davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1917-05-06

frothing madness on the jagged rocks.
The ll-year-old Swanson boy,
though a strong swimmer, was help
less in the white fury that Numbered
and churned about his ears. .
He was tossed up and down,
sucked out of sight, heaved upon a
sharp rock, and again yanked away
and out of sight. His senses were
beaten out upon the rocks and he
swallowed so much water that he be-
gan to exercise the drowning mans
instinct. No, he did not clutch at a
straw. There was no straw there.
He clutched at the foam, at the bub-
bles, at the white spray, and the.
kissing spume, until at last he dug
his fingers under the edge of a fiat
rock at the bottom. Of course his
head was under water, but he was too
far gone to know this. This was 500
feet below the point where he had
been pushed into the stream. The
rapids had largely subsidized at that
point and his companions hurried to
fish him out.
Il was unconscious for twenty-four
hours" said Mr.. Swanson, in review
ing the incident. 49,
After that he did not play hockey
so often, but he had no more love fol
Omaha daily bee., 1917-05-06

the school than before his ducking.
Ever he pleaded with his father to
put him into store as an apprentice,
but his father would not hear to it.
The father sent him to Lund college,
but he stayed only six months, and
one morning appeared at the paternal
door in Halmstad with his little bun
die on his back announcing he was
through with Lund college.
Now he begged his father for
money to sail to- America. Reluc-
family the parent fshed out the neces-
sary coin, and the lad sailed at the
age of IS. His father had friend at
Wakefield, Neb., and the young chap
was bound for that town, but he
never got there.
At Stanton, Ia, Louis A. Chapman,
keeping a general store and the post
Office combined. offered the boy 500
a year to go to work. He tumbled
off the train and began polishing
lamps in the store. His duty was to
sweep the store, scrub the counters,
polish lamps, feed the cat, plug up
rat holes and shoe the flies away from
the molasses barrel. -.
Nevertheless, eight months after he
landed there he was assistant post
master of Stanton, Ia. Chapman was
Omaha daily bee., 1917-05-06

take turn over the links that to eat
the best meal that was ever served,
though at no time does he let golf
playing interfere with business.
Out thirty miles from his offices
every Saturday afternoon, rain or
shine, Mr.. Miller can be found on
the golf links. Saturdays he closes
his office at noon and, grabbing a
sandwich from lunch counter, he
breaks for the train carrying him to
the links. There donning an old suit
kept in his locker, he is soon hard at
work and he continues at it as long as
daylight lasts.
Frequently Sam Miller makes trips
to Omaha on r.ilr lad business and
whenever he does so he always man
ages to get in few holes at golf
before his return to Chicago, and
when it comes to playing the game
there are few men, other than the pro-
fessionals, who can make the course
in fewer strokes than he.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-05-06
By A. EDWIN LONG.

II John A. Swanson's father had
had his way about John, that young
man might be college professor in
Sweden instead OF merchant in
Omaha.
John A. Swanson is happy that his
father did not have his way. Mr..
Swanson was a born merchant, but
his father could not see it so. Almost
from the time John was born at Hahn
stad, Sweden, June IS. 1865. he wanted
to do an apprenticeship in some store,
but his father repeatedly crushed The
notion.
The father would have his son get
a good education and then decide in
the light of greater knowledge of the
universe whether he wanted to be a
merchant or not.
Every loophols to get away from
school was known to Johnnie Swan
son. Also he knew where the glass
lest ice was in winter, and where the
best swimming hole was in summer.
He was raised on the coast of the
Cattegat, that mighty arm Of the sea
which takes triangular bite out
Of the southern. extremity OF Scam
dinavia.
He was swimmer, to be sure. 1t
did not bother him to be pummeled
about by tidal waves and temporarily
smothered in the salt spume. He
would always emerge. ~.
But once when the boys should
have been in school, and were not,
they tackled the rapids in great
river that leeds the Cattegat. They
were having a jolly time in the pools
Nand eddies, when a thoughtless young
ster pulled Swanson headlong into the
rapids.
No man ever swan those rapids,
but the thoughtless comrade of young
Swanson did not know that The
great volumes of water came rolling
in placidly. miles and miles. from the
hills and mountains, and here in these
short rapids, whipped themselves into
Omaha daily bee., 1917-05-06

