davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Mena weekly star., 1917-12-27
10 EXTERNINATE
 MEXICAN BANDITS
Christmas Raid on PostoiIlce and General Store near Maria, Texas, Brought Order to Troops
 Three Killed; One Hurt.

Maria, Tex Dec 26, American troops today are guarding all out lets 10 Van Horn canyon. where ono hundred Mexican bandits. who raid ed the postolllee and general store Christmas day at the Brite Ranch. twenty-seyen miles from here, kill ing Michael Welch, stage driver and his two Mexican passengers. wounding sam Neill, foreman of the Brite ranch, and carried away loot estimated at S21000, have taken refuge after their crime and pur- suit.
 After the bandits had dispersed over Rim Hook, which rises for more than one thousand feet above the Rio Grande river, the soldiers, in close pursuit fired many rounds of ammunition at them, and are re- ported to have killed and wounded many of the Mexirans.
 Colonel Langhorne has ordered his men Co spare no effort to com pletely exterminate the bandits.
 Welch, who, in addition to being stage driver, also was a United States mail carrier, was forced to alight from his mail stage by the bandits and was hanged to the door way to the Brite store at Candelaria, then his throat was cut from ear to ear by one of the Mexicans. The store then was footed of everything of value to the Mexicans, the loot being loaded on the backs of horses belonging to the ranch and which the Mexican employees in the store were forced to saddle.
 Sam Neill, who was shot thru the face by one of the bandits is ex- pected to recover.
The Mena weekly star., 1917-12-27
 QUESTI0NNAIRES GOING OUT STEADILY AT RATE OF 90 DAILY

The sending out of questionnalres from the office of the Local Ex- emption Board is going forward steadily at the rate of 90 per day. The work was begun on Monday, December i7, and since then 50 have been sent out each day except Sun day and Christmas, so that includ- ing the bunch sent "Wednesday, 400 have been sent out. Those sent out on Monday a week ago were due to De returned this week, and when the checking up was begun this morn ing by w. NJ. Mcdonald, who is in charge of the clerical work, 1t was found that the registrants had com pied quite fully with the require ments of the government.
 Many of the registrants are com Ing to Mena to have their question nalres filled out, and they are given assistance by the Legal Advisory Board and corps of associates, two of whom are to be on duty each day at the office of County Treasur- CT w. k. Anderson. The work oi the associates was begun on Satur- day by Judge J. l. Alley and L. N. Burnett followed by w. Homer pigg and F. J. Smith on Monday Mark ? 0lney and County Judge A. F. Wear, assigned for "Wednesday were not on duty Wednesday. Judge Wright prickett and H. H. Thomas are to be on duty Thursday.
The Mena weekly star., 1917-12-27
SENATOR NEWLANDs
 STRICKEN BY DEATH
Chairman of Railroads Committee Died Suddenly at His Wash
 inutOn Home.

Washington, Dee. 25.-Senator Francis Griffith Newlands of Ne- vada died of heart disease at his home here last night, after all ill- ness of a few hours He was strick- en while at work in his office at the Senate office building. but was able to go home and the capital knew nothing of his illness until the an nouncement of his death.
 No one realized the seriousness of the senator's condition and physi- elan was not called until late in the evening. Then the heart attack had become acute. The end came suddenly at if:i5 o'clock, as Mrs. Newlands and her brother watched at the bedside.
 For several weeks Senator New lands, working almost night and day on his preparations for an in- vestigation of wartime transporta- ton problem, had been in weak ened state of health. He kept at his desk, however, and in spite of his 69 years appeared alert and ac- tive.
The Mena weekly star., 1917-12-27
FOR GODS SAKE
 WAKE UP,' : HIS CRY
Congressman Porter H. Dale of Yer mont Tells of What He Learned on Visit to the Western Bat
 tie Front.

