davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-07
OAKLAND
Notes and personals from Oakland.
by Frances Jones. 211 Grattan street
telephone between and 10 q. M. $500 :
other hours, 1851 K-2

Walter Swing of Ozawkie is visiting his
sister, Mrs. j. X. Michael and family,
SardOu avenue.
Mr.. and Mrs. NJ ]. Clemens who expected
to change their residence the latter part
of the week, to a farm near Gage Park, will
remain at their home on AFTER avenue
Mrs Isaac Smith of Ozawkie. who has
been visiting her daughter, Mrs. S. 7.
McCollum and her son, w. J. Smith. has
been taken i'll at the home of the latter in
Auburndale.
The monthly business and social meeting
of the Loyal Berean class of the Oakland
Christian church held last evening at
the home of CLARENCE Reaugh. Those
Katharine Ralstin. Miss Edith Rock, Miss
Frances Main, Mr.. George Ralstin, Mr..
Charles shirk. Mr.. Loren Dodge, Mr., Roy
Shirk, Mr. Leslie and Mr.. Clarence Reaugh.
Next month the meeting will be held at
the home of Miss Frances and Miss Pearl
Mrs Genevive Brown of Topeka is spend
ing few days as the guest of Mr.. and
Mrs. George Ralstin. Winfield avenue.
by the Ladies' Aid society of the Oakland
Christian church the receipts were sso;eo.
next Tuesday at the church
Mrs. w. H, Smith has returned TO her
few days visiting her parents at Waka-
Miss Nora Dreyer will entertain the s
o. ID. H club Monday evening at her home
An entertainment will be given Tuesday
eve ming at the Odd Fellows hall for the
benefit of the niano fund
Mrs. Lillian Vantine who was guest
of her sister Mrs s T. Willard and DIR.
Willard. Green street, has gone to her
home in Culver. Kan.
Mrs. H. H. Marker was hostess Wednes-
day afternoon to the Sunflower Art club.
The following ladies were present: Mrs.
]. Spickelmire. Mrs. ]. 3. Hoag. Mrs VIII
Goeden Mrs Porter Cole. Mrs. John
StaInm. Mrs o. C. Willsey, Mrs. Harry
Harris. Mrs Clara Johnson, Mrs George
kremer. Mrs Elizabeth Lee. Mrs. Sam
Barthel. Mrs George Anderson. Mrs. W. g.
Greer. Mrs c. Poort Mrs William Bush,
Miss Helen Biggs and Miss Katharine Ia s.
tin. December 20. the meeting Will be hell
at the home of Mrs. Cornelius Poort. 2S7
Michigan avenue. At this time the MEM
bers Will hold their Christmas exchange.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-07
CAN MIKE PROVE
THE WHALE DIDN'T
SWALLOW JONAH?

Waterbury, Conn. Dec. 7.-Unless
he should produce some one in court
to prove that Adam did not eat an ap-
pie and that a whale did not swallow
Jonah, Michael Mockus may have a
bad time of it.
Mockus, a Lithuanian minister
faced trial before jury on the charge
of blasphemy, under a Connecticut law
passed 274 years ago. 1t forbids the
calling into question ANY portion of
the Holy Writ" Mockus called the
apple and whale stories into question.
The case was first heard in Septem-
Der, when the jury disagreed. Today
Theodore Schroeder of New York,
president of the Free Speech league,
was to act as his counsel.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-07
ALL HEATED UP
Y. NJ. c. A. Athletes Run Wild at In
door Sport -deet.

