davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1917-02-23

The mass meeting called to con-
vene at Flat River last Monday night
by the Civic League of that place, to
bconsider means and take steps for the
enforcement of the local option law,
was attended by about $50 men from
that vicinity, Pennington, Bonne
Terre, Desloge, Elvins and other
towns. A delegation of about 80
from Pennington, mostly members of
the Gospel Team, was in attendance.
A resolution passed by the Flat
River Civic League on the 14th, in
which was included the call for the
mass meeting of last Monday night,
contained a prejudgment of Prosecut-
ing Attorney Thomas A. Mathews and
Sheriff Chas. H. Adams that was not
warranted by the facts and ordinary
justice. These men had been in Of
fee but a month or six weeks, they
had hardly become adjusted to their
routine duties, nor had time to get
their Offices in working shape. The
Prosecuting Attorney had been kept
busy getting ready for the February
term of court and the Sheriff in serv-
ing papers. At the time the resolu-
tion was formulated none of the To-
cal option cases on the docket had
been called for trial, and the League
had no concrete facts upon which to
base it's insinuations. If before pass
ing judgment it had waited until this
week of court, when the bootlegging
cases were taken up, it would have
been in better position to pass judg
ment. The new Prosecuting Attor-
ney's vigorous prosecution Of the
bootlegging cases on the docket and
conviction of those who elected to be
tried by juries-the other cases call
ed up pleading guilty-ought to be
taken as an earnest of his determin-
alton to do his duty.
This is said not as a criticism of the
good work which the Civic League is
doing, but to correct an injustice done
two new public officers perhaps unin-
tentionally. These officials need, and
we believe will be glad to avail them
selves of, the assistance which the
League and all law-abiding citizens
may give them. The Civic League
and the Gospel Team are doing good
work, but it is just as well not to be.
too suspicious of or quick to condemn
those through whom they must work
to accomplish the best results.
Prosecuting Attorney Mathews ap-
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1917-02-23
Judge Mitchell
"Balks'' at This

When Judge w. A. Mitchell came
in from his home near Esther Satur-
day morning to be present at the meet
ing of the County Court, which was
still in session, quite bunch of his
friends had assembled to meet him,
with the intention of persuading him
to officiate at the marriage of Des-
loge couple who were in the court
room awaiting the services of some
one to site the knot"
Members of the delegation in wait
ing besought Judge Mitchell that the
waiting couple had requested his SER
vices, and that it was his duty to at
tend to such matters when called up
on. Every possible pressure was
brought to bear to induce him to
get into the breach, and to perform
his duty ''like a man."
But the Judge, with more or less
announced that there
was nothing doing" in the marriage
line, so far as he was concerned. He
could not be made to understand that
marrying folks" was any part of the
business of County Judge. The con-
was that Presiding Judge
W. A. Garrett was called into service,
which knocked all the fun out of the
ceremony, as Judge Garrett is vet
eran in that particular line of indus
try, having performed one such pre-
vious service at some time in his past
life The manner in which he per-
formed the ceremony was calculated
to make a Marrying Justice" look
carefully to his laurels.
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1917-02-23

sale, same date.
Spurgeon Ditch, murder, February
23.
John Gam, robbery, same date.
John Liby, illegal sale of liquor,
February "a.
Sam Larne, illegal sale of liquor,
February %.
George Mcclure, illegal sale of ci-
garettes, February %.
Walter Moon, illegal sale of liquor,
February 27.
James Polk, illegal sale of liquor,
February 20.
James Roux, illegal sale of liquor,
February 81.
andre Tyrpok, illegal sale of Ii
quor, February 23.
Mike Vallo, illegal sale of liquor,
February 26.
William Whaley, assault with in
tent to kill, February "a.
Chas. Rheinhart, storing and keep
ing intoxicating liquors, February "a.
John Welborn, carnal knowledge,
February 81.
VIM. Buxton, murder, February 81.
F. S. Pair, illegal sale of liquor,
February 27.
J. 7. Edwards, appeal from j. P,
February &c.
E. T. Postlewait, appeal from ]. p,
February 26.
A. Royanchuk, appeal from J. P,
February %.
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1917-02-23
Suppress Speeders'

