davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Delta independent., 1916-12-29
CURLY PETE ADMITS MAKING
BOGUS GOLD SPECIMENS

Mark P. Basinger, Al, is in jail on
charges of manufacturing gold and syl-
vanite specimens for sale during the
past thirteen years.
Basinger. man of twenty-five years
experience in the gold fields of Colo
rado and known to mining men as
Curly Pete, admitted yesterday that he
manufactured ore, seemingly shot with
gold. which withstood the acid test ap-
piled by experts. According to his
own statement. he sold his wares to
collectors. mining men, jewellers and
Schools from A"Pittsburg. Pennsy. to
Vancouver. B. c."
His first experience in an assaying
office gave Basinger the idea of orig
mating spurious specimens. He COM
menced experiments in 1898 and work
ed constantly until 1908. The formula
OF success was discovered and Bas-
niger organized a selling system.
My rock is all gold-bearing, but l
usually pick it up along the railroad
right-of-way between Denver and Colo
RADIO Springs" he explained to amazed
officers. my specimens cost me about
80 cents a pound. l usually sell at an
average of $50 pound.
Il estimate that l have treated 22,-
600 pieces of ore since / began work
Each piece netted me about $3.50. I
have no elaborate laboratory-onlya a
little hard coal. blow torch and the
formula. But my stuff will stand the
acid test"
Basinger stated yesterday that he
had sold ore specimens thruout Colo
RADIO and other mining states. He also
made four trips to California and was
arrested and released in Los Angeles
In Lead City, S. D., he alleges he sold
specimens to mining man and re-
ceived $50. gold watch and dia-
mond ring.
In Denver Basinger states that his
specimens were often purchased by
unsuspecting curio dealers and sold to
tourists as Cripple Creek gold. At the
time of his arrest he was completing
arrangements for selling campaign
in Chicago and New York pawnshops
Curly Pete is not reluctant regard
ing his past career and states with
pride that he refused to deal with
amateur collectors. but confined his eff
forts to expert collectors, mining men
and members of univerity faculties.
He has defied the police to bring
any charge against him, as his rock
has always been gold bearing and he
has never forced dealers to believe
that it was high grade. Police believe
they will be able to bring charges of
operating confidence game against
the ore wizard.-Denver Times.
The Delta independent., 1916-12-29
Homestead Bill
to Become Law

A telegram was received by the
Montrose Enterprise last Friday from
Congressman Taylor and was to the
effect that both the senate and the
house had adopted the conference re-
port on his 64O-acre homestead bill
and it only lacked the signature of
the President to make it a law. II
was the intention to place it before
the president either Saturday or Tues
day.
This is the bill which was though
to have been passed before congress
adjourned last summer, but after the
clouds of the closing days had cleared
away 1t was discovered that it was
still tied up in conference commit
tee. AS soon as congress got together
again Mr.. Taylor got busy with the
committee with the result that it is
now an assured fact as soon as Presi.
dent Wilson attaches his signature to
it.-Montrose Enterprise.
The Delta independent., 1916-12-29
Santa Claus Was
Present at Tree

The Community Christmas tree was
beautifully and it seemed that moth
ing could interfere.
When the matter was first dis
cussed some feared a lack of funds,
some feared cold or disagreeable
weather, but none, it seemed, feared
lack of lights.
The school bell announced the ap-
proach of the delightful hour, at
o'clock, as planned and Immediately
town to the beautiful scene, where
the tree stood in all its glory Prompt
ly at $50 the program was to start,
and then darkness and several hun
dred murmurs. After a considerable
wait it was learned that the break in
the system had been located about
four miles this side of Montrose and
that it would be repaired with all
possible haste. In the meantime the
students were assembled and as
much as possible of the program was
carried out, while autos furnished
light without and candles and oil
lamps within.
At the close of the program the
lights again returned and the kiddies
were all treated to a box of candy and
nice apple, while the grownups
warmed up with a cup of steaming
hot coffee and a sandwich.
Everything turned out fine at last
and aside from this feature the affair
was success. The ladies have over
$3.50 in their fund, over 500 of which
will he used during the coming win
ter months for charity
H. Ono. the Japanese friend of the
late Victor Kojima, generously donat-
ed S5 for this cause. and Mrs. Joe
Harvey soc. At this office there is
a generous supply of girls and boys
clothing in good condition, awaiting
a home
The Woman's club is sincerely
grateful to the Odd Fellows, the Elks.
st. Luke's Guild. the churches, the
Shakespeare club, all the banks Of
the city. and to every private indi-
vidual and business enterprise who
so generously aided in this splendid
work. To one and all we thank you
The Delta independent., 1916-12-29
Sheep Raising a
Paying Industry

