davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The menace. [volume] (Aurora, Mo.) 1911-1920, 1917-09-08

investigation by the federal grand
jury, which meets at Des Moines,
Iowa, in November, 1917. II the
grand jury returns an indictment
against him, dupes Of the Roman
Catholic hierarchy and their allies
will then have greater reason for
their rejoicing. Even the improbable
prospect of a sufficient number Of
grand jurors who would compel
Blodgett to be subjected to a hear
ing before the Roman Catholic
Knight of Columbus, Judge Martin
j. Wade, has already inspired the
Romanists and pro-Romanists' hope
that the Roman Catholic United
States Marshal, Nick Reed, will
have the pleasure Of Handwriting
and shackling Blodgett, as a pre-
caution for his safe conduct to the
federal prison.
On August 3rd, the pro-Roman-
Catholic daily newspaper of Des
Moines, "The Des Moines News
joyfully proclaimed; "The law pro-
vides a penalty Of $4,000 or FIVE
years Imprisonment, or both for
sending such matter (as was sent
by Blodgett) through the mail"
The Roman Catholics who have read
and have been duped by such
News" are due for an awakening
by the report of the investigation Of
"such matter by the federal grand
jury.
One of Rome's favorite tricks is
to condemn and sentence an enemy
before trial, as the Romanized Nems
has done in the case of Blodgett,
> and thereby attempt to influence the
scales of justice in her favor, but we
, cannot believe that Iowa citizens
. capable of jury duty viii be so cas-
lily hoodwinked as to accept Rome's
q testimony without an Investigation.
D Whatever fault may be found
with Blodgett, and we all have them,
t it cannot be gainsaid that his zeal,
! his energy, his very heart and soul
! is in the patriotic cause, and with q
singlenesS Of purpose as exalted as it
is inspiring he is eonsecrating him
: ! self to the work. For that reason,
! if for no other, every patriot in Des
Moines, and the state of Iowa for
4 that matter, should stand by him
;, in this struggle and see that Justice
Q is done.
IS Blodgett's struggles would make
Q a book if written, and have no par
! ticular bearing upon this case, but
!, through them all he has stood four
). square for principle and for the
most part has fought alone save for
= the comfort and assistance of q
+ noble wife, a likeness of whom w
1t reproduce in this issue along with
n that of Mr.. Blodgett. -.
The menace. [volume] (Aurora, Mo.) 1911-1920, 1917-09-08

AN UPES of the Roman Catholic
lRN hierarchy and their political
IfSlIN allies have, since the second
I day of August, 1917" been
rejoicing at the plight OF one of
their old adversarieS in tie person
of d. T. BlOdgett, Of Des Moines,
Iowa, whose home at ITO e. Ninth
street was searched on the same day
and by the same federal agents as
was that Of Mrs. William Now
thorpe, details of which appear on
this page.
Mr.. Blodgett is one of the most
active patriots in the state of Iowa
and for several years has generated
most successful legal and political
resistance to unjust official acts Of
Romanists and pro-Romanists in
that state.
Mr.. Blodgett is o native of Iowa
and for eighteen years has resided
in the city Of Des Moines. So often
has he been involved in litigation
with corrupt officials and politicians
whom he has opposed where he de-
Tended himself at the bar that he is
today one Of the very best lawyers
in the country Notwithstanding the
fact that it is not his business and
he has never been admitted to the
bar,
A few years ago Mr.. Blodgett be-
lieved that an innocent man had
been sent to the penitentiary for life
at the instigation of D. D. Murphy
CT Elkader, Iowa, who is now presi
dent of the state board of education
Relieving that the man was limo
cent and that it was his duty to d.
something for the man, Blodget
set to work to get him released ant
clear his name of the blot that hat
been placed upon it. TO show tn
character and tenacity of the mai
it is only necessary to say that sue
cess crowned his efforts at the en-,
Of three years of strenuous work, fo
} which he never expected or receive,
reward, and the man is today fre
man with no one but Blodgett t
thank for his liberty.
: During the time that confic
: waged, Blodgett was overwhelme
: with false accusations Of one kin
and another, and for a period Q
} three months of the time was dc
E prived of his personal liberty. Th
falsity Of one insanity charge an
. three criminal charges, lodge
! against him by his papal enemie
Z has already been legally establishe
Q il courts Of record in Polk count,
: Iowa.. The fifth, and we believe tt
!. last, of that series of accusations
now pending before the suprem
court of Iowa (Ex parte Blodget
1863 n. W. 942,) which is an il
sanity charge made against hi
; only thirteen days after the jury
k verdict that he was sane,
z On August 2, 1917, he was a
: cused Of sending non-mailable ma
! ter through the mail. He is now
liberty on $4,000 bond to await
The menace. [volume] (Aurora, Mo.) 1911-1920, 1917-09-08
w1HEN A. P. SHERWOOD,
IMs special agent of the federal

