davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The De Soto County news. [volume] (Arcadia, Fla.) 1898-1924, 1916-01-06
A SURVIVOR ON
BOARD PERSIA
Describes the Sinking. Horrible
Scene. Water Black AS Ink. Some
Passengers Were Screaming, Others
Calling Out Goodbye" While
Those In One Of tho Boats Sang
Hymns.
Horrible

London, Jan. 5.-Charles Grant, Of
Boston, one Of the two Americans
Known to have been on board the
Persia when she was torpedoed last
Thursday, has arrived in Alexandria.
Mr.. Grant gave to the Associated
Press the most detailed account yet
received of the disaster.
81 was in the dining saloon Of the
Persia at / :03 p. M, he said. II had
just finished my soup, and the stew
ard was asking what l would take for
my second course, when a terrific ex-
plosion occurred.
"The saloon became filed with
smoke. broken glass and steam from
the boiler, which appeared to have
burst. There was no panic on board.
We went on deck as though we were
at drill, and reported at the life
boats on the starboard side, as the
vessel had listed to port. I chung to
the railing. The last thing done was
to tie on Captain Sprickley's life belt.
"As the vessel was then listing so
badly that it was impossible to launch
the starboard boats, slid down the
starboard rail into the water. ! got
caught in a rope which pulled Off a
shoe, but I broke loose and climbe d
on some floating wreckage, to which ]
chung.
"The last 1 saw of the Persia she
had her bow in the air, five minutes
after the explosion.
after floating about on the wreck
age until 4 o'clock in the morning ]
saw five boats. was pulled into one
Of them. We rowed about, looking for
the. other stragglers. -
"The boats became overloaded and
the occupants were redlstributed,
Four boats were tied together by their
PAINTERS, and the fifth followed some
distance away.
"Niy boat left the others in order
to search the more frequented steam
ship channels for help. We rowed for
three hours. Then we saw a cruiser
and called out we are English.
eve explained that we were sur
vivors from the Persia and gave direc-
tions to the cruiser as to where the
other boats were. They were soon
found and the occupants were taken
off Immediately by the English sail
ors.
Robert McNeely, American consul
at Alden, sat at the same table with
me on the voyage. He was not seen
probably because his cabin was on the
port side.
cit was a horrible scene. The water
was black as ink. Some passengers
were screaming, others we're calling
out Goodbye Those in one boat
sang hymns"
The De Soto County news. [volume] (Arcadia, Fla.) 1898-1924, 1916-01-06

fence with prohibition when the sd
wide law, passed 10y the last legis
'ture, goes into effect. The ArkanE
department Of the Antl.Saloon Leagi
has announced that the league W
have workers in the field TO see tn
the law is enforced. Anti-prohibitiC
leaders announce that no fight will
made for the repeal Of the law,
least until prohibition has been give
a thorough trial. =
Bargain Day" in Iowa Saloons
In Iowa "bargaln day" sales in ~
SOP saloons of the state were I'm pro
ress yesterday preparatory to the fin
closing. Under the mulct law repea
passed by the last legislature, statut,
ry prohibition is restored, pending a,
otion Of the next legislature and III
people on the proposed constitutions
amendment for prohibition, which |
to he disposed Of within the next tw1
years.
In Oregon the manufacture or sal
Of any kind Of intoxicating liquor /
absolutely prohibited by constitution
al amendment. Drug stores are nc
permitted to sell liquor with or with,
out a doctors prescription. Each fam
fly may import for personal use
maximum either Of two quarts Of spit
ituous or vinous liquor I'm any perioi
;of four successive weeks. No perso.
other than a common carrier ma.
make deliveries Of liquor and tn.
purchaser Of liquor Illegally is mad
equally culpable with the seller.
Tn the state of Washington the in
itiative prohibition law ratified in No
yember, 1913, permits residents Il
purchase from dealers outside thi
state two quarts of spirituous liquo
or twelve quarts Of beer each twentl
days.
Idaho went dry last night by cirtut
Of statutory prohibition. Most Of the
state has been dry under local option
and only about 100 saloons will be
forced out of business. Idaho's pro
hibition law is said to be the mos
drastic in the Union. It not only
prohibits the manufacture and SALE
Of liquor, but makes possession Of any
kind of malt or spirituous liquor a
crime, excepting wine for sacramental
purposes and pure alcohol for medical
scientific and mechanical uses. which
are procurable only on an order from
the probate court.
The general assembly of South Car
olina at its last session passed a law
forbidding importation Of more than
one gallon per month of spirituous
liquors containing over 1 PEI cent. OF
The De Soto County news. [volume] (Arcadia, Fla.) 1898-1924, 1916-01-06
At the Court House Next Tuesday,
the 18th, for the Purpose Of FOrmu-
latlng Plans to Make the Best Pos
sible Exhibit at the South Florida
Fair.
Mr.. HOWARD CURRY
FIELD A G E N T
For the Fair will BE Present, and Will
Gladly Give All Information Con-
corning Exhibits. Railroads Have
Agreed to Transport All Exhibits
To and From Tampa Free Of Any
Charge.

