davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Mexico weekly ledger., 1917-03-15

is praying for President Wilson to
throw personal and political consider
atoms to the wind, open a new book
when war threatens and write in it
the names of the best men in Ameri-
ca, irrespective of party, to help the
President to use Americas vast re-
sources against the enemy. To fight
Germany with Algers and Skaters be-
cause such men are friends of the ad-
ministration or because their dis
missal would give pain is looked upon
by Americans returning from the
European theatre as unthinkable.
Almost 300 U-Boats
l have tried to get information as
to the number of German submarines,
but Germany successfully conseals the
figures. The best composite guess /
have been able to get is $50 to three
hundred big ones. All on this ship ex-
pressed surprise when I gave them
the current English valuation of the
submarine effort, namely that while it
was regarded as serious, there was not
the slightest immediate prospect of
starving England. There is more
food in England today than ever be-
fore, perhaps six months and certain
ly three months clear surplus. Ger
mans will have to increase vastly the
present rate Of destruction to empty
the British cupboard in a year.
A Craving for Peace
The Berlin contingent admit that if
the submarine stroke fails the disap-
pointment and hunger in Germany will
create a situation favorable to the
acceptance of peace without victory.
In this connection those fresh
from Germany are mystified at the
clamor there for peace concurrently
with the renewed vigor in waging
war. There has always been talk of
peace, but this has become a peace
craving. Press and public are quite
frank about it. Indeed, there is every
indication that word has been passed
along the line from above to couple
the peace talk with ruthless warfare.
German ingenuity delights in such
expedients.
The Germans don't advertise their
own weakness, but when elephants are
commandeered from menageries to
pull heavy loads through the streets of
Berlin it suggests a breakdown in
means of transportation, maybe more
serious in conducting the war than
the loss Of man power.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1917-03-15
NEW U-BOAT CHASER

BOSTON, March 10. = The boat
Stone spoke of in his speech against
the armed-ship bill, is a wooden tor
pedo boat which can be hoisted out on
any sort of naval craft, can make IA
miles an hour, if necessary, is equipp-
ed with a torpedo tube forward and a
1-pounder aft, needs but three or four
men to handle her and weighs but Is
tons.
The boat now is being put in shape
for the trial test of the Navy Depart
ment at Greenport, L. l.. The boat is
built for offensive work and regarded
as a formidable enemy to submarines.
She was planned by James Hus-
sey, a noted naval architect, from
specifications furnished by the Navy
Department. Under the latter she
had to be more than 40 feet long and
able to do the following:
"Forty-one miles an hour in smooth
sea; 81 miles an hour in moderate sea;
to be able to keep in action in heavy
weather, with a torpedo attack and
make 36 miles an hour in a moderate
gale"
Mexico weekly ledger., 1917-03-15
Women Census Takers


Wyandotte County, Kansas, will
have its eensus taken by women this
year. 1t is the first time in the his
tory of the county that this part of
the work has been done exclusively by
women. In former years, one or
two women have been employed in the
census work, and their records pass
ed such a satisfactory inspection that
Mr.. Kramer decided to place the list
ing entirely in their hands.
States Out of Debt
Two States of the Union are who'll
ly out Of debt. Do you know which
they are? Hold your breath while
the names are told. They are Wyo-
ming and Kansas. Women are voters
in both these well-managed states
and watch the state funds like good
house-keepers, who must make ends
meet and save a little besides. Draw
your W moral and then decide if
you are reasonable or just ignorantly
p~rejudiced against the ballot for
women. Kansas and Wyoming are
the answer.
No Theory But Fair Play
Ten millions of dollars is a large
sum to invest safely that it may make
a proper return to its owners. Miss
Bina West does this as treasurer for
the Women's Benefit Association of
the Maccabees. Because of her re-
sponsibilities she gives the reason
why she believes in votes for women
This is what she says:
Mexico weekly ledger., 1917-03-15
SEEKS FAMILY INFORMATION

