davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-03-23
FIRE DEST R0YS
TOWN IN TEXAS
TEN THOUSAND PEOPLE OF PARIS
HOMELESS AND IN DIRE
NEED OF FOOD. ...

Paris, Tex, March 22.-With approxi-
mately 10000 persons homeless, the
entire business section of Paris wiped
out by fire, and from 1,500 to 1000
dwellings destroyed, the flames which
started shortly after o'clock yester-
day afternoon still were burning at
different points in the city at day
break today. The property loss, from
the most authentic sources, stands at
from two and half to three and a
half million dollars.
Rumors, vague but persistent, were
that from ten to thirty persons had
lost their lives. Confirmation, how
ever, was lacking and while, consid-
ering the property damage, it seemed
miraculous there should have been no
deaths, the opinion Of those best in
formed was that no person had met
death.
Thousands of homeless men, women
and children were being cared for as
best possible early today in private
residences, railway stations and the
few remaining public buildings. The
question of making definite arrange
ments to care for these unfortunates
was expected to be taken up by the
city authorities early in the morning.
Food supplies will be the most serious
problem, every hotel, restaurant and
grocery in the city having been
destroyed.
The wind, which was blowing a gale
when the fire started at $50 yester-
day and which had considerably
abated shortly after midnight, shifted
at daylight and the fire was slowly
travelling in a southerly direction,
spreading the flames throughout the
southern residence district, but in
freakish manner, jumping whole
blocks in it's progress.
Fire fighting apparatus from Dallas,
Greenville and other nearby cities was
assisting the local department in
bringing the flames under complete
control, which was expected soon
latter dawn.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-03-23
Directors of Commercial
Club Adopt New Plan.
for Handling Work I
DISCUSS CLUB BUT
LEAVE MATTER OPEN
Committee Named to Handle
Good Roads Special
Here March 20

Plans were made for the visit OF
the government good roads special
train that is to be in Ottumwa March
20, the providing of club facilities for
the reorganized association we're dis
cussed at length and committee to
suggest a plan Of work for the year
was appointed at the organization
meeting Of the directors of the Com
mercial club Tuesday
Onicers were elected and numerous
things for the good of the organization
were discussed. Interest and enthu-
siasm were plentiful and the meeting
held forth longer than usual.
Considerable time was given to the
discussion of the report Of the club
quarters committee and the blue print
submitted without recommendation
showing how the present location can
be fitted up for club.
The committee has other locations
in sight and will report on these later.
The directors continued the commit
tee in power with the instructions to
investigate fully and report them
when through.
A committee Of reception that will
meet and have charge Of the arrange
ments for the visit OF the government
good roads special train on the Rock
Island that is to be in Ottumwa, Wed
nesday, March 20, from to 10
o'clock, was appointed as follows:
Carl T. Haw, chairman; H. B. Pat
terson, j.. w. Hall, H. E. Cook, F. w.
Racine, Roy Brown, H.. J. Lyle. c. f..
Mast, Mayor F. H. Carter. and Fred
L. Bissell.
Another committee appointed to
recommend plan for the work to be
done this year consists of the follow
ing men:
Chase Bannister, W. c. Boone, e. e.
England, J. G. Cooper, A. j. Goss, H.
G. Anderson and C. H. Smith.
The meeting was full of pep" and
everyone showed a feeling of optim.
ism. The old plan Of having num-
Der Of standing committees assigned
to the various activities Of the former
association, was abandoned and in.
stead the practice in the future will
be to appoint new committees on each
matter that comes up for action and
the idea Is to give every member Of
the club some active work throughout
the year and thus familiarize him with
the purposes Of the organization.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-03-23
FIRE SWEEPS OIL FIELD.
Damage Amounting to at Least a MIL
lion Dollars is Done by Flames
In Oklahoma District.

