davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-07-06

his wife. made the following statement
regarding the disaster:
The whole thing was over n a
instant. ] was in the cafe Of the boat
when the shock came. knew that We
had struck . submerged log ana /
heard my brother, the captain. cIp
out, everybody Up stairs The crowd
rushed for the upper deck. o. ~
return ] saw my wife running ahead
OF me up the companion way, / l.|
lived and just as | got 70 the second
deck the boat listed 70 The lo(k MAJ
+, and sank quickly. ] cav nv I'm.
thrown overheard into ne water
grabbed at her skirt but 4 I||111I
from my fingers. Then the boat E..
plunged in total darkness,
AT that time the water was ~ As
the siaterooms Immediately bo|11 if1
pilot house on one side and 10 q ne
boat OF the pilot house on ne listed
side"
Mrs. Herman Mehl, wife Of ne en-
tain. was bleeding from Z wound a.
the side OF the head when che told EnI
story OF the accident.
Il was on the dance floor deck Al
the time" she said. III was al 6l.I
before you could say scat. When ne
boat listed something must have
struck me on the head. came |10
in the water and grabbed 4 hand .a||
on the boat. just had sense onn1||
to pull myself in and ct me- BIZ.
server. Holding on with one hand |1
the boat and the other 70 ne pro
server ! kept afloat until some man
pulled me in."
DR.. L. r. Clancy. coroner 81 TAI.
well county. sent the following IN.
gram to the chief Of police At cl|14.1
Please send At once professional
divers with complete outfits q It1oI
er from sunken steamer large num-
bers Of uncovered bodies Answer
at Pekin."
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-07-06
Many of the Victims Were Tramped to
Death in the Panic Which Occurred
When Boat Struck
LOG N THE STREAM CAUSED DISASTER
4arge Percentage of the Dead Were Caught IN the Boat
When it Sank Close to the Shore,
Near PEORIA M

PEORIA, H., July e.-Approximate.
ly $50 people we're drowned or tram.
pied TO death at midnight last night
when the excursion steamer Columbia
carrying more than 500 persons struck
an obstruction in the Illinois river and
sank.
The excursion party started from
Pekin, 10 miles distant from here.
early in the evening. spent several
hours at an amusement park near this
city and when the return trip to Pekin
was about half completed, the steamer
ran into the ohstFucticr- on TIE Peoria
shore during a fog, smashing q big
hole IN her bow.
The pilot signaled full speed astern,
and as soon as the vessel pulled clear
Of the log or rock she began to settle
and within q few minutes sank carry.
ing many persons down. Soon after
the steamer struck a panic occurred
among the passengers and many men,
women and children jumped into the
water without securing life preservers,
Those who could swim reached shore
which was only a few feet away.
Ray Jones. fireman on the steamer,
estimated that between $50 and 200
persons were on the dance floor when
the boat struck and he believed many
Of these persisted. The pilot when he
found his boat was sinking, sent dis.
tress signals and within short time,
boats from various directions came TO
the rescue and began to pick up those
struggling in the water but on account
OF the darkness their efforts were bad.
ly hampered.
The police Of Pckin early today es'
timated the number OF dead at $50, but
Capt H. f. Mehl. Of the steamer, said
he believed the number OF dead was
not more than 100.
Search for the bodies was abandon
ed at four o'clock this morning until
daylight came. approximately 20 had
ben recovered only portion Of whom
had been identified.
This morning only the hurricane
dck OF the steamer is visible above the
water.
With the break Of day divers went
down into the Sunken steamer "a
brink up bodies Of the 100 or more
victims OF the disaster believed to be
between the crushed depths OF the
boat.
One Of the under water men was
George Holverson, who recovered
many bodies from the Eastland wher
that boat capslzed In the Chicago riv
er In 1915.
Almost at the same hour hearseE
began arriving at Pekin from the
scene Of the disaster bringing the first
Of the bodies Of the victims. Soldiers
detailed from Camps Bradley and Herr
ing were In Pekin early to preserve or
der. Coroner E. L. Clary, Of Ta9ewel
county. early this morning swore in q
jury and left with the members for the
scene. At that time 10 bodies had
bee Unidentified and seven injured per
|. sons were In hospitals.
All known victims were residents oil
Pekin or neighboring villages.
August Mehl. brother Of Capt. H. s
Mehl and purser on the boat. who losI
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-07-06
WILL FILE LETTERS
Of SOLDIER BOYS
Plan to Reserve Records for
Future People Of
County.

