davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1916-12-28
How to Have Land Titles Guar.
anteed by the Government

has heretofore been something
of a dead letter, will be brought
into immediate use, and will
prove especially valuable in en-
aiding farmers to secure loans
on their lands under the new
Federal Farm Loan Bank law is
evident by the increasing demand
for information regarding the
Torrens system. For the ac-
commodation of those interested
Prof. T. j. Brooks, Rural
Economist of the Mississippi A.
and M. College has just issued
the following statement explana-
tory of this system.
THE Torrens system of guar
anteeing land titles which has
been adopted by twelve states,
including Mississippi, and by
many foreign countries, is now
receiving particular attention, as
the Federal Farm Loan Board
will accept farms registered
under this act without question
as to title. Otherwise the title
to each tract of land that is
pledged for a loan under the
rural credit law has to be in
vestigated by a special attorney
appointed by the Land Loan
Bank, and the expense charged
up to the borrower. When land
is once registered each subse-
quent transfer costs only fifty
cents and there is no question
raised as to the validity of the
title.
REQUIREMENTS OF THE OWNER
ANY farmer who desires land
under this act must present to
the chancery court a petition
signed and sworn to setting out
a full description of the land,
with a plot Of the same by meets
and bounds; corners to be mark
ed by iron, stone or cement
markers. He must show when,
how, and from whom it was OBJ
tanned, by whom occupied, and
give account of all liens, inter-
ests, equities and claims vested
in or contingent upon this land,
as we'll as the full name and ad-
dress of all parties who may be
interested by marriage or other
wise, including adjoining owners
and occupants. If the meets and
bounds are not known the chan
Gerry clerk may order a survey.
The date of proposed registration
must be published in a county
paper, citing all claimants to
court.
Cost OF REGISTERING LAND
1t costs almost as much to
register a small farm as it does a
large one as some of the items of
expense are the same regardless
of the value of the farm. In all
there are seven possible items of
expense, as follows:
l. Chancery clerk fee for
copying plot S 100
For issuing certificate sol
2. State assurance fee (col-
lected by the chancery
clerk, one tenth of one
percent of the assessed
value of the land. On
a farm worth $4,000,
this would be SEQ
8. Advertising and citing
claimants to date of re-
gistration $50
A. Examination of deed op-
tional with court, with
minimum of S. for land
assessed at $4,000 or less
and one dollar for each
additional 81, 900 500
5. Attorneys fee in chan
Gerry at time Of hearing
before the court estima-
ted on the basis of no
claimants 1000
G Possible fees for sheriff
Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1916-12-28
Worth THINKING About.

ut Y . man turned over = new leaf
every time his wife wanted him to he
woalA have but little time left in
wAAoA 70 earn tho price Of her bopnetS.
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1916-01-14
The Effect of This Simple Question Was Extraordinary.

puncture which a few minutes prob
ing demonstrated to have been made
by a bullet of the same size. Powder
marks on the left breast of his shabby
old house-jacket showed that the
muzzle had been close when the
weapon was fired.
From these details the police and
reporters, and next the coroner's jury,
drew their conclusion that the old
man had accidentally been overtaken
by death, withal in most extraordi-
nary manner.
However" added Miss Bertel, lin
spite of the verdict and the police,
they are suspicious of the niece, Mrs.
Pell, and her young brother, Curtis
Paradis-not wholly without reason,
either, must admit.
Mrs. Pell, while begging me to
help her, is afraid to talk much; there
is something she is holding back;
and whatever it is, If I'm any judge OF
another woman's character. it's some
thing that will tend to incriminate
either her or her brother.
Here are the facts that make 1t
look bad for her: A bitter enmity has
kept her and his uncle apart for
years. Not since she was little
girl has she been in the house, save
twice about week ago and
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1916-01-14

his. Sam WebO, was scared to call
his soul his own. He held something
over Sam, and treated him like a
dog"
Hazard turned to Curtis.
Were you here at any time on the
evening of the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
day."
Before replying the young fellow
hesitated and glanced uneasily at his
sister. She urged him with a nod to
answer Then
81 tried to hide it," he returned,
but 1 suppose might as well tell.
Yes, I was here. saw my uncle
lying dead on the library floor
Here's the way of it" Curtis pur-
sued. Uncle Henry knew how
liked to play pinochle, and he hired a
shark to teach him so he could win
my odd bits of change latter he'd
robbed me and sister of what was
rightfully ours, too! We'd play two
or three times a week, and other
nights he'd be taking lessons from a
fellow named Nick Blackburn. Nick
got him a job on the Andrew Cole
started to work day before yesterday
and he couldn't have fooled with
the old man any more.
"Are you sure he went to work on
the thirtieth?" Hazard interrupted.
Eyes, sir. saw him off in the
morning day.
Paradis then recounted, in so far as
he was concerned, what happened at
the house on the fatal night.
II came in like l always did, hoping
/ might pick up a piece Of change
from the old man. The house was as
still as a cemetery. Sam was gone;
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1916-01-14