Burlington, Vt, Dec. g. For Gods sake wake up and realize what this war means is the mes sage Representative Porter Il. Dale of the Second Vermont Congression- al District will carry to the House of Representatives in Washington. MT Dale has just returned from a trip along the western front where he went with several other con- gressmen on private tour of in yestigation at their own expense. His portrayal of conditions in Eu- rope is anything but pleasing.
 American troops without guns, without sufficient number of blankets, without equipment of ev- cry sort and totally unprepared for the terrific struggle in which they will be called 10 engage is the de- scription of conditions. His one ambition is to impress the Nation with the peril and tremendous re- sponsibility which rests upon it and Representative Dale is anything but sensational man.
 T wish I could take those easy chaired Washington department fellows out on Vimy Ridge, men who after eight months of war sit back in their offices and tell the newspa- pers that everything is all right when the men in France have not enough guns 10 equip them. Out there the guns do not detonate. It is one continuous crash of artillery. Let me tell you that if we do not cut out this endless chain of red tape, lost motion and do away with the ancient survivors of an ancient military system and begin furious ly rushing guns, ammunition and supplies and men, more men and men by the million, we are not go- ing to win this war. This continual talk that everything is going all right must cease. Things are going anything but right. The war viii not be a short one, there are more than two years of conflict before us and that will mean the sacrifice of hundreds of thousands of American soldiers"
 Mir Dale will spend all of his hol- iday time in an effort to wake up the Nation and then will do what he can in Washington.
 You cannot present the appail- ing peril which confronts the Ma tion too strongly" were his words.
The Mena weekly star., 1917-12-27
.BOLSHEVIK POWER
 WAVES IN RUSSIA
Referred to by Former Adherents as German Hirelings'-Increase of Drunkenness and Decrease in
 Disposition to Work.

London, Dec. 26.-There have been occasional assertions in petro- grad dispatches that influence and power in the Bolsheviki was waning but never with such unanimity as in special dispatches dated from the Russian capital Sunday and printed today. Nearly all make the point, in one form OF other, the iefection from the workmen's and soldiers organization is growing constantly. Among the causes alleged are gen eral lack of authority, the increase of drunkenness, the reluctance of the population to work and scar city of food stufIs. The main de- sire of the soldiers is said to be for peace.
 The correspondents cite instances Of Bolshevik troops refusing to march, declining to attack the Ukrainians and permitting the Cossaeks to disarrn them without resistance. Fighting, it is said, is the last thing they are willing to do A hostile spirit is reported to survive among the Baltic sailors and the Red Guard, but the former are not numerous enough to conquer the Ukrainians and the Red Guard is largely untrained. II is report ed, therefore, that war against the Ukrainians probably will not ma terialize on any serious scale.
 Boshevik leaders, the petrograd correspondent of the Morning Pose says, appear to be becoming fail- ures The correspondent of the Daily News writes:
 There IS growing opposition to Bolshevik among all classes Men who formerly supported them are
 turning against them and German hirelings' is a common term of de- nunciation. There is much talk of meeting the present reign of terror with counter measures and bomb throwing is freely suggested as the only method of exertipg pressure on the Bolshevik. 1t is not merely idle talk as those who say il are those who have thrown bombs.'
 Interests in the converting of the constituent assembly is said to have reawakened remarkably and de- mands for it's convocation are be- ing made, if is reported, even by the most ignorant classes and also by the troops of the petrograd garri- son.
 It appears that the Bolshevik commissioners are trying, altho vainly, to shift some of the discon- tented military units from the cap- ital A Reuter- dispatch from pe- trograd says the Praobrashensky regiment has declared it's disbelief of the Bolshevik government and has refused to relinquish guard of the Tauride Palace until the as- sembly meets. The Semenovsky guard regiment has resolved not to arrest members of the constituent assembly no matter what order 1t receives.
The Mena weekly star., 1917-12-27
47 DEAD, 59 HURT
 IN 1. & N. WRECK
Train Bound for New Orleans Crashes Into Rear End of Accom- mediation Near Shepherdsville,
 ky.-W0rst on Road.