As a means Of collecting data of a
historical nature for the future a re-
quest has been sent out b. the county
clerks Office In the court house
through the local press to have one
letter or more from soldier boys from
Marion county filed. This includes
letters from the boys In the canton
ments OF our own land as well as
from the boys lover there" whether
1t Is France or Italy.
The idea. viii Is very clever
one. is being applied locally by Cler-
mont H. Riggle, OF The Times, and
Arthur G. Martin. county clerk. The
idea was originated. 1t is said. by q
man from Tyler county. w. Va. and
is in force there at the present time
The announcement made on the
subject by Messrs. r. gle and Martin
Is as follows:
For History OF the future-a
request TO the families and friends
Of Marion County Soldiers and Sail
Ors--
For the purpose Of preserving
historical information as to the
part our boys take in the great
World War. II is the desire to col
lect one or more letters written by
each Marion county soldier and
sailor from the Training Camps,
and one Of more written by each of
them after they have gone over
there
"Such letters are desired as the
boys and their. families would not
object TO having filed and preserv-
ed In the vaults Of the County
Clerks office. Time and care will
gladly be taken to iile them In al
phabetical order. and after q suffi-
Client number has been collected.
arangemnts have been made to
place them in the clerks office.
"The first collection viii be made
during the month of July and later
during such periods 40 may be des-
ignated by notice through the
press.
"Please address all letters 10
Clermont II. Riggle. care The
Times. Fairmont. w. Va, or to
Arthur G. Martin, care County
Clerks Office. Fairmont. w. Va"
The movement In Marion county Il
to start ct once and parents and
friends are urged to send In the let.
tiers from soldier boys. In sevral In.
stances there are Fairmont women
who are nurses or doing civil relief
work abroad and letters from these
will also be filed. The county clerks
office will file the letters until a com
plete system IL worked out. The Ty.
Ter county man will be consulted AZ
to how to handle the letters.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-07-06
Joseph BobroeskY
Will Soon Go To VA

Joseph Bobresky who has been 81
the delinquent list for the past 61fsI.|
months for falling % return : ot1|
tionnaire to the local dfafl loiI1 Al
peared before the board yetI1I0.I
He claimed that he had moved ||0"
Fairmont since his rogibtFal'00 |.||
he had not gotten HE quol |0I0.'..
and that he did not know l11I n. VII.
required 10 furnish the board with
any such Information. L lSfo(I ME
~ that he viii be sent 70. cam within
the next few days.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-07-06
GEORGE RAGY DIES
VERY SUDDENLY
End Came for Powder Sales
man During Coughing
Spell.

George Hagy, aged As. . travelling
representative Of the Dupont Powder
company. and q well known man in
this community. died last evening at
eight o'clock at the residence OF Mrs.
Amelia stanhagen. in Walnut avenue,
after brief illness.
Mr.. Hagy had resided In this com
munity for some time having sue
ceeded to the position made vacan,
by E. II. Taylor. who went to Pitts
burgh to assume charge OF the Du
pont offices there. On last Monday
week Mrs. Hagy came here from Phil
adelphia to join him and they tool
rooms at the Stanhaken residence
Mr.. Hagy complained Of not feeling
vel lwhen he came here on Thurs
day OF last week but went to Buck
harmon on business for the firm. HC
returned here on Saturday night ant
at that time complained again Of MOI
feeling well and during the night OIL
Saturday suffered a severe hemor
rhage. He improved to some extent
however and on the Fourth OF July
was abe to sit on the porch OF the
residence. Last night he was takeT
with severe coughing spell and sui
fered severe hemorrhage and die(
almost Immediately.
A brother from Philadelphia will
arrive here during the day and until
his arrival no funeral arrangement
will be made.
+. II. Taylor arrived here from Pitts
burgh this morning having been SEN
here by the DUPONT company.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-07-06
Foreigners Fined
For Alleged Assault

Justice Musgrove today fined Vic
tor Kishmer $50 and costs and Joe
Beckovich $40 and costs for engaging
IL fight at Grant Town. Victor an
ted up $24.30. while Joe came across
with 5000 before he was out Of the
difficulties.
Kishmer was charged with striking
Backovich with an axe on the head.
while Backovich was charged with
having attacked Kishmer with a club.
The partise live In Grant Town and
Constable Skinner made the arrests.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-07-06
Canadian Troop
Ship Goes Ashore