HIHEN A. P. SHERWOOD,
IVA special agent Of the federal
b government, on August q,
I'LL 1917, ransacked the home of
Mrs. VIM. Mowthorpe at 1427 Cap
ital Avenue, Des Moines, on author
ity of a search warrant issued from
the office of the United States Com
missioner, the Roman Catholic po-
litical machine dealt itself blow in
the state of Iowa from which it is
not likely soon to recover.
The patriotic, non-Catholic citi-
zenship Of Des Moines, and of the
stote Of Iowa, has known for some
time, as we all have known, that the
Roman Catholic hierarchy, through
its Fighting right arm," the Knights
of Columbus, would resort to mob
ocracy and the boycott to stop ad-
verse propaganda and further its
own ends, but they were hardly pre-
pared to believe that it could use
federal agents in the pay Of the gov
crnment and actually invoke their
aid in maligning and prosecuting its
enemies.
1t might be well to state in this
connection that the word "enemies"
is used advisedly, for in this case be
it known that this venerable old lady
whose hair is white with the frosts
of seventy winters is, indeed, an en-
emy of this un-American, intolerant
and reasonable organization, and
Notwithstanding the fact that in ad-
dition to her advanced age she is
also a widow without chick or child
she has struck terror to the heart
of Rome more times than one in
retaliation for the thousand wrongs
which she has suffered.
Why Should She NOT right!
Born in Dublin, Ireland, sixty
nine years ago, of Irish parents o.
the old school, the father Protestant
and the mother Roman Catholic
hers has been a life of peculiar mix
ture, partly sweet because Of her low
able and sunny disposition, partl,
bitter because of the unfortunate
circumstances which are bound t
follow the matrimonial mixture o
Protestant and Catholic as in tn
psse Of Mrs. Mowthorpe'S parents.
The menace. [volume] (Aurora, Mo.) 1911-1920, 1917-09-08
ESPIONAGE LAW IS INVOKED AGAINST PATRIOTS
william Mowhope
Persecution

Nothing is Sacred When Romanists Seek
Vengeance Against an Opponent Such as
They Have Found In d. T. Blodgett, Pri-
vate Citizen of Iowa, Patriot and Martyr
The menace. [volume] (Aurora, Mo.) 1911-1920, 1917-09-08
AMERICAS GREATEST EDUCATIONAL JOURNAL IN FURTHERANl

The Fiendish Invasion of the Home of
an Aged Widow Could Hardly Be Inspired
by Other Than Minds Trained in Roman
Catholic DiaboIism of the Worst Brand
The menace. [volume] (Aurora, Mo.) 1911-1920, 1917-09-08

=N7 FRIEND, writing from Los
IAI Angeles, says he has been in
UTI formed that THE MENACE is
tSSl one of several papers that
-sA-h9 hox,o haa,, e,1nnracoad hv tha
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-16
THE SERVICE FLAG.

