davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1917-04-05
WHEAT GROWERS TAKE NOTICE
Rnlout find q lattor thot A Rnh-

WHEAT GROW ENS IAN NOllCE.
Below find letter that A. A. Rob-
inson received from H. l.. Bolley Of
the A. C. College in regard to sowing
light weight wheat. This wheat was
some SO pound Durum and the same
rule applies to Bluestem and Marquis.
Farmers, look out for this light
weight wheat, we want crop this
year and the only way you will get
one is to get good seed.
The letter follows:
Agricultural College, March 80.
A. A. Robinson Elevator Co.,
Minot, N. D. ..
Gentlemen:
Referring to your letter Of Mar. 20,
our record No. 1886, your sample Of
wheat, Durum, marked Muller" ger
inmates on the 3rd day SO per cent.
When graded to remove the lightest
one-third it will give a termination
approximating Is to 80 per cent and
will probably make a stand in prop
erly prepared seed bed. Not over 1
hushel of such Durum should be used
per acre as it will be too thick on the
ground. The light weight plants will
rot do well unless given the very best
of conditions.
Yours truly,
H. L. BOLLEY.
GOOD STORIES FROM "GINGER"
COntrariwise
Mrs. Neighborly-1s Johnnie all
over the measles?
Johnnie's Brother-No'm. They're
all over Johnnie.
Wife-John, they tell me that money
talks.
Husband-Yes, I've heard that.
Wife--Well, I'm very lonesome
while you're away, so l wish you'd
leave little around to converse with
me.
Says an exchange: An Irishman
died and Of course went to Heaven,
but good St. Peter told him he was
sorry but there was no more room as
big consignment of Swedes had just
arrived from Minneapolis. "Can |
get in if l make room?" asked Pat.
"Certainly," replied St. Peter. The
Irishman shouted through: "Hey, you
fellows, there's free snuff in hell"
VtSLIlOpc AC lCClC wy
staying at the home of Mr.. and Mrs:
Geo. Williams just north of town, and
whom they are planning on adopting,
was set on by three or four boys the
first of last week, and as result, has
been laid up ever since and will be for
another week. While one boy con-
siderable older than he, held him, the
others heaved rocks at him, and one
leg was bruised from the knee down,
so he has been unable to use it since.
Acts Of that kind are downright, low
lived meaness, and double dose Of
strap oil should have been applied to
the whole bunch to the spot where it
would do the most good.
Travelling men of North Dakota
have launched campaign to raise a
million dollars to care for the DEEPEN
dents Of travelling men who will be
called into service in case the United
States and Germany 60 to war.
The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1917-04-05

cial declared that the device was "the
greatest thing Of it's kind ever de-
vised by man.
The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1917-04-05
TWO SIZE: S

MITCHELL - roomy, 7-passen-
ger Six, with 127-inch wheelbase
and highly developed 48-horse-
power motor.
Price $1460, f. O. b. Racine
MITCHELL JUNIOR "a Spas
senger Six on similar lines, with
120-inch wheelbase, and a 40
horsepower motor-1-4 inch small
err bore.
Price $3.50 f. o. b. Racine
Also six styles Of enclosed and con-
vertible bodies. Also new Club
Roadster.
The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1917-04-05

more Mitchell gives than others.
It will win you to this car.
The Visible Extras
See the 81 features which nearly all
cars omit. Things like power tire
pump, dashboard engine primer re
versible headlights, etc. Every one
of these 81 extras is something that
you want.
See the extra beauty. We have
this year added "a per cent to the cost
of finish, upholstery and trimming.
That is saved in our new body plant,
which we occupy this year.
Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1917-01-04

A Squire in the recent County
Court made the statement that
Prohibition was a Kilkenny cat
fight" The Courier-Journal of
Louisville. in an attack on the
prohibition movement makes the
statement that it is not christian
like to attack a mans business.
1t meant that the whiskey bust
ness should not be attacked. 1t
further said that since the adj
vent of Christ there had been
nothing but confusion over relig-
ion. Possibly Christ-in order
to satisfy the Courier-Journal-
ought to have stayed off the
the earth. Consequently if
Christ had stayed off this earth
it would not have been unchrist-
ian like for the Courier-Journal
to have attacked prohibition
for resisting the whiskey devil is
Prohibitions own business and
as a last sequence there would
have been no Kilkenny catfight.
Assuredly Mr.. Christ ought to
have kept out of the muddle, and
let the world get blind drunk
whenever it wanted to or as long
as good grain to make liquor ex-
listed.
Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1917-01-04
RAISING FUNDS
TO BUY TOMBSTONE

