davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Kenna record. (Kenna, Roosevelt County, N.M.) 190?-1924, 1916-10-13

Holm o. Bursum, repudiated
Republican candidate for governor
of New Mexico in 1911, who is this
year the candidate of the same
party for the same high office, was
removed from the position of SUI
perintendent of the New Mexico
penitentiary by Herbert J. IIager-
man, a Republican executive, in
1906. Immediately thereafter an
investigation of the penitentiary
under his management was made at
the direction of Governor Hager-
man.
There were reasons for Governor
Hagerman 5 actions. In view Of
the fact that Mr.. Bursum is again
seeking the highest honor in the
gift Of the people of the state, the
voters of New Mexico are vitality
interested in knowing what those
reasons were. They are vitality in
terested in knowing what prompted
Republican executive AN execu-
tive of the party to which Mr.. Bur
sum belongs and in which he has
been prominent for years-to re-
lieve Mr.. Bursum of the admins
tration of one of the most import
ant Of New Mexico's institutions
and to investigate his management,
and what XUae dieaOvapnd 30 n re
suit of the investigation made.
Ex-Governor IIagerman has
stated his reasons for the removal
and investigation Of Bmsum, and
the results of the investigation,
many times. On several occasions
during the campaign of 1911 he an
nOunced them from the public plat
form. He never stated them more
clearly than in a speech at Dem
ING. N, NJ, on the night of October
The Kenna record. (Kenna, Roosevelt County, N.M.) 190?-1924, 1916-10-13

$4,000, and expenditures OF $4,000 TO
100000 demanding explanation.
81 do not say that Bursum embez
zled this money. But | do say that
man WHO. after holding public office
for seven years. does net know
whether the territory owes him moro
than $4,100, or whether he owes the
territory more than $4,000, is so care
less, Inefficient, incompetent or dis.
honest that he has ne right to aspire
to the high office of governor ef this
great state.
"Mr Bursum says that the court
subsequently cleared him of all
charges brought against him. and that
his record Is not an Issue. ! will ven
ture the assertion that any lawyer
after having read the entire court re.
cord, will say that it presents an un-
precedented case Of 'whitewash.'
Mr. G. V. Stafford the referee ap-
pointed was Mr.. Bursum's secretary
of the Republican territorial central
committee.
The Judge before whom the case
was tried-before whom 1t was speci.
fically arranged II should be tried
was the close personal and political
friend OF Mr., Bursum.
The Kenna record. (Kenna, Roosevelt County, N.M.) 190?-1924, 1916-10-13
VALLEY VIEW

Lucille and Louise Smith
spent a pleasant day with Muir
relI and Clara Stobb Sunday.
The dance given in honor Of
William Brink, al the home of
Mr.. and Mrs. Frank Dunn,
Thursday night, Oct. 5th, was
greatly enjoyed. All gp"@'s
report a delightful TIM.
Miss Anna Stobh left for Go
Wis Saturday where she will Wis
it her friends.
Herewith it is announced hat
G. G. Hill, Supt. of Chaves
county schools, appointed John
Miller and w. J. Stobb dlrec-
tors of School District Nc. 81.
Valley View school will open
Oct, Both. With Chris Free
man of Eaglehill, teacher.
w. j. Stobb and G.. w. Smith
of Valley View attended the
Wilson Marshal rolly at Kenna
Monday night.
The Kenna record. (Kenna, Roosevelt County, N.M.) 190?-1924, 1916-10-13


