davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-12-11
MUSLAOIN WAITED IUO LONG.
CHARLESTON COMMITTEE AN.
SWERS GRACE COMMITTEE.
Return Asserts Recount Could Not
Now be Had, Ballots Having Been
Destroyed.

Columbia, Dec. 7.-Attorneys rep
resenting the Charleston city Demo-
cratic executive committee appeared
before the supreme court yesterday
to show cause why a writ should not
be issued requiring the production Of
all papers and evidence on which
the committee acted in throwing out
the ballot box of Club 2, Ward 10, in
the municipal primary of October 12.
The petition was filed several days
ago by George f. Musladin, who was
a Grace candidate for alderman at
large from Ward 4.
The executive committee was repre-
sented at the hearing by NJ. Rutledge
Rivers, with whom were associated
Nath. b. Rarnwell, and William Henry
Parker; w. Turner Logan and ]. X.
Pattai represented the petitioner.
The supreme court after hearing
arguments, took the matter under ad-
visement and will later issue an order
relative to reviewing the matter.
In the return of the committee it
is claimed that w. w. Clement re-
ceived 2,9S9 votes and George F. Mus
ladin 1887. 1t is alleged that Mus
ladin was guilty of neglect" in not
bringing the case to the attention of
l n OF ,.l; lot
These respondents are informed
and believe" says the petition, that
the ballots cast in said primary cleo
tion have been removed from the bal
lot boxes and thrown away or destroy
ed and the ballot boxes returned to
the county supervisor from whom
they We're borrowed for the purpose
of the election and If this honorable
court should order a recount, the said
order could not possibly be carried
out" 1t is claimed that other rec
ords have been filed with the Char
lesion county clerk of court as re-
quired by law and passed out of the
hands and possession Of respondents
and therefore they could not certify
to your honorable court completed
record upon which their action wat
founded or based in the premises"
1t is further stated that Mr.. Clcn,
ent would have had a majority OF
the votes cast if the box in question
had been counted.
THE box was really thrown out or
the protest of Hyde, as aforesaid, by
vote of 13 to TO-" says the answer
| The return of the committee was
accompanied by affidavits.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-12-11
Basketball Season to Open.

Sumter's contingent of boosters
for basket ball. that king Of winter
sport. will give the welcome "All
Aboard" on Friday night December
18th, when the fast Columbia Mill
team will try for honors with our To-
cal five on the Y. M. c. A. floor.
AS sport. fast, exciting. every
second a thrill in itself, basket ball
has been claiming the attention of
the country's sport fans" for many
years. The game is comparatively
new to Sumters fans" but we have
had some fine exhibitions here for the
last two years and those who have
seen the games here have become real
supporters of the game.
The line up of our local squad is
entirely home talent and our young
men have trained to the crack of the
pistol for the sound Of the Referees
whistle to allow them to go at their
opponents and it is a perfectly cock
sura' bet that any team that ties with
them this winter will have to do some
fast and clever work to get the big
end of the score. You will see the
last years line up in this years game
FOR the locals. The Columbia Mill
team is worthy opponent as shown
by last years score, which resulted In
80 to 20 in favor OF Sumter.
The seating capacity Of the local
Gym floor is somewhat limited and
the expense Of the visiting team i,
such that the Manager Announces
that the price of admission will ba
-oc TO all. Give the locals a hearty
send OF for the season by crowdine
the house for the first game.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-12-11
W|LSON.AND TAFT COOPERATE
SIT ON SAME PLATFORM IN BE.
HALF OF RED CROSS WORK.
Cause of Humanity Draws Political
Opponents Together for Time
President Wilson Praises Work or
Society Which Has to Be Reor-
ganizcd to Meet Changed Conditions

Washington, Dec. S.-President
Wilson and Former President Taft
sat on the platform together here to-
day at the annual meeting of the
American Red Cross. The president
and former president greeted each
other warmly.
In a brief address President Will
son praised the humanitarian work
being done by the American Red
Cross in the European war, saying
it was the greatest agency the United
States had for good.
President Wilson presided at the
afternoon session of the Red Cross
and introduced DIR. Richard Strong,
who recently returned from Servia
where he had charge of the typhus
fight.
Reorganization of the society to
meet the need of separate divisions
in charge of military and civilian
relief work was the chief business
| Va liic IlCSllsS. ne OIItCo OF
national director was abolished and
in it's place two offices were created
I-director general of military relief
and director general of civilian re-
lief. Ernest P. Bicknell, formerly
national director, was placed at the
head of the civilian department and
Maj. Gen. Arthur Murray, retired.
elected vice chairman of the central
committee, was made director gen.
eral pro tenn Of military relief All
other officers were reelected. .~t
A resolution was adopted thank
ing the Rockefeller foundation for
its cooperation with the Fed Cross
in relief work in Servia.
President Wilson occupied the
chair while DR.. Strong told Of the
American Red Cross sanitary work
in stamping out typhus in Servia and
lduring the address Of Charles J..
lO'Conor. special representative Of the
Red Cross, who brought word .pf the
famine and misery as he saw them
two months ago in Mexico City.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-12-11
Real Estate Transfers.

