davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1915-09-16

the United States, it is due first of
all to the anointed ministers of Gods
sacraments, and secondly, to the un-
parae1leled zeal Of women.
In view of this, it has seemed to
some of us that the time has come
when women's work shall be collec-
tive effort based on collective counsel.
Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1915-09-16
MUSICIANS, STRIKE SETTLED.

Portland, Ore. Sept. 10 The
strike. involving most of
the theaters and picture houses in this
city, has been settled. The managers
attempted to break trade rules Of this
organization.
Elmore County Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1910-1915, 1915-02-20

to pause and peer out into the MOON
light that flooded the back OF his
house, he might have seen the figures
of two stealthy crooks crouchlng In
the half shadows of one of the cellar
windows, one crook, at least, masked.
The masked crook held In his hands
carefully the ends of two wires at
tached to an electric feed, and, sending
his pal to keep watch outside, he en-
tered the cellar of the Dodge house
through window, whose pane they
had carefully removed AS he came
through the window he dragged the
wires with him, and, after a moments
accommodating, attached them to the
furnace pipe of the old-fashioned hot
air heater where the pipe ran up
through the floor to the library above.
The other wire was quickly attached
to the telephone where its wires en-
tered
Upstairs Dodge, evidently uneasy In
his mind about the precious Limpy
@NN0 ASttSib WYNN ~ ilOuu lHG adlt dlOIlS
with most of the other correspondence
and, pressing hidden spring in the
wall, opened secret panel and placed
most of the important documents In
this hiding place
Downstairs the masked master Grim
inal had already attached a voltmeter
to the wires he had installed, waiting.
Just then could be heard the tnkle
of Dodge's telephone, and the old man
rose to answer it. AS he did so he
placed his foot on the iron register,
his hand taking the telephone and the
receiver. At that instant came a pow
erful electric fash Dodge sank on the
floor, clutching the instrument cleo
trocuted.
moment later the criminal slid
silently into Dodge's room, Carefully
putting on rubber gloves and avoiding
Elmore County Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1910-1915, 1915-02-20

Limpy had long since reached the
point of saturation and lurching forth
from his new found cronies he sought
other fields of excitement. Likewise
did the newcomer. who bore a strange
resemblance to the lookout who had
been stationed outside at the Dodge
house scant half hour before.
What happened later was only a
matter of secondhand waiting until
the hated snitch-for gangdom hates
the informer worse than anything else
dead or alive-had turned sufficient
ly dark and deserted corner.
A mufiled thud stifled groan fol-
lowed as heavy section of lead pipe
wrapped in newspaper descended on
the Grass skull of Limpy.
1t was the vengeance of the Clutch
ing Hand-swift, sure, remorseless.
And yet it had not been a night of
complete success for the master GRIM
inal, as anyone might have seen who
could have followed his sinuous route
to place Of greater safety Unable
to wait longer, he pulled the papers
he had taken from the safe from his
pocket His chagrin at finding most
of them to be blank found only one
expression of rolled fury--that men.
acing clutching hand-the real one!
Kennedy had turned from his futile
examination for marks on the tele-
phone. There stood the safe, moder-
ate sized strong box, but of a modern
type, He tried the door. 1t was locked
There was not mark on 1t. The COM
bination had not been tempered with.
Nor had there been any attempt to
soup" the safe.
With quick motion he felt in his
pocket as Ii looking for gloves Find.
ing none, he glanced about and seized
two pieces of paper from the desk.
Elmore County Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1910-1915, 1915-02-20

Just then Dodge caught sight of me.
For the moment thought perhaps ha
was going to fulfill his threat,
Who the deyil--why didn't you tell
me reporter was here, Jennings?" ha
fputtered Indignantly, pointing toward
the door.
Argument, entreaty, were of no
avail There was nothing to do but go.
At least, | reflected, had the great
er part OF the story-all except the one
big thing, however-the name of the
criminal. But Dodge would know him
tomorrow!
I hurried back to the Star to write
my story in time to catch the last
morning edition.
Meanwhile, if l may anticipate my
story, | must tell of what we later
learned had happened to Dodge SO
completely to upset him.
Ever since the Consolidated Mutual
had been hit by the murders he had had
many lines out in the hope of enmesh-
Ing the perpetrator. That night, as I
found out the next day, he had at last
heard OF clue. One of the company's
detectives had brought in red-head-
ed, lame, partly paralyzed crook, who
enjoyed the expressive monniker OF
"Limpy Red" Limpy Red was a
gunman of some renown, evil-faced
and, having nothing much to lose, des-
perate Whoever the master criminal
of the clutching hand might have been
he had seen f to employ Limpy, but
had not taken the precaution of getting
rid of him soon enough when he was
through.
Therefore Limpy had a grievance,
and now descended under pressure to
the low level of Switching to Dodge in
his office.
No, governor" the trembling
wretch had said as he handed over a
grimy envelope, Il amt never seen
his face-but here is directions how to
find his hangoNt"
As Limpy ambled out, he turned to
Dodge, quivering at the enormity of his
Elmore County Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1910-1915, 1915-02-20

