davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Springdale news., 1915-02-26
EIGHTPAGES

ard, there will be time enough to make the arrangements for the con- ing year
 At the time the new High School building was first proposed, and be- fore any bonds were sold, or any contract made for the building, the directors made a fair and square agreement with tke public and the patrons Of the schools, that it would be necessary to charge students at the High School $1 50 per month The fund thus created was to pay the interest on the bonds and to pay the bonds as they matured. It was believed that this fund, together with the natural increase in revenue from taxes, would maintain the schools without increasing the in dabtedness. But the estimates of the board made at that time have not banned out. The bonded debt Of the district has been reduced, but the other debt has increased in about the same proportion, so that the district is not getting ahead fi- naneially, and is not paying off it's obligations.
 There are two things that have up- set the boards calculations: One is in regard to the students paying the fee at the High S-ohol. and the other is the matter of the increase in taxes. In the first place the High school students have not all paid the $1.50 month agreed upon. Some have paid promptly, some have not been able to pay, and great many have not made any pretense to pay whatever. The other disappointment to the board has been in the matter of taxes. The taxes have not increas- ed any, as was to be expected, but 1 have actually decrea" d in the last 3 or 1 years The above matters were discussed at the meeting at the Auditorium, and it was also pointed out that in addition to tie above, the increased attendance at the schools had increased their running expenses to a considerable extent.
 Now, several plans have been sug- gested to relieve the districts finan- ces One is to cut down the teaching force and reduce the number of popular subscription, and still an- other to put the High School on description basis entirely. One of these plans or some other will have to be adopted if tae High School is continued and the board wants to pat the matter squarely Up to the public before taking any action.
 The patrons of the school should realize that the high school is rated second to none in the state, that the boys and girls can get an education here equal to a course in many col Ileges. and that the interests and prosperity of the towl depend largely ol maintaining a good school system. The High School students are urg- ed to pay what they owe there and help to keep this years deficit down as low as possible If they will do th's and there should be an increase in taxes Of a few hundred dollars the school might continue on the present D an, otherwise. there will have to be some change made that will not be for the best interests of the schools or the community.
 Com. of the Board.
The Springdale news., 1915-02-26

in the history of this section of Ark ansas, and one without a parallel in the criminal history of the state was committed about four miles southeast of Springdale, near Zion, Tuesday afternoon about five o'clock, when Mrs. Della Massie shot and killed her nine year-old step-son. Leonard.
 All circumstances the first re- ports aud the prevailing conditions, the testimony Of the neighbors, and others who have talked with the guilty woman are Of the opinion that her mind is deranged, and that at times she is not rational The mur- derer is only slip of a girl, yellow haired, and grey eyed, with just a wisp to her voice, and gives her age as sixteen. She first told that Al bert Littrell, of this place, had enter ed the house by the back door, and had deliberately took small target rifle of 22 calibre from rack, and shot the boy. ordering her to keep still about the crime or he would re- turn and kill her. Wednesday at noon she broke down. and confessed to killing the boy herself.
 No murder was ever committed with more deliberate attempt to take human life, and the confirmed murderer would not conceive of a method so fiendish as the one em- ployed by Mrs. Massie in killing her step-son. The boy was shot while at play, with no idea of the threat ening danger, and in no way had ne the least chance for his life. lie was killed much on the order Of be- ing led to the wall, with eyes blind folded and hands tied No motive has as yet been discovered for the killing, as the boy was almost every thing that could be expected Of q youngster at this age. He was stu dious, obedient and kind. and the near neighbors, who were present
 
