davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1916-03-23
kBit Of vsy Early PIsassr History.

Mr.. j. H. COllett, now OF Aus
tin, Texas, who seventy years a.
90 left Caldwell county for the
Lone Star State, in writing to
his cousin, Miss Jennie Coffey, OF
Boone, embraces the following,
which will be read with interest.
The writer is now 80 years old;
the letter was written in his own
hand, and we consider it splen-
did, his age considered:
In my late reminiscent letter
to you told you of q man nam
ed Craig who had a camp on
Grandfather mountain, though l
did not tell you that he was a
hunter and trapper of game, his
mode of hunting being to slow
track it.
When in quest of game a moose
was put around his dogs neck,
and was held or led, and when
the dog scented the tracks OF
game he made it known by his
actions, and when the hunter
found the tracks the dog was al
lowed to lead of in the right d.
rection without making noise,
the hunters object then being, ii
possible, to slip up within shoot
ing distance of the game without
being discovered.
Craig delighted in telling about
adventures he had with wounded
bear that looked fool-hardy. He
sometimes went into fights with
his butcher knife when his dog
was in danger OF being squeezed
to death, for if he had taken time
to reload his gun and shoot it
again his dog would have been
dead. There was no road for sew.
eral miles from his camp, al d
when he had a sufficient amount
Of dear hams, bear meat, and ful
skins to make a trip, he packed
it on horses down to the settle
ment where he found market fol
all he had.
Craig's father and mother in
their latter days took an orphan
girl to raise. In the course of time
the old lady died, and some time
after that event the old man mar
ried the girl, and on that occa-
sion the old man was reported tt
have SAID in part in substance
the following: That he had thre'
months OF birthdays (he wa
then in his 90th Year,; thatfron
the time of his first marriage b
had tanned the leather and mad
all the shoes, saddles and har
ness ever used on his place; tina
his young wife was 1S years old
and from the time she was a mer
girl she had carded, spun, wove
cut and made all the clothes sh
ever wore; that she was a goot
cook and house keeper, and tn
best and pettiest girl he eve
knew; that she had promised tt
take care OF him and, if need be t.
nurse him as long as he lived, an
when he died she would own a.
he had left. If / ever knew the Civ
en- names OF any of the Craigs II
ferred to do not now remembe
them
The last time was on Grand
father mountain was in the ia
Of 1888, a few days before W
started to move from one mil
below COlletsyille to the CherOke
country. l went with my fathe
and others to help gatherup an
drive home our range stool
When we started from the mou1
tain, q little sleek.fat unweane
heifer was too weak to trav
from milk sickness, and We le
her to die. Is it definitely know
what the cause OF that disease il
II not, / think it would be anotI
or feather in the cap OF MIR. job
P. Arthur, your local Weste1
North Carolina Historian, top'
some scientist to work on t b
Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1916-03-23
BANK REPORT.

Following 10 the report Of the cen
dition OF Vale Crucis Bank at Vale
Crucis, In the state Of North Carolina
at the close OF business March Z, 1915
RESOURCES:
Loans and discounts $21, ,668.76
Overdrafts Secured 448.87
Overdrafts Unsecured 1921
Ranking House 1,848. 80
Furniture and Fixtures 1000 81
Due from National banks 2.428 81
Cash Items 1880
Gold coin 10000
Silver coin, including all mi
nor coin currency 1905
National bank notes and 9TH
er q. 8. notes 10000
Total. s27, ,t9S. .78
LIABILITIES:
Capital stock paid In 10000
Undivided profits less current
expenses and taxes paid 840.86
Notes and Bills redlscounted $4,000
Bills Payable 100000
Deposits subject to check 6,748.6l
Time certificates OF desposit 8,657.90
Savings Deposits 1870
Cashiers ch'ks outstanding 272 SO
Accrued int. due depositars 1870
-.--
Total. tal........................ 80. 27,69S.7 70
State Of North Carolina, County Of
Watauga 81. l, L. M. Farthing. cash.
ier OF the above named bank, do sol
emnly swear that the above state
ment is true to the best Of my know
ledge and belief.
! l.. NJ. FARTHING, Cashier.
Correct-Attest:
H. B. PERRY
d. +. MAST
SARAH g. WAGNER
Directors.
Subscribed and sworn to before me
this lind day Of March. 1915.
W. H. MAST, N. P.
Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1916-03-23
BANK STATEN ENT.

