davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1915-10-20
FAMILY OF DEGENERATEs
Fifty-Eieht Blood Relatives Confined
in Penal Institutions

IN renal iUStltutiOnS
Fifty-eight blood relatives confined
in penitentiaries, jails, infrmaries, in
stitutions for feeble-minded or ndust-
rial schools is the record of an extens
i've family of degenerates traced out
during the past year by the Ohio
Juvenile Research Bureau. In an
nouncing the results, Dr. Thomas
II. Haines, director of the bureau, de-
clared the family history already dis
covered was the basis for record
comparable to the notorious Jukes
family which has been familiar to
sociologists for the last 40 years.
The "Mengold' family-this is
the fictitious name which has been
chosen for the newly traced clan of
degenerate men, women and children
lives mainly in southeastern Ohio
and lower Ohio river counties OF
West Virginia.
Five generations of the family have
been chartered including Ala individ-
uals. Definite data which has been
secured on 261 of these shows the fol-
lowing condition of degeneracy:
Sixty members of the family have
court records. Fifteen have been in
Jail, IA in the penitentiary, 8 in the in
Urinary, . in chidrens homes, 6 in
the workhouse, 2 in the institution
for feebleminded and l in the boys
industrial home.
Seyenty-seven are immoral, "a Grim
inal in varying degrees, So feeble
minded, 90 alcoholic, II public wom-
en-, tubercular. children adopted
into other homes, 4 subject to epilep-
tic fits, insane and 3 tramps.
Crimes OF which they have been
convited include burglary, larceny,
forgery, destruction of property,
bootlegging, operating or being in
mates of immoral houses, intoxica-
ton, riot, perjury, various degenerate
forms of assault, homicide, shooting
to kill and attempting to poison hus-
band.
The mentality of most degenerate
members of thefamily are determined
by the Binet test is that of children
between and II years.
Most members are living at large,
marrying and producing large famil-
les. One man. whom the juvenile re-
serach investigators call Jasper, is in
the Ohio penitentiary for crime
against his daughters, one OF whom
is in the Girls Industrial school at
Delaware.
1t was an accidental noting of the
fact that several persons bearing the
same name and later found to be rel
atives, were found to be charges of
the state that led to the investigation
which started less than year ago.
Mrs. Mary Storer Kostir of Column
bus, a young psylogical investigator,
was assigned to the task and she has
spent most of her time for the past
year on it. The survey will be con
tinued until traits of additional Men
Colds are accurately recorded. and
an estimate can he made Of the cost
to the states maintaining such an alb
normal family.
John and Polly Mengold, proegnit
ors OF one of the worst lines of the
family, came originally from western
Pennsylvania. The others were ig
norant mountaineers.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1915-10-20
Able to Pay.

They were rich, and the daughter
was taking lessons on coyness and So
cial small talk
"a penny for your thoughts" she
archly remarked to an distracted Wis
itor and then felt, from the look of hor-
ror that overspreed her parents face,
she must have been guilty of false
step.
"Why didn't you offer him a SOW
ereign?' was the mothers criticism
after the visitors departure. We've
got money, and you must not be afraid
to let folks know lt."-London Scraps.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1915-10-20
$4,000 GIFT sY FORD
Says Donation to Canadian Red Cross
Is Not a Sop.

Detroit, Oct 14.-Henry Ford, be-
fore he left for California today
made two important announcements.
The first was that he had contributed
$4,000 to the Canadian Red Cross.
Mr.. Ford's Canadian manager, Dun
can McGregor, said later:
81 have Mr.. Ford's check for So.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1915-10-20
every Three MINUTES
ONE dies IN THE u. 5.

The Anti-Tuberculosis Society illus
trates the frightful toll of consumption
by extinguishing light every three
minutes, and shows that it is the man
or woman, girl or boy, who neglects
colds, whose blood is impure, who feels
weak and languid, who is the very
one to contract tuberculosiS-and
none are immune.
During changing seasons, or after
sickness, blood-quality is most impor-
tant, and if you and your family will
take SCOTS Emulsion after meals it
will charge your blood with health
sustaining richness, quicken circulation,
and strengthen both lungs and throat.
SCOTS is free from alcohol-easy to
lake-it cannot harm. Get bottle to-day.
Scott & Bovine, bloomfield. NJ. 1923
The fool-killer., 1915-10-01
HOT ROASTED 'TATERS!

