davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1917-12-10

On that vast subject, Death"
Whether one likes to believe it
or not, the crude rappings and
other mediumistic manifestations
with which we are all familiar
have aroused curiosity and swelled
the steadily mounting tide of in
quiry and investigation which
must eventually lead somewhere.
Where, none of US can assert
definitely upon the present incom-
plete evidence. There are many
startling things in Sir Oliver
Lodges last book, many things
from other sources which tend TO
prove the contention Of the
spiritualists, that those we call
dead are living as real and vital a
life as they did on this side of the
so-called veil and are seeking as
eagerly to communicate with US as
we are with them.
On the other hand there is un-
doubted weight ito be given to
many of the arguments for REIN
carnation and those PHILOSOPHERS
which hold that this earth expert
ence of ours is but an interval-a
mock-tick as it were-in an ex-
istence which is eternal and un-
ending, ever progressing toward
some goal which as yet we cannot
even dimly divine.
Another Poets View.
So great a scientist as Mr..
Edison, reasoning solely from ma
terial evidences, can see no
chance for a future life whatever;
to his mind existence ends with
The Washington times., 1917-12-10
Once-Overs
Let Your
Light Shine

Copyright 1917, International News Service.
Do selfish life leading
only IN what you of your family are dong?S
capable Of doing
confined to your immediate family.
outside little circle find impossible to live upright
0iA LNes without power stronger man ieS pOSSesS
They need a guiding handf from outside
Somebody if they are ever TO amount anything
in this world F
Who you here for that
Velop the latent good in the weaker brother or sister
nots your Its affairs
might put life and ambition with whom in
- ~
Your attitude Of exeusveness fshne is against you
ghtab light sn on part OF the tme
and your family might appreciate more at tnaI
The Washington times., 1917-12-10

ton. But all this discussion and
rediscussion is having its effect.
The fact that scientists like Sir
Oliver Lodge have taken the mat
ter up for serious investigation
would seem to point to almost GER
tain results.
Above all, there is the mighty
impetus given to speculation by the
war, with its thousands Of bereft
homes and its millions OF mourn
Ing women seeking to see beyond
the veil.
All this cannot be in vain, for
the mind Of man has never yet ap-
piled itself to any problem with
out reaching a solution. II has
conquered the earth, the seas, and
the air. And there are many indi-
cations that this greatest Of the
questions is also in the way Of
being answered.
Quotes Mrs. Wilcox.
As Ella Wheeler Wilcox says in
. recent poem in the Cosmopolitan:
Il tell you, the shadows are grow
ing thinner
Between this world and the
world Of the dead;
And only the fool cries. 'Fooli' or
'Sinner!'
To one who looks into the life
ahead.
l tell you, the curtain Is being
lifted
The silence broken, the darkness
rifted-
And knowledge is taking the place
Of faith
The Washington times., 1917-12-10

Congress faces more the insistent prohibition lobby
determined to accept nothing but submission to its will
And Congress- reassemblng learns that for those really
desiring temperance and not demanding the right rule
their feowman the drink question has been settled by the
President already.
The Washington times., 1917-12-10
lLVT THERE do we go from
20 from here?"

In every gathering or group Of
people. II II persists long enough
and when l say people" l except
of course the assemblages Of the
very young-there is one subject
that is bound to come up for dis
cussIon. II is that Of the future
life.
And even the very young are apt
to discuss It in a circle OF their
own sex. Among themselves boys
OF high school or college age will
speculate and ponder upon It; and
among themselves girls OF eighteen
and twenty will air their romantic
or. imaginative fancies. But when
together they would never dream
of intruding anything so spooky.
With people,, though, the great
mystery affords an always inter-
esting and never-failing topic. Men
tell me that they have heard It
argued and debated in all sorts of
queer and out-of-the-way places
among cowboys, and prospectors
gathered about the campfire, on the
decks of fishing schooners rocking
to the long swells on the Grand
Banks, in, African iungles. and
South American forests, about the
gaming tables and among the
loungers in barrooms. But always
at night, tAsy say, and usually In
the small hours.
Where II Begins.
And /, myself, have observed the
same phenomenon. The quiet OF
the night, the light Of a wood fire
making the shadows Of the room
seem denser, and the conversation
invariably turns to, Where do we
go from here?"
Isn't 1t that the mystery Of the
darkness and the approach Of that
still greater mystery, sleep, nat
urally turns our thought to the
greatest Of an problems?
A futile questioning, many peo-
pie say, for In the end one comes
sQuarely up against a blank wall.
But the history OF our planet
shows that mans destiny is to
solve tie unsolvable. Fifty or a
hundred years ago one would
scarcely have dared whisper a
doubt against the orthodox, medi-
eval conception Of heaven and
hell. Then there was a blank wall
interposed-a blank wall Of mega
The Washington times., 1917-12-10