There is notable increase in the
number of farmers who are getting
small lunches of sheep. and the pres
ent high prices do not seem to scare
them bit Every advertisement of
sheep for sale in this paper, has
brought a lot of inquiries as to how
to find the man who wanted to sell
the sheep. The government agricul-
tural department advises every land
owner who can, to own at least n
small flock of sheep to aid in the pro
duction of meat and wool. Sheep own
ers now are being advised from their
friends in the markets not to make
any hasty contracts for next summers
wool, as the price, they say, promises
to be out of aight.
The Delta independent., 1916-12-29
Heater Escapes
From County Jail

]. X. Heater, who was an inmate
of the county Jail. awaiting transfer
to the penitentiary at Canon City. to
which he had been sentenced for a
term of from one to three years for
larceny, escaped from one of the steel
cells Sunday night and took his de-
parture for parts unknown.
The guard can only explain that the
spring which locked the steel door
had not been working at all times,
and that his last trip had been made
hurriedly. so this could only account
for the possibility of escape from one
of these cells. The sheriffs office
believe that they will be able to re-
capture the prisoner.
Heater. it is said, procured through
some friend. an auto belonging to
relative from a garage in the city, in
which he could more speedily make
his getaway.
The Delta independent., 1916-12-29
Prominent Delta
Couple Married

Guy NJ. Blair is lost-at least to
his bachelor friends. On last Satur-
day he and Miss Hazel Foster, teach
er of English in the Grammar school
of Delta, went to Montrose and were
wed. proceeding from there to Palm
Beach. Florida to spend honeymoon
of three or four weeks, after which
the happy couple will be at home to
their many friends in Delta The
foregoing is about all the particulars
Independent has been able to get re-
Sarding the event. The bashful couple
seem to have tried to cut the wires.
All will unite in wishing them a long
and prosperous voyage over matri-
monial seas. Hope the sharks down
in Florida don't get them.
The Delta independent., 1916-12-29
MORE BEET SEED BEING
RAISED IN UNITED STATES

Sugar beet seed was grown CONNER
cially in this country during the past
year in several states from Michigan
to California. The crop of seed harv-
ested in 1915 was so satisfactory, ac-
cording to the report of the chief of
the bureau of plant industry of the
department. in each of the areas test
ed that a largely increased acreage
was planted this year
This bureau has assisted in an ad-
visory way in growing, selecting, and
soiling. the roots. planting them in the
spring, harvesting and cleaning the
seed, and, in general, endeavored to
produce the largest amount of COM
mercial seed possible at a minimum
cost. Approximately 5000 acres are in
beets in this country this year. while
we require the product of at least 16,
900 acres for a normal planting, not
considering the natural expansion of
the beet sugar industry. Each new
mill will require an average of 200
acres in seeds to meet its planting re
quirements. Seven new mills a.e in
process of construction for this year
The problem of drying the sugar
beets for the purpose of increasing
the amount of raw material for the
mill and thereby increasing the length
OF the sugar campaign. has been
futher investigated. The principal
difficulty has been in finding or devils
ing a dryer OF suitable capacity to
handle enough beets per day to be
profitable. A satisfactory solution OF
the problem will be very beneficial il.
those small valleys in the intermoun
tain states. where the acreage is not
sufficient to support a sugar mill, and
yet the sugar beet is necessary to the
highest results in the farming opera
tions.
The Delta independent., 1916-12-29
District Court Closes Saturday.

District Court closed its busy two
weeks special session in Delta last
Saturday. In the matter of the Smith
Angel note for $4,000. verdict was
against l.. S. Angel. the complication
arising through n reimbursement, the
loan having been obtained from anoth-
err than the bank to whom first en-,
dorsement was made. 1t looks like
the bank making the loan was up
against It. Whether or not the case
will be carried further, is not at pres
ent known.
The Delta independent., 1916-12-29
Down in Mexico

The Mexican war is gradually assum-
ing larger proportions, with Villas
army doing most of the aggressive
work and Carranza using his best ef-
forts to check or head him off.
chihuahua city and state are the
scenes of present conflict.
The one border excitement this week
was battle along the Texas line
where Kentucky guards trained a ma
chine gun on some Mexican snipers
who were shooting at them across
the line. No Americans were killed.
but IL was believed that several Mex
leans were killed or wounded. Only
about 100 shots were fired from the
machine gun.
The Delta independent., 1916-12-29
Outlook Good for
Next Fruit Crop