On the records of the Sutherland
Detective agency Helen Berteps name
was only one of several after which
appeared the word, "Stenographer."
AS a matter of fact, in certain spe-
cial lines of work this uncommonly
pretty, self-reliant girl was one Of the
most capable operatives the COM
pany ever had in its employ. Although
Felix Hazards lean, hawklike visage
was too well schooled to betray any
hint of his deeper feelings, neverthe-
less sometimes while looking at her
his dark eyes took on an intense
glow that shook the girls poise. She
was wont to chide herself because
this look had the power of agitating
her, and she would discourage it in
different ways-sometimes by treat
ing Hazard with cool reserve, another
time by poking fun at him, or, most
effective Of all, by making some
abrupt, unexpected appeal to his
friendship. They never quarreled;
they were much too good pals for
that.
So on a certain June morning-the
first, to be defnite-when Hazard
found a note upon his desk in her
handwriting, which was as familiar
to him as his own, he forgot every
thing else until he had read it some
half-dozen times.
AS he tore open the envelope and
spread out the single sheet therein
contained, two objects fell out and
futtered to the floor He picked them
up. They were in the corners Of
two playing-cards, the knave of dia-
monds and the queen of spades.
These he laid carefully aside and
read:
My dear Felix:
Take me to luncheon today and TIL
tell you about the enclosed relics.-H.
For possibly minute he gravely
speculated upon the card fragments;
but they only leased his curiosity.
The ragged torn edges exactly
matched, demonstrating the two cor
ners had been held tightly together
when the balance Of the cards were
torn away: this was the sole infer
ence he was able to draw from the
"relics"
Promptly at half-past twelve Helen
Bertel's animated face appeared at
Hazards doorway. She was tall,
graceful girl, fond of tennis and of
being both on and in the water, for
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1916-01-14

For some moments the man scru-
tinized the pretty face opposite his.
According to the newspapers that
was an accidental DEATH" said he.
Il don't know much about it, though"
'I'll tell you about it. For my
neighbours sake I interested myself in
the case; I've gone as far with it as
1 can without a mans assistance.
You're to be the man.
What she recounted may be briefly
sketched.
On the morning of May 31st the
lifeless body of Henry Paradis had
been found, under peculiar circum-
stances, at his North Halsted street
residence. In the middle of the room
used by the old bachelor as a. library
stood a table-desk, and lying on a
rug in front Of this and underneath a
protruding drawer the body had been
discovered by the households sole
servant, middle-aged negro named
Sam Webb.
There were numerous factors that
tended to veil the fatality in mystery.
On the surface these factors sug-
gested that Henry Paradis had
opened a drawer of his desk and i'm
mediately fallen dead from bullet
wound inflicted by his own revolver.
By way of mute testimony, there
was the partially open drawer half
full of neatly tied packages Of let
tiers, together with papers and docu-
ments of various sorts, upon top of
which lay the weapon. It's cylinder
contained five loaded cartridges and
one freshly exploded she'll The re-
volver was of a well-known make, 49,
caliber, and just below the dead
mans heart was a small purplish
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1916-01-14

besides being an ardent conoeist she
was also an expert swimmer
choice of pastimes than which no 9TH
ers are better adapted to mold the
figure in perfect lines and give health
and strength and beauty and the pan
Uterine litheness that characterized
her every movement.
She called to him brightly from
the threshold:
Ready"
"And waiting" he returned, grab
bing his hat and following her to the
elevator.
1t was not until the waiter had
poured Hazards demi-tasse and held
a lighted match to his cigarette that
Miss Bertel, propping her elbows up
en- the table and resting one cheek
upon her clasped hands, referred to
the subject that was uppermost in her
mini.
Felix, have neighbor who needs
your help-a poor widow with q
scapegrace brother. Their uncle was
murdered day before yesterday, and
che two are entitled &c his money"
Hazard darted g. sharp glance at
her.
"Murdered?" he repeated inQuiring-
y who was he?"
Henry Paradis,"
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1916-01-14

