.. = READING Esn - as :
Z. b. q. ]. a.. RSNsg l. a 81 r. r q al
&C ASP q tifs. io0k ESQ Pac. ev Is 30
DO q, s;..;;;;:''isaA do re- ts..:....... ssk
o : a. r. r.. 20 e.. ss 50 20 h ss 's. s,S
.oes. Elsssris is...iSi sss e ra'..s So ss.
OF No. lat tka.... eeAu. s. Rubber e. . ios
..Iii, Cen, ref g., y y: 8. Steel bs,.., ioo,l
N = -. rel 49, yi4WAbaah Let q, iO0ii
Il y AM q. sthMes.. Union tiss.. eil
X g.. < 2 L; a. u west Eiss. cT. s.. icis.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-05-27

ms, ne =. Want ADS Arc Best BusIns..
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-05-27

Total + .ils. i0r ,Ss day, 10000 share. :
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-09-17
GASOLINE
CHEAT IN GOTHAM
Enormous Losses Caused by
Short Measures, Says
Inspector.

NEW YORK, Sept. 17.-warning
that many sellers of gasoline in this
city are giving short measure was is.
sued by the commissioner OF weights
and measures today to the drivers anu
owners Of automobiles. The commits.
sIoner said the sales stations for gas.
oline' had sprung up all aver the city
and that he had been receiving com.
plants from automobilists that some
Of these agencies were cheating the
public. In some cases, he said. the
shortage amounted TO two gallons in
a ten gallon purchase. The total loss
suffered by owners OF motor cars is
enormous. he said. He estimated that
5000 automobiles are in daily use In
this city and that they use $1,000 mil.
lion gallons of gasoline yearly.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-09-17
OFFICERS CHOSEN
BY JR MECHANICS

ELK1Ns. ". Va, Sept. 1T.-Morgan.
town was chosen as the e x meeting
place OF the West Virginia state coun.
Gil u. o! q. "A. NJ, and officers were
elected as follows:
State councillor, j. A. C. Bedford,
Parsons; state vice councillor, Or. H.
I. Tutwiler, Roderheld; secretary, r.
F. Lambert, Huntington; state treas
,rer, 2. g. Lutes; M%oundsville; state
chaplain, u. "a. Mcdowell. Rock Cave;
warden, G. h. Thomas, Martinsburg;
state conductor, Elmer Meadows,
Huntington; state inside sentinel, c.
\. King; Huntington; state outside
sentinel, w. R. Dickey, Guyandotte;
national representative, D. L. Irwin,
Milton.
Following the election OF officers,
the sixth annual session OF the state
council, Daughters OF America, closed.
The net gain In membership for the
year was 800. Officers chosen were:
State councillor. Mrs. Maggie Lowe,
Wheeling; associate state councillor,
Mrs. Jessie Toothman, West Hunting.
ton, vice councillor, Mrs. Ella Right.
mire, Parsons; associate vice coun.
ciIor, Mrs. Nuna Cyrus, West Hunting.
ton; conductor. Miss Edna Schatter.
Gornanfa; warden, Mrs. Anna VII.
liams, sBcet3annon; aside sentinel,
Mrs Martha Hatfield, Minerva: ma.
tional representatives, Mrs. Lizzie
Martin Martinsburg; Mrs. Lula Chap.
man, ACeredo; Mrs. Jennie Henry.
Martinsburg; Mrs. Mayme House.
Wheeling. The time Of the annual
meeting was changed to the first Wed.
resday in September.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-09-17

