davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-01-13
ALLEGED LETTERS TO
MRS. MABEL MCGOWAN
UNDER COURT ATTACK
Three Experts Glass Missives
as Forgeries-Woman Denies
She Wrote Them.

Sioux Falls. s. D.. Jan. S.-Handwrit-
ing experts were on the witness stand
Yesterday in behalf of the defense in
the sensational damage suit instituted
by Mrs. Clara II. Armour, Of Cherokee,
Ia, against Mrs. Mabel E. MCGOWAN,
a widow, of Milbank, S. D., for h al
ieged ofense of alternating the affec-
tons of Mr.. Armour.
Mrs. MCGOWAN herself took the wit
ness stand in further substantiation of
the allegation that the "Ortonville let.
ter" which has become famous in the
exhibit by the defense. is a forgery.
Ihat is the opinion expressed by Judgei
Frank McNulty, OF Aberdeen. and c.
a. Babcock, of Sisseton. attorneys for
Mrs. MCGOWAN.
These two attorneys placed On the
witness stand three bank representa-
tlVes to testify in comparison of admit
ted samples of the widows handwrit-
ing, with the letter in question, to show
the alleged forgery claimed. o. O. Will
son, travelling representative Of the
First & Security National bank of Min
neapolis, n of the three witnesses on
handwriting called by the defense, STAT
ed that in his opinion the "Ortonville
letter. was obviously a forgery and WAS
not written by Mrs. MCGOWAN, although
~strlk1ngly similar.
There is nothing salicious in the let
ter exhibits in the case, SO far as thus
introduced, and they have been placed
in evidence for the chief purpose Of at
tempting to show an effort and willing
ness o N the part Of the defendant to
receive the attentions Of the plaintiffs
husband.
Two other witnesses, Frank Rob
erts, president of the First National
bank Of Milbank, and Phil Saunders,
vice president of the Merchants Ma
tional bank of Milbank. took the wit
ness stand to testify concerning the
handwriting on the different letter ex-
hihits. They also indicated their be-
lief that the "Ortonville letter. was q
forgery.
When on the witness stand, Mrs. Nc
Gowan herself denied that she had
written this letter, and declared it a
forgery.
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-01-13
Venice Stripped for War
Bv Associated Press,

Venice (by maiD.--War has brough:
strange changes to this storehouse OF art,
now in the heart of the war zone and In a
state of siege. with bomb attacks frequent
and the enemy frontier only 80 miles
away.
The Grand ear looks today like a vast
navy yard and the whole city has taken
on a warlike aspect of preparation and de-
Tense. Three huge warships, one a dread
naught. swing In the Grand canal just off
the arsenal on the left. They are putting
black smoke and their gray hulls are
with sailors. A destroyer Is near
by, ready to dart out for Austrian sub
marines. Rising from the arsenal is a
huge dirigible balloon on the watch for
enemy aeroplanes. 1t is not a long. sleek
dirigible like a Zeppelin, but a lung-like
craft hanging at an agile, with a lobe as a
rudder. and the military observer in a
hanging basket 20 feet below.
Aircraft Fly About.
At the same time two Italian Mono
planes are in flight from st. Georges
island, circling over the canals and quays
There is nc siren alarm from the arsenal.
so that people know they ere friendly air.
craft on the watch for the enemy.
Turning to the famous Campanile and
the Square OF San Marco, everything has
taken on the grim visage of war. The
Campanile, one of the architectural Won
ders of the world, Is piled with sandbags
reaching 80 feet high around the base-a
protective armor against bombs. A great
wood rack has been built to hold the sand
bags and they make a solid wall 20 feet
thick around this precious
All of the famous bronzes and marble
reliefs are shut off from view by the ar
NOR Of sandbags, but the great bell tower
rises above the sandbags 1926 feet, still an
open mark for bombs. The Campanile,
usually open to visitors, Is now rigidly
closed, and the only ones going to the top
are the military observers watching day
and night.
The Palace of the Doges also is armored
even more solidly than the Campanile.
The building would not be recognized in
Its war dress. A solid brick wall 10 feet
through has been built around each cor
ner, thus defending the sculptures of
Adam and Eve. which Ruskin, in his
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-01-13
One term PLANK NOT
MANDATORY, He SAYS
Mccombs Says Baltimore Con-
vention Did Not Bind Wilson
-Favors Preparedness.