Mr.. Howard Curry, Of Tampa, field
agent for the South Florida Fair AS
solcation, requests that the citizens of
the county meet in the court house
next Tuesday afternoon, January IL,
for the purpose of formulating plans
TO get together exhibits for the South
Florida Fair to be held in Tampa,
February ali.
We sincerely trust that every per-
son in the county who is interested In
having DeSoto county to make the
host possible exhibit at this fair will
be present at this meeting, and ready
to lend a helping hand.
All the railroads have agreed to
transport exhibits to and from Tampa
free Of charge. This liberal concession
by the railroads should, and no doubt
will, greatly encourage those who de-
sire to make exhibits. Come TO this
meeting and also tell your friends
and neighbors about it; or still bet
ter, bring them with you.
The De Soto County news. [volume] (Arcadia, Fla.) 1898-1924, 1916-01-06
REV. TRICE SHOT.

One Of the most dastardly crimes
ever committed in this section was
perpetrated last night about the hour
of seven o'clock, when the Rev. j.
e. Trlce, superintendent Of the Bap-
list Orphanage, Of this city, was shot
while seated at the supper table with
his family.
The assassin was armed with a
shot gun loaded with BIB shot, and 1t
appears that both barrels must have
been fired at Mr.. Trice's head at a
distance probably not greater than 10
or 20 feet. At this distance and with
the gun loaded with so large shot it
seems to be a miracle that Mr.. Trice
was not killed instantly, and it
probably would have been fatal had
not Mr.. Trice slightly lowered his
head forward to speak to his daugh-
ter just as the shot was fired. Drs.
Simomns and McSwain were telephon-
ed for promptly, and when they ar
rived they found Mr.. Trice bleeding
plofusely. but after a careful eNami-
nation they concluded that none of the
shot had reached a vital spot.
This morning Mr.. Trice is resting
well. and Dr.. simmons said to a
News reporter that there is scarcely
n doubt that Mr.. Trlcc will rapidly
recover from his wounds.
Soon after the shot was fred the
sheriff the deputies and the police
were on the grounds trying to find
a clew to the crime. Deputy Sheriff
Garner left at once on an eighteen
mile ride to Moffit to get blood
hounds. When the dogs were obtained
they scented a trail north on the
Brownville road for several miles,
when it was lost. At this writing no
information whatever has been oh
tanned as to who the guilty party Is.
The city and community are in
tensely excited over the affair, and
there is a desire in the hearts Of all
that the scoundrel may be speedily aB-
pretended. The city council assem-
bled this morning in special session at
the call of the mayor and offered a
reward of $1,000 for the apprehension
Of the criminal. The order is as fol-
lows:
"The council OF the city OF Arcadia
in special session at the call of the
mayor, hereby offer reward OF 81
600 to the person or persons furnish
ing the evidence for the apprehension.
arrest and conviction of the person
who committed an assault with a
deadly weapon upon the person Of
Rev. J. II. Trice in this city on the
evening of January 3, 1919.
Done and ordered this 4th day Of
January, 1916"
A large delegation OF citizens also
went before the board Of county com
missioners requesting this body to Of
fer a reward. Each member OF the
tbcsrd personally favored doing so.
but the board would take no action in
the matter until they were fully adj
vised as to their legal right to do 50.
The De Soto County news. [volume] (Arcadia, Fla.) 1898-1924, 1916-01-06

