davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The broad ax., 1916-09-16
DEATH OF BILLY JOHNSON OF
THE ORIGINAL COLE AND
JOHNSON OF THE RED NOON
COMPANY AND THE "TRIP TO
COON TOWN"

Tuesday morning, while Billy John
son, who was well known in the theat-
rieal world, was visiting with some
friends at 3O12 S. State street, he was
sitting on the banister on the rear
porch at that number and somehow or
other he lost his balance and fell over
backwards In the midst of some stones
and other hard substances crushing in
the back part of his head.
He was rushed to Provident Hospital,
where he died one hour later. Mr..
Johnson resided at 1928 Forest avenue.
He leaves a wife and four children and
other relatives and many friends to
mourn his sudden death.
Thursday morning a eoroner's jury
at King and Hills undertaking estab-
lishment, 1904 S. State street, where
the body had lain in state for several
days, rendered a verdict, that he had
come to the end of life's journey by
accidental death.
AS stated before, Mr.. johnson was
the original Billy Johnson, of Cole and
Johnson. He was a playwright of con-
siderable ability. The cred Noon,
The "Trip to Coon Town" and the
"Shoo-Fly Regiment were of his ere
alton.
Lately he had been engaged in put
ting on many plays at some of the lead
ing White theaters and employing
much of his time in writing them.
The broad ax., 1916-09-16

W. Miller for clerk of the Circuit
Court, Alderman John HIGHLANDER for
clerk of the Superior Court; Hon. Peter
NJ. Hoffman for Coroner and George K.
Schmidt for member of the Board of
Assessors are among the leading City
Hall candidates who won out in
the neck and neck fight at the pri-
maries Wednesday, September 18th.
Congressman Martin B. Madden,
James r. Mann, William W. Wilson,
the three prominent south side Repub-
lican congressman were all re-nomin-
ated in their respective congressional
districts, Congressman Wilson defeat
ing Alderman Albert J. Fisher for the
nomination.
The thick smoke of the great battle
has almost cleared away and at the
present time the indications are that
either the Hon. Martin B. Madden or
Hon. Medill Mccormick will succeed
the Hon. James Hamilton Lewis in the
United States Senate in 191S-that in
case Congressman Madden is chosen
for that honored position that either
Hon. Oscar De Priest or Major Robert
R. Jackson will succeed him in the
lower halls of Congress State
Senator George F. Harding will be-
come the sheriff of Cook county in
1918.
The following are the complete Re-
publican and Democratic state and
county tickets as compiled from the
very latest returns:
Republican Governor, Frank o. Low
den; Northumberland, John G.
Oglesby; Secretary of State, Louis L.
Emmerson; Auditor, Andrew Russell;
Treasurer, Len Small; Attorney-Gener-
al, Richard ]. Barr or E. J. Brundage;
Congressman-at-Large, Burnett M.
Chiperfeld or Medill Mccormick.
Congressman-District l, Martin B.
Madden; District 2, James R. Mann;
District 8, William W. Wilson; District
4, John Golombiewski; District 5, Dav-
id T. Alexander; District 6, Arthur W.
Fulton; District z, Niels JUL; District
8, Frank Sullivan; District 9, Fred A.
Britten; District 10, George Edmund
Foss.
Board of qualization-District l,
Charles J. Ewerts; District 2, Charles
W. Secord; District 8, Leonard With
all; District 4, Charles Bagdziunas;
District 5, Joseph Zientek; District 6,
William J. Stance; District z, William
H. Malone; District 8, Joseph Bitter
man; District 9, Frank A. West; Dis
trict 10, Harry T. Nightingale.
State Senator-District 2, Meyer
Crossman; District 4, Richard Farrell;
District 6, James J. Barbour; President
Sanitary District, Charles 81. Sergel;
Trustees Sanitary District, Charles
H. Sergel, James II. Lawley, Matthias
A. Mueller; States Attorney, Harry B.
Miller; Recorder of Deeds, Joseph F.
Haas; Circuit Court Clerk, August w.
Miller; Superior Court Clerk, John
HIGHLANDER; Coroner, Peter NJ. Hoff-
man; Board of Assessors, George K.
Schmidt; Vacancy, Charles R. Ring
er; Board of Review, Edward R. Litz-
niger; County Surveyor, Harry Emer-
son.
Municipal Court Judges-Hugh R.
Stewart; Wells M. Cook; John A.
Swanson; Howard Hayes; Hosea w.
Wells; John R. Newcomer; W. w. Max
well; Frank W. Hoyt; John Richard
son; John F. Haas.
Municipal Court Judge (Vacancy)
Bernard P. Barasa.
observation-disclosures, Edward F.
Dunno; Lieutenant-G Henry W.
Huffman or Barratt O'Hara; Secretary
of State, Lewis G. Stevenson; Auditor,
James J. Brady; Treasurer, Arthur w.
The broad ax., 1916-09-16