touching the register, he wrenched the
telephone from the grasp of the dead
man, replacing 1t in its normal posi-
ton. Only for a second did he pause
to look at his victim as he destroyed
the evidence of his work.
Minutes we're precious First Dodge's
pockets, then his desk engaged his at
tention. There was left the safe.
AS he approached the strong box,
the master criminal took two Walls
from his pocket Removing bust of
Webster that stood on the safe, he
poured the contents of the Walls In two
mixed masses of powder, forming a
heap on the safe, into which he insert
ed two magnesium wires.
He lighted them, sprang back, hid
ing his eyes from the light, and a
binding gush of flame, lasting per-
haps ten seconds, poured out from the
top of the safe.
1t was not an explosion, but just a
dazzling, intense fame that sizZled and
cracked. 1t seemed impossible, but
the glowing mass was literally sink
ing, sinking down into the cold steel.
At last 1t burned through-as If the
safe had been of tinder
Without waiting a moment longer
than necessary, the masked criminal
advanced again and actually put his
hands down through the top of the
safe, pulling out a bunch of papers.
Quickly he thrust them all, with just
a glance, into his pocket.
Still working quickly, he took the
bust of the great orator, which he had
removed, and placed it under the light.
Next, from his pocket he drew two
curious stencils, as it were, which he
had apparently carefully prepared.
With his hands, still carefully gloved,
he rubbed the stencils on his hair, as
If to cover them with film of natural
oils. Then he deliberately pressed
them over the statue In several
places 1t was a peculiar action, and
he seemed to fairly gloat over it when
it was done and the bust returned to
its place, covering the hole.
AS noiselessly as he had come, he
made his exit after one last malignant
look at Dodge. 1t was now but the
work of moment to remove the wires
he had placed and climb out of the
window, taking them and destroying
the evidence down in the cellar.
A low whistle from the masked
crook, now again in the shadow,
brought his pal stealthily to his side.
ITS all right" he whispered hoarse-
ly to the man. Now you attend to
Limpy Red"
The villainous looking pal nodded
and, without another word, the two
made their getaway, safely, in opposite
When Limpy Red, still trembling,
left the office of Dodge earlier in the
evening, he had repaired as fast as his
stumbling feet would take him to his
favorite dive up on Park Row.
Had the Bowery "sinkers" not got
into his eyes he might have noticed
among the late jewellers man who
spoke to no one, but took his place
near by at the bar.
Elmore County Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1910-1915, 1915-02-20

Don't Let On How You Found Out!"
objectionable sin in gangland: For
Gods sake, governor" he implored,
don't let ON how you found Quit"
And yet Limpy Red had scarcely left
with his promise not to tell, when
Dodge, happening to turn over some
papers, came upon an envelope left
on his own desk, bearing that mysteri-
GUS clutcbing hand!
He tore it open, and read in amaze
ment:
Destroy Limpy Reds instructions
within the next hour"
Dodge gazed about in wonder This
was getting on his nerves. He de-
termined to go home and rest
Outside the house, as he left his car,
pasted over the monogram on the door,
he had found another note, with the
same weird mark and the single word:
Remember!
In spite of the pleadings of young
Bennett Dodge refused to take warn
ing. In the safe in his beautifully
fitted library he deposited Limpy's doc
ument in an envelope containing all
the correspondence thai had led up to
the final step in the discovery.
1t was late in the evening when I
returned to our apartment and, not
finding Kennedy there, knew that |
would discover him at the laboratory.
Craig" I cried as I burst in on
him. "Ive got case for you-greater
than any ever before"
Kennedy looked up calmly from the
ruck of scientific instruments that sur
rounded him-test tubes, beakers,
carefully labeled bottles.
"Indeed?" he remarked, coolly go
ing back to his work.
yes" cried. 1T is a scientific
criminal who seems to leave no clues"
Kennedy looked up gravely. Every
criminal leaves a trace" he said quiet
ly. 'It it hasn't been found, then it
must be because no one has ever
looked for it in the right way"
SUu gazing at me keenly, he added:
"Yes, / already knew there was such
a man at large. have been called in
Gu that Fletcher case--he was a trus-
tee of the university, you know"
Elmore County Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1910-1915, 1915-02-20