A -fltIlANHl4tt3 ltlIu tiNSS Slltal
10 the boat. But Digs threw his arm
around my neck and pulled me IN.
der the water.
Il broke loose and struggled to the
surface and again seized Digs by the
shirt. Again he threw his arm around
my neck and pulled me under the
water.
Il was almost strangIed and had
barely strength enough left TO keep
aaoat. | saw Digs for a moment
again and heard him give me cry for
help, but was too weak 10 reach him
again before he sank for the last
time. While | was struggling TO save
Digs ] shouted for help to men and
boys on the shore. but they did not
reach where we were in time to save
my companion. They pulled me into
a boat an dtook n to shore
Men and hoys on the shore who saw
Digs and Wadsworth struggling In
the water say they heard Wadsworth
shouting for help. but ut first thought
they were only 'fooling," for Diggs
had the reputation OF being a good
swimmer. When at last the men on
the shore realized that a tragedy was
being enacted before them and hur.
ried cut In a boat. 1t was too late 10
save Diggs. Wadsworth says he be-
liaves Digs was seized with cramps.
Wadsworth with his shirt torn as Il
result OF his struggle with the drown.
ing man, and with his clothing drip.
ping with water, climbed up the steep
bank when be was brought to the
shore and hurried TO the Baltimore
and Ohio railroad tower at Castor
Junction. where he told the operator
that Diggs had been drowned. Wads.
worth was too nervous to use the tele-
phone and the operator, at Wads-
wortf's request. telephoned to Sle Ma.
r!etta Hotel. where Digs father,
Joseph Digs, Jr., is employed ias a
barber. and told him Of the accident.
Mr.. Diggs went at once 10 the river al
Twelfth street and aided in the search
for the body OF his SON.
The search was conducted under the
direction OF Coroner Lloyd who ar.
rived within ten minutes after the &C.
,cident. Boats filled with men exper.
fenced on the local rivers dragged the
river during the afternoon with hooks
attached to long lines, seeking the
body. Coroner Lloyd stated shortly
after l o'clock. after questioning those
that had witnessed the accident that
mo inquest would be necessary.
Mr.. Diggs is survived by his parents,
Mr.. and Mrs. Joseph Digs and by a
sister. Mrs. James Bowden. a broth.
er died one year ago Of typhoid fever.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-09-17
LOCAL ELKS VI[L
CO CONVENTION
Fairmont Will Be Well Rep
resented at State Meet
ing.

Exalted ruler, Bert S. Leopold of
Fairrnont Lodge B. P. o. E. No. 2s4
will leave Sunday morning for Hunt.
ington, where he will attend the meet.
ing OF the state executive committee
preliminary to the convention OF the
West Virginia Lodge B. P. o. E. which
convenes IN that city on Tuesday.
Approximately Is members of the
local lodge will attend the sessions,
some leaving on Monday, others on
Tuesday Several OF the local dele.
Gates will go via M%oundsyille, while
others 90 to Parkersburg op Tuesday
morning where they will connect with
the Elksispecial train leaving the Ohio
river railroad station at Parkersburg
at 1.45.
The special train from Parkersburg
when II reaches Huntington is expect.
ed to have on board some 800 or 500
members OF the antlered held. The
train will carry FIVE passenger cars.
Bluefeld is making a hid for the
1916 convention OF the Elks.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-09-17
SCHEDULES OUT
FOR INSTITUTES
Dates,for District Institutes
for Teachers are An
nounced.

County Superintendent Homer C.
Toothman, with the assistance Of the
district superintendents, has worked
u the following schedule for the va.
rtous district pay institutes:
Paw Paw at Fairyiew September "a,
Fairmont at B~arrackville October s,
Grant, Union. Winfield at Fairmont
October 80. October 1915 Is the date
set for the Lincoln district fair. Both
Warrington and Paw Paw have these
fairs in the fall, but the dates have
not yet been announced.
The text book 10 be used this year
in the Teachers Reading Circles is
Belts and Halls Better Rural Schools,
published by Bobbs.Merrill Co, OF In.
GtanapolIs, Ind. The price In lots OF
ten is n dollar.
Superintendent Conley, of Lincoln:
Shurtletf. OF Paw Paw; Thomas, OF
Warrington, and Hupp, OF Fairmont,
are working on the programs for the
district institutes. The faculty OF the
Fairmont Normal School has offered
its services In the interest OF the ex.
tension work and many valuable ad.
dresses will be furnished by 1t.
The State Department OF Schools
has asked that these three things be
emphasized over the state for this
year: Better teaching. better physi.
cal conditions and the extension Of
the school. The institute held recent.
ly covered these points with the ad.
dresses OF Mrs. Lyon, Mr.. Warren and
DR.. a. C. Monahan. OF the U. S. Bureau
of Education OF Washington. D. C.
In Marion county the aim will he
this year 10 y all these points and
10 lower the ill!teracy average below
the average o held by the county OF
3.3 per cent between the ages of 10
and 20.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-09-17

Mrs. Emma Leeper of Boydston ST.,
is the guest Of her uncle Mr.. NJ. X.
Ogden of Wyatt.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-09-17
w, Va, Bar Assn Will
Meet in Clarksburg

TheEannual meeting of the wasl Viz.
ginia Bar Association will be held in
Glarksburg on December IS. 90 and 80.
A meeting OF the executive committee
was held this week in Clarksburg for
the purpose of arranging the program.
Judge TIP. Jacobs, OF New Martins.
vile. will be one OF the speakers and
will speak on the subject OF THE
Virginia Debt" Other speakers will
be John Palmer, OF Wheeling, and Ed.
ward Fitzpatrick, OF Huntington.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-09-17
Joseph Diggs

lcontInnea from pnge onc.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-09-17
Liner SAINT Anna
is Safe in Harbor