on OF South State street
whose population is mostly coIo nssloa
Hazard and his commands
conducted up two flights Of sta a were
down hall to a room where ra' =. and
gro halted and threw onsn 'He Ne,
When they came up with him = a 70
could see within. he pointed S ~ aey
lcally to figure lying upon a h ho aInat'
There he solemnly averred a.
the man who killed Mr.. ParadiaD is
The man rolled his head ro,1,
looked at the intruders, two Of ws ala
recoiled in establishment. "uOa
Lineament for lineament liz.
line, his face was a facsimile lug l0'
mans who had brought them b;., 'ls
"Yes," confirmed the man II'ner'
bed in weak voice, 81 done i ~ ,ls
Sam Webb. And I'm about ~ IN
I'm bad hurt" all IN
Sans double spoke.
"My names Clifford Hart,, .
knew you wouldn't believe mo n1i.
Sam and me was together -
wouldn't talk. !
Were first cousins. Sam ons
though we might be twin brothers ~ ~
the way we look alike. We ara :;
ways being mistook for one anoths-
and it seems like the resemblance hss
landed me in a peck O. trouble
Sam can't talk much; I'll have :,
talk for him. Last night he was ~
by an automobile, and tbs doctor SOW
his spine is broke. he won't ira
long.
ut was like this. San's boss had
treated him so scandalously for s.
long that Sam Just couldn't stand :.
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1916-01-14

any more; so when the old man drew
the money from the bank the devil
just naturally got into Sam.
Sam he plans it all out. I'm chef
on a Great Northern dining car, and
he knows I'll be in Chicago over Deco
ration day. He has me go to coli
ored folks ball on Twenty-eightA|
street, where he's invited, and make
out like I'm him. We've often dOns
that just to be skylarking, and \
thought nothing of it till saw tn9
papers next afternoon. Then real
lied what a position l was in, pre-
tending to be Sam, because nslJ
away felt it was him that had nliep|
his boss.
"I was scared. We favor one anl
other so close, If the police was lOoA1
ing for Sam, like as not they'd plc7
me UP instead of him.
Twas wild to find him. When Wen1
to where he'd been working there wal
a lady and gentleman there, anu ',
the frightened way they acted al sS g
of me | was surer than ever tnat lOiA1
knew Sam was guilty. n
"Then l met this gentleman anu
thought l was gone for sure Techv
oughtn't to have run; but 'u'
couldn't help it.
"By and by some colored folks toI
me about the accident to Sam Sssl
to the hospital and had him OFOusr
here. After I'd talked to him a WIN
he promised to tell everything az
give back the money he'd TAKEN
AS he finished speaking he Wel'
a dresser drawer and took out
thick manila envelope. This be naD'
ed to Hazard. IN,
you'll find all the money tnei'
like Sam got it-$2,80O." -,
Sam Webb's story was not s
His plan to STAY his employer an, :.
vert suspicion from hlrnSen
simple. He knew Paradis "o"N an
alone the night OF the thlrtle ,s,ro
also was familiar with bia'A' sssf
frequent visits to the house anu r. m,
object. He also was cognizan' u
it's visits. He did not, now n
know that Blackburn had lel' .n nrr,a
on the Andrew Cole that Inv w. ii
and that, when he interrupted ~ nd
mans dummy-hand game al Inn
him with his own pistol, suSpl'~da ~.
Blackburn would rebound from arlods
wall and alight upon the reai ~
You're a duck, Felix" Hels srs b
tel assured him when once mul rs
could breath the sooty but m hb
miliar Loop air. "You Wsi1 todsl
enough to take me to luncn ~ hi b
If a girl should invite you - sou~
guest at dinner tonight. Voula iuts
"Ask mel" Felix Hazaru
rupted. : c,aDrsrl
| Copyright. 1915. by w G. cnA'
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1916-01-14