The coal administration issues It's
weekly statement as to why there
is no coal shortage.
Imove we strike out the last word.
The Washington times., 1917-12-10

And just to show how brave he
is, EARL CARBAUGH will sing.
One Of his songs will be a new one
bv our own favorite composer, WILL
T. PERSON.
The Washington times., 1917-12-10

New York fnanciers, and we have
with US a banker who has q more
extensive system under his control
than any Of the New York felloWs-
I refer to CARTER KEENE, head
Of the postal savings bank service.
CARTER, you will remember. start
ed in the postoffce as an inspector.
The Washington times., 1917-12-10

Ny optimistic friend, o. J. DE
MOLL assures everyone that the
clouds are rapidly rolling by.
The Washington times., 1917-12-10

ADJUTANT GENERAL DA-
PRAY, commanding the national
guard Of the District Of Columbia,
will discuss the need for a new Or
ganizaIion here.
The Washington times., 1917-12-10

EUGENE GoTT says that aftsF
the war Washington win continue 70
have a population Of more than 400
900.
The Washington times., 1917-12-10

Here we 20 on talking about big
The courier-index., 1917-08-24
Bank President Has Praise
 For "Buy-at-Home" Campaign

w. s. McClintock, president of the McClintock Banking Company, in commenting on the "Buy-at- Home" campaign which was started in last weeks Courier-Index, said:
 ''It takes cooperation to get re- suits, and 1 think the Commercial Club and the Courier-Index have the right idea in their campaign of 'Buy-at-Home.' With the merchants showing a proper interest, and the kind of publicity you have started the campaign with, it is certain to do a wonderful amount of good to- ward convincing the people of Mari anna that in spending their money with the home merchants, they will be helping to make times better in this city, and at the same time be better satisfied with their purchases in the long run. 1 believe that a page devoted to sensible arguments and practical reasons for the people of Mariapna to spend their money at home, instead of patronizing the mail order houses, or travelling forty miles to Memphis and forty miles back, to do their shopping, backed by the merchants of this city will be the means of keeping good part of the thousands of dollars now going
The courier-index., 1917-08-24
COULDN'T GET WIFE TO
 SIGN EXEMPTION CLAIM.

Ashdown, Aug. 1S.-The following letter came to the exemption board of Little River county. The writer, Woody Coburn, a negro, has since been certified as fit subject for the army:
 My statement to the local board, state of Arkansas, Ashdown, Ark Your horner i am in condition i cant have this blank filled because me and my wife is apart under very bad terms and cannot get her to sine this blank i cant help my self and it Is all can do is trust in the under the age of years old and a afliced mother depending on me for support but have devose depend ing and cannot get my wife to sine this so that knocks it all in the head and i am willing to send this blank back to the board under the enflu- ence of asking the lord and the local Board to have mersie on me and will Stand the Next Examination and if pass it will be the lords will and cannot help it my Mother is will ing to sine this but she is sick in bed and cant get to town so feels that have no chance for any ex- cuse but the lord so i will trust him and po when am called yours truly negro Woody Coburn Richmond, ark. I am willing to be controlled by ev- cry law of the United States l could not get my wife to sine it her name is mary B. Coburn names of children William H Coburn years old Woody Jim Coburn years old Both boys are with me on MT John Ed Locke farm.
 "Woody Coburn."
The courier-index., 1917-08-24
EXPRESS REGRETS OVER
 DEATH OF ROBT. B. WILLIS

The Courier-Index is in receipt of the following expression of regrets from Capt. H. Robert w. Herwig, adjltant of the 9th infantry, at Fort Roots, over the recent tragic death of Robert Buehler Willis who was drown- ed in the St. Francis river two weeks ago. Willis had successfully stood the examination for admission to the second officers training camp and an- nouncement of his selection came the day following his death. The commun- ication from Capt. Herwig follows:
 "The Commanding Officer directs me to express for him his deep re- grets of the death of Robert Buehler Willis, who was drowned last Wed nesday, as recorded by your Friday edition.
 "He also desires to express his sim cere sympathy to the family ana friends of the d. ceasd.
The courier-index., 1917-08-24
A PROMPT DECISION.