washington. Jan. 5.-Official an
nouncement that the government will
act in the newest phase Of the sub
marine crisis brought on by the sink
ing of the Persia was made yesterday
at the white house.
Secretary Tumulty issued this
statement for the president:
The president and the secretary
Of state are taking every means pos
sible to obtain the full facts in this
grave matter, and win act just as soon
as the information is obtained"
In the absence Of detailed and spe-
cific information on whwich to base
the next step, President Wilson cam
celled the cabinet meeting which was
to have been held yesterday, but con-
ferred with Chairman Stone and some
members of the senate foreign rela-
tlons committee.
Chairman Stone told the president
there we're intimations that some sem
ators we're preparing to make
speeches on the sinking Of ships with
loss of American life. The president
is understood to have simply replied
that the administration was doing all
it could to protect American rights.
The president instructed Secretary
Lansing to bring Immediately to the
white house any new information
which came to hand, and then buried
himself reading official dispatches so
far received. and getting in touch
generally with the situation.
The administration is depending
largely on the inquiries Ambassador
Penfield has been instructed to make
ar Vienna and that which consuls are
gathering elsewhere, to establish the
nationality of the submarine which
is said to have sunk the Persia and
to develop other facts.
Consul General skinner, at London,
advised the state department that lists
Of Persia survivors received there
from Alexandria did not include the
name Of Robert n. McNeely, Aneri-
can consul at Alden.
Eleven survivors, including Lord
Montagu, have been landed at Malta,
according to advices to the state de-
partment from American Consul Keb-
llnger. His dispatch says seven In
dams of the Persia's crew had been
found clinging to a damaged open
boat by the steamship Hingchow. All
the men said the Persia had been tor
pedoed without warning.
Senator Stone told the President
that when the foreign relations COM
mittee met today he wanted to be
prepared 10 meet any situation that
might arise. The senator said after
his talk with the president that un-
tit the facts regarding the Persia
were obtained, nothing could be done
Any nation, he declared, which out
ragged the United States should be
dealt with severely.
The De Soto County news. [volume] (Arcadia, Fla.) 1898-1924, 1916-01-06
CONTRACT.

State Of Florida. County o. DeSoto.
This agreement made and completed
this the day of January. A. u.
1915, by and between the County Of
DeSoto acting through and represent
ed by its Board Of Commissioners.
and hereinafter called the party Of
the first part, and J. W. Farr, Of
the County Of DeSSto and State Of
Florida, hereinafter called the party
Of the second part, witnesseth:
First. That the party Of the second
part has and does hereby agree and
by these presents does agree with the
party Of the first part at the unit
prices and fer the considerations nam
ed in his proposal at his own cost and
expense, to furnish all labor and
equipment and to do all the work,
and to construct in accordance with
the plans and specifications hereiRaf-
ter particularly designated those GER
tain hard surfaced roads embraced in
The De Soto County news. [volume] (Arcadia, Fla.) 1898-1924, 1916-01-06
PRESIDENT
WILSON
And Secretary of State Lansing Are
Taking Every Means Possible TO
Secure Full Facts in Regard to the
Sinking Of the Persia.
The NATIONALITY G.
EOF The SUBMARINE