J. l.. Kirby to Dainy d. Kirby, q
acres on Raccoon public road, $4,000
Dainy d. Kirby to j. L. Kirby. 81
acres in county, $500.
Mrs. Adele Moses to w. F. Flake
lot on Dingle street, $3.50.
Master to j. L. Kirby, 1875 acres in
county, 5000.
w. ID. Carson to Kezia J. Carson
10 acres Of estate of J. NJ. Carson
and his interest in 200 acres, $40 and
other considerations.
w. B. Burns to l.. II. jennings
Al l-2 acres in county, $3.50 and
deed to 24.S acres OF land
l.. ID. Jennings to w. B. Burns,
24.S acres in county, $40 and other
cOnsiderati tions.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-12-11
Presents WAREHOUSE BILL.
LEVER AGAIN INTRODUCES
MEASURE FOR NEW
SYSTEM.
South Carolina Congressman Looks
For Success. Nearly Secured at Last
Session.

Washington, Dec. Ga large num-
Der OF bills were introduced i'm the
house at today's session, among them
being one by Representative Lever,
who reintroduced his federal ware
house bill providing for a permissive
system OF licensed warehouses operat-
ing under federal law
The purpose of this bill is to pro-
vide uniform warehouse receipt for
cotton, grain and other staple and
non-perishable agricultural products,
with view of making TIE product of
the fern of such n liquid character as
70 render it easily negotiable and
therefore good collateral for borrows
ing upon.
This bill passed both houses last
year, but on account of the flibuster
on the ship subsidy bill in the senate
failed of final agreement between the
two houses
IL hope" Mr.. Lever said, ITO be
able TO report this bill from the COM
mittee on agriculture before the ad-
journment for the holidays, and thus
give it an advantageous place on the
calendar 1t is my intention to pres.
hard for its passage. because 1 look
upon il as being of extreme import
Gnce in the general plan of working
out a better distribution of farm
products"
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-12-11

Springfield. T.. II. Hutson; st. George
w. T.. Virgins; editor Southern Chris
tian Advocate. W. G. Kirkland. Olar.
quarterly conference.
Sumter District-II w. Paws. nro
siding elder; Pethunc circuit, A. NJ.
Gardner; Bishopville, G.. p. Watson.
Camden, j. II. Graves; Camden cir
cuit' "A. {. Corbett. supply; College
rlace station. Jno. Paul Patton; Ell
lorec, ). w. Danncr; Fort Motto. O..
y. ROuntrec; Heath Springs. J T.
weldon; korShaw, Il. NJ. DuBosc: !:
Lynchburg. + IL. GIennan; Manning
w. t.. duncan; Oswcgo, J. u. Inabinet.
'lneWood. S. ID. Bailey; Providence,
Theodore f.. Derrick; Richland, w. s
Myers; 81. Johns and Remberts. ]
+. Attaway; st. Matthews station G.
r. Kirby; Sumter, Trinity, Il. S. Trues-
Gale, and Broad Street, J. NJ Rogers.
sumter circuit, w. G.. Elwen; Wateree
w. u. Parncs. supply; president Co.
'umnia college. w. w. Daniel. College
race station, quarterly conference.
transferred: 20 the Western North
aroma conference. Marvin Aud: to
mo upper South Carolina conference
j. IS kilgorc. Ilamln Etheredgc.
John w. Bailey, t. s. Jones' n. A
Shealy, Il. G. Roulwarc, n. r. Turnin-
seed.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-12-11

Senator Clarke was elected and the
senate recessed
The cloture fight. as a result OF its
failure in the Democratic caucus. did
not come up. When the old rules
were readopted. however. Senator
Walsh Of Montana announced that he
reserved the right TO submit rule re-
visions at a later time.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-12-11
NICHOLS TAKES SEAT.
sworn i'm as Newest South Carolina
Member