ShepherdsvilIe, Ky Dec 2i.-- Forty-six persons were killed and about 39 others injured last night when Louisville and Nashville pas senger train No. ', from Cincinnati to New Orleans, crashed into the rear end of Bardstown-Louis- vile and Springfield accommodation train just south of the station here.
 Worst in L. X Ms History.
 The wreck, which is said to be the worst in the history of the Lou isville X Nashville, occurred just after the local train had pulled out from the station here. It had gone only a short distance when the oth- .er train came into sight, travelling at a high rate of speed Before it could be halted it had crashed into the slower-moving train ahead and made kindling wood of the two wooden passenger coaches it car ried.
 The locomotive pulling the fast train was badly damaged by the impact, but the engineer and fire men escaped with few bruises. The heavy steel coaches it pulled were uninjured with the exception of one baggage car and the train was able to proceed when a second locomotive had been secured from Louisville, and the wreckage of the local train.
 Station Operators Statement.
 Blame for the disaster seems to hinge on whether the fast train had been given clear block or not. Jesse Weatherford, operator at the station, said, immediateately after the collision. that after the local train pulled away from the station he had turned his board to show the track clear for the fast train and left his post in response to or ders to help unload baggage.
 As he left the office he said he saw the train approaching, rushed back to his office, set the red dan ger signal, picked up a red lantern, and rushed to the platform to flag if. He reached the platform just as the train passed him, he said.
 Superintendent W. F. Sheridan closely questioned the crews of both trains as we'll as the station force, but declined to attempt to fix the blame, without further investiga- ton.
The Mena weekly star., 1917-12-27
UNCOVER PLOT TO POISON
 BANDAGES OF RED GROSS

Cleveland. Ohio Dee. 26 plot 10 poison Red Cross bandages and spread wholesale death among the soldiers of America and her allies has been exposed and frustrated here.
 Three thousand four hundred surgical dressings, rolled by patri- otic women of Toledo, were infected with mysterious greenish poison, while in transit between Toledo and Cleveland.
 Immediately every one of the 3,4O0 bandages was burned. They were destroyed secretly, in the rear of the Red Gross warehouse here.
The Mena weekly star., 1917-12-27
THE STARS BIGGEST
 SUBSCRIPTION WEEK
In Five Days PTS Persons Either Sub scribed or Renewed-During the Previous Week t36 Paid--Two
 More Days of Old Rate.

The past five business days com prise the best period The Star ever saw in subscription activity, PTS persons making payment, and all in advance. Of these 92 were new readers, the balance being re- newals. The previous week there were i36 payments made, with B new subscriptions making a total of f47 new subscribers and 267 re- newals in two weeks.
 There are yet two more days i'll which to take advantage of the Si.00 price for new subscriptions or for renewals.
 Those paying during the past
The Mena weekly star., 1917-12-27
Mistakes Have Made Our Greatest Hope and Heb Is
NO STRIKES WILL OCCUR
 IN PACKING INDUSTRIES
Illinois Fuel Administrator Is Ap- pointed Referee in All Packing
 House Labor Disputes.

Chicago, Dee. 20. John F. Will jams. Illinois fuel administrator, has been appointed referee in all labor disputes arising in the packing house industries of the United States during the war.
 The appointment was agreed upon by the packers after an all night conference with President Wilson's mediators. The packing house re- presented were Armour, Swift Nor ris, Cudahy and Wilson concerns. the agreement affects all plants in various cities, and 100 were directly affected.
 Both sides agreed there should be no strikes or lockouts during the war.
The Mena weekly star., 1917-12-27
GREATEST WINTER WHEAT
 ACREAGE, LOWEST CONDITION
Forecast of the Crops of Only 5lO,- 100000 Bushels Is Made ny the
 Agricultural Department.