fifteen years that he didn't 60 on an
annual fishing trip 20 some lake in
this part of the country. He at
tended the international convention
of Rotary clubs instead. But he says
that he'll go fishing this summer. even
if he has to trudge off to some body
Of water near Omaha on the evenings
when his wife and family want him
to motor or dance or play bridge.
Speaking of hobbies, there are few
men who are possessed of hobby
that is any more firmly fixed upon
them than is the hobby that clings
to S. F. Miller, general freight agent
of the Northwestern Railroad COM
pany. Years ago when he was a
resident of Omaha it was picked up
by Mr.. Miller and went with him
when he was given a promotion and
taken over to Chicago.
The one hobby that stands out
Mr.. Miller is golf and he would rather
Omaha daily bee., 1917-05-06
Grohhas History of0maha
All the truth and untruth that's fit to know

had jumped claim south OF town
and the club decided to make call
on him. Mr.. Shull heard that they
were coming and he did not wait TO
receive them. ..-.
They destroyed his shanty as evil
dencc that they had been there. Mr..
Shull was concealed under the coun-
ter Of store at Fourteenth and Doug
las for several days. He was one of
the first advocates of the now-conl-
mon policy, safety first"
Another case which we may look
at concerned a man named Callahan.
He had been hired by Governor Cum
ing to live on the governors claim at
a salary of $45 a month. Callahan
decided to get the land for himself,
so he filed on it at the land office.
The next day he received letter
from the Claim club. They gave hin
his choice Of giving up the claim or
being drowned in the Missouri river.
He chose the latter.
This was in February. They broke
a hole in the ice and ducked him
three times before he agreed to give
up the land.
He was pretty near dead with the
cold. They brought him up town and
called doctor, who wrapped him up
in blankets. He did not revive until
the doctor give him three doses of
whisky. This revived him and he
signed a REIMBURSEMENT.
The next day he came in again and
said he had jumped another claim.
Just duck me in the river" he said.
But they saw through his little
scheme, which was simply to get some
more whisky.
Other claim jumpers were dealt
with by the Claim club. One was in
duced to sign a REIMBURSEMENT by
having revolver pointed at his head
and bowie knife at his solar plexus.
And still another was hung up by the
neck three times before he saw the
justice of the Claim clubs claims.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-05-06
postmaster, and he deputized Swan.

postmaster, and he deputized Swan.
son.
Right then and there he might have
developed into a detective, for he
caught famous crook who was using
the mails to defraud, and then Uncle
Sans nlarshals let him slip his hand
cuffs and leap out of passenger
coach window when they were taking
him to the penitentiary.
. Thirty-one years ago last January
Omaha was swelling with boom.
Young Swanson was less than 20
years old, but he felt the call of the
boom, and doomed into Omaha. He
went to work in a clothing store run
by M. Helllnan at Thirteenth and
Farnam streets. He stayed three
years, until Mr.. Hellman died. He
became buyer and manager for Hay
denis clothing department, and held
this place for eleven years. Ten years
ago he established the King-Swanson
company in Omaha. Four years ago
he disposed of his interest there and
entered a partnership with w. L.
HOFFMAN to buy the Nebraska Cloth
ing company, which establishment
they have been running since.
Next week-'How Omaha Got Francis A.
Brogan.n
Omaha daily bee., 1917-05-06
Prize Winners 01od Prize ANSWERS
In the Last Puzzle Picture Contest
The Ten Prize Winners

Grace Schlunberger, Denison la.
Here's to our flag boys, the Red White and Blue!
Here's to our flag, boys, toit we'll be true
Army and navy, on land and on sea,
Rich and the poor united are We.
, Here's to our flag, boys, to it we'll be true
Here's to our flag, boys, the Red White and Bluel
Edward c. Lyon, $50 Oakland Ave, Council Bluffs.
Old Glory!
Her crest-humanity's hope. Z
Her colors-the patriots inspiration.
Her staf-the support of a united people.
Her base-the broad platform on which all colors
and classes all races and religions may stand
in common cause.
Old Gloryl
William sternberg, 9s4 Omaha National Bank Bldg.
Hail Banner Of Justice! Fair Flag of the freel
We carry thee forward DER land and DER sea.
Humanity's hope and tyrannys dread,
For thee we will fight till all despots are dead;
For the wealth and labor throughout our fair land,
With the army and navy viii Loyalty stand
Mrs O. D. Mabery, 1901 South 25th, South Side.
Here's to Old Glory The flag we love-
Long may it wave our land above;
Lift it on high, that the world may see
United we stand to fight for thee
Our army and navy are tried and true,
Our money and labor are e back OF you
Mrs. H. c. Bunnell, 1922 South Seventh.
Salute the hag Each and every one.
For we stand beneath Old Glory
We will fight to the end for the Red, White and Blue,
For it stands for grand old story.
Charles Seebe, 2o3 Stutsman Street Council Bluffs.
Our Aagi Our flag! Our dear old Aagl
The banner of the freel
Beneath its fold welcome all
N Who love sweet liberty.
And Uncle Sam and nephews all
With sword and gun and hoe
Will guard that dear old emblem
'Gainst every bastard foe
g VII.
Mrs E. A. Moore 7lO Maple St, Shenandoah, la.
Oh folds of white and scarlet! Oh blue field with
your silver starsl
Nav fond eyes welcome you, strong hands defend
vou warm hearts cherish you and dying lips
give you their blessing!
Long may you float the free winds OF heaven.
the emblem of liberty, the hope OF the world!
Marie Beddy, O'Neill Neb.
To thee Old Glory we pledge hearts,
We give you our lives, works, our arts;
And of Americans ask what you will
For our life blood gladly would spill.
In defense Old Glory, the flag of the free
The symbol to us Of our loved liberty
- IL,
Byron Beebe, 42S North 4lst.
Our countrys Flag! Long may it wave
Ger rooftree, field and mart;
And may its image eer reflect
Within our home and heart.
The cleaning stars stand for our strength; -
For purity, the blue;
The red and white for peace and right -
The whole for me and you.
Omaha daily bee., 1917-05-06