Washington, Dec. 6.-Congressmnn
sam j. Nichols of the Fourth South
Carolina district was sworn in as tn
falmetto States newest member to-
day.
Mr.. Nichols begins his con.
Sresslohal duties with important work
on the military affairs committee.
which for some time will be in the
public eye.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-12-11

Douglas, Dec. S.-A battle between
villa forces under Gen. Rodriguez and
Gen. Obregon's army is in prosres.
near Esquida.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-12-11
INTEREST IN SUMTER SCHOOLS
ARTICLE BY LEON M. GREEN At
TRACTS WIDESPREAD AT.
TENTION.
Published i'm Review of Reviews Mag
azine for NOvember-IIigh School
of Commerce Magazine, Commerce
Caravcl,' Wants to Publish Cuts in
Connection With Special F"ticle by
Supt. Edmunds.

Mr.. Leon M. Green of this city who
is now engaged in free lance newspa-
per work and journalism in New
York city in letter home incloses a
letter he has received from the Re-
view of Reviews editor in connection
with his article on the Military Train
ing in the Sumter Schools, which was
published in that magazine for No
vember. The letter is as follows:
Dear Mr.. Green: Your article on
Military Training in, the Sumter
Schools which we published in the Re-
view seems to have attracted a very
wide attention, as we expected il
would.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-12-11
Very truly yours,
"Wm. Menkel."

''P. S. We today received a request
from the Commerce Caravel, the off,
cial organ of the High School of Com
merce, 1856 West 65th Street, New
York City, for the use of our Sumter
school pictures. Their letter states
that the article so impressed the SUBJ
scribers of that paper that they de-
cided to create a special department
for opinions on the subject, and that
for the January issue Prof. Edmunds
has consented to write a special ar
ticle; hence the request for the pic
lures. We shall loan them the cuts.
NJ"
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-12-11


electing Senator Gallinger their floor
leader and chairman Of their confer
ence. Although some of the principal
bills upon which administration ef-
forts will be concentrated will be in
troduced soon none OF them can be
taken up until the committee organi-
cations are complete.
The first roll call in the house to-
day showed APT members present and
eight absentees-one Of them ac-
counted for by death. The Demo-
cratic majority. although reducsd.
put Speaker Clark back in the chair.
22l to 1874. and when the brush came
on readopting the rules Of the Ia st
house the Democratic leaders showed
they still had the majority in hand
beating Republican Leader Monn,s
proposal for a revision, 2O9 to 1872.
In the senate the newly elected and
reelected members took the oath
The hody was leaderless when Secro-
tary Baker raped for order at noon
ana senator Martin OF Virginia was
chosen to preside. Thirty senators
were sworn In, Senators Brady of
Idaho and Smith Of South Carolina
being absent. After this ceremony
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1915-03-12


SON." had arrived at the little tumble.
down station and lad taken the only
vehicle in sight, a very ancient car
riage.
1t ambled along until, at last, II
pulled up before the vestry room door
of the church, just as the bogus min
lister was finishing his transformation
from frank crook. Clutching Hand
was giving him his final instructions
Elaine and the others alighted and
approached the church, while the an
cient vehicle ratified away. :
They're coming!" whispered the
crook, peering cautiously out of the
window
Clutching Hand moved silently and
snakelike into the closet and shut the
door.
How do you do, Doctor Carton?'
greeted "Weepy Mary" guess you
don't remember me-"
The clerical gentleman looked al
her fixedly a moment.
Remember your" he repeated "oi
course, my dear. l remember every.
one / marry"
And you remember to whom you
married me?"
Perfectly. To an older mana Tay.
lor Dodge"
Elaine was overcome.
Wont you step IMP" he said
suavely. "Your friend here doesn't
seem we'll"
They all entered.
"And you-you say--you married
this-this woman to Taylor Dodge?'
queried Elaine, tensely,
The bogus minister seemed to be
very fatherly. YES" he asserted, q
certainly did So"
Have you the record?" asked
Elaine, fighting to the last.
why, yes. l can show you the
record"
He moved over to the closet Come
over here" he asked
He opened the door. Elaine screamed
and drew back. There stood her arch
enemy, the Clutchins Hand himself.
AS he stepped for h, she turned wild
ly, to run--anyw iere. But strong
arms seized her and forced her into
a chair
She looked at the woman and the
minister. 1t was plot!
"a moment Clutching Hand looked
Elaine over. Put the others out" he
ordered the other crook.
Nov, my pretty dear began the
Clutching Hand as the lock turned in
the vestry door, I'VE shall be Joined
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1915-03-12