Tulsa, Okla, March 22.-Damage
estimated at $1,00O,O0O has been caus-
ed in the fire swept district of the
Gushing oil field. The fire, which
started last night, was burning at noon
today, but was diminishing in intensity
due to change in the direction of
the wind.
Except for few burning wells, the
conflagration covering four sections of
oil leases located two and one-half
miles southeast Of Drumright, was out
at 1880 p. M, today. Sixty rigs in all
were destroyed, entailing a loss esti-
mated at s1,500,000.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-03-23

London. March "a Bucharest
dispatch, forwarded from Amsterdam
by Central News, says the Turks have
evacuated Erzinjan, fortress of Asia
Minor, 12O miles southeast of Ere
rum.
The Germans are heavily lombard
ing the village of Ennes, eight miles
northwest Of Verdun, but the French
are contesting stubbornly and are
holding the Germans in check.
The battle for Verdun, now well in
it's fourth week, continues with in
tensity but at present the infantry is
held in leash while the big guns pre-
pare for further assaults.
The powerful German thrust west Of
the Meuse which developed early this
week, halted when it reached tho
southern edge of Avocourt wood. But
the activity Of the German artillery
in this sector which Paris reports to-
day particularly violent indicates the
German intention is probably to make
further determined effort to advance
this important nanking operation.
The situation on the eastern bank
of the Meuse is unchanged but here,
too, the artillery fire continues in
tense near Vaux and Damloup.
Russians and Germans are lighting
lively battle along the Dvina river
and in the lake reigon between Dvinsk
and Wilma. with the Russians generally
on the offensive.
The Russians have pushed their
lines several miles farther toward
Trebizond on the Black sea coast after
severe fighting with the Turks.
The Italians and Austrians are still
fighting flercely In the neighborhood
of Rovereto.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-03-23
DUTCH PERPLEXED
BY TUBANTIA CASE

The Hague, March 22.-The Tuban-
tia case Is causing serious preplexity
to the Dutch government. The Asso-
ciated Press is informed authoritative
ly that no further government action
will be taken until the result of an
examination by divers is known.
Although the German submarines in
the North sea may be in touch by wire
less with Zeebrugge and Wilhelm
shafen Dutch newspapers refuse to
believe that the denial by Germany Of
responsibility was based on any genu-
inc investigation.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-03-23
PROVISION SHIP IS SUNK
Russian Warship Runs Down German
Vessel Bearing Food to Turks,
and Sends it to Bottom.

London, March 22.-The sinking by
Russian warship of the steamship
Esperanza off Kali Akra in the Black
sea of the Rumanian coast, is report
ed in Reuter- dispatch filed at Buch.
Arrest on Sunday. The Esperanza, a
1000 ton vessel flying the German flag
is said to have been loaded with food
stuffs for Constantipole. The crew was
captured by the Russians. The dis
patch also reports the sinking Of q
score Of small sailing ships with
cargoes of food.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-03-23
TO-DAY IN CONGRESS

SENATE-Senator Sherman introduc-
ed resolution authorizing the presi-
dent to call for $4,000 volunteers for
Mexican service.
Senator Chamberlain called up
bill to increase West Point cadets.
Hearings were held on railway
mail pay, Porto Rican labor condi-
tions and bill to exclude convict
labor products from interstate COM
merce.
at II a. m.
Naval affairs committee held
hearing on armor plate bill.
Debate on army bill continued.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-03-23
ILLINOIS HAS TORNADO.

Danville, Ill.,, March ga storm
which attained cyclonic proportions
passed over Iroquois county to the
north Of here last night. AS near as
can be learned from meager telephon-
ic reports, the storm seemed to CEN
ter in Beaverville, about ten miles
northwest of Watseka, where more
than dozen houses were destroyed
and large parochial school in course
of construction was completely demol-
ished.
Mrs Theodore Massey was serious
ly injured, both her legs being broken;
her small child was also injured.
It is reported the storm was severe
at Kankakee, but the wires are all
down. Considerable damage is also
reported at Papineau and South Hoop
er, where a house was unroofed.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-03-23
kANkAkEE SPARED.