So far the outlook is fine for a good
fruit crop next season. 1t is true there
may be late frosts in the spring to do
damage. but that is a bridge quite a
distance ahead and one we may not
have to cross. Many of the orchards
were given a rest this year, their bear
ing being light, and this too. is looked
upon as a sign that next year may
prove one of generous yield. Our
orchards are and will remain a valu-
able part of Delta county's assets,
and are bound to remain good aver
age wealth producers, even If an oc-
casional crop is light and now and
then a low market is encountered
Take good care of the orchards, but
don't depend upon them entirely, as
you used to do. Cultivate the other
and more sure crops out of which
you know you can reap profits. and
to which you can add the big orchard
chunk when it comes.
The Delta independent., 1916-12-29
Farmers Have Busy lime.

Farmers hereabouts have had a tire.
mendously busy season as we'll as a
prosperous one. Except for the care
of stock, making farm repairs and i'm,
provements, the laying in of fuel sup
plies and such duties. they will have
little time for breathing before the
spring work opens up. So far the
winter season is favorable. The
ground is frozen in well and there are
no unfavorable climate changes. Not
much snow has fallen in the valleys.
but on the mountains there has already
fallen a fair amount for water supply
and storage, and next year promises
well for plenty of water and good
crops.
The Delta independent., 1916-12-29
Elmer Anderson
SnOWSlide Victim

One of the saddest of snow slide ia
talities in the history of the southern
mountains was the case of Elmer G.
Anderson. whose life was lost while
coming down from the mountains at
Ouray on Friday evening of last week.
Mr.. Anderson lived at Delta and
had wife and two children to whom
his Christmas homecoming meant
pleasures and delights which they
were anticipating.
Nestled in the coy cottage home
which he had just built for them a
year ago, they were waiting and talk
ing of his coming home from the
mines in which he had been work
ing. to spend Christmas and bring
Christmas presents and Christmas
happiness, when the wire came tell.
ing of his tragic death.
Elmer Anderson was a splendid man,
quiet. but genial and in all ways a
worthy citizen. He was a member of
the brotherhood of Elks, belonging at
Grand Junction. His funearl here
Tuesday was attended by the members
of Delta Lodge No 1885 in a body, and
by numerous friends of the family.
He was taken away in the prime of
life and health. All mourn his death
and extend to his bereaved wife and
children sympathy and coincidence.
The Delta independent., 1916-12-29
Attempt to Blow Up Utah eoverno

Salt Lake. Dec. 26.-Two ounces of
nitroglycerine, contained in an intern
al machine, was found yesterday in
front of Governor William Spry's
home. Six men have been arrested.
but they are believed to have beer
only accessories. The governors
guard has been doubled and great
care is being exercised to prevent a
repetition of the threatened outrage
against his life.
The internal machine is believed
to have been planted by Industrial
Iron Workers of the World who have
held a grievance against Governor
Spry for permitting the execution n
year ago of Robert Hillstrom. a mem
ber. who was convicted OF murder
and shot to death, by his own re
quest, at the Utah state penitentiary.
The Delta independent., 1916-12-29
Successful Live
Stock Convention

The big live stock convention in
Delta yesterday was fully up to the
average-replete with business and
enjoyment Coming as IL did on press
day, Independent has left its accoun.
OF the general proceedings until next
weeks issue. when full report will
be given. It is enough to say at pres
ent that the business session was
full OF interest. that the banuqet was
much ahead of the roundup grub
wagon and the ball the up-to-date So
cial affair II always is, Balance next
week.
The Delta independent., 1916-12-29
Rule IA Suspended.
December 26th.

To The Public Utility Addressed:
Acting upon the formal request of
the City of Colorado Springs for a re-
hearing upon abe reasonableness of
Rule IA of the rules regulating stand
ards of service which were promul-
gated by order in Case No 81. effec.
tive January l, the Commission on
this date has suspended the effective
date of Rule IA for 90 days. or April
l. During the period of suspension
the Commission will fix date for the
re-hearing as to the reasonableness of
this rule. and ten days notice will be
tiles, whether privately or municipality
owned.
1t is hoped by the Commission that
the re-hearing will be largely attended
by representatives of public utilities
and that this rule. relating to meters
and service connections. together with
any possible objections to the rule, will
be thoroughly discussed.
The Commission has granted the
suspension because of the foct that
there appears to be considerable mis-
understanding relative to the opera
ton of this rule and because operating
officials Of several municipality owned
plants have raised objections to the
rule.
Very truly yours.
The Public Utilities Commission Of the
State of Colorado.
BY GEORGE F. OXLEY,
Secretary.
The Delta independent., 1916-12-29
Torreon Capture Confirmed.