Washington. Dec. f9.-Wlnter wheat planted this year on the larg- esl acreage ever sown in this coun- fry's history. showed, on December | the Invest condition on record
 4 forecast of only 5iO,0O0O00 bushels was made by the agricul- nral department today The final nroduction. however, will be above pr lower than that quantity, de- nending on the conditions hereafter.
 Winter wheat sown this fall for next years harvest aggregates 4S'- i7oo00 acres. and it's condition on December was 79.3 per cent of nor nal the department announces
The Mena weekly star., 1917-12-27
BIC RED CROSS
 DRIVE GOES ON
..onbersbip of the Local Chapter Now Estimated at Near Six Hum
 dred and One Thousand Is the Mark Set.

Tho Red Cross membership drive .vhich was carried on during all of
 ast week in Polk county, as well as .I oyer the country, will be con- tinued thru the remainder or thls week. Those in charge of the cam I naion in Mena have not made check of the returns, but 1t is es- g timated that the membership of the local chapter now is about 600 and it is planned to make it reach 1000 before the close of the campaign. The best record in this campaign is doubtless being made by the citi- yens of Cove and vicinity. The work was begun there last Saturday by MT. and Mrs. R. Golf and Mir. and Mrs. w. J. Lauck. They organized an auxiliary chapter with Mrs. w.. A. Worthington as chairman and Mrs. T. A. Woodell as secretary. Be- fore they left the town 54 members had been secured, and in the cam paign carried on since then by the officers, assisted by Mrs. o. B. With erspoon and others, the membership has been brought up to 100. The goal is to make it i50 by the end of the week. On Monday night those in charge phoned to Mena that they had reached membership of 85, and that in addition the Woodmen lodge had donated s. On Christmas day the word came that the mem bership had reached the century mark.
 Another community which made a fine record in this campaign was Ransom. This point was made last Sunday by Dr. J. c. Hilton and r. ]. Smith. Only thirteen persons were ct the meeting, but eleven of these became members. Prof. w. R. Slinn was selected to see those of the neighborhood who were not at the meeting, and on Monday he re- ported fl more members, thus mak- ing a total of 22. which is certainly as good a proportion, according t0 residents as will be secured any where.
 Still another good showing was made by the people of Acorn. This point was made last Sunday by Will $. MacLafferty, D. F. Dodd and H. w. Roberts
 The auxiliary chapter here was organized by the selection of Mrs. Hardie Jones as chairman and Mrs. Peter McWilliam as secretary Out of the 20 persons in attendance, r became members. while some of those present had previously en- rolled.
 At Grannis an auxiliary chapter was organized by the election of Alex Coyle as chairman and Mrs. w E. Hungate as secretary A membership of B was secured, and the drive is being continued this week
 Stir another community which made a good record was Board Camp. This point was visited Sun day by MT. and Mrs. F. c. Embry, and Mir. and Mrs. Minor pipkin and son, Compere. Twenty-three mem bers were secured out of about 30 present. The local organization was perfected by the election of R. D. Miller as chairman and Bud Mil Ter as secretary. A committee was appointed 10 continue the drive on Monday and Tuesday, but to date ID report has been received from this committee.
The Mena weekly star., 1917-12-27
HALIFAX DEATH LIST NOW i,5OO
More Than HOO Bodies Already
 Have Been Recovered.

Halifax, N. &, Dec. 24-The latest estimate of dead in the Halifax dis aster December is placed at i,500. More than HOO bodies have been recovered. i39 during the last week. About 300 persons are missing.
 The body of Captain iyerson of the Norwegian steamer Imo. which collided with the munition steamer Mont Blanc, causing the explosion, was recovered from the harbor to- day.
The Mena weekly star., 1917-12-27
GERMAN TROOPS TO WESTERN FRONT
Ignore a Provision of the Russo German Armistice Prohibiting Such Action-0n the ItaIi-
 an Front.

