davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The evening leader. (Tarpon Springs, Fla.) 191?-19??, 1917-12-17
Friday, Dec. ID, 1917.

Tarpon Springs, Florida.
Dear Santa Claus:-I want hat and
a pair of mittens because ] have a
coat. Please send my brother George
a ratlar and ball too and my brother
Costa would like rubber doll.
I'm so glad you are so kind.
Dear Santa Claus good night from
Thomas Lecouris--
3rd grade.
The evening leader. (Tarpon Springs, Fla.) 191?-19??, 1917-12-17
Friday Dec ID 1917

Friday Dec IA 1877
Tarpon Springs
Florida
Dear Santa Claus
I'm ritting to you If you spuar it have
you got any automobile.
And rifier gun if you and a little
rattle for my baby
lam going to Jacksunvill
From Peter Kaminis to Santa Claus.
good Wy think you to will be here
next year
The evening leader. (Tarpon Springs, Fla.) 191?-19??, 1917-12-17
LETTERS TO SANTA CLAUS

I houp you will gave me watch for
me to gave it to the Teacher to see
Time. piece too; sand me gun. for
Merry Xmas. Good bay Dear.
from peter.
The evening leader. (Tarpon Springs, Fla.) 191?-19??, 1917-12-17
Friday Dec IA, 1917

Tarpon Springs
Florida.
Dear Santa Claus: please send little
sailboat and wagon and a ribbon for
my sister.
Bert Lawton
The evening leader. (Tarpon Springs, Fla.) 191?-19??, 1917-12-17
Friday Dec. Ia, 1917
Tarpon Springs, Fla

Dear Santa Claus Il want gun and
a fue bullets and suit Of clothes and
a waist
Newton Kennedy
The evening leader. (Tarpon Springs, Fla.) 191?-19??, 1917-12-17

A lot Of people are slang fighters.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-12-20

Early in the fifteenth century bur- lesques of. great extravaganza were introduced into the castles of the no bility, and even at court, where the noble ladies and lords were no doubt bored with the heretofore solemn eel ebratiOn of the English Christmas. These buffooneries were taken part in by all the retainers in the house. hold, and elaborate customs were provided, some Of them of oriental splendor. In the sixteenth century, however, these plays became more refined, and were known as Masques. from the masks still worn by the performers. They resemble the pri- vate theatricals or drawing-room plays of the present times.
 Our Pilgrim fathers countenanced no such frivolities in their Christmas celebrations These Masques were nc doubt among the many worldly things at which their honest, rel igious hearts rebelled. They spent their very first Christmas in their newly adopted country-America- in hewing the logs to build the first house in Plymouth, Mass.
 To those who have never eXperi- enced a Southern Christmas, can hardly be told the spirit of cheer and unbounded hospitality which exists. even in these busy times, though they had their inception in tle days before the civil war, when everybody's latcn- string was on the outside and nobody could do tCO much for his neighbor,
 For days before Christmas South ern kitchens teemed with marvellous odors of mince pies, sausage stuffing, stear,ing hot punch and savory veg etables. Christmas eve was made merry on the plantations by a pro- gram, usually original, entirely con. ceived and carried out ty the ne. Sroes. Their innate humor and sense of harmony created a delightful per formance. Southern negroes had and still have great respect for their mas ters, and as a consequence were al- lowed to enter into the family's preparations for the holidays. Christ mas breakfast was always gala event, just less than the dinner itself Waffles, fried chicken, sausage, hot biscuits, .jellies, syrup, coffee, choc. olate and milk constituted a normal meal. After breakfast, nanny" usually routed the youngsters as we'll as the Crown-ups out into the frosty air, until she could assemble her ap. prentices and prepare feast fit for the gods.
 The spirit still exists bat alas, for the high cost of living; it keeps us from so lndulging our appetites. Our
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-12-20
NOTABLES BORN THIS DATE.