tion to the fact that, Mr.. Stephen Bell,
National Grand Secretary of the United
Brothers of Friendship and Sisters of
the Mysterious Ten, resided in Louis
vile, Kentucky, and not in Jefferson,
Texas, as reported in the Year Book.
Congratulations are extended to both
Mr.. Hayes and Mr.. Brown.
The broad ax., 1916-09-16

teacher of the Coleridge s. Taylor Con-
servatory and a capable violinist.
Nine. Byron has many new concert
novelties and is prepared to give Chi
cago its greatest concert.
The broad ax., 1916-09-16

Within less than two years; Alder
man De Priest has raised almost three
thousand dollars for that institution
which is many hundred times more
money than all of its other friends
have raised for it in the same length
of time and Alderman De Priest is all
right at every stage of the game.
The broad ax., 1916-09-16

Mr. and Mrs. NJ l.. Clinkscale, 1852
South State street, left this city on
Thursday evening, September IA, on a
visit with friends in Kansas City and
st. Louis, Mo. They will be absent
almost two weeks.
The broad ax., 1916-09-16
SPECIAL NOTICE.
The Byron Recital.

Chas. Elgar, violinist, will appear in
the Byron recital at Quinn Chapel,
Monday evening, Sept. 25th. He is a
The broad ax., 1916-09-16

Monday noon while the writer was
in Mayor Thompson's outer office, en-.
gagged in conversation with several of
the big politicians, as to the probable
result or outcome of the then forth
coming primaries; Alderman Oscar De
Priest, came a busting in and held up
before our eyes, so that there could
be no mistake about it, a certified
check on the Central Trust Company
of Illinois, calling for fourteen hun
bred and three dollars, payable to
Jesse Binga, treasurer of the Old Folks
Home, and on Thursday evening it
was turned over to him at the Y. NJ.
C. A, 1868 South Wabash Ave.
It was the net proceeds from the re-
cent State street Carnival, which was
held for the benefit Of the Old Folks
Home, which has for some time been
sadly in need Of money.
The broad ax., 1916-09-16

OSCAR DE PRIEST
HAS TURNED OVER A CERT
FLED CHECK ON THE CENTRAL
TRUST COMPANY OF ILLINOIS
CALLING FOR FOURTEEN HUN
DRIED AND THREE DOLLARS TO
THE OLD FOLKS HOME WHICH
WAS THE NET PROCEEDS OF
THE RECENT STATE STREET
CARNIVAL.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-17
DRY" PETITION TAKEN
DAY BEFORE FILING

Danville, Ill, Feb 17.-Local dry
circles here were greatly excited to-
day when it became known that their
petition, containing more than 1000
signatures, had been stolen from the
office Of F. G. Duffin, a prominent at
torney and dry worker. Tomorrow
being the last day for filing the petit
ton, it Is believed that the loss will
result in the abandonment of the wet
and dry contest this spring. The
"drys," however called their organiza-
ton into action and at once started out
workers in an effort to secure the re-
quired number of signatures before
the close of the filing limit, o'clock
tomorrow evening.
The petition was stolen during a
short absence of Mr.. Duffin from his
office at the noon hour.
There is no clue to the perpetrators
Of the theft.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-17
WARSH|PS READY
TO ENTER TESTS

Newport News, Va, Feb. 1.-THE
uperdreadnought Pennsylvania, the
largest battleship built for the United
States navy, left the plant of the New
port News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock
company early today for Rockland.
Maine, to run the official government
speed and endurance trialsa-
two days will be devoted to tests by
her builders The government runs
will begin Feb. %.
The Pennsylvania, with her main
battery of IL 14-inch rifles mounted in
four turrets on the center line, is de-
clared by naval experts to be the most
powerful sea fighter af1oat. A broad
side shell fire from her big guns would
weight $4,000 pounds, which is said to
be greater than the broadside of the
Queen Elizabeth of the British navy,
which mounts eight 15-inch rifles. The
Pennsylvania is 600 feet long.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-17
NONEEOOFW WORRY
OVER EXPLORERS