Col. Robert M. White, Mexico, Mo.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala, March 5,
1917. - My Dear Sir: A gentleman,
Professor J. A. Anderson, of the
Alabama University, was over to see
me this afternoon, hoping to get a
piece of information out of me which,
| am sorry to say, | could not furnish.
/ told him that Col. R. M. White,
might be able to satisfy him, if any
one could do it.
Here is the matter, in a nutshell:
Prof. Anderson is tracing the lines of
his family. In his effort, he traced
one line to Mexico, Mo-, and there
lost it. Hearing that l am from
Mexico, he rushed we ITO goats
house to get some WOOL"
Prof. Anderson wants to trace up
James Anderson who went from
Bluntville, Sullivan County, Ten
nessee, to Mexico, Mo-, in the 184O's.
His first wife was a Miss Finnella
Doggett. After her death, he mar
ried (name not KNOWN out there in
the West, Any information will be
appreciated. Mr.. Rufus Pearson
might be able to throw some light on
the matter. If you get any facts in
the case, please state them in the
Weekly Ledger. and l will convey
them to Prof. Anderson.
Why does a man, his wife and his
children grab for the dear old Ledger?
You have been giving out some very
sad news. 1t falls like lead on hearts
as far away as Alabama. 1t hurts
a town when good people lie down to
"sleep the sleep hal knows no wax
1t hurts most the friends who
are left behind. Do not forget that
you Mexico people came with us to
Alabama. We are not willing for any
one of you to break out of our hearts,
to Ego up higher"
With all good wishes,s
Your friend,
W. D. F0NVILLE.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1917-03-15
GERARD WRITING
BOOK TO ROUSE U. S.
TO WAR PERIL

Food situation in Germany is
critical and unless U-boat warfare
prospers an upheavel before next
harvest is predicted by Charles H.
Grasty, a correspondent returning
with the Gerard party.
Social conditions in Berlin re-
ported by him as deplorable. Illi-
Ultimate births reach rs per cent
and popular taste calls for a muir
der in every act on the State.
Ambassador Gerard is writing a
book designed to rouse Americans
to their danger.
People have faith in U-boat war
fare and were surprised by break
with Washington, having believed
Wilson was bluffing.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1917-03-15
TAXES COLLECTED N
1876 WERE S2O5,32L.77
More Persons Paid Taxes in Audrain
in 1916 Than Paid During the
Year Of 1915
TAX RATES
Report of Collector Said to Have
Been More Satisfactory Than
Any Previous Settlement

Monday the County Court made the
annual settlement with the County
Collector, G. T. Powell. Judge C.
c. Bledsoe, of the County Court, stat.
ed Tuesday morning that it was the
best settlement ever made by a collec.
tor, that the reports were in better
shape.
The report showed the total collec.
tons for the year of 1916 to be $685..
321.77, coming from the following
sources:
Current tax, $150,031. 92.
Back tax, S16,2S1. 90.
Railroad and telegraph tax, $780,.
1863. AS.
Merchants tax, $3.50. "a.
Pool and billiard licenses, $78. 90.
Peddlers' licenses, $240 90.
Although the total amount of the
taxes collected for 1916 were some.
what smaller than for 1915, the mum.
Der of persons paying taxes was larg,
er. The decrease in the amount Of
money paid in was due to the lower
tax rate. The county tax rate was
decreased zoe and the Mexico Schoo'
decreased zoe and the Mexico scho'
tax rate decreased 25c.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1917-03-15
is DAVIS SHOE CO

Joe Davis has purchased the inter.
est of his partner, Roy G. Mitchell
who died recently, and in the future
the shoe business will be known as
the Davis Shoe Company. Mr.. Davis
says the change will be completed this
week.
Mr.. Davis is an experienced bust
ness man with many friends in this
city and in the short time he and his
partner had the business enjoyed a
splendid growth. Mr.. Mitchell's loss
was a great shock to Mexico and a loss
to the progressive business circles of
the city. The Ledger joins the many
friends of Mr. Davis in wishing him
continued success and prosperity.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1917-03-15
SOUTH SIDE CAMP FIRE
GIRLS WELL ORGANIZED
Plans Are Now Being Made for Or
ganizatiOp for the Girls
in the Lower Grades.
MISS LAKE IN CHARGE OF WORK
Camp Of Seventeen Members was Or
ganized in September; Have
Reached First Degree.