LONDON. Sept. 1.-THE Fabre line
steamer SAINT Anna has arrived at st.
Michaels. Azores, according to a dis.
patch to Lloyds. The fire in number
two hold had heen extinguished. The
SAINT Anna transferred COS passengers
to the Italian steamer Ancona, bound
for Naples.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-09-17
Bradshaw Meeting
With Insurance Men

John Bradshaw, local agent Of the
Mutual Life Insurance Company, is at
White Sulphur Springs, where he is
attending a meeting Of the West Vir-
ginia agents OF the company. The
agents Of the company are the guests
today, Saturday and Sunday, OF
George Baird, state general agent OF
the company. During the time mat.
tiers of interest to the company will
be discussed.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-09-17
INTENDS
TO RECALL DUMBA

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1.-THE Aus.
trian government intends TO recall
Ambassador Dumba for consultation,
according to intlmation given TO Am.
hassador Penfeld. when he delivered
the note from the United States ask
ing for the return of the Ambassador
TO Austria.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-09-17
Preacher May Head
Charleston Police

CHARLESTON. W. Va. Sept. H.
Rev, B. H. s%hadduck. pastor of the
Lawrence Methodist Episcopal Church
an dacting secretary of the Charleston
Antt-vice League, denied he had been
appointed chief of police by Mayor
George E. Breeze.
When officers Of the Anti.vice
League complained Of the alleged fall
ure Of the police department TO clean
up the city. II is said Mayor Breeze
offered 10 urn Ger the police depart
ment TO DIR. Shadduck.
The tender was accepted several
days ago. btu no appointment has
been made.
Mayor Breeze is now on a trade
trip of the chamber of commerce
through counties Of the state.
--o-
Mrs. Emma Leeper of Boydston ST.,
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-09-17
Jews to Observe
Atonement Day

yom kippur, the day of Atonement,
will be Observed beginning this even.
ing at sun down by the Jewish congre.
CATION Of the community. The holi.
day will last until tomorrow evening
at the same hour. Many OF the stores
viii be closed, tomorrow for the event.
but viii reopen for business tomorrow
evening.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1915-10-25
MURDER TRIALS IN
MILTON ON NOV. 8
JIM BARBAREE AND ELDER
MITCHELL YOUNG WHITE
MEN TO BE PLACED ON HEAR
ING FOR THEIR LIVES.

For the purpose of conducting the
trials of Jim Barbaree and Elder
Mitchell, both white men, who have
been implicated in, and indicted for,
the murder of the aged couple near
Harris, Fla, some months ago, a spe-
cial term of the circuit court has
been ordered convened in Milton on
Monday, November 8.
Trials of the two men named will
be the only matter up for considera-
ton of this special term, and it is not
believed it will go over three to four
days.
Hon. John P. Stokes will of course
ably represent the states interests
in this special term, at which Judge
Campbell will preside. The defend
ants have engaged counsel, it is said,
although the one in the Escambia
county Jail seems to have no serious
opinions as to the outcome of the case,
believing that he will not be convicted
of first degree murder, thus placing
his life in jeopardy. The other de-
PENDANT is in jail at Milton, awaiting
the outcome of the charges which are
against him. Barbaree, outside of the
indictment and his arrest, has not yet
figured in the cases, but Mitchell, the
other defendant, was one of the
strongest witness for the state when
the three Roberts boys, who were tried
and convicted in July, were central
| figures in the most sensational pro-
ceedings.
Three Roberts brothers, now under
sentence of death in the county Jail
at Milton, in Santa Rosa county;
Elder Mitchell and Jim Barbaree, all
white men, and all youths, were in
dicted for the murder, at their quiet
home near Harris some months ago,
of Peter Wyman and his aged wife,
whose lifeless bodies were discovered
after they had been shot to death
from two to three days. The broth
ers were tried jointly for the murder
of Mrs. Wyman, and are also under
indictment for the murder of Peter
| Wyman, so that, if by any reason they
are successful in getting reversal of
the verdict returned against them,
they may go on trial for the murder
of the aged man. Mitchell and Bar
baree will probably be arraigned on
a like Indictment when the special
term convenes two weeks hence.
The Roberts boys have, through
their counsel, appealed their cases,
but the supreme court, so far as
known here, has never acted in any
manner upon said appeal. They are
trying for a new trial, and the rea-
son set up to sustain this motion
is. a very lengthy one.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1915-10-25
FIGHTING NEGRO IS
BEHIND THE BARS
BLACK MAN REPORTED TO
HAVE RAISED CAIN IN THE
CANToNNENT NEIGHBoRHOoD
BEFORE BEING TAKEN.