no man can read 4Ir. Saiiord's re-
port as referee without coming to the
conclusion that he exhausted his H..
genuity in defense of Mr. Bursum.
Let me give one Illustration Of just
what mean. Mr.. Bursum claimed to
have spent 1865 for freight In the
year 1900. He could show neither re-
celpt, voucher, or cancelled check.
Mr.. Stafford reported to the court:
These amounts we're paid for freight
and Mr.. Bursum has produced the
check stubs showing payment
WIFI Mr.. Bursum, should he be-
come governor, recommend TO the
State Legislature the passage of bill
making check stubs conclusive eyi
dence of the payment of public ana
private accounts? If he regards him.
self as having been INDICATED by Mr..
Safford's report he should be willing
to allow others the same privilege be.
fore courts of justice that were &C.
epted by him.
There were things shown in the
first investigation that were not
touched by MY. Stafford in his white.
wash report. The first investigation
showed that at one time there was
bought for the penitentiary 105N
yards of cloth at so cents a yard,
when the local market price of that
cloth at that time was only 20 cents
yard. Who pocketed the $222.1S1a ?
The next year the penitentiCry bought
1880 yards of cloth at Az cents Il
yard, when the local market price for
the same cloth was only 16 cents a
yard. Who pocketed $33075?
Here were two little transactions
in cloth where somebody got a rake
off Of $552.93. Mr.. Stafford offered no
explanation, and the judge required
none. Still Mr.. Bursum says he was
indicated
Il could cite many other instances
of like nature where somecAe was al
lowed to fitch money from the terri.
tory.
The laws of the territory state ex-
plicitly that II any officer or employee
OF the penitentiary shall be interested
in any contract or sell any supplies
to tho penitentiary he shall be sub
feet to removal and guilty of a crime
for which he may be fined in the
sum of $4,000
Yet II appears from the books that
on Dec. l, 1904, Mr.. Bursum sold $50
head Of sheep to the penitentiaFy, ara
that on January 4, he sold $50 head
Of sheep to the penitentiary Out
OF the $50 head of sheep sold in De
cember only 1O5 were ever delivered,
so far as the records show, and Of
the 230 head sold and for which Mr..
Bursum received payment in violation
Of law. only thirty-four were ever de-
livered, so far as the records snow.
II do not charge that Mr.. BuTsum
cheated the territory out of the sheep
he sold TO the penitentiary Illegally,
but those transactions are Of the
same character with many others that
would never have been made by a
enmnetent man II he voc Hc----
The Kenna record. (Kenna, Roosevelt County, N.M.) 190?-1924, 1916-10-13
"5Y THEIR FRUITS SHALL
w KNOW THEMp

Extract from speech deiiv-
cred by Hon. Herbert ]. Hager-
man. former Governor of New
Mexico, at beming. N. NJ, Oct.
%, 1919
Mr.. Bursum says none of the
penltentiary books were dc.
stroyed, and refers for his vim
dication to the records of the
court. These very records, a
copy OF which I hold in my
hand, state uhequivocally that
one of the most important
books OF Original entry was de-
stroyed. Mr.. Bursdm himself
wrote a letter in which he said
he had that book destroyed. Still
he comes before the people and
says none of ths books was de-
stroyed. He also says his rec
ord as superintendent of the
penitentiary is not an issue in
this campaign. / say mis- record
is an Issue. II he was incompe-
tent or dishonest in that posi-
ton Of trust, how do we know
that he will not be incompetent
or dishonest if elected to a high
or and more responsible posi-
ton? BY their fruits ye shall
know them. BY his acts we
shall Judge HIM"
The Kenna record. (Kenna, Roosevelt County, N.M.) 190?-1924, 1916-10-13
WHITE CHAPEL

Notice-There will be a box
supper at the White Chapel
school hou9e, Saturday night,
Oct. II.
Everyone is invited to come.
You will notice a small change
in the program.
THE Obstinate Family
Short Play.
Getting His Picture Took"
Dialogue.
Music.
sleepy Sambo"-Dialogue.
Hans Won Smash"-ShOrt
Play.
Don't be afraid of the wealth
err, bundle up and come amy
way.i
There were thirtY-two at
Sunday School Sunday. Let's
make it fifty next Sunday. IL
starts at 2:30 sharp.
The Kenna record. (Kenna, Roosevelt County, N.M.) 190?-1924, 1916-10-13
THE "VlNplcATloN" PRO.
CESS.


when the report OF the Ref.
ef6e was presented TO the court
and judgment asked. II was slip
ulated by the attorneys that tie
report of the Colorado expert
who had made the Penitenitary
Investigation should not be in
any way presented. considered
or passed upon. The attorney
general Of the territory vas the
personal and political friend Of
Bursum.
The report Of the Colorado OK.
pert, theref6rS. was not affected
by the Judgment, not being be-
fore the Court The Referees
report was presented to y the
Court and no real hearing was
had theron No evidence i'm con
tradiction of the report was pre-
sehtcd and there WAS no hearing
on the objections
The Vihdication rests entirely
upon the report Of the Referee.
II the report of the Referee Is
false then the Judgment amounts
to nothing.
How was the report arrived
at7
BY a most extraordinary pro
cess. No proper notice of hear
ing was given by the Referee.
He examined the books and
called in V witnesses from time to
time and took their testimony.
The Attorney General dropped
into the Referees office from
time to time, but took no part in
the proceedings, and no one OK.
hmined, or eress-examined the
witnesses on behalf OF the state.
No evidence was introduced In
behalf of the state and there
was no hearing Of the arguments
on the proposed finding.
The Kenna record. (Kenna, Roosevelt County, N.M.) 190?-1924, 1916-10-13