Kankakee, ILL.,, March 22.-The full
force of the gale which swept across
eastern Illinois and western Indiana
did not strike Kankakee but passed
some distance south Of the city.
Many barns were unroofed and light
frame buildings damaged in the neigh
borhood Of the city. All communities
ton with Beaverville was cut off but
rumors relayed over farmers tele-
phone lines south Of which were in
operation were that twenty-seven
houses had been blown down and
three burned No loss Of life was re-
ported.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-03-23
AUTOMOTIC PHONE
IN CHICAGO SOLD

Chicago, March 22.-Mayor William
Hale Thompson today signed the
ordinance authorizing the sale of the
Automatic Telephone Co., to the Chi
cago Telephone Co.
Under the provisions of the sale the
city is to receive $5OO,0OO as compen-
sation and $1,432,00O is to be added to
the capital of the Chicago Telephone
CO., which, it is understood, is to pay
$6,300,0O0 for the property.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-03-23
VIOLENT STORM
SWEEPS ACROSS
MIDDLE WEST
MANY STATES COVERED RY HIGH
WINDS; TORNADO STRIKES
LoGANsPoRT.

Chicago, March 22.-Northeast
gales bearing with them rain, sleet,
hail and snow, accompanied by fire.
quent lightning flashes, swept over
eastern Indiana, northern Illinois and
southern Wisconsin today. The storm
which was Of unusual violence cost
one life, caused many injuries and
great property damages. In Logan
sport, Ind, buildings were unroofed
and the flying wreckage caused the
only fatality reported. Several Illinois
cities, among them being Kankakee
and Beaversville, suffered severely,
while Chicago sustained all the i'll ef-
fects of q blizzard except low temper
atures. Not for twenty years had the
waters of Lake Michigan piled SO high
against the Chicago breakwater as to-
day. Wave after wave driven by the
northeast gale surged into the harbor
and against the piers. Railroad trans
portation was delayed, street cars
were held up, windows were broken
and shade trees uprooted in various
sections of the city. The steamship
Arizona, inbound from Monitowoc,
Wis, was reported safely headed with
the wind toward harbor. The steamer
Puritan which was on the lake when
the storm was at its height reached
port at Holland, Mich, in safety. Be.
fore 8 a. M, the storm abated in Chi.
cago and hundreds Of men began NOV.
ing the snow from the streets.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-03-23
SEALED ORDER FOR SHIP
v. S. BattIeship Kentucky Believed To
Be Hurry!ns To Tampico; Story
Not Confirmed. y

Galveston, Tex, March 20. The U.
S. battleship Kentucky which arrived
here yesterday morning and put to sea
under sealed orders late yesterday az
ternoon sailed before it was possible to
make deliveries of coal and supplies
which had been ordered. There are
persistent rumors that the Kentucky
was sent to Tampico but no confirma-
ton was had today.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-03-23
TORNADO IN INDIANA.

Logansport, Ind, March 22-Reports
received early today from the region
swept by tornado last night disclosed
one man killed, probably twenty per-
sons injured, some Of them seriously,
and many thousands of dollars dam
age done. The storm, which did not
last more than ten minutes, swept
across the city in narrow path. In
the business district roofs were torn
off, windows broken and trees up
rooted. Trees falling across telegraph
and telephone wires severed wire COM
munication. Street car traffic was
blocked by debris heaped up on the
tracks and the destruction of electric
light wires left the city In darkness.
The roof Of the Slider Broom factory
was blown off and crashed against the
side of the home of Benjamin Ricketts,,
killing w. ]. Ricketts, and injurying
other members of the family. The
west front gable Of the old high school
building was blown down and the slate
from the roof was blown across the
street, wrecking the windows OF the
Baptist church.
An unidentified woman was brought
to this city from Trimmer, Ind, where
she had been severely crushed be-
meath a heavy stove.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-03-23
SPRAY. N, c.. BURNING.

Greensboro, N. c., March 22.-
Spray, N. c., north of here, was burn
ing this afternoon. Practically all
structures in the business district
were reported destroyed and the
flames were spreading. Spray has six
thousand population and ten of the
largest cotton and woolen mills in the
state.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-03-23
TWO BARNS BURNED.