OTTAWA. Ont. July GA Canadian
troop ship the city OF Vienna. has
gone ashore on the Atlantic coast.
Ali the troops and the crew were safe.
ly removed. Official announcement re.
garding the vessel was made here to.
day through the office OF the chief
censor
1t is thought the ship will be a total
loss.
The City OF Vienna OF gill tons
gross is owned by Ellerman line, lin.
tied. OF Liverpool. The vessel was
built In 1914 and has been in use as
government transport almost from
the time of her launching.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-07-06
Funeral Services
For A. R. Weston

Funeral. services over the body Of
Arthur Rowe Weston, whose death oc
Cured Thursday evening at his home
on Morgantown aevnue. were held this
morning At 1880 O'Clock at the resi-
dence and were conducted By the Rev
H. @. Stoetzer pastor OF the Presby-
terrain church. Following the services
the body was conveyed TO Grafton.
Sunday afternoon ct $3.50 O'Clock "a
neral services will be held from the
residence Of Mr. and Mrs. J. r. Nor
gan and interment will be made In
Bluemont cemetery there.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-07-06
ALLIES PREPARING
FOR NEW ATTACK
So General March Reported
at the Weekly Con-
ference.
(Ry Associated Pressl

WASHINGTON. July 6.-Prepara.
tions now are being made by the al.
lies on the western front to meet an
other heavy German assault, Gen.
March, chief OF staff. told newspaper
correspondents today at his weekly
conference.
American troops actually on the
fighting line in Europe about July l
numbered $4,000 according to infor.
nation given today by General March.
chief Of staff. and other members OF
the War Council at their weekly con-
ference with members Of the Senate
Military committee.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-07-06
TOOthman Sends
His Resignation

II was learned today that Homer c.
TOothman, superintendent of schools
for Marion county. had sent his resig'
nation to the president Of the several
school boards. The letter was sent
after he departed for France. AS yet
II has not been accepted. What dis
position will be made Of the matter
has not been learned.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-07-06
Confessed to Bringing
In Fifteen Quarts

Alex Kosic Friday confessed to
bringing in fifteen quarts Of whiskey
at Grant Town before Justice Mus.
grove. The alleged offense occurred
on Thursday morning early. The Jus.
tice fined Kosic 500 and jailed him
sixty days. The accused was arrested
by Constable W. II Skinner. OF Grant
Town.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-07-06
Farmers Talk About
Cooperative Buying

Cooperative buying Of fertilizer
and lime was the principal subject
discussed at this afternoons meeting
Of the Marion County Farm Bureau
at the Court house.
Last Saturday the body decided to
meet on the first Saturday afternoon
of each month and this 10 the first
session under the new arrangement
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-07-06
Huge Battleships
To Be Built By Navy
CBy Associated Pressy

WASHINGTON. July 1.-TWO Of the
10000 ton battle ships authorized by
Congress will be constructed at the
Brooklyn Navy yards. Secretary Dan.
iels. II was learned today. has ap-
proved the building Of ways at that
yard for this purpose.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-07-06
British Losses
1886 a Week
(ny Associated Press,

LONDON, July 6.-British casual.
ties reported durin gthe week ending
today reached an aggregate OF 1886.
The losses were divided a. follows:
Killed or died OF wounds. officers,
40; men. 1855: wounded or missing,
officers, as; men, il.ls7.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-07-06

The Cologne Gazette says over 7b..
900 Iron Crosses Of the First Class
have been 20 far conferred, among the
recipients being LAG princely army
commanders. 9ls generals. % minis
tiers, and lo,e7s officers.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-07-06

BEAUMONT. Texas. July 8. - Ac.
cordng to officials at Gerstner field,
where Major John Purroy Mitchell
was killed today. Major Mitchell was
in single scatter scout machine and
had been in the air for about half an
hour. The machine fell 600 feet in an
isolated section Of the flying field.
Officers could not determine the cause
Of the accident.
Mrs. Mitchell was at Gerstner field
but did not witness the accident. She
will accompany the body TO New York
tonight.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-07-06

NEW YORK, July 6.-John Pur-
roy Mitchell, killed in an AVIATION ac-
cident today, became a flyer for the
army after having been defeated last
fall for reelection as mayor of New
York. He had served one term as the
chief executive of the country's big
gest city, the youngest man ever
elected to that office. On July 10
next he would have been 80 years old.
Major Mitchell went into army SER
vice with previous military training,
having taken the course at Plattsburg
while he was mayor. Upon joining the
aviation corps he was transferred to
San Diego. Cal. where. after success
fully covering the cadet training, he
became full fledged flyer. He was
frequently mentioned as having
shown unusual daring.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-07-06
Was Youngest Mayor New
York City Ever
Had.
AND DARING AVIATOR
Entered Army After Being
Defeated for Reelec-
ton.
(By Associated Press }