A movement has just recently been
inaugurated in Pennington to hold
auto speeders down to a more strict
compliance with the provisions of the
law governing the use of public high
ways. AS to who is at the head of
such movement, we are not aware,
but The Times desires to add its COM
mendation to such movement.
If honesty and fairness is used in
carrying out the proposed purposes of
this movement, then much good will
result therefrom. But in order to get
satisfactory results from this work,
equal and exact fairness must be
shown. All must be treated alike,
and none who are exceeding the speed
limit in this city should be permitted
to "get by"
The strict carrying out of this plan
will not work any hardship on any
auto driver who has respect for the
law On the other hand, it win serve
as the greatest possible protection
for all who desire to respect the law
against speeding on the public high
ways, as the reckless speeder is not
only constant menace to his own
safety, but he supplies a constant
source of danger to everyone he pass
es, or whom he may overtake, on the
highway, which he too often seems to
consider as his private speedway.
Amos Rub, jitney driver, was ar
rested Tuesday morning charged with
speeding, after having first been
warned three times. He was arraigned
before Squire j. P. Zolman, and plead
ed guilty, and was fined $40 and costs.
A number of other drivers have been
warned that they will have to reduce,
or correct their speed, especially in
the city limits, or they will be treated
in similar manner. The fee should
be sufficient to justify the peace Of
ficers in looking closely after auto
speeders, and such action will cer-
tainly commend them most favorably
to the better class of citizenship,
who desire to see the laws upheld and
enforced.
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1917-02-23
NEW OFFICIALS
WIN ENDORSEMENT
Civic League, Which Last Week Con-
demned, This Week Commends
Their Diligence

peared before the mass meeting at
Flat River Monday night and frankly
told them of his position in this mat
ter of law enforcement, that he intend
cd to do his best to stop bootlegging
and all forms of local option viola
tions, and that he would be glad to
have all the assistance which the law
abiding people of the county can give
him, and that he would work in con-
junction with them; that any informa-
tion they might furnish him would
be promptly acted upon by himself and
the Sheriff, in raiding storage places
of booze and arresting those against
whom the evidence, circumstantial or
positive, pointed.
This, and some other matters of
raiding illegal and suspicious places
having come to the knowledge of sew
e'al of the Leagues leaders, the sub
ject of appealing to the Governor
for assistance in securing the law en-
forcement was dropped, better feel
ing manifested itself, and the follow
ing resolutions were adopted by the
mass meeting:
Whereas, the Prosecuting Attor-
ney and the Sheriff of st. Francois
county having manifested activity in
the enforcement of the local option
law by a search and seizure raid at
Elvins on Saturday, evening, Feb. IT,
and Sunday morning, Feb. 1S; there
fere, be it
Resolved, that the citizens assem-
bled in Woodmen Hall at Flat River,
Mo-, Feb. 10Th, do hereby heartily
commend the Prosecuting Attorney
and the Sheriff for their response and
DILIGENCE to the apepal to relieve the
bad conditions known to exist at Ell
wins; that they are pleased with the
expressed attitude of the Prosecut-
ing Attorney toward the further en-
forcement of the local option law and
that it is the sense of this meeting that
the said officers continue to make ev-
orv possible effort to stop the illegal
sale of liquor at Bonne Terre and ev-
cry other place in the county where
the law is being violated; and be it
further
Resolved, that we pledge our moral,
physical and financial support to as
sist the officers in the enforcement of
the local option law and in the sup
preston of lawlessness."
The mass meeting pledged 5000 to
assist in the enforcement of the law.
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1917-02-23
HIS FIRST TIME IN COUNTY SEAT

Bro. ]. F. Schroeder, editor of the
Bismarck Gazette, spent a few hours
in Pennington Friday with a num-
ber of his fellow townsmen. The Times
acknowledges a pleasant call.
Bro. Schroeder has had charge of
the destines of the Gazette for the
past four or five years, and we were
surprised to learn that, during all that
time, Friday marked his initial visit
to the seat of government of St,
Francois county. just how or why he
could stay away all that time we are
at loss to even surmise, but we do
know that he is giving the people of
Bismarck very creditable little pa
pei, which perhaps is very largely
due to his close attention to business,
as is evidenced by the fact that he has
not had time during his several years
residence in the county of visiting the
county seat. But he was most favor
ably impressed with the things he
saw here, as we'll as with the people
he met, and we trust his visits here
after will be more frequent.
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1917-02-23
HIGHEST PRICE EVER
PAID FOR LEAD
10ac POund--At This Price St. Fran
co.'s County's Output Would Bring
$54,00O,0O0 Year.

