davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-26
Man Found at Silver Lake Suf-
fering From Meningitis.
Ill in Topeka Three Days Be-
fore Physicians knew 1t. =
ANOTHER DIES AT RlCHLAND
Howard Girkle, Railroad Man,
Victim of Dread Disease.
His Work Took Him Thru
Camp Funston.

Howard GirkIe. 3s, of Richland. died
today at noon from at attack of men
ingitis.
At 10 O'Clock this morning DR..
Thomas O'Connor, county physician,
announced that Forrest Beckley is in
a local hospital afflicted with the
same disease.
Girkle is down with the regular
epidemic form of meningitis, accord
ing to physicians He is a railroad
man running out of Kansas City.
Four days ago Girkle became i'll
and went to his home at, Richland,
where a wife and four children live.
He became gradually worse and Mon
day DIR. w. Tibbetts of Richland, was
called in.
GirkIe was unconscious when the
physicians arrived at the home. DIR.
M. H. Conner was called in consulta-
ton Christmas day and following the
consultation it was announced that
Girkle was afflicted with the dread
disease.
GirkIe Ran Thru Funston.
GirlkIe passed thru Camp Funston
on his run, DR. Tibbetts stated today.
Immediately after a diagnosis had
been reached the family was placed
under quarantine but not until Girkle
afflicted with the disease had ridden
from Kaasas iCty to Richland on a
the streets of Kansas City.
Mystery surrounds the man at the
local hospital He was found in
semi-conScious condition in prairie
schooner near Silver Lake Sunday
evening He was removed to a local
hospital that night He has never re-
covered consciousness.
A careful search of his pockets to-
day revealed two hunters licenses, one
issued last year to Forrest Beckley, "a
years oIw, Topeka, while the other was
issued by the Shawnee county clerk
this year to F. NJ. Beckley, 80 years
old, 1915 North Polk street. Hospital
authorities believe the sick man is
Forrest Beckley, as he has the appear
ance of a man about "a years of age
noon to locate F. M. Beckley His
name does not appear in the city
directory.
BeckIey Is Isolated.
Doctor O'Connor was unable, to state
today whether Beckley was afflicted
with the more serious form of the dis
ease. Every precaution has been
taken at the hospital.
Beckley has been placed on floor
occupied by no other person, except
ing Miss Mabel Parsons, the nurse
who bravely volunteered to attend the
case.
There was no money found on
Beckley. A few old rags were in the
wagon, some straw and a dilapidated
cooking outfit. Farmers living near
Silver Lake were first attracted to the
wagon by noticing that there was no
one in the drivers seat. altho the
horses We're trudging along the road.
Finally they stopped and an investi-
cation followed.
Meningitis properly guarded and
quarantined is no more contagious
than any other contagious disease -
said DIR. O'Connor.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-26
(By the Associated Press.)

While their guns bombarded 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
and more violent on the right bank
of the Meuse, northeast of Verdun,
the scene of the German attack nearly
two years ago.
German infantry has not been ac-
tive and it is probable that Field
Marshal Hindenburg is waiting for
more reinforcements before making
his heralded attack. Russian advices
telling of the German Withdrawals
from the east add that some of the
troops are being tf-kel to the Ruman-
ian front Rumania is not taking part
in the peace negotiations and the
Ukraine which lies beyond Moldavia
and Bessarabia is opposed to the Boil
s. eviki.
Only Raids on East Front.
South of Juvincourt in the Rheims
sector of Champagne the French have
carried out a raid into the German
lines and brought back prisoners. On
the British portion of the front there
1--we been raids in addition 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 del Rosso west
of the river and have attacked the
Austro-German positions on Monte
Pertica east of the river. Berlin
claims the capture of 5000 prisoners
in the gaining of the Col Del Rosso
which later was lost to the Italians
Move Peace Conference.
leon Trotzky, the Bolsheviki for
eign minister, has protested to the
Germans against the transference o1
troops from the eastern front but also
has ordered Russian factories to stoI
the manufacture of munitions He
did not indicate whether his govern
ment would take any other steI
against German violation of the ar
mistice.
Peace negotiations at Brest-Litovsl
apparently are making little progress
The Germans have delayed their an
swer to the Bolsheviki terms and it i.
reported that the conference will be-
transferred to Stockholm shortly II
the meantime the majority party il
the constituent assembly the socia
revolutionists, has convoked the as
sembly to meet January 2 DESPITE
Bolsheviki disapprova1.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-26
TOBACCO A NECESSITY
Men Would Have to Eat More With
out 1t, Says Food Dictator.

