davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Tombstone epitaph. (Tombstone, Ariz.) 1887-current, 1917-08-12

bearded. From the angle 81 which
they saw him II was impossible to rec
ognlze him, nor was he in his frantic
progress assuming the usual attitude
and bearing of a man under ordinary
conditions which sometimes betray
him to those who know him well. Nor
could Helen Iilingworth with her
trembling hands focus the glass. which
she took from Rodney before the strug-
Cling adventurers had passed; and yet
there was something In the figure be-
low that made her heart beat faster.
She pressed her hand to the wet gar
ments over her heart and stared. Sud-
denly Rodney raised his voice and
shouted at the very top Of It. Winters
Joined In, and even Helen Ilingworth
found herself screaming. The three
men below were not more than FIVE or
six hundred feet away, but evidently
they could not possibly hear in that
tumult Of nature. No voices would
carry through any such rain and wind.
They were too intent on their paths
and on what they had TO do to look
upward. They rounded the shoulder
of the mesa and disappeared in the
pines at its feet.
The three on the top looked at each
other.
The dam still holds" said Rodney,
quite unsuspecting what was in the
woman's heart.
Even as he spoke, Helen Illingworth
turned away. She ran heavily in her
sodden garments along the broken
mesa top past the house to the upper
edge. There below her were the three
men just emerging from the fringe Of
trees. Rounding the end OF the mesa.
they had at last struck flrmer ground.
Helen nlingworth could see them
through the pines on the old trail. The
going was bad enough, but 1t was moth
ing compared to what they had passed
over and presently they burst out of
the woods and ran along the greasy.
| well-rounded hogback that divided the
valley from the ravine.
The woman had no idea what was
toward. what was their purpose. She
could only stare and stare at the rap
idly moving far-off figure indomitably
in the lead, and the others following
after. There Winters Joined her.
Rodney sent me TO look after you
he feels that he must stay back and
watch the dam for his paper"
Look" said Helen, pointing far
down. The men halted at the very
narrowest part OF the hogback. They
were clustered together. The bag lay
| on the ground behind them. One man
bent over 1t, evidently opening it.
Another man swung the shovel vicious.
ly, the third grabbed the pick. Win
tiers had been too far removed from en-.
cheering even yet to figure out what
was toward. They could only watch
and wonder.
Tombstone epitaph. (Tombstone, Ariz.) 1887-current, 1917-08-12
CHAPTER Xxx.
The XictcrA.

Meade knew that they were fighting
I losing battle. Every one of the
igher grade men knew 1t also. The
s)illway was entirely inadequate, but
1t suddenly flashed into his mind. with
that consciousness of the hopelessness
of the struggle, that perhaps there was
another way to discharge the flood.
The same idea might have come to
any olher OF the more intelligent Of the
men ffom vandeventer down IL they
had tax IN a moment for reflection. II
they had not been SO frantically. so
frightfr.lly engrossed in their present
puny Jut gallant efforts TO save the
dam, ohey certainly would have remem-
ber-d. That the possibility came to
Eeade rather than to any OF the others
was perhaps due to the fact that he
had noted the situation later and had
studied the conditions more recently
Those solitary rambles Of his. those
careful inspections of the terrain Of
the valley. had been made long after
the original surveys and the results Of
his observations were still fresh in his
mind.
The water was rising so rapidly
since the cloudburst and he saw the
inevitableness OF the failure so clearly
that he did not dare to waste time to
look up Handkerchief. tell him his plan,
and get his permission. Every second
was of the utmost value. When the
thought came, he acted instantly. He
was in the position Of the commander
of q small force to whom Is suddenly
presented the bare possibility Of wrest-
ing victory from defeat by some splen-
dldly daring and unforeseen undertake
ing. And he was the man to seize such
a possibility and make the most of IT,
He had endeared himself to some Of
the men and the respect in which he
was held by Vandeventer was shared
by the others. When he called two
Of the most capable of the workmen.
big. buriy Irishman and a stout little
Italian. to follow him. they did 1t
without moments hesitation.
THE rest Of you keep on here" he
shouted as he left the gang. Murphy
and Funaro, come with me. Keep IL
up; I think know q way to help" he
yelled back through the rain as he
scrambled OF the dam up the rocks to
the spiIlway. II was NJ. his fault that
they could not hear and could not I'M
derstand.
: The water was rushing through the
spillway about knee deep. and the
three nen plunging forward through
Tombstone epitaph. (Tombstone, Ariz.) 1887-current, 1917-08-12
VALUE OF IMPROVED ROADS
Value Of Farm Increased by Getting
Crops to Market Rapidly and
CheapIy as Possible.