With them, in order not to confuse
any possible finger prints on the bust.
he lifted 1t off
/ ] gave gasp of surprise.
There, in the top of the safe,
yawned a gaping hole, through which
one could have thrust his arm!
What is it?" we asked, crowding
about him.
"Thermit," he replied laconically.
"Thermit?" / repeated.
I "Yes-a compound of iron oxide and
powdered aluminium, invented by q
chemist at Essen, Germany. 1t gives
temperature Of over five thousand
degrees 1t will eat its way through
the strongest steel"
Jennings, his mouth wide open with
wonder, advanced to take the bust
fr1m Kennedy.
"No--don't touch it," he waved him
Off, laying the bust on the desk. Il
want no one to touch it-don't you
see how careful | was to use the
paper, that there might be no ques-
ton about any clue this fellow may
have left on the marble?"
AS he spoke, Craig was busting over
the surface of the bust with some
black powder
Look" exclaimed Craig suddenly.
Finger prints!" cried excitedly.
Yes" nodded Kennedy, studying
them closely. "A clue-perhaps"
"What-those little marks--a clue?"
asked voice behind us.
turned and saw Elaine looking
over our shoulders, fascinated. 1t was
evidently the first time she had real
lied that Kennedy was in the room.
How can you tell anything by
that?" she asked
Why easily" he answered, pick
ing up glass paper weight which
lay on the desk you see, place
my finger on this weight-so. You
could see it even without the powder
on this glass. Do you see those lines?
There are various types of markings
-four general types-and each per-
sons markings are different, even IL
of the same general type-loop, wherl,
arch or composite"
He continued working as he talked.
Your thumb marks, for example,
Miss Dodge, are different from mine.
Mr.. Jameson's are different from both
Of us. And this fellows finger prints
are still different. 1t is mathematical
ly impossible to find two alike in
every respect"
Kennedy was holding the paper
weight near the bust as he talked.
| shall never forget the look of
blank amazement on his face as he
bent over closer.
"My Cod" he exclaimed excitedly,
this fellow is a master criminal! He
has made stencils or something of
the sort on which, by some mechan-
ical process, he has actually forged
the hitherto infallible finger prints!"
|, too, bent over and studied the
marks on the bust and those Ken
needy had made on the paper weight to
show Elaine.
THE FINGER PRINTS ON THE
BUST WERE KENNEDY'S OWN.
(To BE CoNTINUEDl
Elmore County Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1910-1915, 1915-02-20
THE CLUTCHING
HAND WINS
AGAIN.
NEW YORK MYSTERIOUS MAS
TER CRIMINAL PERFECTS
ANOTHER COUP.
City Police Completely BaffIed

Here's this murder of Fletcher the
retired banker and trustee Of the uni
versity," he explained. mot a clue
except a warning letter signed with
this mysterious clutching fist. Last
week it was the robbery of the Hax-
worth jewels and the killing of old
Haxworth Again that curious sign of
the hand. Then there was the bastard
ly attempt on Sherburne, the steel
magnate. Not trace of the assail-
ant except this same clutching fist. So
The Clovis news. [volume] (Clovis, N.M.) 1907-1929, 1915-09-17
Mersfelder Resigns

County Superintendent o {
Schools, L. C. Mersfelder, has
rendered his resignation to take
effect as soon as possible. The
reason assigned by Mr.. Mers-
fielder for his action is on ac-
count Of his health, which close
confinement and devotion to his
duties has somewhat impaired.
Under the new law, his work
has been almost doubled and
this necessitates the employment
of more help. 1t is also neces-
sary for him to have a car to
visit the school districts through
out the county in the discharge
of his duties and the expense
incurred in these matters are so
heavy that his salary is not
sufficient to compensate hlm for
the effort. He has not yet de.
cided what he will do in the
future.
The Clovis news. [volume] (Clovis, N.M.) 1907-1929, 1915-09-17
Soscial Tain to Portales