 pasents one bit of trouble, but was at all times a good little fellow. lie was able and competent for boy of his age, reading rapidly from a sec ond reader, and although he had been denied the schooling, on ae- count of the financial conditions of his father, was nevertheless bright CT boy in all ways than the average.
 Story of the Crime.
 Tuesday afternoon about o'clock Cecil Massie the father of the boy was chopping wood in the woods, some two hundred yards west of the house, and had started toward the house having finished his work for the day, when he heard his wife scream. She was standing on the back porch of the home, which Is but a one-room frame structure, To cated on the farm of Smith Edison where Mr. @Massie was chopping wood for a living.
 He rushed toward the house asking his wife what had happened, and she replied that Albert Littrell had been there and killed Leonard. He rush ed into the house, and found his son lying in the door, his entire body be- ing in the house, and his head lying in a pool of blood. In the mean time, Smith Edison, who resides near by. and who was feeding some stock hearing the commotion hastened to ward the little hut, which is only a short distance from the barn, and also inquired the cause for the screams. Mrs. Massie telling him that Albert Littrell had been there and killed the boy.
The Springdale news., 1915-02-26

old barn on the place. Here was the only connection Mrs. Massie gave as to her acquaintance with Littrell. She stated that while they were staying in the barn that Littrell and Bill High of this place, came by their home one day, and stopped for some water, and asked some other questions regarding the timber that might be found on the mountain The Massies lived in Springdale, on the east side for few weeks, living in a house be- longing to MT. Fucker. They then moved to the house where the crime was committed. The boy has been living with them for about one year and a half Mr Massie's first wife, the mother of the boy, died when he was about two years of age, and from that time until about two years ago he travelled around quite eX- tensively with his father. At the time his father married the second time the boy was living with an uncle at Denton, Texas. Mrs. Massie stated that her maiden name was Della Liburn, that she was born in Texas. and hat she and her hus- band came to his section from Frisco, Texas. Mir. Massie is thirty nine years of age, very sloyen In his makeup, and shows very little education, being of the general run of men who make their living only by odd jobs here and there, and with no profession. He stated that he had no property in Texas, had no money, and the house in which they lived was furnished very roughly A cook stove serving as means of heat, with very poor table, and cheap bed no carpet on the floor, and the walls partially papered with old newspapers, and different varie- ties of wall paper. The home show the family to have been almost des- titute, although some canned goods, and few groceries were stored about the house. He owned no stock Of any kind, making his living prln- cipally with a cross-cut saw, and an axe
The Springdale news., 1915-02-26
The3We apon.


 Tie weapon used to commit the crime was small 22-calibre rifle, in a very delapidated state, the butt be- ing wired with broom wire, and the barrel rusting. The bullet used was the common 22-short, soft The gun was borrowed ppperty belong ing to Len Hummer of Springdale, and was taken to the house at the suggestion of Mrs. Massie who thought they should have some fire arms around the place for protec- tion. A part of box of cartridges was at the house, and the gun had been fired only three or four times since being in their possession, one of the times by Mrs. Massie who was shooting a. a tree
 Tie wound in the head {. the boy was slightly larger than the large end of a 22-calibre bullet, showing showing the soft lead had flattened some against the skull bone. The bullet penetrated on the rlght side of the head, and ranged down ward. showing that the boy was looking down at the time he was shot
The Springdale news., 1915-02-26

(Continued on Page Fiye.)
The Springdale news., 1915-02-26
The inqu st.

Mr. and Mrs. Massie were arrest ed late Tuesday evening, and guard ed Tuesday night at the residence of Smith Edison; being held pending tae investigation of the coroners jury, which was empaneled Wednes- dly morning shortly after ten o'clock, Alen Flowers representing the state, ani T. B. Childrass County Coroner, present. The jury was selected from the men residing in the neighborhood Id Sheriff Morton being present, al so Constable Blake Baggett and City NJ arshal Avis of Springdale. Mrs. Massie was first called to- the stand and testified to the facts set out above, still holding to her story that Albert Littrell had done the shoot ing she even going so far .as to show the jury just how the door was stand ing, and how deliberate Literal was in the work. Mr. Massie was next placed on the stand, and he told about the same set of facts as out lined above, stating he knew noth- l ing of the crime until he heard his wife screaming. Dr. Martin also tes- tified as to the wound, and Reb Mas 1 tars testified as to the hunt that was made for tracks showing Littrell or some other party had approached ana left the house Smith Eidson also testified as to what had occurred, most of which is told above, and Tom
 Moneyhun stated that he passed the house shortly before, or almost at five o'clock that the front door was
 shut. and that the boy was kneeiihg down on the step rock, and appeared
 to be hammering. He did not hear
 the shot, nor know of the killing uh-
 til later, but he did not see any par ty at or near the house, at the time he passed. It was during the tesu-
 mony of Mir. Moneyhun that the small
 bullet hole in the door was discovered l
The Springdale news., 1915-02-26

