davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-12-26
Governor Refuses to Take
Action on Showing Made
by Retail Grocers.
WANTED SUNDAY
LAWS ENFORCED
Request Returned With the
Message That. Half Citi-
zenship Should Protest.

In response 70 petition preseat-
ed by nearly every retail rrocery
dealer in the city requesting that the
Sunday closing laws be enforced i'm
Pensacola, Governor Cats in Il letter
made public yesterday by H. J.
Mackey, attorney for tte petition rs,
declines TO author ze the enforcemens
of the laws for the season that "In
order for any law to be carried out in
any community it seems to me that
more than half of the citizens of that
community should be in favor of it.
The petition, signed by t1irtv-two
local retail grocers, was presented by
Mr.. Mackey to Sheriff J. c. Van
Pelt, who Mr.. Mackey states in let
ter to the governor, declined to act
on it without the approval of the
chief executive. The matter was then
taken up with Governor Cats, both
by Mr.. Mackey, and Sheriff Van
Pelt, and the following letter was
the answer received:
Dear Sir:-I have your letter of
recent date in regard to Sunday
laws, etc. In order for any law to be
carried out in any community it
seems to me that half of the; citizens
of that community should be in fa-'
vor of it. would ask you therefore
to present a mueh-larger petition bes1-
fore can do anything In the
premises.
Yours very truly,
(Signed( SIDNEY ]. CATS.
Governor.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-12-26
TEA CHEERS THE|CIRCUS CLOWN MASS MEETING
STATE MEETIN G|SHOT DOWN BY0N THE SPECIAL
AT DAYTONAll UNKNOWN MAN ROAD ELECTION
ALL MEMBERS AND OTHERS IN
TERESTED ARE URGED TO BE
AT THE CHAMBER OF COM
MERGE ROOMS.

At four o'clock this afternoon a
mass meeting will be held in the
Chamber of Commerce, which all
members, and others interested in
the paving of the bayshore road. are
urged to attend, so that a campaign
may be mapped out to obtain the
special tax levy to be voted on in
the election tomorrow.
BY a resolution adopted by the
Board of County Commissioners
Monday, the active assistance of
every citizen interest in the devel-
opment of Pensacola and Escambia
county, was asked for by the Off
cials, so that this needed improve
ment may be made.
The meeting this afternoon is not
for the members of the Chamber of
Commerce, but for everyone, and it is
hoped that there will be a large at
tendance. Under terms of agreement
the government will pave portion of
the road, if the county authorizes the
paving of the county section. The
city stretch is already paved, and by
voting the bond issue a permanent,
concrete boulevard from Pensacola to
the Aero Station, and the forts is
assured.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-12-26
GHOSTS AT FRONT
ARE SEEN BY Men

Paris, Dec. 25.-One of the most
mysterious happenings on The w1st-
ern front during the autumn ana
early winter months has been the ap-
pearance there from time to time Of
what the soldiers of the Allies have
christened TIE Family ghost"
He is veritablc giant among
spooks, reaching to a heigt7t of sew
eral hundred feet, and in form and
appearance resembles pillar of
white smoke.
1t has been described by a close
observer as being perfectly straight
and apparently rigid as far as tie
top, where it sprays round into
knob. Altogether, it suggests a giant
stick of celery.
Much speculation has arisen as to
how the family ghost is produced
and for what purpose. One theory
is that the giant pillars are intended
to poison the atmosphere with some
new kind of gas, and this is borne
out by the fact that. where they
have been observed during daylight.
they have appeared to windward of
the Allied lines
On the other hand, sae atmospheric
poisoning experimcnts-if indeed
that is what they Sre-can hardly
have been very successful since no
smell or taste of gas, or other dele
ferrous vapor, has ever been noted in
connection with them
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-12-26
FLORIDA SCHOOL OFFICIALS
ARE CROwDING CONVENTION
CITY, TANNING ACCOMMODA-
TIONS TO CARE FOR THEM.

