davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-01-29
NOT ILL, BUT SHE DIED
Begemmed Patient of ChiropractiS
Practitioner Succumbs Suddenly.

New York, Jan. 29.-An autopsy
was to be performed today on the
body of Miss Emma K. Oswald, rs,
of Los Angeles, Cal, who died last
night while undergoing "chiropractic''
treatment.
Miss Mary A1varado, who came here
with Miss Oswald, three weeks ago,
said her companion had not been ill.
The police took charge of $4,000 worth
of jewelry and several hundred dollars
in cash which Miss Oswald had with
her.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-01-29
EAST SIDE NOTES

Notes and personals from Eas. Sids
by Frances Jones, 211 Grattan street.
Telephone between and lou LII. $3.50
other hours. 41o1 K-2
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-01-29
SANTA FE NOTES

Notes anu persuuais fron. SANTA &.
oy Frances jones. p Grattau street
Telephone between : a. 10 a. M, S.lpi
other Yonrs. 1855 k-2
Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1918-06-20
Burning Mine of Pennsylvania.

When a small fire started in one Of
the workings Of an anthracite coal-mine
in Pennsylvania, the superintendent put
force of men at work pumping water
into the tunnels to extinguish the blaze.
This was 6S years ago, and the fire still
burns, not fercely, but steadily and per-
sistently, in spite of continued effort to
drown it out
lust how it started no one knows.
The company was working only one
shift of men. When the miners went
off duty in the evening, everything
seemed in order, but, before morning,
smoke was issuing from the shaft. 1t
was considered only a small fire, as
mine fires 60, and the miners stayed
about town for couple Of months,
expecting to be able to continue work
in short time.
But that day has never come. The
original workings have long since been
burned out. A great gully has been
formed by the caving in Of the noun
tain after the vein Of coal had been
eaten away Today, in the side Of the
hills, there are openings and cracks
from which smoke and heat issue, and
at night a phosphorescent-like glow
seems to spread over portions of the
hillside.
But the fire has advanced many miles
during the last 6S years, and it still
goes gradually forward, despite every
effort. One of the largest mines in
Pennsylvania is at Lansford, few
miles from Summit Hill, and is a con-
tinuation of the same vein. 1t appears
to be only matter OF time until the FIRE
encroaches on this property.
One plan was carried out which would
definitely settle this problem, so it was
believed. The vein Of coal was cut
through and a thick cement wall sep
arated it. But when the fire reached
this wall, it simply burned around it
and went on.
This problem still confronts the
mine-owners Of Lansford and other sur
rounding mines (for there is no esti-
mating the extent Of the fre) even after
so years Of effort.
Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1918-06-20
Artificial Leather.

Within the last ten years the manu-
facture of substitutes for leather has
become an important industry, al
though the general public knows little
or nothing about it. The chief ingre-
dent OF the substitutes is cotton. Ac-
cording to the Textile Journal, the base
is a roll of cotton cloth, varying from
thin muslin to drills and even heavier
materials. The cotton cloth is cover
ed with paste that varies in every
factory, but that requires gun-cotton,
oil, acetanilide, lead colors and other
chemicals. On the top of that is put
a very thin celluloid dressing, and af-
ter the artificial leather is completed
it is put through steel rollers that i'm
press grain upon it to initiate what
ever kind OF leather il is desired to
represent. The finished material gets
about three -fourths OF its weight from
the cotton. Some OF the articles made
from artificial leather are oets, suit
cases, trunks, slippers, pocketbooks,
grip handles, suspender ends and SIM
liar trimmings toilet rolls, fancy lea
ther goods and sweatbands for hats.
Ii is also used in book-binding. Shoe
factories have taken il up for inner
soles, although substitutes for top lea
ther and most other shoe leather are
still in the experimental stage. But
the largest use is found in the automo-
bile factories and in cheap furniture
factories for upholstery. The con-
sumption Of leather substitutes has
been so far chiefly domestic, but ex-
ports are increasing. Although the
present scarcity Of leather has no doubt
helped to promote the industry, the
low price OF the substitute is tending
to expand the use Of it. Leather to-
day costs about twice as much as il
cost two years ago. Imitation leather
sells for about a third as much as real
leather.
Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1918-06-20
The Second Red Cross Drive.