I couldn't raise my uncle-nobody at
all. This seemed queer because the
front door wasn't locked.
"As soon as l lit the gas in the IL
brary saw Uncle Henry on the floor,
dead. was pretty badly scared. A
pinochle deck was on his desk with a
lot of melds spread out, as if he'd
been playing game with somebody.
On top of the cards was his gun. 1t
looked like whoever had shot him had
reached across the desk and poked
the gun right against him, then
dropped it and run.
Right away I thought, whoever
found the cards spread out like they
were-anybody knowing how much
we'd played together-would think I'd
shot him.
II dropped the gun into a drawer
that stood open. and put the cards in
my pocket"
The balance of Curtis Paradis'
story agreed with what Hazard already
had heard, and likewise explained his
movements when leaving his uncle's
house and proceeding south on Hal
sted street.
Gust before turning off the gas l
saw two cards in the old mans hand.
Believe me, it was worse than being
shot at to stoop and snatch them
away; yet I might as well have left
the rest as those two.
well, snatched them, and the
corners tore away. was too ratified
to stop and get the corners; was
scared stiff. beat it as fast as 1
could"
Knowing of Blackburn's vacated
room, he had slipped into it from the
alley and remained there hiding all
night. He it was who had left the
pack of cards there.
A period was put to the colloquy by
the hall door opening and the fright
ened negro reappearing upon the
threshold Mrs. Pell and Curtis re-
coiled before him in obvious alarm,
the latter exclaiming:
Sam! What's been the matter with
you?"
The intruder addressed himself to
Hazard
BOSS, I can't explain myself very
well-not here. reckon you are a
police officer; 1 want you to come
with me, if you please" He paused,
and as Hazard only continued to eye
him steadily, in moment added:
Il can take you to the man who
killed Mr.. Paradis.'
w. :
Mrs. Pell and her brother were left
in charge of the house. On the way
down town Hazard and the negro
were Joined Y Miss Bertel, to whom
the former had telephoned. The jour
ney ended among the Twenties just
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1916-01-14
This story throbs with real

This story throbs with real
ism in the words narroWest
meaning. 1t is faithful rem
derinq of an authentic expert
erce in the career Of a high
official of a detective agency
whose name is a household
word throughout the English
speaking world. Real names Of
persons and places are some
times disguised. In all other re-
spects the amazing, often thrill
ing, always gripping facts are
recorded just as they happened.
Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1916-01-14

Mrs. Pell and her brother were left
in charge of the house. On the way
down town Hazard and the negro
were Joined Y Miss Bertel, to whom
the former had telephoned. The jour
ney ended among the Twenties just
The Alaska daily empire., 1916-05-29
WOMAN'S CLUB HOLD MEETING AND ELECT
 OFFICERS FOR YEAR

The weather was about as near perfect last Saturday as possible, but with that. 1t was not sufficiently glorious to persuade the interested members of the Woman's Club to absent themselves from the regular meeting which, by the way. was the day for the annual election Of offic- CTS.
 The Empire had several lines out trying to catch some inside inTorma- tion regarding any slates that might be fixed up, but the evasive answers of some of the women and the bland smiles of others who disclaimed that women ever indulged in political tricks gave no clues or so much as even scrap of thread upon which to hang an interesting story.
 A number of changes were made In the roster of officers. The fol- lowing were elected President Mrs Frank Metcalf: First Vice President. Mrs Fl. Fl. Townsend: Second Vice Mrs. c. Fl. Gilbert; Third Vice. Mrs. D. Hickey. and Fourth Vice. Mrs Frank Morrison Mrs. Robert Cragg was elected to serve as member-at- large on the Executive committee.
 The following were elected to serve as Chairwomen Of the several departments.
 History. Literature and Current Events-Mrs. Frank Morrison.
 Music and Art-Mrs Robert Cragg.
 Public Health and Welfare-Mrs. 'G. H. Gilbert
 Economies - Mrs. Lena Morrow Lewis.
 Civic Improvement and Fairgrounds Mrs. c. C. Blackmere.
 Legislative - Mrs Lena Morrow Lewis.
 The treasurer and two secretaries, Mrs. J. T. Welch Mrs Valentine and Mrs. Hazeltc' hold over until the next regular election.
 The club has accomplished much good during the past year and the members have reason to congratu- late themselves on the prospects for the coming year.
 Next Wednesday afternoon the members Of the clut will enjoy an afternoon luncheon at Mrs Metcalrs home.
The Alaska daily empire., 1916-05-29
STAGGER WILL
 SALVE WRECK
 CLARA NEVADA