That Sank the Persia Has Not Yet
Developed. Senator Stone Told the
President to Be Prepared to Meet
Any Situation That May Arise When
the Committee on Foreign Relations
Meets Today.
The De Soto County news. [volume] (Arcadia, Fla.) 1898-1924, 1916-01-06
ALL EYES LOOKING TO ARCADIA

Owing to the rapid asd substantial
growth of our city, we understand
that at an early date several enter
prises viii be located in our midst
that will fiji a long felt want. Let
them come we want them.
The De Soto County news. [volume] (Arcadia, Fla.) 1898-1924, 1916-01-06

lcOntinued on Fifth Page.l
The De Soto County news. [volume] (Arcadia, Fla.) 1898-1924, 1916-01-06
MINUTES OF THE He
OF COUN

The Honorable Board Of County
Commits sioners met in regular session
in their office in Arcadia, DcSotc
county, Florida, this the 3rd day O.
January A. ID. 1916.
Members present we're: L. w,
Whitehurst. chairman; John Hagan
w. NJ. Written, w. G. Welles ant
ID. L. Skipper.
The following business was trans
acted, to wit:
The comptroller is hereby requested
to allow c. l.. Boggs to at 500.
valuation, lots 4 and 8, block 2, tow
Of Gardner. The reason for this re
quest is that the present assessed val
uation of 5000 is excessive.
Blazers report Of ID. a. and N. $
Mcleod of the following road was re
celved, and upon motion duly made
seconded and carried, was adopted
Said road is as follows, to wit: Be
ginning at bridge on Horse Creek neal
New Zion Baptist church, running by
y. S. NcLeod's 1.-THE Strickland
place.. thence running northernly
direction to d. A. Mobiles, thence II
n northeasterly direction to For
Green Springs, Fla. Notice maile'
to n. s. Mcleod.
The following resolution was h'
motion duly made, seconded and car
ried, adopted, to wit
BE it Resolved, That it is the sens,
Of this board that in the event Lee
county constructs a hard surfaced
road on the line between DeSoto coun
ty and Lee county for a distance o
nine or ten miles I'm ranges thirty an'
thirty-one. east, that the road tai
hereafter collected from the lands il
this county lying south Of the Calico
sahatchee river within said ranges
shall he devoted to the reimbursement
OF Lee county for one-half the ex
pense incurred in hard surfacing salt
road.
PenGon claim of Mrs, Amanda Pc
den was submitted to the board, aH'
same was duly approved.
The following contract was entere,
into with J. W. Fsrr for hard surfac
ing roads one to ten inclusive, in Spe
cial Road and Bridge District No.
[ OWit:
The De Soto County news. [volume] (Arcadia, Fla.) 1898-1924, 1916-01-06
"a PER CENT OF {:
FAVOR REC;
The County Board Of Education Will
Act In Those Districts Where Nj
Voted Against the Measure, and,

The result Of Saturdays electlol
on the compulsory attendance act a.
reported to County Superintendent,
Buckley is as follows: &c
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-07-21
BARGE CAPTAIN TELLS
OF THRILLING ESCAPE
NSTORM-TOSSED SEA
Letter From Chief of Northwest
Recounts Struggle, Adrift on
Ship Rigging, in Hurricane
Off Cape Roman
WALKED MILES TO HAVEN

