davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-18
THE BLUELAWs.

The history of blue law enforcement
in numerous localities is a story OF
frantic, impractical agitation by ill.ad-
vised idealists, temporary discom-
fort for big proportion of the public
and eventual disregard of the objec-
tionable statutes through pressure of
public opinion.
This fact should be enough to dis
suade Attorney General Havner from
repeating his experiment of Sunday,
which resulted in Some sixty arrests
in Des Moines and the suspension of
all business in Marengo, while all the
other communities in Iowa were going
about their usual affairs in their own
ways and with no interruption of that
minimum OF business which by general
consent is conducted throughout the
state on Sunday.
Those who regard the blue avs as
impractical and improper have no
quarrel with the proper observance Of
the Sabbath There is limit, however,
beyond which laws cannot go effective
ly in restricting the personal privilege
and conduct of the people governed
The enforcement of blue laws is in
line with the ideas apparently held by
those progressively devout individuals
who can conceive of no penalty suffi-
GENTLY severe to rebuke culprit who
smiles within church walls. Their
painful solemnity frishtens potential
converts away from church and builds
up a barrier which must be torn down
by energetic Christians with a whole
some desire to make religion attyac-
tive.
If the purpose of blue laws is to CON-
pei men to attend religious services
those laws are useless because they
are futile.
Certain businesses are necessary as
a fixture of the every day life of the
American city. Without them the day
becomes drab, and considerable por.
ton of the population turns to occupa-
lions that are harmful because of the
denial of harmless and mild diver
sions.
Blue laws have been tried and aban-
doned so often that it seems . waste
of time for Mr. Havner to inject them
into Iowa's life, particularly at this
time. The eventual result is easy to
foresee. 1t simply will add to the long
list of .unenforced, dead letter statutes
which burden the pages of law books
and indict law making bodies for a
wasteful misuse of time that tends to
breed contempt for the laws which
really are good.
Iowa has been travelling quite rapid
ly along the road of radical legislation
in the past few years. This is a good
time to pause for an, accounting and to
ksee just what is meant by the various
new measures that already are effec'
tive before venturing any further on
the way of reform. Let us determine
just what we have done before we try
tn do any moro
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-18
KELLY IS HELD
INLOGAN JAIL
ATTORNEYS FOR MURDER SUS-
PEcT PLEAD FOR EARLY TRIAL
AND THREATEN HAVNER.

Red Oak, May 1e-Rev. Lynn George
u. Kelly, the itnerant minister under
indictment charged with the Villisca
axe murders of 1912, in custody OF
Sheriff R. A. Dunn, Jr, and County
Attorney Oscar Westrand, left here
today for Logan. The minister
will be lodged in the Harrison county
Jail there until the time of his trial
which has not yet been fixed. He was
accompanied by his wife.
ASK EARLY TRIAL
Judge E. B. Woodruff may announce
the date for the trial before night.
Yesterday he refused to fix even an ap
proximate time. saying he was too
busy 10 handle the hearing at present.
Attorneys for Kelly pleaded for an
early trial.
Removal of the defendant to Logan
follows an order issued by Judge Wood.
ruff last evening. In this action the
court modified an order of April 80
the day the Indictment was returned,
which provided that Kelly be taken to
Des Moines for safekeeping. This
change was made on the plea Of the
defense that proceedings to adjudge
the man insane could be rushed
through at the capital before a trial
could be arranged.
ATTORNEY FLAWS HAvNER.
Developments as to threatened con
tempt proceedings against the counsel
for the prosecution, were awaited
with interest today. A. L. Sutton, for.
mer district Judge Of Omaha, Neb., who
is acting on the defense with Attorney
W. e. Mitchell of Council Bluffs, de
clared yesterday that as soon as the
court would grant hearing, the de
PENDANTS attorneys would attempt to
have the opposing counsel cited Tor
contempt of court because of the pub
LEGATION of grand jury evidence
Mr.. Sutton said matter published in
newspapers yesterday could come from
but two sources, either the county at
torney, whom he held blameless, OF
Attorney General HavDer.
mo VIOLATION" HAvNER SAYS.
Atlantic, May 16.-Attorney General
H. M. Havner. who arrived here today
from attendance at the Villisca murder
hearings in Red Oak, declared there is
nothing to the threats of the attorneys
defending Rev. Lynn George j. Kelly
to cite the counsel for the prosecu
ton for contempt of court because OF
the publication yesterday Of what they
termed grand jury evidence
There has been no violation of any
mans trust of office in any manner
shape or FORM" Mr.. Havner said. Fur
Their than that we have nothing to say.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-18
Eldon High School Notes

Senior examinations occur THURSDAY
and Friday May II and is. Many OF the
seniors will be exempt from examina :
tons provided that their depor'men'
averages ninety per cent or above.
Mrs. Rledsoe from La Grange. MO,
who has trained our class plays for the
past three years will have charge OF
this work again so we can promise tha'
this years play will he mp to the stand
ard of previous years. il not better.
It may be necessary TO postpone the
commencement address until FRIDAY
evening this year on account OF MOI
being able to get speaker Tor any
other date. This will put the class play
on Thursday evening instead Of Wed
nesday.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-18
1HE CITIZENS OBLIGATION.