Mexico now has a well. organized
movement which does for the girls
what the Boy Scout movement ac-
complishes for the boys. This is the
Camp Fire girls organization of the
South Side School, called the South
Side Camp, which is in charge of Miss
Coralie Lake, as guardian.
This camp was organized in Sep
TENDER and now sixteen of the seven
teen members have reached the first
degree, that of Wood Gather. To
reach this degree the Campfire girl
must have been a member of the
camp for 2 months, have her ceremo-
NAL gown and gained ten of the TAT
elective honor, which include; cooking
four appetizing dishes, preparing eggs
in four ways, walking forty miles in
four days, making a garment, being
familiar with the lives of ten authors,
and many other things. To reach the
next degree, that of Fire Maker, the
girl must have been a member of a
camp for one year and have thirty
honors. The third and highest de-
gree is that of Torch Bearer.
The camp holds four meetings each
month or n each week; a business
meeting, a craft meeting, a ceremo-
NAL meeting and a social meeting.
At the craft meetings the girls re-
ceive instruction in sewing and cook
ing and the honors won are conferred
at the ceremonial meeting.
The members Of the South Side
Camp ire: Helen Million, Rose Stall
lings, Elizabeth Worrell, Rosaline
Smith, Mary Ankrum, Sybil Nieder!s
schultz, Virginia Richards, Pauline
Collins, Gladys Johnson, Mildred
Cross, Mary Waters, Josephine Jor-
dan, Opal Sword, Eula Howerton,
Lorraine Roberts, Mary Ridgeway and
Leona Wilkerson.
1t is planned to organize a camp of
of Blue Birds, a junior Camp Fire
Girls organization, for girls between
6 and IL years old, soon. This organ
ization is along the same lines as the
Campfire Girls, but for younger girls
and the honors and degrees, and the
work required is simpler. All the
Campfire girls are between the ages
of IL and 16 and are in the seventh
and eighth grades.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1917-03-15
DRY AMENDMENT PASSES

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo-, March 8.
= Without discussion - almost per-
functorily = the House passed the
Clapper prohibition amendment We'd
nesday afternoon by a vote of 81 to
%.
This provides for a vote in 1918
at the general election.
Representatives Frank H. Farris
and Tom DUNN, who led the fight 2
years ago on the dry bills, each voted
for the amendment. Each explained
his vote before the roll call started.
Farris said he proposed to support
the amendment because charges had
been made that prohibition was de-
feated by fraudulent tactics last FALL.
DUNN said he would support it be-
cause the people have a right to vote
upon any proposition. st. Louis
members, except Harry B. Halves,
who absented himself, opposed the
amendment.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1917-03-15
KING sCHLATTER IS GUILTY

LOS ANGELES, Cal, March H.
king" Francis S~chlatter, self-styled
divine healer, was found guilty in the
United States District Court on q
charge of using the mails to defraud
The jury deliberated but four minutes
"Prince" August Schrader, code.
PENDANT in the case, died soon after
the start of the trial several weeks
ago.
Schlatter and Schrader, it was tes-
titled, sent through the mails "bless-
ed handkerchiefs," application of
which to affected parts were assert
ed to cause cures or give relief. The
two healers established several
churches and at one time conducted a
periodical called the Rams Horn.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1917-03-15
COUNTY SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL
BOARDS ARE WELL REPRE-
SCENTED AT ANNUAL MEETING
Board Members and Teachers Attend
Annual County School Boards
Meeting Here