The big handb- rouEdrobin tour
nament and the volley ball league are
engrossing the entire attention of the
athletes at the Central Y. NJ. c. A.
In the handball contest Ralph
jerks leads the field with percent
age of 500, having won twelve and
lost three games. The standing of
the other entrants: Don Billings. won
IA games. lost 4. pct. no; r. Knapp.
won II and lost 4, 1913; L. r. Booth,
won 4 and lost IL. .667; Gresser, won
and lost 8, .667; H. Knapp. won 10
and lost II. .476: Williams, won 4 and
lost 5. -444: Heiligstedt, won a and
lost s. 1888: Myers. won 8 and lost 6,
1888; Rude, won l al lost 5. .167;
Doctor Alexander lost 3; 1. Corliss,
lost g.
In the volleyball league tie standing
is: The Wops' won sfnd lost 3, pct.
.667: 'Woozies'' won and lost 4.
800; the Witches won and lost 5.
.444; ''Wigglers" won 8 and lost 5.
1856. The membership of the teams
is as follows: "Wops," X. Clark
(captain), DR.. C. H. Morrison, DR.. H.
A. Alexander, Roy Brooks. H. F. Rup-
pies; ''Wigglers," S. A. Maxwell leap
tain), S. J. Shook, DR.. Z. S. Pettyjohn.
w w. Behring'S. E. E. Lunger:
"Woozies,' Don Ewers (captain), H.
NJ. Young, c. A. St. John, o. A. Fauld.
G. w. Vale; Witches" Ken Clark
(captain), c. A. Dodds. s. ]. James. H.
b. Gillet. Paul Webb.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-07
Louis Erb Tells Dramatic Story
| of Fortunes Collapse.
Downfall Kept Secret From
Millionaire Brothers.
LOST 100000 ON MARKET
Broker in Stolen Motor Cars
Born in Lawrence, Kan.
Promoted Electric Street Rail
way at LeavenwOrth.

Chicago, Dec. IA dramatic story
of astounding business success, then a
sudden. turn and the collapse of a ca
reer ending in Jail, was made public
here today
Louis Erb, So, is held in Jail unable
to obtain bond in connection with
auto theft cases. He said he re-
fused to tell of his plight to his broth
ers. Newman Erb, millionaire railroad
man at Shadow Lawn, N. Y, and ia
cob Erb. formerly a Chicago lawyer.
but now a millionaire thru war con-
tracts made in London.
Erb is a confessed broker in stolen
automobiles and turned states wit
ness in the trial of Mrs. Elvina Stiles
acquitted of auto theft charges re-
Gently. With indictments hanging
over his head, Erb now fears that he
will not be granted immunity.
Was Railroad Official.
IT was born in Lawrence, Kan, and
received my education at Washington
university, St. Louis" Erb said
Shortly after leaving college, 1 be-
came secretary to A. NJ. Towne of the
Southern Pacific railroad in 1890
Then 1 became general superintendent
for the Kansas City, Wyandotte &
Northwestern railroad and left this
position to promote an electric stree
railway line at Leavenworth, Kan.
Il made 100000 in Kansas Cit.
real estate and came to Chicago. Here
1 put my whole fortune in stocks an6
one day the crash came and 1 found
myself broke"
Erb said he did not wish to appea
to his wealthy brothers.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-07
EAST SIDE
Notes and personals from East Side,
by Frances Jones. III Grattan street,
telephone between 8 and 10 q N. 1850:
other hours. 4751 K-2

