davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Mexico weekly ledger., 1917-08-02
EASTERN AUDRAIN AND
WESTERN PIKE

Misses Vera and Alma Weldy, of
Vandalia, will visit Miss Merlin In
low this week. - James Robertson
and family have invested in several
Liberty Bonds. - Mrs. G. G.. Ham
ilton. of Hepburn, Iowa, will soon
visit her sister, Miss Nettie Moberly.
- Roy Ferguson will finish his sum-
mer school course at Columbia this
week. His brother, Ray responded
to a telegram from Idaho on Satur-
day, where he goes to work for one of
the largest seed houses in the West.
- Among our boys who are called
first are Guy Sham, Roy Ferguson,
Howard Hought, VIM. Reading and
Dallas Day. - The Talbert Extension
Entonmologist, of Columbia, address
ed a good audience at Prairie View
last Monday night on wheat growing.
- Mrs. Ed Wilson, on her way from
Excelsior Springs, spent few hours
visiting in Mexico. - The funeral of
John Maysmith, who died on Thurs
day night, was well arranged and con-
Quoted at the residence by Rev.
Chinb of Vandalia, Sunday. Mr..
Maysmith had been with his son,
Fred, for several months on the
farm he first settled in 80. He was
a most excellent citizen, and died at
the ripe age of S8. Among those
from distance were his son, Frank,
and family, also daughter, Miss Ef-
| fie, and Almer Vannatta and wife,
of Columbia. - Local sections claim
half-inch showers Thursday in some
places, while others claim six inches
of rain. Vandalia negroes have
made elaborate plans for a picnic on
August the 4th; Vandalia's large col
ored population will turn out that
day in "full force" - Prairie View
ice cream supper, as usual, was large
ly attended. Sixty-five dollars was
reported as gross receits. - Willis
Lewellen has a handsome Overland
of the 6 type, and Master Napoleon
is fast becoming an adept at the wheel.
"A couple of men, claiming to be
veterans of the world war, asked for
work recently at VIM. Koestner's.
The claimed to be en- route home to
Kansas City, direct from the 'front.'
We've heard of Judge Ben Lindsey for
many years and are looking forward
with much pleasure to his appearance
at the Vandalia Chautauqua, begin
ming the goth of August. = Mrs. i.
Nick Smith, accompanied by her
daughter, Miss Idah Lake, also her
son, Deck, and family, with A. L..
Shattuck spent Sunday week at the
latter's home. A government buyer
bought car load of mules from Deck
Smith, of Vandalia, recently Among
those who are stacking their oats are
Ezra Beshears, Reed Mitchell, William
Reading, A. B. Shattuck and Tom
Smith,
Mexico weekly ledger., 1917-08-02
SENATOR AYERS MEEKER
REPRESENTS BREWERIES
INSTEAD OF CONSTITUENTS
Missourian Holly Assailed for Ad-
dress Describing Condition in
Kansas

WASHINGTON, D. c., August
/. - Representative Jacob E. Meek
er, of st. Louis, and Senator James
A. Reed, of Mo-, were warmly de-
nounced in the Senate Tuesday by
Senator Thompson, of Kansas, in a
passionate plea for the adoption Of
the prohibition amendment to the con-
stitution.
Thompson charged Meeker with be-
ing the representative in Congress of
the breweries of Missouri rather than
the people of Missouri, and charged
both Meeker and Reed with deliberate
ly misrepresenting conditions in
Kansas in connection with the enforce
ment of the state prohibitory laws.
The attack, which at first was
launched exclusively at Meeker, be-
came so bitter that Senator Overman
insisted that the rule of the Senator
against an attack on floor against q
member of the other House be enforc-
ed and in this way he was upheld by
the chair.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1917-08-02
|COURT PLASTER PEDDLER.
VISITS MEXICO MONDAY
No One Would Purchase His Goods
and Although Too Late TO In
form the Officers
STATE SENDS OUT WARNING
Country Generally is Being Warned
TO Shun Goods, Some of Which
Have Been Found
Poisoned