inspection fund, 4 cents per ton on all
lead or zinc mined by them; operators
of coal and clay mines, one-tenth of
cent ton, and operators of silicate
and shale one-twentieth of cent per
ton.
But why for mine inspection fund E?
The great need of the State is reve-
nue.. Why not increase the revenue of
the State by taxing the tonnage of
our lead and zinc mines? A tax of
10 cents gross ton on lead ore
would bring in quite a nice revenue.
Rich corporations are taking milliois
Of wealth out of our mines every
year, much of it going to heavy East
ern stockholders, while the State and
the counties where the mines are To-
Gated get little or no benefit from
them. They pay taxes, yes, but just
the same or less than our farms which
are continually enriching the State
instead of impoverishing it. A tax
on the gross output of these mines is
nothing more than in justice they
should pay, especially now, as the
price of lead is higher than it was ev-
er known and is pouring money like
water into the Golfers of the big cor
porations.
Senator Buford introduced in the
Senate Wednesday a bill to tax mine
outputs, which it is estimated would
add s1,000000 to the general revenue.
In discussing the bill it was said that
st. Francois county alone had min
eral output of $30,000,000. That
doesn't begin to reach it. The mineral
output of this county is nearer $751;
100000, and the profits will reach
S30,000,000 Joplin's mineral output
was placed at S36,000,O0O.
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1917-02-23
COUNTY COURTS CONSULT
OVER BLACKWELL BRIDGE

The County Court held an adjourn
ed term of court en- Wednesday of this
week, and by arrangement met with
with the County Court of jefferson
county at Melzo to consult about the
matter of erecting a bridge across
Big River at Blackwell. The mem
bers of the two courts concluded to go
to Blackwell and look the situation
over. with the result that the coun-
ty Highway Engineers of each coun-
ty were directed to survey the site,
get up plans and specifications and
the estimated cost of bridge, and
report to their respective courts. The
highway crossing of Big River at
this point is very dangerous when
sudden rises in the river occur and
a bridge is badly needed. 1t was here
that the County Clerk of Washing
ton county, his wife and boy were
drowned some months ago in attempt
ing to ford the river.
The Court appointed County Sur
veyor Thomas H. Holman as County
Highway Engineer of St. Francois
county for one month, beginning Feb
ruary 18th.
The same day County Clerk Wulfert
filed with the court his annual settle
ment of the earnings of his office for
the year 1916, showing an amount of
S771.46 excess fees earned and due
the county. The settlement was ap-
proved by the court, and the excess
ordered paid into the County Treasury.
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1917-02-23

Last week pig lead sold at about
10h cents a pound, the highest price
ever reached in the history of the lead
industry. Operators used to make
money out of lead mining at and 4
cents pound, when the process was
crude and expensive. With all the
modern machinery and improvements
in mining, reducing the ore and turn.
ing it into pig lead, what bonanza
there must be in lead mining today!
1t is conservatively estimated that
the mines of st. Francois county pro
duce daily 100000 pounds of pig
lead. At 10 cents a pound this means
$150,OOO day, or more than S54,000,-
900 year. On the strength of this
stiffness in the lead market the COM
panies last week added another bonus
of 10 cents to the wages of its en-
ployes. This is the fourth bonus of a
like amount given by the companies
since lead began to soar, amounting
now to a raise of 40 per cent in the
mems wages. The companies can we'll
afford it.
Notwithstanding the bonuses here
tofore accorded the companies en-
ployes, they have felt that they were
not getting the pay they ought to re-
ceive, in view of the unprecedented
prosperity of the companies and the
increased cost of living, which the bo-
muses. are far from offsetting.
A Revenue Measure.
A bill has been introduced in the
Legislature to amend the act relating
to mines, mining and mine inspection.
1t provides that all mine operators of
lead and zinc mines shall pay into the
State Treasury monthly, as a mine
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1917-02-23
Pennington Follies
Draw Large House