Charged with assault with intent
to murder, negro named Tom Motion
was locked up in the county jail yes
terday and he will hardly not be al
lowed the privilege of any bail which
he might ask until it can be definitely
ascertained to just what extent
blows he is reputed to have inflicted
on colored woman near Cantonment
will reach to, for the female was last
night said to have been in an ex-
tremely serious condition.
Motion, alleged to have been drink
ing, was arrested by Deputy A. S
Stephens, and it was alleged that he
had attacked one negro man with q
knife, a negro woman with a club
and another negro man with stove
lid, injuring each of his victims, &C.
cording to information which has
reached the sheriff's Office.
Just what started the row, which
seemed to have been carried on fol
the most part by Motion himself, was
not learned by parties from the neigh
borhood yesterday, but all said thai
they felt much relieved when the war
ring negro was placed under arrest
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1915-10-25
Paris Police to
Clear Up Mystery
of Girls Murder
BY ASSOCIATED PRESS.

Paris, Oct. 24.-As a result of po-
lice investigations into the mysteri-
Gus death last August of Marie
Christophle, young girl belonging
to one of the wealthiest families of
Clermont- Ferrand, Jean Christophle,
her brother, and Madame Marguerite
Christophle, the mother, were arrest
ed last night. Because of the fam
ily's prominence, the latest develop
ment in the case has caused a SEN
sation and the newspapers for the
first time since the war began are de-
voting columns to story of this
kiEd.
During the night on which Marie
Chrislcphle met her death, fire oc-
Cured in her home. Neighbors rushed
in and found the girl dead with
wounds on her head. These injuries,
it was explained at the Christophle
horGe were caused by the girl being
struck by a part of ceiling brought
down by the fire. Sinister rumors,
however, soon were current, and a
postmortem examination revealed
that the wounds were caused by a
sharp instrument. The theory that
burglars committed the deed was then
put forward. The Christophle fam
| lily offered large reward for the
capture of the guilty persons and
engaged a famous private detective
of Paris-all without result.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1915-10-25
TOBACCO AND GUM
VERY ATTRACT TIVE
WERE ALLEGED TO HAVE BEEN
DISPLAYED TOO TEMPTINGLY
FOR COUPLE OF SOLDIERS,
NOW UNDER ARREST.

Tobacco and gum, attractively dis
played by a fruit stand on Palafox
street, were alleged to have been too
temptingly displayed for two soldiers,
who gave their names as Cotton and
Dewitt when a charge of being dan
gerous and suspicious character was
docketed against each of them after
they had been arrested on such a
charge by Officer Pericles.
The temptingly-displayed cigars
and gum were said to have been car
ried by the pair of artillerymen when
arrested, and these articles are on
the sergeant's desk and in his Gus
tody at the police station, to be used
as evidence against the soldiers.
The box of cigars was about half
filled, while the jar of gum, which
was also taken from them after be-
ing arrested, is about three-fourths
full. They were alleged to have
taken possession of the articles spe-
officially named while the same was
displayed for the trade by fruit
stand proprietor on Palafox street.
Their cases will be called up in the
city court this morning.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1915-10-25
REVIVAL IN
SHIP BUILDING
BALTIMORE DRY DOCK co. TO
PUT ON BIG ADDITIONAL
FORCE OF wORKERS-YARDS
TANNED WITH VESSELS FOR
REPAIRS.

Like giant Rip Van Wrinkle ship
building in Baltimore has awakened
and the city now bids fair to once
more resume its ancient honor of be-
ing real factor in that line of in
dustriaism, says the Baltimore Star.
The Baltimore Dry Docks and Ship
Building Company, after various ex-
periences, has arisen from the ashes
Of several unsuccessful administra-
tons and now under the hustling
management of Holden A. Evans, the
vice-president and general manager,
is beehive of industry. It's Locust
Point and Cross street yards are
filled to capacity and work is being
rushed on repair work on a slip that
had been allowed to fall into decay.
Four hundred and seventy men are
now at work, and in 90 days time
this number will be increased to be-
tween 1000 and 1900. This increase
is necessary for the reason that con-
tracts have been signed by the COM
pany for new work for $1,O00,0OO
which means activity for a year and
a half.
In the past IA months, or since the
advent of General Manager Evans,
the work has piled up until no more
can be taken for nearly two years.
Day after day orders are turned down,
Only yesterday repair work con-
tract on an oil tank steamer in the
Great Lakes, amounting to a large
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1915-10-25
FAIR GROUNDS TOOK
BUSY APPEA RANCE
DURING LAST WEEK
MANAGER AND STAFF GO OUT
TO KUPFRIAN's PARK TODAY
AND ESTABLISH HEADQUART-
Frs ON SITE.

