davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-06-16
Victim of "Hex Cat" Tries
to Burn Two Tenements

Pottsville Pa, June 16.-William
r. Thomas, who achieved wide no
toriety three years ago by his allega-
tions that the burning of his barn at
his Tumbling Run farm and numerous
deaths in his family, ending in the
ruination of the farm, were due to the
spell cast by n big black cat was ar
rested by the police CT this city while
he was setting fire to a double tene-
ment building owned by him in North
Third street,
Thomas had soaked the two houses
in oil and but for the timely discovery
of his plot dangerous fire in the
heart of the city would have been
started.
Since the prosecutions" of the hex
cat on the once prosperous Thomas
farm, Thomas has lived in this city,
but he lately declared the cat was
again pursuing him
He had 81 900 insurance on the
building, but this would not pay a
mortgage having the first claim. In
the possession of Thomas was found a
revolver in which vns a silver bullet
nodded by Thomas himself.
Thomas declared that lead bullets
passed clear through the cat without
harming it. Thomas niece, Miss Aida
Thomas, who also declares she has
been bewitched by the heN cat. tried
to shoot herself when arrested by the
police.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-06-16
PARK EXTENSION
SURVEY IS BEGUN
State College Students Are
Running Lines on Lately
Acquired Area

Governor Brumbaugh and the other
members of the Board of Public
Buildings and Grounds. including
State Treasurer Young and Auditor
General Powell, are very much awake
to the importance of preparing some
concrete recommendation for the next
Legislature in the matter of perma-
nent treatment of the Capitol Park
area-the old section as we'll as the
new territory east of the Capitol
Under their direction a survey of
the district is now being made by stu
dents of the State College and when
this shall have been completed they
will be ready to proceed with the com
petition of. the landscape architects,
and some of the most distinguished
designers in the country will be in
vited to participate.
Whether to enlarge the main capi-
tol building eastward or to place ad-
ditional buildings in the district be-
tween the railroad and the Capitol is
the best solution remains for final
consideration. The proposition to
widen Walnut street and also Third
street will be considered in the whole
problem.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-06-16
Roosevelt Personally
Denies Alarming Reports
of His Recent Illness

New York, June 16. - Colonel
Roosevelt was still in pain to-day as
the result of breaking of tendons of
one of his left ribs through violent
coughing, but declared that the trouble
was not serious and that he expected
To be all right in a few days. DR..
Arthur b. Deul, whom he visited to-
day, also declared that the ColoneTs
illness was not serious and predicted
his quick recovery.
Colonel Roosevelt when he heard
that alarming reports were abroad
that he was dangerously i'll consented
to see newspapermen.
The trouble is really trivial" he
said: Simply a couple of tendons
snapped, have a heavy cold in the
chest and whenever l cough it dis
tresses me. When l get rid of the
cold, 1t will all disappear in a natural
way"
DIR. Deul said: THE Colonel has
a very irritating cough, but it is
absolutely nothing serious. 1t is dis
tresslng and painful but purely a local
condition. DR.. Derby, his son-in-law
has strapped him up so as to alleviate
the pain as much as possible. This
local condition is improving very
rapidly and look for a quick recovery
in couple of days.
The colonel was questioned as ia
the political situation but reiterated
that he was out of politics"
Il am private citizen" he said
and wish to be treated as such"
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-06-16
USE OF SCHOOLS
FOR COMMUNITY
CENTERS URGED
DR., Downes Wants Annual
Training and Domestic
Science in Grades
OPPOSES MILIT "A r | S M
Believes Physical Instruction
Better; Would Beautify
Grounds
OPPOSES MILITARIS M
Some of DR.. Downes'
Tips For Better Schools

