davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1917-04-26
The Garage Bill.

The garage bill is successful
method of discouraging people from
buying four automobiles at. once.
When a man buys a sparkling new
automobile which in the hands Of a
skillful demonstration can climb 40
per cent grade on it's hind legs, he
does not realize that it is like the
flower that fadeth and the grass that
withereth. He does not discover at
first, either, that it contains seventy
two grease cups and 476 oil holes
which sh Guild be charged every Sun
day morning between the hours of
$40 a. m. and II M. If any one
will cause some sensitive spot to rust
out or chip off or break loose, and
the more sensitive it is the more it
costs to get duplicate copy.
When an automobile breaks down
in some nerve center, it is sent TO
the garage, where expert workmen
can take it all apart and hold a post
norton examination. Every once in
while the trouble can be located
without taking out the engine. but it
is much more satisfactory to tear
down everything but the honeycomb
tubing in the radiator. Several large
dry goods boxes are then filled with
nuts, bolts, screws, hub caps and
other debris, and are never missed
by the owner until he is out on the
road. Many a distressing case of
magnetic trouble has been located at
once by removing the rear axle and
trueing up the hind wheels.
RI 1t is a great shock to trusting
tourist to take a smoothly running
automobile into garaon to be look
ed over and come back the next
morning to- find that it has been
broken up into small chunks and
probably wouldn't have gone fifty
miles farther. without committing
murder on the owner. 1t is then
discovered that several vital parts
have been worn out, owing to the
European. war, and list of needed
supplies is made out on sheet of
paper with wheelbase of 112 inch
es. When a man looks at this list
with tear-bedimmed eyes he will
wish he had been born in the stone
age instead of the horseless age
Howard Ram. !
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1917-04-26
The Sermon.

! The sermon is a long aggressive
missile which is aimed at the heads
Of people who are not present in the
congregation.
The habit of sermonizing was
brought to this country from England
in the Mayflower, along with new
brand of conscience and some antique.
furniture which is still on sale. The
most deadly and uninterrupted form
OF sermon ever perpetrated upon the
American people sprang up in the
Thirteen colonies and lasted as long
as the hour glass could stand it. 1t
must have been terrifying. thing to
watch the hour glass at the morning
service and count the number Of
times is was turned end for end,
while the minister delivered SER
mon with the smooth, gliding motion
LOT Corliss engine. In those days
the sermon which started at 800 a.
M, and was finished before 800 p.
m. Of the same day was considered
total failure, and a still hunt for a
new preacher was immediately inst
tuted. --r "
The modern sermon does not COW
err as much ground as The samples
which were put out in colonial Gays,
know when he have enough. 1t is a
lamentable fact, however, that YES:
tryman who will begin to yawn like
an army tent after the home pastor
has preached for twenty ."o minutes
will sit in a saw-dust tabernacle
without any back for two hours and
half. while some evangelist rips up
the community from fetlocks to col
lar button. and never notice the
flight of time or size of the crick in
his back. Most people would rath
er listen to a super-heated evangelist
raise blisters on the 'hides of the
members of the church than attend
the evening service and listen to a
sermon which lasts fifteen minutes
and then runs into a series of moving
pictures.
The missionary sermon is an effort
which secures better results when
nobody knows it is coming. 1t has a
sublime mission. which is to extract
money from people who would ather
spend it for nOn-skid tires. It re-
quires courage to preach one of these
sermons but probably no more than
is required 10 live on the average
pastors straightforward Ram.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1917-04-26
Mrs. Alkaline Smith. /.