Jack go to church with them. Jack
cried long and hard, Il want to take
my gun. / want to take my gun"
why do you want to take your
gun to church," asked his mother.
well. ! want to shoot the peoples
in the church," sobbed Jack.
Frank Ekdahrs hobby is "traveE
ing" with Arthur Enholm., Arthur
Enholm,s hobby is travelling" with
Frank Ekdahl.
Damon and Pythias, David and
Jonathan had nothing on these two
Omaha men. When you see one of
them you are sure to see the other.
They own an automobile in partner
ship.
1T would be superhuous for us to
have two machines" says Frank.
1T would be useless for us to have
two cars" says Art.
They go out hunting together.
They go everywhere together.
The other day Art had to make a
short trip to Chicago. Frank was
almost sick during the two days his
partner was gone.
Il couldn't stand II very long to
have my wife away" he said.
Is it not beautiful thing, fellow
citizens, to gaze upon such deyotioni
No more loyal follower of Izaal
| Walton can be found in Omaha thar
| Dan A. Johnson, well known insur,
ancc adjuster, but perhaps NOR,
widely known as secretary OF the Ro
tary club, Mr.. Johnson gladly con
fessed that fishing was and is hi
hobby. Golf may run fishing clos
'second in the play part OF the jovia
Dan AS life, but angling in all it
different forms is his real hobby.
Mr.. Johnson was born and reare,
, in Chicago, and as boy he fishe,
: for bullheais in and about the Wind
, City. When he became Older tn
/ lure OF the pole and line gre,
, stronger. During his Chicago day
: Mr.. Johnson acquired quite reputs
tions among the Waltons for his SUI
cess in landing big strings of lax
{ perch from off the government pie
} in Lake Michigan.
1 AS a young man he would journe
!. for hundreds of miles to get to SON
$ lake where biting" was said to
/ particularly good. Casting for bi,
: mouthed bass in the lakes Of ii
: northwest and trout fishing with iii,
: in western streams are his favori
\ methods Of going after the membe'
d Of the hnny tribe. He also ADM
{ that he likes to sit in hat-bottomt
i boat on lazy summer DAYS and waite
il 4 bohber and smoke.
e Last summer was the first time
II prominently III the life and affairs
Omaha daily bee., 1917-05-06
Comb Honey
BY EDWIN BLACK.
Carl.

Carl.
We saw Carl in the movies the
other evening. Going TO the movies
is not novelty, but seeing pal OF
boyhood days on the screen for the
first time commands our time and IN
terest. Carl wrote from New York,
stating he had been given an engage
ment with a film concern, 10 play OPP
posite to Stuart Holmes in THE
Derelict." He gave Us the release
date, so we watched the papers, and
on a recent evening we hied down.
town and bought two tickets.
: Carl was the hero Of the story. His
first appearance on the screen showed
him in evening dress, gracefully NOV
ing over a ball room floor, amid a
scene Of splendor. He had no make
up; didn't need any. Looked as natn-
raj as life, and when we saw him in
Closeup" views it seemed that he
might have stepped out of the picturi-
zation. We were almost moved to
applaud, but the etiquette OF the NOV
les restrained US. Besides, movie ac-
tors do not respond to applause. We
had an impulse to go around after the
show and meet him and tell him
about the improvements in the old
home town since he left TO make his
bed and board on Riverside Drive.
There he was, on the screen, going
through many activities and unwit-
ingly expressing little characteristics
which we recognized as identifying
him in real life. In his reel life we
Jaw him kneeling at a baby's crib, the
youngster pulled his nose and he
'aughed as we had seen him laugh
in days gone by.
And our thoughts reverted back
we'll, to many years ago in Omaha
when we were kids together and
climbed the stairs in the gallery OF
the old Boyd theater at Fifteenth
and Farnam streets; and were first
fighters at the Hoyt comedies and
The Hanlon extravaganzas and the
nelodramas OF the good old days;
and Carl would tell US of the days
when he would be an actor and wear
IN expensive overcoat with fur trim
mings. We thought of the days at
Hartman school, now the Comenius
school; of the particular day when we
had to remain after session because
We had whispered.
And Carl, as we saw him the other
evening in the movies, was packed
into tin box about a foot square and
shipped out Of town by express. That
is the way all movie actors are
shipped--in small tin boxes.
Probably.
If Lord Nelson were alive today he
would say: England expects every
man to do his bit"
Pretty Soft.
Now is the heyday OF soft drinks.
Bring on the buttermilk.
Overheard in the Market Place.
eMister, ] dropped q dime in that
asparagus. Will you please find il
Omaha daily bee., 1917-05-06