Teachers and members of the
school boards of Audrain county at
tended the annual meeting Of the
school boards held at the Court
House here Saturday. County Su-
perintendent of Schools w. Clyde
johnson presided over the meeting.
The teachers training class of Nc
MILAN High School also attended the
meeting. The problems of the teach
ers and the members of the school
boards were discussed by the teach
ers and board members.
The board members who attended
the meeting were: 7 ] Geiler and
John Shrader, w S Boyd and ] F
Whitledge, Vandalia; C w Hoyt and
n M Parrish, Laddonia; S T Torrey-
son, Rush Hill; H Z Christrup, John
Hansen and George Glass, Laddonia;
H c Fisher, J H Kammermeyer and
Nv M Beamer, Moline; r 7 Byars,
Mexico; Q E Haffner, Rush Hill; C
W Ellis and J A Cauthorn, Moline;
I M Dowell, Moline; S P Carter, Rob-
ert Powell, J A Henderson, W C
Shuttle, Mexico; A L Lipp F ] Wea-
yer, Moline; B F Cant, Rowena; H o
Baker, G W Merry, Centralia; Elmer
Gatewood, J F Patrick, F L McGee,
Moline; ] W Walker, G B Showers,
T Arnold, JB Inskeep, E F Fagg,
J W Brockman, A C Brockman, Cen
%tralia; R D Hawkins, W W Croswhite,
] F Brundige, Clark; F H Marsh. L
Miller, ] H Steinke, w D Barnes, c
W Wilson, Centralia; E M Morris,
Mexico; W M Thompson, Thompson;
II C Barkley, Rush Hill; Mark
Pierce, Harry Erdelf, Mexico; Vol
Erdel, Rush Hill; A G billiard, Lad
donia; Bert Waddington, Will Ray,
Benton City; VIM Freyer, ] R Scott,
] W Clark, G L Williams, Laddonia;
U G Maskey, Wellsville; F M Tate,
W ] Shadwell, W W Banks, William
Riutchel, Martinsburg; ] E Stratton,
H c Hutchins, Benton City; M C
Barnes, L C Walker, J T Dudley,
Mexico; J ] F johnson, Benton City;
Rothwell Crews, James Crum, A ]
Crum, Mexico; B A Smith, Thomp-
son.
The following teachers of the our
ty attended the meeting: Misses
Susie Holloway, Laddonia; Pearl Par
ker, New Michigan; Bess Hickman,
A~uxvasse; Ella Crisweil, East Lick;
Myrtle Roberts, Walker; Elizabeth
o'Brien, Bryan; Marie Henderson,
Sneed; Marguerite Wright, Black;
Blanche White, Liberty; Zella Brown,
Chapel Grove; Alma Brown, Eureka;
Bernice Ray. Carter; Ruth Cook,
Fisher; Mildred Cook, Gatewood;
Mabel Cook, Bean Creek; Nora Moore
Benton City; Nina Betz, Maple Grove;
Ruth Miller, Prairie Chapel; Bessie
Watson, Burnham; Mrs. nellie Nc
Keehan, High Hill; Percy Fuhrur,
Lawder; E E Shay, Benton City, and
Miss May Powell.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1917-03-15
Clark Suggests Cure

WASHINGTON, D. c., March 10.
= Speaker Clark during a call at the
White House yesterday, announced
that he could cure President Wilson's
cold in 48 hours if he would submit ia
old-fashioned treatment.
"It is easy to cure a cold" said the
Speaker. "All you have co do is to
take a dose of calomel, give your feet
a red-hot bath, rub the chest with
horse liniment, and snuff salt water
up the nose. 1t has never failed me. u
Mexico weekly ledger., 1917-03-15
~WOMAN'S
WORLDS
AM&z@AAAQ