''Who is that woman?" she asked,
still wondering about the identity OF
the niobe outside.
At first he said nothing. But finally
seeing that she had noticed it, he
handed Elaine the card, reluctantly,
Elaine read it with gasp. The look
of surprise that crossed her face was
terrible.
Before she could say anything, how
ever, Milton had returned with the
sheet of paper on which "Weepy
Mary" had written and handed 1t to
Bennett.
Bennett read 1t with uncontrolled
establishment.
what is IT." demanded Elaine.
He handed 1t to her, and she read:
As the lawful wife and widow
of Taylor Dodge demand my
sons rights and my own.
MRS. TAYLOR DODGE.
Elaine gasped at 1t.
"She-my fathers wifel" she ex
claimed. What effrontery! What
does she mean?"
Bennett hesitated.
'Tell me-" Elaine cried. rs there
can there be anything in it? Mono
there isn't"
Bennett spoke in a low tone. y
have heard whisper Of some scan
dial or other connected with your faith
er--but--" He paused.
Elaine was first shocked, then indig'
nant.
"Why-such thing is absurd. Show
the woman I'M"
"No-please-Miss Dodge. Let me
deal with her"
By this time Elaine was furious.
"Yes-I will see her."
! She pressed the button on Benefits
desk, and Milton responded.
Milton, show the-the woman in,
she ordered, "and that boy, too"
AS Milton turned to crook his finger
at "Weepy Mary" she nodded surrep
titiously and dug her fingers sharply
into sons" ribs.
"Yell-you little fool-yell," she
whispered.
Obedient to his mothers" com
mands, and much to Millions disgust
the boy started to cry in close imita
tion of his elder.
Elaine was still holding the paper ir
her hands when they entered.
what does all this mean?" she de
manded.
''Weepy Mary" between sobs, man
aged to blurt out, you are Miss
Elaine Dodge, aren't you? Well, i
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1915-03-12

shortly by your friend, Craig Kennedy,
and" he added with leer, 81 think
your rather insistent search for a
certain person will cease"
Elaine drew back in the chair, horri-
fed at the implied threat.
Clutching Hand laughed diabolically.
While these astounding events were
transporting in the little church, Ken
nedy and had been tearing across
the country in his big car, following
the directions of our fair friend.
We stopped at last before a pros
porous, notwithstanding house and
entered very prettily furnished, but
small parlor, Heavy portieres hung
over the doorway into the hall, over
another into back room and over
the bay windows.
wont you sit down moment?"
coaxed Gertie. I'm quite blown to
pieces after that ride. My, how you
drive!"
AS she pulled aside the hall por-
there's. three men with guns thrust
their hands out. l turned, Two 9TH
ers had stepped from the back room
and two more from the bay window.
We were surrounded. Seven guns
were aimed as us with deadly preci-
sion.
Gentlemen" he said quietly. q
suspected some such thing. 81 have
here small box of illuminate OF mer.
curry. II l drop it, this building and
the entire vicinity will be blown tc
atoms. Go ahead-shootl" he added
nonchalantly.
The seven of them drew back rath
er hurriedly.
Kennedy was a dangerous prisoner
He calmly sat down in an arm
chair, leaning back as he carefully
balanced the deadly little box of full
inmate of mercury on his knee.
Gertie ran from the room
For moment they looked at each
other, undecided. Then, one by one
they stepped away from Kennedy to
ward the door,
The leader was the last to go, Ht
had scarcely taken step.
Stop" ordered Kennedy.
The crook did So AS Craig moved
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1915-03-12

for the ladder leading farther up into,
the steepie
Kennedy followed.
Elaine had recovered consciousness
almost Immediately, and. hearing the
commotion, stirred and started TO rise
and look about.
From the church she could hear
sounds Of the struggle. She paused
just long enough to seize the crooks
revolver lying on the floor.
She hurried into the church and up
into the belfry, thence up the ladder.
whence the sounds came.
The crook by this time had gained
the outside of the steeple through an
opening. Kennedy was in close pur-
suit.
On the top Of the steeple was q
great gilded cross, considerably larger.
than a man. As the crook clambered
outside, he scaled the steeple, using
lightning rod and some projecting
points to pull himself up, desperately.
Kennedy followed unhesitatingly.
There they were, struggling in dead
ly combat, clinging to the gilded cross.
The first knew of 1t was mortified
gasp from my own crook. | locked up
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1915-03-12