Although recent votes IN congress
have demonstrated the folly OF consld-
ering any measure settled until the
final vote has been cast and the for
NAL copy of the bill has been delivered
to the president. 1t is reasonably safe
10 assume that the selectiye conscr1p-
ton plan will be incorporated H. law
within a short time.
II is time, therefore, for ali citizens,
and particularly those between the
ages of 81 and 30, to familiarize them
with the terms of the measure and the
obligations it imposes
According to the governments ofil'
eial bulletin, the war department OH
Gals have discovered that the draft IT.
self and the registration which pre-
cedes II are being COMPOUNDED in many
minds.
Registration is simply the enrolling
Of the names of all male residents OF
the United States, whose ages are be.
tween q and 80 years. inclusive. Every
one of these men must register on the
date which the presidents message
will set. unless he already is member
az the regular army, the navy the ma
tjonal guard or the naval militia, &C
I
The enrolling will be done in each
voting precinct by registrars appointed
for the purpose. The duties OF the reg
istrars are mandatory. They have nc
discretion in registering the names OF
the men affected by the law. They are
liable to Imprisonment with no alterna
tive of a fine for making false entry
or being part to practices OF favort'
| ism or evasion.
A similar penalty is provided for the
| individual who fails to register and
register properly on the one day which
will be allotted for that purpose by the
president.
The selective draft will come later
1t will be made by lot from the names
of the men registered. Information as
to exemptions and methods OF selec
ton will be made public in connection
with the presidents message. follow
ing formal enactment Of the measure
For the present it is important thai
| the individual citizen understand his
obligation to register on the day to be
| fixed.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-18

cessfully carried out with pre-
ponderancc of three to one. The
experience of the present war has
shown that a we'll organized posi-
ton held by determined troops can
frequently withstand the attacks
of ten to twelve times their num-
Der. This of course does not mean
along the whole of the many miles
long front of modern offensive. 1t
does, however, apply to all the
strong points.
This aspect of the present battle in
France begets an even keener apprecl-
alton of the magnificent fighting by the
British and French armies than had
been felt after reading detailed &C
counts of the struggle which has re-
suited in the crumbling of the linden
burg line and notable advances by the
allies troops.
All the published figures estimate
the strength of the opposing forces as
about equal at the time the allied drive
started, a month ago Since then, OF
course, achievements have been
brought up by Haig and Nivelle, but
frequent dispatches have chronicled
the arrival Of fresh German divisions
also. and there has been nothing to in
dictate that the attacking armies out
numbered the defenders except in iso'
lated instances and minor skirmishes.
Captain Reilly's observations serve
to impress on American readers minds
the present need for achievements
for the allies from this side Of the At
lantic. The army the United States is
about to muster, if it were in France
now and ready to fight, could increase
materially the gait at which the Ger.
mans are approaching their fatherland
and could shorten the war.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-18

man of prominence in religious de-
nomination. He is national figure.
Decades ago, when he went to Mime
| sota he began the colonization of that
states western and northern counties.
| bringing Irishmen, Belgians and
Frenchmen to America. Through ar
rangement with his fellow townsman,
the late James J. Hill, he purchased
whole townships and sold them again
on easy terms. He established schools
and churches. He laid the foundation
for a sturdy stock which is scattered
over the whole northwest today.
He was chaplain of volunteer regi-
ment in the civil war and was present
at many battles. He knows what war
fare is. He is profound student and
despite his advanced age he keeps
pace with the times in so agile o man.
ner that interviewers GEEK his opinions
on topics of many sorts. always with
the knowledge that &c is prepared to
speak with wisdom.
| This man, who as he he says, knows
the American people, knows world
| conditions too. His address to the
young men Of America, while admir-
able as literary composition, is more
valuable as reflection Of the calm
thought of man accustomed to facing
big situations.
| His address was issued after visit
! in the east, where he talked with the
heads of the British and French war
commissions. With first hand informa-
| ton from the war fronts and with
thorough realization of the seriousness
of the world crisis. he wrote to encour-
age the nations fighting men and to
impress in their minds the greatness OF
! the cause for which they are enlisting.
The following sentences are typical:
To defend America is to defend
not only the nation that protects
you, that nurtures you, but the ma
ton that stands in the universe
with the highest ideals, the noblest
principles governing mankind "a
nation that stands for liberty and
order and order in liborty.
In Washington representatives
j OF England and France told me. as
they have told others, OF the orav-
cry of their armies and navies and
! of the sacrifices they have made
| in the past three years. They
need our moral support, our finan-
cial support and our physical sup
port They ask that men be sent
across the Atlantic to fight beside
the banner Of st. George and the
tricolor of France - to fight that
righteousness may prevail among
nations, that truth and justice be
defended. and say now that with
our country at war, we should give
of our best.
At once benediction and an inspira-
ton, an appeal for action and an ex-
preston of confidence that the men OF
America will respond.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-18
CAVE OUT ON BONDS.