Daytona, Fla, Dec. 25.-Florida
school teachers are taking Daytona
by storm today and practically every
accommodation in the city will be
taxed to provide places for them. 1t
is quite certain that a record break
ing attendance will be on hand when
the sessions of the Florida Educa-
tional Convention are formally open
ed tomorrow night. Scheduled speak
ers for the initial session include
Miss Agnes Ellen Harris, president
of the association; w. N. Sheats,
state superintendent of public in
struction, and Captain George NJ.
Lynch, representing the National
Education Association. The sessions
will continue over tomorrow and Fri
day. The program for these two
days calls for discussion of subjects
covering the entire educational field
with particular reference to those
school problems that have been given
birth by the war.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-12-26
IS COMPARATIVELY
SAFE AT The FRONT

Washington, D. c., Dec. 25.-It is
estimated that the total death rate
per year in the present war does not
exceed five per cent of the total
number of individuals engaged. That
is to say. the chances of getting
killed at the front, speaking gener-
ally, are not much greater than the
death rate in this country This COM
paratively low percentage is large
accounted for the increased cost of
taking life. 1t takes something like
four tons of projectiles to kill sin
gle soldier.
Other casualties are also constr
ABLY less in proportion. Of the Allied
soldiers ninety-five per cent of those
who reach the field hospitals recover
and of those who reach the base
hospitals ninety eight per cent re-
cover. Then, again, the ratio of
deaths by disease is only about one
to twenty deaths from wounds or in
battle. whereas in former wars the
ratio was about seven deaths from
disease to one in battle or from
wounds.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-12-26
TOMATOES REPLACE
CHRYSANTHEMUMS

Liverpool, Dec 25.-A year ago
the city of Liverpool decided to sus-
pend the cultivation of chrysanthe-
NUNS in the green houses attached
to the public parks, and grow some
thing useful instead Several acres
of glass were accordingly assigned to
be used for tomatoes. The result of
the years work is announced in q re,
port just published. which states that
10000 pounds of tomatoe were thus
grown, all of which were sent in
weekly installments to about thirty
hospitals in the Liverpool
district.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-12-26
PARIS PARTICIPATES IN
FOURTH WAR CHRISTMAS

Paris, Dec. 25.-For its fourth war
Christmas, Paris has taken on de-
cided American color. In addition to
the 500 soldiers regularly stationed
in and around the city, there are in
Paris one thousand or more on leave
from camps, including a number who
have seen service in the trenches.
The engineer regiments serving b.
hind the British front and who were
recently engaged with the Germans
are represented and there are also
several hundred sailors from an
American patrol fleet off the French
coast.
The poultry situation the last few
days was dominated by the demand
for turkey, the greatest in the his
tory of Paris. To supply the sol
diers and sailors from the United
States the markets were exhausted
before noon yesterday. All the
"a Christmas dinner as near as pos
sble to the real American feast.
The American Y. M. c. A. hotels
are filled to capacity. Special enter
tainments were given there last
night and Christmas dinners were
served today The American soldiers
and sailors club and the American
University union also are looking af-
ter as many guests as thew can ac-
commodate. The various college fra
ternities and alumni associations are
giving special dinners and entertain
ments. The soldiers and sailors club
gave each guest a Christmas pres
ent
No American soldier in France has
Continued on PAGE 1'wol
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-12-26
ITALIANS. ARE
HOLDING BACK
THE GERMANS
Central Powers Forces Fail
in Another Move o I Lines
of the Defenders.
BOMBARDMENT OF
INVADERS HEAVY
Italians Still Contesting
Every Inch of Ground, Re-
sisting Bosche Advance.
ITALIAN HEADQUARTERS. IN

ITALIAN HEADQUARTERS. IN
NORTHERN ITALY, Monday, Dec
A.-(By the Associated Press.)-
Having devoted all attention last
week to trying to get down the San
Lorenzo valley leading to the plain.
the enemy has suddenly turned his
attention in the last twenty-four
hours to the Franzela valley, which
gives another line of approach to the
lower level. These valleys lie on op-
posite sides of the Brenta river with
German divisions operating east of
the river in an effort to push
through the valley of San Lorenzo
and the Austrians fighting west of
the river in an attempt to effect a
penetration between Franzela valley
route.
The latest attack on the west side
OF the river, was preceded by a
heavy bombardment. This prepara-
tion was followed by the advance of
successive waves of infantry from a
large concentration of the enemy
forces which succeeded in making a
few hundred yards progress. The
Italians, however, are still contest
ing the ground. their counter attack
being yet in progress.
Enemy troops from the Russian
and Rurnsnian fronts hxve been iden-
titled during the latest attacks. 1t
lis also established that Austrian
troops along the Piave are being
shifted 60 The mountain region with
the evident purpose of concentrating
all attention on breaking through
from the north.
The menace to Venice from the re-
cent success Of the enemy in one Of
his numerous attempts to cross the
old Piave has now been ended by
brilliant night attack.
The 17th Bersaglieri drove the
enemy from his foothold on the west
bank near the mouth of the river and
forced him back across the stream
to his old position on the east bank.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-12-26
AGED LADY FALLS,
SUSTAINING INJURIES