changed their residence from freeman ave- ave-
nue. to North German avenue
stephen Losh, Miss GoIdie Losh and Miss
Al rN1- Hupp; PLAYING at the Novelty. this
week as the Three Goldinis," were dinner
Losh and family, of Lake street. Mrs
Mar" Stephens and daughter Ada of Mel
vern, Kan, and Mrs. Alice Bancroft also
OF Melvern, also were dinner guests Miss
in the city.
The Amoma class of the Seward Ayenue
afternoon beginning at 3 O'Clock and also
during the evening at the church.
urday evening in the lecture room of the
Third Presbyterian church for the fathers
and sons of the church. Willis L. Gold
smith, assistant pastor of the Central Con
gregational church. and DR.. S. B. Anderson
pastor of the Third Presbyterian church
union meeting of the C. w r. NJ
societies of the city will be held Friday
all day at the Central Park Christian
A class in home economics is being con-
Quoted at the State Street school under
the supervision of Miss Frances Brown
state Agricultural college. Glasses are
held in the morning at 80 O'Clock and
Will close Friday evening with a lecture
at o'clock by Miss Brown. Miss Mather
Miss IN iBn rog OF the dem
Friday evening on THE Evolution of the
Home and the business of Home Making :
The domestic science class Of Garfield
school will attend one of the lectures
The Sabbath school class of the Second
United Brethren church taught by Robert
Phillips and the Golden Sunbeam class of
the same church will be entertained Friday
evening at the home of Mrs. Della Stafford
2OO1 5ast Sixth avenue.
Miss Grace Fenner has returned to her
home in Grand Pass, Mo-. after visiting
her aunt, Mrs Albert Sandifer of East
Sixth avenue. Miss Fenner was accompanied
as far as Kansas City by Mrs. Sandifer
and daughters Marjorie and Gertrude. who
Will visit relatives and friends in Kansas
City a few days.
Mrs. E. L. Jones, of Grattan street spent
Thursday the guest of Mrs John Nc
Carter in Highland Park.
The firemeu at No. fire station have
instigated plan by which they may Sc
one having old papers or magazines may
give them to the station, where they will be
sold and the money secured will be used
to buy pictures. Lieutenant Steele is in
charge Of tn affair
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-07
WINTER FINALLY HERE

srontirued from I'~rs One, 20
tonight and Friday; much colder to-
night. Temperatures were down to l =
degrees in the northwestern section of
this country last night and were down
to zero in Canada. The high north
west wind will bring the cold weather
here. Protection of thirty-six hour
shipments north and west against tenn
peratures of Is to 20 degrees, and 25
to 80 south and east is advised by the
shippers forecast.
The mercury started dropping from
so degrees early this morning and by
$50 o'clock had reached Al 1t was
expected to continue on the decline all
day and turnout tonight. Tomorrow
will be clear and crisp, and the wind
will have diminished in velocity.
The wind tonight will blow from
twenty-five to thirty miles an hour
from the northwest. The highest tenn
perature on record for this date is 20
degrees, established in 1894 The low
record, zero, occurred in 1909. The
moon will shine all night tonight un-
less the sky remains cloudy.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-07

ian roads. the mortality of children
among these misera BILE refugees has
been very high.
In Alexandria the plundering reach
ed such a height that a few educate
families which remained BEHIND
formed civilian force to protect their
property.
These are a few of the conditions
which face the new Governor General
Won Tulff Not only will he seek to
restore order, but ii is also his task to
organize the forwarding to Germany
of the vast surplus stores of grain,
cattle and petroleum which have fall
en- into the invaders hands. Alexan-
dria alone possesses a million dollars
worth of stores. Other cities are al
most equally well stocked. Wallachia
itself is food paradise.
Campaign in Wagons.
Because the Rumanians destroyed
many of the railroad bridges the en-
tire German campaign in Rumania
was by wagons over the ordinary high
ways. One sees thousands of columns
of these, with ammunition. food, Weap-
ons and military supplies.
The German advance has been too
swift to make possible taking charge
Of the cities by the German authorities
so far, altho they are doing everything
manians burning goods along the
country side. Especially in small
towns many buildings have been fired
and schools destroyed. Many resi-
dences and schools have been used as
stables by the -efugees.
One can hardly sleep at night be-
cause of the constant barking of de
serted dogs. Along the roads lay dead
or dying horses. Starving dogs gnaw
the flesh of these bodines and crows
pick at their eyes. The terror that is
apparent everywhere is in striking
1a WI, ich in
every Rumanian home and which had
been used as part of the propaganda
to get the Rumanians to favor war.
These maps show "a greater Ru-
MANIA" the boundaries of which ex-
tend far into Austro- Hungary.
Instead of Rumania's ambitions be-
ing realized, Rumania herself has
fallen before the invaders That this
invader expects to remain for a while
is evidenced by naming of governor.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-07
CONTROL
L. C. C. Offers Solution OF
Freight Car Shortage.
Congress Should Say What Is
Reasonable Rate"

