davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1916-12-01
HONEST BOOSTING is
A BLESSED PRIVILEGE
II You Believe Farmington is the Best
Little City on Earth in Which to Live,
Why Say So; Otherwise, Keep Quiet

Since the present management has
had control of The Times, we have re-
ceived innumerable compliments Of the
many articles that have appeared in
these columns setting forth the many
splendid advantages in this community
for investment, as well as the many
natural advantages that make Farm
ington stand out as 1an exceptional
residence city. But the article in last
weeks Times, headed "Be a Booster
For Pennington" has brought forth
an unusual number of concentrations
and kind words. In speaking of it, one
gentleman said, "True boosting is a
thing of which Pennington has al
ways been deprived, and of which she
has always been in greatest need"
This being a fact, then, indeed, do
we feel more thoroughly at home in
this community than ever before; for
there is nothing The Times manage
ment would rather do than to "boost",
when there is anything to boost for,
as there is in this community. When
one acquires the boosting habit, there
is absolutely nothing in this life that
dhOAuo ihOlC PbCcoulV Nholi . oFSahlI5
good words for ones home commun-
ity. And the true booster never tires
of letting the world know of the good
things he has discovered in his home
town. In a place like Harrington
where there are so many advantages
and inducements to be offered to home
seekers, there is no reason or ex-
cuse for one drawing on his imagin-
alton in order to send forth good re-
ports. Just speak the truth. That
is sufficient.
To be sure there are a few mental
dwarfs, even in this community, who
will not see the opportunities that Sc
abundantly surround them, and who's
habit of life has always been to knocl
everybody and everything. But Their
knock, while they may be unpleasant
and depressing to the stranger they
may be aimed at, are not of sufficient
force to uncover a mine of wealth,
with which this entire community is
apparently underlaid. 1t is al
together reasonable that it has been
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1916-12-01

largely due TO 'llnocking" in the past
lat least lack Of concerted effort
to let the world l1now-that has held
this community back in the years that
have gone. But such little "knocks"
viii no longer serve to shut out the
opportunities offered here from the
gaze Of the untold thousands that are
constantly looking for improved home
conditions.
While the yrited lays absolutely no
claim to being a seer nor a prophet,
the advantages were so protruding
here that it caused us to mentally ex-
claim Eureka" on our first visit to
this splendid little city. So, from our
personal experience, we believe all
thai is necessary to open up a new
growth and development for Farm
ington and community is for the peo-
pie to know even a part of the splen-
did opportunities that is awaiting de-
velopment here. To the few who may
think themselves dissatisfied with
conditions here, we would say, go
elsewhere and see if you can be bet
ter suited. Of course, we know that
yOd Will lCNhAlAt bht oAtAh a VI lPJ INNb
though it would probably be very
brief, might "put you next" to a lib
eral education, and you would be bet
ter prepared to appreciate the splen-
did surroundings in which you may
have been living for all these years
without knowing it.
If there was more complete appre-
citation on the part of the residents
Of this community, of the many bless
ings that are here for them to enjoy,
the boosting spirit would soon devel-
op until it would of necessity break
forth, for the good of humanity ev-
anywhere. The true, boosting spirit
will not only broaden, develop and
make you a more desirable and use
full citizen, but it will bring to you su-
preme satisfaction in the realization
that you have assisted in building up
your community and helped to assist
others to help themselves. Be a
booster, if for no other reason than
for the personal pleasure to be derived
from it.
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1916-12-01
Duty Of the Board of Equalization