to deal with these unprincipled peo-
pie.
A committee was appointed to
choose suitable name for the organi-
cation. They reported that it should
be calld the United Amalgamated
Association for the Protection and
Preservation of the Property Rights
of the Pioneer Citizens Of the City Of
Omaha"
But the members objected to this.
They said it was too long. The COM
mittee insisted that it should be called
simply the ~. A. A. P. P. P. r. P.
c. C.. o."
But even this abbreviation did not
suit the members OF the club. They
were simple and hardy men, these
pioneers OF Omaha and they unani-
mously rejected the report of the
committee. So they called it the
"Claim club"
The method Of procedure of the
Claim club was very simple and en-
tirely unhampered by the red tape OF
modern courts of justice. The men,
bers were simple and hardy men, as
stated above.
Take for example one Of their first
cases. A man by the name of Shull
Omaha daily bee., 1917-05-06

IF | have any hobby" said v. Ray,
Gould, president Of the Omaha Build
ers' exchange, ut is trying to get
building contractors to figure jobs
high enough so they can make lit
tie profit on them. Years ago we used
to make little money in the build
ing business. 1t is not that there is
too much competition now, for there
is surely work enough for all; but the
contractors do not know their cost.
If they had better systems of cost
finding they could bid more intelli-
gently. Thus the man who knows his
cost, and figures accordingly, is forced
to bid against the man who is figuring
in the dark, with no knowledge of ac-
curate cost finding, and who will like
" far underbid him even at loss to
himself in many cases."
why, sure, women have their hob
bies. Why shouldn't they have
thenf" asked Mrs. G. w. Doane, SUI
perintendent OF the Associated Chart
ties. Instead of spending her leisure
time at the movies, or reducing the
country's supply of gasoline, she
stays at home and does needle work
\ suppose one might call it work
but | call it my hobby, this work witt
needle and thread. / enjoy making
things to wear" she continued.
Mrs. Doane has learned man,
stitches and knows how to croche
and do tatting work.
and just think Of the money on,
can save by making aprons, hous
dresses, collars, waists and other ar
ticles of wear" she added in her en-
thusiasm.
Mrs. Doane says she wishes NOR
girls and young women would adop
her hobby. She finds it interestin
as well as profitable.
Il know that in the days of on
grandmothers Swing was not cor
sidered a hobby because ever
woman knew how to sew and KIN
and darn, just as she knew how
eat and Sleep" was another observ;
ton OF the head of the charities.
Jack Maloney, aged 4, is one ,
the Youngest persons in Omaha wit
a hobby. Jack has wooden gun an
his hobby is to shoot people with
It shoots paper wads. Jack liv,
with his parents-yes, sir, right /;
the home of Mr.. and Mrs. R. H. NJ;
loney, 33l5 North Fifty-seyenth a,
enue. He goes to the First Presb,
terian church OF Benson. Last SUI
lay Papa and Mamma Maloney h;
hard time to get him to church. +
wanted to stay at home and sho
The other churchgoers as they We
BY They dou't mind being shot o,
bit But the parents insisted III
Omaha daily bee., 1917-05-06
Chanter XIII-The Claim Club.