The story Of fierce battle with storm
tossed seas is told in a letter received
today by the Coop Cumber Steamship Com
pany, Lafayette Building. from Captain
Christian Jenson. commander of the
schooner barge Northwest, which was lost
in the recent hurricane off the South Car
olna coast
Captain Jenson and his crew OF four men
were in the mlzzen rigging of the barge
when, helpless and disabled, his vessel
drifted on the Cape Roman shoals.
The rigging was ripped away In the ter
rifle wind and the captain and his men were
thrown into tho sea, from which, after
fierce struggle with the waves, In which
their clothing was literally torn from their
backs, they finally reached the shore. help
less and exhausted.
The men after their strength permitted
made their way to the Cape Roman light
house. where they received food and
clothing.
ADRIFT IN RIGGING.
During the perlous period of three hours
that the men were adrift In the rigging
they were buffeted by the giant waves, and
Jenson in encouraging his men by cheerful
commanding words. two of them would
have lost their hold upon the rigging and
been drowned.
The beach upon which they landed was
desolate, with the lighthouse but shadow
In the distance. Captain Jenson led his
men on the four-me walk and was COM
PEELED to stop several times to allow his
men to rest
The shipwrecked sailors after resting at
the lighthouse for three days went to
Charleston on the tug Wellington, which
had the Northwest and her sister barge, the
Southwest, in tow when the hurricane cast
the vessels adrift. Captain Jenson and
his men will leave Charleston today on a
Clyde liner for New York, en- route TO Phil
adelphia.
dramatic episode attached to the res
cue of Captain Jenson was disclosed by Mr..
Cook, OF tho Cook Cumber Steamship Com
pany. Yesterday n wire was received by
Mr.. Cook to the effect that Captain Jen-
sons vessel had been lost and the skipper
and his crew drowned.
CAPTAINS WIFE OVERLOOKED
While Mr.. Cook was phoning the news
to Mrs Jenson, and just as he heard the
receiver dropped by the seaman's wife upon
hearing the information, another wire from
Charleston announced that the supposed
body of Captain Jenson had been identified
as that of Captain Robert l.. Merriman, Of
Freeport l.. l., who was commander of
the barge Southwest. Mrs. Jenson was
quickly revived by kindly neighbor and
heard the good news that her husband was
alive and well although exhausted from
his experiences.
The tug Wellington, which had the barges
In tow, W. seeking her charges when she
sighted the u. s. collier Hector, and rescued
100 of her seamen at the entrance to
Charleston harbor.
When the weather moderated sufficiently
she again went in search of her barges and
ha N Raw H1It
was unable TO locate the Northwest
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-07-21
RED CROSS SHIPS 1000 AIDS
TO BORDER SOLDIERS COMFORT
Surgical Dressings, Insect Caps and
All Imaginable Things for Those
at Front

More than 1000 articles, such as sur.
gical dressings, ,bandages and other sup
plies, will be shipped direct to the Philadel.
pha troops at the Mexican border today
by the Philadelphia County Auxiliary of
the Southeastern Pennsylvania chapter Of
the American Red Cross from their head.
quarters, 1928 Walnut street
This Is the first shipment to be for
warded TO the South by the organization,
and the second from the local Red Cross
since the local soldiers were called TO the
border This lot of supplies was ordered
shipped yesterday by the American Red
Cross In Washington.
The supplies to be sent today repre-.
sent value of $4,000, IL they had had
to be purchased and labor hired for their
making The supplies were purchased by
the auxiliary and were made up in head
quarters in the past ten days by women
who volunteered their services Mrs Reed
Morgan, chairman of the Executive Com
mittee of the organization, has charge of
the shipment.
In this Mexican border consignment are
1000 surgical dressings, 1000 roller banda ges
insect caps for the soldiers to wear at
night, socks. shirts binders of all descrip-
tions. surgical shirts and pajamas. AS
many as 30 women worked on these
supplies daily and 40 were busy for seven
nights during their preparation.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-07-21
ARMY OFFICER AND
WOMAN SLAIN in AUTO
BY ANGERED HUSBAND
Lieutenant Colonel Matthew G..
Butler, Son of Late South
Carolina Senator, Victim
of Music Teacher
REFUSES TO GIVE CAUSE