Editor Times;-By very conserva-
tive figures the lead companies of ST.
Francois county from January /,
1916, to December /, 1916, will clear
fifteen million dollars on the lead they
have taken out of the ground in this
county. That money has gone East
never to return, and why could not
the lead companies property be as
sessed like any other property in the
county; like farm land and any other
personal property? And if they were
the revenue would be sufficient to
build rock roads from one end of the
county to the other, and st. Francois
county could afford to build iron bridg-
es over every stream in the county,
pay off the present indebtedness of
the county, employ Highway Engi-
neer AID a Farm Adviser, (whether
or not we need the two latter officers
is very divided question among the
people of the county,.
I The Revised Statutes of Missouri
1909, chapter III, section 11403, re-
ferTing to the powers and duties of
County Boards of Equalization, reads
as follows: "Said board shall have
power to hear complaints and to equal
ize the valuation and assessments up
on all real and personal property
within the county which is made tax
able by law, and having each taken
an oath, to be administered by the
clerk, fairly and impartially to equal
ize the valuation Of all taxable pro-
perty in such county, shall immediate
ly proceed to equalize the valuation
and assessment of all such property,
both real and personal, within their
counties, so that each tract Of land
shall be entered on the tax book at
its true yalue
"Provided, that said board shall not
reduce the valuation Of the real or
personal property Of the county be-
low the value thereof as fixed by said
State Board Of EQUALIZATION"
It seems to the writer that surely
Il is time the citizens Of st. Francois
county were awakening to the fact
that her great wealth is taken out and
sent East to further enrich those who
have already grown immensely rich
from her valuable mineral resources,
and what has st. Francois county to-
day to show for the many millions Of
her wealth that have gone East?
We believe that few new school
Buildings and about twenty miles
Of rock road is the only tangible ev-
idence that st. Francois county can
produce that within her borders ex-
ist five Of the largest corporations
in the State. Therefore, we insist
that the time has arrived for the cit
izens Of this county to demand a Just
proportion Of the proceeds of those
wealthy corporations. In years past
Che farmer has had to bear the bur-
den of taxation together with the
small business man; we think it time
the farmer and small business man
be given a rest.
: Now it is the duty Of the County
Board of Equalization to see that the
corporations come across with their
proper share of taxes. Under the law
of this State. the three County Judges,
Assessor and Surveyor constitute the
Board of Equalization. Those who
will make up the equalization board
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1916-12-01

Owing to the brief time interven-
ing before such hearing, it viii be
necessary for all aggrieved parties to
act on their own initiative in coming
before the Board with their COM
plants, without further notification.
This is most important, if the alleged
inefficient service Of the electric rail-
way company is to be corrected. Not
only the welfare Of Pennington, but
the good Of individual patrons Of this
line is at stake in this matter. No one
should shirk his duty in this mat
ter. Everyone who may so desire will
have an opportunity to be heard next
Tuesday afternoon, and if the Board
is convinced that the electric line is
not rendering the service to the public
that it should, then it will be up to
such board to make necessary orders
to force that company to render sat
isfactory service. Do not forget the
date, and be sure to be on hand.
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1916-12-01
Make the Pageant
Permanent Feature

The Executive Committee of the
Pageant met last Friday and dis
posed of the net proceeds Of the page
ant in September, which amounted to
$235 and some cents. The pageant
movement was urged by the Farming
ton Public Library for the benefit of
that growing institution and was ably
seconded by the Civic Club and the
enterprising people of the town gen.
orally. At the meeting Of the Ex-
ecutive Committee last Friday it was
decided to give two-thirds of the
amount realized to the Library and
one-third to the Civic Club. When
the Library Board meets next Tues
day the money will be turned over to
it to be divided as stated.
The Library Board we understand
will use their paRt largely in the pur-
chase of new books, thus adding ma
terially to the already considerable
number Of volumes in the library.
The Civic Club will doubtless put its
share of the money to the best pos
sible use.
The condition of the weather at the
time the pageant was given was not
favorable to as large an attendance
as was expected, still several thou
sand enjoyed the entertainment and
the receipts stacked up on the right
side of the ledger. It's success ought
to encourage our people to repeat the
enterprise; indeed, it would be an adj
visable move to organize permanent
Pageant Club, with wide-awake Of
ticers and Nan enterprising executive
committee. These could have fre-
quent meetings to discuss ways and
means and the subject for the next
pageant.
The first effort of our people in this
direction was gotten up hurriedly and
in short time, with less confusion
and more success than really was eX-
pected, and the manner in which it
was received showed that it was
popular diversion that ought to be
kept up. The next one, for we are
sure there will be a next one--will be
more. easily arranged and carried out
because of the experience gained in
the first.
So we suggest that the present EX-
ecutive Committee make the start to
organize a permanent Pageant Club
in preparation for next fall. People
universally like to be entertained and
the town that caters to the DISPOSE
tion does much for its own growth,
progress and prosperity.
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1916-12-01
Frisco Must Pay
Houck r. r. Bonds