New York, Dec. 26-While their guns lombard the western front the Germans are taking troops from the eastern front for use elsewhere, despite the provision of the Russo German armistice prohibiting such action.
 The artillery activity in France has been moderate over most of the front and more violent on the right bank of the Mouse, northeast of Verdun, the scene of the German attack nearly two years ago.
 Awaiting Achievements.
 German infantry has not been active and it is probable that Field Marshal Hindenburg is waiting for more reinforcements before making his heralded attack. Russian ad- vises telling of the German with drawals from the east, add that some of the troops are being taken Lo the Rumanian front. Rumania is not taking part in the peace ne- sotiations and the Ukraine, which lies beyond Moldayia and Bessara- bia, is opposed to the Bolsheviki
 South of Juvincourt, in the Rheims sector of Champagne, the French have carried out raid into the German lines and brought back prisoners. On the British front there have been raids in ad- dition to the artillery duel but no large operations are yet reported
 On the northern Italian front, the Austro-German tactics appear to be to strike alternately at vital points on either side of the Brenta
 Checked at Monte Asolone, last week, the enemy has struck toward the Frenzela valley. west of the river. After two days of bitter fighting the Italians have regained possession of lost positions in Col de Rosso west of the river, and have attacked the Austro-Germans on Monta pertica. east of the river Berlin claims the capture of 5000 prisoners in the gaining of the Col de ROsso which. later was lost to the Italians
 Germans Play for Time.
 Peace negotiations al Brest-Liti- vsk apparently are making little progress. The Germans have de- layed their answer to the Bolsheyik terms and it is reported that the conference will be transferred to Stockholm shortly. In the mean time the majority party in the con- stituent assembly, the social revo- lutionists, have convoked the assem- bly, to meet January ?, despite the Bolshevik disapproval.
 German Savagery on American.
 German savagery has been called officially to the attention of the American troops in France. An American sentry has been found with his throat cut an official bull letin says, he must have been killed so. after capture" by force of Ger formation of the enemy terrorism mans which surprised him. ln- in driving women and children from their homes in the occupied sec lions of France and Belgium to make room for German troops. sol- diers and war materials, also has been given the American troops
The Mena weekly star., 1917-12-27
Incendiarism Suspected.

Long Beach, Dec. 26.-Four build ings fronting on the board walk, which parallels the bathing beach, were destroyed by fire this morn ing, causing a loss estimated at s200,000. The authorities suspect incendiarism.
The Mena weekly star., 1917-12-27
ATTENTION, GL00MS! BOOZE
 ROOM OF EXPRESS RAIDED
Liquid "Christmas Cheer to Esti- mated Value of $500 Stolen Last
 Saturday Night.
From The Texarkanian.

From The Texarkanian.
 Whiskey thieves made a raid on the liquor delivery room of the Wells Fargo Express Saturday night and made away with possibly Si,50O worth of booze. No trace or clue has as yet been discovered. A com plete check-up of the stolen intoxi- cants has been completed.
The Mena weekly star., 1917-12-27
EXPLOSIVES UNDER BRIDGE.
Small Boy Probably Prevented Dis
 aster by Discovery.

Sherman, Dec. 26- The police to- day recovered forty-eight sticks of high explosive dynamite, found late yesterday afternoon beneath the Choctaw bridge over Post Oak creek by a small boy.
The Mena weekly star., 1917-12-27
Lumber Yards Burn.

Duluth, Dee. 26.-Fire of un- known origin Tuesday morning de- stroyed the Rioes Joint saw mill and lumber yard of the Alger Smith Lumber Company, causing loss of s500,000.
The Mena weekly star., 1917-12-27
sMALLWOOD SALE. JAN. 1.

|, There will be a public sale uIi ssaauary 1. at the NJ. D. SmallwQod Isrm, iA miles east of Old Potter ss the Bethesda Springs road lunch on the ground.-Adv. 52 It
The Mena weekly star., 1917-12-27

Iost-Tn Mena or between Mena
 and Bethesda Springs, gray, uns 7, finished muller, wrapped around tbread and knitting needles. Red cross e',i work. Finder leave at Star ofice Reward.-Adv. 306&52 1t.
The Mena weekly star., 1917-12-27
NOTICE.