Advocates use of school buildings
for community or social center
purposes and suggests setting aside
OF sufficient appropriation to In
sure competent and Systematic or
Ranization.
Urges adoption of domestic
science and manual training I'm
grammar grades.
Considers physical training of
youth best contribution of nation
for preparedness" rather than mill
itary instruction in schools.
Urges physical supervision over
all schools and calls attention
specifically to need of gymnastic or
physical training regularly as part
of school curriculum.
Questions feasibility of giving
graduates of local training school
preference as teachers In public
schools because strict adherence to
system eliminates equally good ma
terial from normal schools and col
leges. Suggests adoption of pInn
whereby interests of local training
graduate as well as outside appIi-
cant may be protected.
Endorses general plan of beauti-
Tying school buildings and grounds
by planting of flowers and shrub
berry.
New high school problem not
touched upon specifically exceut for
general reference to school buiIdInr.
acc0mmodntiOns, because whole
problem Is In hands of speciaI com
mtttee. Tables of statistics how
ever show marvellous increase In
percentage of attendance at high
choOIs.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-06-16
MORE MEN TAKEN
BY RUSSIANS IN
FORWARD SWEEP
Capture $4,000 loops in South
ern Drive; Italians Beat
Back AuStrians
VERDUN ATTACKS FALTER
German Drives Repulsed by
Machine Gunfire; More
Food Riots
BY Associated Press

Petrograd, June 16.-The capture
of an additional 100 officers and IA
600 men was announced to-day by the
war office. The Russian successes in
the offensive along the southern front
are continuing, the statement de-
clares.
Rome. June 16.-Austrian-H Hungar-
ian troops estimated to number 49,
900 attacked in dense formation the
italian positions on the Asiago plateau
yesterday but were repulsed, leaving
piles of corpses before the Italian
trenches, says an official statement
given out by the war office here to-
day.
London. June ia dispatch to the
Central News from Petrograd says
much of the effectiveness of the Rus
sian artillery in their great Galician
drive is due to the use of big japanese
guns These guns are said to be more
powerful than any that the Russiars
have had heretofore and are charged
with shells filled with a new explosive.
the destructive power of which is ter
rife.
Athens, June 16.-It was reported
in Athens to-day that the Bulgariars
were Withdrawing the majority Of
their forces from Saloniki to the
Rumanian frontier.
Paris, June 16.-Powerful German
attacks made last night on the French
position southeast of Thiaumont farm
on the Nerdun front broke down un-
der the French machine gun and in
fantry fire. according to to-day's state
ment by the war office.
The statement says the Germans he
gan their assault at o'clock in the
evening on the right bank of the
Meuse from hill 321 to the edge of
hill 500. At the same time another
attack was launched at the southern
CONTINUED on Page 121
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-06-16
NAME WILSON
AND MARSHALL;
DRAFT PLANKS
Democrats Renominate Stand
ard Bearers by Acclama-
ton
PLATFORM IS COMPLETED
Committee Struggles All Night
Over Americanism, Woman
Suffrage and Mexico
BY Associated Press

st. Louis, Mo-, June 16.-The Demo-
cratic national convention having by
acclamation renominated President
Woodrow Wilson and Vice-President
Thomas r. Marshall met in final
session to-day to adopt its declaration
of principles.
The resolutions committee after al
most twenty-four hours of delibera-
ton, finished its draft of a platform
at s o'clock to-day and authorized
Senator Stone, its CHAIRMAN, to pre-
sent the document to the convention.
Few changes were made in the ten
tative platform as drawn by its sub
committee of nine, but the night was
spent in discussion of the phraseology
of some of the more important planks,
especially those of Americanism,
woman suffrage and Mexico.
At II o'clock the hour for the final
session of the Democratic convention
to begin there were not more than 200
delegates in the Coliseum and the
seats were filling slowly. The first
gallery rows were filled but there were
no crowds around the doors.
Speech Fills Time
After prayer by Rabbi Leon Harri
son of St Louis there was a lull in
the proceedings pending the report of
Reed OF Missouri made a speech to
fill in the time.
In response to a request from dele
gates to fix the time and place for
notification of President Wilson and
Nice-President Marshall of their re-
nomination, Chairman Jones explain
ed that it was the plan to confer first
with the candidates
The burden of Reeds speech was
~an attack on the nomination of Mr..
Hughes because he was taken from
the Supreme Court bench.
America" was played by the band
when Senator Reed concluded and
while Chairman Stone of the Resolu
ton committee to the platform TO
present the platform. Senator Stone
looked haggard from his long vigil.
In introducing Senator Stone to
present the platform Chairman James
asked for order to hear the Demo-
cratic declaration of faith Senator
Stone was given prolonged applause.
"Oh, you Bill" a spectator shouted
at him as he began.
Describing the committees labors
as somewhat protracted and ardu-
ous," Senator Stone made a brief in
troductory address.
Il am not going to read it," said he
referring to the platform. II have not
been able to sleep a moment in more
than 80 hours"
Chairman Stone delegated the read
ing to Senator Walsh, of Montana. and
Senator Hollis,of Montana. Senator
Walsh took the speakers stand first
and began reading at 1886 o'clock.
Spectators Quickly Tire
The first applause given the plat
form was for the endorsement of the
administration. The delegates gave
close attention. Before Senator Walsh
had finished the preamble spectators
in the galleries began to leave and
the noise made it difficult for dele
gates to hear.
Endorsement of the Underwood tar
iff act was given general applause.
The delegates seemed to interrupt
with lengthy applause.
The much discussed plank on AM
CONTINUED on Page 121
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-06-16
.BRUMBAUGH AND
MARJORIE GUESTS
Between 5000 and 10000
School Children Expected at
Paxtang Park Outing