Judgment for $1,O77000 against
road in favor of the holders of the
Cape Girardeau & Northern Rail
way bonds was rendered by United
States Judge Sanborn at st. Paul last
Wednesday.
Prior to the time that the Frisco
was thrown into the hands of re-
ceiver Louis Houck, the Southeast
Missouri railroad builder, consolidat-
ed his several lines, the Saline Valley
road that terminates at Pennington
being one of them, into the Cape Gil
rardeau Northern, and arranged for
their sale to the Frisco. The deal
was made with the Executive Com
mittee of the latter. When the Fris-
co passed into the hands of receiver,
that road attela pied "a lssspdiate the
deal, declaring that the alleged sale
was arranged only by the Executive
Committee and had never received
the sanction of the board nor of the
stockholders of the Frisco.
The Houck roads, unable to main
tain the interest payments on its
bonds, went into a receivership. The
Frisco receivers refused to pay the
semi-annual interest on its bonds, and
after much maneuvering and delays
the question got into the United
States Court, and the decision of
Judge Sanborn is the outcome. Judge
Sanborn, however, holds that the own
ers of these bonds are entitled to only
the difference between the par value
and the actual value of the bonds,
which is placed at so cents on the dol
lar, or 5000 for each $1,000 par val
ue of bonds.
Mr.. Hcuck probably holds the larg-
er share of the bonds, but the Flat
River Bank of this county is named
as one of the holders, also the ST.
Louis Union Trust Co., the Mississip-
pi Valley Trust Co., the Farmers &
Merchants Bank of Cape Girardeau,
the Jefferson Bank Of st. Louis, the
Bank of Perryville and ]. T. Moss
Tie Company.
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1916-12-01
HEARING SET FOR NEXT
TUESDAY AFTERNOON
At Which Time All Having Supposed
Grievances Against the Electric Line
Should Appear Before Utilities Board

The State Board of Public Utilities
have set the date for hearing Of COM
plants against the electric railway,
which operates in Pennington, for
next Tuesday afternoon, December
5th, beginning at 1:3O p. m. The
room in which this hearing will be
conducted has not been stated, but
that can be easily ascertained in am
pie time by all those who have griev-
ances to present.
The appearance of members Of the
Utilities Board in Pennington on this
date is in response to the petition that
was recently sent them, calling for an
investigation of alleged poor service
of the electric line in this city, and it
is most important that all who may
have complaints in this matter should
appear at this hearing and state such
complaints, if they are to receive
needed correction.
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1916-12-01
Pennington High
Beats Jackson

By hard, fast and consistent play
| ing, Pennington High triumphed ov-
er jackson High by the score of 1870
in the big game Of the local season
on the Ozark field yesterday after
noon. The day was nearly ideal; the
field in good shape, and the crowd
large and good humored.
During the first and second quar-
ters, neither team was able to gain
consistently, they appearing to be al
most evenly matched. Several for
ward passes were attempted by both
sides, but not a one was completed,
The ball changed hands repeatedly,
and while most of the play was in
Farmington's territory during ehese
two quarters, their goal was never
in danger.
The beginning of the third quarter,
it looked like a repetition of the sec
ond. Pennington, by blocking a punt
and recovering tumble, held the ball
on Jad1son's 80 yard line; here, after
four attempts, Harrington failed to
gain the required 10 yards, and it was
Jackson's ball. On the first down,
Jackson attempted forward pass,
which was intercepted by LePere of
Pennington, who raced across the
goal for Farmington's first touch
down. Halter missed goal.
About the middle Of the fourth quar-
ter, by forward pass from Halter to
Rodgers, Pennington scored her sec
ond touchdown. Grove kicked goal.
This play, including the pass from
Halter to Rodgers, and Rodgers run
after receiving the pass was, alto
gether, one of the prettiest plays ev-
er executed on a local gridiron. After
this touchdown, the jackson boys
seemed to realize for the first time
that they were beaten, and they start
en- in with real earnestness after a
touchdown. By forward passing, line
plunging and a couple of end runs,
they advanced the ball about so yards,
to Farmington's % yard line. Here
the Pennington line braced and was
holding when the whistle blew, end
ing the game.
The game as whole was well play
ed; both teams, especially Farming
ton, were always hitting hard, fast
and often. The penalties were few
and slight, and if there was any dirty
playing, we failed to see it.
The Pennington team were all
stars-not especially individual stars,
but as team. Their consistent team
work won the game for them. And
while the players as individuals must
be given great credit. do not forget
that the man whose hard work and
earnest efforts did much, very much,
towards winning the game, stood on
the sidelines-Coach Deafmont. He
has made good beyond any shadow of
doubt.
The real fault of the jackson team
was fumbling. and lack of systematic
team work. 1t looked to US like they
went into the game overconfident-
the. worst enemy in a football game.
According to "dope", this victory
gives the Pennington boys a claim to
the Southeast Missouri championship.
Wish we could take the winner of the
Sikeston- Charleston game on for
tussle.
Here's to Pennington High of 1916,
and Coach Dearmont.
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1916-12-01

