davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-01-01
THE TROUBLESOME SPARROW
CAME HERE 90 YEARS Ago

be some time before 1t Is reOccupied.
English sparrows are good to eat,
and their use as food Is recommend
ed because of their nutritive value and
as means of reducing their number.
Sparrows feed in close focks, and
may be killed by charge Of shot from
small bore, IL, 16 or 20 gauge Parker
shotgun. Sparrows can be baited by
scattering grain about, shooting the
birds and then rebaiting the places.
The batting places should be far
enough apart so the birds at the sec
ond and third feeding places will not
be frightened by the discharge of the
gun at the first flock.
In many places traps must be en-
ployed where a gun cannot be used
or where 1t Is not desirable. Besides
being safe, properly designed traps
have other advantages. Native birds
caught in the traps can be liberated
unharmed and trapped sparrows can
be kept alive for food like poultry. In
Europe sparrows have been utilized
for food for centuries. In captivity the
birds must be kent clean, supplied
with fresh, clean water daily. A varie-
ty of food is required to keep them
in good condition.; bread, oats, wheat,
corn-meal mash, lettuce and cabbage
will be relished.
To mercifully kill trapped sparrow
place the thumb nail at the base OF
the skull and dislocate the neck by
hard and quick pressure. To dress
sparrows cut off the legs, the wings
at the outer point and the neck close
to the body; strip of the skin, begin
ming at the neck; make cut through
the body wall extending from the neck
along the backbone till the ribs are
severed. then around between the legs
to the tail. and remove the viscera.
Sparrows may be cooked by any OI
the methods employed for reedbirds ol
quail, and compare favorably with the
best kinds of small game.
We rarely appreciate game for the
food itself, but more often for the
name. Several years ago party o.
duck hunters arrived tired and hun
cry at a tavern near the shooting
grounds, and where they were to pu
up for the night. The host had tn,
reputation of setting splendid table
the food usually consisting of fish o
game.
A bird pie was served for Dime
. and all agreed that 1t was delicious
, the best quail pie they had ever tasted
I After the meal was finished some on
+ ventured to inquire what kind Of bird
= the pie contained, and all were amai
= ed when told they had totally d.
d voured three large blackbird pies. A
t another time mud hen pies were serve
l. and were fine, but no one knew wha
/ the pies were made of until the Dime
y had been voted a big success. So wit
s sparrows. They will be found bette
d eating than most people expect
8 In England sparrows are trappe
with sieve, one end held up by
l. short stake to which long string
y tied. The trap IL baited with brea
Q crumbs, oats or wheat The birds al
X permitted to eat the bait until nun
G. ber have gathered under the slew
q when the cord is pulled, removing tn
IS stake and allowing the trap to fall o
II ef the birds gathered under the siev
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-01-01
New York SUM

The English sparrow was intro
duced into America about so years ago
and is now distributed over nearly all
OF the United States and Southern
Canada. This rapid dissemination is
a result of the birds hardness, extra
ordinary fecundity, diversity of food,
aggressive disposition and almost COM
plete immunity from natural enemies.
Ned Dearborn, biologist of the De-
partment of Agriculture, Is severe on
the English sparrow. He says they
are cunning, destructive and filthy, al
though admitting that sparrows con.
sumo quantities of weed seed and in
summer numerous insects.
During an investigation of birds that
destroy alfalfa weevil in Northern
Utah English sparrows we're found to
be feeding their nestllngs largely on
weeyil larvae and cutworms, both very
injurious to alfalfa. Wherever this
bird proves useful 1t is entitled to pro-
lection and encouragement
Under normal conditions its choice
of insects may be unfavorable. Out of
522 English sparrow stomachs exam.
ined by the biological department Of
cultivated trees, sprouts and vines. In
the Agricultural Department AZ con-
tanned noxious insects, so held bene-
fetal insects and 81 contained insects
of practically no Importance. The
Agricultural Department does not say
! what was found to the credit or dis
credit of the other 394 specimens ex-
amined A report on only one quar-.
ter of the specimens examined can
hardly be considered satisfactory to
earnest people inquiring into this sub
ject.
The English sparrow Is condemned
for It's destruction of cherries, grapes
pears, peaches, buds and flowers ol
the garden, the scientists say. spar
rows eat seeds as they ripen, nip of
tender young vegetables. especially
peas and lettuce. as they appear above
ground We have never experienced
this trouble, although sparrows are
abundant about the garden. They are
nuisance with their muss, building
nests In troublesome places, In thu
cutters on the roof, causing the wate
to overflow and littering up the build
ing generally, but this Is the wors
charge we are able to bring agains
the English sparrow.
Mr.. Dearborn says the English span
row reduces the number OF some o
our most useful and attractive nativ
birds, such as bluebirds, house wrens
purple martins, tree swallows, clii
swallows and barn swallows, by des
troying their eggs and young by usurI
ing nesting places. 1t attacks the rol
In, wren, redeyed vireo. catbird an
: mocking bird, causing them to desel
: parks and shady streets of towns. Ur
like our native birds, whose place
usurps, 1t has no song. but is nois
and vituperative. 1t defiles building
and ornamental trees, shrubs an
vines with It's excrement and with II
bulky nests.
0 Nowhere il the English sparrow Il
: GUIDED among the birds protected b
! law. ant, as individuals and tiocks hay
an extremely narrow range. each foe
: occupying one locality to which its a
tivities are chiefly confined. they al
:. easily exterminated. When a place hi
. once beon cleared of sparrows 1t wi
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-01-01
SHIP PURCHASE
BILL IN SENATE
favOrably Reported By the Com
mittee on Commerce.
FLETCHER IN CHARGE or IT