LAKE CHARLES, Pa. July s.
Major John Purroy Mitchell, former
mayor of New York city and an Off
Ger in the army aviation service, was
instantly killed this morning at Gerst-
ner aviation field here while flying in
a Stout machine.
The accident occurred at 1880 a. m.
on the flying field, according to re-
ports received here. Gerstner field is
Is miles from Lake Charles.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-07-06

j walter Barnes. state fuel admin.
iolrnior. yesterday afternoon received
. telegram nom =. q. TroWbridge, di.
rector q the bureau Of prices. admin.
l1lE1tlyo division, fuel administration,
Washington, D. C., modifying the
tConlinued on page eight
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-07-06

FaI' TsaI0As s'a suassy.
El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-10-11
Little Interviews

places did the work. yet I could not
help being surprised at their own
thoughtlessness OF course the law is
that the sterilizing be done Our cOun-
try is at war; We are confronted with
q disastrous menace that stares at
Us and threatens to undermine our
strength here at home. making the
weakness eventually felt on the bat
tiefields OF Europe, where strength
must be. Sterilizlng IS one OF the most
important precautions against spread
ing OF the disease The whole country
knows this Yet I found many OF the
places Of such business having . pan
OF dirty water that was warm some
time during the day. in which they
dipped the glasses and ice cream
bowls in the faint attempt o. killing
the germs which were left in them
after 'flu' victims finished eating from
them. Rather than killing the germs
the dirty, greasy water fed and nour-
ished them. Let US hope that pro-
prietors Of such places viii read this
and Immediately find an effective way
OF doing what is requested Of them
and so help in stamping out the
plague that Is sweeping the country"
Delinquent tax payments are be-
ing made in unusual amounts" said
W. p 3. McSain- Many tax bills
due the city for three years are be-
ing settled. We are making an ef-
fort 20 have all accounts paid UP
El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-10-11

I He put q bent pin in the seat, Just
as Sammie Littletail was going to sit
! down" explained the lady mouse. The
{ pin was bent so the sharp point stuck
up"
Ny goodness went on Uncle wig
gily- And did Sammie sit on it?'
Just a little, Uncle Wiggily." an
swered S5mmis for himself. Then I
I felt something funny and I sat I'D
J quicker than I sat down."
Il should say So" spoke the bunny
+ rabbit gentleman q an surprised at
Billie" and he looked at the squirrel
/ boy standing in q corner by himself.
I while the other animal boys and girls
were at their desks"
Il am surprised also" said the lady
mouse But had to punish Billie in
some way"
''Oh, of course agreed Uncle Wig
gily. Did he say he was sorry. Miss
lady AIouse2" he asked in a whisper
Not yet, but I'm hoping he will.
Then III let him take his seat But
now you must hear the children re-
cite"
So JoIlie and JilIe LongtaII. the
mOusie boy and girl, spoke the piece
about once trap was baited with a
piece OF. cheese" And Jimmie WibbIe-
wobble, the duck, recited "a fox went
out IN a hungry plight" and Joie, the
kitten boy, spoke ''Hi-diddle-diddle
the cats in the fiddle" while Jackie
Bow Wow recited "Old Mother Hub
bard went TO the cupboard to get her
poor dog a bone"
And. all the while. Billie Bushytail
the squirrel hoy. had to stand in the
corner. and the bent pin was on the
desk Of the lady mouse teacher.
The children did fine" said Uncle
WigEily, clapping his paws i never
heard better reciting. Now I'd Ike TO
hear
But Just then. all OF a sudden. in
through the open window OF the
school came a bad old SqueeEee. Now
a Squeegee IS like a football pump.
only worse. It eats nothing but rabbit
stew with souse sauce on. and the
Squeegee was after Uncle WigEily.
And think have you, too" cried
the Squeegee as he Topped down on
the lady mouse teachers desk
Now Il wasn't al all polite Tor the
SQueegee to do this. But. all Of sud
den. no sooner had he sat down on the
desk. and was stretching forth his
nav 10 grab Uncle Wiggily, than, all
at once, up jumped the Squeegee, cry
ing:
is me-" and away out Of the window
he Jumped, and, rs he did so. the bent
pin fell from the teachers desk to
the floor.
"Oh. he sat down on the bent pint"
cried the animal children THE Suuee-
zee sat on the bent pin, and that's
what made him hurry So
And so II was. and then Uncle wig
giIv was very glad and he said;
Are you sOrry, Billie, for trying 70
make Sammie Littletan sit on the bent
yes" answered the squirrel Il am
very sorry-
Then you may take your seat"
spoke the lady mouse.
But It was a good thing made the
bent pin so the point would stick up
and Sickle the Squeegee, wasn't II,
Uncle Wiggily2" asked Billie. unpre-
tentious like.
Yes answered the bunny. trying
El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-10-11
HOROSCOPE
sATURDAY, oCToBER Ie. l0ls.