81 always believed in suffrage for
women theoretically, but when an
amendment to the Michigan constitu-
ton was put through which directly
affected beneficiary societies and we
had no voice in the matter, then l
knew that it was no longer a theo-
retic question with me-"
Truly, Legislatures should have as
vital an interest for women as have
kitchens. Both are in direct rela-
ton with a well-managed home.
Casts Electoral Vote
Three women cast votes in the cleo
toral college last Januaryaand among
them vas one-Mrs. W. c. Tyler, of
Los Angeles-who formerly lived in
Missouri Mrs. Tyler has been active
in Democratic politics and in suf-
frage work for some time. Last
June she was a delegate to the Demo-
cratic convention and later toured
Missouri and some of the Eastern
States urging votes for women.
She was born and reared in Mexico,
Mo-, and graduated from Hardin Col
.lege.
Woman Church Director
On January 10 at the annual meet
ing Of the Presbyterian Church of
Jefferson City, Miss Mathilde Dali
meyer was chosen a member of the
church board of directors for the
coming year. This action by one Of
Jefferson City's most prominent
churches shows a bit of the change
with regard to woman's position in
the church.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1917-03-15
SEA GuLLS SEEN HERE

About eve o'clock Monday morn
ing a number of sea gulls were seer
flying over Mexico. The birds were
headed southwest, and were flying
very low. l.. R. Ferris, who saw
them, says they were white and were
very much like pigeons, only longer,
and were thought by some to be pig
cons; but Mr.. Ferris knows sea gulls
when he sees them, having lived on
the sea coast at one time.
The birds e probably driven in
land by a storm.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1917-03-15
BACK UP THE PRESIDENT

MONTPELIER, VT, March 10. =
Former President Taft in addressing
the Vermont Legislature said:
"There must be no uncertainty in
backing up the President in using all
the forces at his command to protect
our commercial vessels at whatever
cost. War is dreadful, but we cannot
purchase immunity from it at the sac
rifice of u national honor and The
prudential rights of our citizens"
Mexico weekly ledger., 1917-03-15
Judges for General City Election to
Be Held on Tuesday, April 8,
Are Appointed

At the regular meeting of the City
Council Monday night the judges for
the general city election, which is to
be held on Tuesday, April 8, were ap-
pointed, as follows:
Mr.. Hook moved that Sam Arky,
Iof st. Louis, owner of the building
which was occupied by the Mexico
Poultry Company, before it was re-
Gently destroyed by fire, be instruct
led to tear down the old smoke stack
and clean the rubbish from the walks
around the building.
Mr.. Armstrong presented bills to
the amount of $1,928. 25.
The following financial statement
was made:
February IL, 1917, balance in
general fund .......... 1892. 50
February -, 1917, warrants
drawn ........ ......,. 1,425. 81
February 26, warrants drawn 1856. 66
1888. OF
February 27, deposited by j. D.
Mckee ........ .......... 1856. Sc
March 3, deposits by j. D. Nc
Kee ...... ............. sci .66
March 8, deposits by j. D. Nc
kee ........ ..!......... 1922 .46
$S,52S. %
March IL, 1917, balance in general
fund ........ ........ $6,S40.2 81
March IL, balance in light fund
1850. 20
March IL, balance in Library
fund ........ .......... 1,07S. 23
March IL, balance in sewer
fund ........ .......... 95. 06
March IL, balance in Cemetery
n ....... ...,....... 105. %
March IL, balance in road fund SO. So
Mexico weekly ledger., 1917-03-15
Same Hour. in Same House

CENTRALIA, Mo-, March 8. =
Mrs. E. j. Brown, formerly of this
city died yesterday at Clifton Hill,
Mo-, at the home of her brother, who
died the same hour in the same house.
Mclaughlin, aged 70 years, died
near here yesterday. He has resided
here fifty years.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1917-03-15
CHURCHES TO FLY U. S. FLAG