Alkaline Cory Smith was born near
Frankfort, Ross county; Oalc. Aug.
I12, 1892, and passed. away at her
home, near Leon, Iowa, April 4 "A,
1914 being 81 years, s months and
On ct, IS, 1S49, she was united
in carriage to Thorlas J. Smith,
with whom she lived in perfect COM
partnership until his death on March
/, 1855 TO them were born nine
children four of whom preceded
her to the spirit land, and five living
to care for and cherish her until her
death. She also leaves nine grand
children and eight dchil-
dren, and a host of neighbors and
friends. &c. s-.-> 20 =
In March. 1882, she with her hus-
band and family came from Ohio to
Iowa, buying their home farm just
north of Leon, Iowa, on which she
continued to reside until the time Of
her death.
In early life she united with the
Presbyterian church. and found
great delight in long years of chris
tian service.
She was al devoted wife and moth!
er. and an earnest, nOble-minded
christian woman, loved and respect
ed by all who knew her.
The last NX years OF her life ha:
udu Hlduy udyS Vi SiENiieSS anu sui
fering and darkness, for she had
been blind for the last three years.
Through all these years. she never
complained, but eagerly awaited the
time when death would release hel
that her spirit might find rest and
peace in the presence OF her Master
and the loved ones gone before.
Home to her Fathers Mansion.
Safe in the land of the best
After the weary journey,
Called to a we'll earned rest.
The task that to her was appointed
Nobly tended and done,
She went to hear from the Master,
Faithful servant, well DONE
Funeral services were held Tues
day, April 18th, at the NJ. e. church,
conducted by her pastor, Rev. G. ).
Marsolf, of the Presbyterian CHURCH,
assisted BY Rev. r. K. Moser, Of the
NJ. r. church She was laid to res
in the family lot in the Leon ceme-
terry by the side of her husband. .,
Card of Thanks We desire 70
thank the friends and neighbors who
so kindly helped--us during the sick
ness and death Of our mother. Mrs |
Alkaline Smith. The Children.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1917-04-26
Charles c. Mccain.

and Mrs. James Mccain, was born in
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, October
II, 1878. He died near Decatur
City, Iowa, April ~, 1917, aged 80
years, months and rs days.
1896 in which county he was engag-
ed in farming September l., 1902,
he was united in marriage with Miss
Jessie Hutchcroft to which union
eight children We're born, one of
died in infancy. In 1907 the family
moved to Decatur county, where
they have since resided. TWO years
City and the father engaged in the
implement business in which he was
engaged until short time before
his death.
lie was a member Of the |. O. O..
r. and X. of p lodges. 81 -
he leaves to mourn his loss seven
children, all Of whom are at home.
Ralph, Alline and O!etha who sui
s, 1916
Besides the children he leaves his
father and mother OF Camphlll, Pa,
two half brothers and three half sis
ters. Only one half brother, Pin
Frownfelter OF Mediapolis, Iowa, was
pIcScut.
Funeral services We're held at the
home in Decatur ulty, Sunday, April
IS at 1880 a. m. conducted by Rev.
u. f. Partridge, assisted by Rev.
johnson Of the Decatur Christian
church. A large number of people
from that city and adjacent towns
were in attendance including a large
representation of the members of the
lodges Of which he was member.
After the services a long process
sion Of autos escorted the body to
Lamont where Mr.. McCann was laid
to rest by the side Of his wife who
died last November,
At Leon, the X. Of p. band joined
the procession and furnished appro-
pirate numbers. on the march from
Lamont where the autos We're park
ed. to the Rose Hill cemetery.
The X. of r, had charge OF the
services, using their regular ritual.
A Card-We wish to express our
feeling of gratefulness towards our
friends and neighbors for the as
sistance given us at%the time %of the !
tragic death of our father. a. II
The Mccain Children. |
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1917-04-26

Everybody tells you that he takes
just as good care of other peoples
property as of their own but nobody
does s&
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1917-04-26

The skin of the whale is split into
four thicknesses and each thickness
makes stout and substantial leath-
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1917-04-26

A Card-We wish to express our
feeling of gratefulness towards our
friends and neighbors for the as
sistance given us at4the time 6of the
tragic death of our father. H. i. i
The Mccain Children.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1917-04-26

Gard of Thanks-We, wish to pub
1iely express our gratitude FOR '.le
kindness and sympathy manifested
- - ss:ss.ing tire recent illness, and in the
May someone's tender care light
en- the load in the hour of your sad
en- the load in the hour of '-our sad
ness is the prayer of
Charles Z. Henderson,, o.
, and Brothers and Sisters
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-30
TUSKEGEE RECORDS
 SHOW TH|RTY-E!GHT
 LYNCH|NGS IN 1917