Mrs. Will Irwin said at Washing ton Square tea:
 '"The more immodest fashions would disappear if men would reso- lutely oppose them.
 sI know woman whose dress maker sent home the other day a skirt that was, really, too short al together. The woman put it on. It was becoming enough. dear knows. but it made her feel ashamed. She entered the library, and her husband looked up from his work with dark frown.
 "I wonder she said, with an em- barassed laugh, If these ultra-short skirts will ever go out
 They'll never go out with me, he answered in decided tones."- Washington Star.
The courier-index., 1917-08-24
FORGOT HIS MISSION

Doc McClue same into the office yesterday, laughing like gargoyle.
 Whence the mirth," we insinu- ated
 Wait till tell you," procrastinated Doc. "You know old Harry"
 Yes we knew him. Approaching middle age, married but still talka- tive. That was the fellow.
 Well, old Harry comes into my office this morning and said Whats on your mind?'' and he said Nothing much, guess So l told him a story I heard last night and that reminded him of one he heard last week, and so it went. And fin ally he said he guessed he'd have to be toddling along toward the office.
 "'Well, says I, run along then. Family all we'll?
 q Ono, that reminds me-, says Harry That's why called. My wife's had some kind of a stroke, and was sent down here to tell you to go right over Darn it. your stories made me forget what I came for." "'>-Cle- veland Plain Dealer.
The courier-index., 1917-08-24

out of the city, at home. While the banks cannot come under the head of merchants, we are interested in everything that is of benefit to them, for their success is our success, and we are glad to cooperate in so worthy a cause.
 Its the merchants and other busi- ness houses in this city that are the ones called upon first, last and all the time whenever there is any money to be raised. And I-den't believe there is another city in the state where the merchants give more liberally than they do right here in Mariana. There is hardly a day passes but what they are called upon to contribute to something
 'It is right and proper that they should want and expect the people to patronize them, especially when they are selling just as cheap and giving just as good, and most times better, values than can be had from the mail order houses or from Memphis stores. Then, too, their willingness to rectify any mistake. make ex- changes, and to accommodate their customers in every way possible should be an incentive to spend the home dollars at home.'
The courier-index., 1917-08-24
DESERVING YOUNG MAN
 WINS VERIFIED PROMOTION

Porter Wood, for more than three years employed at the local plant of the Standard Oil Company of Louis jana, has been given the appoint ment as agent if the company here to succeed Robt. l.. Foreman, who has been chosen as a member of the second officers training camp that will be started at Leon Springs, Tex, next week. MT. Wood began his ser vices with the Standard Oil Con- pany here over three years ago as dryer at salary of $40 month. So well did he perform his duties that his salary was raised several times and promotions were given. He devoted his spare hours to hard study, making up for opportunities that were denied him when he was a boy. He completed correspon- dence course in the educational branches in which he was deficient. In the meantime he saved a portion of his earnings, and recently when he married he was able to pay cash for home and it's furnishings. His close applicatiin to business, his thrifty, frugal habits, his honesty and straightforwardedne are now re- warded by the company in his ap- appointment to the responsible po- sition of agent in charge of the company's large business in Lee county
The courier-index., 1917-08-24
SPLENDID SPECIMEN FOR
 JOSH BILLINGS COLLECTION

A recent letter received by Circuit Clerk Guy Apple proves exclusively that Uncle Sam has in his employ some experts in decyphering hiero. glyphics. and also that Josh Bill. ings was a four-flusher as deformed speller. The letter bore the follow ing address on the envelope:
 "To the Clerk of the Surcuit Court at Marandal, Ark"
 Just how the mail clerk unbridieo his imagination and discovered that ..Marandale" meant Marianna is nos known, but the contents of the iet' ter revealed the fact that Marianna was the right destination for the epistoIic monstrosity. Quitting the postoffice and signature the letter reads as follows:
 "To the Clerk of the Serket Court, or Judge sir 1 write you to ASK that YOU would Please sir tell Me tns Price of your Marregest Sutify cats if 1t Ant yout Custom to Fill out anu Return the Helen whind sint in 10 vou one cupple MT Tom Jack son and Miss Leaner Boose Who was Married by Me We look far tns R. turn of the Licien and thay never come so Please sur writ Me the price and We Will sind and git them and fill them out and Mail back to your Truly
 s'Married them in Sant Francies Co.,"
The courier-index., 1917-08-24
SCHOOL NOTES