London, Dec 26.-Tobacco is a ne
cessity, not a luxury. declares Lord
Rhondda, the food controller, in a
statement published here. I'VE must
have tobacco" he says. II believe
that its loss would be a national mis-
fortune It means much both to the
manual laborer and to him who works
with his brains. Men would eat a
great deal more if they did not have
tobacco. 1 hold that the deprivation
of it would work great discomfort"
Some system of ''rationing'' tobac-
co, however, is forecast by the news
papers,
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-26
RADICALS IN U. S. !
BoIsheviki of Russia Aim for
World Uprising Against Govt.
LW.W. and Like Orders viii Be
Stamped Out in America.

Washington, Dec. 26.-Threats of a
general uprising of ultra-radicals in
America are in the hands of this gov
be stamped out if it attempts to thwart
government war work was officially
declared today.
I. w. w. and other revoiutionists in
this country are under strict surveil-
lance. Any move to carry out designs
on the solidarity of the American peo-
pie at tLis time will be dealt with
strenuously.
Since advent of the Lenine-Trotzky
regime in Russia, frequent utterances
of those leaders have indicated their
confidence in ability to stir up a
worldwide movement against existing
government.
Sent Arms to .. S.
Arrival of the Bolsheviki ship,
Shilka, at a Pacific port has accentu-
ated government watchfulness. Ar
rangementS and ammunition found
aboard the vessel are believed to have
been for agitators here.
Proof that Germany is directly be-
hind this movement is lacking, but
Germany would, of course, be mater
tally strengthened by any discord
aroused in this or entente countries
thru the efforts of the Bolsheviki I.
w. w. unrest in the west is due large
ly to local conditions, officials believe.
This unrest links with Irish agitation
by Americans and pro-German in
trlgue in lumber camps and munition
plants of this country in the govern
ment's chain of evidence that radicals
are plotting newsSocial order.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-26

AT ? O'Clock the wind had shifted to
the south and was blowing at the rate
of u miles an hour. The temperatures
for the day were on the average
degrees below normal for December
26.
This has not been a bad holiday
season so far for the boys in uniform
home on holiday furloughs. OF course
could be considerably warmer than
this mornings temperature of 13 de-
grees, but the compensation lies in
a continuation of sunshine and bright
cheerful days. A southwest wind of
twelve miles an hour is flapping the
ICnntin11ed On Page T1yn ]
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-26
U. S. SANTA FOUND EN-
American Red Cross Distributes Bales
of Gifts in Italian Trenches.

, Venice. Tuesday, Dec 25.-Holiday
gifts from the American Red Cross
were distributed in the Italian trenches
along the lower Piave today by B.
Harvey Carroll jr.. American consul
at Venice Huges bales of gifts were
taken on motor trucks TO the various
commands Each man received to-
bacco, sweets, a handkerchief and
other presents The local command
ers and their men were enthusiastic
in their expressions of thanks.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-26
GREEKS TO U. S. ARMY
Athens Government Offers Reward to
Subjects Who Enlist in America.

Washington, Dec. 26.-Greece wants
her citizens in the United States to
enlist in the American army. Not only
will she suspend punishment which
ordinarily would follow enlistments of
Greeks with a foreign power. but she
will reward them for supporting the
American arms. This is the sub
stance of a note from the Greek gov
ernment delivered here today to the
state department
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-26