The progressive march Of
science just keeps right on keep
ing on, and if Luther Burbank
don t look out, [ am afraid he is
going to get left with the bag to
hold, so to speak.
[ see in the papers that some
cunning plant-wizard is going to
just literally and everlastingly
put to shame our friend Luther.
The story is that the newly-risen
second Burbank has succeeded in
raising an improved sort of Irish
potatoes, already salted and pep
pered.
Of course you don't believe 1T.
[ don't, either, but it s a fact, all
the same. It's all very easy to
understand when you know the
method. He does it by planting
a stalk Of red pepper in each po-
tato hill, and that takes care Of
the peppering. Then he waters
his patch with salty water every
day, and, 10! the proper salt fla.
vor is added to the growing spuds
There is just one thing lacking
now, and the wizard is working
day and night on that. Henev-
e1 intends to give up until he sue
ceeds in growing the, potatoes al
ready cooked, as well as salted
and peppered, and ready for the
table.
You may not think it possible.
but [ believe he will succeed. T
think his wonderful ability as
liar will bring his 'tater patch in
to such close contact with hell
that the tubers will be thorough
ly roasted. Then he can get him a
tin snout and root them out of
the ground like a hog and eat,
'taters till everything goes easy.
The fool-killer., 1915-10-01
LET'S CHANGE THE SUBJECT

If you, Mister Reader, are half
as tired Of this miserable war
business as I am, you will welcome
change Of subject. Hanged
I ain t read about it and writ
about it so much that [ wish it
never had to be mentioned in my
presence again.
But the papers and the maga-
zines will go right on devoting
three fourths of their space to the
war, because it is looked upon rs
the hvest news matter of the
day, and the fool people Of this
country will waste half Of their
time reading it. And how much
good does it do them? None
not particle. It is actually
harmful.
We can't stop the war-not by
all our writing and reading about
it. We can only saturate our
minds in blood and make our
selves needlessly miserable. Why
must we keep our minds always
full Of that gruesome stuff, espe-
cially since we didn't start it and
can't stop it? Of course we can t
get entirely away from it, but we
can devote at least part of our
reading and writing to pleasanter
sugjects.
This paper, therefore, will not
say as much about the war from
now on as it has in the past. Ny
readers expect my droll, home
made, tom-fool talk to amuse
them, and in order to do so I must
choose subjects that can be hand
led in a humorous manner. If
you must read about the war in
the other papers, then read The
Fool-Killer to take the bad taste
out of your mouth.
The fool-killer., 1915-10-01

Wait minute. Or it may take
two minutes. But wait. Got
sump' m to tell ye.
Are you still waiting? That's
right. Just be patient. A good
story like this is worth waiting
for. This introduction is Just
to get your appetite whetted for
it right good and you will enjoy
it better. Some people have no
patience about a thing of this
sort. Always nervous and on
the jump. They run clean a.
head Of their good luck and never
give it time to catch up. Don't
do that, my friend-it isn't best.
Wait till
Yes, Pm coming to it, but wait.
Take deep breath and close
your eyes. Pray a little if you
want to. But don't cuss. This
amt no cussipg matter, if it does
look like it. The Bible says
Oh, that reminds me. I was
going to tell you something. But
please wait a second. What I
started out to say was that it
would please me plum to the giz-
zard for every reader Of this pap
er to get up a big bunch Of subs
for it and send them in right a.
way. Now don't wait any Ion
ger. Get busy.
The fool-killer., 1915-10-01
A DEAD FUNNY MAN.

All. no, beloved, [ didn't say a
funny dead man. [ said a dead
funny man. And there S a differ
ence-a mighty big difference =.
Do you see the point?
He spent his life making others
laugh. His fun was hearty,
wholesouled and harmless. You
couldn't to save your neck, asso-
ciate him with the ordinary vex-
ations of life, and nobody took
the trouble to wonder whether he
could die or not.
But he is dead-just like other
men-and the sunshiny twinkle
Is all gone out of his eyes. And
the world wonders, as it stands
looking at his white, set face, if
this is the same funny man it
laughed at till it's sides were sore.
The very same-but different
now! And the world is plum
stumped-it cannot understand
it all, and never will.
But we other sad souls who still
live and have to submit to being
called funny men, under
stand it perfectly. Shall I give
away the secret? I will whisper
it to you, my friend, but don't
tell anybody. You didn't see
that funny man every minute Of
his life, else you had seen him
weeping many times. Yes, he
had his troubles, and they were
very real-as we'll as yours and
mine. But-and here is the Sc
cret-he kept his tears all to him
self, while he divided his smiles
with you
Peace to the sad, pure soul of
the dead funny man! God rest
his ashes! Amen.
The fool-killer., 1915-10-01
Notice to Club~Raisers.