The second Red Cross war drive was
a wonderful success all over the United
States, and it is pleasure to state that
Jefferson county has not been behind
in so great movement. With quota
of $500, we have gone cover the top"
more than four times. There never
was a time when money was given in
more beautiful spirit. In many cases
people did not have to be asked to give
they wanted to give. Some gave
time and work when they could not
give money. Children gave. Old peo-
pie gave. Colored people gave. No
one wanted to be left out
1t seemed as il all hearts were open
to those who needed aid. Approx
mately $500 people contributed, and
the money was given in sums from one
cent to thousand dollars. Some en-
velopes were brought in containing no
larger coin than dime. The first dol
lar contributed was from Nealy Thomas,
a colored woman of Kabletown, who has
two sons in the service. The last dol
lar do not believe has been given, but
to date the books stand as follows:
Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1918-06-20
History of Umbrellas.

The antiquity OF our old and much
loved friend, the umbrella, is beyond
dispute. The Chinese, who are never
so happy as when juggling with groups
of centuries, date the appearance OF the
first umbrella back to 1000 or 5000
years before the Mosaic date OF the
creation Of the world.
Sanscrit poets carry many illusions
TO its value as protector OF the bare
headed. In the Chaldaic scriptures OF
Nineveh we are told that the umbrella
as an emblem of royalty adopted BY
eastern nations was gradually carried
over the king in time of peace and some
times even in war.
1t was with an umbrella borne over
his head that Vishnu is said to have
made his visit TO the internal regions
while the use of the umbrella in Greece
during the dawn of Pisistratus and by
Rome under the consulate and empire
is attested by such writers Pausanius,
Aristophanes, Aristotle, Plutarch, Ovid,
Martial and Juvenal.
The Roman umbrella, made OF skin
and leather, and stretched on rods, could
be lowered when not in use, the honor
of bearing it over the owner being re-
served to the favorite slave or servant
The use Of the parasol or sunshade
first carried by the priestesses OF
Athena at her festivals, began in Italy
and France and England early in the
seventeenth century, being introduced
into these countries probably from
China by Jesuit missionaries.
The story of the introduction OF the
umbrella into England as protection
against rain is not one Of the least in
teresting features of its history. Jonas
Hanway, famous as philanthropist
and founder OF the Magdalen hospital,
who in his earlier years had Travelled
into the far corners Of the east on an
investigation of trade conditions, had
brought back with him huge umbrella
of the kind commonly used by Persian
potentates.
For some time had he kept secret the
possession of his prize, not daring to
brave public opinion by its use, private
view being reserved for his friends.
But at last one windy, rainy day in
March, 1850, Hanway made sortie into
Cheapside, with the outlandish contriv-
ance held at arms length over his head,
only to be greeted by the jeers and
howls of the crowd. Hanway found the
umbrella even more of protection from
the shower Of malodorous eggs, as
sorted vegetables and recent cats than
against the rain, at which it had frst
been opened.
Early during their use in England
umbrellas took the form OF large, un-
wieldly canopy which stood just inside
the door of mansions and were carried
by footmen over the heads OF their mas
ters. The umbrella Of Hanway's day
has undergone a wide transformation,
the first marked development being the
spring trigger by which it is opened or
closed and the substitution Of silk for
gingham in the materials, while the in
vention of the steel frame forty years
ago completes its evolution into the
shapely affair we use today.
Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1918-06-20
Double Film Flam.