New York, Feb. 17.-No fears need
be entertained for the safety Of the re-
lief expedition headed by DR.. Edmund
0. Hovey of the American Museum of
Natural History. which is wintering in
the Arctic regions, according to Knud
Rasmussen, the Danish explorer. The
Hovey expedition was sent to Etah,
Greenland, with supplies for the Mac
MILAN expedition, which went north in
a vain attempt to find the mysterious
Croker Land which Rear Admiral
Perry believed he had discovered. The
Macmillan party was marooned at
Etah and the relief ship George B. Gu
EFT which returned TO the United States
to obtain additional supplies, was I'M
able to proceed beyond Mestenholme
sound
While the Cluett may be crushed
in the Ice" wrote Mr.. Rasmussen I'M
der date of Jan. 90 to the Museum OF
Natural History, there need be no
fears for the crew, for if they run short
OF provisions it will be easy to send
sledges to Uppernavik for more"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-17
GERMANY WILL Be
DEPENDENT UPON
AMER|CA,|SCLA|M

London, Feb. II Q2:16 p. m.)-An
Amsterdam dispatch to the Exchange
Telegraph company says the manager
of one of the greatest German ship
ping COMPANIES, in an interview in the
Bremen Tageblatt, expresses pessi-
misttc opinion regarding the effects
of a possible breach Of relations be-
tween Germany and the United States.
This skipper, who, the dispatch says,
is believed to be Albert Ballin, direc-
tor general of the Hamburg American
Steamship company, is quoted as fol-
lows:
"a breach of Germany's relations
with America would have most ser
ious effect. All Americas money and
munitions would be at the disposal Of
the entente allies. We should have to
take over the feeding OF the Belgians,
and Americas attitude probably would
induce other neutrals to attack us.
All our ships would finally be intern
ed in American ports. This would
represent taking away enormous
wealth from us.
Our plight would be most difficult.
When the war is over Germany will
have to repienish her stocks of raw
materials. Do not let us entertain any
illusions with regard to England. She
will continue commercial warfare
long after military OperatiOns are
over. She will take away all our trade
with South Africa and Australia and
it will take years for our passenger
service to reach a condition anything
like that which existed before the
war"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-17
OperaH0use
Caves inland
g Are Killed

Mexia, Texas, Feb. 1.-THE list of
dead as result of collapse and ex-
plosion at the Mexia opera house last
night still stood at nine this morning.
Search Of the ruins continued. An Of
official investigation will follow quick
ly. Patrick Richards, chief of police,
Patrick Richards, chief of police,
this morning said in his opinion the
collapse of the house was the result of
an explosion. A majority of the per-
sons in a position to know, he said
had made statements that an explosion
took place and flames darted from the
building before it came tumbling down
All persons who had been in the
opera house have been accounted for
If any new victims are discovered, it
is expected they will be found in the
debris Of Hits restaurant, where
most of the fatalities occurred, the res
taurant was caught in the rush of the
flames and the fall Of brick and timber
The flames had been eytinguished to-
streyed limited to five Nearly a score
Of injured were reported resting easily.
Three of the dead were killed in the
wreck of the opera house which had
been opened for an art exhibition by the
city schools under the auspices of the
Mothers club. They were:
A. B. WEISNER, superintendent of
the city schools.
MRS. WEISNER.
PROFESSOR A. C. BRUTON.
Two doors from the opera house, six
men were killed in the Mecca cafe by
explosion and fire.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-17
HOLLAND IN PATH
OF GREAT STORM

Amsterdam, Feb. 1.-THE north
westerly storm is still blowing with
undiminished violence and the situa-
ton is described as critical. Reports
from various places of the damage
which has been done are causing grave
apprehension.
Monnikedam has suffered consid-
erably. The water rose foot yester-
day afternoon in this town, in the
province of North Holland, a few
miles from Amsterdam, and is still
rushing in. At Volendam 20 houses
have been abandoned. The railway
embankment between Purmerend and
Oostzaal in the same province has
been destroyed, threatening a fresh
catastrophe.
Breaking of the bikes around West
Under lakes at Aalsmeer, eight miles
southwest of Amsterdam, appears to
be inevitable.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-17
CUT AS
BUSINESS BOOMS

New York, Feb. 17.-Paper mills in
the United States are operating to ca
pacity and many Of them are turning
away orders, but the increase in the
price of raw materials and the high
price of labor has reduced the profits
of the business, according to members
of the American Paper and Pulp as
ISOLATION attending the annual con-
yention here today.
Arthur C. Hastings. president of the
American Writing Paper company,
said the royal proclamation prohib-
iting the importation OF paper or raw
materials for 1t into England after
March l, except under board of trade
license, would not affect the American
manufacturers. He said he believed
England made this order in reprisal
against the action of Sweden in cut
ting off exports of wood pulp.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-17
lEPROsY CURE
BELIEVED FOUND