A court plaster peddler was in Mex
leo Monday. He tried to sell his
goods in various stores and to numer-
Gus citizens, but without success.
After he had disappeared some of
those solicited remembered they
should have told the law, but the
"bird had flown"
He was an elderly man. Those
whom he approached refused CURLY
to buy and apparently he had no sue
cess. The State Department of Mis-
souri, and other commonwealth have
issued warning to the public against
buying court plaster from peddlers,
since tetanus bacili has been discov-
cred in many packages. This is
thought to be a plan of the German
government to frighten the people of
the United States.
So far as could be learned this is the
first court plaster peddler to visit
Mexico lately. He may have been
perfectly innocent, but under the pub
licity given the poison plot he will
find business very dull.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1917-08-02
MISS REIT3 RETIRES
FROM THE HOSPITAL
WEDNESDAY MORNING
Superintendent Who Has Made the
Local Institution a Great Sue
cess Departs for Rest

Miss Sarah Reitz, superintendent of
the Mexico Hospital since its estab-
lishment, left Wednesday for good {,
She recently resigned and has only
been waiting for someone to relieve
her. She will be succeeded by Miss
Christine Thomas, Of st. Louis.
Miss Reitz' untiring efforts and ef-
ficient management of the Hospital
has materially aided in the success Of
the institution. She will be great
ly missed by wide circle Of friends
here who join the Ledger in wishing
her much success and happiness in her
new home.
Miss Thomas comes to Mexico high
ly recommended and has much expe-
rience in this work. The Ledger joins
the people Of Mexico in welcoming
her here.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1917-08-02
SANTA FE ITEMS

Mesdames Lou and W. T. Sterrett
visited in Mexico Wednesday and
Thursday. - Misses Mary and Nell
Wilson and Mary Sterrett spent We'd
nesday night with Miss Clara Ster-
rett. - H. B. Hawkins, of Marshall,
Mo-, visited couple of days last
week at the home of his sisters, Mrs,
Bella Hughes and Miss Jennie Haw-
kins. - Mrs. Annie Davis spent a
few days in Santa Fe the latter part
of last week. - Mrs. Mollie Caw-
thorn and daughter, of Molino, spent
Tuesday with her brother, Eugene
Williams, and wife. - Mrs. Lou
Sterrett and daughter, Miss Clara,
spent Friday with the formers son,
Claude Sterrett and family. - A
large crowd attended the ice cream
supper Saturday night at the Chris
tian Church. The proceeds were
$146. = Miss Mamie Bailey, of Mex
leo, visited her grandparents, Mr..
and Mrs. George McGee and other
relatives Saturday and Sunday. =
Miss Eethel Plate, of Mexico, visited
Misses Cordie and Annie Snyder on
Wednesday and Thursday. Mr..
and Mrs. VIM. Grow spent Saturday
night and Sunday with the latter's
parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Sharp
and family. Miss Bess Pittman
spent Saturday night and Sunday with
Miss Mary Wilson. Miss Leida
Wilkerson returned home Friday, af-
ter few days. visit with her brother,
Luke Wilkerson, and family of East
St. Louis, Ill. - Mrs. Lloyd Howard
spent the latter part of last week with
o. T. Howard and family, of Stroth-
er. - Mrs. Alma Heizer and daugh-
ter, Fern, of Molino, visited her par
ents, James Camplin and wife, Satur-
day and Sunday. Mrs. Jessie
Toales, of Paris, was the guest of
Mrs. j. S. Drake Saturday. - R.
A. Hanger and wife and Newt Bish-
op were guests Of relatives in Paris
Sunday afternoon. Mrs. j. s..
Drake and daughter, Miss Effie
Drake, were guests of Mrs. Emma
Browning Sunday. - j. R. Smiley
was a Mexico visitor Monday. -
George H. Iseminger transacted busi-
ness in Mexico Monday.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1917-08-02
Lifts the Veil