It will be the purpose of the Sup erintendent of Schools to edit these notes from time to time in order that the people may be informed as to what is going on in the public schools.
 made to the patrons to find some books at home that were not being used and donate them to the school. Up to date the response to this re- quest has been s'nihil.' Surely this is an oversight on the part of Mari anna citizens It is hard to believe that some additions to the library cannot be secured in this way. Have you not some reference work that you are not using? A dictionary, an encyclopedia, set of Beacon Lights, McMaster's History. Stoddard's Lee lures, Dickens, Scott, etc! If you wish to donate such work to the school just drop a card to the Super intendent and he will send for it.
 The laboratories have been thor oughly equipped and arranged anu are ready for inspection.
 We have assurance of one new student in the senior class He comes form another high school.
 Folders are being printed outlining the work of the high school, and these will be sent out to high school students shis week. Anyone wishing a copy can get one at the printing office next week.
 FRED L. MacCHESNEY, Supt.
The courier-index., 1917-08-24

The total number of children of school age in Marianna this year is 1,715, against 1851 for 1916. an in. crease of GA.
 The 1917 census in the Moro special district shows an increase Of 62: Aubrey an increase of 4S Rondo an increase of 40: Oak Forrest an in- crease of IT. Jeffersonville an in. crease of 26: Gill an increase of IS; Big Creek an increase of 73. The Haynes special district was formed out of old common districts one and thirty-nine, and the census figures for last year are not available.
The courier-index., 1917-08-24
MEMBERSHIP OF RED
 CROSS IS NOW 3O7
MRS. J. I. MORRIS, SECRETARY OF LOCAL CHAPTER. MAKES APPEAL FOR RECRUITS-IN. STRUCTIONS IN KNITTING.
(By MRS. J. I. MORRIS. }

NDy MhS. J. l. MORRIS.)
 Three hundred and seven members up to date! Who will help to make it 500?
 remember every membership helps this great cause just that much more. UT course, we all know the Red Cross alone cannot win this war, but 1t can and does provide the best of physicians and surgeons, nurses, med icines, hospitals and hospital supplies of all kinds, where our sick and wounded soldiers can have the best of care and attenton that it would be impossible for them to have were 1t not for the American Red Cross. It not only provides care for our sick and wounded soldiers but it cares for the dependent families of the soldiers and sailors of our army and navy. Oh, what a great blessing and comfort to those who are left at home to know their loved ones who are gone and are going to the battlefields to do their best to help win this war, will be nursed and we'll cared for when sick and wounded!
 All these comforts are given them through none other than the Red Cross, and if you want our soldiers to have this care and comfort, help them to have it by becoming mem Der of the Red Cross.
 sm*4
 DONATIONS w. s .McCiintock, one bolt outing flannel Miscellaneous, one bolt lons- dale Mrs. Russell Dupuy. 28 yards outing flannel Mrs. J I. Morris, tape, thread and buttons.
 &Ms*
 KNITTING INSTRUCTIONS Mrs. w. F. Harris instructed the ladies on Wednesday afternoon at the headquarters in the art of knit ting. Through the kindness of the Griffis- Newborn Co.,, who donated eight hanks of yarn, the ladies were enabled to begin work on our allotted number of knitted articles. Mrs. Har- ris will gladly instruct any of the ladies who are interested in this work, at her home any afternoon. All interested make your appointments with her.
The courier-index., 1917-08-24
A CHEMICAL CHANGE

The professor was showing friend round his chemical laboratory 'What has become of Jim Ffllbot' tle ?" the friend asked Wasn't he studying with the class last year?''
 "Ah, yes" replied the professor "Fillbottle, poor fellow! A fine stu dent but absent minded in the use of chemicaIs-very. That slight dis coloration on the ceiling-notice it?'
 'sYes."
 That's Fillbottle. Tit Bits.
The courier-index., 1917-08-24
SCHOOL POPULATION
 SHOWS AN INCREASE
CENSUS FOR 1917 GIVES WHITES 2,629, BLACKS 1O,s02 IN COUNTY LAST YEARS TOTAL WHITES AND BLACKS WAS 12,399.