The value of good roads is becom-
Ing more and more recognized in the
United States every day. Wise men
point to the fact that tap-line railroad
spurs cannot be constructed In the
country for less than $4,000 a mile,
and that the cost of these must be paid
by the commodity transported over
them.
The good roads do not cost so much
and are just as efficient. Everything
that makes it easier to get crops to
the market raises the value of farm
lands by making them more profitable
to the farmer.
Tombstone epitaph. (Tombstone, Ariz.) 1887-current, 1917-08-12

carefully covered with the raincoat, he
held ii while the others filled in the
holes and the excavations and care
fully tamped down the earth. All that
remained was the lighting of the fuse.
And then? Would the dynamite go
of? With fuses 1t was uncertain in its
action at best. and although these
fuses were supposed to be so prepared
as 10 be independent of weather con-
ditions, more ofteh than not rain
spoiled a blast. If this blast failed It
was good-by dam-good-by everything.
Meade drew out from the pocket Of
his flannel shirt box of matches. He
had to light the farther cartridge fuse.
then run fifteen feet and light the
nearer one, and then make his escape.
He had made the nearer fuse a little
shorter so as to secure q simultaneous
explosion II possible.
Tony Funaro now interposed gall
lantly.
'Glva me da light" he demanded, ex-
tending his hand.
"G'wan wild ye." shouted the big
Irishman eagerly; 'lenme do it, sor."
"Stand back, both Of you" cried
Meade. succeeding after some trouble
In striking a match.
He had cut off shorter length Of
fuse for torch, the better to carry the
fire from one blast to another. AS 1t
sputtered into flame, he touched the
first fuse. then the second, and turned
and ran for his life after Murphy and
Funaro. They had just got safe dis
lance away when with a mufiled roar
the two blasts went OF nearly together.
When they ran back they saw that
two-thirds of the hillock on that side
Of the ravine had gone. A wall of
earth through which water was already
trickling rose between the great gap
they had blown out and the lake, the
upper level of which was much higher
| than the bottom Of the great crater
they had opened.
"Hurrah." yelled Meade, the others
joining in his triumphant shout. "Now.
another hole right there" he pointed to
the foot Of the bank. "Drive 1t In
slanting and 1t will do the job"
"Will the dam be after holdin' yit,
sory" asked Mike Murphy, seizing his
pick.
II hope so, but, for Gods sake.
hurry"
With two men working, the last hole
was completed before Meade was
ready. Funaro, indeed, came to his
assistance in preparing the cartridge.
Presently all was completed. Reject
ing the pleas of both men, Meade
struck the match, and this time, since
there was but one blast to be fired, he
touched 1t directly to the fuse and
waited q second to see that 1t had
caught and ran as before.
At q safe distance they drew back
and waited. Nothing happened. A few
seconds dragged on. They saw no sign
Of life In the fuse, no light. In spite
Of the care they had taken, it had got
wet. II would not work. The precious
moments were flying. They stared
agonizingly at the fuse through the
rain.
I'll have to take a look at it." said
Meade desperately.
Funaro and Murphy caught him by
the arms. They all knew the tremen-
dous risk in a nearer approach. The
fuse might be alight still. At any sec
ond the flame might flash to the deto-
nator and then Yet Meade had to
go. That charge had to be exploded IL
he detonated 1t by hand, he thought
desperately. and he had not come so
far and worked SO hard to fail now
Tombstone epitaph. (Tombstone, Ariz.) 1887-current, 1917-08-12