Report Includes a Letter From Sec
retary Redfield, Who Advocates the
Speedy Enactment Of the Measure.
Americans Losing Hundreds OF Mil
lions Annually Under Present Con-
ditions-What Fletcher Says.
Washington, Dec. 31.--With state
Ment that the ship purchase bill, 1ath-
cred by the administration, would
be urged upon congress until passed,
Senator Fletcher reported the bill
from the senate committee on COM
merce The report was strong ap-
peal for the passage of the bill at this
session. Senator Fletcher claimed
the bill would enable the United
States to control it's commerce anu
thus free itself from foreign interest
and risk.
In the report was a letter from
Secretary Redfield Of the department
of commerce, stating the conditions
surrounding commerce Of the United
States and advocating the speedy en-
actment Of the bill. Secretary Red
field predicted that at the end OF De-
cember the balance of trade In favor
of the United States would have
reached 500, 100000.
eve have" said Secretary Red
field, put our money and our mer-
chandise at the risk Of European war
and quite outside Of our control while
under such risk. To illustrate: Amer
lean capital invested in ships under
European flags can be and have been
destroyed by the acts of hostile
cruisers. American goods transport
ed in vessels under foreign flags
v which were not owned by American
capital have been lost or injured
when SUCH vessels have been sunk OF
held up, and American goods are
lying idle in foreign harbors merely
because they are in ships under the
] Nag of a belligereut. Our merchan
disc being carried chiefly in English
ships or other belligerent nations II
today dependent for its security OF
the navies Of those powers whose
merchant vessels carry our goods;
humiliating and expensive situation
for Americans"
Mr.. Redfield referred to the reduc
ton Of the American debt abroad b.
American exports. He said the bal
ance of trade in favor Of the Unite'
States would reach $10O,000,O00 b.
the end of the month. The TRANSITION
from debtor to creditor nation mad
the present time very important
"But one thing more than all others,
said the secretary, (which hamper
this evolution now, is the absence G
ships in which to transport the good
we have to sell and which other
want to buy to the markets tha
eagerly wait for them"
The report OF Senator Fletche
said "The anual toll paid by tn
United States to vessels flying TO
eign flags Is variously stated at frol
5000 100000 to $3O0,000,000. TIL
, seriously affects adversely the ba
, ance Of International trade and b
itself is a matter calling for legisl
tion to work change. Not only
this 80, but recently there has bee
made clear to the country certai
facts which II is the purpose Of tn
legislation to alter"
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-01-01
Draws Life Term.

Akron, o., Dec. 3l.-Frank Monaco,
found guilty of second degree mur-
der for the killing of Jacob Arkoneilo
Aug. 16, was sentenced to life impris'
Onment.
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-01-01
American sluelackets Drown.