According to the reports on file in the office of the county superin- tendent of education of Lee county, there are 2,639 white and 10,S02 negro boys and girls in Lee county of school age, an aggregate of 13,- 431. Last years school census show ed total of 12.399 school children in the county, making a net gain of 1,032 for 1917 over 1916
 The figures for the special school as follows:
The courier-index., 1917-08-24
A BORN COMMANDER

When Gen. Leonard Wood was a small boy he was called up in the grammar class.
 The teacher said: Leonard, give me sentence and we will see IL we can change it to the imperative mood.
 "The horse draws the cart, saiu Leonard.
 ''Very good Now change it to an imperttive."
 TGet upl" said young Wood.-EA'
The courier-index., 1917-08-24
LOYALTY IN SOUTH

To the Editor of the Pioneer Press:
 visited in the South not long ago. What a contrast I found there con- pared with the mouthings of partly educated agitators, socialists, anarch- ists and hyphenates in the north! Those ex-Confedertes are loyal to the core. It was good to get away from the hotbeds of treachery in the north and be once more in the company Of loyal Americanism, unsullied by for eign ingrates. We are cursed by the presence of nearly all the misfits or Europe, who abuse the liberty we give them. Must we always put up with the snarling alien who snaps at the hand that welcomes him to America? Must we continue to inn port agitators to teach us how to run this land with made-in-Germany brands of socialism? Go down south, loyal Minnesotans, and get a breath of Americanism before you suffocate.
 DISGUSTED.
 Thus writes a citizen to the St. Paul, Minn., Pioneer PreSS.
 The attitude of the x-Confederates in this war is universally correct.
 Here and there some politician in he south agitates against the method of conducting the war, but the ex- Confederates know that to win the war it takes men and money and plenty of both to fight it out. They feel also that selective draft is dem- ocratic.
 It is unfortunate however that we have some men in the south whose people have been in this country for six generations and are more dis loyal in tendencies than some Of the hyphenates of the north
 But as the grasp of the problem becomes more intelligent, the num- her of these will decrease.
 But every native born American and every American whose father fought in the Mexican War and dur ing the War of 1912 ought to by example encourage those who come later to aspire to the highest ideals of citizenship p-Commercial Appeal.
The courier-index., 1917-08-24

]. w. Whitaker and family, who reside on the Beamis plantation, have returned from an extended overland trip to points in Mississippi and Louisiana. They were gone two weeks and travelled more than l,2Oo miles.
The courier-index., 1917-08-24

Oregon and California Railroad co. Grant Lands. Legal fight over land at last ended. Title revested In United States. Land. by Act Of Con- gress. ordered to be opened under homestead laws for settlement ana sale. Two million three hundred thousand acres. Containing some or best timber and agricultural iands left in United States. Large copy righted map showing land by town ships and sections, laws covering same and description of soil. climate rainfall elevation, temperature, etc. postpaid one dollar. Grant Lands To eating Co. Portland, Oregon. Nov. lo
The courier-index., 1917-08-24

J. W. and A. P. Haley who have been visiting their brother W. N. Ha- ley ct Rondo, have returned to their home at Clarksville, Texas.
The courier-index., 1917-08-24
CONSIDER THE MULE

"A mule" said Uncle Eben, "snouil be warnin' against kickin' De bee' ter he does it, de more unpopular ne sets."-Washington Star.
The courier-index., 1917-08-24

T. R. Porter of Bledsoe, was visi- tor in the city Mondey.
The courier-index., 1917-08-24

J.L. Ferguson, we'll known plant CT residing in the west end of the county, was business visitor in the city Monday. i
The courier-index., 1917-08-24

Sixty-five thousand sacks Of beans
 from Japan, the largest single impor- tation ever made in the United states are being transshipped from San Francisco to eastern markets. A train of 2s cars, the first of four that Will carry the beans to New York, was started over the ogden route. Tne beans, valued at moro than s1,OOO,' 900. arrived in Los Angeles recently on the liner Kotsu Maru. They are of all varieties. The large importa- ton is said to be due to the war
The courier-index., 1917-08-24

nni- bank 'ns S,. placed inside of na..... .psa... ssss u,sappear .s.. inside of it M 0y 2.
The courier-index., 1917-08-24

westsr,p proportion of two men n, s,on.s ths - SS'ern front Ss~~--- on tbs p con on the