=. Dear Ledger:
What causes heat? My idea is it is
not the sun; if it was, it would melt
the SHOWS off the mountains where
snow is found the whole year around;
such as the Himalayas, the highest
in the world, and Mt. Dealbo in Cal
ifornia. 1t is caused by the atmos-
phere pressure forcing downward and
making a high temperature above
fever heat, caused by the rays of sun
and magnetic waves passing in and
around the earth. Here is where the
inventor of the X-ray machine got his
ideas on his patent. Our temperature
is so high at present, moisture cannot
rise. When the temperature falls,
then is when we get rains. AS the
sun and moon are only anchors of
gravity to the earth. agitated some
wears ago to build more reservoirs
and ponds to keep water in store
while going through these dry
spells; and they will be more frequent
in the near future.
D. ]. KANALYt
Mexico weekly ledger., 1917-08-02
MAY ORGANIZE COMPANY
OF HOME GUARDS HERE
A Number of the Local Elks Are Dis
cussing Plans TO Recruit Body
Here at Once
MANY ALL OVER STATE
Columbia Has Just Organized and
the Larger Cities Have Several
Companies Each

A movement started by several
local Elks to organize Home Guard
company here will likely be launched
within short time. They plan TO
open recruiting quarters and ask
those not subject to the draft to en-
list. .....
Such companies are being formed
in many of the smaller cities of Mis-
souri, while in the larger several
companies have already been formed
and are drilling.
The purpose of the Home Guards
is to police the country properly after
the regulars and National Guards
men have been sent to the front in
France.
The local movement is in an incipent
stage and, nothing definite has been
decided. Mexico has many former
Spanish Amerisan war veterans
who are not subjects to service at this
time. They are trained soldiers and
would form a splendid basis for Local
company of guards.
IL the movement is launched this
city should have one of the best or.
carnations of its kind in the State
Mexico weekly ledger., 1917-08-02
Ninety-Third Birthday

Mrs. Susan Barton, born in
Sprucedale, Ohio, July q, 1924, was
pleasantly surprised Friday on her
ninety-third birthday with a pound
shower, given by her friends, and the
following relatives: Mr.. and Mrs.
R. T. Stevenson, John Rist, Mrs.
Ella I. Morey, j. R. Stevenson, DR..
Tom Diven and family of Wellsville,
Mo-. Dan Roberts and family, ]. G..
Stevenson and wife, William Steven
son, Charles Baker and family, Her
! bert Cawthorn and wife, Littleby Sta
tion. Refreshments were served.
Many useful and novel pound pack
ages arrived from distant friends and
relatives.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1917-08-02
.ELKS ENTERTAIN FRIDAY
FOR THE SOLDIER BOYS
Public Dance and Reception for All
Men Going to the Front Will Be
Given Friday Evening
EVERYONE is INVITED
Affair viii Begin at $3.50 and There
Will Be Dancing-Many Boys
Depart Saturday

The Mexico Elks will open their
handsome home Friday evening to the
public with a reception and dance
for the Mexico boys who leave shortly
for service in the United States army
and other branches of the service. The
affair will start at $3.50 and everyone
is expected to attend.
There will be dancing in the ball
room and the remainder of the build
ing will be given over to those who
prefer to talk and listen to the music.
Many of the local boys will leave
for duty Saturday and this will be
your last opportunity to see them for
sometime.
The Elks are to be commended for
their public spirit and patriotism.
The Elks' Home is one of Mexico's
handsomest public buildings and as the
Elks' lodge is primarily patriotic or
ganization based upon the American
flag and its high ideals no more fit
ting setting for a final farewell to
our boys could have been chosen.
The entertainment is for all of the
boys leaving, whether they belong to
the Elks or not. The invitation is al
so to the general public. The Home
should be crowded to capacity to give
the enlisted men a hearty farewell.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1917-08-02
BATTERY "a" REMOVED
FROM FLAT RIVER
RIOTING DISTRICTS
Roy Creasey Visiting Here on Sick
Furlough, Tells of Existing
Conditions There