Little Rock, Ark, Jan. s.-"Prepar-
edness, and preparedness right now,
is the attitude of w. F.. McGombs, ma
tiona democratic chairman, who said
today in a statement thatiit.was nee
essary for this country to take steps to
protect itself against possible n
croachments of European powers, after
the European war, that may be suf-
fering. he said. from the i%rritability OF
poverty" and who would look with
covetous yes upon the rich posses
sions Of the United States and the
great wealth she had gained as a re-
suit of the old world conflict
Mr.. McCombs declared that "the sec
nld term plank" concerning the presi-
dency, was not a mandate Of the Balti-
nor convention. and may be Con
structed either as a recommendation to
the candidate, or as a recommendation
to procure the passing of a national
constitutional amendment,
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-01-13
CHlLDREN'S HOME FOUNDER
DIES AT LONG BEACH, CAL.

Sioux Falls. S. D.. Jan. s.-w. B.
Sherrard, the founder, and for many
years the head of the South Dakota:
Children's home, in Sioux Falls, is
dead at Long Beach, Cal, according to
advices which have been received here.
Mr.. Sherrard retired from the active
management Of the nome some years
ago and went to California to spend
his declining years. 1t had been
known for several ear that his health
was poor. Mrs. Sherrard died in May.
1908, and the following February Mr..
Sherrard gave up the duties Of SUI
p%erintendent Of tie home and moved
to Long Beach.
Mr.. Sherrard was born in Ireland,
June 8, 1887. In 1854 he came to the
United States and in 1889 he located
in Clark county, South Dakota. In
1898, with the children's home idea in
his mind, he came to Sioux Falls and
started the institution on q small scale.
He first gathered the unfortunate lit
tie ones Of the state in a small frame
building neal the Sioux Falls college.
But finally. through the persistent eff
forts of Mr.. Sherrard the fine granite
structure on the east side in Sioux
Falls was constructed.
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-01-13
HUME URGES FARMERS TO
START SEED CORN TESTS

Brookings, S. D., Jan. s.-Farmers
will do we'll to make a composite test
of seed corn within the next few
weeks, according to DR.. a. N. Hume,
agronomist at State college. He sug-
gests making this kline of test to eli
inmate worthless corn before making
a single ear test later on. He says:
Previous to making a single ear test,
! would suggest that corn intended for
seed might we'll first be given a COM
posite test at any very early date. The
simple rag doll tester can be used for
this, but the kernels to be tested would
simply be taken at random to represent
all portions of the lot of corn under eN-
animation. Use 100 kernels. A conn
posite test ought to show a termination
of at least rs or 80 per cent at the start.
Obviously it is not worth while pros
ceeding to make a single ear test of any
lot of corn that consists largely of dead
ears. Moreover, il the preliminary
composite test shows a very high ger
mination, say sS or more. the single
ear test is not even necessary and time
may be saved"
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-01-13
MISSING SON FOUND FOR
AGED PARENTS IN SWEDEN

Aberdeen. S. D.. Jan. S.-Chief Of
Police George w. Hurst was success
full in supplying joy for two old folks
residing in Sweden, when he located
their long missing son, Anton Ohlson,
for them. Years ago the son emf
grated TO the United States. For a
time the old folks heard from him
regularly, but the last letter they got
was dated at Aberdeen, April IL, 1909.
They wrote numerous letters after
that, addressed to Aberdeen, but re-
ceived no reply. Finally they appealed
to ac%quaintances in the United States,
and Chief Hurst received a letter from
a man in Dayton, Ohio, stating Ohl-
sons parents were anxious to hear
from him. as they We're old. his father
being n, and they feared their son
had met with misfortune.
Chief Hurst succeeded in locating
h son on a farm he is operating near
Tacoma Park, ~ miles from Aberdeen,
and the son sat down and wrote a long
letter to his parents, which he gave
h chief to mail for him.
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-01-13