Prince George, fourth son of the King of England, who is now "do- ing his bit" in the navy, born 15 years ago today.
 Elsie de Wolfe, former prominent actress, wio has been engaged ill war relief work in France, born in New York City, 52 years ago today.
 Andrew Braid, chairman of tha United States Geographical Board, born at Kirkcaldy, Scotland, n years ago today.
 Robert Lee Williams. governor of Oklahoma, born at Brundige, Ala, 49 years ago today.
 Dr. Harry Pratt Judson, president of the University of Chicago, born at Jamestown, N. F., 6S years ago today.
 BranoE RicAey, president of the St. Louis National league baseball club, born at Louisville, O., 36 years ago today.
 Joseph w. Wilhoit, outfielder of the New York National league baseball team, born at Hiawatha, Kas., 27 years ago today.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-12-20
WHY BULGARIA FIGHTS.

Why Bulgaria deserted Russia, which presided at it's national birth, and chose to fight against her bene- factor, has been one of the pro- nounced mysteries of the war. It re- mained for Premier Radoslavoff to tell us.
 "Bulgaria's war aim was and is the complete unification of the Bulgarian nation," the premier intones.
 This means the snatching of some coveted territory from Serbia.
 Bulgaria merely saw the opportu- nifty to dig in and get something when the digging was good. Unfor- tunately there have been plenty of precedents.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-12-20
FORCING BOATS BACK ON OUR
 RIVERS.

The railroad crisis is at least doing something for the country. Hereto fore it was impossible to get anybody interested in river traffic; here and there spasmodic attempts were made to put the boats back on the rivers and sometimes they remained there but the river traffic of the last ten years prior to the war declined rather than increased. It was said, moreover, that the railroads were consistent aids in helping the decline by making competitive rates be- tween river points, so that these lower rates, which were permitted by the interstate commerce commission, effectually killed off competition on the water.
 Necessity in conjunction with the present railway crisis has forced our boats back on the rivers, however. The railroads are simply unable to haul all the traffic, and the great streams of the country-particularly in the midwest and west-have been floating more traffic ships than since the civil war. And their number is increasing all the time. By next sum- mer it is certain that long somnolent "river towns" all along our great water highways will be shaken up into intensive activity such as the present generation never suspected as possi- ble.
 On the other hand, the fact that there is more commerce than means of handling it means that there is no longer any necessity for railroads maintaining freight-making system between river terminals that robs them of revenue. In othef words, they no longer need fear beat compe- tition in spite of the increased number of boats. This is bound to have a tre- nendous effect upon the further de- velopment of such centers as the Ohio and lower Mississippi valley. It may mean that the old preferential rates" may be withdrawn and higher rates substituted.
 Such q development would mean that the increased river traffic would
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-12-20
PRESS COMMENT.
Tue ITncOnSidcred Clerk

Its fine for uS!' a correspondent writes on the letter-head of a large corporation. '.We read in the news. papers every day or two that switch men or miners or men in shipyards have demanded 20 to 30 per cent more pay to cover the increased cost of liv- ing, and the president is sending some bigwigs out to fix it up. Usually the men get what they demand. Maybe you know that when the price of bread and milk goes up for steam filter 1t goes up just as much for an office man; but nobody else seems to know it. The S70 month we got before the war Is $75 now, which is about { per cent increase. Nobody has any time to bother with us. except to tell us to ecOnOmize and buy Liberty bonds"
 About the lonesomest and least-cOn- sidered person in the country today is the clerk-using that term in the loose sense which includes office men and salespeople.
 No one is afraid he is going to strike and tie up an industry-everybod knowing very we'll he cannot. His money is worth about third less
 
 than il was before the war. and in the general run of cases he--or she has not third more money.
 Among those whom the census classes as salaried employees there are a great many who have emerged from the general run and achieved such a relationship to the business that they are counted as individuals. instead of merely as undistinguished items in the clerical and selling forces. They can keep up with the cost of living and beat it, because the people up in front, who fix salaries, are personally in- terested in these individuals. But as for the general run-over a million in manufacturing and transportation alOne-their needs are considered last.
 Organized wage-earners can com mand consideration. Some unor- ganized workers at the margin, who are always slipping off into indulgence, get constant attention from the char itable. The clerk who can manage 10 support his family is mostly let alone. Saturday Evening Post.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-12-20
SEARCH US."

A gentleman of thought propounds the following question:
 "Is there a difference between in vestment' in railroad stocks and spec ulation,' or 'gambling,' so-called in gold mining stocks, or pink pills com pany stocks, or eye-waters company stocks, or any other stocks of the Colonel Sellers variety? If putting funds into one sort of fluctuating se- curities is investment and into an- other sort gambling why?
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-12-20
remain permanent-or at least last until such preferential rates are re- stored, if this should ever happen.