Washington, Dec. with the
country suffering fro shortage OF
freight cars, the interstate commerce
commission. reporting to congress to-
day. recommended federal control OF
the problem.
1t suggested such control over in
terchange of cars and compensation
for general use of cars of 'other'
lines to relieve present conditions.
The shortage, the report pointed out,
is the result of demands for American
goods abroad and there has been but
little change therein since spring,
when steps to remedy conditions were
taken.
AS congestion Of terminals is part
" responsible it is not always short
age of cars that makes transporta-
ton slow or inadequate, the report
said. 1t deplored embargoes on GER
tain groundsy but took the view that
they are not altogether unavoidable
in the present circumstances.
Standardization of reasonable
rates" is strongly urged.
The commission would have con-
gress say what is reasonable rate" at
unless altered by the commission.
The report also recommends that
carriers be required to give at least
two months notice of proposed in
creaSes.
On the matter of rate control, the
commission advocated that it be au-
thorized to cooperate with state COM
missions in rate disputes and act as
sort of official umpire.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-07
TODAY'S MARKET REPORTS

Chicago. Dec 7.-WHEAT Fresh
strength developed in the wheat market to-
day owing to prospects of additional export
buying. There were advices that ships
would be Withdrawn from the Argentine
trade and it was pointed out in this con-
nection that vessels could easily make three
trips to North America from Europe as one
trip to Australia. Estimates were current
that France alone would this season re-
quire imports of 100000 tons of wheat.
Opening prices which ranged from the
same as yesterdays finish to 1Ac higher
with May at s1.s1H to $1S2 and July at
S1.50% to $1.51A. were followed by mod
crate reaction and then a substantial adj
vance all around.
A decline set in later on account of aser-
lions that lack of readily available
freight carriers on the North Atlantic had
caused a let up in export demand. There
were also forecasts of large shipments to
Europe from Australia. The close was
seavy. 1c to 31Sc net lower, with May at
S1.IS1s to $11SA and July at Sissy to
CORN-Unwelcome rains had builish
effect on corn. Besides, the strength of
wheat tended to lift prices. After opening
1sc to 1ssc higher the market sagged a
little. but son turned up grade again
Reports of increased country offerings
led subsequently to a setback in prices.
decline.
OATS-COmmission houses were mostly
on the buying side in the oats crowd. The
incentive appeared to be the firmness of
other cereals.
PROVISIONS-Liberal receipts of hogs
wea kened provisions. Selling, though, VS.
only of a scattered sort.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-07
MONTH WAS MILD
Warm, Sunshiny November.
Weather Bureau Report Says.
Unusual Amount of Clear
Weather Over Kansas.