canyons of Northern Mexico
loot estimated to be worth $1,000,
besides horses stolen from the ranch.
AFTER the bandits disappeared over
s4he Rim rock, which rises aoruPtiy
more than 1000 feet above the fNlo
Graude, the soldiers VINO az
close pursuit, fired many ROUNDS at
them and are reported to nave kllleu
and wounded many of the MeNcahs
The shooting compelled the pan
dis to abandon the horses on Whlch
they carried away the loot
col. George T. Langhorne' IN com
v,ond of the American forces in the
Rip BEND. expected the pursuit to pc
,esuued at daybreak. Wnen the
bandits attacked the ranch, Nelll' win
his wife and a number OF raIlch
hands barricaded themselves in a
rsncb house a short distance from
the Rrite postoffice and fought OH
tbe bandits until the United states
soldiers had been sent to their as
sistance.
TopeI1an in Command.
Cavalrvmen under command Of
Cant. Lester A. Sprinkle were rushed
tn tba Rrite ranch in automobiles.
when the raiders sighted the ap-
nroachfug cavalry they abandoned
the work of pillage and rode off over
the almost impossible Kim rock
toward the southwest, dropping over
it lust a few minutes aheau VI ZAP
tain Sprinkle and his men
when the soldiers had gone as far
as possible in automobiles they con-
tiuued the pursuit on foot to the edge
of the Rim Rock, where they dlo
some expert shooting at the fleeing
bandits at distance Of over I'Ooo
yards
Early this morning the bandits We're
hiding in Van Horne canyon, where
the troopers are guarding all known
outlets waiting for daylight to continue
the pursuit. Horses have been fur-
nished the ldiers by ranchers living
in the yicinity. Colonel Langhorne
has ordered his men to spare no effort
to completely exterm.nte the baEdlts.
Captain Sprinkle reported that the
bandits had been forced to abandon
everything but a few horses they were
riding In his report to Colonel Lang
horne he expressed the opinion that
@ raiders were Carranza soldiers. He
also reported that the raiders were
apparentl. attempting to reach the
Rio Grande.
Immediately upon receipt OF news
of tie raj Colonel LanghOrne dis
patched troops north along the Rio
ande to head off the raiders with
orders to spread out over the country
at daybreak in order to prevent theil
escape.
Capt. Lester A Sprinkle, in COM
mand Of the cavalrymen who have the
Mex.c can bandits bcttle1 up in Van
Horne canyon, is a Topeka man, the
son Of Mr.. and Mrs. II. Nj. Sprinkle
1906 Lane street. He is a graduate
of the Topeka high school. of Went
S.worth Military academy at Lexington
Mo. and Of Kansas university.
Captain Sprinkle's parents retired
from "a farm IT Smith county, where
the cavalrman spent his boyhood days
Continued on Page TwoD
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-26
THWARTS INQUIRY
Mother Superior, Jailed for Refusal
to Admit Grand jury, Is Freed.

Savannah, Ga, Dec. 26.-The su-
perior court today dismissed contempt
proceedings brought against the moth
er superior of st. Vincent's convent,
who refused to permit an inspection
of the establishment by the grand jury
which demanded one under the terms
of a law prescribing inspection of Ger
tain public institutions. The court
held that the law provided only for
inspection of institutions where in
mates are kept in confinement
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-26
MAY NAME WILLIAMS
Comptroller Slated as Presidents
Choice for Railroad Dictator

Washington, Dec. 26.-John Skel-
ton Williams. comptroller of the cur
rercy, was being discussed today in
official circles as the most probable
selection for federal railroad admins
traitor, should President Wilson decide
to appoint one.
McAdoo Also a Candidate.
In the event that Comptroller Will
liams is not selected, those apparently
best informed on the situation believed
the work would be undertaken by
Secretary McAdoo, who however,
would not relinquish his place as sec
retary of the tresaury, but would sur
round himself with a cabinet of rail-
road men.
These developments all pointed to
an evident decision by President Will
son to soon begin federal administra-
ton of railroads altho there was no
official announcement
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-26
TERRORIST AT LARGE
Writes lie Has Planted Nine Bombs
Demands $4,000 Cash.

Sacramento, Cal, Dec. "a letter
stating that nine bombs had been
placed in the executive mansion, capi-
toI building, police station and resi-
dences of two head officers of the
state" have been received by Gov.
William d. stephens and turned over
to the police, it became known today.
The letter demanded that $50, 600
be placed lin a rock pile presum-
ably near Oakland, Cal, December
81. at o'clock.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-26
DEAD NOW NUMBER 20
Another Victim of Pittsburg Car
Crash Dies of Injuries.

Pittsburg, Pa. Dec 26.-Mrs Ade-
laide Bongiovaani, who was injured in
the street car accident at the South
Hills tunnel late Monday died in a
hospital today bringing the total dead
to 20. Mrs. Bongiovaani stated soon
after the accident that she had lost
diamonds valued at $4,000 in the
wreck
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-26
SOLDIERS ARE INJURED
Four Officers Hurt in France When
Car Turns Over.