Leon. May 1e.-Arthur Cave. who
was arrested on the charge of killing
Charles Mccain, was released on
bonds at Leon. Bond Of $4,000 was
furnished by Edgar Cave, his father
and George Hale, his fatherin-law
Cave entered 4 plea of not guilty and
waived preliminary hearing. He was
bound over by Justice Marion Stookey
ito await the action of the grand jury
at the August term of Decatur county
district court.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-18
THE LESSON.

1t is a safe prophecy that America
will not allow herself to be caugh.
asleep again when war impends. From
every quarter Of the country come dec
larations for universal military SER
vice and when the furore of the pres
ent has passed there will be demand
for a national law that will result in
national preparedness such as should
have been an American institution
years ago.
Viewed in the light OF recent events.
the failure to prepare for the newt
able entrance into the world war was
little short of criminal. Military train
ing has scores of recommendations
and cannot be attacked with reason
from any quarter.
President Schurman of Cornell uni
versity puts some facts in admirable
! form in an article in the May number
of National Service. in which he says
am firm believer in the in
trinsic value of military training.
even apart from its utility to the
public in time of war. Military
training teaches the young man
how to stand and walk and hold
| himself; it gives him vigorous out
Of-door exercise SO that gradually
his chest expands and his muscles
grow firm: in inures him to physi-
cal hardships; it disciplines him in
orderliness, punctuality, accuracy
and alertness: it endows the
senses and the intellect with
quickness, precision, and the hab-
it Of concentrated attention; it de-
yelops self control as we'll as ODE
dience to proper authority and re-
| sistance to improper; it accustoms
! the individual to cooperation and
| team work. while fostering CON-
radeship. thus facilitating COM
| munity life and lubricating social
! intercourse: and it prepares youth
! for better citizenship by constant
| w emphasizing the conceptions of
duty and service.
| II wars were banished from our
planet would retain military
training side by side with athletics
| as an instrument of physical edu-
cation in our universities; and not ,
only for its physical advantages,
| great as they are, but also for it's
! moral, mental, social and civic eff
| fncts and reactions.
The young men who are assemblin:
! in the training camps for preparation
! for the stern realities of war will ge
| just the sort OF training that should b.
given every year to all young men AMI
should have been part of the govern
mental system for generations.
/ Military training can make Americ;
a more virile people. more powerful
| nation and better land to live in.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-18
"a WOULD HURRY"
ONE"N
fixed.

If the power were mine today /
would let Theodore Roosevelt hur-
nv on with 100000 volunteer men
who would never surrender who
would die, il necessary, rather
than allow defeat.
would hurry on CONSUMPTION
because l know that millions are
waiting only for the immediate
personal call Of our country. 1t is
the duty end the privilege of every
American to fight for his country
when his country is in peril. 1t is
a most democratic act in the great
democracy which he serves.
Now. as always, all the people
should be allowed to defend the
flag, and I am sure, because I
know. the American people. that
the day CONSUMPTION shall COM
mence no slackers shall be found.
would hurry on with 100000
men and send after them, il neces-
sary. 100000 more.
What would become of democ-
racy if America were defeated?
The speech of radical, jingo col
gresham? No.
The declaration of youthful enthu
last who does not know what wa
means? No.
The demand for action by partisa
who can see but one side to ever
question. whose Judgment is not ba
anced and mature? No.
These paragraphs are from an ell
ouent and decidedly forceful addres
to the young soldiers and sailors of tn
country penned by veteran of tn
civil war and pioneer in the materi;
and religious development Of the mort
central section of the country
Archbishop Ireland is more than
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-18
YOU CAN HELP.

The Wapello county branch of the
Red Cross needs $500 members. Men,
women and children are needed for the
work of recruiting and for the work
the association will do when the organ
ization is completed. The members
must come from every section OF the
county.
Go to work in your own community
right now. Get your neighbors inter
ested in this most necessary work for
humanity
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-18
RED CROSS HAS NEARLY 800.

Fl. Dodge. May 16.-One more
member is needed to bring the mem
bership Of the Webster county Red
Cross up to 500.
The membership of the association
totalled T99 persons most of these liv.
ing in Fcrt Dodge. Branch chapters
have been organized throughout the
county and these are actively work.
ing for members as is the local chap
ter.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-18
TEACHERS QUIT JOBS.