San Antoaia, Tex. Dec 27.-A mess
age confirming the report of the cap
received today by General Funston
from Brig.-Gen. George Bell, command
ing American forces at FL Paso. After
his successful attack against the
Coahuila stronghold. Villa is reported
to have gone eastward to attack Mont
Grey.
The Delta independent., 1916-12-29
1a Lose Lives in Arkansas Storm.

Little Rock. Dec 27.-The death list
in the strom which swept southern
trail Arkansas yesterday. remained at
II tonight, but reports of additional
injuries continue to arrive. Fifty or
more were hurt. Property loss is
very heavy, amounting into the hund-
reds of thousands. Leola reports five
residents stunned by lightning shocks
All of the stricken districts have been
reached and relief work is in progress.
The Delta independent., 1916-12-29
s 100000 SUGAR FACTORY is
DELTA'S XMAS PRESENT

Delta is to have new sugar fac
tory that will cost S1.50O.000.
This information, which is official,
was received in Montrose "Wednesday
morning. No details were received
other than work on the big factory
would start early the coming year and
that 1t will probably be ready to be-
gin making suger early next fall. or
with the harvesting of the beet crop,
on the western nslope.--Montrose Press,
The Delta independent., 1916-12-29
The European
War Still Raging

Fighting over Europe has continued
fiercely through the holidays and With
little change from results that have
characterized large proportion of
the war at the other two Christmas
times in its progress.
Germany has forwarded 10 President
Wilson and to the Pope. sealed copies
OF its proposed peace terms to he
opened only in case the allies should
request the specifications. EnGlan Ts
attitude toward peace proposals - said
to be gradually modifying. The tinan.
cial temperature of Wall Street rises
and falls with each rumor favorable
or unfavorable to peace
Lloyd George says America must
answer the call of destiny. growing
louder every day, commanding her to
establish and enforce international
Tom Lawson. of "Frenzied Finance
fame, is accused with his associates.
OF having cleaned up millions through
advance information regarding the
presidents last note.
1t is not generally believed that the
allies will accept Gcrmany's peace
proposals.
The Delta independent., 1916-12-29
Purchases Car of
White Faced Bulls

Jesse Bell. Adam Thomas. Sam
Phillips and Henry Smith visited Delta
Thursday and purchased car load of
81 young shorthorn bulls from the
stock farm OF Alex Calhoun, the well
known stockman. The animals were
shipped to Montrose Friday and dis
tributed.
They are fine yearling bulls. COM
ing from the Mathews stock. and they
will be used by these stockmen in
breeding up their herds.
The Delta independent., 1916-12-29
Married in Montrose.

d. A Butler, well known farmer
of Austin, and Mrs. A. ]. Ellingswood,
a prominent Delta county lady, were
married in this city Thursday after
noon, the ceremony taking place at the
office of Judge ]. c. Bell. Mr.. Bell
acting as master of ceremonies, and
Misses Bessie Hanes and Elsie Tillery
being the witnesses.-Montros En-
terprise.
The Delta independent., 1916-12-29
is THE ROAD YOU LIVE
BY A GOOD ONE7

The man who wrote the famous
line, Let me live in a house by the
side of the road" had in mind, of
course, good road. No man can be
cheerful and neighborly, no man can
be good citizen, if he lives in a house
by the side of a neglected road. The
men who pass his place can't be cheer
full How is the road at your farm.
Mr.. Farmer?
Reclamation Record
The Delta independent., 1916-12-29
Armenians SUFFERING Now.

New York-Five thousand deported
Armenians are starving near Aleppo,
Asiatic Turkey. as a result of the re-
cent temporary suspension of relief
appropriations. according to a cable
gram fro American Ambassador Elkus
at Constantinople. An appeal is made
to alleviate the suffering.
Bryan daily eagle and pilot. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1918, 1916-08-24
BIDS ON CITY PROPERTY.