A woman by the name of Madam Breshkovskaya is credited with being the grandmother of the Russian rev. olution, but considering the turn the revolution has taken, she is not get ting her name in the papers to any extent-also, there are other reasons that will appear evident to the har- assed and embarrassed proofreader.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-12-20
THIS DATE IN HISTORY.
One Hundred Years Ago Today

One Hundred Years Ago Today 1S17-John Loughlin, first Roman Catholic bishop of Brooklyn, born in County Down, Ireland. Died in Brooklyn, Dec. 29, 1891. Seventy-fiye Years Ago Today. 1S42-The French took possession of the Marquesas Islands.
 Fifty Years Ago Today. 1S67-Gen. Pope issued call for an election in Alabama to vote on the new Constitution.
 Twenty-Five Years Ago Today. proclamation set ting apart the San Gabriel Tim Der reservation in California.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-12-20
SOMETHING WRONG.

"Grandma," asked 6-year-oid Paul 'what makes Helen such a pretty lit- tie girl?"
 "She is pretty" grandma replied, "because she is such good little girl"
 "But, grandma" Paul protested, "you are awful good" ."-Ladies' Home IOnrna1
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-12-20

Uncle Sam's soldiers are the best paid in the world, and yet they are not receiving one-third as much as civil ians doing as laborious though less hazardous work. As they are sacri- ficing everything, it is up to us to stand by them, regardless of pocket book.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-12-20

It is apparent that the kaiser has agents in all parts of this country,
 and they will lose no opportunity to aid their Prussian master by any means within their grasp.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-12-20

From what we can judge, this fellow Trotzky is as popular in London as the man who agitates for lower freight rates is on the financial page.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-12-20

matter4of-fact times and modes of thinking and living are driving away all the old happiness illusions, until We as nations and individuals, have reason to sig to be kids once more.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-12-20

Every time there is robbery some- where first reports have it that the robbers were masked.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-12-20
One Year Ago Today in the War.

Dec. 20, 1916-President Wilson sent a note to all the belligerents requesting they define more exact lJ their peace terms as step tow ard peace; Russians made stand at iMoldavian border and in Pob- rudja, where violent fighting was reported under way.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-12-20
Entered at POstoffice at Pine Bluff, Ark, as Second-class Mail Matter.
MEMBER OF ASSOCIATED PRESS

The Associated Press is exclusively entitled to the use for republication of all news dispatches credited to it or not otherwise credited in this paper and also the local news published here in.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-12-20

The owl has no motion in it's eye, but it can turn it's head almost ill complete circle without moving it's body.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-12-20

Nearly one-seventh of the popu- lation of the United States are fore- ign born.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-12-20
WORTH REMEMBERING.

Miners have no right to drop their tools until the soldiers have a chance to drop theirs.
 William Brace, M. P.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-12-20
U. OF A. IGNORED.

Fayetteville, Ark, Dec. 18.-The college of education of the University of Arkansas has been made a member of the Association of Departments of Educational Research, of which Prof. s. A. Courtis, the author of the Cour- tis Tests in Arithmetic, is president. The University of Arkansas is the only state university in the south which is member of this associa- tion and it shares with Tulane uni versity the honor of southern mem- bership.
 For the first time in the history of George Washington university, a girl student-Miss Grace M. Eddy-now lis taking part in the weekly debates of the university debating society.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-12-20

When the attention of The Graphic is called to any mis-statement of facts, or to any error concerning any man or thing, correction will cheerfully be made.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-12-20
"A ChriSfmaS Mo1ie

* * * * . .. # s * *, * * * * # * * *
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-04-16
British Patrols are in Town
But Fall Not Announc-
ed.
Fighting IN ALSACE
French Report That They
Are in Second Line
Trenches.
(Ry Associated Pressl