hn0w All Men by These Presents That my wife, Mrs. Susie Hall. has IIeit my bed and board. Therefore, ] will not be responsible for any ueDts or contracts she may make. isi7. W R | W. Hall. Adv. 52 3t
The Mena weekly star., 1917-12-27
RaTHxE SAI.F- JANuARY 2

Mrs. H Bathke is aTfang'ng Tor 2 general farm sale on Thursday, Jan- uary 3. at farm, 3 miles west of Mena. See bills for particulars Adv. g 1t.
The Mena weekly star., 1917-12-27

Those paying week are as folio J. R. Crane A. l.. Callahan c. 0. Lacey Clay Vaught w. F. Snitker J. C. Wilkins w. H. Basham G. NJ. Glenn Ben Goolsby w. NJ. Lyons w. J. Scoggin G. A. Kennett q. A. Griffin B. F. Hawkins n. A. Daniel N. F. Gam
 Asa Gatlin O. l.. Gregg T. J. Hicks Jeff Lance F. C. Poulson Walter Tollman J. D. Earnest T. J. Lowther J. M. Strawn k. l.. Barron l.. r. Clark I. w. Gilstrap T. J. Hogan Mrs. NJ. w. Roger Frank r. Montie James Swiger A. A. Blair John Dodd D. T. Hawkins R. T. Payne R. A. Thomas E. B. Bates J. D, Cogburn J. A. Alls
 w. l.. Durham E. G. Em'bry K. R. Hilton J. B. Hen ndricks B. M. Medford Claude Mos Felix Pittman n. F. Wise J. l.. Brakefield w. NJ. Fleming Marvin Jackson H. r. Lofts M. F. Philpot w. R. Standridge J. l. Turpin J. M. Shigley G. w. Harrison H. R. Jacobs Fred Schmuck K. C. Smith w. w. White J. NJ. Martin B. F. Bissell Mrs. Ellen Embry ]. H. Mos T. w. Delaney D. F. Wilcox T. I. Bates
 W. R. Lackey D. c. Standridge Lee Bates
 Emmett Rowe Clyde Miller Ellis Barlow w. C. Lawrence Luke Slangstrom II. O. WooIey Mrs. l.. Compton J. J. Vance ]. l.. Bates I w. Ringgold Sid Anderson T. Lunsford Marvin Cheek Frank Wood Ben r. owens Geo. B. Nixon Wayne Roberts B. N. Cagle Inc. Fl. MacLain Hamp Williams T. c. Currier L, O. Day
 I. w. Grinder Fred Salyers c. R. Stanford W. s. Arms strong Dee Cunnin gham l.. F.. Heath Mrs. Julius Riley John Shepherd Ode McMillan l.. J. Butler c. A. Griffin A. T. Madewell C. J. Halton Mrs. Jane Criss Coy c. Miller Mrs John Brick IT. B. Black Mrs. M. M. Cnlmai Mrs. Lizzie Finch A. NJ. Bruce R. Fl. Putnam Kettle Beck T. F. Riser I. W. Edwards Herbert Duncan Mrs. C. ". Jackson W. l.. Davis Inc R Ballard n. R. Hogue Fred Pfdines P. c. Proctor Ira Jones Mrs. g ]. Thompson c. L. Harris Mrs. Bessie Barron William Ryan ' Fl peBruine W. T4 Martin N ] Dover W I Wilson .Iohnnie tvants P. F HarDton q. w. Bell w. F Holiday Mrs IT w. Ross prnf. 0 F. Hilton Miss Mamie Ryan
Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1917-03-02
Washington Is Preparing For
Inauguration Of President

Ceremonial Changes Since Washington Was Sworn Into
Office Nearly One Hundred and Twenty-eight Years
AgO-Jefferson Rode on Horseback to Capitol-DOug.
las Held LincoIn's Silk Hat Taft Was Inaugurated In
q Blizzard.