Stones of Venice" says are the finest in
Europe.
All the other famous sculptures are
similarly sheathed with the front of brick.
Inc remarkable Arcade has been built in
solidly with brick, SO that even if a bomb
demolished the top of this famous monu-
ment the foundations are sure to stand
two stories up. Above huge timbers are
laced across the galleries. as buttress and
support. Even the Quatre-Foul, or four
leaf windows, a solid centers of Pinch
timbers.
Clear Out the Doae's Palace.
All the movab contents of the Doges
palace-the great collections of paintings.
have been taken to Florence and other
places far enough away from the frontier
to be out of reach Of areoplanes. But
some of the best Of these paintings-by
Titan, Tintoretta and Paul Veronese-
are on ceilings and side walls and can
not be removed. The splendid cathedral
10y around the grand council cham
Der of the Doges are boarded up, with an
outside sheathing of canvas. AS a whole
the structure looks more like a fortress
than like one of the art monuments of the
world.
The Church of San Marco, next to the
Doges palace in Importance and beauty,
Is similarly stripped like a battleship
ready for action. The four bronze horses
Of heroic size, standing above the main
entrance, have been taken down and are
removed far from the frontier
Many Art Works Still Stay.
The Byzantine front of San Marcos
church has been given a defensive armor
Of heavy timhers, protecting the corners.
pinnacles and domes. The movable pic
lures and mosaics of the interior nave
been removed, but here, as in the Doges
nalara roanv ne tho fnoct art 1,orlxc q ra
on ceilings and side walls and must stay
and take the chance of bomb raids.
The Plaza of San Marco, which is the
center of life and gayety in peace time.
now is almost deserted, and at night is
shrouded in darkness.
The Bridge of Signs, which crosses one
of the canals thanking the Doges palace,
also gives evidence of the war, as Red
Cross flags are hanging from its windows
and one of the principal Red Cross hos
pitfalls is in the old prison to which he
Bridge of Signs leads.
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-01-13
HOW HE WON HER.
Copyright, 1915, by the Mcclure News
naner Syn6icatal

copyright, 1915, by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate.)
Florence went to the seashore one
summer with her mother. She came
know any Of the little boys and girls
at the hotel where she stopped.
One morning her nurse took her to
she beach and she was playing in the
sand when a boy two or three years
older than Florence drove along in a
| pony cart.
He stopped in front of her and
Jumped out Of the cart; he was in his
| bathing suit, and threw the lines to the
groom n ran into the water.
Every one bu Florence seemed to
Know him and like him. for the chill
1ren all called out, Hello, Laurence!"
He ran up and down the beach sew
was sitting. Hello, little girl" he
said. What is your name?"
Florence did not answer for she
thought him very bold.
Have you lost your tongue?" asked
Laurence.
He ran into the water and splashed
it with his feet and hands until it
splashed on Florence and she had to
move.
You are a bad boy" she said, "and
I do not like you"
Il thought you would find your
tongue" he said, laughing and splash
ing the water harder.
The next morning he met Florence
in the hotel. Good morning." he said
very politely.
Florence did not answer. why did
you not say good morning to that
nice little boy?' her mother asked.
He is not nice" replied Florence;
The threw water on me-"
After a while the mothers became
acquainted and Laurence asked to
take Florence for a ride in his pony
cart.
But Florence would not go. II will
take your doll" said Laurence as an
inducement."
Della does not like to ride" Flor
ence answered as she walked away.
One evening Laurence tried again
TO win her favor and presented her
! with a box of chocolates. Her mother
accepted them for her and told her
to thank Laurence and said he was
very kind, and you should be more
gracious to him." she said.
But Florence could not forget thai
he splashed water and she did not
forgive him, although she thanked him
as her mother TOLD her to do.
Some time after this Florence was
playing on the beach one morning in
her bathing suit.
She "a a little boat with a string
attached to it, and in this boat Della
sat, sailing as far as the string would
permit. All at once the string broke,
and away she went far beyond Flor
ence's reach.
There was no one about in a bath
ing suit, and poor Della drifted along,
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-01-13
MANY POINTS RECORD
ABOVE 80 INCHES OF
RAIN FOR 10 MONTHS
Oelrichs and Bowling, In West
ern Region, Lead State In
Moisture Showing.

Pierre, S. D.. Jan. 10-A precipitation
liable compiled by the United States
weather bureau for South Dakota
shows that for 10 months of 1915, up to
November i, Oelrichs. in lower Fail
River county, had the greatest rain
fall. amounting to 1911 inches. Dowl-
ing. in western Stanley county, ranked
second, with 1877 inches.
The precipitation record shows hat
the western portion of the state easily
held its own with the eastern section.
The Jim River valley, usually leading
in rainfall, this year had the least rain.
comparatively.
The towns with over 80 inches for
10 months were: Aberdeen, Armour,
Britton, Greenwood, Marion. Memo,
Parkston. Tyndall, Yankton, Deadwood.
Bowling, Dument, Goldfeld, Hardin
Grove, Hot Springs, Lead, Ottumwa,
Rockford, Timber Lake and Wood.
Though in the rain belt of last year
Belle Fourche had only 1915 inches, the
lowest in the state. Castlewood, In
Miner county, had next lowest, with
1S.43 inches.
The rainfall figures for 10 months at
some of the principal points follow:
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-01-13