5ursum hmself-lf any man who had
nothing to conceal would, when he
knew he was going TO be removed, 90
to work and have all the books Of an
Institution rewritten, and destroy at
least one Of the original books, have
two others concealed so they were
never found by his successor. and
carry away one Of the new books TO
his home at distant point and keep
1t there for a period Of several
Weeks7
"Mr. Bursum knows that every
statement / have made Is true, yet he
says It is not an issue IN this cam
paign.
Before the investigation Into Mr..
Bursum's accounts was completed he
sent to the territorial treasurer the
sum of S1,727, which he said he had
kept by mistake. He had part Of the
money for seven years, and the re,
malnder Of II for more than three
years, before he discovered his error,
and in my opinion he would never
have discovered that large error, had
It not been that he knew an expert
was digging into his financial trans
actions.
Mind you. $l,727 was returned be-
fore any demand had been made upon
Mr.. Bursum, and afterwards when de.
mand was made he returned S2,470.3S.
Examination by experts showed that
from ell the books available there
were shortage OF from 5000 10
The Kenna record. (Kenna, Roosevelt County, N.M.) 190?-1924, 1916-10-13
A SPLASH OF wHIrEwAsHy

A warrant Of the Territorial
Auditor, No. 3l39. for S40O75
was made payable to "Jacl
Donoyan or bearer" This war.
rant was endorsed and cashed
by u. o. Bursum. Donovan
made an affidavit that he knew
nothing about the warrant had
never turned 1t over to Mr.. Bur
sum and was not entitled to re.
ceive that sum from the Peni-
Tertiary. On the hearing before
the Referee, with no cross-eXam-
nation, Donovan endeavored to
explain this transaction in q
light favorable to Mr.. Bursum
by claiming that the $400.75 rep
resented part Of his salary that
Mr.. Bursum had advanced TO
him, although in his affidavit tie
stated his salary as being $50
Mr.. Donovan made no eXplana-
ton of how or why he made the
affidavit in question and the
Referee did not ask him one sin
gle question in regard to eX-
planning that affidavit. did not
even call his attention to the
contradictory statements APP
pearing therein and ask for an
explanation thereof. The Ref
eree's attitude is shown by a
comparison OF a portion OF the
testimony with the Referees
finding thereon. Mr.. Donovan
testified as follows:
O. mfr. Bursum had no per
soual interest IN your salary, d.
rectly or indirectly, did he or
not?" A. why no." And yet
the Referee in his finding says:
"Mr Donovan was not looking
to the Penitentiary for any sal
cry or wages that might be due
him, but was looking to H. o.
Bursurl."
The Kenna record. (Kenna, Roosevelt County, N.M.) 190?-1924, 1916-10-13
A COSTLY "ERRoR.U
"Socorro, N. NJ, July q, 1905
Honorable j. II. Vaughn,

"Socorro, N. NJ, July q, 1906
Honorable j. II. Vaughn,
Treasurer,
Santa Fe, New Mex.
Dear Sir
In checking over my accounts
with the penitentiary, | find err.
ror to the amount OF S1,727 and
enclose remittance for credit,
Penitentiary Convicts' earnings
fund to cover. This error oc-
CURED as follows: One pay
meht by A. Windsor, $1,O27 Oc-
tober, 1902, having been omitted
and no credit seems to appear
on the journal. The other item
for 500 which shows on the
Treasurer's books to have been
paid May 26, 1899. during my ad-
ministration, but upon lnvesti-
cation ! find that said money
was paid in by Col. II. II. Berg
man and therefore I was not en-
titled to credit therefor.
Kindly acknowledge receipt
and oblige,
Yours,
II. o. BURSUM."
That letter was written by Mr..
Bursum while his accounts were
under investigation. Mr.. Bursum
made the "error" as to the $500
on May 26, 1899, and did not
discover it until July q, 1906.
when his accounts were being
investigated. The terror" as to
the $1,027 was made in October,
1902, and was not discovered
until Mr.. Bursum's accounts
were being investigated in July,
1906, some four years later
The Kenna record. (Kenna, Roosevelt County, N.M.) 190?-1924, 1916-10-13

found. They could not find the re-
written journal, which Mr.. Bursum
said, in subsequent letter, was the
only book of original entry. Mr.. Bur.
sum had taken it with him to his
home in Socorro, where he kept it
until the return was demanded.
al ask you in all candor-l ask Mr..
The Kenna record. (Kenna, Roosevelt County, N.M.) 190?-1924, 1916-10-13