after January /, 1917, are Judges Gar
rett, Mitchell and Matkins, Assessor
Wells and Surveyor Holman. These
men were elected at the recent cleo
tion by overwhelming majorities, but
not single vote that either of them
received represents corporation vote.
No, no, these were not the men they
wanted. Their men were hand-picked,
and some of them had been in training
for almost four years; but the peo-
pie spoke.
To Judges Garrett, Mitchell, Mat
kin and Assessor Wells and Surveyor
Hollman: The common people, the
people who elected you so overwhelm-
ingly, are depending on you for an
even break with the corporations in
the matter of taxation. Will you
meet our expectations? We believe
you will. Now a word as to the in
crease in the price of lead. The av-
erage price Of lead in New York for
the ten months ending Oct. 81, 1916,
was $679; ten menths ending Oct 81,
1915, $4.53; and ten months ending
Oct. 81, 1914, S3.88. Percentage of
increase. 1916, SO 1-3 per cent more
than 1915; 1916 equals 43 per cent
more than 1914. Never before in the
history of the lead industry was the
percentage of increase so great as in
the three years. above referred to.
We doubt if there is another industry
in the country that has had so large
a percentage Of increase for the same
length of time, and we are going to
insist on the lead Industry Of st. Fran
co.'s county bearing its just proper
ton cf the burden of taxation.
ZEB.
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1916-12-01
Critical Condition

Sturgeon Ditch, who killed Tony
Donabich on October 30th and was
held on a charge Of murder in the
first degree, has since been afflicted
with an enormous carbuncle that COW
ers the whole of the back Of his neck
and considerable part of the back OF
his head. It is necessary to cut away
the diseased part and to skin-graft the
surface TO make a successful opera
tion and insure in any degree his re-
eovery. He was taken to the hospi-
tai at Bonne Terre Wednesday after
noon to be operated on.
Ditch's preliminary examination for
the killing Of Donabich, which was to
have been held before. Justice VIM.
Good, on account Of his physical con-
dition had not yet come off, and
Judge Huck and Prosecuting Attor-
ney Davis advised that he waive the
preliminary examination, which was
done, and under the circumstances
agreed TO release him on $4,000
bond SO that he could be taken to
hospital for treatment. He was tax
en- to the Bonne Terre hospital under
guard, as his bond was only partially
filled, but was completed later. Ditch
is in a very critical condition and
considerable doubt is expressed that
an operation viii save his life.
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1916-12-01
VIII Keep Posted

The following names have been add
ed to The Times subscription list the
past week, after having come to under
stand that this paper furnishes the
news, as we'll as keeping n constant
watch for the betterment Of this en-
tire community and county;
Geo. c. Forster, Frank Highley,
Mary d. Graves of Pennington; Kath-
Leen Lentz, Route 8, and NJ. r. Grif-
fin Of Route 1, Pennington; Thomas
i. Lee end w. T. Newly OF Bonne
Terre; Miss Clara Mitchell Of Liber-
tyville; Lee Qualls Of Desloge; J. w.
Simms Of Houston, Ark; Miss Flor
ence Edwards Of Fredericltown; Ed
mond /. Rodgers of New Madrid, Mo-;
q. M. Lassource Of Los Angeles, CAL,
and George Parker of Lawrenceton,
Mo.
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1916-12-01
Bank Statements