The
scrptons 10
price make impossible
Of people enjoy getting clubs just for the fun
become regular cubraiser distribute
clubs, remember the following
FOL to them
Remittance
twill
so to
WRITE
IT, pap
NORAVIAN n. C..
The fool-killer., 1915-10-01

Here they come with another
yarn saying that it was Moan
instead Of Adam who ate the for
bidden apple. Well, even II 1t
was, the charge has stood against
moor old Adam so long that it has
nl71m ruined his reputation, and
No is too dead now to benefit by
the vindication.
The fool-killer., 1915-10-01

King George and Gar Nick
have again been swapping felici-
tations over their good luck IN
having God on their side. Mean
while Germany don't allow us to
forget that God is on her side.
My opinion is that if God should
speak out in thunder tones and
tell where He stands, they would
ALL hide their faces in shame.
The fool-killer., 1915-10-01

The Eastman Kodak Company
has been "dissolved" by the Fe-
deral District Court at Buffalo.
Now's the time to buy Eastman
Kodak stock. It is my rule to
always do my buying in trust
that has been "dissolved,' be-
cause that's a sure sign that it is
just entering upon It's most pros
porous days.
The fool-killer., 1915-10-01

Ben Pitchfork Tillman, of South
Carolina, is Chairman of the Sen
ate Committee on Naval Affairs.
Il few days ago he visited the
Brooklyn Navy Yard and was
SHOWN one of the submarines. He
peeped inside of it and exclain-
ed: "Well, who'd thought the
durn thing was holler?"
The fool-killer., 1915-10-01

When the grub begins to run
low, just hang the monkey
wrench on your appetite and vote
the same old way. A sheep wouldn't
do it, but you are different from a
sheep.
The fool-killer., 1915-10-01
A SERMON ON 'SKEETERS.

My dear Victims :-Solomon
told you to consider the ant, and
suppose you did so. Soils ad-
vice was good, so far as it went,
but it didn't go far enough. He
should have called your atten-
;tlon to our affectionate kinsman,
the common household 'Skeeter.
l use the terms, "affectionate
kinsman, b" in speaking of Mister
' )Skeeter, because wherever |
happen to meet him he calls me
cousin and tries to kiss me.
Now don't so much mind a mo-
>derate kiss, but Mister 'Skeeter
has a way of putting too much
feeling into it. He either puts
the feeling into the kiss or into
me, [ don't know which. But
anyway, I'm the one that feels it..
More than that, when man is
being held up and kissed without
his permission, he at least likes to
know something about the sex Of
the kisser. If he could always
be certain that it was good
looking female 'Skeeter pressing
her rosebud lips to his sunburnt
hide, he could sorter put up with
it. But the thought Of an old big
gentleman 'Skeeter smacking a
fellow on the cheek till the blood
1uns-doggoned if that amt the
limit. That is mighty bad man
ners, and I say no 'Skeeter who
is a real gentleman will do it,.
But there are arguments on
both sides of the question, and |
desire to treat the 'Skeeter with
entire fairness. He was no doubt
put here for a purpose, and we
ought not to deprive him Of his
rights. If he is no use to us,
maybe we are some use to him,
and that ought to be a consola-
ton to us.
We talk a great deal about the
'Skeeter spreading diseases--yel-
low fever and such like. But that
certainly amt his fault. Where
would he get disease germs to IN
iect into your blood with his little
hyper-durn-it if he didn't get
them out of some other person s
blood?, It is mans duty to HIM
self and to the 'Skeeter, to keep
his blood pure and healthy. Then
4he 'Skeeter himself would keep
in better health and enjoy his
meals more, and there would be
no more germs for him to carry:
No doubt the poor ignorant
sSkeeter suffers and often dies
from the diseases he gets from us.
Just think of the 'Skeeter lying
on his death-bed, slowly dying
from a disease that he caught
from the human race,and no mon
ey to pay doctor! Excuse me
while I weep. What the 'Skee-
ter needs most Of all is a pure
food law.
The fool-killer., 1915-10-01
The song of the hour! Woman's
honor first!

UVOIgId, DedI OIu GEORGIA
Our traducers answered. Words of
patriotism. Patriotic air.
Should be in every home. If you miss this
you'll regretit! Send one dime for words and
music. A. F. BYRD, Author, Baxley. Ga.
The fool-killer., 1915-10-01

THE FOOL-KILLER, NORAvIAN FALLS, n. C.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1915-01-09
Has Made a Good Start and Is
Ready For Business
STATES HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
Commissioner Bates Will Continue
Business at Headquarters OF Previ-
Gus Commissioner.