UNIVERSAL MILITARY
SERVICE AND ALIENS

FTOfn n chicago Tribune.
ON the onininn of IL is NJ

Noo cSai
From the opinion of experts it is not at
all clear that we shall not have an enor-
nous influx Of aliens at the close of the
war In Europe. Many people feel hat
some means of restriction should be
adopted as a precautionary measure
agad,nfstt such an an invasion, but it Is safe to
otherwise we shall have difficulty in de-
termining the means.
Among the suggestions which have come
to the tribune is one by Herman Devries.
the opera coach. who is of French and
Belgian extraction. He asks why Tie
United States should not demand some
thing in return for its citizenship. Many
persons come over only to make money.
according to his experience, and return to
their native countries protected by Ameri-
can citizenship. He suggests that service
for q term in the army might be demand
them better Americans.
1t would be rather hard on those who
remain after the wal to come to Ameri-
by O recruiting officer. To those who
have fought in European armies it would
seem like rubbing 1t in a little to pop
them into American khaki and nut them
dan.
But as a valve to Immigration the sug-
gestion Is more than interesting. 1t would,
In fact, make them Americans quickly. II
would tend to prevent their willing segre-
cation in little Polands N little Italys.
places where the customs OF the old coun-
tries persist sometimes In spite OF the
police. 1t might be a means Of cheaniy
educating the illiterate.
AS things are now, we cannot reach the
adults easily. We have to concentrate on
the children and trust to the school sys-
tenn. which Is not, as now constituted. a
hotbed of patriotism Service in the army
ls not an illogical demand. It could not
embroil other nations with us, as other
restrictive methods might. And al those
who come at the end of the wa will be
those who are attempting to avoid the
burdens Of. nationality, II might separate
automatically those whose Intent is self
ish from those who are really Inclined I'd
become Americans.
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-01-13
Some Naval PRINCIPLES.
BY Rear Admiral Fiske. in the North
American Review.

- - q Il VI lllC 1NCul IL
American Review.
If the duty of a navy be merely to
prevent the actual invasion of it's
country's coast, a great mistake has
been made by Great Britain, France,
and other countries in spending so
much money on their navies, and in
giving so much attention to the educa-
ton and training of their officers and
enlisted men. To prevent actual in
vasion would be comparatively an easy
task, one hat could be performed by
rows of forts along the coast, sup
plemented by mines and submarines. If
that is the only kind of defense re-
CURED, navies are hardly needed. The
army in each country could mar the
forts and operate the mines, and a
special corps of the army could even
operate the submarines, which (if their
only office is to prevent actual in
vasion) need hardly leave the three
mile limit" hat skirts the coasts. II
the people Of any country do not care
to have dealings outside; if the nation
is willing to be in the position Of a
man wi > is safe 50 long as he stays in
the house, but is afraid to go out doors,
the problem Of national defense is easy.
But if the people desire to prevent
interference with what u constitution
calls the general welfare" the prob
lens becomes exceedingly complex and
exceedingly grave-more complex and
grave thar any other problem that they
have. If they desire that their ships
shall be free to sail the seas, and their
citizens to carry on business and to
travel in other lands: and if they de-
sire that their merchants shall be able
to export their wares and their farm ;
ers their grain. also that the people
shall be able to import the things they
wish from foreign countries. then they
must be able to exert actual physical
force on the ocean at any point where
vessels carrying their exports and inn
ports may be threatened. Naval ships
are the only means for doing this.
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-01-13
BREAKING OF BUGGY SEAT
SAVES FATHER AND SON

Memo. S. D.. Jan. 10.-The fact that
4 buggy seat broke from it's fasten-
ings saved the lives of Fred ID. Mettler
and his little son. living on a farm
some miles from Memo, when the
buggy in which they were coming to
Memo from the farm was struck by a
passenger train in the outskirts of
Memo. They had their buggy top up
and curtain on, which, with their big
collars, made it impossible for them
to see or hear the approaching train.
Mettler remembers hearing the train
whistle, but it seemed far off. They
We're %squarely on the crossing when
the train struck them. One horse was
killed instantly and the other injured
SO seriously that it died later. When
the train struck the buggy, the buggy
seat was broken off by the force of
the collision and with Mettler and
his son in it rolled down the grade be-
side the track. They escaped with
scarcely a bruise.
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-01-13
w. r. WINTER AWARDED
BROTHERS $4,000 ESTATE