Well over $500 pupils have through
their teachers signified their intention
of attending the Telegraphs outing at
PaXtang Park on Tuesday, June ~
and only a small percentage of the
schools have been heard from. In
dications point to a huge gatherlns'
but there will be plenty of attractions
to keep the youngsters busy. a sood
many parents and friends have slsnl-
fed their intention of attending. All
are cordially invited.
AS announced in detail last evening,
cars will leave various points of the
city promptly at 9:15 on the morning
of the outing and will proceed directly
to the park, picking up the schools
along the way. The route that the
cars will take will be again printed
in Monday evenings Telegraph, SO
that there may be no misunderstand-
ing. Guests are advised to take big
enough baskets for two meals, as the
picnic will not be concluded until dusk.
Music With Their Meals
A band will be at the park all day
and will play popular airs large part
of the time. Souvenirs commemora-
tive OF the occasion will be presented
to each guest. The weather man ha:
/ promised to do his best to prevent the
necessity of postponing the outing un
!
| spelling bee have been received from
a number of the schools. This viii
count heaviest in the point scorinl
of the schools for the silver lovinl
| cup offered by the Telegraph.
Governor Brumbaugh has sent wore
/ that he would be on hand at 3:45 ii
| the afternoon to address the girls anC
boys following the free vaudeville per
formance in the auditorium. He viii
be introduced by A. Carson Stamm
president of the school board. Mar
! iore Sterrett will be on the platform
with the Governor and Mr.. Stamm
but all the rest of the time she vii
mingle with the boys and girls, VIII,
will have a chance to talk to her abou
the battleship America.
The Lincoln school building has Is
sued a challenge to the Forney build
ing for a game of baseball in the aft
! ernoon. Needless to say the chal
! lenge was accepted and the tw,
schools will battle for supremacy ol
the park diamond in the early after
noon. Mercer B. Tate. chief marsha
for the outing. will be asked to refere,
the game. The morning will be de
voted exclusively to the various con
tests that have been arranged, tn
prizes for the winners of which ar
on exhibition in Rothert's window.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-06-16
Two-Mile Speedway VIII
Be Ready by Coming Fall

Returning from Pittsburgh to-day
w. J. Stewart, of the Keystone State
Fair and Industrial Exposition Com
pony, said that he had interested new
capital in the enterprise and that
there is every prospect of the two
milo speedway on the tract below
Harrisburg being ready for operation
the coming Fall. Work of grading has
been greatly delayed by the rainy
weather, but Notwithstanding this a
of the architects, Graham,
Burnham and Company, of Chicago,
the consulting engineers and officials
of the company viii he held in Pitts
burgh next week when the contract
for the speedway proper viii be let.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-06-16

In his annual report this afternoon
TO the school board DR.. F. E. Downes
city superintendent of schools, dis
cusses interestingly and in detail some
or the vital problems which confront
Harrisburg to-day.
Every detail of the working of
Harrisburg's school system is gone
INTO fully, of course, and half dozen
or more tables of statistics add to
the value of the report.
The board received and filed the re-
pert.
New Teachers For High School
ASIDE from hearing DR.. Downes re-
port the board did little else +ben
Continued on Page 81
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-06-16
HEIREss WEEDS TROLLEYMAN