New York, Feb. 1.-THE Rockefeller
foundation has invited physicians
throughout the world to report TO II
results Of the administering OF chaui-
moogra oil mixture for leprosy. This
oil is made from the seeds OF plant
found in the far east and is admins
tered hypodermically. II is sometimes
combined with camphorated owe OIL
An article written by Dr. victor "
Heiser, director of the department LOT
the east of the International Health
Commission before he left for his posi-
last week, was published here TO-DAY
In it DR.. Heiser says that leprosy Is
how being treated by the use OF chaui-
moogra oil mixture in institutions III
The United States and in some places
IN the far east and that favorable re-
ports Of its efficacy have been received:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-17
seaboard Special Leaves the
Rails and Plunges Down
Big Embankment.
NO DEATHS REPORTED
Is Believed Nobody Was
Killed-Injured Rushed
to Hospitals.

Richmond, Va, Feb. 1.-THE Sea-
board Airline Florida Special, No. 10,
northbound, was wrecked today at
Beliwood plantation, between here and
Chester. Telephone messages asked
that every available nurse be sent to
attend dead and injured, taken from
five coaches. No details are yet at
hand.
Memorial hospital here has received
q request from railroad official to
prepare to receive 40 injured
Running so Mile Rate.
The train is said to have been late
and running at so miles an hour. The
wreck occurred at 1920 a. NJ, and up
TO noon railway officials here had been
unsuccessful in their effort to obtain
information.
Latest reports say none was killed
and only IA injured.
Cars Plunge Down Embankment.
The Seaboard Air Lines Florida
Limited, No. 10, northbound was
wrecked today at Kingsland bridge,
10 miles south of here, while running
at high speed. No one was killed but
Il persons were badly injured and
others less seriously hurt.
The engine tender jumped the track,
ripping up rails and ties and four
coaches went down a steep embank-
ment.
The injured were brought to Rich
mond hospitals.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-17
SOUTHERN FLOOD
STEADILY CROWS
MORE DANGEROUS

Natchez, Miss, Feb. 1.-THE head
waters of the flood pouring through
the levee break near Newellton, La,
reached st. Joseph early today. En-
gfneers believe the entire Tensas basin
will be flooded by tomorrow night. St.
Joseph is protected by a back levee and
is only partly inundated.
Several motor boats started from st.
Joseph today for Newellton to help re-
move about three thousand negroes
from temporary refuge in mills and
cotton gins.
New Orleans, Feb. 17.-Flood waters
from the crevasse in the Mississippi
river at Buck Ridge are near st.
Joseph. The water is running south
ward after having filled lake Bruin,
seven miles below Newellton.
Hundreds of recruits have Joined
rescuing parties and organized efforts
are being made to take the marooned
persons to places of safety. Scarcity
Of boats makes this work difficult.
AAo ioou oiludlloh 10 SApoStou "
present serious problem at Newell
ton. There are several thousand negro
refugees housed in mills and cotton
gins around that town and few is any
brought more than enough food to
last through day
During the night the refugee camps
at Natchez and Vidalia gained many
members. The food situation at Nat
chez, owing to the arrival yesterday of
steamer loaded with supplies, was
regarded as satisfactory for the pres
ent.
So far three unidentified negroes are
the only victims Of the high water.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-17
TO PAY WAGES TO
THEIR PRISONERS

Paris, Feb. 17-Under the terms OF
an order issued by the war Office as
published in the army organ La France
Militaire German officers who are pris-
oners of war in France are to receive
each month pay equal to that OF
French officers on leave. as previously
fixed in the French army regulations.
Similar treatment is to be accorded
French officers who are prisoners in
Germany, This arrangement has been
reached through negotiations between
the French and German governments,
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-17
Latest Bulletins

Washington, Feb. 1.-THE Aus.
trian notice of intention to treat
armed belligerent merchant ships
as subject to attack without warn
ing was made public today by the
state department. 1t is dated Feb.
10 and is i'm line with the German
declaration on the same subject
already published.
Richmond, Va, Feb. IA ca
blegram from BuenOs Aires, Arg.
entina, announces the birth OF a
son to Mr.. and Mrs. Kermit R0Ose.
welt. This is Colonel ROOsevelts
fifth grandehild.
Washington, Feb. 1.-THE Amer.
lean consul general at Copenhagen
, reported today to the state de-
partment that the Danish govern
ment had prohibited the expOrta-
ton of wood pulp and heavy paper.
Washington, Feb. 17.-All the
state departments data on the
Mexican situation, called for by
Senator Falls resolution was sent
to the senate late today by Presi-
dent Wilson. Much of 1t the SEN
ate will be asked to keep in con-
fidence, because Of its relation 10
the international affairs of the
United States.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-17
THREE ARRESTED IN
KIDNAPPING PLOT