The weather in Kansas for the
month of November was characterized
as mild and sunshiny" by the month
1y weather bureau report for the state
issued here today. The summary fol-
lows:
THE eastern half received abun-
dant rains but there was a severe
drouth in the western half. where
very few counties had as much as a
quarter of an inch of precipitation
and a great many received no meas
urable rain or snow at all. Combined
with September and October, preced-
ing, it was one of the driest falls west
ern Kansas has ever experienced.
THE first week was exceptionally
mild. with maximum temperatures
from so degrees to 90 degrees on sew
eral days but a cold spell. beginning
on the 18th, eliminated in some OF
the lowest November temperatures on
the states record on the 14th, when
below zero weather was general in the
western and north-central counties and
at Irene and Ulysses. Moderate tenn
peratures prevailed in all parts the
last half of the month.
Rainfall Widely Varied.
THE average precipitation over the
eastern third of the state was 2.S6
inches; the middle third, 1.08 inches;
the western third. 90 inch: and for
the entire state, 1.50 inches, or 433
inch above normal. In the eastern
third it was the fourth wettest No
vember in thirty years. while in the
western third It was the fourth dr:est
on record. The greater part of the
months precipitation fell as rain on
the Sth. when some of the heaviest "a
hour amounts on record for this time
of the year were received in the east
ern counties.
Snowfall was general on the 18th
and 9th and in some counties on the
21st and oath but the amounts were
not measurable except in the north.
western and north-central counties
where they ranged from 0.5 inch to :
inches. Moderately heavy rains also
fell in the eastern part of the state
on the 21st and 22d.
Wind and Clear Skies.
"Only two other Novembers ir
twenty-nine years have had more
clear days than this month, taking the
state as whole, and there were more
high winds than usually blow at this
time of the year.
with the exception of the colo
wave on the 13th-14th it was a fine
month for outdoor work of all kind.
and a great deal of corn was gathered
and some blowing done. Wheat made
good growth in the eastern half of the
state but dry weather retarded i
greatly in the western half and it wa.
frozen to the ground on the 14th 81
that it was very short in the western
counties when the month closed and
of little value for pasture tho it wa:
still reported to be healthy and onl,
needing a good rain or heavy snow tt
start it growing again."
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-07
GERMANS find
RUMANIA IN A
STATE OF CHAOS
Anarchy and Terror Before In
vading TeutOns.
Refugees Loot Each Others
Homes in Flight.
NAME GERMAN GOVERNOR
Kaiser Expects to Take Full
Charge of Country.
Every Hundred Yards There Is
Something Dying.
NAME GERMAN GOVERNOR
Kaiser Expects to Take Full
Charge of Country.
Every Hundred Yards There Is
Something Dying.

with the German army at Cen
eral Won Falkenhayn's headquarters
In Rumania. EVERY hundred yards
here is something dead or dying in
Rumania. The country is mad with
terror. Anarchy and chaos reign
everywhere and thu misery of the in
Labitants is terrible Most of it is
due to the Rumanian government it
self, which ordered all civilians to
leave their homes as the German
armies advanced with almost incred-
ible swiftness.
1t is to bring order out of this chaos
that General Won Tulff, former mill
tary administrator of Poland, before
Warsaw's fall, has been named Ger
man encouragement of Rumania.
The Rumanians, ordered from their
homes by their government, clogged
the roads, most of them with a few
belonging packed on small oxen carts.
The advancing Germans overlook
these refugees. Then they turned
back toward their homes only to find
in thousands of instances that every
thing they had left behind had been
plundered by other Rumanians.
Thru Rammicu and Waikiki the
widest anarchy prevails. The streets
were Uttered with household goods
papers. window curtains, dead horses
ana dogs meanwhile DanuS OF Ru-
manian gypsies went from house tC
house and shop to shop, smashing
windows and again plundering the
homes already half destroyed. These
plundering bands-men, women and
children-piled what they could not
carry on their own backs on stolen
horses and cows.
The same sight was encountered in
scores of other Rumanian villages.
Children Dying.
Because of deprivations and the
roaming of the muddy, cold Ruman-
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-07
MYSTERY SMITH
BECOMES Z. S. Star Witness at
Bomb Plot Trial.
German Consul General in
Conspiracy, Is Charge.