Morris, ILL.,, March 22.-Two barns
on the farm of Charles Chada near
here were struck by lightning. Six
horses, several head Of cattle and a
large quantity Of hay and grain burned
with the buildings
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-03-23
TRAINS COLLIDE
IN SNOW STORl

Albert Lea, Mimi, March 20. In
collision Of two freight trains On
Minneapolis & st. Louis railroad nea5
New Richland, Mimi, during : blin
ing snow storm early this morntn
several trainmen were reported &
have lost their lives. The trainu11
were caught in the wreckage, wht4
was said to be burning.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-03-23
TO USE NATIONAL GUARD?
illinois Militia Officials Get Instruc-
tions to Apply If Men Are Sum-
moned to the CoIors.

Springfield, ILL.,, March 22.-It was
learned here today that quartermas-
ters and commissary officers of the
Illinois national guard have been in
formed that it would be we'll for them
to report as soon as possible to the
United States army depot quarter
masters either in st. Louis or Chicago
for instructions in event of mobiliza-
tion Of the national guard.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-03-23
STORM KILLS GIRL.

Hartford City, Ind, March a.
trude Alspach, four year old dauEhts
of farmer living near MOntp0lie
north Of here, was killed BY the tornS
do which swept the northern sectio
of this county early today. The pro-
erty damage was estimated st 500, ,01
in the county.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-03-23
-FOUR DIE IN WRECK.

Quebec, March 22.Four men wef
killed and number injured II ! e.
lision between two freight trains
midnight at Val Brilliant on the III
tercolonial railway. The victims wo1
members OF the crews.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-03-23
WIRES ARE CUT.

Ell Paso, Tex, March 22.-The wires
between Ell Paso, Juarez and Casas
Grandes today we're still cut so that
for more than twenty-four hours Gen.
eral Gavira has been without any
news of what has been transpiring at
the scene Of the reported fighting be-
tween the Carranza and Villa forces
near Namaquipa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-03-23
FLOODS TN the EAsT.

Pittsburgh, Pa, March 22.-Reports
from western Pennsylvania and north
ern West Virginia today told Of flood
ed streams and interruption to rail
heavy rains and melting SHOWS. Much
damage was done.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-03-23
CRUISER SYDNEY
DOCKS AT HAVANA

Havana, Cuba, March 22.-The Aus
tralian cruiser Sydney arrived here
today, supposedly for the purpose of
obtaining coal and provisions. She
will sail within the prescribed twenty
four hours.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-03-23
VALUABLE CATTLE BURNED.

Freeport, H., March 22.-SiXty head
of blooded Holstein cattle owned by
F. J. Karlen and valued at $4,000
were burned at Winslow, near here,
when the barn in which they were
housed was struck by lightning, in the
storm last night.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-03-23
BIG FIRE AT NASHVILLE.

Nashville, Tenn, March PA fire
which started in small dwelling near
the corner Of Sixth and Main street
this afternoon, driven by high wind,
is sweeping southeast through East
Nashville. Houses in two blocks are
on fire.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-03-23
STEAMERS ARE SAFE.

Chicago, March 22.-Seven steam
ships operating from this port rode
safely through the storm, according to
wireless reports received from their
captains today. Service on all lines
is continuing without interruption.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-03-23
Prof. Girton Learns Thai
Small Grain Is Musty, q
Due to Damp Season
KEPT BUSY TODAY N
TESTING SAMPLE<
Has Received More Than 60
Ears of Corn; Splendid
Meeting in Ashland