Mrs. Holden, an aged lady. resid-
ing with her son, Mr.. Alfbrooks. at
216 East Zarragossa streets. sustain
ed painful and probably serious in
j,iries yesterday when, upon return
lng home after a short walk, she
fell with great force.
The aged victim, who is more than
50 years of age, came here some
months ago from Mississippi to be
with ker son, and during her stay
made many friends. all OF whom will
deeply regret, the accident above de-
tailed.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-12-26
Messengers of Death
Are Numerous and Deadly

The smaller kind are "Black Ma
rias" or "Woolly Bears according
to whether the smoke they emit when
bursting IS black, or white with a
yellowish tinge.
High explosive shrapnel and trench
mortar shells are respectively
'whizz bangs. and "pip squeaks," !"
from their habit of giving only these
warnings of their approach. "Archi-
balds' are anti-aircraft shells. Or
dinary shrapnel projectiles are Lit
tie will1ias.'
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-12-26
Total Eclipse of Moon
Interests The Scientists

Washington, D. C, Dec 25.-As-
tronomers at the United States Nav
al Observatory here. like their fell
low-scientists in other parts of the
country, have their instruments all
primed for taking observations of
the total eclipse of the moon, which,
is to take place Thursday night. 1t
will be the last eclipse of the present
year and the second total eclipse OF
the moon since January 1, which will
be observable over practically the en-
tire United States and Canada.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-12-26

Nearly six hours will elapee be-
tween the time the moon enters and
the time it leaves shadow tomorrow
night. It will be daylight before the
eclipse as viewed in the eastern part
of the country is concluded.
The beginning of the eclipse will
be visible generally in North and
South America, throughout the r.
cific Ocean, and the extreme north
eastern portion of Asia The e......
will be observable generally through
out North America, the Pacific
Ocean, in eastern Asia and Australia,
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-12-26

Paris. Dec. 25.-There are about
two hundred separate and distinct
kinds of shells fired from German
guns. and each and every one of them
has been given at least one nickname
by the soldiers of the Allies. Some
of them have been given several.
The biggest kind of high explo-
sive shells, for instance, are known
Indirectly as jackson Johnsons. >
sDirtv Dicks" 'Crumps," Goal
Boxes" "Flower Pots or "Whistling
Willies."
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-12-26
ALyER LARGUE is IN
CITY ON FURLOUGH

Alver Largue, who is attached to q
unit of the aviation branch Of the
army, and who is now stationed at
a point in Virginia, arrived in PEN
sacola last night to spend short
time with relatives and friends At
tired in the Uniform Of that branch
of the service, he was not even recog-
nized at first glance by closest
friends upon arrival, because of his
improved appearance. The young
man says he was never in better
health.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-12-26
MOTHER AND SIX
CHILDREN BURNED

Greenwood, n. c., Dec 25.-The
charred bodies of Mrs. j.. T. Whit
man and six children age three to
thirteen were found in the ruins. fol-
lowing the destruction of the Whit
man home by fire, near here. The
fires cause was unknown The
mother. apparently discovered the
fire too late for escape. went TO the
children's aid, where all were over
come and persisted.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-12-26
BLACK SOLDIER
GUILTY OF MURDER

Washington, Dec 25-Private
Jerry Ward, attached to Company A,
of the first separate battalion of ne
gro troops of the District National
Guard, has been sentenced to dismis-
sal from the service and three years
at hard labor in the Atlanta federal
prison for killing Andrew J. Copore.
an aged carpenter, at the quarter
master training camp here last Oc-
tober.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-12-26
HOLD OFFICE FOR
DURATION OF WAR

Paris, Dec. 24.-The Chamber of
Deputies has adopted a resolution ex-
tending the term of all elective Off
cials in France until the end of the
war No elections will be held in
meantime.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-12-26
PUTS BAN ON FREE
USE OF CREAMS

London, Dec. 25.-The latest food
restriction order issued here pro-
hibits tle use of cream, except for
the purpose of making butter or for
invalids, children, or other persons
upon a doctors order.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-12-26
THREE SOLDIER BOYS
DIE AT. CAMP WHEELER

Macon, Ga, Dec. 25.-Otis Fowler,
of Westover, Ala; L. B. Mcclure, Of
Blue Ridge, Ca; and William Row.
ell, of Mystic Ga, died of pneumonia
at Camp Wheeler today.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-12-26
PERSHING REPORTS
DEATH GEORGIA ROY