The Pennington Folles was pre-
sented at the Monarch Monday night,
under the auspices of the U. D. c.,
and drew a capacity audience. In
fact, both side aisles were crowded
the full length of the theatre, while
many were jammed we'll forward in
the middle aisle, and people were
jammed into the rear space like so
many sardines. For practically two
hours that crowded mass was held
with hardly a change of position.
The "Follies" appears to have been
something of a misnomer, Farming
ton ''genius" would seem to have been
far more fitting, as it was certainly
a rare display of creditable talent.
What appears to The Times to have
been a mistake was the verv low price
of admission, which caused an over
flow house, affording no protection to
ticket holders, and holding the re-
ceipts down to a minimum. The fact
is now very apparent that the house
would have been comfortably filled
had the admission price been 25c in
stead of 10c. AS it was, there was
little comfort for anyone, while hun
dreds were turned away, being unable
to find even standing room.
1t would be eminently unfair to
pick out a few of the numbers pre-
sented, and omit the others, as all
contributors to the evenings program
did themselves full justice, as the
great audience invariably testified
with hearty applause. Space will not
permit of detailed write-up of the
affair, so this general commendation
Of the performance must suffice.
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1917-02-23
Circuit Court

lhlS, the second week OF Cne reD-
ruary term of Circuit Court, has been
taken up mostly with State cases,
several of them trials before juries,
which is usually slow work. Follow
ing is the disposition made of cases
since the report published last week:
Civil Cases.
Benz. E. Bush VS.. w. H. Smolln-
ger, undercharge on freight, contin-
ued by consent to May term.
Arthur Rhodes VS.. Ben Wampler,
appeal from J. p; dismissed, neither
party represented.
Oliver Franz VS.. G. E. Cecil, M. D.,
damagcs continued to May term.
d. F. Ball VS.. Henry Reuter-, ap-
peal from j. P; continued to May
term.
]. X. Kirkland VS.. Mrs. Joe Redfern
ct al, appeal from j. P; motion for
new trial sustained.
Chas. A. Wilkinson ct al. VS.. ST.
Joseph Lead Co., damages; continued
by consent to May term.
Henry Howell VS.. M. R. & B. 7. Ry.,
damages, continued to May term.
Virginia Bell VS.. M. R. & B. t. Ry.,
damages, dismissed.
Bank of Pennington VS.. Peter S.
Boehle ct al, note; continued for want
of service and alias summons ordered.
Fred H. Herbst VS.. F. G. Cole ct al,
note; judgment by default for ST.
658.74 with per cent interest; stay
of execution granted to May term of
court.
st. Francois County Bank VS.. G. n.
Baker ct al, note; judgment by de-
faunt for $1l3.30; attorneys fee,
$11.33.
Foristell Realty and Sec Co., VS.. G.
P. Gale, note; dismissed by plaintiff
by letter of Attorney Bucker as per
letter filed, dated Feb. 10,
George W. Frey ct al VS.. Anton
Gidley, note; judgment by default for
$817.68; also on another note for
$241.64.
j. w. Highley VS.. John McBrien ct
al, note; dismissed in vacation.
Mary Hershman ct al. vs., Daniel
Gruner ct al, partition; trial by
court. three commissioners appointed
Surveyor Holman, Mr.. Truston,
guardian, and Marvin Matkin-to try
and set aside interest of defendants
in kind if possible, and report such
other things as may be essential, and
report to May term of court.
Parnell Casey VS.. Charles Casey ct
al, partition; proof of publication
made as to one of defendants, Mrs.
Casey; default of other defendants,
personal service as to other defend
ants, excepting as to minor defend
ants who answered by guardian. Or
der of sale made, to be held at some
regular term of the County or Cir
cult Court, on cash terms.
Jesse F. Swopsher VS.. Marie L.
Swopsher, divorce; dismissed by plain
tiff.
Fred Miller Brewing Co. VS.. George
Greeshaber ct al, account; continued
to May term, leave granted to file
amended petition extended to March
3rd.
Pleasant Williams VS.. A. J. Will
liams ct al, to quiet and determine
title; trial by court and submitted.
R. A. Hibbitts VS.. Theodore Ander-
son ct al, to quiet and determine title;
tried by court and submitted.
Virgil E. O'Dell VS., Virgie E.
O'Dell, divorce; personal service and
cross bill filed; tried by the court and
caused passed until March 1st; $50
alimony pending suit to be paid de-
fendant, Virgie E. O'Dell, on March
1st, and $50 on the first of each
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1917-02-23
Desloge Youth
Again in Trouble