This is a story picked up in New
York that has all the elements-save
the love Of touch-of a modern mys-
terry story NJ. Parrish Watson is a
wealthy collector OF Chinese art. He
sends emissaries all over China dig
eine I'D treasures. One OF his agents
has just returned.
In Peking he was in the shop OF
pawnbroker. A silk-hatted American,
polished man of the world, came in,
to secure a loan on a pearl which he
took out Of velvet bag. The broker
applied the tests and was satisfied the
pearl was genuine. He advanced Sl0,-
900. Later in the day one OF his ex-
perts rushed to him breathlessly with
the startling statement that the pearl
was the most clever counterfeit he had
ever seen. The broker made another
examination and found that he had
been the victim Of film flam artist.
Several days afterward he called ev-
cry jeweler in Peking into a confer
ence He told them Of his experience
and he said he was simply going to take
his loss, but thought it was his duty to
warn his fellow merchants. He held
up the pearl before them.
"Here it is" he said. ITO show
you what think OF it and that the in
cident is closed, am going TO destroy
it." He took hammer, and placing
the pearl on an iron, he smashed it
to tiny fragments with one blow.
The next day all the Peking news
papers carried a story about the way
the merchant had been tricked and how
he had destroyed the bogus gem.
Several weeks went by and the incl
dent was almost forgotten. One morn
ming the American who had pawned
the pearl entered the shop. A clerk
recognized him and went toward him.
81 have come for my pearl" he said.
The clerk was in a panic. He beg
ged the customer to wait few min
utes and rushed off TO his employer
with the news The broker came out OF
his private Office and met the customer.
81 have come for my pearl" repeat
ed the American.
"You have the money to redeem it ?"
he was asked.
For answer the American counted
out the exact amount and placed il on
the counter. The broker went 10 the
safe and brought back the pearl that
was pawned. He had cleverly tricked
the trickster. He knew there was only
one chance Of getting his money back
and that was to make the customer be-
lieye the pearl had been destroyed. He
resorted to this ruse and did not destroy
the pawned pearl but a substitute. A
surprised American walked out OF the
place with his counterfeit jewel-gnash-
ing his teeth just like the smooth vii
lain in the melodrama OF old.
Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1918-06-20
Drinking Ourselves Dry.

The whiskey drinkers are drinking
the nation dry and themselves nearer
and nearer TO abstinence.
Official figures in the hands OF gov
ernment authorities here show that al
present there is approximately only
l35,OOO,0O0 gallons OF whiskey left in
the bonded warehouses. This represents
the entire unsold legitimate supply
September 8, just nine months ago,
when the Presidents proclamation un-
der the food control act shutting down
on the making OF whiskey became ef'
fective, there was supply Of l65,OOO,'
900 gallons.
That it has not gone faster is due
to the fact that before the proclamation
during the months OF June, July and
August last year approximately $4,000
600 gallons were Withdrawn. This was
chiefly in anticipation OF the war tax
bill which raised the levy on whiskey
from Sl.lO 10 S5.IO a gallon. ibis
blocked up all OF the dealers. With
drawals are just now becoming normal
again at the rate Of approximately
100000 gallons month. This is the
rate at which whiskey is now being
consumed.
Government officials estimate that the
bonded warehouses Of the country will
be empty before August or not later
than September, 1919. BY that time
all of the whiskey in the country will
be in private hands or the hands Of re-
taiIers, they say, and it will not be much
at that compared with national con-
sumption.
Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1918-06-20
Just Alive-And That's All.