After several weeks of unusual ex-
perience, Battery ga" retired from
the Flat River rioting district Wednes-
day to their headquarters in st.
Louis, according to Roy Creasey, who
is visiting his father of this city on
a furlough.
"No more desolate a place could be
found" he said. "Some who have
seen service on the Mexican border
declare it far better even there. The
sulphur water which one is obliged to
drink, not only makes one sick, but
harms the teeth. The dirt over the
whole country is only about six inches
deep and from there on down it is
solid rock. Nothing grows well &.
There are no fences in the country,
and the roads or rather trails are
very, poor. The people although they
get good salaries, live in very poor
condition. Booze is found in nearly
every home, although the territory has
been dry for five years.
Such brief statements give one a
perhaps hetter idea of the things the
battery had to contend with, when one
hundred and seventy-five men were
obliged to handle mob scattered
within twenty mile radius, Crea-
sey was at one time on duty contin-
ually from Monday to Saturday.
"Army life is no easy pickin's'."
Mexico weekly ledger., 1917-08-02
h INFANTRY MAN
SAYS SOLDIERS ARE
NOT DULY RESPECTED
/, wilIipgham, Of Mexico, Writes
4 army Life on the Border at
Ell Paso, Texas

Mexican element, the aceus-
irsss to military forces, and the
'ominapce of a lowly educated
/ Of people have combined some
II along the border to precipitate
1 stdtude toward the American
H. which is not only shameful, but
Onable.
They don't have much use for a
IT, down here" writes Ode Will
lam from Fort Bliss, Ell Pasa,
to Mexico friends. He is
|koned with the Machine Gun Co.
h. 64th Infantry and in mis- inter-
i . letter tells Of the methods u.s.
N the slackers of that vicinity to
Tent as well as cheat the men
sEjng a U. S. uniform. Over
|tre for taxi service, exclusion
A all decent dances and sneer al
N possible opportunity are a few
be rubs the fighting men are
led to take because of the strict
harry discipline which they are un-
explains Willingham.
cording to the letter the boys arc
+ anxious to leave Fort Bliss and
IN for France and the Germans
Mexico weekly ledger., 1917-08-02
CONFESSED GERMAN SPY
SAID TO HAVE BEEN HERE
Young Man Who Visited Mexico Last
Summer Selling Books is Re-
ported to Have Been
Imprisoned
ARRESTED IN MISSOURI
Is Said TO Have Confessed He Was
Securing List of German Fam
lilies Here for Kaiser

The report has reached this city, un-
verified, however, that young man
who was selling books in Mexico and
this county, last summer, is a con-
fessed German spy and is at present
serving term in the federal prison
at Leaverworth, Kansas.
Arrested sometime ago in a nearby
city, he is said to have confessed tnat
he was securing list of the German
families in this section for the secret
agent Of Berlin. How true the story
is cannot possibly be learned as the
affair is wrapped in more or less Sc.
0ecy.
The young man is said to have been
book agent and exceptionally
bright. Quite number here, who
have heard the story, say they recall
him. So far as can be learned no one
in this vicinity harbored suspicion re-
garding him or his purposes while in
this section.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1917-08-02
HEDGEDALE LETTER

Farmers are busy threshing now
The oats are turning out fairly well.
F. F. Witchie sold hogs to Fred
Roberts at Is cents. = Mr.. Culbert-
son went to Vandalia on business
Wednesday. - c. W. Snook's oats
averaged Sc bushels per acre.-Mrs.
Downs, Mrs. Shremp and Mrs. Witch
lie were shopping in Laddonia Wednes-
day evening. - Miss Sallie Calhoun
is visiting her sister, Mrs. Roy Bar
clay. - Mr.. Leef, of Alhambra, H.,
visited her aunt, Mrs. Rudolph Mil
Ter, last week. - Mrs. John Tschan.
men and family, Mr.. Erwin Tschan-
nen, of Highland H., motored thrr
to Rush Hill and are spending few
days with their uncle, Louis Kircher
F. F. Witchie hauled load o!
corn to Mexico at $2.15 bushel. =
Mr.. and Mrs. Robert Ray spent Sun
day with Mr.. and Mrs. J.. R. Shook
- Several attended the ice cream sup
per at Rush Hill Saturday night, Civ
en- by the Methodist Church. Mr.
F. F. Witchie and family, Mr.. Johl
Tschannen and family and Mr.. Loui
Kircher and family were guests Sun
day of Theodore Hitz and family, =
Louis Kircher sold % hogs to J. P
Harper at Is cents.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1917-08-02
Former Mexico Girl Dead