Following is a report of the con-
dition of the bank of Blowing Rock
at owing Rock in the state of
North Carolina, at the close of busi.
ness March 7, 1916:
Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1916-03-23
VETERINARY SURGERY.

! have been putting much study
on this subject; have receiyed my
diploma, and am now we'll equipped
for the practice Of Veterinary Sur.
gerry In all its branches, and am th !
only one in the county. all on or
address me at Villas, N. R. +. d.
g. H. HAYES,
Veterinary Surgeon.
5-17-'11.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-27
RAILROADS BEGIN BUYING CAMPAIGN Contracts Placed for Nearly 500,OO0 Tons of Rail
 for 1917


 New York. March 26.-The railroads en- tered upon vigorous buying campaign for equipment last week. placing con tracts for nearly 500,0O0 tons of rails for delivery during the first quarter and first half of 19l7 Included in the orders were 14c.00o. tons for the New York Central system. 75,OO0 tons for the Baltimore and Ohio. 40 tons for the Erie, s5,0o0 tons for the Illinois Central. 4O.0O0 tons for the Chicago and Northwestern, 2O,OO0 tons additional for the Burlington, 15.O00 more for the Southern Pacific. 15,0O0 tons each for the Union Pacific, the Missouri Kan sas and Texas. the Atlantic Coast Line and the Chesapeake and Ohio. 10000 tons additional for the Santa Fe, 5000 tons for the Chicago and Alton, 5000 tons for Min neapolis and St. Louis, 5000 tons for the Stone Construction company for roads in Kansas, 5000 tons of light sections and 2o,ooo tons of miscellaneous orders for late 1916 and early 1917 deliveries, The Pennsylvania Railroad company probably
 itContinued oa Fass Eights
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-27
Summary of the News
GENERAL NEWS

OEN Ett-AL NEWS Page 1-Three columns of American cavalry pursuing Villa. Hobsonizing proved fatal to claims Copenhagen hears of great naval battle. Washington waiting for official news on Sussex disaster. Tariff commission bill to he de- offered in House today. Foreign relations again disturbinE leaders of Congress. Page 2-TorreOn threatened by ham, dits.
 STATE NEWS Page 3-Sign to he given Attalla by Alabama Power company. Keltner dies at brothers home.
 LOCAL NEWS Page 5-ReaI estate men carried away by their reception. Marion l.. Pointer short i'm his ac- counts. school situation most vital problem, in city. centennial. Hobson will resume his campaign. Page S-Bush suggests creation Of traffic bureau.
 FEATURES Page 2-New York stories by a Bir- mfngham man. Page 3-HOlland's letter. Page 4-EdftOriaI comment. Page S-F0Otllghts and Screen.
 SPORTING NEWS Page 5-Willard leaves New York for Chicago. Draak and Faust to wrestle at cluh tonight. state colleges busy with baseball teams. Lookout fans i'm doubt over EIber- fields policy. Pitching staff of Travellers causing wOrrys
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-27
CHEWING GUM HABIT COSTLY ONE
United States Has Paid $35,- OOO,OOO for Chicle in the
 Last Ten Years

Washington, March Especial. )-Dur- ing the last 10 years the people of the United States have paid for chicle. the dried milky juice of the sapodilla tree, $s5, GOO 900. or nearly five times as much as the United States paid Russia for Ala ska.
 The bureau of foreign and domestic commerce. writing about the American chewing gum habit-for chicle gum is the main ingredient of chewing gum says:
 Normally our annual imports of chicle amount to 100000 pounds, for which we pay about s3,5Oo,0OO in the countries of origin, and to which must be added cus- toms duties in our own ports of about $75o0OG
 Imports of chicle gum during the fs- cal year 1915 were as follows: From Mex leo, 2.1s7.0O0 pounds; from Canada, 2.1S1,- oOo pounds; from British Honduras. 1.13s. coo pounds; from Venezuela, s52,0oo pounds;
 (Csntinued on Page Eight)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-27