Montpelier, Jan with the legis
lature mostly gone home over Sunday
conditions are just about as usual at
the close of the first week of session.
The organization completed more
quickly than two years ago because in
1912 there was no election of state
officers by the voters and the election
had to take place in joint assembly.
The slight uncertainty that prevailed
over the result had the effect of hold
ing back the organization.
Speaker Weeks is making a good
impression and has committees prac-
tically completed Part of them were
announced on Friday and the remain
der will be on Monday
The reyisers OF bills department is
proving a good plan 1t resulted in
having over 80 bills ready for intro
duction as soon as the House and Sen
ate were organized which is better
start than ever before. Many other
important bills are under way aud it
seems clear that the revisers will save
the state money and expedite the
business of the session
Stoddard B. Bates of Derby, the
new state highway commissioner was
confirmed by the senate Friday and
has entered on MS duties.
The highway office will be located at
Fraklin where il has been maintained
by Governor Gates for the past ten
years. This location is convenient for
Commissioner Bates and win save
moving the books, records and other
paraphernalia.
1t will also enable the new commits
sioner to keep in touch with the gov
ernor, who has been highway commits
sioner for so long and is familiar with
the work.
Twenty-eight bills were introduced
in the house Friday morning. Many
had to do with fish and game matters
The hedgehog bill made its appear
ance this morning. being the seventh
bill introduced. Its reading created
smiles among the members. 1t was
introduced by Mr. Perkins OF Bridge.
water, and provides for bounty of
S5 cents on each hedgehog killed.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1915-01-09
president HINTS
WILLINGNESS
y RUN AGAIN
His Address at indianapolis Warm
Iy Received
HE WANTS To LET MEXICO ALONE
Says Republicans Haven't Had a New
Idea in Thirty Years and Merely
Sit on the Lid.
HE WANTS To LET MEXICO ALONE

Indianapolis, Jan. S.--President
Wilson today voiced what crowd OF
more than 1900 people, assembled
here to hear him make a Jackson day
speech interpreted as hint that he
might be a candidate for the presiden
cy again in 1916 The people leaped
to their feet and cheered until the
President himself raised his hand and
called for quiet.
The President had been discussing
the Mexican question and referred to
his belief that he knew the tempera-
ment and principles of the American
people, adding that he would not be
fit to stay where he was If he did not
understand them.
There may come time he went
on, when the American people will
have to Judge whether | know what I
am talking about or not.
There was slight pause and then
the crowd, which included the memb.
ers of the Indiana legislature, jumped
up and began shouting and cheering
Realizing the construction which had
been put on his words, the President
held up his hands for silence and
said:
u did not~mean to stir up anything.
That was merely preparatory 10 say
ing that for at least two more years
am free to think know the American
people
sfreviJusly'tf Piessde1rt had at.
tackled the Republican party. defend
ed the record of his administration on
the Mexican policy, and the tariff
and currency questions. and declared
that careful examination of the re-
turns from the elections last Novem-
Der showed that if il had been pres.
idential year Democrat would have
had a majority of about eighty in the
electoral college
The President criticized Republican
opposing the government
ship purchase bill, whom he charac-
terized as 'self-styled friends of busi-
ness" He said the Republican party
has not had a new idea in thirty
years and that the Republicans do
not know how to do anything but sit
ON the lid" He added that the coun.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1915-01-09
SOUTH sHAFTs6uRY