Scranton. Pa, June 16. = Slippine
out of her palatial home, facine Nav
Aug Park, Miss Magdelena Robinson
daughter of Philip Robinson, of the
wealthy brewing firm of Robinson
Sons, met Jay A. Rock. a street car con-
ductor, who was waiting with an auto.
mobile. and a half hour later thev
were married. The first the girls ma
rents knew of the marriage was when
they received message as the couple
Rock has been conductor on the Nav
Aug Park line and met and courted the
girl as she rode to and from town on
his car
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-06-16
CRYING NEED OF
NEW HIGH SCHOOL
Appeal For Improved Facilities
Made at Central Com
mencement

Harrisburg's increasing need of a
new High School together with a
general outline of almost intolerable
conditions because of overcrowded-
ness in the present building, and an
appeal for the retaining of the CO.
educational plan of education in the
city High Schools formed the principal
parts of addresses by Vernon Widder,
Naledictorian and Miss Marguerite C.
Yoder, salutatorian of the 1916 class
OF Central High School.
The orations were given this morn
ing at the forty third annual COM
mencement exercises. Imm ediately
following Mr.. Widder's talk, DR..
Joseph Swain, president of Swarth-
tContinued on Page Al
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-06-16
RAILROADS TO
VOTE ON STRIKE
Turn Down Offer of Arbitra-
ton; 100000 Will Give
Their Views
Special to the Telegraph

New York June l6 - More than 400
900 union and nonunion railroad workers
of America will vote within a month on
the advisa bility of calling a general
strike to enforce their demands for an
eight -hour-day and time and half for
overtime as a result of the failure by
representatives of the railroads and the
men to reach settlement here late
yesterday after a two weeks confer
ence.
Hope of adjusting the dispute through
the conference faded when the railroads
submitted a tentative compromise offer
eliminating the majority of existing
double compensation" rules. The con-
ference adjourned Wednesday to give
the railroad managers an opportunity
[Continued on Page 81
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-06-16
ISLAND CAMP
OPENS JULY 5
Miss Katherine M. Smith Re-
appointed Cooking School
Instructor

With the opening July of the Nc
Cormick's island children's camp Prof.
James G. Sourbier, the 1915 camp su-
perviso'. will inaugurate a brand new
system of camp routine.
Mr.. Sourbier who has been active in
Y. NJ. C. A. physical training work for
more than twelve years, recently re-
turned from Greensburg. He will
have entire charge of the instruction
of both boys and girls at the camp,
including swimming, archery, etc. In
steac of girl instructors for the girls
TConIinued ON Pane 81
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-06-16
JUDGE LITTLE DIES
By Associated Press

Montrose, Pa, June 16. - Judge
Ralph B. Little, president judge of
the courts of Susquehanna county,
died suddenly this morning at his
home here of acute indigestion. He
was 81 years old. Judge Little was
by Governor Stuart eight
years ago to I'LL the vacancy caused by
the death of Judge r. w. Searle
afterward being nominated by the Re-
publicans and elected to the office.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-06-16
CONTINUED on Page 81
Governor Whitman Holds
Conference With Hughes
By Associated Press

New York, June 16. = Governor
Whitman arrived here from Albany
to-day and went direct to the hotel
where Charles E. Hughes has his
headquarters and conferred with him.
Myron T. Herrick, of Ohio, and
Congressman Fairchild Joined this
consultation. 1t was the first meet
ing between NJ. Hughes and Mr.. Whit
mar since the formers nomination.
Mr.. Hughes expected to leave late to-
day for Washington, to return here
probably Sunday night.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-06-16
WEST POINT COMMANDANT DIES
BY Associated Press

West Point, n. Y, June t6.-Lieu-
Morton F. Smith,
United States Army. commandant of
cadets at the United States Military
Academy, died at his quarters here to-
day after a brief illness. He was born
in Colorado on July 80, 1872, and was
appointed a cadet at the Military
Academy June II. 1891, graduating
with the class of '9S. Colonel Smith
had been commandant of cadets at
the academy since April 8, 1914.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-06-16
Head of Big Steel Works Init
mates Schwab Interests
Have Plans For Huge I'm
prOUements at Local Plant
PLEDGES SUPPORT
FOR BETTER BOROUGH
Speakers at Joint Banquet
Tell of Town's Advantages
and Urge Still Greater
Things