Washington, Dec 25.-General Per-
shing today reported the death from
natural causes of Private Walter J..
Bennett, of the engineers of Kirk
land, Ga.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-12-26

Continued on Page Two
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-12-26

Continued on Page Two.)
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-12-26

Don't Fail to Qualify So |
That You Can Vote in Favor
of Paving the Barrancas
Road.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-12-26
T Fl E w E A T II E r

Fair Wednesday, except rain In north
east portion; colder In north rortion.
Moderate west winds.
Highest temperature yesterday. So de-
grees; lowest, Sc degrees.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-12-26

Continued on Page T'wo)
The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-11-03
BRITISH DFSTR0IFRS SIND
GERMAN CRUISER, A RAIDER.
five TRAWLFRS AND TEN
GERMAN PATROL BOATS
GENERAL GILCHRIST IS
AFTER STREET CAR co.

Valdosta, Ga, Nov "A suit
for $14,500 and other damages was
filed in the office of Deputy Clerk
j.. b. Small. of the United States
District Court here, by attorneys for
Albert w. Gilchrist, former COVER
nor Of Florida, against the Waycross
Street and Suburban Railway Com
rany, the Waycross Savings and
Trust Company, the Park-Moran
Company and the Southern Iron and
Equipment Company, of Atlanta.
Governor Gilchrist alleges that he
is owner of suburb known as Gil
Christ Park, at Waycross, and that
he financed the Waycross Street Rai1-
wa, to the extent of $4,000 under
ar agreement that the railway com
pany was to build an extension
through his property, which it failed
to do, in the meantime going into
receivers hands. After receivership
the plaintiff states that he advanced
S 1000 additional to the receivers for
the purpose Of building the extern
sion. but this again failed.
The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-11-03
RELICS FROM THE BATTLEFIELDs
(By Associated Press.)

Behind the British Lines in France.
Nov. 2.-In a quaint old place some
miles behind the battleline are
housed many interesting souvenirs of
the great war. curious relics from
world-famous battlefields and illus
trations of phases of daily life in
the trenches, German trophies for
the most part. Many Of hese ex-
hibits are destined in due course to
form part Of the National War Mu-
scum. The old First Corps flag car
ried by the heroic and ill-fated
Cough at Ypres is one of the notable
relics.
Here also one may see the carved
oak table from shelled Arras used by
Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig at
his headquarters throughout the bat
tie of the Somme. There IS the First
Corps headquarters flag which he
carried in the Mons retreat, his first
flag as commander of the First Army
There are several other flags of great
interest-of which one must not for
get to mention the first Tanks flag
the first Portuguese flag in the
trenches, the first American flag to
fly in Franco after the American
declaration of war
There are German flags, TOO. as.
for instance, a large one unearthed
in the Hotel de Vile Peronne, an
other from Beaumont Hamel.
After flags, which are but sym
hois of our army, come captured
guns. But there is only room here
for the smaller engines of war, such
as trench mortars, minewerfers and
grenade-throwers. with a few ma
chine-guns damaged in battle There
is a great ungainly minenwerfer
captured at vimy by the Canadians.
There are shown two German para
chutes, souvenirs of a brilliant battle
In the aid and dozens of enemy rifles,
The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-11-03
CATS DECIDES HE WILL
KEEP THOSE RIFLES IN
J. PROXIMITY TO HIMSELF

st. Petersburg, Nov. 3.-Disposi-
tior of the 500 rifles and $500 car
tridges for them, allotted to Home
Guard companies in this Safe, is no
to be made by Governor Cats. The
guns will be held by the Governor
at Tallahassee and will be shipped TO
any home guard company that may
be ordered into active service foE use
only while in such service. This is
the information received here today
in letter from Governor Cats to
Mai Lew B. Brown, of the Pinellas
County Guard. Governor Cats said
there are so few rifles that they
would do no one company any good
If the guns were distributed among
the companies asking for them, so
he had decided to hold them f)' nse
in case he orders a company into
setNice to suppress a riot or insur-
restion.
The guns have been bone OF con-
tention since they were allotted TO
this State. Congressman Drane was
cor1plimented by Governor Cats by
being alleged to distribute the guns
in his district. Mr. Drane proposed
to divide them equally between .he
companies at Lakeland and in Tam
pa but Pinellas and other counties
With guard organizations at once
pi otesed and urged that they ought
to have their share of the guns
Finding that he had stirred up a ho-.
nets nest Mr.. Drane refused % de-
eide wo should have the guns and
handed them back to Governor Cats
TO distribute. The Governor solved
the problem by not distributing
them. This means that the various
companies in he State must do as
did Pinellas-buy guns, or have NJ
guns with which to drill so as to be
ready for service.
Guns for the Pinellas guard ar
rived here today and are now being
numbered and arranged for distribu-
ton. The men will get their guns
next Monday night when both COM
panies will report for drill.
The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-11-03
7. n. c. A. DRIVE IS ON
(Bv Associated Press. }