Jumping of claims was one of the
difficulties that the Omaha pioneers
had TO meet. After a settler had taken
a claim and made valuable improve
mcnts on it, including four stakes,
marking the four corners, and some
times a shack wofth S. TO So, he would
come along and find that someone
elise had Jumped his claim, i'm
provements and all.
So a number OF pioneers got to-
gether and formed an organization
Omaha daily bee., 1917-05-06


Mrs. Austen Galley, 500 South 10th.
Here's to all true Americans who answer the cali.
For united we stand and divided fall.
SOME OF THE OTHER GOOD ANSWERS.
Mrs. James f. Love, $500 Lincoln Blvd.
There's toast for the sailor;
There's toast for the soldier
There's one for Uncle Sammy. too.
But the best of all is to Old Glory,
May God bless the Red, White and Blue!
c. G. Reynolds, Griswold, la.
Flag OF the army flag of the navy,
The flag of the rich and the flag of the poor;
Thy stars and thy stripes are the emblems of free
dom,
Fit emblem TO hang at Americas door,
Long may it wave DER the land of the freeman,
Lovingly cherished by hearts brave and true!
The Star-Spangled Banner the Flag of our Nation,
All Hail to Old Glory, the Red, White and Bluel
Mrs R. Marley, Council Bluffs.
Fling out Our banner, staunch and true.
With its stars of hope and its loyal blue.
Red for courage and kndling fame,
And white for a nations stainless fame.
Send it DER land and seas afar
With hope in every shining bar
And peace for nations now at war.
Charles Wayne Ray Lyons.
o men of the north, south, east and west,
Hear freedoms call to do thy best;
Come enlist under the Stars and Stripes today;
Arouse ye, Americans! go, march away
Erase the cruel shame of the tyrants might,
And restore outraged nations to their right
Arouse ye my countrymenl It's time to fight
Ruth Zody City.
Here's to Old Glory and kind Uncle Sam,
Who offers shelter to down-trodden man.
For Fritz, Nels and Luigi, Jacque Hans and john
It's the best flag and country sun ever shone on
Then stand by our coiors; let effort cease
To provide for children world crowned with
peace. w..
Omaha daily bee., 1917-05-06

Questions on Chapter XIII.
|. What was the first name sug-
gested for the Claim club?
2. Why was this rejected
5. How long did it take the club to
try a case?
Omaha daily bee., 1917-05-06
for me1 1t is right over there; right

for me1 1t is right over there; right
over there"
Say, ] wish you would wait on me.
I have been standing here for half
an hour. You can find that dime
after a while"
Whereupon two women glare at
each other with expressions far more
eloquent than any language could de-
scribe.
Homeseekers' Excursion.
Since May some folks are getting
home from work during daylight
hours. a
Omaha daily bee., 1917-05-06

A, bit of patriotism set to music by
the author and here reproduced just
as she wrote it for The Bees COM
tition.
The Benson signal., 1917-10-13
Submarine improvements.

Since April I German submarines
have been equipped with four new de-
vices which increase their destructive
ness, and render it more difficult for
chasers to discover their whereabouts.
Formerly the U-boats, to remain in one
spot, had to come to the surface, or
anchor themselves to the bottom; but
four small pumps are now used which
enable them to remain stationary while
submerged. This not only. conserves
fuel, but prevents its enemies from
hearing the throb Of the submarine's
propellers. Telescope periscopes give
further assistance to the submarine In
concealing its position. A mixture of
oxygen and strained gas is now used
in the engines, and the exhaust is
washed free Of smoke and broken into
small bubbles, which do not leave a
wake. Finally, new listening devices
enable it to hear and Judge the size of
ships at considerable distance.-Ex-
change.
The Benson signal., 1917-10-13
The Spirit That's Needed.

G. Bernard Shaw, the Irish play
wright, said recently in London that
nobody but an idiot could imagine
that the paciflsts and socialists would
be allowed to have any say in the
peace negotiations which will end the
world war.
IF Shaw is right" said labor lead
er, ft's bad thing for the world, and
SO hope he's wrong.
II hope the peace negotiations will
create among the nations the spirit
embodied in a saying which an old
grandmother used to quote in my child
hood, namely
"Tf you want neighbor, be one.' "
Exchange.
The Benson signal., 1917-10-13
ANY CORN LIFTS OUT,
DOESN'T HURT A BIT!
No foolIshness! Lift your eorns
and caIIuses off with fingers
It's like magic!

Sore corns, hard corns, soft corns or
any kind Of a corn, can harmlessly be
lifted right out with the fingers If you
apply upon the corn a few drops Of
freezone, says a Cincinnati authority.
For little cost one can get a small.
bottle Of freezone at any drug store,
which will positively rid ones feet Of
every corn or callus without pain.
This simple drug dries the moment
it is applied and does not even irri-
tate the surrounding skin while ap-
plying it or afterwards.
This announcement will interest
many Of our readers. If your druggist
hasn't any freezone tell him to surely
get small bottle for you from his
wholesale drug house.-ady, -