San Francisco, Dec. THE activi-
ties of Louis :. Smith, one time conf
dental agent of the German consulate
here, and now chief witness for the
government in the trial of Franz
Bopp, German consul general, and six
other defendants, charged with viola
ton of the neutrality of the United
States by conspiring to destroy NUM-
lions of war destined -or the entente
allies, continued to be the center OF
interest when court convened today.
Theodore Roche, one of counsel Tor
the defense, yesterday caused stir by
acknowledging Smiths employment by
the consulate but he said the nature
of Smiths duties was something en-
tirely different from that charged by
Crowley, one of the defendants, were
employed by the consulate. Roche
said, to gather data and information
about the shipment Of munitions OF
war as ground for protest with the
state department on violations OF
American neutrality.
Admits Placing Bomb on Ship.
Complaints to the state department
based on information obtained by
Smith and Crowley, actually were for
warded thru the German embassy al
Washington according to Roche. The
government prosecutors placed wit
nesses on the stand today in an effort
to show Smiths concern for American
neutrality did not conform to state.
ments made by the defense.
1t was not expected that Smith
himself would testify until early mex
week. By that time the government
expects to prove that its star witness
who is alleged 20 have disclosed the
nature of the bomb plots in Pacific
northwest ports and in Canada receiv.
ed pay for actually planting dynamite
en- a barge of war munitions in Seattl.
a n md nEfv inc
or attempting to destroy supplies des
tined to the allies
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-07
twelve RULE PRICES

New York, Dec. Twelve lien in
this city are so manipulating the food
market that they established price
for the entire country. Joseph Harti-
gan, commissioner of weights and
measures said today in a statement
recommending the calling of a fed
eral grand jury to investigate the
situation with a view to indicting men
who might be guilty of maitaining an
excessively high cost of living. Mr..
Hartigan added that during the past
twenty-four hours 1000 letters had
reached him from persons in all parts
of the United States indicating a con-
certed drive against inflated prices.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-07
100000 MAKE 'HOLLER'
Congress Hears From "Other so Per
Cent" of Railroad Workers.

Washington, Dec. THE sinister
rumbling of more than six hundred
thousand dissatisfied railroad workers
rolled up to congress day.
Numbers of petitions from the great
"unorganized majority of railroad
employees from all sections of the
country. demanding that they be in
cluded in any eight-hour legislation"
were being received by various mem
bers and at the house interstate COM
merce committee.
The appeal was contained in a letter
received by Senator Newlands from
representatives of the eighty per cent
who had been left out in the cold"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-07

Shorn lambs and sheep &c under above
prices.
Positively cannot use sheep or lambs
1 less fatb
Butfer and Eggs.
FURNISHED by the Beatrice Creamery Co..
Topeka. Kan.1
Toneka. Kan, Dec. Z.
CrrICAGO EC,GS-2Sc
NEW YORK ErcS-fac
CREAMERY BrTTER-Chicago. 3oc;
New York, 3914e: Elgin. 4Oc; Topeka whole
sale. 39c.
FURNISHED by the Topeka Packing Com
Topeka. Kan. Dec I.
IIFNS-3H his ana ove- lie: under
3i9 lbs lie: springs. over lbs. f5c:
hueks- Dc. crosse broilers. his and
under Isc: stacy young ROSTERS. BE
Topeka Hay MARKET.
FURNISHED by L. "a. I.eck. 1914 East 9Th,
Topeka, Kan, Dec. 7.
PRAIRIE HAY-s9.O0
ALFALFA-S1TO 90
Topeka Grain Market
FURNISHED 3y I J. Billiard. corner Kansas
Ave and Turtis ST.
~ Topeka, Kan, Dec Z.
OATS-s615ns
wHEAT-s1.55Q160.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-07
Kansas City Live stock Market

Kansas City, Dec. 7-HOGS-Receipts
1900. Market Zoe lower. Bulk of sales
S9GOM1O.O5: heavy. S10.e0M10.10; packers
and butchers. S9.s0d 1005; light, $9.50@9.9J;
pigs sI.25GiS1J.
CATTLE Receipts 5000. Market steady.
Prime fed steers. S10.J06i L. 90: dressed beef
steers 81. 506I %: western steers, IS. 5OG
1925; southern steers. $6.000S.5O; cows
S5OOGIS.50 heifers. $6.00d10.50 stockers
and feeders S5.5O@1T5; bulls $J25G6.T5;
calves. $G.J0@ 11.0c.
SHEEP-Receipts 5000. Market steady
to strong Lambs. $11.JOd $50; stockers
and feeders. SGO0M11.5G.