Marseilles, March 26.-The British liner Minneapolis was sunk in the Mediterranean last Wednesday by a submarine, according to Captain Bibby of the British steamer Leicester shire, which has arrived here from Rangoon.
 Captain Bibby reports that while in the Mediterranean last Wednesday he received a wireless call for help from the Minneapolis which said that the steamer had been torpedoed and was sinking.
 The Leicestershire went ahead at full speed, but arrived too late, the Minneapolis having sunk. The fate of the crew was not known to Cap tain Bibby.
 The Minneapolis, 13,543-ton steamer, was built in 1900 at Belfast and was owned by the Atlantic Trans port company. Late shipping rec ords do not give her movements. She probably was in the British govern ment service.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-27
WEEK UNEASY ONE
 FOR STOCK MARKET Complications in European and Mexican Situations
 Basis for Uncertainty

New York, March 26.-Complications Of the European and Mexican situations fur- nshed basis for last weeks uncersain market tendencies in which pronounced shrinkage of operations was noteworthy feature. Stocks whose prosperity hinges largely upon the prolongation of the for eign conflict, receded sharply on every circumstantial runor of approaching peace and issues with Mexican connec- tions fell as violently on reports that threatened more serious trouble along the southern border.
 Rails hardened because of impressive buying and excellent earnings of the Atchison and Topeka lines. Coppers and other metals moved contrarily Tn the train of these stocks followed various uncassified issues some advancing and others falling, the movement almost de- flying analysis.
 Depreciation of German and French ex- change furnished food for conjecture, but
 tContinued on Page Elsht}
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-27
Provides for Six Members, Three Democrats and
 Three Republicans
WOULD APPROPRIATE
 $3OO,000 PER YEAR
Bill Meets Views of President Wilson on Subject and He Will Use His Influence in Passing It.
 Rainey Explains Bill

Washington, March 26.-(SpeciaI.) The snonpartisan. permanent tariff 1 commission bill, with the approval of President Wilson, will be introduced in the House tomorrow by Representa-
 tive Rainey of Illinois.
 It provides for the appointment of a l commission of six members, three dem-
 ocrats and three republicans. Each member will be paid $1OO0O per annum
 and the period of appointment will vary from two to IF years. The annual
 appropriation of *sO0,0OO will be au-
 thOrixed.
 President Wilson will use his influence to secure the passage of the bill, although not many months ago he violently pro- tested against the injection of the idea during the existence of democratic Con- gress Many democrats will oppose the measure on the ground that it is repub- lican in principle, necesstates an extrav- agant and useless expenditure of money, and is a political expedient, in view of the approaching presidential campaign Senator Underwood, who wrote the tar if bill, will oppose the creation of a tariff commission. He declares tariff commission would do no particular harm but that it's functions could be discharged
 by other bodies which already exist.
 RAINEY EXPLAINS BILL
 MT. Rainey. respecting the merits oi
 his bill, issued the following statement
 tonight:
 This bill has been rewritten and have
 been authorized by the democratic mem-
 bers of the ways and means committee
 to reintroduce it in it's present form II
 will be supported by all the democratic
 members of the ways and means com
 mittee Later on it will be brought to the attention of the full committee and
 it is hoped that it will also receive
 the support Of the republican members
 The bill in it's present form has the ap-
 proval of the administration and will bt the administration measure on this sub ject
 Tt is not intended to make it a par tisan measure. In its present form the
 bill is as nearly nonpartisan as it is pos Sible to make IL IL IS not the intention
 to submit it to a party caucus, although to save time it will, in all probability be added to the omnibus revenue bill.
 BIPARTISAN MEASURE 1.-The bill in it's present form provides for commission of six members with salaries of s1O,OOo a year each, no more than three of the members to belong tc the same political party. This would mean three democrats and three republicans and from a political standpoint the mem bership of the committee would be equal ly balanced between the parties whict favor different methods of imposing tar. ifs The bill requires the chairman and the vice chairman to be selected bi. ennially. This makes it impossible to in stall in these important offices for long terms members who happen to belong to the political party in power when the appointment was made. In the first instance members are appointed for two four, six. eight. 10 and F years. re- (Continued on Page EighD
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-27
ARTILLERY DUEL CONTINUES