Jasper. Tenn, Jan. An effort
was made here today to raise funds to
buy tombstone to place over grave
Of Jas. Watley. recently deceased.
Among those contributing amounts
we're 5. S. Tate, 81; L. P. Brewer.
25c; ]. F. Lewis. 25c; NJ. F. Thach,
CSC; S. L. Rogers, 81; G. W. Brew
er, a5c; Chas. Gillian, 25c; Foster
v. Powell, Csc. !; A. L. Mccullough
Csc; D. A. Tate, 81; j. 7 Raulston,
soc; J. L. Raulston, soc; S. C.
Green. soc; F. NJ. Mccullough, SOC;
J. R. Janey, Csc; ]. NJ. Kelly, a5c;
W. A. Cantrell, soc; ]. G. Higdon,
SOC; e. R. Holcombs, 25c; o. L. Gil
liam, a5c; J. J. Dykes, soc; ". NJ.
Lee, soc; M. D. Brewer. soc; W. C.
Hill, CSC.
Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1917-01-04
WhitWelI.
b<cidl to tie Ne5Os,

Special TO tie Ns5os.
There is several cases of meas
les in this town. They seem to
be hurting the babies, and several
deaths have occurred.
John Turner called on We
writer Sunday afternoon.
Harry Henson, of South Pitts
burg, was in this town Sunday.
Well, Uncle Blue" l was glad
to see a piece in the News from
you this week.
If you want to see Jno. Turner
smile just ask him how he likes
his cook.
Mrs. Stocie Bolland is visiting
relatives across the river.
Mrs. Jno. Shirley said she
would like to read a long letter
in the News from her sister, Mrs.
Matte Myers, of Scottsville, KY.
Jno. Freemen and wife return
ed home Sunday afternoon after
visiting relatives at Ornne, Tenn.
Jim Payne has been on the sick
list but is better.
The mines are running six days
a week but the turn is not good.
The men get only three or four
cars a day, and groceries are sure
high. | think eggs sold at fifty
cents Xmas. l bought mine
while they were twenty five cents
so | was as sharp as the mer-
chants. Brown Eyes.
Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1917-01-04
RAILROADS AND THE
NATIONS GROWTH
United States Has FOrtY-five Per
Cent of Worlds Railroad
Mileage.

Since 1882 when the first mile
of railroad track was laid in the
United States to the present this
country has bounded forward in
population, production and politi-
cal power until it now, holds the
most commanding position in the
world. Every dollar that has
been spent in railroad develop
ment represents the voluntary
investment of private capital by
citizens of this country or foreign
lands who were led to put their
money in this speculative class of
investment by their faith in in the
destiny of this Republic and be-
cause of their absolute confidence
in the integrity of our courts to
protect them in the unimpaired
possession of their rights as stock
holders and bondholders against
any form of spoilation or confis-
cation.
1t is not by magic that $50, 900
miles of steam railroad been built
in the United States to gridiron
its three million square miles of
continental area, including prair-
les, uplands and mountain fast
nessess and afford homes for our
100, 725,00 people.
1t was not by government fore
sight or legislative enactment
that this country built a greater
railroad system than exists in all
of Europe with its 500, 900, 900 in
habitants as compared with our
hundred million.
Let us as a nation analyze the
great railroad legislative ques-
ton and see if it does not vitality
affect each of US. 1t certainly is
directly and vitality operative on
every one in daily life. 1t regu-
lates our home, and the price we
pay for food, our business and
social activities.
The United States has forty
five per cent of all railroad mile
age in the world with popula.
ton of one hundred million as
compared to the balance of the
world with population of l, 400, |
700, 900. 1t can thus be seen that |
here is a direct connection be-
;ween the unprecedented and I'M
oaralleled development OF rail-
'oads in the United States and our
growth as a nation. New York
Commercial.
Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1917-01-04
Henry Richardson.