Marshalltown, May l6. Failure Of
many high school teachers of this city
tn return their contracts for next year.
indicates there will be great many
vacancies to he filed. Twelve of the
twenty-six teachers either have resign
ed or failed to return their contracts.
Included among them is Coach P. S.
Sanford.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-18
MEETING AT HIGH POINT.

The regular meeting Of the High
Point Improvement association will be
held Thursday evening in High Point
chapel. Jay and Elm streets. 1t is de-
sired that every member and those in
the neishborhood who are interested.
should attend.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-18

A certain callousness is indicated
by defining convalescent as patient
who is still alive. and there was very
doubtful consolation in the doctors re-
assurance to the anxious wife: yes,
madam, your husband is very sick
man, but. rest easy, my treatment will
straighten him out in less than a
week"
Or take the case of the man who
was complaining Of the pain it cost
him to breathe 1T hurts like poison
doctor. The only trouble seems to be
with nv breath" "Oh. WELL" beamed
the doctor, genially. "Tll give you
something that'rl soon stop that"
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-18
Co. G Has Full Quota.

Capt. Steller has provided for this
increased enlistment by having Com
pany G recruited to war strength.
Should the orders be withheld and the
company sent out with 100 men he will
be able to transfer the additional MY
men to other units. Recruiting has been
discontinued for. several days at the
armory.
Cavalry Still at Work.
The cavalry troop is still existing
men with a view to completing the
number by Thursday. A number Of men
are gathered every day about the re-
cruiting station in the Sax block ad-
joining the Princess theater on the
east.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-18
my poor fellow" said the sympa-
thetic pedestrian to beggar. how
long have you been out of work."

tII1 U1SSdT IeSpVCtIUlIy.
Representative Campbell of Kansas
said in a recent address in Leaven-
worth:
The corrupt man is always stu
pid, ignorant man.
"A corrupt voter was arrested once
in Wanna.
Wat am arrested fur?' he asked.
You are charged said the ofRcer,
with having voted eight times
Charged. hey muttered the pris-
oner. That's queer. l expected to be
paid for it.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1917-12-13
FOR \ WORTHY CAUSE.

Mrs. l. NJ. Curl, field secretary for
the Starr Commonwealth for Boys, is
spending few days in this city in
the interest of the above home.
The Starr HOME is located near
Albion, and is a home for friendess
boys picked up on the city streets.
Mr.. Floyd Starr. the general man
aper, believes in the theory of mis-
directed energy" and that there are
no really bad boys; and after learn
irg Of some of the results accom-
plished, one is inclined to agree with
him. There are nearly fifty boys in
the home at the present time, as
bright, intelligent little fellows as
you find anywhere
The home is supported by volun-
tary contributions, and Mrs. Curl is
soliciting gifts for that purpose At
present Christmas box is being pre-
pared.
A number Of people in Alma have
been in the habit Of giving TO this
worthy cause, but more are needed.
The secretary will welcome further
gifts from those interested.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1917-12-13

Milton jackson has gone to a very
important position in the Remington
Arms factory Bridgeport, Conn.
where oil kinds of arms are being
made for the use of thu army and
navy The Dodge Bros, for whom
Milton has worked for nearly two
years. released him until such time
- their new factory is completed,
which will be about the first of
March. Then he will return to De
troit and viii use his experience
gained in Connecticut. The new fac
tory in Detroit will employ 5000 men,
who will produce a large quantity of
material for government use. Mil
tons position from now on will he
one Of great responsibility. II is n
great honor for one so young to be
entrusted with such important duties
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1917-12-13
THE CHURCHES
Special Services.


A vesper song service will be given
H. the Presbyterian church Sunday,
Dee. l6, az 1890 p. m. by the college
choral society The following selec-
tons from Handles Messiah will be
given. Following is the program;
Organ Solo .... Hossanah- D. Dubois
Miss Roberts.
Chorus And the Glory of the Lord.
Rec. and Air-Thus Saith the Lord
But Who May Abide.
Mr. Horton.
Rec. and Behold Virgin Shall
Conceive. o. How that Tellest
Good Tidings.
Miss Bradner.
Chorus-Ol How That Tellest Good
Tidings.
Pastoral symphony lorgan) Handel
Miss Roberts.
There were Shepherds.
And 10. The Angel.
And the Angel Said Unto
And Suddenly There was with
the Angel.
Miss Palmer
to God
Rec and Anthem Shall the Eyes.
He Shall Feed His
Flock.
Miss Bradner
{ horus- Behold the Lamb of God.
Air How Beautiful are the Feet
Miss Bradner
Chorus lialleujah.
Mrs. Soule at the Piano.