Continued on Page Eight.)
The Springdale news., 1915-02-26

From questioning MT. Massie and his wife it is learned that they were married in Texas two years ago, coming to Arkansas about six months ago. They located on the farm near the mountain east of Springdale, liv- ing in a tumbled down shack. Along in December the shack burned down, and for two nights they lived in an
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1915-07-22

tie 2 years and under 8 were raised 40
per cent, cows were raised Is per sent.
''all other cattle" were raised 40 per
cent, sheep were raised 65 per cent and
hogs were raised 100 per cent.
On motion the Board of Equalization
adjourned to July 18th, 1915, 9 a. m.
Pierre, S. d. July 18th, 1915, 9 a. m.
The Board of EQUALIZATION of Hughes
County met pursuant to adjournment.
The members present being: j. F.
Scholz, III. b. German, C. e. Hanon,
and j. +. Youngberg. The Board put
in the forenoon reviewing their work
and then adjourned to 100 D.. m.
Pierre, S. D., July 18th, 1915, 1880 D.
m.
The Board of Equalization of Hughes
county, S. d., met pursuant to adjourn
ment. The members present being: j.
F. Scholz, G. E. Hanon. j. p. Young
berg and II, b. German.
A communication from A. A. Ulmet
was on motion rejected as his land was
lowered instead of raised.
AS F, A. Charrlin, V. Charrlin and
w. S, Nye appeared before the Board
to have the Board reconsider their as
sessment as raised by the Board on the
18th, the Board on motion reduced F.
A.. Charrlin's assessment $500 on cat
tie. The Of her ccmnlaiptS waro taLep
up and on motion were left as equaliz-
ed on the 18th.
On motion Pierre assessment on cows
was raised. Is per cent.
There being no further business for
the Board of Equalization they on mo-
ton adjourned sine die.
j. IL. STARkEY.
County Auditor.
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1915-07-22
Order to Show Cause on Application
of Guardian for Order of Sale
of Real Estate

State Of South Dakota

State OF South Dakota ~
County of Hughes hCouhty court
IN the Matter OF the Estate of Order TO Show
May Agnes Stewart, Hazel Cause on Applica-
Stewart and Clarence Alden ton of Guardian
Stewart. Minors. Tor Order of Sale
of Real Estate
1t appearing to this Court. from the petition
this day presented and filed by f.. p. INarr, the
guardian of the said May Agnes Stewart. Hazel
Stewart and Clarence Alden Stewart. minors,
that it is to their best interests and benefits that
such real estate should be sold.
1t is hereby ordered that the next of kin of the
said ward, and all persons Interested in the said
estate, appear before this Court on Friday, the
9th day of August. A. A. 1915. at 10 O'Clock A, M.
at the court room of said Court. at the City of
Pierre. Hughes county. then and there to show
cause why an order should not be granted for the
sale of such estate.
And it Is further ordered that a copy of this
order be published at least three successive weeks
before the day of hearing, j" the Pierre Weekly
Free Press. n newspaper printed and published
in said Hughes county,
Dated. Pierre. S. D., July 18th, 1915.
By the Court.
JOHN FL. MCCORD
Judge of the County Court.
Attest: LEW w. SANpYS,
lsEAIO Clerk of Courts,
ZELL GUTHRIE.
Attorney, Pierre. S. d.
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1915-07-22
Notice for Publication
Department. of the Interior.