Yankton, s. D., Jan. Tn circuit
court here Judge r. b. Trip decided
against the state in the suit for pos
session Of an estate valued at 100000,
and in favor of the claimant, w. r.
Winter, who alleges he is q half broth
er of George Winter, deceased. ma
decision followed interesting testi-
mony in the way OF family history
and personal history of deceased and
claimant. The latter positively identi-
fled the body of George Winter as his
relative when the body was disinterred
after burial several weeks.
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-01-13

Paradoxical as it. may seem, kerosene
is the best extingGlsher known for fire
in baled cotton. Owing to the fact that
the cotton is highly compressed water
will penetrate to a depth Of only an
inch or so. Fire in the baled cotton
does not blaze, but smolders slowly,
eating its way into the bale. Kerosene
quickly penetrates to the center of the
mass. Owing to the low temperature
at which the cotton burns, however,
and to the absence OF flames the oil
does not take fire, but instead chokes
and smothers the fire already started.
When the fire has been extinguished
the bale is opened. The oil then evap-
crates quickly, leaving the cotton a
tically as good as ever.
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-01-13
The rainfall figures for 10 months n
ONE of the principal points follow.
EMPLOYE OF LIVERY BARN
ATTACKS RURAL TEACHER

T'yndall, S. D.. Jan. 10.-Bob Smith is
in he Bon county Jail facing
he charge of attempted criminal as
sault on Miss Jane Tierney, one of the
several school teachers of this county.
Smith was employed in a livery barn
here in Tyndall and had driven Miss
Tierney to her school,. The attack was
made in the school house, after Smith
had secured the key and locked the
door. A desperate fight ensued, during
which one Of the windows of the school
house was broken out. The young
woman's scream attracted a farmer
driving past, who came to her rescue.
When Miss Tierney saw her rescuer
h tainted. Since the assault she has
been in a state OF nervous collapse.
Huron. S. D.. Jan. 1O-In circuit court
here, before Judge Taylor, Joe Allen
was found guilty Of assault with intent
to commit rape, the original charge
being assault with a deadly weapon
with intent to commit rape, the jury,
however, not finding that he used a
deadly weapon. Anna Zell, Of this city,
was complaining witness, and the al
legation vas that Allen stopped at her
home, nea the fair grounds here. when
she was alone in the house, and after
seeking a Brink Of water attacked her.
She resisted and succeeded in driving
him off. Allen was arrested nearby
and identified by Miss Zell.
-
REDFlELD IN THRoEs OF
RED-HoT PoSToFFicE FIGHT
Redfield. S. D.. Jan. 1O.-This city is
the scene OF one of the hottest post
master fights staged in this part of
South Dakota for many months. There
are four of five active candidates for
the position of postmaster to succeed
John Fargo. whoss term as postmas-
ter expires next month. All but one
claim to have the support of Senator
johnson. Three Of the candidates have
recently made trips to the national
capital, in hope that a personal visit
to the powers that be in Washington
will aid their candidacy. Senator
johnson has refused to ndorse any
Of The candidates and recommends
that a postmaster election be held to
make a choice between the candidates.
He agrees to endorse the man who Sc
cures the largest number of votes. at
such an election. However, it is by
no means certain that an election will
be held, as the local democrats do not
want such an election. fearing that a
red-hot scrap would result and stir up
much hard feeling.
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-01-13
MURDER INDICATED in
CASE In HAND cauN1Y

Miller. S. d.. Jan. s.--The coroner
has Just returned from 80 miles south
west where Harry Van Corp; married,
was found dead in his barn. An in
vestigation will be made as to the
Of his death. There are indica-
tions of murder.
DALLAS-Mrs. Frank NJ. Jansen died at
I o'clock this morning after a lingering
illness. She leaves a husband and four
grown children.
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-01-13

slowly going out to sea.
Florence began to cry. Would no
rescue her darling Della? The
poor little mother stood weeping on
the shore. watching the boat which
she expected would capsize any min
ute, and her precious child would be
drowned.
At this minute Laurence came
along in his pony cart. What is the
natter" he asked. Florence could
not reply: her sob choked her; she
just pointed to the bobbing boat. and
the nurse told him Della was in it.
Laurence did not walt to remove his
clothes, he could swim. Into the
IA>>o |<n>71~N< Amo
Soo1 2l<S