Prof. Earl S. Girton, the county o1
pert here to handle the campaign q
pure seed corn, said today that Nc ~
found bad condition to exist IN r.
seed oats. Information picked up
his visits about the rural distri0
d1scloses the fact that much Of IT.
seed oats is musty and not good. a
wet season last year Is responsible e
this to a great extent, but he ur6
that tests be made not only OF ISS
years oats but 1914 crops as well b
fore 1t Is used for seed.
When discussing today what
learned about the seed oats, Prof. 0l
ton said that one farmer tested g.
grains and got but six to sprout, Will
another man residing in JelIefsG
county got two good grains out G
thirty-two. He suggests that Wh6l
the farmer fans his oats, he shou1
take handful OF the grains and teG
them before planting. The rag do
method used for seed corn tests CO
be used or another means he suggestx
is to take plate on which damn
blotter is placed, lay the seed oats ur|
on the blotter and cover them wit{
another dampened blotter, the whol~
to be covered with another plate AM
the test kept moist. Four or ave day.
will disclose tie good grains whtl<
six or seven days is needed for corr. w
Prof. Girton is being kept busy e
day in his testing quarters in the Fir
National bank building He has e.
ceived some 625 ears Of sample ccr
thus far for testing and will and muG
To II ,tV,, Ill InSv A. 49,
with the work that has piled up Will
he has been visiting the various tow
ships. A. l.. Young, teacher OF a6E
culture in the high school, will as9l1
in the testing OF the corn while III
Girton is In the country attending tn
meetings with the farmers.
Finds Good Corn.
The county expert visited Washinf
ton township Tuesday and spent t.
day going over that section, meetil
the farmers and learning much AbO
the seed corn conditions there.
stated today that he found some 0f g.
best corn since coming here. In Wam
ington township and II 1t tests out
he expects 1t will, that there will bel
nice supply Of seed In that townshir
The meeting held in the church
Ashland Tuesday night while not Iaf
was full of pep" according to Ff9
Girton, who was greatly pleased wt
the interest shown. He said that NM
it lacked in numbers it more thu
made up in enthusiasm anI that
most every phase Of agriculture VT
discussed, the meeting lasting unit
10:30 o'clock s
In Center Three Days.
Thursday the county expert Will
in Center township with j. M. McElrC
in the lower section, Friday he will T.
with Mike Garvin in the western payl
of the township and Saturday Charle
Areingdale will have him in tow O.!
this side of the river In Center.
DraP N;rtDr oayo thot he x,fl1 st1 W.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-03-23

San Antonio, Tex, March 22.-Al'
though 1t was sixty hours at noon to.
day since Gen. Pershing filed his last
message regarding the disposition OF
U. s. cavalry south Of Casas Grandes,
Gen. Funston professed no anxiety as
to the welfare of any of the troops.
The exact whereabouts Of Gen. Per,
shing was unknown at headquarters
here. 1t was considered probable that
he was out with one Of three detach.
ments, away from his wireless and in
no position to report.
Gen. Funston believed 1t not un.
likely that by this time the Americans
and Villas men had met. Villa was
reported to have had a superior force
but Gen. Funston professed confidence
that the smaller force of Americans
would be able to more than hold its
own.
OF the two regiments now on their
way to the border, all but one battal-
ion will be sent into Mexico, increas-
ing Gen. Pershing's force by about
1000 men.
Telegraph wires between Torreon
and Piedras Negras, opposite Eagle
Pass, were cut today, according to a
telegram received here.
Army men admitted that the two
days vain search for Lieuts. Robert
H. Willis, Jr., and Edward 8. Gorrell
has caused anxiety for their safety.
Instructions were sent to the sta
tions between here and Ascension to
assist In the search for the two miss
ing aviators.
Several possible explanations were
advanced for the flyers not reaching
Casas Grandes but the belief is prev
alent that they may have fallen victims
of snipers' bullets.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-03-23
SNOW I'M MICHIGAN

Detroit, Mich, March GA blina
Ing blizzard Of soggy snow swept ovS
Michigan today. gs3|
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-03-23
TzernoWitz Is Abandoned to
Russians as Troops Of
the Gear Advance
FIGHT FOR VERDUN
IN IT'S FOURTH WEEK
Infantry Held Back While
Big Guns Pave the Way
for Fresh Attacks

London, March 22.-Abandonment Of
C.ernowitz, capital of Bukowina, by
the Austrians Is reported in an official
wireless dispatch received here today
from Rome.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-03-23
In Center Three Days.

Thursday the county expert Will
in Center township with j. M. McElrC
in the lower section, Friday he will H.
with Mike Garvin in the western payl
of the township and Saturday Charle
Areingdale will have him In tow g.
this side of the river in Center.
Prof Girton says that he will te6|
the oats for the farmers II they wi11f
but would prefer that they do II r.
cause of having his hands full viii
the corn work and 1t being more CO..
venient for the farmer to do the wof
at home. b