Optimism and good fellowship
marked the first Booster banquet held
in Frey's hall, Front and Pine streets,
Steelton, last evening, under the joint
auspices of the Municipal League and
the Merchants Association.
Just 1876 representative men of the
borough were present and heard the
towns future discussed from all
angles. c. S. Davis, principal of the
high school and a civic leader, acted
as toastmaster. He called upon Su-
Continued on Page II
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-06-16
Vacation Season Is Here

Rest and recreation will not be
complete unless you have all the
news from home daily. The Har-
risburg Telegraph will fill the gan.
Don't spend your precious vaca-
ton time trying to "get used" to
strange newspapers.
Just drop a postal or call the
Circulation Department and the
next issue will meet you, no mat
sac VI are.
SIX cents n week.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-06-16
G. \. r, COMMANDER DEAD
By .Associdtcd Pyess

Philadelphia. June 16. - Captain
James T. Morris, past department
commander of the Grand Army of the
Republic of Pennsylvania and for six
teen years chief clerk in the office of
the receiver of taxes in Philadelphia,
died to-day, aged IS years.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-06-16
COLUMBIA STEEL
STRIKE ADJUSTED
Special to the 7'eleprabh

oFVlFUF 10 WTt tItgFupF
Lancaster, Pa, June 16. - At a con-
ference yesterday between the striking
and representatives of the A. NJ. Byers
Company, of Pittsburgh, the Operators
the trouble was amicably adjusted. The
men accepted the Sc per ton rate paid
in Lebanon and Reading. with the un-
derstanding that more would be paid
If the other mills raised wages. Work
will be resumed Monday
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-06-16
DIR. MAYO HoNoREn

Detroit. Mich, June 16-Dr. Charles
H. Mayo, of Rochester, Mimi, was
elected president OF the American
Medical Association at a meeting of
the house of delegates yesterday after
noon. New York city was awarded
the 1917 convention.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-06-16
NO OPPOSITION
TO W. H. HORNER
Republican County Committee
Will Re-elect Him Chairman
at Tomorrow's Meeting

William H. Horner will he re-
elected chairman without opposition
at the annual meeting of the Dauphin
County Republican Committee to-
morrow morning. Resolutions will be
presented strongly endorsing the
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-06-16
LContinucd on Page fl
WASHINGTON HEIGHTS MEETING

Washington Heights citizens will
meet at Washington Heights school
house this evening to hear a report
from the committee which visited
Camp Hill last week to ascertain the
sentiments of that borough with re-
spect to annexation. The committee
found Camp Hill very favorable to the
project.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-06-16

Snapshot
declared Will
w of Miss Iamber
death
o worrya
of
had disgrace to face This left the State with their
condition would his
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-06-16
THE WEATHER.

For Harrisburg and vicinity; Part
fy cloudy weather, probably
showers Tonight and Saturday;
not much change in temperature.
For Eastern Pennsylvania, Partly
cloudy, with probably occasional
showers tonight and Saturday;
not much change In temperature;
moderate to fresh southeast and
south winds.
River
The North and West branches and
the main river Will rise. the most
decided rises being Indicated for
the Lower West Branch md the
main river. The Juniata, Che
munE and the Upper West
Branch Will probably begin to fall
this afternoon or Tonight 4
stage of about S.5 feet is indicat-
ed for Harrisburg Saturday
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-06-16
General Conditions

General Conditions
The Northwestern storm has con-
tinued to move slowly southeast
ward and is now central over
Lake Michigan, while the South
western disturbance hns remaln-
ed nearly stationary over Arizona.
Rnin has fallen In the last twenty
four hours over the greater part
of IT, territory east of the Mis-
SissiDpi river and at n few sta
tiOns in the Plains states. Tenn
perntureS were unusually high
ngaln yesterday afternoon In the
Southwest, Phoenix reporting n
maximum retdinR of 11O degrees.
Temperatures a. M, 64.
Sun; Rises, 4.36 n. MT sets, 1885
y. IN.
Moon; Rises, Si45 p. m.
River Stage; 6.6 feet above low
water mark.
Yesterdays Weather
Highest temperature. 63.
Lowest temperature, 56.
Mean temperature, 90.
Normal temperature, 20.