Following are the bids as received
by the city council at It's last regu-
lar meeting on certain city lots which
were sold by the councilmen:
Parcel OF land adjoining Wick lot;
c. c. Wick. s3.O25. John Z. Astin,
$3.50. Fountain Bros. s3.OOi.
Lot adjoining Hotel Bryan al rear:
Sam B. Wilson. $1,000. Fountain Bros.
S.Ol.
Lot adjoining Hotel Annex at rear:
Sam B. Wilson $500. Fountain Bros
1851.
Lot adjoining vacant lot belonging
to Geo. A. Adams: Fountain Bros.
sioi. Geo. A. Adams 500.
This information Is given at the re-
quest OF various parties who de.
sired to know just what the bids
were. The bids were not published
In the report Of the council proceed.
ings owing TO the confusion caused
by some OF the bidders Withdrawing
their bids after the matter was set
tied to get their /certiffd checks.
One or two Of the bids we're torn up
at the time.
Bryan daily eagle and pilot. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1918, 1916-08-24
THE THIRTY PEACE TREATIES.

The friends Of universal peace have
abundant reason TO favor the re-.
election OF President Wilson. His I'D.
ministration IL conspicuous for the
service which Il has rendered tho
world In the formulation Of a peace
plan which makes war a remote DOS.
Sibility between tho contracting ma
lions. This plan. now embodied n
treaties with thirty nations which
altogether. exercise authority over
three-fourths OF the population OF tho
globe. provides first. that ALL DIS.
pu'es OF EVERY KIND AND CHAR.
AcTER. which can not be settled BY
diplomacy MUST. II they are no, by
another treaty submitted for arbItra.
tion. be submitted to an information.
al tribunal for investigation and 70.
port; second. that the investigation
must be concluded within one year;
third' that the contracting parties re-.
serve the right Of Independent action
at the conclusion Of the investigation;
but fourth, that they agree not to
resort to force during the investiga.
tion.
These four provisions will. Il IA
believed, make war a remote posi-.
bility between the contracting parties.
The plan Of these treaties has been
followed by Brazil. Argcntinca ana
Chile. In a treaty which they have 70.
Gently signed. II the beligerent ma.
lions had been bound together by sim.
lar treaties the present conflict misht
Bryan daily eagle and pilot. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1918, 1916-08-24

], has been suggested that the rail
roads, IN prolonging the conferences
over the contemplated strike, are paw.
ing the way for an increase in fragh,
rates II "a further intimzted they
would agree TO an eight-hour day pro
vidsd an arbitration commission be
appointed TO settle all future dis
putss and they be allowed to increase
their rates. It can be depended upon
the people win have TO suffer how.
ever the difficulty goas II a strike
comes the burden vii fall on the peo-
pie; II IT does not come the railroads
vii have It 20 fired that whatever
they lose By shorter working day,
viii he filched from the people ir In
creased freight rates.
Bryan daily eagle and pilot. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1918, 1916-08-24

The Colquitt crowd has got the
Hon. John ". Duncan between the
upper and neither MIN stones. The
Hon. John ". has been particularly
hard on coIquitt for his structures OF
the Wilson administration. when. 10
and behold. they have dug up letter
penned By the Hen. John ". himself.
directed TO Congressman JEFF McIe.
more and published in the Houston
Chronicle. in which he fcBssed Presl.
dent Wilson TO a clean finish and said
harder things about his admlnlstra.
ton than colquitt ever dreamed o.
Verify he who takes up the zen shall
perish by the pen.
Bryan daily eagle and pilot. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1918, 1916-08-24
President Wilson ba, NAMED ,b,.

President Wilson has named three
commissioners TO represent the
United States In the negotiations
looking to a settlement Of the differ.
ences between the United States and
Mesico. One Is a cabinet member
Secretary Lane OF the Interior. one a
federal Judge and the other a doctor.
Tho Eagle IL clad there Is doctor on
the board and would sugges, the first
thing done be postmortem over
villa to determine II he is really. truly
and legally dead.
Bryan daily eagle and pilot. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1918, 1916-08-24

. Candidate Hughes said In speech
IN the Northwest that the Democrats
party was dominated By the South
Now In California he says the Demo
Gratis turned deaf ear TO the plead.
inss Of Louisiana and put sugar On
the free list Thus his campaign
thunder. which was virtually an sp-
peal TO sectional prejudice, was blown
up By a shot from his own blunder.
bus. What the Democrats want ia for
Candidate Hughes to stay on the
stump.
Bryan daily eagle and pilot. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1918, 1916-08-24

Governor Ferguson has come out
openly. fairly and squareIy for sens.
tor culberson. The statement was a
little late. bu, It ia in plenty time for
every voter In TEXAS to know where
be stands. Governor Ferguson IL like
Joe Bailey In one particular. and that
is he has the moral courage to state
his position on every question that
comes up.