What is said to have been the
largest attended dance in the
history of eastern New Mexico
and one that possibly holds the
state record for attendance was
that given by the A. L Gurley
Broom Corn Company in their
new warehouse at Portales Fri
day night. A special train of
three coaches carrying ! l G
passengers left here Friday
nigh a 1885 and returned at 2:30
a. m. Besides this. twenty to
thirty cars made the trip. With
this crowd augmented by those
from Portales. Elida and other
places it is estimated that three
hundred persons were on the
floor. 1t was a tired crowd that
returned in the wee sma' hours
of the morn, but all report an
excellent time. Music was fur
nished by the Amarillo orches-
ira.
The Clovis news. [volume] (Clovis, N.M.) 1907-1929, 1915-09-17

Work was started Thursday on
the Elks' auditorium on the
corner of Pile Steeet and Monroe
Avenue. Contractor Lee Layton
was awarded the contract to con-
struct the big building and the
Kemp Lumber Company will
supply the building material. 1t
has been decided to floor the en-
tire building with the very best
grade of flooring instead of just
the dancing section as originally
planned, The building will be
completed in time for the county
fair.
The Clovis news. [volume] (Clovis, N.M.) 1907-1929, 1915-09-17
Six Hundred Thoroughbreds

No, the Mayor is not practic-
ing for a marathon or with any
particular intention of competing
in the track meet on fair day,
but was merely trying to pen
the six hundred head of thor
oughbred duroc jersey hogs,
which he shipped in from Nal
aga Thursday. l t happened
that when the hogs were unload
ed. as the mayor had planned to
Craze on the open fields east of
the city limits, that the hogs
took a different notion n d
stampeded in all directions.
There was no time to call Sadler
who has the reputation of run
ming everything down, and il
was simply a case of the mayor
in hot pursuit. If any of the
residents of Curry county find
any hogs of the aforesaid de-
scription, they will confer a
favor on Mayor Ramey by re-
turning his property.
The Clovis news. [volume] (Clovis, N.M.) 1907-1929, 1915-09-17
$1.OO PER YEAR
COUNTY FAIR AND
INDUSTRIAL EDITION

The last word in special
editions for weekly newspapers.
will be issued by the Clovis
News. on or about October 1st.
We have engaged E. L. Cole
man. who comes highly recon-
mended as a special write up
booster for this work. 1t was
Mr.. Coleman, who was given
credit by the Wichita Eagle for
getting up their great 120 page
booster edition two years ago.
To our knowledge. it was the
largest and most complete news
paper ever issued in the south
west, with the possible exception
of the Pacific Coast papers.
The edition will be fully illus
trated with Curry County farm
and live stock scenes About
five thousand copies will b e
printed and distributed accord
ing to our p ans, the fair week.
We want every industry in Clo-
Wis represented in this big num-
ber and if you have not seen
Mr.. Coleman about space, you
should do so at once. 1t will be
printed on high grade book
paper.
The Clovis news. [volume] (Clovis, N.M.) 1907-1929, 1915-09-17
A Wonderful Man

The most modest man in the
world came to town today.
Proof of the fact? None is
needed. He admits it himself.
AS for the name, it is that of AL
Butler. special agent for the
Sells-Floto Circus and Buffalo
Bills Original Wild West, which
is scheduled here for one days
engagement Tuesday, October
18th.
In addition to being the most
modest man in the world, he al
so is the most quiet. At no time
during his visit here has he been
known to speak more than five
thousand words a minute about
the coming of the circus and the
superlative value of its attrac-
tions.
Say" h e announced this
morning, we've got the great.
est show this year that ever was
put together. Why, we've
simply got a monopoly on all the
stardom of attractions, from
Buffalo Bill on down. We've
got a girl that can turn so many
airsets and somersaults on horse
back that it makes you dizzy to
watch her. We've got the best
clowns. the best acting animals,
the best menagerie, the best
parade, the best of everything
else that ever was invented. A
good show? Honest-and there
isn't a person in the world that
won't say | haven't been modest
from birth we've got a show
that is so wonderful that | simp-
ly can't tell all the things that
We'll show you when it comes to
town. You'd think | was as
coocoo as a humming bird if |
even started on the list.
And so, don't take my word
for it. Just drop downtown
obout 1880 O'Clock circus morn
ing and see the parade. with
Buffalo Bill leading it. Then
you'll know I've been telling
the truth. But there-I shall
say no more. 1t wouldn't be
modest. "
And as unobtrusive as ever
he sllled out of the Office.
The Clovis news. [volume] (Clovis, N.M.) 1907-1929, 1915-09-17
Murphy Wins Decision