Tuskegee, December 29.-Dr. R. R..
 Moton, president of Tuskegee insti- tute, tonight announced that from the records kept by the division of records tand research of Tuskegee institute, Monroe N. Work, in charge, there were 3S persons lynched during 1917, of whom 36 were negroes and two were whites. Thirty-seven were men and one woman. Twelve were charged with criminal assault or attempted criminal assault.
 The offenses charged against the whites were one criminal assault and one murder and one fomenting .strik es. The offenses charged against the negroes in the language of the rec 5; criminal assault, 6; murder 3; kill
 ting out of road and being insolent 2; attacking women, 2; disputing white rnen's word, ?; entering women's rooms, 2; wounding officers of the
 law, I; molesting women, 1; stealing
 coat, I; intimacy with woman, 1; kill ing man in aitercation, 1; accidentally
 killing child by running automobile
 over 1t, I; vagrancy. |; wounding and
 robbing man. 1; attacking an officer
 of the law, 1; opposition to war draft,
 1, insulting girls, I; writing insolent letter.
 The, states in which lynchings oc- cured and number in each state were
 as follows: Alabama, A. Arkansas, 4; Arizona, 4; Florida, I; Georgia
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-30
GARDEN, LIVE STOCK AND DAIRY EXPERTS
 SPEAK IN COUNTY
Food Preparedness Bureau to Start Campaign Jan uary z for 50,O00
 Gardens

A campaign to increase the food pro-
 duction in this district will begin Jan- uary ', and will be staged under the auspices of the food preparedness bu- reau with the cooperation of the h. ternational Harvesting company. A canvass of Jeffferson county will be made for the purpose of arousing interest throughout this section of tho state in the matter of increased food production.
 H. S. Mob1ey, the well known garden expert, and J. M. Browning. prominent live stock raiser, both of Arkansas and Mrs. Adda F. Howie of Wisconsin, the worlds greatest dairywoman. have
 been engaged for the campaign, and , they will speak twice daily at various points in the county. These speakers are furnished by the International Harvesting company. This canvass of the county is pre- lininary to the garden campaign which will begin about the middle of January, County Superintendent of
 Education N R. Baker has given the
 campaign much publicity through the county schools.
 Tractors will be furnished to those
  signing pledges to look after the work and take suggestions from headquar- ters during the campaign. The food preparedness bureau has set the mark of registered gardens in Jefferson county at 50,000. The programme for Monday, Jan- uary z, is as fololws Mrs. Adda F. Howie, Boyles, Jeffer- son County High school, 10 a. m.; Chalkville schoolhouse, 2 p. m. MT. Browning at Corner High school, 1o:30 a. m.; Warrior High school 2:3s p. m.
 MT. Mobley, Bessemer, Board of
 Trade, 10:30 a. m.; Gardendale school, p. m. Bessemer will launch garden campaign at this meeting. Tuesday, January 8: Mrs. Bowie at Pleasant Hill school, l 10 a. m.
 1 MT. Browning at the Alliance school, ! 10:30 a. m: Concord school, p. m. | Mir. Mobley at Cottage Hill school I 10:30 a. m.; Ensley city hall 3 D. m. Ensley will launch garden campaign | at this meeting
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-30
Beautiful Programme
 Is Finely Rendered

s' The audience that greeted Jules Falk. violinist; Gertrude Arnold, con tralto, and Malvna Ehrlich, pianist, in the ballroom at the Tutwiler last night, was not quite as large as that of Fri day night, when the same artists ap- peared before a capacity house. but 1t was fully as appreciative.
 An entirely new programme was pre- sented and it was finely rendered. MT. Falks largest number Saint Saens' 'IEtroduetion and Rondo Capriccioso," was marked by breadth of style and clarity. His smaller pieces were toned gems and especially brilliant in tech- nic was ''Moto Perpetua," "Elfentaun,' by Popper-Halie.
 The entertainments were given un- der the auspices of the Daughters of the Confederacy for the benefit of the Octayia White Home.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-30
GOVERNOR COX IS
 PLEASED AT HEALTH . 0F OHIO TROOPS
Splendid Physical Condition of Men at Camp Sheridan Makes Deepest Impress
 sion on Official