Department of the interior,
u s. Land Office at Pierre. s.. d., June 26, 1915.
Notice is hereby given that Earl p. Mosteller.
II. E. No. 0ll3l3. for Lot Is. Section 6. Township
III North, Range n West 9Th p. Meridian, has
filed notice of intention to make three year proof.
to establish claim to the land above described. be-
fore the Register and Receiver at Pierpe, S. D.,
on the 18th day of August, 1915.
Claimant names as witnesses:
Thomas Whalen. of Blunt, S. D.
Ben Westlund, of Blunt. SAD.
II. /. Lien, of Pierre. s. d..
Ole Westlund, of Blunt, 9. D..
j. L. KELLEY,
Register.
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1915-07-22
Notice To Creditors
Estate Of Walter R. Henley. peceas<a

Estate of Walter R. Henley, Deceased.
Notice is hereby given. by The i.r.ersiyned.
administrator of the estate of Waitesk. Hrnlev
deceased. to the creditors of and Ill pe,44uns nav.
ing claims against the said dercaatsi. 10 exhibit
them with the necessary vouchers. within fonr
to the said. Administrators at the Lazy Office o
John A. Holmes. in Suite 4. in the Hyde Kiock. in
the City OF Pierre. in the County of hughes.
State of South Dakota
Dated June 16. 1915.
LOUISE HENLEY,
Adninistsatrix Of the Estate OF Walter r Hem
leg. DeceGsed-
Joas 4 IkAlAsx Atsa<ney Tor Estate.
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1915-07-22
Notice to Creditors

Estate of Othello j. Sweet, Deceased.
Notice Is Hereby Given. by the undersigned,
Viola Sweet of the Estate of OthelIo j. Sweet,
deceased, to the creditors of and all persons hav-
ing claims against the said deceased, to exhibit
tn EN-, with the necessary vouchers, within four
months after the first publication of this notice,
TO the said EXecutriX at her residence, sos Mis-
souri, Avenue, Pierre, S. d., in the County of
Hughes.
Dated at Pierre, July 10th, 1915.
VIOLA SWEET,
EXecutriX of the Will of Othello j. Sweet,
Deceased.
BURG BROWN, Attorney,
1T. Pierre, s. d,
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1915-07-22