Dear little Tag in the window there,
Hung with a tear and womans prayer;
Child of Old Glory, born with q star
On. whatsa wonderful nag you are!
blue ia your star in its field Of white.
nspped In the red that was born Of hght
Roru of the blood that our forebears shed
To raise your mother, The Flag, oerhead.
And now you've come. in this frenxied day,
To sneak from window-to speak and say:
IT am the voice of q soldier son
Gone to be gone till the victory's Won.
1T am the flag Of The Service. sir;
The "a Of his motherEI speak for her -
Who stands by my widow and waltz and fears,
But hides from the .etAsFs hes anvept tears.
~ am the dag Of the wives who wait
For the safe return Of martial mate,
A mate gone forth where the war god thrives
TO save from sacrifice other mems wives.
II am the nag Of the sweethearts true:
The often Mnthought of-the sisters, too.
am the flag Of mothers son
And won't come down till the victory's WON'T
Dear little flag in the window there,
Hung with tear and womeus9 prayer;
Child Of cid Giory, bora WITH ptas-
Oh. vhst wonderful aat yea sset
William Hsrschell, in Indianapolis News.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-16
Winter Sports and Dangers.

Low temperature and snowfall have
brought sport to the children and some
of the grown-ups on the ice and ON the
hills. Boys and girls are coasting on
the slopes with. great enjoyment and on
some Of the nearby waters skaters have
already been skimming over the smooth
surfaces. These are great pleasures for
young and old. In fact, life. holds no
keener enjoyment for youngster than
an evening Of coasting, with it's swift
movement, its bit Of danger and the ex-
hiiaration Of clear, crisp air, But that
bit Of danger may be ignored and oc-
easionally the result is a tragedy. Every
boy and girl who goes coasting should
remember that there is peril on the
slides; that there is traffic at the foot
Of the Hill OF sometimes midway in the
course; that drivers and motormen and
eAaa&suzs are not alxays eonsidssata
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-16

and careful and that . smaah nay acme
in the twinkling Of an eye that viii
snuff out life.
It behooves everybody whe uses the
streets now to be careful at the hills.
Certain city streets are famous slides,
and while, Of course, it is not possible
to turn them over exclusively to the
youngsters, yet they should be safe
guarded in their enjoyment Of the brief
season Of hard snow, which is SO rare
here. A slight delay Of traffic at . few
points will not seriously affect business
and it may be the means Of saving lives.
As for the ice, the skaters should OBJ
serve all warnings, keep off the sur
faces until official word is given that
they are safe, observe the signs that
tell Of weak spots and cracks and holes,
and above all avoid crowding at concen-
trated points. It was this kind of
crowding that caused a terrible calamity
here few years ago at the Tidal BASIN
AS measure Of precaution, if the basin
is to be used for skating this year
steps should be placed at different
points around the edge to give access
to and egress from the lee, so that there
will not be any centering at one or two
points. A few dollars spent in this man.
ner will perhaps be the means Of saving
many lives.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-16
The Fourteen Opportunities.

With all the war charities and war
relief works that are appealing for
funds, there is one form of giving, an
nually presented to the people of Wash
ington, that should always be promptly
made to the last penny This is the
fund called for by the Associated Chari-
ties and the citizens relief committee to
provide for the needs during the coming
year of fourteen families. These are the
traditional fourteen Opportunities. To
meet these needs will this year require
$7,288, larger sum than heretofore. ow-
ing to the fact that everything costs
more. The poor are no exception to the
general rule that life is more expensive.
By Christmas morning every dollar of
this fund should be subscribed. There
are some Of these fourteen cases that
will appeal more strongly to the public
sympathy than others, yet every one of
them is deserving" There are no
slackers among these fifteen adults and
sixty Eight children, to save whose
homes this fund is asked. The cases
have all been thoroughly examined, and
those who give to the fund may be as
sured that there is no single instance
of unworthiness.
Begin at once to make this fund sue
cess this year as it has been success
in years past. The Fourteen Oppor-
tunities' have become fixed local in
stitution. The appeal has never failed
to elicit the full amount required. So
let it be this year. Make sure that the
Fourteen Opportunities" are grasped,
whatever other calls charity may make
upon your sympathies, fer if these cases
are not provided for suffering and dis
tress will result.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-16
A Neglected Section.