Henry Richardson died at the
home of his father at Victoria
Monday of tuberculosis. Inter-
ment was made at Sardis Tuesday
under the auspices of the lodge of
Red Men of Whitwell, of which
he was member, Rev. E. r.
Lewis of Sequatchie, officiating
minister.
Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1917-01-04

The Louisville Courier Journal,
speaking of destroying the bust
ness of bfeweries and distilleries,
says it is against tine Bible to do
so. Thou shall not steal' SOL
emily quotes the Courier journal.
What about the millions Of dollars
the brewies and distilleries of
Kentucky have stolen from the
bellies and backs of little children
in the South for years past?
Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1917-01-04

MIR. Bailey, of Chicago. who
was here recently, said that a
coming business for this section
was the making of toys and small
wooden articles. Now. let us
not hear of somebody knocking
over Cumberland Mountain to get
into the business.
Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1917-01-04

The county court gets lots OF
criticism for failure to do right.
The fact is, the job is a hard one
to perform, and there is a case
damned if you do and damned
if you don't" The principal OBJ
lection, however, is that the
squires fail to study up on the
questions involved ahead of time
and thus have ideas Of their own
to offer. There are only three
or four active speakers in the
county court, and either the ideas
they offer are blindly followed or
no new ones offered. County
finance is really a matter of deep
study and consideration, and it
is much easier to appropriate tax
money than for tho people to
pay thebills.
Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1917-01-04
SHOT
WITH 20 RIFLE

Arthur Barrett was accidentally
shot Monday afternoon by Mel Wells,
a bullet from go rife taking effect
in the feshy part of Barrett's Leg.
The boys were hunting near Sequa-
chez river, and ny some carelessness
on the part of Wells. who had the
rifle, it went off, wounding Barrett.
He walked to his home where DR.. La
cy treated the wound.
Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1917-01-04
Dallas, Texas.

Spreal 10 TIE Ne1Of.
Esteemed editor, presume you and
the many readers Of the News will
think that l do nothing but run
around all the time, and the guess
would not be far wrong. am busy
only about 10 or ~ days in each
month. Then I have nothing to do
from the 10Th to list, and had as vel
spend it visiting as mopiug around my
rooms. left here December % for
Arlington to spend Christmas, and at
tend Christmas tree at Thomas Chap
ell, FIVE miles south of Arlington. AT
1880 p. M. the crowd began to assem-
BILE at the Chapel. When the doors
were opened and lights turned on, one
of the most beautiful sights met the
vision of the visitors and Sunday
school students they ever had the
pleasure of looking upon. A large &C.
dar tree was heavily loaded with
presents for all of the Sunday school
classes and visitors. Everyone seemed
to enjoy the gathering together OF
friends and their families and friends.
One could not wish for a nicer time
than we had there. There were few
young fellows not worthy to be called
young gentlemen, who undertook to
cause a disturbance, but they did not
go far until they found they we're very
much in the minority, and the good
people we're not going to allow any
rufinism, and they soon quieted down
and all had nice time and all pro-
nounced it good and very good.
Christmas morning there were eight
or ten came out from Dallas and other
places for big rabbit hunt, which
proved to be very successful. They
killed about SO rabbits and some
quail. At noon they all gathered in at
the home of T. s. Bracken to partake
of one of Mrs. Bracken's famous din
ners, of turkey, cranberry sauce, dres-
sing, cakes and pies, ETC. Well,i it was
too good to try to tell 1t all. All
went away saying it was good to be
there. remained until the 9th,
then Miss Callie, daughter Of Mr..
Bracken, came to Dallas with me to
visit relatives and friends. The last
two days she has been visiting her
cousins, Mr.. and Mrs. J. G.. Payne.
a few miles south of Dallas.
As a whole we had very pleasant
Christmas. There was much less
and crime than we have
had in Dallas since have been here,
II years. There were very few brawls
and no murders as far as l have
heard. Very few accidents and gener-
al good behavior.
We have bad few days of real win
ter weather in the last two weeks.
Got down as low as 30 above on one
occasion, but it does not remain cold
very long. It is nice spring like
weather now. The weather man has
been trying to give us some Is or 90
degree weather but failed to get 1t
here on time. and I hope he will still
fail to make his guess good.
Yes, "Old Joe." know what 1t is to
be left alone. II 1t were not for my
many good friends and relatives, it
would be much worse, but no friend
Or relative can fill the place of lost
the sad thoughts and lone.
" hours are always there.
Hope to hear from the many good
writers in the next paper. Let all try
and do better in 1917 than we have in
The past Lone Star.
Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1917-01-04

AS long as the Price of coal re-
mains at SIS per ton perhaps there
will be some incentive to private
parties to open a mine in this
vicinity. Just now the price is
So per ton at the mines and the
Dixie highway is in such a devil
of condition that no one wants
to haul it.
Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1917-01-04

There is more Catarrh in this section
Of the country than all other diseases
put together, and for years 1t was sup
local remedies. and by constantly falling
to cure with local treatment, pronounced
it incurable. Catarrh is local disease,
greatly influenced by constitutional con-
ditions and therefore requires constitu-
tional treatment Halls Catarrh Medi-
cine. manufactured by F J. Cheney &
Co.. Toledo. Ohio, is a constitutional
remedy. is taken internally and acts
thru the Blood on the Mucous Surfaces
Of the System. One Hundred Dollars re-
ward Is offered for any case that Halls
Catarrh Medicine fails to cure. Send for
circulars and testimonials.
F. ]. CHENEY e. CO.. Toledo, Ohio.
Sold by Druggists. 75c.
Halls Family Pills for constipation.
Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1917-01-04
TiIghman Pope.