Washington. Dec. 21.--Two Ameri-
can blue3ackets were drowned near
Beyrut, Syria. when trying to swim
back to the ship after being absent
without leave, according to report
received at the navy department from
Captain Oman of the North Carolina
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-01-01

Mrs. Frank Rine of East Gambler
street was operated upon at the Mt.
Vernon hospita Tuesday afternoon
for appendicitis.
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-01-01

Subscription Rate--$1.50 per year,
strictly in advance.
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-01-01

FOR SALE OR TRADE-New 2
room house with soft water bath.
slectric lights and cemented cellar.
call at us N. Main street. tt
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-01-01

xsesoiutiors Of Respect, Obituaries and
Cards OF Thanks, five cents per line.
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-01-01

Entered at the Mt. Vernon, o., postof.
fc as second class mail matter.
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-01-01

BANNER WANT ADS PAY
The Alaska daily empire., 1915-01-08
ALLIES SAY KAISER
 THINKS OF PEACE

LONDON, Jnn. 8.-The opinion pre- yails in London. Paris, and Petrograd that Germany is struggling hard for a vantage point from which to nego- tiate for peace. It is believed that chat country has given up all hope Of ever conquering the Allies, but that she is still hoping to capture Warsaw in the East and Calais and other chan nel ports in the West for the purpose of giving her an apparent advantage in the war such as would enable her to make overtures for peace without having to acknowledge weakness.
 The manner in which life has been sacrificed by Germany in the offensive campaigns that she has waged in Po- land and Flanders is given as evidence of this intention on the part of the Kaisers government It is contended that she could not afford the slaught- CT In the event that 1t was her inc tention to press the war to an ultimate conclusion. as the tactical advantage that would be gained by the capture O. Warsaw and Calais could not pos slbly compensate fer the loss Of the tens oi thousands oi her best troc2s that have been killed in tho offensive operations since October 1st.
The Alaska daily empire., 1915-01-08
FR5ED0M'S
 CENTENARY
 OBSERVED

NEW ORLEANS. Jan. S.-Twenty- ono biz suns. timed Go end their fire ct the exact moment when Andrew Jackson triumphed over the British at Chalmette ono hundred years ago today. boomed forth in New Orleans at the opening of the centenary annt versary celebration of 100 years peace between tho United States and Great Britain.
 New Orleans. saved by Jackson from invasion Of the British. fittingly cele- 0rated the. occasion. The city wore its holiday dress and @ street pag- cant was held
 Today is Jackson's Day, and it pos sesses added significance this year be- cause it is the centenary anniversary Of che Battle of New Orleans. The Battle Of New Orleans was a notable event in American history Il mark ed g disastrous termination of the last Invasion of American territory by a foreign enemy. Although fought l5 days after @ treaty Of peace had been signed by representatives of the United States and Great Britain at Ghent ending the var Of 1912 the decisive American victory produced Q profound impression. giving the Ma lions ol Europe 8 broader idea of the Nationality of the United States, and creating au enthusiasm In America which counted greatly for the unlty of the new Republic at time when disseotion was rife and talk Of dis solution was popular in certain sec tions Of the country. The battle made a National hero of Andrew Jackson. who had already been regarded as a very successful Indian fighter but one whose ways were those Of the 'un- couth and niterato" West.
 Welliugson's Veterans.
 The batte of New Orleans was fought early in the morning or Janu- ary 8. 1875. The British forces mum .bered approximately 1000 men Most of them had won siory in Yelling tons Spanish campaign in which be had liberated that country from the control of Emperor Napoleon. They were commanded by three of We'll ington's 8IaiorGenerals- Packenham. commander-in-chief. and Gibbs and Keane. The American forces nmber- ed about 4,100 mostly backwoods- men of Tennessee and Kentuckey and were commanded by Maj.Gen. Andrew Jackson, who had been au- torized by President James Madison 10 raise en army and Fceist tho anti cipated attack againct New Orleans.
 The battle had been preceded by skirmishine. and one severe engage. ment in which Jackson had defeated the British advance. but not so dccisigely as to check the main army or divert the British from their purpose to capture New Orleans and obtain con lrol Of the Mississippi waterway.
The Alaska daily empire., 1915-01-08
GEAR AND KAISER
 FIGHT WAR IN POLAND

NEW YORK, Jan. 8.-The petro- gard correspondent of the New York World and London Morning Post wires his papers as follows:
 'It is regarded here as ridiculous for the Germans to speak of vic tories all tho way from their from tiers half way into Poland As a matter of fact, Poland occupies the unhappy position of Belgium. It is ruined already and not worth much now as a conquest even if the com queror for moment dreamed he could stay there.
 "The bulk Of the armies of Russia will not attempt to attack Germany on her own territory until her fight. ing forces are smashed beyond recov- cry or the ground suits t la In Rus. sia, but not in Germany namely in the cockpit Of Poland-thot the smash ing process is now going on. There IS no doubt about the immediate result. The only doubt B whether Germany will again extricate its best troops and get them home. Russia has her armies fayorably placed to meet the new situation, and has enough of them.
 Practically Germany is attacking with an the attendant disadvantages strategically. the Grand Duke still holds the initiative, which alone brings victory in war"
The Alaska daily empire., 1915-01-08
ASKS
 LARGER ALLOTMENT