1t had difficulty in keeping their foot
ing on the broken, rocky bottom.
When they reached the other side,
Meade shouted above the storm:
Murphy. bring your pick and show
ell. take that iron range-pole, too.
Here, Funaro. you take your shovel
and these"
As he spoke he ran into the Office
shack and wrecked a transit tripod.
ruthlessly separating the legs from one
another by main force and pitching
/ two Of them into the little Italians
outstretched arms.
Without a question. both men com
piled with his directions. In a huge
crevice, almost a small cave. in the
spur OF the mesa which overhung the
east end of the dam the explosives
were stored. The dynamite was kept
in o.lskin bags. the decorating caps in
waterproof boxes. There were six
teen sticks or cartridges in each bag.
Each stick was an inch and half In
diameter and eight inches long. One
bagful should be ample. Indeed, II
that did not do the work, the attempt
would fail.
The men waited while Meade select
ed a bag Of dynamite, a box Of detona-
tors, and a package Of fuses 1t was a
cardinal rule that dynamite cartridges
and decorating caps should never be
carried by the same person. because
the combination so greatly increased
the risk Of premature explosion.
The illuminate Of mercury in the
detonators was very volatile, highly ex-
plosiye and immensely destructive. con-
sidering its size. One such cap could
blow off a mans hand, or even his
head, and in its explosion might deto-
nate the dynamite. Hence the sepa-
ration when being carried.
Meade decided to take that risk. He
knew how perilous was the undertake
ing, how liable he was In his hurry 10
| fall against the rocks. slippery and
half submerged In that pouring rain.
He knew what the consequences OF
such a fail would be He would center
all risks In himself. He thrust the box
Of detonators in his pocket. the pack
age of fuses inside his flannel shirt,
and carried the dynamite bag in his
hand. He would need his free hand 10
protect himself. so all the tools were
carried by the other men.
The little Italian shook his head rs
he noted these preparations. He hap.
pened to be one of the explosive force,
those whose duty II was to do the
blasting. In his practical way he knew
Il great deal about the properties and
possibilities OF usefulness of the dyna-
mite. Meade's purpose was obvious
even TO Murphy, who was only Ia.
borer, though where he proposed to
work neither man had any idea at ell
Dynamite no work in zis weather"
said Funaro impressively.
Probably not" answered Meade
hurrying his preparations, but it's our
only chance"
Give me re caps" urged the Ital.
ian CALAMITY.
No, iii take both
ut ees danger"
"Yes, but come on"
| Meade, wasting no more words
sprang at what was left of the trail
and the two men calamity followed
him. The hogback at which he was
aiming was perhaps little more than
two miles from the dam. On the ordi.
nary trail and prepared for the run
he could have managed 1t In fifteen
Tombstone epitaph. (Tombstone, Ariz.) 1887-current, 1917-08-12

.ough surface. This method of con.
struction was developed by the Mas
sachusetts state highway commission.
According to Engineering News, the
roadbed is covered with broken stone
from two to three inches in size, which
is rolled until the bed is three inches
thick. This bed then has hot asphalt
applied to it by pressure distributor
at the rate of two and three-fourths
to three gallons per square yard. This
asphalt fills the spaces between the
stones, but the latter are so large that
their tops project somewhat above the
asphalt binder and thus afford foot
hold In any but icy weather.
Tombstone epitaph. (Tombstone, Ariz.) 1887-current, 1917-08-12

minutes; as It was. they made 1t in
thirty. The extreme possibility of the
life Of the dam seemed to Meade not
much greater. He went in the lead,
and by his direction the others kept
some distance behind him.
If fall and explode this dynamite,
there's no need Of all three Of US be-
ing blown up" he had said, and it was
no reflection on their courage that they
complied with his direction.
Indeed a stern command was neces-
sary to keep the two men back. They
had caught something Of the gallant
spirit Of the engineer. and the big
freshman and the little Italian were as
eager as he. Helped by q few hasty
Tombstone epitaph. (Tombstone, Ariz.) 1887-current, 1917-08-12

The Automobile club of Southern
California, with its 1O.203 members,
which claims to be the largest organ
ization of the kind in the world, de-
clares that California is leading all
states in highway development.
Tombstone epitaph. (Tombstone, Ariz.) 1887-current, 1917-08-12
Rural Attitude CHANGED.

The use Of the automobile by farm
ers has completely changed the rural
attitude toward motoring, and tens Of
thousands Of men are making direct
profits by catering to the passing no
torist.
The Springdale news., 1917-12-14
MARRIAGES.
PETERSON-PIGMAN.

Springdale friends of Miss Earle
Pigman, will be surprised to learn of
her marriage Saturday, Dec s, at San
Antonio, Texas, the groom being
David L. Peterson, formerly of South
Bend Indiana, but who is now in the
Aviation Training Camp at San IN
tonic, Texas. Mr.. Peterson received
his education in the university of
Wisconsin and is a model young man
in every respect.
The bride is we'll and favorably
known in Springdale ard vicinity, she
having spent most of her life in and
near SprinPdale, she being graduate
of the Springdale High School and
since finishing school has spent the
past five years teaching in the schools
of Washington and Benton counties
She is the daughter of Mr.. and Mrs.
J. H. Pigman.
She will continue her work as teach
er in the public school at Greenland.
Mr.. Peterson expects soon to receive
his commission and expects to see SER
vice abroad
The Springdale news., 1917-12-14
DEATHS
xm@NMM@@MMMMMMMMMS
GREGG.