You who have been kicking
about the laws of our country
and the execution of came,
either come out on Nov It'll
and cast your vote for the right,
or else forever, hereafter hold
your peace.
The Kenna record. (Kenna, Roosevelt County, N.M.) 190?-1924, 1916-10-13

still Mr.. Bursum says his peniten,
tiary record is not an issue IN this
campaign
The Kenna record. (Kenna, Roosevelt County, N.M.) 190?-1924, 1916-10-13
Record Of H. O. Bursum
As Superintendent Of the
New Mexico Penitentiary

CLEAR AND CONVINCING STATEMENT PRESENTED BY
FORMER GOVERNOR HERBERT ]. HAGERMAN THE RE-
- PUBLICAN EXECUTIVE WHO FORCED BURSUM TO RE-
p sIFN AND WHO INVESTIGATED HIS PRISON MANAGE
MENT
The Kenna record. (Kenna, Roosevelt County, N.M.) 190?-1924, 1916-10-13
FACTS In CONNECTION WITH HIS
"VINDICATION' ARE BROUGHT OUT

Bursum Pententary Superintendent Was
the Campaign of 1911 When the People
pudated Him It is Issue Before the Votsrs Today.
The Parker post., 1916-07-08
ARE YOU ABOVE ALL THESE?
If One Can TruthfuIly Answer YES"
Then He May Claim to Be Free
From Superstition.

II you are not superstitious you will
not mind spilling salt, walking under
ladder, breaking looking glass,
starting a journey on Friday, forget
ting a parcel, or naming your baby
after person who has just died
You will never have your fortune
told You will not be worried by
your dreams. You will not believe
that you have a lucky number, and
you will never wear mascot. You
will laugh at four-leafed clovers. You
will see no harm in putting your shoes
on the table, or opening your umbrella
in the hall
Darkness will not scare you. Creaks,
ratings, sighs and tappings will not
cause your flesh to creep You will
not mind Investigating light in a
churchyard at three o'clock in tse
morning or living in a house where d
murder has just been committed
You will not believe in omens. You
will not mind birds flying in at your
window, You will not believe in
fairies, spirits or ghosts.
The Parker post., 1916-07-08
1T WASN'T ALL HER MONEY
But Sad Experiences of Life Had
Taught the Poor, Shabby Little
Girl Sympathy.

She was pretty young woman, with
perfect pink and white complexion
crinkly golden brown hair, and her
well-fitting suit of navy blue empha-
sized her beauty.
1t wasn't any wonder, says the In
dianapolis News. that the shabby WON
an and her shabby little girl just loved
to look at her They looked SO much
that the pretty woman seemed to re-
sent it. They were all waiting in a
crowded department store.
The pretty woman, who was on her
way to a luncheon, had decided to save
one trip downtown by purchasing a
small article which she could slip into
her dainty bag. Sne got the attention
Of the clerk first. Sometimes pretty,
well-dressed people do, you know.
She was in a hurry and didn't want
to wait for change, so she hunted in
the bag for the exact amount. She eX-
tracted one nickel, then another one,
then one cent at a time until she had
the required number.
All the time that shabby little girl
was staring right up at her, and her
pretty face flushed pinker with annoy
ance Then, as she handed over the
bits of money, the child suddenly
edged very close to her.
The big eyes were full OF sympathy
and the thin little face expressed her
anxiety as she asked, "Oh, did it take
all your money!"
The shabby mother grabbed the i'm
pulsive child and hurried her away,
and as the pretty woman looked after
them her expression changed entirely
Perhaps this bit of unexpected, unde-
served sympathy had caused curious
warm little thrill in the region Of her
heart, and perhaps from this time on
she will always have different feeling
toward shabby folk.
The Parker post., 1916-07-08
Fioht Patron Was Weary.

Billy Gibson, who conducted a small
boxing club, told of bout be-
tween Montana Dan Sullivan, a
middleweight, and rough, rug
ged fellow who was noted for
his punching powers. but who was
rather slow afoot. Montana Dan ap-
parentIy held his opponent in great re-
spect. He would approach the rough
lad cautiously, make light lead at
him, and then skitter away to far
corner Of the ring. This went on for
a short time, with the crowd watch
ing silently, until finally Dan reached
out a quick left and jabbed the rough
one lightly on the chin. That's right,
Dan, came thin, piping and very
weary voice from the cheapest seats.
That's right Antagonize him, Dan;
antagonize him.
The Parker post., 1916-07-08
Ones Finuef Nails.