Miss Elsie Chase spent Sunday at
her home in Shaftsbury.
Frank Harris and daughter Jennie
were in Bennington Wednesday.
Miss Maud Williams has returned
from a visit with friends in Arlington.
Mrs. William Papers and daughter,
Marion of Bennington visited Mrs.
Janet Knapp recently.
Remember the meeting of the Lend.
a-Hand at the home of Miss Agnes
Adams next Monday evening.
Miss Agnes Whipple of Bennington
and Miss Lillian Gouth of New York
called on friends in town Wednesday.
Miss Camilla Cole. Miss Marietta
Howard and Miss Florence Humphrey
have returned to North Adams Nor
NAL school.
Word has been received of the birth
of an eight and one half pound daugh-
ter to Mr. and Mrs Herbert Cone OF
Bennington. formerly of this place,
The installation of officers OF
SALISBURY Lodge No. II J. o. 0. F.
was held Tuesday evening and the fol
lowing officers were installed: Harry
p. Browe, N. c.; Fred Greene. V. c.:
Chris Jesperson, secretary; Edward
r. Percy treasurer.
Mrs. Carrie Bugbee, daughters Ag-
nes and Mrs. Jay Mattison. Mrs.
Frank Harris, Mrs. Thomas Dunlap.
Mr. and Mrs. James Adams were in
Bennington Tuesday to attend a party
given Mrs. Jane Johnson in honor of
her ninety first birthday.
The r. s. c., Rebekah sewing circle
will meet Tuesday afternoon with
Mrs. Rupert Harwood for work. All
members are urged ito be present as
business of importance is to be dis
cussed. Refreshments will be served
and good time is assured
The regular meeting of the Ladies'
Aid was held at the parsonage Wed
nesday afternoon and the following
officers were elected: Mrs. Peter Hell
Ter, president; 3 Mrs. Adelbert b. Haw-
kins, vice president; Mrs. Edward r.
Percy, secretary; Mrs. Marshall Goe-
wey. treasurer; Mrs. Il. A.
Moon, collector. The directors are:
Mrs. Leon Hilliard, Mrs. Thomas Dun
lap, Mrs. Frank Dean. Mrs. Charles
p. Solmon and Mrs. Francis Rice
The next regular meeting will be held
with Mrs. Marshall Goewey.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1915-01-09
A Trial Will Convince
Anyone---The Great
Kidney Remedy
Never Disap-
points

few years ago | was troubled
with complication of kidney and
stomach ailments and although
tried two or three different doctors,
| was unable TO obtain cure Hav-
ing heard great deal about Swamp
Root, | decided to give it a trial and
purchased a one-dollar bottle of Mr.
Alexander, the druggist From the
beginning | could notice change for
the better and after taking eight bot
ties OF your medicine, | felt entirely
cured and have not had any trouble
since.
Had ! begun using Swamp-Root
sooner, would have been few hun
dred dollars to the good and saved
myself lot of suffering.
You may use my testimonial any
time you wish. Yours very truly,
Charles +. Harris,
AGO Sixth St Marion. Iowa
certify that Charles E. Harris
signed the above testimonial in my
presence, being first duly sworn to
the truth there Of this the 18th day
of July, 1909.
ID. r. Kinley, ]. p.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1915-01-09
and Mohersnaw are They Advertised By People

try wants the ship purchase bill en-
acted into law, and will have it,
A warning to Democrats not to
break up the solidity of the party
was spoken of gravely by Mr.. Will
son. He declared that any such men
will gain an unenviable position for
themselves, and mentioned Senators
Kern and Shlvely of Indiana as men
whom he did not have to 'lie awake
nights thinking about He continued
that 'if a man won't play on a team
he must get off the team" and later
spoke of himself as the captain of
the Democratic team for the pres
ent"
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1915-01-09
CRAZY VS.. GLOVER
In a Bout at North Adams Monday
Niuht.

Unusual interest is being shown in
the opening smoker of, the Western
Gateway A. c. in North Adams on
Monday night when 20 rounds of box
ing are slated on the program. The
main bout of the evening will bring
together Young Grady of Pownal and
Johnny Glover of Boston. 1t will be
a return meeting between the two,
draw greeting their efforts on prev
ious clash after one of the best mills
ever staged in this section. Glover is
the only opponent that Grady has
been unable to beat since taking up
the ring game and he feels confident
that he will take the measure of the
Boston boxer in the return meeting.
The semi windup will see Young Josie
of North Adams and Kid Casey of
Hoosick Falls in action for six rounds
and this toe should prove good go.
Jimmy Donnelly of North Adams
meets Young Gray of Lowell in the
preliminary Altogether the bill is
one OF the best offered lovers of box.
ing in this section for a long time
and a large crowd is expected to at
tend. A number Of Bennington fans
plan to make the trip as arrange
ments are being made to start the
bouts early in order that the contin-
gent from the Vermont town may
catch the last car home.
T.. w. Gibson of Brattleboro is al
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1915-01-09
LOCAL OVERFLOW

Guy Edison Of Schenectady is visit
ing at his home here.
Richard and Alexander Van SAINT
voord have returned to the Hotchkiss
school at Lakewood, Conn, after
passing vacation with their parents.
Mr. and Mrs. Seymour Van Santvoord
Preceding the opening of the Thurs
day evening dancing class at the Troy
club. Mrs. II. G. Shields of Old Ben-
nington gave dinner for twenty.
The small tables we're adorned with
old-fashioned nosegays of red roses
and narcissus.