jacksonville, Fla, Nov. 3.-Plans
the big drive for Florida's share
<35, 100000 TO be raised by the
ang Mems Christian Association
work among the soldiers are be-
carried steadily forward. With
{ American boys holding the first
. trenches in France the personal
ch in the war has become real
eli Americans. Florida men are
these trenches watching and
oting at the Huns across No
ms Land.
kembers of the Florida regiments,
National Guard regiments, will
4 be in France as the first line
reserve for these men in the first
} trenches. Florida men who are
being trained in the new Ma
ial Army will soon be lover there"
tine their final training for the
at adventure. These are the
Who are to be benefited by the
\ . be raised in the comm g
- ~ tn Young Mems Christian
osznfion.
ufb1fDgs are to be erected in ev-
Amo<Ican camp and cantonment
The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-11-03
HOW many CAPTURED NOT
\ KNOWN; 100000 ITALIANS
\ HAVE Been TAKEN IN
THE PRESENT CAMPAIGN

in the United States and France.
These buildings will be the last
touches of refinement and home life
the soldiers will know after being or
doreG to take over the front line
trenches, and they will all be in
these fighting lines before many
months These men are going out
to crush the Hun and make the
world safe for democracy" The peo-
pie of this State are asked to aid ir
making life little more pleasant
for them while they fight the coun-
try's battles.
The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-11-03
NINE LOST WHEN
Y. s. TRANSPORT SHIP
WAS ToRPEDoED

Washington, Nov. 3.-The torpedo
ing of the homeward bound army
transport Finland in the war zone
four days ago resulted in the death
of two members of the naval armed
guard, two army enlisted men and
four of the ships civilian crew. A
third naval seaman is missing.
Vice Admiral Sims report Of the
casualties to the Navy Department
yesterday added no details to the an
nouncement Nov. l that the Finland
had been torpedoed but had been able
to reach European port under her
own steam.
The casualty list as made public
late today follows:
Members of the naval gun crew:
James w. Henry, seaman, second
79 Reynolds Street, Harrison, N. j.
Newton r. Head seaman, dead;
next of kin not given Home ad-
dress. Cleveland, Ga.
Newman Hilton. seaman, second
class, missing; mother, Mrs. Lizzie
Histon. Toccoa, Ga.
Members of Finland's crew:
NJ. Cardoza, fireman, drowned; no
emergency address.
j. Haneslo, barber, drowned; no
emergency address.
w. F. Phillips, waiter, drowned;
brother. A. Phillips. Jackson Bar
racks, New Orleans. La
Jose Cuevas, mess boy, probably
died from injuries; father, NJ Cuevas,
Havana, Cuba.
Army:
Private Lester Hickey, infantry,
drowned; father. Thomas Hickey, 142
North Racine Avenue, Chicago, Ill.
Charles H. Maxwell, colored. Trans
port Workers Battalion. drowned; /;
brother, Thomas E. Maxwell, Box 278
Concord, N. c.
The announcement that five of the
men were drowned indicated to Of
ficials that the Finland's company left
the vessel in small boats until it was
made certain that she would remain
af1oat
1t is assumed that two of the armed
guard were killed by the explosion of
the torpedo and that the missing ones
probably we're blown overheard by the
explosion.
The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-11-03
KerenSky'S Statement
Taken Too Seriously
In Some Quarters
(By Associated Press. d,

London, Nov. 3.-Most of the
morning papers conspicuously print,
ed Kerensky's interview with the AS
soclated Press correspondent, but
comment is not general. The Tele-
graphs Petrograd correspondent now
in London, writes that the statement
is taken too seriously in some GUAR
ters. 1t says Kerensky merely made
generally known what students of
Russia have been familiar with for
son. time. The Express admits
Russia's early invasion of East Prus-
sia probably saved France from be-
ins overrun.