One of the eleven police precincts Of
the District alone showed a decrease in
population in two years, according to
the count conducted on the LIST of No
vember. This was the eleventh, which
comprises the region lying south of the
Anacostia river. It is matter Of re-
greet that there should have been any
single case of diminution. Every part
of the District should grow in a period
of general expansion due to the inflow
of very large number of new people.
The failure of the Anacostia region to
increase in population is due to specific
causes, which should be promptly noted
and borne in mind in the framing of
legislation.
That part Of the District which lies
south of the Eastern branch" is topo-
graphically attractive. It's hills afford
ideal sites for dwellings, and it should
today be one Of the most populous and
prosperous parts of the capital. But in
consequence of long-eentinued neglect
in the matter of improvements and
facilities, pavements, sewers, water
mains, sidewalks and other betterments
it has Jagged in the march Of local
progress. Its transportation facilities,
too, have never been equal to the neees-
sites. For years the sole bridge con-
Meeting the suburb with the city was
of doubtful stability. Now there are
two bridges and two ear lines, but the
accommodation afforded by them is not
adequate even to present needs and does
not encourage growth.
This is a sad case of municipal neg
leet, net attributable to lack of appre-
citation on the part of the Commission
ers altogether, but the result Of the
sharp economies praetieed by Congress
in the writing of annual appropriations.
Had the Anacostia region been given its
proper share of the improvements dur
ing the past quarter Of a century it
would not now be losing population, but
would, on the contrary, be gaining rap
idly. So long as there are sections
where no water mains exist and where
houses can burn to the ground for lack
of water to quench the flames the Dis
trict cannot be said to be growing evenly
or wholesomely. This condition was re-
Gently disclosed in portion of the Ana
costa section, and may throw some light
upon the reason why the census shows
only in that one direction an actual loss
of population while the whole District
has grown phenomenally.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-16

fairs have been disappointed in their
New York expectations. They failed to
and there the profit and the pleasure
upon which they had calculated.
John G. Carlisle was Of this number.
he was one Of the foremost lawyers of
his day, and esteemed by his friends
worthy Of the chief justiceship Of the
United States Supreme Court. But he
was lost In New York, where he took up
residence after retiring from politics,
and died poor.
Thomas B. Reed did not find the me-
tropolis to his taste. BE, too, was q
very able lawyer, and, besides, was a
wit and capital speaker. But he did
not repeat at the New York bar any Of
the success he had previously achieved
at the Maine bar, and which had secured
him entrance into Congress. He after
ward regretted, as all his friends knew,
his retirement from the House.
+ David B. Henderson upon quitting
COHSIeSS went u ISeW Iolh, dS daSO
Senator William Lindsey They were
lawyers, and the Kentuckian had served
as chief justice of the highest court in
his state But neither repeated in New
York the success he had scored at home,
and both, after few years, returned to
the old bailiwicks.
They were strangers. Mr.. Fitzgerald,
who is on the eve of a similar move, is
kin. He is native, and, though absent
for the greater part of the past twenty
years in Washington in service as law
maker, knows the town and its ways,
and at forty -fve-young for both poll
tics and the bar-should win in his new
field. 1t is big field. and still growing,
and at the close of the war will prob
ably enjoy boom greater than any yet
recorded in its history.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-16
TURMOIL IN RUSSIA,

From the New York World.
There can be no Russia fit to be ad-
mitted to the society of nations until
this infamous partnership between an
archy and autocracy is dissolved. and
If the Russian people cannot render this
service to. themselves and to mankind,
Russia is lost.
From the St. Louis Globe Democrat.
What new Offsky or Skyeff will
come to the top with the next Russian
revolutionary paroxysm?
From the Spokesman-Review.
Indications are that Russia will
shortly put the ak in maximalist and
remove the Trotzky.
From the Pittsburgh Chronicle Telegraph.
It is a dull day in Russia when some
kind of a new government is not pro-
claimed by somebody.
From the PhiIadelphia Record.
Russia may yet be put UP at auction
in job lots.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-16
The United States Guard.