Information has reached Springdale
Of the death of Mrs. Lee Gregg, which
occurred Tuesday morning at her
home at Colorado Springs, Colo, the
result of tuberculosis. The body was
shipped to Springdale for burial, and
was expected to arrive yesterday at
noon. Just when the funeral will be
held is not known, depending on the
arrival of Neal Jones from Itaho. a
brother of the deceased
Deceased was a iaughte'' of Mr..
and Mrs. John Jones. and was reared
in this vicinity She was uni;el i'll
ng riage to Lee Gregg twen'.y years
ago, as was told in the twenty years
ago items in The News last week, and
for some ten or twelve years past
they have made their home in Colora-
do. Deceased was about forty years
Of age, and is survived by her mother,
who has been with her for the past
few months; one sister, Mrs. r. l..
Norman, residing southeast of Spring
dale, and three brothers, Taylor and
Jess of this place, and Neal, whose
home is in Idaho.
The Springdale news., 1917-12-14
FROM VERN BACkUS.

Following are extracts from a let
ter written by Vern Backus to his par
ents, Mr.. and Mrs. A. A Backus, at
this place, under date of December Z.
Vern is a member of Company M, 35
Infantry, located at Nogales, Arizona:
There were twelve from each COM
pany left for France last week. They
were transferred to machine gun reg
iment | certainly tried to go but
failed am really anxious to go.
Eve go on hike every week, each
one of US with nearly hundred
pounds Many fall out on these hikes
but | have my first time yet to fall
out. | came very near it the other
day. My. | was all in, but let no one
know it. We hiked % miles that day
and 40 fell out of the battalion, but
not one out of our company. We have
the name of being the Hike Com
pany" of the Regiment and best at
parade.
THE whole regiment passed i'll re-
view for a British officer this after
noon.
I'VE have a swell camp and fine
eats. drill three to six hours, three to
The Springdale news., 1917-12-14
ATTENTION FARM Frs.

Let me take your time just long
enough to tell you how to fence
against very serious problem we are
facing
This nation is at war How the war
came to US does not concern us now,
but how to win the war does concern
US greatly. The food crisis is but a
step removed from our door. The
necessities of the body is primary. The
well-fed man is ready for physical or
intellectual action.
The food supply in France is short
/ now, and in these United States not
withstanding our rich harvest the gov
eminent is beginning to stint the
people. Never before has this gener-
alton of our folk had food measured
out in small quantities. The elements
of nature have been favorable, the
rains abundant, and labor sufficient,
and yet there is shortage.
Northwest Arkansas was never IN a
more prosperous condition. We may
keep in this state and help win the war
and continue prosperous if we have
i the conditions the same as last year il
we fence against the crisis now pend
j ing. What is the crisis
Next spring will witness a million
less men on our farms, and fair es-
innate with one-fifth of the land
unturned by pillow, and then when an
other November comes our food sup
ply will be about four fifths of this
years supply. Frances shortage will
increase, our soldiers must be we'll
fed, and cur munition workers must
be well fed-if we do our part.
You ask how do | know we will
have one-quarter less wheat, meat and
vegetables next fall?
You witness the withdrawal IRON
our fields Of million young farmers
and from the coal mines, factories
and business houses another million.
1t makes US face farming crisis new
er before faced in the history of our
country.
With this crisis pending there seems
to be at least one solution for this sec
ton. Within ninety days from now
the land must be plowed, oats and
spring wheat must be sowed and pota
toes planted, orchards pruned and
sprayed and gardens started. Who is
to do the work? The remaining force
who have not been called out.
If we meet the condition and keep
up our present prosperity, which will
only help the more to win the war we
The Springdale news., 1917-12-14

The News is authorized to announce
Judge J. N. Tillman as candidate
for reelection to Congress from the
Third District, subject to the action
Of the Democratic party
The Springdale news., 1917-12-14
FROM VERN T.. DAVIS.