London March 26.--The violent bom- bardment northwest of Verdun continues while to the north of the fortress and in the Woevre region intermittent cannonad- ing is in progress. No infantry attacks have been launched by the Germans ex- cept to the southeast of Fort Douaumont. where Berlin reports hand-to-hand en counter with the advantage on the side of the Germans.
 The French in the Argonne forest, are keeping up their bombardments of Ger man positions. Considerable artillery ac- tivity by the French also has been shown in the Vosges. The explosion of a French mine in this region inflicted heavy losses on the French, according to Berlin. The German position was not impaired.
 On the Russian front the Germans at- tempted an offensive in the region of Jacobstadt, but were repused while the Russians captured German trench in the region of Dvinsk. Heavy fighting is still going on in the lake region south east of Dvinsk Here Berlin says. the Russian attacks broke down.
 Storms in the mountain regions of the hustro-Italian lines have impeded opera tions. but bombardments are continuing on the Isonzo front.
 Tn the coastal region of the Russn < Turkish war theatre the Russians are making good progress against the Turks. and also farther south in the Lake Van region have thrown their lines still fur tier forward.
 Three more British steamers have been sunk. presumably by German subma- rines They are the Minneapolis. once plying between American ports and Lon don the St. Cecilia, on voyage from Portland. Me, for London. and the Fenay Bridge, bound from Philadelphia for Hull. The crews of the St Cecilia and Fenay Bridge were rescued. The fate of the crew of the Minneapolis is not known. A conference of the entente allies of far-reaching importance will begin at Paris Monday. The premiers, various other high government officials, including the British foreign secretary and secre- tary for war. and the commanding gem
 (Continued on Page Two)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-27
COPENHAGEN HEARS
 REPORTS OF GREAT NAVAL ENGAGEMENT
Reported to Have Occurred Off Graadby Light ship--Another British Liner is Sunk-Sussex Was Given No Warning and Accounts Agree That She Was Sunk by Torpedo.

London, March 26Dispatches from Esberg Denmark to the Berngske dende Reuters Copenhagen correspond report great battle between the German and British fleets three miles off the Graadby ghtshp at midday day The dispatch adds that Conden in Scheswig Hostei has been bombarded by five aeropanes.
 dispatch to the Exchange Telegraph company from Copen hagen says the German armed awler sunk by the British side Svt harbor were Bramschweg Otto Rudolf
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-27


 was issued tonight:
 "An attack by British seaplanes was delivered yesterday morning upon German airship sheds in Schleswig- Holstein, eastward of the Island of Sylt. The seaplanes were conveyed to their rendezvous close to the Ger man coast by an escorting force of light cruisers and destroyers under Commodore Tyrwhitt.
 Three of the seaplanes which took part in the attack are missing. The destroyer Medusa was in collision with the destroyer Laverock and it is feared that in the stormy weather which pre- vailed last night the Medusa may have been lost But no misgivings are felt as to the safety of the crew. Two Ger man patrol vessels were sunk by our destroyers
 No detailed report has yet been re- ceived, but from Danish press messages it would appear that this operation, which was carried out within the enemy's waters achieved it's object"
 The Laverock, 26O feet long, was built in 1914 and displaced 965 tons. She was armed with three finch guns plement was 100 men. The latest avail
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-27

[ dple BfltlSh navy fecOfdS give no ue' stroyer Medusa
 Berlin March 26.-(By Wireless .)-Ne, less than three British hydro-,.
 planes, among them fighting Ss plane, were brought down German guns on and about thS And of Sylt during an air raid on northern Schleswig, according to German of ficia1 communication issued tonight. The crews were taken prisoners. Bombs dropped in the district of the Hover water gate did no damage, says the statement, which follows: From the ships, which wer accom- panied by a cruiser squadron and a f1otilla of destroyers, five English hy- dro-aeroplanes were started yer-0"'a /.
 morning for attack against the German aeronautic establishments in northern Schleswig.
 Not less than three of them, among which was a fighting aeroplane, were forced down by the defensive service on an and about the Island of Sylt Tine inmates of the machines, who were
 made prisoners, are four English off oers and one on-commissioned officer. Bombs were only thrown in the dis trict of the Hover water gate. No dam age was done.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-27
102 ARE DEAD

Lcndon. March 27.-Although there is still some uncertainty as to the loss of life in the disaster to the cross-channel steamer Sussex Friday there no longer is any doubt that the death list is much larger than the early advices indicated. The latest figures complied in London show IS many as lo2 persons missing, including five Americans.
 The Sussex had 436 persons aboard, of whcm the following have been accounted for: Landed at Dover 72, landed at Boulogne 250; dead at Boulogne g. dead at Dover 3.
 The list of missing may be slightly
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-27
Every Effort Will Be Made to Prevent Agitation Over
 Torpedoing of Sussex
REPUBLICANS CONFER AGAIN TODAY
Democrats Think Opposition Is Trying to Make Capital Out of Situation Already Too Much Agitated.
 Long Session in Prospect