The problem of public security from
mischieyous alien enemy activity dur
ing the war is apparently solved by the
formation of the "United States
Guard" This force, consisting Of $4,000
men, will be recruited from those who
are beyond the present draft age, up to
forty five years. These guardsmen will
be in all respects regular soldiers,
though clad in distinctive uniform Of
the old Army blue and armed with a
rife differing from that used in the war
service. They will do sentry and guard
duty at places where important works
and property are exposed to the agents
supplement the police forces in the
maintenance of order. Any man who
Tants to do his part toward winning the
WAR and who is not eligible for active
military service in the field can con-
tribute to the national strength by join
ing the United States Guard, feeling no
loss of prestige because he is clothed
differently from the men who are now
In cur camps or those who have already
gone overseas. He will be releasing
for duty in the field 'man who is now
kept here, and thus contributing directly
to the war strength of the country.
There are thousands of men who are to-
day available for this duty, who should
be proud to put on the blue Of the
guard and do sentry-go as a means of
making Uncle Sans property and in
kerests safe from molestation.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-16
Christmas and Business.

Congress will take the usual Christ
mas recess. Argument was against, in
elination for. Inclination won. "The
folks back home" proved stronger than
Uncle Sam. As the matter has been de-
cided, there is but one thing to do-wish
every member a Merry Christmas and a
Happy New Year. And this will be the
general wish of Washington.
It will be more than two weeks be-
fore Congress buckles to work again.
Attendance will not be large or satisfac-
tory for at least ten days after the recess
allowance has expired. Members drift
back-some slowly. The holiday spirit
cannot be changed or dropped, like a
garment, but holds sway for little
spell after "the lights are fled, the gar
lands dead" and the banquet hall is
deserted.
Still, the time will not be altogether
lost to Uncle Sam. Senators and repre-
sentatives will improve part of it in
conferences with leading constituents
about the latest phases of the war. They
have just voted for war with Austria
Hungary step that was not GER
tainty when they left home. They are
advised of another liberty loan, to be
1oated very soon. They have some late
information about the unsatisfactory
character of the war revenue measure
enacted at the special session.
Home sentiment ON these matters is
desirable, and when obtained will be in
f1uentiaL An election is approaching.
Next November will tell the tale for the
whole of the House and a third of the
Senate. Many members viii be candi-
dates to succeed themselves, and are So
icitous to know what the voters are
thinking about and desiring done.
Voters are thinking about the war.
This is evident from the two congress
sional investigations that have promptly
been ordered. That they have grown
out of sentiment sounded by senators
and representatives during the time be-
tween the close of the special and the
beginning of the regular session is a
popular guess in political circles, and
that other steps may be taken under the
same influence is a very persuasive sug-
gestion. Hence the pains the Legislators
viii take to keep informed about what is
expected of them by those in whose
hands their political fortunes rest, and
whose decisions at the polls eleven
months away will mean SO much.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-16

From the Chicago News.
Russia is not to be counted definitely
on either side until the back precincts
are heard from.
From the Pittsburgh Gazette-Timcs
One cannot tell whether the UPRISING
in Russia will be a success. but all eff
forts to overthrow the boIsheyiki are
thankfully received.
From the Boston Transcript
It is a rash person who ventures a
to jump in Russia just now.
From the Boston Globe.
Trotzky is very insistent in his de-
mands that the allies state their war
aims-well. one Of them just at present
would be to get rid of Trotzky.
From the Philadelphia Press
The rapidly increasing strength of
the new rebellion in Russia holds out
the hope that the demoralixipg regime
Of tia hoiahevaki will he shoyt lived.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-16
CAPTURE OF JERUSALEM.

From the Boston Globe. -. .s.e
The capture of Jerusalem by a Chris-
tian army startles echoes down the cor>
riders Of Twenty-Five centuries.
From the Pittsburgh Gsxette.Hnea.
The paramountcy Of the practical IN
these days will obscure In q measure
the sentimental interest attaching Ia
the capture of Jerusalem.
From the Piusburgh Chronicle- Telegraph.
The capture of Jerusalem by Chris
tians Is a glorious Christmas gift TO
Christendom. '--t
From the ct. Louis Globe-pemocrat.
Whatever military value these may
be In the capture Of JeFuUaleU o tar
Transcribed BY the effect en- eepfiHeUt.
It IL trebly holy city-to. the MohANs.
nedaas. the Jews and TIE chs1gttaaa !.