ALPINE, Tex, July PHI. J. SPANIEL
is in Jail here today charged with the MUIR
der Of his wife and Lieutenant Colonel Mat
thew c. Butler, Jr, Of the 9Th United states
Cavalry.
SPANIEL shot them while Mrs, SPANIEL
and Butler were riding in an automobile
late yesterday Immediately after the
shooting he surrendered. SPANIEL is pro-
prietor of the Holland Hotel here. So far
he has refused any explanation Of the
shooting.
Colonel Butler was recently promoted
from major and had been stationed at
Alpine since May 20. He was the son Of
the late Matthew c. Butler, who was United
States Senator from South Carolina. He
was 50 years old lie was graduated from
west Point in 1888 going into the eth
United States Infantry. lie served later In
the 5th and 7th Cavalres and in 1912 he
was made ma ior in the 9Th.
Mrs. Butler was at Alpine with her hus-
band They have one child, boy of Z.
Mrs. SPANIEL was regarded as one of the
most beautiful women In Texas. Her father
John r. Holland, is a millionaire cattleman
and has for years been prominent in this
state. Spaniel met her while he was mu-
steal instructor at Baylor University, Waco,
Tex and she was his pupil. The school,
room romance resulted In marriage 10 years
ago Holland offered his son-in-law an in
terest in one of his many ventures and the
Spannells came to Alpine from Waco.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-07-21
Welded IN TABERNACLE
Entire Congregation Invited to Mar
riage of Pastors Daughter

BRIDG EToN N. j., July 21.-The en-
tire congregation of Wesley Memorial Meth
odist Episcopal Church were invited late
yesterday to the tabernacle, which is being
used while the new church edifice is being
erected, to attend the wedding of Miss Es-
telle Abel, daughter of the pastor, the Rev
George w Abel. 10 William j. Bratton, OF
Passaic.
Mr.. Abel officlated and was as
ksted by the Rev. Dr. George II. Neal, dis
Drict superintendent. and the Rev Charles
IB. Roach. of Trenton. The bride was at
tended by Miss Edna Blackman. of Port
Norris, as maids Of honor, and by Miss
ABertha Abel. her sister. and Miss Alice
Hartman, of Trenton, as bridesmaids Mr..
Brattons best man was his brother. Fred G.
Bratton. Of Trenton. Mr.. Bratton Is physi-
cal director OF the Young Mems Christian
Association az Passalc.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-07-21
GIRL s DREAM OF CIRCUS
LIFE NIPPED BY COPS
Leaves Northampton to Meet
Trapeze Performer, but Ro-
nance Strikes Snag

Mildred Lipsitz. II years old, whose
father owns a furniture store in North
ampton, Pa, had an ambition. She didn't
know that was what II was, but that was 1t.
She might have told any one friendly
enough to get her confidence that she had a
great ambition, but she would have wins
pered il this way:
I'm agon' TO he a bareback rider in
circus"
Last week Mildreds opportunity came,
AS everybody knows, opportunity knocks
but once, and Mildred realized 1t was less
than that in Northampton. So when Lees
''stupendous. dazzling. thrilling, greate!t
circus Oh earth came to Northampton 1t
was nothing more or less than Great OPP
portunity pounding heavily for the first
and last time at her door.
Not only this There was a man In the
circus, a wonderful man. great trapeze
performer. Mildred had watched him
swinging from the big top, whirling through
the air and bounding in the nets. And he
was still more wonderful because he wore
mink tights and was the handsomest sort of
fellow, with wide shoulders and pleasant
face
but a ''prince charming" also. Ii Is Mil
dred's secret how she met the man she ad-
rnired, His name was Charles Clifton-she
will tell you that-and he is "a years old.
she will say. But about the romance-that
is hers.
The Philadelphia police now say that
Clifton induced Mildred to leave her home
and come here TO meet him. They were
going to rejoin the circus with Mildred as
a bareback rider and Clifton smiling down
on her from a trapeze above. Thus 1t was
10 be a delightful married life.
But Mildred was stopped by the Phila-
delphia police, who had been notified of her
disappearance by her father. She was taken
from a train last night at 24th and Chest
nut streets, by Detective Gomborrow, and
this morning her father. who had followed
her, took her back to Northampton. There
by were both love and ambition killed.