WASHINGTON. Jan. S.-ln his an- nual report just made public, Col. w.. P Richardson. president of the Alas ka road commission declared that fur ther development of a system Of roads and trails in Alaska cannot be ex- pected until Congress increases the appropriations for such work.
 Last years appropriation for roads and trails in Alaska was S125,000, out of which came salaries Col Rich ardson has asked for at least double that amount this year.
The Alaska daily empire., 1915-01-08
RUSSIANS CELEBRATE
 TII XMAS

Gasuneau's fifteen hundred mem bers Of the orthodox Greek Church yesterday joined in celebrating Rus sian Christmas. All over tho world, wherever tho 125. 5.OOO,0Oo communicate arc gathered, the spirit of the day was exemplitied. in wartime trenches as well as in the cities and villages of many countries.
 The Greek faith is the Dredominat- Ing religion In Russia, Greece. Rou. mania. Bulgaria. Seryia, Roumelia, and Montenegro. and there are more than 5.0O0,000 members in Austro. Hungary, 100000 in Germany. 5O0,000 In tho United States and 30,000 in Ja- pan. Unlike tho Roman Catholic Church, there Is no ruling head of tho Greek church Administrative power Is vested in 9 board consisting of twelve bishops. who have their head quarters in St. Petersburg
 Juneau's Russian-Greck church mem bers started their solemn worship of the Cbristmastide Wednesday even ing, when Che Rev. Father Andrew P. Kashevoroff held services in the Rus sian church here. The attendance was large and the church was beautifully decorated. Yesterday Father Kashe- varoH held services in the Douglas church, at which over three hundred members attended. It was a very coz mopolitan audience that faced tho chancel. There were Slavonians. Greeks, Russians, and Native Indians, and the sermon was preached in four languages. Shortly. before noon the Holy Liturgy was celebrated hero and services also were held at 6 o'clock last evening and this morning. During the day the pastor went to various houses with the Holy Cross, singing praises and exchanging Christmas greetings. Little children last evening visited the neighbors and sang Christ mas hymns. while they carried stars made of tissue. which revolved about picture Of the birth Of Christ This is one of the features of the Russian Christmas celebration
 "Tommorrow" as Father Kasheyar off described it. "the religious side ol the Christmas will give way to one Of general merriment The carnival will last for ten days
The Alaska daily empire., 1915-01-08
IN bud WEST.

LONDON, Jan. S. Sharp fighting is reported from the Western battlefields, with fierce skirmishes in the Argonne for ests, where the French appear to be holding the trench captur- ed Wednesday from the Germans after Q charge of Turckos.
 At the Northern end of the battle line there is little to re- port. Military critics say the absence of news from this field of operation indicates that one side or the other is planning a heavy frontal attack.
The Alaska daily empire., 1915-01-08
S520,OO0 FOR
 SURVEY SHIPS

WASHINGTON. Jan. s.-A bill au- thorizing the appropriation of S52O. GOO for the construction of vessels was faTorably reported to the House today by the Committee. It Is an- nounced that if the ball is passed. all of the vessels wlN be stationed on the Pacific coast and in Alaskan waters. Leaders expect the bill to be put through before fortnight
The Alaska daily empire., 1915-01-08
ASK HUGE SUM FOR
 BLINDNESS


 A Seattle jury may decide whether or not Stanley Byers is entitled to receive damages from tho Alaska Gas ineau Mining Company for the loss of both eyes In the only accident that occurred during the driving of the Sheep Creek tunnel. Through attor. ney r. H. Kelly. Byers brought suit in Che superior court of King county for Ss0.0O0 damages, and the case will be heard January 10 before Judge T. T. Ronald. Postponment from the 10th to the 18th recently was granted by Judge Ronald.
 Service of the suit was made on Robert Munro, purchasing agent of the Alaska Gastineau Company with headquarters in Seattle. Lewis P. Shacdeford. or counsel for the com pany win resist the suit of Byers. when it comes up for trial
 The tunnel accident occurred near. ly two years ago. One man was lsill- ed. Byers and Victor Vanstein. who had both legs broken, were the men seriously injured. Eight others sul- fercd slightly from inhaling gas and shock. D. E. Harrington machine man. who was killed drilled into 9 missed hole" and on explosion result ed. causing the accident.
 It is declared that should the case be decided in favor of Byers, an ap- penl wiii be taken to the circuit court Of appeals, on the ground yhat service on the company's agent at Seattle Is not valid.
The Alaska daily empire., 1915-01-08
MEXICAN CONSULATE
 IN SEATTLE IS EMPTY