ATLANTIC CITY, N. j., March 8.
- Old Glory is to ripple from the
steeple tops OF every Methodist
Church in New Jersey until the pres.
ent international crisis has passed.
This was the decision of the 40C
pastors and lay delegates, following q
big patriotic demondtration at the
eighty-first annual session of the
New Jersey Methodist Conference
here.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1917-03-15

P. E. Bray, who for sometime has
been employed in Arthur Holmes bar
Der shop, has gone to Campbell, Mo.
to accept a position in a barber shop
there. His many friends regret to
see him leave Mexico, but wish him
success in his lew location .
Mexico weekly ledger., 1917-03-15

Schlatter was in Mexico quite a
number of years ago and Leigh
Mitchell Hodges, now an editorial
writer on he. Philadelphia North
American, but at hat time city edi-
tor of the Ledger, started a campaign
in the Ledger exposing Schlatter and
his methods with the eventual result
of driving him from the city.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1917-03-15
GERMANY GIVES ALL TO
ITS GREAT WAR GOD
Former Mexico Resident Writes Of
Conditions in kaiser's Country
Returns With Gerard
NATION STILL VERY STRONG
His Story is One of the First Anthem
tic to Reach the U. S. Uncen-
sored and UncolOred

Here is a brief story Of Germany's
economic and political situation as
CLEANED by Chas. Grasty, a former
Mexico boy, who made the 11-day
journey from Europe to Havana, Gu
ba, with Ambassador Gerard's party.
and secured his information from the
members of the party, 1t is the first
authentic report reaching this coun-
try without treatment by censor or
coIoring by foreign agents. The ar
ticle Is appearing in many Of the big
dailies Of this country.
First Germany is hungry and
there is danger of famine undermin-
ing her strength before the next har-
vest.
Second - Germany is united in ev-
cry way and solid behind the Kaiser.
The common soldiers are sick of the
war, but cannot help themselves.
Third-The submarines are relied
upon az end the war. Won Tirpitz
is unable to actively lead because of
i'll health.
Fouth = Germany believes their
Western front means almost a pro.
81. -.
hibitive sacrifice on the part of the
Allies for a sustained offensive.
Fifth - Germany is contemptuous
about America entering the war, feel
ing the U. s. cannot strike it a hard
blow.
Sixth = Germany is threatened
with Generalization, but sufficiently
strong to take a lot of beating.
Seventh = Russia is not figured in
the foregoing conclusions as she CON
tinues to remain rather an unknown
quantity.
The food shortage in Germany is
really serious; more so than was gen.
orally believed. If the submarine war
fare does not result in relief a Sc
rious upheaval impends.
The misery resulting from the food
conditions is observable in every face.
A thick soup of cabbage and turnips,
a bit of meat and a trace of grease
could be bought at the community
kitchens in the cities for six cents
Thirty pfenning) and bread at one
cent a slice, but thirty minutes after
eating one was hungry again.
Mothers and babies are without milk
and-the suffering is great.
Throughout the trying time the
German women have been showing
splendid nerve. They are taking
mems places at manual labor. Many
assure me that if the women are
called they will respond in tremen-
dous numbers, game to perform ma
ny trench tasks, if not actually to
full military duty.
Moral Laws Cast Aside
The moral and social conditions are
entirely unlike old Germany. In high
society spying and intrigue prevail.
Nobody trusts anybody and the con-
v~ersation is all insincerity and de-
ception. While the unwritten law
still holds among the nobility the laws
regulating divorce are a dead letter.
Soldiers at the front and wives at
straints. Legitimate births now
reach rs per cent in Berlin and even
more in Bavaria, and the percentage
is increasing.
Women Ruled by Iron Rod
The tendencies in Germany to rule
womankind with a rod of iron have
been emphasized by the war. Men use
women roughly and punish them ply
sically for trifling faults. Women are
treated as recognized interiors and
they don't resent it.
Our Best Men Needed
Everybody who has seen Germany