' g
 Montgomery, December 29.-After a week In Montgomery and Macon coun- ties, during which time they saw the Ohio soldiers in their Christmas cele- bration and in their everyday work. Governor and Mrs. James Cox and the governors party left at o'clock Sat urday.
 Just before his departure today Gov ernor Cox issued the following semi formal statement: The thing that most impressed me In Camp Sheridan was the excellent health of the men. I was indeed pleased to see the marvellous trans formation accomplished with the land that am told was thought unsuitable for camp site
 T was Impressed with the phys Ical condition of the men. Men who needed weight have gained from 10 to 20 pounds, since coming to sheri- dan; men who were too heavy have lost flesh until they are now in the pink of !condition--all> due to the reg ular living and all proof of the value of universal military service"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-30
Letters Of Congratulation
 By Scores Are ReceiUed By
 WeU-KnoUn Local Firm

the names and locations of number of your neighbors and, while we congratulate you upon the evident attractiveness Of the locality, still we feel that 1t would be more proper if 1t were pos sible for us to congratulate your neighbors upon the fact that their neighborhood has made such an acquisition as your store undoubt- edly will be. They can well feel happy to welcome to their vicin- ity a firm that has long enjoyed such a long and deserved reputa- tion, not only for dealing accord ing to the strict laws of business but also because of the fine spirit and human qualities that have al- ways mark ed the members of your firm and thereby the firm itself.
 If we were to ss% down in writ ing on this sheet of paper all or the sentiments that we feel to- ward you, although they would be absolutely sincere, they are or such a nature that they might appear almost as flattering. We want you to understand that everything we have said in this letter is written because it arises from our deepest convictions and we are not eXag- gerating in the least our feelings for you.
 "It was gratifying to us also to think that we possess your friend ship and good will to the extent that would inspire you to write us the letters that you have in this instance.
 Again, let us tell you how very happy we were to learn that you have made this latest step along the lines of increasing the pres tige of your business, and we as- sure you that you will always have our hearty cooperation and |. good will in anything that you may lend your efforts.
 with very kindest regards, we remain, sincerely and cordially yours,
 "JART SCrIAFFNER & MARK
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-30

Since the announcement recently made by M. Well 6 Brother that this well known clothing firm would move and would fit up the handsomest and most up-to-date store of the kind in the south, the members of the firm have received scores of letters of con- graduation.
 Probably no letter received, how ever will be of more interest to the general public than one received from X Marx, manufacturers of the famous clothing which M. Veil & Brother have sold throughout Birmingham and Alabama for so many years. It shows a personal ton and spirit of friendship which goes much deeper than any mere business connection or association between a large manufac- turing concern and it's. representatives in Birmingham. The letter reads as follows:
 'sTlle pleasure which you had in
 writing to us announcing the con-
 summation of your lease of new
 quarters on Second avenue be-
 tween Nineteenth and Twentieth
 streets. was more than shared by
 us when we read your letters. Let us say right here some
 thing which it is hardly necessary
 for us to tell you. because you
 already know it, and that is that
 our warmest wishes for prosper
 ity and happiness in your new
 home go forward to you and the
 hope that you may live a long
 time to be proud of the success
 that we know will crown your further efforts along straightfor-
 ward, honest merchandising.
 MIra 1,nur latter ynll mentioned
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-30
PLANTS. WANT COAL

Montgomery. December 2s.-Mont- gomery manufacturing plants making food products out of cotton seed ap- pealed tos the Alabama public service commission today. for coal with which to operate their industries. Tn case coal Is not forthcoming, they informed the commission they would be forced to close down. s3
 The manufacturing concerns made the appeal on the ground that they were engaged in producing foodstuffs, indispensable at this time to carry on tho war, and expressed the opinion that because of their product being of such vital importance, they should be given preferential treatment
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-30
COTTON SEED PRICE