A good many excuses have been
given for evading military service, but
a letter written by young man OF
Buffalo, N. Y, to the State Military
Training Commission goes the limit in
explaining why he should not be COM
PEELED to take a course in military
training prescribed. His letter to the
commission explains itself-it follows:
81 wish to tell you that | am physical
ly disqualified for military training, as
a physical examination will show. The
first physical defect have is that | am
near-sighted, the optic nerve in both
my eyes being affected, or in medical
term, | have compound myastig. With
out my glasses am almost blind. With
my glasses | can see little better. /
also have trouble with my ears. am
troubled with a continual buzzing in
my ears.
"The next physical defect have a
weak, irregular, intermittent heart ac-
ton, ever since my birth. suffer with
shortness of breath on exertion and pain
around around region OF my heart and
lungs. also suffer with palpitation OF
the heart. can tell how many times
my heart beats up in my ears because
every time it beats it thumps in my
ears (when running. Sometimes it
beats only 5O-40 times a minute. do
not know if have organic heart disease
or Just a weak heart, but the stetho-
scope rightly applied will soon tell.
81 also suffer with (since BIRTH
stomach and intestinal trouble (chron-
ic). After every meal | have distress.
The umbilical region is most affected.
81 am hat-footed, also weak ankled,
poorly nourished, also kind OF hump
backed, thin chested. | am also about
thirty pounds underweight. A young
man of my height should weigh 130 or
140 pounds. only weigh lOS pounds
with winter clothing on my body. |
hlso hear some kind of noise in my lungs
when breathe.
$50 you can see that physically am
very bad. Poor eyesight, thin chested,
ear trouble, under nourished, weak
heart, hat-footed, weak ankled, in
testinal indigestion and generally all run
down all the time. say ! am unfit
for military training. II am forced
to drill my weak heart would become
weaker and thus cause my death. Al
ter you have made physically examin-
alton would like to know your opinion
of my case. declare that all the fore
going statements are erue to the best
Of my knowledge and ability"
In a postscript he added: 81 am
also troubled with my spine and am
very nervous"
That, apparently, was an after
thought.
Investigation by the commission show
ed that the young man was a trifle
near-sighted.
Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1918-06-20
Chateau Thierry Often Fought Over.

Chateau -Thierry, one Of the points
in the present great battle in France, is
the subject Of the following war geog-
raphy bulletin, issued from Washington
headquarters Of the National Ceogra-
phic Society.
"Chateau-T -Thierry, situated on an
eminence on the north bank OF the
River Marne, has been the storm center
of battle for many centuries. 1t was in
this neighborhood that Napoleon de-
feated the Russo-Prussians just l04
years ago; it was sacked in 1862 dur
ing the Fronde, the most costly and
least necessary civil war in history 1t
fell before the army Of Emperor Charles
V in 1874, and was beseiged and cap
tured by the English in 1927, just eight
years before the spectacular advent OF
loan of Arc on the scene Of French his
tory.
"The founding Of Chateau-Thierry
goes back to the eighth century when
Charles Martel, the victor at the Battle
of Tours and Savior of Christendom
from the Saracen hordes, built castle
here for the Frankish monarch Thierry
w, hence the name Of the town.
"The famous vineyards Of Cham
pagne begin at Chateau -Thierry and the
town is naturally, great wine market
Before the war it also enjoyed consid-
cradle trade in cattle and agricultural
products, while it was famous in the
industrial world for its excellent
mathematical and musical instruments.
The Importance of the town is out of
all proportion to its size, for in 1910 it
had not more than 1000 inhabitants.
"Chateau-Thierry is only SO miles by
rail east-north east Of the French cap
ital, being situated on the Eastern Rail-
way, running from Paris to Nancy.
"Like its sister towns of Peronne and
Ham, Chateau-Thierry enjoys the du-
bious distinction of having served at
one time as the place of Imprisonment
of French king. When Charles, the
Simple, posthumous son Of Louis the
Stammerer, was hard-pressed by his
enemies he turned to Herbert, Count Of
Vermadois, as his friend and protector
but the latter betrayed him and placed
the monarch in confinement here.
"The ruins of Charles Martel's cas-
tie still crown the hill which dominates
Chateau-T -Thierry. 1t is approached by
a flight of l02 steps.
"The most famous native son OF the
town was Jean de La Fontaine, the
noted poet and fabulist who was born
in 1921, in a house still standing and
now used as library and museum"
An American negro soldier newly
landed at a French port the other day
met for the first time French black
soldier. He attempted to have a talk
with him. He tried in vain to engage
him in conversation. 1t was useless.
He looked familiar but his language
was hopelessly in the dark. Finally,
after futile efforts, he took off his hat,
scratched his woolly head, and re-
marked in tones of disgust: "Well, TO-
de lordl You may be black-but you
amt no niggerw
Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1918-06-20
NEW VOL. 53-No. "a
A NATIONAL APPEAL