Mrs. E. A. Mitchell, of Emporia
Kansas, died at the home of her par.
ents, Mr., and Mrs. L.. H. Hight.
shoe, Of Marshall, Mo-, on Wednesday
morning, August /. The funeral will
be conducted in Marshall at $3.50 or
Thursday afternoon. The Ledger
joins her many friends among whom
she grew to womanhood in this city il
extending the deepest sympathy tt
the bereaved.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1917-08-02
FUNERAL OF W. ]. BOTTS
Large Attendance at Final Rites Over
Remains of Citizen

The funeral of W. j. Bolts, who
died late Saturday afternoon, was
one of the largest ever In this city
1t was held Monday morning at 10
o'clock from the home by the Rev.
A. A. Wallace. The floral offerings
were especially profuse. Mr.. Bolts
was devout member of the Presby-
terian Church and beloved by every
one.
The active bearers were: S. P.
Emmons, j, c. Emmons, G. A. En-
mons, Russell Emmons, Peyton Cau-
thorn, Dan H. Cauthorn, Wash Miller
and William Browning.
An honorary escort was composed
of the following: j. R. Jesse, A. C.
Barnes, r. R. Buckner, J.. 7. John
son, Sam B. Cook, S. M. Locke, Frank
P. Van Ness, A. D. Jackson, Robert
Smiley, Chas. Henderson, T. H. Mar
shall, DR.. W. R. Rodes, W. w. Fry
and W. H. Wallace.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1917-08-02
Warns Against Plaster

JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri, July
81. - Warnings were sent out to
Chairmen of county councils of de-
fense yesterday by Secretary William
F. Saunders, of the State Council
Of Defense, asking that people gen.
orally be cautioned against purchas-
ing court plaster from peddlers.
This warning followed the discovery
of germs in plasters being sold by
peddlders.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1917-08-02
Mrs Knott in Husbands Place

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo-, August
1. - Governor Gardner Tuesday ap-
Lointed Mrs. John A. Knott, Of Han
nibal, to fill out the unexpired term
Of her late husband, Col. John A.
Knott, as State Inspector of oil.
The term for which Colonel Knott
was appointed will expire August 16
Omar D. Gray, of Sturgeon, already
has been appointed to the office fol-
four years from August 16.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1917-08-02
RAISE FIRST DRAFT TOTAL
Second Call for Men Necessary, to In.
sure Full Quota

WASHINGTON, D. c., August
/. - Because of the large number of
exemptions that are being indicated
on the first examinations through
out the United States, the provost
marshal generals office telegraphed
out to all local boards last night spe-
cific instructions for a second call of
the "registrants" in addition to the
200 per cent of the quota originally
ordered out. The call indicates that
government is going to be very tight
on industrial exemptions.
Local boards have been ordered to
call 200 per cent Of their quota for
examination. By the seventh day
after this call, if sent out, all claims
for exemption and discharge by men
called will be filed in the local
board. By examining the number
and character of these claims and by
considering the number of persons re-
jected physically the board can roughly
estimate the number of men that it
will be necessary to call to fill their
quotas.
Immediately after making this
estimate the board should send out a
new call computed on the experience
of the first call. This new call
should be for enough men to COM
plete 110 per cent of the quota.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1917-08-02
NEW HOPE ITEMS

Bingle Woolery and wife and baby
visited c.. D. Wilson and wife Sun.
day. = Mrs. R. R. Dollens and son
and daughter visited Jim Mauk ant
family Sunday evening, also Harry
Miller and wife and little son. - Miss
Effie Chick returned home Sunday,
after tmo weeks visit with her
cousin, Mrs. Harry Miller, of near
Cant. - D. H. Dickey is running
two threshing machines; one on the
north of the railroad and one on the
south. = Threshing is the order of
the day. Oats are making from 46
to so bushels per acre. Wheat is
fairly good. The corn crop in this
part of the county is in need of rain
very badly. Gardens are buring up.
- Miss Lennie Miller, Mr.. E. Gallop
and Mr.. G. Works, of Mexico, spent
Sunday with Miss Grace Dollens. -
Mr.. Berry, of this vicinity, lost one of
his best work orses recently.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1917-08-02
TO JAIL GIRLS WHO
WE'D TO DEFEAT DRAFT
Provost Marshall Crowder Says They
Are as Liable as Their Husbands
for Attempting Evasion
BOTH EQUALLY GUILTY
Question of Dependency is Matter of
Fact for Exemption Boards
TO Determine