MontEomery, December 29.-To sta bilize transactions in cotton seed and to protect the producers and con : sumers the minimum price for Ala bama hasabeen fixed at s73 per ton by the United States. food administration.
 Buyers sof cotton seed are warned not to pay less than this price and farmers arc requested to report all violations of the law to the state food administrator, who Is charged with the duty of Its enforcement.
 The price for cotton seed as fixed by the food administration Is based on careful calculation of the returns to the mills from ton of seed, with the cost of misunderstanding and hand ling. This action is a part of the gov ernment policy to insure fair Urea tnent to the producer and the consumer in all commercial transactions relating to food products. Y
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-30
Only Tropical Spot in United States

From the Popular Science Monthly.
 Only at one place in the United States is there real tropical vegeta- tion. Florida and California have what Is called sub -tropical vegetation Tn the midst of a desert in the extreme southern part of California is true oasis. The oasis, Palm Springs, lies 250 below the sea level. So hot is it there that there is a riot of yegeta- tion all the year round. Enormous Gg trees and mammoth grapefruit and oranges are always to be had. The lemons that grow there weigh two and a half pounds apiece. The respon- sibility for all this may be laid to a teauriful little stream which is fed by the Colorado river and which flows through the oasis only to disappear into the ground at it's end.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-30
Nd in Spain

Madrid, December 2s,-rExtremeIy cold weather prevails over northern Saai;,, the cold wave extending as far south as Madrid. The Madrid gas works used up it's last reserves of coal last night and the capital wass in darkness after ? a. m. Railway com munication with the. coal districts has been almost entirely cut off by the snowfall.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-30
MARTIN TO LEAVE

Montgomery, December 29.-William l. Martin. former attorney general of Alabama, commissioned a major in, the aviation corps, leaves Montgomery to- morrow for Washington, under orders from the war department to report for duty. Major Martin does not know where he win be assigned, but will receive instructions on his arrival in Washington.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-30
Chile Objects

Santiago. Chile. December 2s.-The Chilean government has declined to permit the Chilean ministers to Brazil, Ecuador and Bolivia to take charge of the archives of the German lega- tions in those countries.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-30
Anchoring "Ship of Desert"

From the Popular Science Monthly
 Because of it's peculiar swaying mo- tion in walking, the camel has been called the ship of the desert." This title may also have some reference to the extreme stupidity and passivity of the animal, which submits to great loads, which it will often carry for days at a time without stopping for food or drink, with no more urging than a ship would require from the hands of it's pilot.
 The manper in which the drivers hobble the camels when they stop for rest is interesting. They do not de- pend upon stakes driven in the deep, yielding sand, but simply double back and tie one of the forelegs of the animal, so that it can lie down Or rise up but cannot move from the spot.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-30

Judge Charles w. Coleman of Goshen, N. Y, who was elected town judge or Goshen when he was 2l and who has been in continuous service for 46 years, re- signed recently
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-30
SOLDIER WILL NOT EXPLAIN HOW HE
 WAS WOUNDED )
Private at Camp Mcclellan the Victim of Mysterious Shooting Affair-Inves-
 tigatiOn Being Made

Anniston, December 29.-(Special.)-Pri vate Clifford Reddish, member of Bat tery E, Third field artillery, Is in the base hospital at Camp Mcclellan today while an investigation is being made into the mysterious shooting of the soldier. Reddish was discovered lying in the woods on the south edge of the camp Friday afternoon with three small cali Der bullet holes in his neck. head and arm, and while he is conscious, the only statement made by the injured man. is that he has been shot by other parties than himself.
 Private Reddish had been absent from his command since Christmas afternoon about 4 o'clock. and while no statement wa1 obtainable as to the exact time of his injuries, indications are that he had been shot only few hours before he was discovered Friday afternoon. The Injured soldier was found lying in the woods by two wood cutters belonging to another organization, who reported tho matter to the proper authorities.
 Reddish is a recruit sent here from Syracuse, N. r., but his people live in Georgia. His parents have been notified of the accident and were expected to ar rive in the city Saturday night. ,
 The artillery soldier IS considered by the hospital authorities to be in a seri- ous condition, and the fact that he has made no statement which will clear up the matter adds to the mystery. The shooting Is being investigated by his bat tery officers and members of the mili- tary police detachment