Lewis M Meyers was raised from
$3.50 to $3.50 on horses and from $685.
to $1,000 on cattle.
Samuel A. McGaffee was raised
from $i051 to $125O on cattle.
Mrs Harriet p. Wiley was raised
from 1866 to S1065 on cattle.
Chas F West was raised from $25O4 to
$3082 on cattle,
Mark Ell Whitney was raised from
1925 to $3.50 on cattle and from S1oC
to 1920 on other property.
Erwin j Eberly was raised from $3.50
to $40O on cattle.
Zell Guthrie was raised from 5000
to $765 on horses.
e Neal was raised from S7O7 to 1896
on cattle.
Peterson & Horstman were raised
from $27S4 to 1876 or cattle.
VIM Sparks was raised from S61s
to $3.50 on cattle.
Ferd Sickel was raised from 1924 to
3ZSU on CaIJle.
Alfred Sine was raised from $94C
to SOTO on cattle.
g Tutin vas raised from $685. to
1865 on horses and from 1928 to
1880 on cattle.
Thomas A Mathews was raised
from 1886 to 1886 on horses and from
$54 to $40 on cattle.
Mrs e E Hilgenbocker was raised
from 1890 to $3.50 on cattle.
VIM Lamphier was raised from
$110 to $3.50 on cattle.
VIM Iotter was raised from 5000 to
5000 on horses and from $2750 to S344C
on cattle.
Chas G Mathews was raised from
1864 to 1872 on cattle.
John l. Nolt was raised from $685.
to 1920 on cattle.
The changes in other unorganizec
townships are IS follows:
K f Mercer was raised from S215(
to $2575 on cattle.
Harry Pierson was raised from
1910 to $11O5 on cattle.
Ashley Seeley was raised from 1872
to 1875 on horses and from S275 t,
$34O on cattle.
Henry Schmidt was raised from
$21O to $24O on cattle.
b. j. Stevens was raised from $45;
to $500 on cattle.
Thos B Smith was raised from 500
to 1910 on horses and from 1902 t,
1896 on cattle.
Ben S WEIGH was raised from SIS,
to $3.50 on horses and from sss t,
sos on cattle.
B M Hart was raised from 1915 t,
1910 on cattle.
Thos Halvorson was raised from
$3.50 to $473 on cattle.
A f K~leinschmidt was raised from
$40 to $3.50 on cattle.
Waldo Loramor was raised from
1920 to 1910 ID cattle.
Lloyd Borah was raised from 1870
to $4,000 on horses.
w S Nye was raised from $1,000 t.
$215S OH cattle.
il McDeid was raised from S1333
to $1775 on on horses.
w H Monticue was raised from
$3.50 to $4150 on cattle, reduced auto
mobile from $3.50 to $3.50.
Nellie Leach was raised from $S4
to $3.50 on horses and from 1855 t
$2059 on cattle.
John Kramer was raised fror
$2265 to $3.50 on horses.
Harry Hosman was raised fror
$715 to 1906 on cattle.
w A Fisher was raised from 1851
to $1629 on cattle.
Rol DeHart was raised from $72O t
$40 on cattle.
V Charrlin was raised from $244O {
$3265 on cattle.
Fred A Charrlin was raised frol
$3.50 to $4025 on cattle.
Bourk & Brink were raised frol
s465 to $3.50 on horses and from S4s
to 1924 on cattle.
John Olson vas raised from 5000 t
$3.50 on horses and from $2165 t
$2555 on cattle.
w ii Redick was raised from Sc;
to 1925 on horses and from 1925 t
1925 on cattle.
VIM Schooner jr was raised froI
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1915-07-22

ed 25 per cent, automobiles were low
cred Is per cent and pianos were
raised 80 per cent.
On motion the following changes
were made in personal property in
BRETON township:
Horses and mules 1 year and under
were raised s per cent, horses and
mules 2 years and under three were
raised 10 per cent, stations we're
raised 10 per cent, cattle / year and
under we're raised 20 per cent, cattle
3 years and under s we're raised 25
per cent, cows we're raised S per cent
and sheep were raised 20 per cent.
On motion the following changes
were made in Logan township:
Horses and mules 8 years old and
over were raised Is per cent, cattle l
year and under were raised 70 per
cent, cattle 2 years old and under 3
were raised 35 per cent, COWS we're
raised 10 per cent, all other cattle
were raised IS per cent, sheep were
raised 33 l 3 per cent and hogs were
raised 80 per cent
On motion the following changes
were made in Peoria township:
Horses and mules l year and under
we're raised 20 per cent, horses 2 years
n under 3 were raised 40 per cent,
horses 3 years old and over were
raised rs per cent, cattle 1 year and
under were raised 10 per cent, cows
were raised 10 per cent, sheep were
raised 33 1-3 and pianos were raised
33 1-3 per cent.
The following changes were made
by motion in Raber township:
On motion the assessment of Jesse
Letter was raised from 1896 to $3.50 on
horses
Mrs G w Lowe was raised from
1855 to $500 on horses and:ss28 to sos;
on cattle.
Mrs Maud M Daniels was raised
from S213 to $3.50 on cattle.
c E Mercer was raised from $1115
to $1240 on cattle.
Frank Malish was raised from
$1S75 to $G255 on cattle.
Herbert Kelley was raised from
$6605 to $685. on cattle.
Judd Keyes was raised from 1890 tc
$440 on horses and 1887 to $3.50 or
cattle.
Lou Gregory was raised from 5000
to $3.50 on horses and from 1888 te
1925 on cattle.
Geo w Candy was raised from s574
to S705 on cattle.
Walter E Hall was raised from 5000
to 1925 on horses and from 1888 to
$41O on cattle.
Joseph Fowler was raised from
S112O to $1225 on horses and from
$l1l9 to $l44O on cattle.
Chas II Fratzke was raised from
5000 to S745 on horses and from $123c
to $3.50 on cattle.
EuWln oop was raised from $271C
to $3.50 on cattle.
Norval Cooper was raised from
1926 to $500 on cattle.
Chas d Golfer was raised from s457
to $500 on cattle.
Warren Cooper and sons were rails.
ed from $es7 70 1895 on cattle.
John a Chase was raised from
1922 to $24l0 on cattle.
Omar E Blake was raised from
SIPS to $l205 on horses and from
1915 to 1916 On cattle.
X N Byram was raised from $3.50
to 1880 on horses and from $4s7 to
500 on cattle.
!. 81. AcClans was raised from ss4s
10 tl065 on cattle.
! GEAaaAsws uas nisea fromssr7a<
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1915-07-22