! WASHINGTON, d. c., August
II. = Girls who marry men who have
been drafted with the idea of aiding
them to escape military service are as
liable as their Stacker husbands to be
sent to Jail. Provost Marshal Gen.
Crowder has announced.
In instructions issued to local ex-
emption boards, Gen. Crowder author
lied them to warn persons who claim
discharge on the ground of marriage
contracted since the draft law be-
came effective on May IS, "that both
parties are liable to prosecution" un-
der the provision making it a mis-
demeanor for anyone to evade the
act or for anyone to aid another to
evade its requirements.
If the marriage was contracted
solely with the intent to evade the
performance of military duty, a fact
the local exemption boards are re-
quired to establish, prosecution will
be certain.
Dependency is Matter of Fact
Answering the general question as
to whether person married July 20,
the date of the draft drawing, can
base a claim for discharge on that
ground, Gen. Crowder said:
Marriage is not of itself valid
ground for making claims of dis
charge. A man whose wife is main
ly dependent on his daily labor for
support may claim exemption on that
ground But dependency is matter
of fact. The rule does not ask, is
the husband, as a matter Of law, la
July will get theirs as there is a ma
the wife, as a matter Of fact, mainly
dependent on the daily labor Of her
husband for support?' Only the ex-
emption boards can determine this
fact. Where dependency is claimed
and the circumstances show mar
riage hastily contracted since July
20 by man whose number is high on
the available list, the actual fact of
dependency must be closely scruti-
nized +"
Mexico weekly ledger., 1917-08-02
SCORES WOMEN WHO DRINK
And a Judge Refuses Divorces to
Those Who Marry Booze Hounds

MUNCIE, Ind, August 1. - That
women who marry men addicted to in
toxicants, hoping to reform them, and
women who themselves are accustom-
ed to indulge in liquor in their homes,
need not apply to him for divorce.
Judge W. A. Thompson, Of circuit
court, made plain in dismissing the
complaint of one woman under those
circumstances.
"Women who know their prospec-
tive husbands are drinking men take
great chance in marrying them,
whatever may be their purpose in
such marriages." said the judge as the
conclusion of the long drawn divorce
trial. "The woman has even less
cause for complaint about her hus-
bands drunkenness or other faults If
it be shown that she, too, was accus-
toned to take social glass with
him."
Mexico weekly ledger., 1917-08-02
EXEMPTED Is OUT Oh. 10 MEN

SEATTLE, Wash, August 1. -
The draft began here Tuesday, when
nineteen men answered call from a
local exemption board. Of the nine
teen, nine were disqualified as physi-
cally defective, three were exempt un-
der present ruling as aliens, two were
exempt because of persons dependent
upon them and one probably will be
exempt of employment as ship fit
ter. Of the four remaining, one
claimed exemption because he "helps
his father" Thomas H. Agnew, q
fire insurance special agent, was
the first man in the state to qualify
Mexico weekly ledger., 1917-08-02
Northeast Board Organizes

MACON, Mo-, July 81, - The dis
trict Exemption Board for Northest
Missouri met here yesterday and or
ganized by electing Judge Edward
Higbee of Kirksville, chairman, and
B. F. Brown, of Hannibal, secretary.
Frank NJ. Crosby, of Mexico, took
the place of Samuel Sharp, Of Mont
gomery City, and ]. W. Forgery that
of Lloyd Stark, both of Louisiana.
Canton was selected for the permanent
meeting place. The meeting ad-
journed subject to the call of the
chairman.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1917-08-02
Anthrax Germs in Plasters

BINGHAMPTON, N. Y, August
/. - Government agents in Bing-
hampton announced yesterday that ex-
perts had discovered what is believed
to be anthrax germs on court plaster
sold by an itinerant vendor last
Thursday. The Government agents
warned all persons who purchased the
plaster to turn the packages over to
the police authorities.