This war is one of nations-no of armie--and all of
one hundred million people be economically and indus
ray adjusted conditions this nation is to play its
full part conflict The pohm before us is primarily
fr anca problem but rather problem OF increased pro-
duton OF war essentials and the saving of the materials and
labor necessary for the support and equipment OF our
Army Navy. Thoughess expenditure OF money Tor non
essentials up the labor the products OF the arn
mines factories and overbudens transportation all OF
which be used the and a.ther best for war
purposes.
The great results which seek be obtained only by
participation OF every member OF the nation young and
old in national concerted thrift movement therefore urge
that people everywhere pledge themselves as suggested
Secretary the Treasury the practice OF thrift to
serve the Government their increasing prodnc-
ton in all fields necessary the winning OF the to con-
food and fuel and useful materials OF every kind to de-
their labor only the most tasks and to buy
only those things which essential TO individual health and
efficiency and that the people evidence OF their loyalty
invest all that they Liberty Bonds and War Saw
ngs Stamps securities issued by the Treasury Depart
many them within the reach OF every one that
the door of opportunity this matter wide open to all OF u.s.
To practice thrift peace times is virtue and brings great
the individual all times with the desperate need
of the civilized world today for materials and labor with which
to end the war practice OF individual thrift patriotic
duty and a necessity.
appeal to all now either Liberty Bonds War
Savings Stamps continue practice economy and THRIFT
and to appeal to all who Government securities
do likewise purchase them the extent OF their
The who buys Government securities transfers the par
chasing power money the United Satss Government
until after this war and that degree does buy
competition with the Government.
earnestly appeal every man, woman and child -
pledge themselves before the 18th of June to
stanty and buy regularly possible the securities 4"
the Government and do this far possible through
membership in War Savings Societies The 18th OF une ends
this special period in the great volunteer army
of production and saving here home May there be none
unensod that day
(Signed) WOODROW WILSON.
May 20, 1918
Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1918-06-20
Plucking Ostrich Plumes.

When the time comes round for
plucking ostriches il is necessary TO
collect the troop. This is done BY send
ing about half dozen men into the en-
closure on foot, and a couple on horse
back to bring the stragglers in. The
birds are driven into smallkraal, about
40 yards square, and in this kraal the
plucking- boxes stand. The birds are
then caught, and as quickly as possible
small linen bags are slipped over their
heads-a process which Immediately
conquers the bird, for, finding itself in
darkness, it will stand trembling and
ready to be pushed in any direction.
With the bags over their heads, the
birds are pushed into the plucking
boxes. A man standing outside the
box at each side gets hold Of the wing
and clips the feathers from il; then,
walking round to the tail, clips the tall
feathers also, until the whole troop has
passed through the plucking boxes. Six
men will pluck 80 birds in one day.
Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1918-06-20

In the matter Of a picturesque cx-
preston there is no one 10 excel q
bright Hibcrnian.
A judge was questioning an Irish
man at a recent trial
"He took you by the throat and
choked you, did he ?" asked the judge.
"He did, sorr," said Patt. "Surc,
sorr, he squeezed me throat ill ]
thought he would make cider out OF me
Adams apple"
Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1918-06-20

The above report, which has been
handed in to the Jefferson County Red
Cross Chapter by Mrs. Edward E.
Cooke, the treasurer of the second Red
Cross drive, will be read with great in
terest by the whole community, but will
give little idea Of the untiring efforts
and strenuous work represented by its
figures.
Miss Lorraine Murphy, the county
chairman of the drive, by her efficient
and thorough organization reached
every district of the county and sue
ceeded in interesting all those with
whom she came in contact, and Jeffer-
son county feels very proud of the re-
sponse its citizens have made to this
appeal for their help in the great work
of the Red Cross.
KATHERINE RIDDLE, Chairman,
Jefferson County Chapter A. R. C.
Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1918-06-20

The hundreds, by now the thousands,
of men who have died since the war
began in camps or on the sea, have a.
truly served as those who have felt the
thrill Of the fight and heard the crash Of
shells. The service and sacrifice Of
mothers to the cause a mother best can
can tell.-New York World.
Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1918-06-20

The Germans were shelling sec
ton held by the American troops not
long ago, and one American said to an
other: "This sure is hell" and his
bunkie looked at him and said:
"Are you married ?"
"No."
"WeIl, you got a lot to learn"