LONDON, April 16.-Although Brit.
ish patrols have been in the streets of
Lens and Gen. Haig's men are in the
outskirts of st. Quentin, the fall of
neither Of these towns has as yet been
officially announced.
The Germans, it is apparent, have
sent in their reserve and are making
desperate defense to enable their
engineers to complete the distraction
of the mines ana factories at Lens
which might have been useful to the
allies.
Despite the fact that all along the
line between Lens and st. Quentin the
German resistance has stiffened, Gen.
Haig reports today the capture of VII.
leret which Strengthened his line north.
west of st. Quentin and announces fur.
Their progress to the northwest of Lens.
Counter attacks which the Germans
have launched at Monchy and Lagnl.
caurt suggest that the British are ap.
preaching dangerously near the new
German line which, according to un.
official accounts, the Germans have
not had time to complete before the
British offensive was launched.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-04-16
Sunday School Work
in Grant District

Sunday school workers, representing
nearly all the schools in Grant district,
met Sunday afternoon at Manley chap.
ell on Coon's run and organized their
district for more aggressive Sunday
school work. NJ. Nj. Clelland. of Booths.
vile, was selected president; j. l..
Rinehart, vice president; Miss Nora
Coon, secretary-treasurer; Mrs. Ashbe
Manley, superintendent CT the Homo
department; Odell Tall1ington, super.
intendent of the Cradle roll; L. G..
Weeks. superintendent of organized
classes and adult work; Mrs. G. B.
Moore, secondary superintendent; D.
b. Smith, superintendent OF missions
and temperance.
A great deal of interest was mani
tested in the work of the Sunday
schools; a large number taxing part
in the discussions that were had.
People outside of Gran: district who
attended and assisted the organiza-
ton were II. F. Barb, county secretary;
+. ]. Thomas, county treasurer; F. G
Gray, president of Lincoln district, and
Mrs. Lish Pigctt, secretary of Lincoln
District Sunday School association.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-04-16
BIDDING FOR BONDS
WANTS S1,175,0OO
County Court Will Open
Bids for Road Material
Today Also.

Bonds to the value of $1.175,OOO, to
provide money for the paving OF roads
in Paw Paw, Lincoln and Grant dis.
tricts. will be sold this afternoon by
the Marion county court, the court be.
ing in session at press time for that
purpose. Representative of bond buy.
ing firms are present. their bids having
been presented TO the clerk of the
county court before noon today.
The inspecting of bids tor materials
t ODE used in the construction of the
roads, will also be started this after.
noon. II o'clock noon today was the
time limit for these bids. which having
been advertised extensively in the
Manufacturers Record and other trade
journals are expected tc have attracted
large number of first class contrac.
tors.
With the letting of the contracts
actual work will he starte.' at once and
in few weeks the first road will be.
gin to materialize.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-04-16
REPORT GENERAL STRIKE IN GERMAN Capital
.PALATINE KNOB TO
Be GRACED BY FLAG
Tall Staff Being Made by
FairmOnt Mining Ma
chine Company.

A giant flag will be waving from the
top OF Palatine Knob on the highest
flag pole in the state, the flag and its
pole to be the central feature OF park
that is to be made on the knob by the
Greater Fairmont Investment com.
pany, owners of the land.
The idea of making park of the IA
nous knob was decide.i by Greater
Fairmont Investment officials Friday
and the placing OF great flag was de-
c:ded Saturday On being told of the
plan, S. l.. Watson asked to be permit
ted to furnish the flag and his offer
was accepted. Senator G w. Watson,
who went to New York yesterday. was
notified to make the purchase of the
flag today.
The park which will be built on the
knob is being designed by Messrs. Paul
end Ford, landscape engineers with
Sanderson and Porter, and in the en-
ploy OF the Greater Fairmont Invest
ment company. When finished 1t IL
expected that 1t will be one of the most
popular resorts of the city since the
knob is the highest point in Marion
county and is the site of the first house
built in the county.
On the occasion of the aising of the
great flag, a public ceremony will be
arranged and the event probably will
be the most momentous flag raising
in the history Of Fairmomt.
The huge pole on which the flag will
be placed Is being manufactured by the
Fairmont Mining Machinery company.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-04-16
CITY WILL COLLECT
ON PAVING BILLS
Tomorrow Plan for Coal
Run Bridge Will be
Selected.