Washington, March 26.--Foreign re- lations as affected by the Mexican sit uation and the latest destruction of a belligerent ship bearing American citi- in Congress. What appears to have been the torpedoing of the channel steam CT, Sussex, coming soon after the Pres idents victory in Congress over the warning issue, is regarded by cham pions of the proposal that Americans should be warned not to travel on bel ligerent ships, as likely to provoke re- vival of discussion in Congress.
 Administration leaders, however, in- sisted tonight that the President should be left with free hand to deal with the case and every affort will be made to prevent agitation in Congress.
 CONFER AGAIN TODAY
 Senate republicans, who conferred Saturday regarding Mexican affairs will confer again tomorrow with a view of action toward enlargement of American military forces on the border. The republicans have been deluged with telegrams from border citizens, who in- sist that military forces left behind when the punitive expedition entered Mexico are inadequate. The republi- cans are seeking further information as to actual conditions and hope to outline definite plan of action tomor-
 (Continued on Page Eight)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-27
Complications May Follow if Press Reports Are
 Borne Out
NOT YET CONVINCED
 SHE WAS TORPEDOED
Actions of Strange Sailing Craft Which Refused to Respond to Dis tress Signals Regarded as Sig
 nificant-Affidavits Received

Washington, March 26.-Officia infor-
 nation upon which President Wilson will decide whether the sinking of the steam ship Englishman and the damaging by sex were the result of acts in violation of international law is being gathered from every available source by consular , representatives of the United States is, England and France. Tangible evidence of some kind tonight momentarily was expected by the state department
 Dispatches already received indicate that several Americans were injured or killed in the Sussex disaster. Four Amer ican citizens who were aboard the Eng lishman and who were said in dispatches yesterday not to be among the rescued, still are unaccounted for.
 ONE IMPORTANT DISPATCH Only one dispatch of importance con- corning the explosion which damaged the
 Sussex was received by the state depart-
 ment during the day. This contained an affidavit made in London at the Ameri- can embassy by two American survivors, Edward s. Huxley and Francis E. Drake of New York. Both swore that the ex- plosion occurred without the slightest
 warning and they credited the com
 mander of the Sussex as saying that he saw the wake of a torpedo before it struck his vessel.
 | Another statement in the affidavit of ficials seemed to consider significa mt had to do with strange sailing vessel which lowered near the Sussex after the explosion and which, in response to sig nals for assistance from the channel stea mer sailed away and disappeared. Press dispatches quoting Belgian army officer as saying that the submarine probably had hidden behind the strange vessel, which apparently disregarded all the traditions and laws of the sea ,n failing to succor a vessel in distress, were read with interest.
 Prof. J. Mark Baldwin of Baltimore and his wife and daughter, reported in press dispatches as being missing or in- (Continued on Page TwO)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-27
BRITISH LOSE THREE
 AEROPLANES IN RAID
British Destroyer Medusa Lost After Collision With Companion Ship-Two German Patrol
 Vessels Are Destroyed.

London March 26-Three British aeroplane which took part in raid German arshp sheds in Scheswig Holsten yesterday missing Two German vessels sunk and British destroyer is believed to have been lost.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-27
GAIN FOR RUSSIANS

Petrograd, March 2e-(via London) The sudden development of a Russian offensive on the Dvnsk front, which has taken the Germans by surprize, has, dur ing the past week, resulted in a consider able advance by the Russians over two of the most important sectors-at Jacob stadt, which protects the northern flank, and in the Narocz lake region, which de- fends the southern positions. At neither point were the Germans able to stay the Russian advance. The main Russian effort is being made on the southern portion of the northern line, where the Russians are proceeding towards Svent- sany. This movement, if successful, would result in the capture of the Wilma Dvinsk railway line, which now serves the Germans at Dvinsk.
 According to reports the Germans al- ready have removed their depots ana sup ply stations to point west of Novo Alexandrovsk and their activitgk consists chiefly in constructing a line oA fortifi- caions in the rear of those they now occupy, to which they may retreat in case of continued Russian successes.