Diver c. F. Stagger has returned from Eldred Rock, bringing some cop per bolts and brass piping from the wreck of the old Clara Nevada. which was loot with all hands in February. 1898.
 Mir. Stagger left Juneau last week for Eldred Rock on the Grubstake with a consignment of mail for the lighthouse keepers there. He then went looking for the old wreck. With the help of Capt. Peterson and Er- ickson of the lighthouse force. the wreck was located Saturday in 60 feet of water. about 5000 feet from the lighthouse, and with the bow of the boat pointed towards Skagway.
 Mir Stagger descended and explor- ed the wreck, after cutting his way through the thick growth of kelp which has overgrown the wreck. He reports that the sides of the old iron ship have fallen In and that they are so thin that they can be torn apart almost like paper. The boilers. two in number. are still in- tact. as are the engines In the short time Stagger was in the wreck he gays he could not make a full in- vestigation but that it will be an easy matter to open the sides of the ship and get the old copper and brass. as well as the gold and other yaluables which sank with the steamer.
 MT. st9gger expects to charter schooner within short time and return to the wreck He reports that from what little he saw Satur- day that he can make wages by the old brass and copper alone from the hull
 The wreck of the Clara Nevada has always been shrouded in mys. tery. She went worth to Skagway with large load of passengers and freight during the days of the rush to the Klondike and when return ing from Skagway disappeared with an hands. No one survived the wreck and only one body, that of the purser. was ever found.
 The location of the wreck was known, but for some reason no in- vestigation of the wreck or the cause were ever made by a profes- sional diver.
The Alaska daily empire., 1916-05-29

ties or 800 piling. On or about the 18th of each month. payment will be made for all ties and piling ac. cepted during preceding month, less 15 per cent. which will be retained until completion or order. Speciilca- lions. Form of Proposal. General Con ditions and Requirements, Form of Contract and further information may be had at the Offices of the Alaskan Engineering Commission. Anchorage and Seward, and at the offices of the Alaska Road Commission in Valdez and Juneau. Bids will be opened at the Office of the Alaskan Engineer ing Commission. Anchorage Alaska at goo o'clock p. M.. June 15th' 1916. The right is reserved to reject any or all bids. No bids will be consid- cred from employees of Tue Alaskan Engineering Commission.
 ALASKAN ENGINEERING COM
 MISSION.
 Pub. April S.iO1724: May1.S.15.22.2s-
The Alaska daily empire., 1916-05-29

> +++ ++ +++ + < * < q z <
 O. l.. Coward. representative of the General Electric Company, is at the New Cain hotel
 Mir. and Mrs. c. F. Stagger re- turned from trip to Eldred Rock and are at the New Cain.
 John B. Sheehy, representative Of a San Francisco dry goods house re- turned from Sitka Saturday. He is at the Gastineau.
 S. Dewey salesman from Port land. Oregon. arrived on the Prince John Saturday and is at the Cas- tineau.
 Mir. and Mrs. s. Evan Hodge ar rived from the south yesterday and are at the castineau- Mr Hodge represents the Westinghouse Elec- tric company Mir and Mrs. Hodge were formerly resident of here.
 Mrs. Harry Duberstein left on the Mariposa to join her husband who is located at Anchorage.
 F. s. West. representing one of the we'll known rubber goods houses. returned yesterday from a trip to the westward and is at the Gastineau
 A. shyman. representing the Schwabacher Hardware Co., is at the Alaskan
 W. W. Johnstone. real estate man of Regina Canada, arrived on the Prince John and is at the Alas kan.
 Russell J. Wilson. salesman from San Francisco. is in the city. stopping at the Alaskan.
 R. B. Murphy. is planning to leave soon with lis wife for a six weeks vacation trip to Vancouver and Portland. Mir Murphy is the steam filter at the Perseverance.
 Harley Blackwell. son of Rev. and Mrs. R. c. Blackwell. returned on the Prince John. Saturday night. from the south and will spend the summer visiting in Juneau
The Alaska daily empire., 1916-05-29
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Alaskan Engineering Commission
 Adverfieennent

Sealed proposal are invited for fur nishlng and delivering standard rail- road cross ties and piling to the AL askan Engineering Commission for use in the construction of the Alas ka Railroad, as hereinafter described. Class 1.-1OO,OOO Standard Railroad Cross Ties to be used in the con- structIon of section of line along north shore of Turnagain Arm be- tween Kern Creek and Ship Creek Junction. Class 2.-150.O0O Standard Railroad Cross Ties to be used in the construction of Matanuska Branch Line and Main Line from Matanuska Junction northward to Willow Creek. Class S.--2.0OO Standard Filing in lengths % to 40 feet. to be used in same territory as material called for under Class 9. Native spruce and hemlock timber for making cross ties and piling can be secured from certain designated sections Of the Chugach National Forest Reserve and from other public lands lying without the Forest Reserve as de. scribed In the General Condition g and Requirements. One-half of one percent of the total amount involv- ed in the bid must be deposited with each proposal as guarantee that the successful bidder will execute formal contract with bond, if re- quired, within fifteen days after TO. ceipt Of notice of award. No bid will be considered for less than 5O,OOO