The city Board of Affairs in session
this morning at the instance of j. Wal
ter Barnes, finance commissioner, en-
tered an order giving the city collec-
tor permission to go ahead and collect
taxes AMI paving bills which have been
long overdue. This will be done as
soon as possible and all outstanding
debts will be collected according to the
methods prescribed by law.
This and reading the minutes of the
last meeting preceded the adjournment
of the body until tomorrow morning
when the board will sit again to meet
William Meusser, of the Concrete
Steel Engineering company OF New
York. At this meeting Mr.. Meusser
will present several tentative plans.
one of which will be selected. This
refers only to the Coal run bridge.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-04-16
German View of
West Front Fight

BERLIN, April 1e.-Between sois.
cons and Verdun, says an official state
ment issued today by German army
headquarters the British and French
yesterday lost II aeroplanes, mostly
of the latest type.
ION the north bank of the river
Scarpe," says the German official
statement, "our destructive fire kept
down British attacking waves and n
storming attack could not be carried
out.
Northeast OF Croisiles our fire rem
dered abortive strong British attack
the enemy suffering severe losses.
North Of the Arras.Cambrai road"
the statement adds, "our thrust drove
the enemy back on Lagnicourt and
Boursies. To sanguinary losses of
Australians must be added loss of 475
prisoners and 10 machine guns which
have been brought in and also % guns
captured and rendered useless by ex-
plosions near ST. Quentin" says the
announcement. Artillery fire again
has increased. From Scissors to
Rheims and in western Champagne
there was exceptionally heavy artil-
lery fire and mine throwing"
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-04-16
Wheeling Vocalist
to Sing in Fairmont

Elsie Gundling Duga. IF Wheeling, a
soprano of ability, will sing with the
Fairmont Choral society at their May
festival on Thursday, the third. The
society will sing Hady'.'s Creation"
and Mrs. Duga will sing the soprano
parts. w. D. Barringto J. OF this city,
will sing the tenor scores and Jack Alb.
bolt. the baritone. A chorus of fifty
voices will support the sploists. Week
ly rehearsals have been held since
early in February for the event. The
regular rehearsal will be held Tues.
day night at 1850 at the Y. NJ C. A.
auditorium.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-04-16
LOCAL COLOR IN
MAYORS COURT
Morgantown Barber, White,
Victim of Throw Down
by Cupid.

Police court this morning was SO and
44-100 per cent. pure negro. Three gen.
tlemen of color were pinched at 1916
this morning on Cherry avenue for try
ing to break into some houses in that
section. They are Allen Milburn, OF
Baltimore; John Miller, of Pittsburgh,
and Elijah Wright. All were released
for lack OF evidence. Nine other
blacks, Edward Link, Charley VII.
liams. Bob Crowder, Jahe Ellis, Sey.
mour Scott, Shields Hallway, Charles
Johnson, Frank Baker and c. Mer.
chant forfeited Sc each for shooting
crap in the presence of the chief or
police who was searching SCotty's
place on jackson street for man want.
ed at Clarksburg. The men refused to
come at first claiming the chief should
first have q warrant. After being told
that they were caught in the act rolls
of bills were displayed and each pro.
duced the So.
Jack Tanning, colored, was juggeo
Saturday night drunk and gave So yes.
terday for his appearance this morn
ing. He failed to appear.
leila Watkins. drunk at the Balti.
more and Ohio station, forfeited IS.
John Korber, barber, OF Morgantowr,
was the last prisoner called. Korbel
was badly cut and scratched, having
been arrested for being found drunk
on Washington street He had pur-
chased a pint Of water from negro
for $1.50. He told the court he was
not drinking man that he had come
here to get married and was turned
down and Just got drunk. He was
fined So and being unable to pay was
allowed to get out of town.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-04-16
DR.. FRANK REEVES
PROMPTLY FREED
Was Arrested as a German
Spy While Making Oil
Prospects.

DR.. Frank Reeves. doctor of philis
ply at Johns Hopkins university and
son of Mr.. and Mrs. ]. w. Reeves, OF
this city, who was arrested Saturday
on Cabin Creek as an alleged Ger
man spy, was released today after an
appearance before federal authorities
at Charleston.
DR.. Reeves was arrested on the
mountains of Cabin creek Friday even.
ing when detectives discovered him
making maps of the region. In his room
at Charleston where he has been stay.
ing with his wife, a German woman
were found many other maps of the
Charleston region with location marks
upon them.
lnasmuch as he was in the region
prospecting for an oil company the
maps were perfectly natural part of
his equipment.