No two finger nails on a person s
hands grow at. the same rate The
nail on the middle finger grows faster
than any other, while the thumpnail
is the slowest growing nail. AS rule,
too, the nails on the right hand grow
faster than those on the left. The
rate Of growth. The nails on invalids'
hands grow considerably faster than
on the hands Of healthy person.
Taken on the average, the rate Of
growth is an eighth of an inch a
month, or from an inch to an inch and
a half a year.
The Parker post., 1916-07-08
Celebration a Success.

The Fourth of July celebration at
Parker proved a huge success. Many
visitors from Wenden, Bouse and
Swansea We're here and participated
i'm the festivities. In the morning O..
M. Spence delivered the oration of
the day, Immediately following The
parade. In the afternoon various
sports were held on California
avenue, and at 3 O'Clock everybody
adjourned to the bail grounds, where
the Wenden and Parker teams put
up an interesting and exciting exhi-
biton. Parker won by a score OF II
to IS. Both teams went to pieces
after the fourth inning, but the con-
test was greatly enjoyed by every
body. In the evening fine display
of fireworks was witnessed by a
large crowd, after which those who
liked dancing attended the ball at
the school house. The Indian band
furnished the music during the day
and evening. Fortunately NO acci-
dents occurred to mar the days pleas
ure, and taking everything into con-
sideration it was safe and sane
celebration.
The Parker post., 1916-07-08
KEEPING THE CHILD STRAIGHT
Wise Advice on the Subject Is Thai
Given by Writer in Chicago
Newspaper.

When children are prevented from
having good time at home they will
go where their high spirits will have a
chance
1t is up to you to make your home q
place where the children will have
their best time
If you do, you will find less desire
on their part to leave it.
1t may cost little money; the noise
may be annoying to you, but isn't a
little money and little noise small
price to pay to keep the kiddies
home?
When children are much on the
streets or in questionable company is
it any wonder that they acquire bad
habits?
To keep your children sweet, pure
and honorable should be your constant
aim.
Before you become a parent you
should consider that you will have to
make many changes in your mode OF
living; that. yon. will have many vexa
tions. But the children will more than
make up to you for all you must deny
yourself
Nothing is so sweet as the heart OF
little child unless it is the hearts O!
two little children.-Chicago Exam.
iner.
The Parker post., 1916-07-08
His Friuhtful Taste.

AprOpos of the amusing comments on
the academic costume that so often re-
veal popular ignorance of the symbol
ism OF hoods and gowns is the fol,
lowing story, told by contemporary
"A friend Of mine" says the mar
rator, lis curate in local suburban
parish. Some little time back he went
up to Oxford to take his master-of-
arts degree, and the following Sunday
appeared in the pulpit resplendent in
his new master-Of-arts hood. A few
nights later he was dining in the house
OF prominent parishioner, and was
amazed to hear his hostess pleasantly
remark:
Mr.. X, that new hood of yours
doesn't suit you at ALL I can't i'm.
agine why you, with your complexion,
chose red OF all colors in the world
A myrtle green or an old gold would
nave suited you much better, and
would have been far more effective.
You men never know how to dress
yourselves
The Parker post., 1916-07-08
BY GEORGE COBB.

Sorry, Miss Fortner, but those are
the ORDERS spoke the society editor
and he looked it, for the neat, intelli-
gent young lady before him had i'm
pressed him favorably from the start.
For two days Susie Fortner. would
be journalist, had been trying her
wings. She had flown high in her first
copy covering the big wedding event
OF the season, and now she had
dropped back to earth with deaden-
ing shock to all her high ambitions.
Don't be discouraged, resumed the
kindly editor. You've got it in you,
but you lack the practical experience.
You see, the mistake was a terrible
one. l don't know but it may lead to
a libel suit. Then again, it antagon-
lied some high up people and that
means loss of advertising patronage
1T must have been some cruel joker
who gave me the incorrect informa-
tion,' sobbed Susie, in tears of cha
people to get into trouble Hadn't L
better go and see this Mr.. Randall
and Miss Armour and explain how it
all came about?"
Il wouldn't waste my time on that
il I were you," advised the editor but
Susie went her way feeling respon-
sibility she must carry out.
A line Of print had done it, simple
innocent looking series of only few