Springdale friends of Vern f. Davis
will be interested in the following let
ter received from him few days ago
by J. p Moore Vern is lieuten-
ant, and is serving his country "some-
where in France:
Il was much pleased to receive your
letter three days ago, and after read
ing it over | felt proud to know that
had good friend at Springdale who
is interested in me as you are, and
whose interest will last You will
never know how much ! appreciate
you, Mr.. Moore. know full well
that could you call back few years
you would be here with me but that
is impossible You will do the next
best thing-help feed those who can
do their part, and by your CHEEKY let
tiers encourage your two boys, Charlie
and myself.
Il am working hard now getting in
shape for something better. Ii takes
training and lots of it but am glad
to get it from teachers who know.
And | hope as result to help train
others so that they will be able to rem
der an effective and efficient service.
Not only do | want to participate in
the training of our men but l want to
lead some of them.
by the way, | wish you had told
me what became of Paul and Ted. The
last heard Paul was in Texas at
tending business college, but | sup
pose both were drafted
Il hope you got your price for your
apples, and that the crop amounted
to more than you expected. | sure
would enjoy stepping into your store
room and filling up on winesaps, but
| am too far from home to be entitled
o such Injuries You can just eat a
few and think of me.
you tell Jim Hawn that | am go
ing to write him letter some of these
days and if he does not answer it | am
going to come board off of him for
two or three weeks as soon as this
business Is over.
when you write Charlie give him
my regards and tell him that l am bet
ting on him.
Remember me to the neighbors
who care to hear of me- With lots of
good wishes for you and Mrs. Moore,
| am,
Your friend,
Lieut.. Vern +, Davis =
The Springdale news., 1917-12-14
GRIBBLE.

Springdale people were surprised
Tuesday morning at the announce
nent of the death of w. H. Gribble,
which occurred about two o'clock at
his home in the east part of town,
death being due to hemmorhage of
the lungs. The funeral arrangements
have not been announced, being defer
rd until the arrival of a son, Don
Gribble, from Winnipeg, Canada.
There is another son, Bert, but his
whereabouts are unknown.
Deceased was born January %,
1841, in England, and had resided in
Springdale for a number of years. Be-
sides the two sons he is survived by a
widow from second marriage.
The Springdale news., 1917-12-14
Your friend
Lieut.. Vern +. Davis.

All union labor organizations in
Fort Smith went on a strike Sunday
through sympathy for the striking
telephone operators, and as a conse-
quence business in a number of lines
is at a standstill. The street cars
ceased operations, and the town was
without electric lights for a few days.
1t is reported that enough non-union
men were found to operate the light
plant Tuesday, but street cars are still
idle. Neither daily newspaper in Fort
Smith has been issued since Sunday,
and it was necessary to print Sunday
paper Saturday afternoon
The Springdale news., 1917-12-14

five days each week, wash one day
and inspection every Saturday. Holt
day last day of each month, and off
from Saturday 10 o'clock until Mon
day.
"Have all kinds of games. ! belong
to the M. Company basket ball team
and proud to say it is the fastest
team in the regiment.
The Springdale news., 1917-12-14
SOLDIERS LETTERS.
Z + + + + + + + + + + +
+ TO PARENTS AND OTHERS. +

+ The News desires to print all I
+ the news possible from our sol I
+ der boys, wherever located, and I
+ to this end we ask parents and I
+ ohters who receive letters from I
+ the boys, to please send them in I
+ to this office and such matter as :
j. is of general interest will be :
+ printed. All are interested in any
+ news pertaining to the army life
+ of the boys from this section, and :
+ what one correspondent may
+ omit mentioning in his letters :
I. home others may mention, and :
+ by publishing the various letters I
+ all will get the benefit of what :
+ is written. Send in your let :
+ tiers, whether your boy is in the !
+ army or navy.
+ + + + j. 1. + + + + + !
The Springdale news., 1917-12-14

Itch, Itch Scratch. Scratch
Scratch! The more you scratch, the
worse the itch. Try Doan's Ointment.
For eczema, any skin itching. soc "a
box
The Springdale news., 1917-12-14

Girls. when you see a Young man
who would make good husband, you
should quietly rattle him off. BY at
lacking him n mass formation you
are liable to friehten him away.
The Springdale news., 1917-12-14

He who kisses a maiG kisses a miss,
and he who kisses another mans wife
MISSES amiss; so the only thing left for
a man is widows
The Springdale news., 1917-12-14

must take advantage of all available
conditions of the weather and help
now obtainable to put our land IN con-
dition for the next crop. Some one
has said "A hint to the wise is suf-
ficient."
Z. T. Phillips.
The Springdale news., 1917-12-14
piles Cured in q to ii Days

RI. Phillips.
The Springdale news., 1917-12-14

Your druggist will refund money if PAZO
OINTMENT fails to cure any case of Itching.
Blind. Bleeding or Protruding Piles in ito Ii Gays
The first application gives Ease and Rest. rs
The Springdale news., 1917-12-14
Drives Out Malaria, Builds Up System

The Old Standard general strengthening tonic.
GROVES TASTELESS chill TONIC, drives out
Malaria, enrches the blood and builds up the sys-
tenn. true tonic. For adults and children. QUO