In one of the most important
land cases tried here in recent
years; that of VIM. Murphy VS.
Walter Andrews, the Fort Sum-
ner land office last week handed
down a decision in favor of the
plaintiff Murphy. The tract of
land involved is located a couple
of miles north of Texico. The
testimony fees in the case
amounted to over $4,000. The
plaintiff was represented by
Arthur E. Curren and the de-
fendant by j. Simpson Morgan.
Bud Coplen and family re-
turned last week from Hot
Springs, Arkansas.
The Clovis news. [volume] (Clovis, N.M.) 1907-1929, 1915-09-17
A New Store

j. M. Stephens of eastern
Oklahoma, has rented the build
ing known as the Clovis Feed
Store, which was recently va
Gated by j. A. McFarlin, and
occupy it with a bran new stock
of groceries and feed of all
kinds. 1t will be known as the
Clovis Grocery and Feed Store.
Mr.. Stephens has had many
years experience in the bust
ness.
The Clovis news. [volume] (Clovis, N.M.) 1907-1929, 1915-09-17
McFarlin Moves

]. A. McEarlin moved his
grocery store Monday into his
handsome new brick building on
the corner of Mitchell Street and
Grand Avenue across the street
from the Croft building. He
has installed new fixtures and
has attractively displayed his
goods.
The new McFarlin Groc cry is
one of the most enviting stores
in the city.
The Clovis news. [volume] (Clovis, N.M.) 1907-1929, 1915-09-17
The Revival Meeting

Interest in the revival which
is bein g conducted by Rev. A. P.
Lowrey and his singer, Terry w.
Wilson, is taking on greater
proportions at every service.
At some of the day services five
and six persons are being con-
verted. One of the striking
things about the meeting is the
men who are being moved are
not just children, but strong
men tremble under the powerful
sermons which are being preach
ed at each service. AS an evil
dence of the interest in the work
you can hear the meeting talked
all over town. At some of the
services we are told that the
largest crowds ever gathered in
Clovis have assembled. 1t is a
good thing to see the christian
people working together in such
harmony. One may not indorse
all the evangelist says but all
must rejoice in the good work
being done. Our people should
not fail to attend these meetings
and assist in making our city a
better city. 0-
The Clovis news. [volume] (Clovis, N.M.) 1907-1929, 1915-09-17
CURRY COUNTY FAIR
PREMIUM LIST.

At meeting of the Curry County Fair Association held
Friday the following committee appointed: Finance;
S. Jones. j. C. Nelson and Cash Ramey. Location w. b.
Cramer A. j. Whiting A. Mande and Fred W. James. Field
meet; L. c. Mersfeder J. f. Hull and J. E. Shaw Van
The premium list so far completed has been given out
for publication This will be added to from time to time and
published complete in big county fair edition. 1t foows
PREMIUM LIST
The Clovis news. [volume] (Clovis, N.M.) 1907-1929, 1915-09-17

Roy Suman has sold his resi-
dence on the west side to Miss
Dell Courtney. Consideration
$1,000.
The Clovis news. [volume] (Clovis, N.M.) 1907-1929, 1915-09-17

Cash Austin made a flying trip
to the city of La Lande Monday.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1915-10-01
DR.. 3. James Blno.

A cablegram receivad last week by Mrs.
James w. Way New London. announced
the sudden death in Paris, France. of her
brother, DIR. B. J Bing. DR.. Bing studi-
ed dentistry with the late DR.. Robert L.
Mcclellan of Cochranville. and afterward
graduated at the University of Penna.
Immediately after graduation DR.. Bing
located in Elkton for the practice of his
profession, remaining there some time.
In 1862 he was appointed dele
gate by dental convention in Chicago to
dental convention in Paris, and since
that time had resided in Paris. where he
attained eminence in his profession.
The past winter he'spent in the Transvaal,
South Africa. where he had an interest in
mining. He visited his relatives in this
country few years ago. DIR. Bing was
unmarried Three sisters survive: Mrs
Emma B. Way. New London; Mrs. Reba
L Harvey, Coatesville; Mrs. Mary E
Yeager, Chicago.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1915-10-01
Cecil County Corn.

County Agent Marsh states that he
has spent some time during the past week
measuring out the plots for the corn boys
and he finds them very enthusiastic over
their work. As they are practically all
growing the same variety of corn, ma
tive variety. which has no name but has
given good yields. the boys have decided
to stick to it and by selection and breed
ing to bring up the standard They will
call it the Cecil County Yellow" and
when the boys of Cecil county get started
this corn will soon be as we'll known over
the United States. as Boone County or
Johnson County are now. This will
mean increased returns not only to the
corn boys but also to the whole county in
the higher prices obtained for seed.
The boys wish it to be known that
they have presented the name Cecil
County Yellow" for their corn.