With the establishment of head
quarters of the general manager and
his staff on the fair grounds with
the opening up of business today, the
site takes on an appearance of much
activity. The fact that there had
been a week extension of entries for
exhibits was pleasing announce
ment to many yesterday, in city and
country, who had about given up the
idea of placing any exhibit in the
fair because of the lapse of the speci-
fed time for entry.
1t is altogether likely that the final
work for entering exhibits will be
brought to finish right up to the
last hour with a rush, and prepare
tions have been made to handle this
expected impetus on the part of pros
pective exhibitors easily and there
fore satisfactorily.
Builders have stationed themselves
on the grounds, and the announce
ment is authorized that anyone who
cares to do so, may today arrange foI
a booth for individuas use, and ma
terial may be had from the Aore
on the ground at little cost.
The list of attractions which are
to come to the fair are now being, OF
have just closed, a season at the Do
than, Ala, fair, and the patronage
of that show felt satisfied with every
attraction. These will come to Pen
sacola the latter part of the week
to be in readiness for the opening o.
the fair next Monday, one weel
hence.
A big day has been planned by tht
Woodmen of the World. At an en-
thusiastic meeting, which was helC
last Friday night, appropriations wer'
made for the proper conduct on tina
day of an entertainment in which
hundreds are expected to take part
"Big men" Of the order are expected
and these distinguished guests will b,
cared for from the time they reacl
the city until ready to leave, Will
especially attentive detail given t,
their pleasure on Fraternal Day, Wed
nesday. A parade will feature tn,
morning welcome, after which a.
many as possible will assemble il
the afternoon at the fair grounds t,
hear several expected addresses.
Mr.. Lillard expects, and has so ex
pressed his opinion to that effect. tina
the live stock show would exceed any
thing Of the nature ever witnessed a
like fairs. Mr.. Witch is Statistic,
that the poultry exhibit will be up t,
the usual standard, while the commit
tee on races announced to the genera
manager that everything was work
ing nicely, and they would be able t
report finally their program within
the next few days. Miss Caldwell
having charge of the woman's depart
ment, announces the usual interest i
many things which interest the fe
male contingent, while Mr.. Crazy, a
Bluff Springs, has already let it b
known that the Farmers Day enter
tainments are prepared, and all wi
go off smoothly.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1915-10-25

sum, was offered, and the manage
ment of the company fears that moth
ing can be done with it because of
the work already contracted for.
The work is not confined to this
country; in fact, most of it is from
abroad. Repairs must be had quickly
for the foreign ships because of the
war, and the fact that the Baltimore
company is doing it, and, according
to the vessel owners, doing it well,
means that the work will continue to
come to Baltimore, and that this is
not merely flash in the pan.
Many letters are in hand showing
that the Baltimore brand of work is
highly regarded and it is certain that
much work that formerly went to
Newport News and Philadelphia will
find its way here and stay here.
"It was a big proposition when
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1915-10-25
BUT SINGLE DRUNK
ON POLICE DOCKET
SUNDAYS ARRESTS WERE NO
TCEABLE FREE FROM DE-
PENDANTS CHARGED WITH
BEING INTOXICATED.

Had It not have been for the police
flushing" coterie Of young negroes
who were said to have been gambling,
there would have been a court carry
ing the palm for its size this morning
In the city tribunal, for but a single
man was arrested yesterday for be-
ing drunk when it was nothing unus-
aul to fill up the cells almost from the
hour Of 10 o'clock Saturday night
throughout Sundays.
A game IN which seven negroes now
under arrest were said to have been
engaged in was flushed, couple of
officers taking leading parts in the
events Immediately following the dis
coyery Of the presence Of the blue
coats. Seven were arrested and
charged with engaging in the game,
while another negro was charged with
being the proprietor and operator of
the game. Another was charged with
opposing an officer, by refusing to
give information wsaich 1t was known
he possessed. He maintained an abb
solute ignorance on the matters
about which he was questioned at
length by the police.