In this issue of The Times appears
the official statements Of the finarcial
condition Of the three different Farm
ington bants. A glance at these DIFF
ferent statements is al that is necas-
'sary to impress the fact that each Of
these financial institutions is in
splendid condition.
But a more painstaking perusal
viii alsc develop the fact that each
one of them is under the most excel
lert business control and that their
affairs are all in remarkably good
shane. The combined deposits are
greatly in excess Of a million dollars.
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1916-12-01
BALL AND BANQUET

A splendid gathering Of the elite
of Farmington and nearby towns re-
sponded to invitations to atte~d a
III last evening, by The Daughters
f the American Revolution, which
vas held in the Young Mems Club
oohs It was noteworthy assem-
sling of social devotees, and the hours
lew merrily by.
@uring an intermission dainty re-
freshments were temptinglv served.
Barroll's Orchestra furnished music
their usual chanting and mimi
liable mariner The affair adds an
other to the many splendid events that
arc credited up to the D. A. r.
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1916-12-01

The Federated Clubs Of Farming
ton have through te courtesy Of the
County Court, secured the use of the
Court room for an illustrated lecture
by Mr.. d. L. Edison Of Columbia, Mo-.
on the conditions in the county homes
and other institutions in the State.
Mr. Edison is Secretary of the Confer
ence for Social Workers, and has vis-
tied most of the institutions through
out the State and has plates made
from pictures taken by himself, which
he uses in his talk. The public is urg-
ed to be present at this lecture. which
is free, and which every adult man
and woman should hear.
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1916-12-01
NAVE WILLIAMS WEEDS
COMMERCE LADY

G. ". Williams, son Of George x.
Williams Of Pennington, and Miss
Grace Blackledge, daughters of Dr.,
Hugh r. Blaciledge Of Commerce,
were married Wednesday, afternoon,
November 20, 1916. at the Second
Presbyterian Church in st Louis,
The bride is a graduate Of the Cape
Girardeau Normal, a very charming
and accomplished yourg woman, and
belongs to one Of the best families Of
Southeast Missouri They left We'd
nasday night for Miami, Oklahoma,
where Nave is engaged in mining.
DR.. and Mrs. Blaclyledge Of Commerce,
Mr.. and Mrs. George X, Williams of
Pennington, and their daughter, Miss
Alma, and son Richard, were present
at the nuptials. Nave's many friends
here congratulate him on his good
fortune and wish him and his bride a
realization Of their happiest anticipa-
tons.
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1916-12-01
BASKET BALL

A game of basket ball was played
on the local court Saturday night be-
tween the Doe Run eighth grade team
and the Pennington eighth grade
boys, which resulted in an interesting
game, as the teams were quite evenly
matched, which put them all on their
metal. The Pennington team were
victors, by score of 25 to IL.
The game was satisfactorily refer
eed by Coach Dearmont.
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1916-12-01
Sues Aunt For
Damages--LOses

DR.. John H. Ferguson, formerly Of
Mine La Motto, now located in ST.
Louis, was engaged to be married to
Miss Mabel Slokey Of that city. Mrs.
VIM. Martin of Pennington vicinity,
an aunt of the young lady, wrote her
niece discouraging the proposed nup-
tials. DR.. Ferguson had been married
twice and was divorced from his sec
ond wife. Mrs. Martin apprised her
niece of this latter fact and added
other information rejecting upon the
faithfulness of the Doctor; that he
would not make her a good husband
and would tire of her, etc. The let
ter had the effect intended and the en-
gagement was broken off.
DR.. Ferguson thereupon instituted
suit in the st. Francois County Cir
cult Court against Mrs. Martin for
$1,000 damages to his affections ana
character. The case came up for a
hearing on Wednesday of this week,
and after a spirited trial the jury
brought in a verdict in favor of Mrs,
Martin, the inference being that she
was justified in warning her niece
from what she believed would be an
unfortunate marriage.
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1916-12-01

On Monday there was>shipped out Of
Pennington, to the st. Louis mar
ket, 67 coops Of turkeys, ducks and
chickent, for Thanksgiving market
Such shipments, especially at this
particular season Of the year, repre-
sent "hig money"