means that your father married me
when l was only seventeen and this
boy is our son-your half-brother."
"No--never," cried Elaine vehem
emily, unable to restrain her disgust
"Weepy Mary" smiled cynically
Come with me and l will show you
the church records and the minister
who married u.s."
"You will?' repeated Elaine defiant
ly, well, I'll just do as you ask. Mr.
Bennett shall go with me-"
"No, no, Miss Dodge-don't go
Leave the matter to me-" urged Ben
nett. II will take care of her Be
sides, / must be in court in twenty
minutes"
Elaine paused, but she was thor
oughly aroused.
Then l will go with her myself,
she cried defiantly.
In spite of every objection that Ben
nett made, "Weepy Mary" her sor
and Elaine went out to call taxicat
to take them to the railroad station
where they could catch train to the
little town where the woman asserted
she had been married.
Meanwhile, before little country
church In the town, closed automo
bile had drawn up.
AS the door opened figure, bumped
up and masked, alighted.
It was the Clutching Hand.
The car had scarcely pulled ava!
when he gave long rap, followed b!
two short taps, at the door of thu
vestry, a secret code, evidently.
Inside the vestry room a man wei
dressed, but with very sinister face
heard the knock and second late
opened the door.
"What-not ready YETI" growled tn,
Clutching Hand. "Quick-now-ge OIL
those clothes. l heard the train whis
tie as l came in the car. In whicl
closet does the minister keep them?
The crook. without word, went t
a closet and took out suit Of clothe
of ministerial cut. Then he hastil,
put them on, adding some side-whisk
ers, which he had brought with him.
At about the same time Elaine, &C
J companied by "Weepy Mary" and he
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1915-03-12
SYNOPSIS.

The New York police are mystifed by
a series of murders and other crimes The
principal clue TO the criminal is the warn
ing letter which Is sent the victims,
signed with "clutching hand" The lat
est victim OF the mysterious assassin is
Taylor Dodge. the insurance president.
His daughter, Elaine, employs Craig
Kennedy the famous scientific detective,
10 try to unravel the mystery, What
Kennedy accomplishes is told by his
friend Jameson, a newspaper man. En-
ragged ut the determined effort which
Elaine and Craig Kennedy are making to
nut an end to his crimes, the Clutching
Hand, as this strange criminal is known.
resorts to all sorts of tn most dlabolical
Each chapter of thl sto, tells of a new
plot against their live. and Of the way
the great detective uses all his skill to
save this pretty girl and himself from
death
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1915-03-12

ense with Horrori X was Elaine.
carefully, fearing 1t was stall to get
me off my guard,
There were Kennedy and the other
crook, struggling, swaying back and
forth, between life and death
There was nothing | could do.
Kennedy was clinging to light
ming rod on the cross.
1t broke.
l gasped as Craig reeled back. But
he managed to catch hold of the rod
farther down and cling to it.
The crook began to exult diaboli-
cally. Holding with both hands to the
cross he let himself out to his full
length and stamped on Kennedy's fin
gers, trying every way to dislodge him.
1t was all Kennedy could do to keep
his hold
l cried out in agony at the sight, for
he had dislodged one of Craig's hands.
The other could not hold much longer.
He was about to fall.
Just then l saw face at the little
window opening out from the ladder
to the outside of the steeple--a wom-
ans face, tense with horror.
| 1t was Elaine!
Quickly a hand followed, and in it
was a revolver.
Just as the crook was about to dis
lodge Kennedy's other hand | saw a
flash and puff Of smoke, and a second
later heard q report-and another
and another.
| Horrors!
The crook who had taken refuge
seemed to stagger back, wildly, taking
couple of steps in the thin air.
Kennedy regained his hold.
With a sickening thud the body OF
the crook landed on the ground around
the corner of the church from me,
"Come-you!" I ground out, cover
ing my own crook with the pistol, and
if you attempt getaway I'll kill you,
tool"
He followed, trembling, unnerved.
We bent over the man. It seemed
that every bone in his body must be
broken. He groaned, and before
could even attempt anything for him.
was dead.
AS Kennedy let himself slowly and
painfully down the lightning rod.
Elaine seized him and, with all her
strength, pulled him through the win
dow.
He was quite weak now from loss OF
blood.
Are you-all right?" she gasped, as
they reached the foot of the ladder
in the belfry.
Craig looked down at his torn and
soiled clothes. Then, in spite of the
smarting pain of his wounds. he
smiled, "Yes--all right"
Thank Heaven!" she murmured fer
vently, trying to stanch the flow OF
blood.
This time-it was you--saved me!"'
he cried, Elaine!"
Involuntarily his arms sought hers
and he held her a moment, looking
deep into her wonderful eyes.
Then their faces came slowly to-
gether in their first kiss.
! RIO BE coNTINuEDA