The latest, and perhaps the most
serious escapade in the somewhat
eventful young life of Lon Florence,
of Desloge, was told in the following
manner in yesterdays st, Louis
Globe-Demoerat
Lon A. Florence, q years old, of
Desloge, Mo-, known as the million
aire kidd" in cabaret life along
Grand avenue last summer, was ar
rested Tuesday at the Marquette Ho-
tel when he appeared there with his
bride of four hours.
Twelve checks, totaling STA, and
memories of gay evenings spent in
the company of wine, women and
song, were the stumbling blocks in
the youthful bridegroom's path to
happiness.
When Florence and his wife, who
was Miss Irene Ware, 10 years old, of
Pennington, Mo-, reached the door
of their room, they found Detectives
Rundle and Wilson awaiting them.
Despite his protests that there was
nothing wrong in the check transac-
tions, the detectives took the youth
to headquarters, leaving the bride at
the hotel, too surprised even to find
refuge in tears.
Cafe Owner Complains
The complaint which resulted in
Florence's arrest was made by Philip
King, proprietor of a cafe at ITO
North Grand avenue. King said he
cashed the twelve checks in two
months, and all had been returned
marked either payment refused or in
sufficient funds. The checks were
drawn on the Citizens Bank of Des-
loge, and ranged in sums from $5 to
$50.
Mrs Florence, the bridegroom told
reporters, came from her home four
days ago, and remained with relatives
in the city. Yesterday afternoon the
couple went to the City Hall, obtained
a license and were married by Rev.
Christopher F. Stark, 4579 Page
boulevard.
Florence told reporters his wife
is daughter of rich parents and re-
Gently inherited $4,000 from an un-
Gle He said they had been childhood
sweethearts. He said he was receiv-
ing $400 a month from the estate of
his father-that is, receiving it when
his guardian, Scott Jones, of Desloge,
is willing.
Father Left Small Estate.
Jones was reached on the long dis
tance telephone, and said Florence's
father left small estate, which was
in the care of Jones until year ago,
when the boy became of age. Jones
also expressed surprise when told of
the wealth of the bride.
Florence, in recounting his exper-
fences, said he made his headquarters
at Kings cafe and he and King be-
came well acquainted. He said that
King suggested that he (Florence)
buy half his place and the youth said
he put up $50. He was to get sal
ary.
]. Florence said King didn't pay him
the salary and the partnership scheme
fell through. He said he has engaged
a lawyer.
Florence said his guardian twice in
terfered when he was planning to set
up young women friends in establish
ments. He also said he was consid-
ering closing a fve-year lease on
building at Eighteenth and Olive
streets ''to go into business"
G. r Whitanar apd Chac Cal,yird
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1917-02-23

Former Congressman Polite Ell
wins, Attorney for the st. Joe-Doe
Run Lead Co., is transacting business
in Jefferson City this week.
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1917-02-23

c. E. Whitener and Chas. Calvird,
the hustling agents for the Central
States Life Insurance Co., were in
Desloge Tuesday on business.
Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1917-01-12
Origin of EIumbua.

1t is not generally known that the
word "humbug." long so much In
vogue, is of Scottish origin There
was in OIden time a race called BOgue
or BOag OF that fix In Berwickshire.
A daughter of the family married a
o Of Hume, OF Hume. In process Of
time, by default Of male issue. the
Bogue estate devolved on one Geordie
Hume, who was called popularity
"Hume OF the Bogue.' or. rather. Hum
O. the Bug"
He was inclined to the marvellous
and had a vast inclination to exalt
himself, his wife. family. brother and
all his ancestors on both sides. His
tales. however. did not pass current,
and at last, when any one made an eX-
traOrdinary statement I'm the Nea rms.
the nearer would shrug mp his shUul.
ders and style 1t just "a hum o. the
bug" This was shortened into hum
bug, and the word o o spread WEI
the whole Observation-Disclosures 10
Oulrer.