SEATTLE. Jan. 1.-Jose de Molinas, Mexican consul for Washington and Alaska, with headquarters in Seattle, has returned Go Mexico City, and it is understood that tho Mexican con suPs office for the Northwest has been indefinitely abandoned. Consul de Mol.nas' departure for the Mexi- can capital was abrupt. and it is not known whether he resigned or was recalled following g decision of the Mexican government to abandon It's consulate here He had been the Mexican representative for this sec ton for the past eighteen months, and is the second official of his line detailed to Seattle.
The Alaska daily empire., 1915-01-08
GERMANS WILL FIGHT
 TO HOLD ANTWERP

AMSTERDAM, Jan. s.-German of ficers state that there are now in the fortified zone of Antwerp about 2OO.- GOO men. They will remain there un- til the city Is besieged by the allies from Roulers and retire on Client but Antwerp will be entirely defended before 1t is evacuated by the garri- son.
 Troops no longer appear in the city, but remain in tho neighborhood Of tho first lire Of forts day and night. About 8 O0O men are working at the recon- struction of the forts
The Alaska daily empire., 1915-01-08
AUsTRlA.HUNeARY IN
 BAD WAY FOR SORES

LONDON, Jan S. The Peuograd correspondent Of the Chronicle wires:
 "An Austrian prisoner head of a firm having works in Petrogard and Moscow. has been brought to Kiea in lamentable condition. He reports that the AustroHungariau army stores are exhausted completely
 Particularly stubborn battles on the left bank of the Plliea indicate that Che centre of the fighting tenn porarily has been transferred there"
The Alaska daily empire., 1915-01-08
TO SAIL ON MARlPosA

SEATTLE. Jan. s.-The steamship 0iariposa sails tonight at o'clock for Southwestern Alaska. Among her passengers for Juneau win be B. L. Leaning, " C. .Pittman, J. Smith. George W. Samples. Arthur Van Nav ern. ". Nagle. MT and Mrs. Harry Garlock. J. II. Irving, 8. Klegmen, Miss B. Molen, Mrs. F. Molen, Mir. and Mrs. Ralph E. Robertson. Lulu Cole man. Leona Cook
The Alaska daily empire., 1915-01-08
FRENcHMEN WILL TAKE
 PART lN FRISCO FAIR

PARIS. Jan. 8.-The Paris Chamber of Commerce has decided to take part In the San Francisco exhibition, and has invited all it's members to parti' cipate Financial circles are inhuenc- ed favorably by the reopening of the London Exchange.
The Alaska daily empire., 1915-01-08
STEAMER LiNDsAY. RENAMED

STEAMER LINDSAY RENAMED
 SEATTLE. Jan. 1.-The well known steamer Lindsay which has been the property of the Pacific American Fish cries for several years, is now being 9Terhauled and an oil.burning equip. ment installed at the company's yard on Eliza Island, near Bellingham and wDen the vessel reappears she will bear the name Paylof, after the gol cano of that name which Is located not far from the company's King Cove canery.
The Alaska daily empire., 1915-01-08
TS yTPTuAL SIEGE

LONDON, Jan. 8.-Aside from reports of the continued Rus sian pursuit of the Turkish fore es defeated in the bettle of the Caucasus, and a continuation of the Russian advance through the of the Carpathian noun tains, a siege of warfare with in- termittent artillery duels pre- vails almost everywhere in the area of hostilities.
The Alaska daily empire., 1915-01-08
SEEKS SALE OF
 AlASKA-N0RTdERN

WASHINGTON, Jan S. August Heckscher a Now York banker yes. terday made an offer on behalf Of the Alaska Northern railroad, at Seward, Alaska, to sell the road to the govern. mont The proposal was tendered to Secretary of the Interior Franklin K. Lane. Heckscher represents the Canadian banks which hold the bonds of the railroad.
 Today the Alaska railroad commits sion held its first formal conference to discuss the forthcoming report of possible routes for the government railroad All of the members of the commission were present.
The Alaska daily empire., 1915-01-08
AMERICANS CARRY GREAT
 QUANTITY OF INSURANCE

WASHINGTON Jan. S.-Tbe aver age life insurance carried by 22.O0o,- GOO families in the United States is s9S2, compared with S760 for Che l.. 566.O0O families in Canada In this country there i5 S20.763,000.0O0 Of life Insurance in force, and in Canada ST. 266.000.000