Miss Minerva Pope, of Jasper,
and George Tilghman McWhorter,
Jr., of Riverton. Ala, will be
married this afternoon at 5 at the
First Presbyterian church Of this
city. DR.. J. w. Bachman will
officiate. The ceremony will be
very quiet affair and the only
attendant will be little Miss
Mariana Robertson, of Jasper, as
ring-bearer.
After a wedding trip south they
will reside in Riverton. Mrs.
Byron Pope, Miss Pope and Miss
Rowena Pope and Mrs. Lawrence
Robertson and a few other friends
from Jasper will beat the Patten.
Miss Pope has frequently visit
ed Mrs. Lewis Shepherd here and
has many friends in this city. =
Chattanooga Times, Wednesday.
Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1917-01-04

Say, Mr.. Farmer, read pour
farm papers a little closer and al
so your farm bulletins and you
will not ask a county which is
$4,000 in debt on its general
fund and as poor as Jobs turkey
to stand good for $500 to educate
you. Also read the columns and
columns of agricultural informa-
ton from the very institution
from which you get your County
Agent, which we publish every
year. tits our impression that
very few read it and still less
hang to the information after
they read it. Are you little chill
dren that you have to be shown
as if in a chart class, instead of
being able to read and profit by
the instruction yourselves?
Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1917-01-04

One of the best gifts suggested
by the devil for a boy for Christ
mas is a gun or rife with which
to go out and shoot birds. The
next thing after the birds is usu-
ally a man.
Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1917-01-04
DIFFERENT KINDS or COUGHS

Colds lead to different kinds of coughs
dry cough, winter cough, la
grippe cough, bronchial cough, asthmat-
ic cough, and racking, painful cough to
raise choking phlegm. Enos Halbert,
Paoli, Ind, writes: II coughed con tinu-
ally, could hardly sleep. Foley's Honey
and Tar relieved me, curing my cough
For sale by j. w. Simpson
e. Son, Jasper, Tenn.
Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1917-01-04
THlS-.AND FIVE CENTS!

DON'T MISS THIS. Cut out this
slip, enclose with Sc to Foley Il Co.,
Chicago, H., writing your name and
address clearly. You will receive in re-
turn trial package containing Foley's
Honey and Tar compound for bronchial
coughs, colds and Group; Foley Kidney
Pills, and Foley Cathartic Tablets.
For sale by j. w. Simpson & Son.,
Jasper, Tenn.
Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1917-01-04

A transparent, non-infammable
material resembling celluloid has
been developed by an Austrian
inventor for aeroplane wings to
make them almost invisible even
near the ground.
Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1917-01-04

The year 1917 enters in as if it
belonged to the Baptist commun-
ion plenty of water.
Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1917-01-04

A Frenchman has invented an
effective silencer for aeroplane
motors that is said to reduce the
power only2 per cent.
Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1917-01-04

Any time you don't like the
policies of this paper please ac-
quaint US with the fact, pay an
,rears and quit readingit.
Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1917-01-04

A gasoline engine-driven ma
chine has been invented to bale
hay or straw in cylindrical bales.
Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1917-01-04
INTERESTING ITEMS.

London has ILL., flat-dwell-
ers.
Britain has 80,943 Red Cross
workers.
Mendoza, Argentina, has Is, 900
people.
France has 100000 women
domestic servants.
Missouri last year produced
1876, 634 tons of lead.
Pennsylvania silk factories en-
ploy 38, hands.
Argentina's 1915 imports were
valued at $219, 900, 900.
A foot should equal in length
one-seventh of the height.
Massachusetts in 1915 used
Is, 786, 630,0O cubic feet of gas. |
The Chinese government is |
about to open its first aviation
school.
Paper covers to protect auto
in storage have been in
vented.
Britain has 27s private asas
Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1917-01-04

The News has the news. CSC months.
Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1917-01-04

Britain has ZIG private 32S
municipal lighting plants.
Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1917-01-04

Paper covers to protect auto
mobiles in storage have been in
vented.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-25
See The P0isOns
In Your Blood
Mighty Poisons Accumulated
Through the Winter Months
Mean Disaster and
Disease.
Says Rid the System With Sui
pherb Tablets Easily.