With the American Army in France,
Dec. 26.-Two commissioned officers
and two sergeants were seriously in
jured Christmas eve near field head
quarters when an automobile belong
ing to the aviation section plunged
fifteen feet down an embankment and
overturned
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-26
BURN FAMOUS "WALK''
Four Buildings Along Long Beach
Promenade Also Destroyed.

Long Beach, n. Y, Dec 26.-Fire
today destroyed four buildings 'front.'
ing the board walk which parallels
the bathing beach and burned away
a section of the walk, causing a loss
estimated at 100000. Reports of in
cendiarism are being investigated, the
authorities said.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-26

St Louis, Dec. 26.-William F.
Dernhardt, baker. was fined one
hundred dollars in the federal dis
trict court after he had pleaded guilty
to making threatening remarks against
the president The judge ordered him
imprisoned until the fine is paid.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-26
BituminOus Coal Output 10 Per
Cent Over Year Ago.
Anthracite Field Shows In
crease of 16 Per Cent.
HIGH PRICES ARE NECESSARY
Must Stimulate Production by
Generous Profits.
Fuel Dictator First Witness at
Senate Coal Probe.

Washington, Dec. ga coal short
age of fifty million tons for 1917 in
the face of the greatest production of
any year in the country's history has
been caused by war demands, Fuel
Administrator H. A. Garfield told the
senate investigating committee today.
"Bituminous coal production shows
an increase of 10 per cent over 1915.
while anthracite shows an increase of
16 per cent said Garfield.
1.-The increased production of BIZ
luminous coal is fifty million tons but
this is only half enough. Munitions
factories in southern New England are
being greatly hampered by a shortage
of bituminous coal.
THE anthracite coal situation is
fairly good now" Garfield said.
production?" asked Senator Kenyon.
Production, Not Price.
by placing the emphasis on pro-
duction, not price, replied Garfield.
DO you believe the operators have
made big profits by this campaign %
asked Kenyon, who, in Chairman
Reeds absence, questioned Garfield.
Il hardly see how to stimulate pro-
duction without allowing these
profits the fuel administration head
replied
Increases above the presidents fix
ed coal prices have been granted for
ty-one operators by the fuel adminis-
tration to stimulate production. Gar
field said
These are mostly small mines
which would not be allowed to operate
without the increased price," he ex-
planned.
Il suppose you have placed the
governments interests first said
Kenyon.
TN this severe weather I have con-
sidered the consumer first, for with
a dissatisfied people the government
can accomplish nothing was Gar
fields reply.
prices are much higher this year
than last" Garfield admitted, but said
they are more stabilized.
DO you think you have the situa-
ton well in hand now?" asked KEN
yon.
Can't Guarantee Supply. s-.-
Il can't guarantee that there will
be no more suffering said Garfield
He placed much of the blame for
| the coal famine on the railroads and
said the recent billiards. have accen-
tuated the rail tieup. The greatest
coal congestions, Garfield said were at
the bottle neck" points of Pittsburg,
Cincinnati, Toledo and Albany.
Coal constitutes one-half of the
freight" he said. land when we in
crease it we increase railroads diff
~ NieiAlSkJOI ldIIOn SyS-en Is
what 1t is now, because of our policy
OF preserving competition so our rail-
roads cannot easily be put together.
1t is now as necessary to operate
, the railroads as one system as 20 CEN
tfallze the people in armies and
navieS''
Rail Congestion a Cause.
Coal is responsible for one-haIf the
| congested traffic and thousands of
i cars are being backed up at Bottle
neck points thru which the railroads
have endeavored to move large
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-26
Impossible To Hold Col Del
ROsso and Monte Val Bella.
Invaders Had Captured Mount
and 5000 Romans.
MORE HUNS FROM EAST FRONT
TrOtzky Protects and Stops
Supplies to Germans.
Troop Removal Violation of
Russo-German Armistice.