Ell Paso, Texas. Feb. 1.-Two men
were in Jail today and another, DR..
Henry A. Magruder. dentist, out on
bond, charged in an indictment re-
turned by the county grand jury with
having conspired to kidnap the young
sons OF William l.. Tooley and Her
man Andreas. bankers of this city, and
hold them for ransom OF $4,000. The
two men in Jail are Jesus Villasenor.
a former officer OF the Villa army, and
Werner Fiche. refugee from Mexico.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-17
RUSSIANS win A DECISIVE VICTORY
THE WAR
TODAY

The British and Germans are
still engaged In a fierce battle
southeast of Ypres, both artillery
and hand grenades being used in
the fighting. In the Champagne
district the fighting between the
French and Germans has not been
so heavy for a couple Of days,
owing to the stormy weather.
On the Russian front a snow.
storm has practically put a stop
to operations. The bombardment
interspersed with infantry attacks
Is still in progress on the 4ustro-
Italian front.
In Albania the Austrians and
Bulgarians are battling for the
capture of DurazzO, which is being
defended by Albanians, Serbians
and MOntenegrins.
Thirteen French aeroplanes have
dropped los bombs on Strumitza,
Bulgaria, starting many fires.
The allies have Informed Bel
GUM that hOstilities against the
Teutons will not be permitted to
end without the establishment Of
Belgium's independence.
The Lusitania controversy be-
tween the United States and Ger
many remains open on account Of
Germany's announced intention to
treat all armed merchant ships as
warships after Feb. 80.
A Rotterdam dispatch says that
during yesterdays storm a Yep
pelin was blown adrift, apparently
from Belgium. and wrecked at
Blerik. near VenIo, where it was
seized and informed by the author
tiles.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-17
DAY IN CONGRESS
SENATE.


Considered Nicaragnan and 10.
Iombia treaties in executive ses-
sion.
Senator Hoke Smith introduced
amendment to military bill pro-
,iding a regular army of 100000
men.
Brandeis nomination investiga-
ton committee continued Its hear
ing.
Agriculture committee held
hearing on Ransdell resolution
for sisaI investigation.
HOUSE.
General debate on pOst0fflce ap-
propriation bill was resumed.
Secretary McAdoo supported
administration shipping bills be-
fore marine committee.
Rear Admiral Graz continued
his testimony on national de-
tense before naval committee
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-17
BARRIERS "SLAVERS";;
SHOPS ARE CLOSED

Decatur, ILL.,, Feb. 17.-That the dis
tribution of shaves and hair cuts on
Sundays is little short Of white slav-
erv" for BARRIERS was the decision Of
the Decatur city council today. An
ordinance was passed prohibiting the
opening of Decatur barber shops on
Sundays. Joliet is said to be the only
other city in the state which has a
similar ordinance.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-17
THE WEATHER
Forecast Till Z P. NJ. Tomorrow, for
Rock Island, Davenport, Moline
and Vicinity.

Fair tonight and Friday; somewhat
cooler Friday with the lowest temper
AZURE about freezing.
Temperature at 7 a. m. 80. Highest
yesterday Al, loves tlast night, 81.
Velocity of wind at a. m. miles
per hour.
Relative humidity at p. IN. rs, at Z
a. m. 81, at l p. m. today 73.
Stage of water 10 feet; no change
from yesterday.
]. NJ. SHERIER, Local ForecaSter.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-17
Kansas CITY Democrats Split.

Kansas City, Mo, Feb. 17.-With the
local wing of the democratic party
split. primaries to nominate candidates
for city offices today promised to be
the liyeliest here in years.
Mayor Henry L. Jost is seeking re-
nomination, backed by one faction. K.
f. OMalley is the candidate of anoth-
er faction.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-17
SHOT THREE TIMES
IN QUARREL OVER 81

Decatur, Ill, Feb. 17.-Jn a quarrel
over the loan of a dollar, John Nc
Leach, a coal miner at Nokomis was
shot three times by r. E. Maddox early
today. McLeach died in hospital a
few hours later. Maddox who is but
16 years old, gave himself up to the
Isherit,
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-17
To Build to Keen Battery,

Des Moines, Iowa, Feb. 17.-Adju-
tant General Guy Logan announced to-
day that business men of Muscatine
may erect a new armory to house
Battery c, Iowa National Guard, in
order to save that organization from
being mustered out.