Springtime always brings with it
10Y and distress. The distress is in
the form OF catarrh. neuralgia. rheu-
matte pa ms, constipation. inactive kid
Eeys and usually feverish. sluggist
iethargy that is hard 10 throw of.
Do you remember how gran dnlothcr
fed you sulphur and molasses every
spring to purify the blood' 1t was a
sood. oid-fashioncd, but nauseous
remedy. Now you can take sulphur,
cream Of tartar and herbs in tablet
form. A better remedy, easy and
pleasant TO take in Sulpherb Tablets.
Sold by all druggists. A laxative,
blood purifier of unc qualled merit for
those who are constipated and suffer-
ing in any way from II h pent-up poi
sons. Each package is guaranteed to
give wonderfully satisfactory results.
Be sure you get Sulphcrb Tablets (not
sulphur tablets).
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-25
Frederick Palmer
Tells War Secrets
DeLiocrs Confidential Talk to
General Staff Of Army and
Other Officers.

WASHINGTON. March 24.--Eredcrick
'"inner. war correspondent. who was
IN" only accredited representative Of
IIont for more than two years, de-
llNcred a confidential talk here yester-
DAY At the Army War College TO the
genera staff and many officers detailed
there
MI Palmer detailed to the army Of
h'crs many things which he had not
n'"h At liberty To publish. principally
~ military value 10 the United States.
som" az the things the correspondent
told the army officers were permitted
20 become public. and among thcm was
Ms declaration tina; the United States
mould not attempt ~ send any troops
y" Franc" until Il hhs raised AN army
~ proper proportions Ten thousand
men. II" said. would d." little more
i''ar hold mil" or trench
On ,he subject OF censorship, in the
event tn. United states entered the
war, Mr Palmer c"uns~led the appoint
nrnt Of chief civilian censor, with
army and navy oniccrr for assistants.
aud III" publication ~ all possible dc
ais In connection with tho army.
lnaamuch AS an armY must be recruited
from tn people. ne told thc officers,
~ 81. and must hc given any informa :
ton Which would not he OF military
vah!r to an enemy
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-25
WILL AID CHILDREN
IN PLANTING GARDENS
Nn,"r'. Conference Seek. to Raise
Si,IG0 by Subscription to
Encourage NUNrmcnt.

1'o nay for man 10 give hie whole
,InS this spring TO supervising tho
gardens or citizens aud school chill
hr,n OF Richmond. II was decided a
The meeting At noon Friday called
by Mayor Ainslic, 10 ask TIL. Rich
nond Chamber CT Commerce ari tho
Retail Merchants Association TO rails.
tI,5oc by private subscriLttvn. Rep
rc3ontatiNcs Of the Retail Merchants
,ascCia,ion. tho Richmond CITY sch ools
aud the BOY Scouts were present At
tho meeting.
No, only Will gardens in III" back
ards for school children he cnccur-
7csd hut an effort VIII Ia. made 10
:uducc grown men aud women to Cul.
'ivato isrEer plots % krcund than arr
Usually found in city back Yards Va.
can't lots in th> residence district and
the outskirts OF the CITY viii De
utilized NJ e. Patterson has offered
already 10 give the use Of several
lots in the West End to amateur gar
dercrs ,his sgmmc. Each house
hold'r. according 70 the plan may Sc
cure Rardcn 5"xio" feet for his own
use
Fu,her aid VIII hc given by putting
tho ground IN shape 'or cultivation
Without cost tn. committee decided
Yesterday that all gardens would be
Diowcd an" narrowed At the request
~ ne s8rd.ner II IS hopeed 70 secure
III" use Of city teams for tho work.
: circular Vii; he sent out 20 all
pupils n The public schools as soor a.
II can he printed urging them TO take
cart in the gardening movement With
each circular Viii 20 blank fcrr-
tor the Sicnatut: az the parent o."
guardian az the iLveRil. gardener. ~
requiring thc paroS;s TO approve the
entry ~ the children and I" asre. 10
assist them ~ tive cultivai on g: their
ground q j. hoped 10 attain more sat
tsfactory results
Niil t,ff ,u,bt -,t,,y,t
tor the best garden or E, <in~l plu,
not exceeding go feet. FOR IN, best
backward garden. Tor the best half
dozen ripe tomatoes and Tor tho rest
ncck o' Irish potatoes Tho James
Eyer Garden club. OF which Nr- NJ
6 Patterson is president has agreed
10 furnish Judges in al tho contests