Rome, Dec. 26.-CoI del Rosso and
Monte Val Bella on the Asiago plateau
were recaptured by Italian forces in a
counter attack yesterday, but it was
found impossible to hold them. the
war office announced today.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-26
OFFICIAL WAR
STATEMENTS


3 London, Dec e26.-"There was moth
ing special to report on the British
front in France yesterday" says the
official statement today by the war
office.
GERMAN.
Berlin. Dec 26.-Violent counter at
tacks against the Austro- German posi-
tions on Col del Rosso and neighboring
heights on both sides broke down yes
terday with heavy losses says the Off
cial statement issued today by the
German general staff
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-26

Moorhead. Mimi, Dec. 26.-Mrs-
Carl NJ. Nelson of Moorhead today is
suffering from critical burns received
Christmas eve when candles on a
home Christmas tree fired her Santa
Claus disguise while distributing pres
ents.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-26
CHRISTMAS CANDLES
FIRE CURTAINS AND
SANTA CLAUS GARB

Enid, Okla, Dec. 26.-Walter Nc
Cullough, district manager of The
knights and Ladies of Security, was
badly burned and Mr.. and Mrs. Lewis.
Mrs McCullough's mother and faith
er, slightly burned, when the candles
from the Christmas tree which they
were lighting caught fire to the cur
tains and threatened to burn the
house.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-26
FINE WEATHER, THIS
Tonight and Thursday To Be Fair
Mercury Going Up Slowly.

Temperature readings for the day
furnished by the local office of the
United States weather bureau:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-26
Rail Congestion a Cause.

Coal is responsible for one-half the
congested traffic and thousands of
cars are being backed up at Bottle
neck points thru which the railroads
nave endeaVored to move large
amounts" he said. The only thing TO
do is just what we have done-asked
Judge 1ovett for priority order for
CONTINUED ON Page TWol
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-26

A RE you wearing that necktie to-
day--or did you just have it on
when you left home?
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-26

WEATHER FORECAST for Kansas:
Generally fair tonight and Thurs
day; slowly rising temperatures.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-11-08
VOTE THRUST UPON
THEM, ANTS FEAR
To Ballot or Not to Ballot, Is
Palpitating Question of
the Hour
BY M,LISS

Fearing that they will have to vote, hon
ing that they won't have to vote, and. oh
so womanly in their indecision as 10
whether they will or will not vote should
the awful calamity Of political enfranchise-
ment descend upon them, Pennsylvania
lntis' today are at skies and sevens over
the suffrage victory in New York.
What with predictions coming from ALL
sides that the passage of the Federal
amendment will follow closely the New
York victory, It looks like a cold. cold world
TO the anti. Still here though the dodo bird
and dtnosaurus are gone the anti has not
made up her mind exactly how she will
ADAPT herself to the new condition, should
it arise
To vote or not to vote?
II am not prepared to say" Mrs. Horace
broCk' presd of the Pennsylvania Asso-
citation Opposed to Woman Suffrage ex-
planned, analyzing the anti attitude, "iust
whether l should vote or not. MY attitude
mas always been that we should bow to the
VIII OF the majority A passage of the
federal amendment would not express the
VIII or the majority. only a referendum
SUBMITTING the question TO the vote of the
people all over the country would do that
we antis shall fight this Federal amend
hent' Its passage would he a serious blow
to democracy. But as the New York Times
points out, there isn't chance for the
Federal amendment because the Southern
states do not want suffrage
The suffrage victory in New York is
great calamity" she continued "It will
mean the breaking up of the home
Why viii 1t mean the breaking up of the
home?' she repeated. well because IL
means socialism, and one of the planks in
the socialistic platform is that women have
to go out and earn their own living.
Socialism, pacihsm and pro-Germanism
are closely allied to the suffrage cause
or course, there may be few loyal women
who are suffragists, but the cause itself
IS pro-German. It's all so foolish"
According to Mrs George White. a mem
Der OF the executive board of the antis'
organization, the New York victory seems
to be IAN upheaval of some sort"
Il don't know exactly what it is," she
said, but 1t seems to be an upheaval of
some sort the suffrage victory in New York
1t has brought back the return of Tam
many and has given impetus to socialism
II is great misfortune to us
For years and years women have been
the leaders in ideals and ethics for gem
erations she warmed I'VE have been the
ethical builders Now It seems women will
have to fight with mans weapons instead
of with their own Women have been the
teachers and the leaders, now they are
mans opponents. 1t puts woman very.
very low. Whether or not we vote. should
the vote he thrust Upon us is a matter for