were raised 10 per cent.
On motion lands in Byron Twp.
were raised Is per cent.
On motion lands in Harold Twp.
were raised Is per cent.
On motion lands in Pleasant Valley
Twp. were raised 20 per cent.
On motion lands in Butte Twp.
were raised Is per cent.
AS a committee of Hughes county
citizens appeared to confer with the
Board of County Commissioners on
matters pertaining to Agricultural
Extension Work the Board of Equal
ization adjourned to 1870 p. m.
Pierre, S. d. July 18th, 1915, 1870 p.
m.
The Board of Equalization of
Hughes County met pursuant to ad
journment. The members present
being: ]. F. Scholz, G. E. Hanon, j.
?. Youngberg and H. b. German.
The Board proceeded to equalize
lands. After looking over the assess
ment of lands in the townships not
acted upon in the forenoon they made
the following changes:
On motion Dry Run Twp. lands
were raised 20 per cent, Valley Twp.
lands were raised 10 per cent, Men
tor Twp. lands were raised is per
cent.
On motion Raber Twp. lands ere
lowered S per cent and Rousseau Twp.
lands were lowered 5 per cent.
The Board on motion adjourned to
July sth, 1915, $3.50 a.. m.
Pierre, S. D., July Sth, 1915, $3.50 a.
m.
The Board of Equalization of
Hughes county, S. d., met pursuant
to adjournment. The members pres.
emit being j. +. Scholz. C. E. Hanon,
j. p. Youngberg, H. C. Lumley and
II. b. German.
The Board took up the matter OF
assessment and equalization of per.
sonal property and worked upon same
the remainder of the day without
making any changes rs some OF the
assessors books were incomplete &C
far as totaling of personal property
was concerned.
On motion the Board adjourned te
July 9th, 1915, 1880 p. m.
July 9th. 1916, 1880 p. m.
The Board of Equalization OF
Hughes County, s. ID. met pursuant
to adjournment. The members pres.
emit being: j. +. Scholz. J. P. Young.
berg. a. c. Lumley and II. B. Cor
man.
The Board took up the matter Of
equalizing personal property ane
made the following changes:
On motion horses and mules under
l year in Webster Twp. were lowered
5 per cent. horses and mules 2 years
and under we're raised 20 per cent
horses and mules~3 years and ovel
we're raised 10 per cent. cattle 2 year.
and under threea were raised s pei
cent. cows were raised 20 per cent
sheep were raised 80 per cent, hogs
we're lowered 20 per cent, wagons
were raised SO per cent and pianos
we're raised 500 per cent.
On motion the following changes
we're made In Harold Twp. cattle
years and under s were lowered Il
per cent. COWS we're lowered Is pei
cent and hogs we're raised 50 per cent,
on motion the following changes
we're made In Byron Twp, horses and
mules year and under were raised
5.per cant. cattle one year and under
Were raised 80 per cent, cattle ayeari
|years and under three were raised 2
EpeE cent, all other eattle" we're
rsiaeax pereaak.a heap wals lover,