SAL hDA1g ONIOnEA T. lole.
THIS is not an important day IN
L planetary direction. as the sway
for good or evil IS not strong. Venus.
Uranus. Saturn and Jupiter are all
adverse.
II Is a time when disillusionment
concerning love affairs is likely TO
take place Many troubles due to
impulsiveness or sentimentality are
prognosticated-
This IS not a lucky day for meet
ing strangers or for starting new
friendships II IS uufavOrable for en-
gagements and unlucky for we'd
dings.
There seems to be a leading toward
much marrying and in this. as In all
other matters, extremes win be the
rule Great happiness or extreme dis
content VIII result from the wide
spread Increase in the number Of
weddings Medium conditions OF con-
tentuent viii not prevail.
This is sway UnfavOrable 10
aviation and aviators. as accidents
are supposed TO be more likely 10 oc-
cur under this planetary government
than ordinarily.
Bankers and merchants should be
cautious They will have extraordi-
nary problems TO solve in the next
few months.
Mines are not under a fortunate
rule today. Troubles are fOreshad-
owed. but the stars appear to foretell
that the workers will not be TO blame.
Labor continues under a govern
ment OF the stars that IS most prom
lsing, forecasting added dignity and
Eonors. larger rewards and stronger
organization.
Today strikes and even riots are
Indicated IN the west. but they viii
not be serious.
One OF the indications that give as
surance OF the dawning OF the new
era is. the seers declare. the gradual
Fighting Of the wrongs OF the op-
pressed OF every race
Persons whose birthdate Il IS may
have an anxious year. Illness in the
domestic. circle may cause uneasi-
ness.
Children born on this day may be
careless and extravagant. These sub
jects OF Libra usually need guidance.
-(Copyright. 1918. BY the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.)
El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-10-11
Bedtime Story for the Little Ones
UACLE W4GGlL1 AND The BENT PIN.
By HOWARD r. GARIS

NTHEN Uncle Wiggily Longears- the
w bunny rabbit gentleman, stopped
IN front OF the hollow stump school
during his walk through the woods
one day, the lady mouse teacher, see
ing him. stepped out and said:
Won't you come in. Uncle Wig
Eily?"
I'm afraid 7 don't know my les
sons well enough answered the bun
ny rabbit make-belIeFe Dashful-like
and shy.
oh, that's all right" spoke the lady
mouse teacher Of the hollow stump
school. I don't want you 10 come in
10 say any lessons. 7 thought per
haps you'd like TO hear the animal
children recite some pieces. This IS
Friday afternoon you know"
so il is" exclaimed Uncle WiggLy.
u viii come in"
Into the school he went, most 20
1itely taking off his tall silk hat and
there In their seats be saw Susie Lit
tIetau, the rabbit girl; Floppy and
Curly TWistytail, the little piggie
boys: Jacko and JUMBO Kinkytail the
monkeys: Lulu, Alice and Jimmy Wib-
blewobble. the ducks and Johnnie
Bushytail- the squirrel
But 3 mere is Billie Bushytail2 7
don't see him." said Uncle WiggilyY
looking around.
"Oh. I'm sorry to say. Billie was bad
today" explained the lady mouse
teacher. 7 had to make him stand in
q corner all by himself"
Dear met7 whispered Uncle Wig
Efly. What did Billie do?"
El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-10-11
DAILY RECORD.

Deeds Filed.
Government Bill Co. 10 Mrs. Myra
p. Bassett. lots % to IS. Government
HILL $4,000: Oct .. 1918.
Piedmont Heights Co TO ". A. Trus-
sell, lots I TO 3. block "A. Piedmont
Heights. $3.50; Aug I. 1918.
c. ". Harlow TO c. Z. Miller. lots Is
to 16. block 50. Bassett addition, 5000;
Sept. 20, 1915.
Vasquez Solcido TO Leonardo Solcido,
lots IS and a. block %. Grand View.
$3.50: Sept. q. 1918.
Harvey ". Elan to Claude Henry
and r. O. Elan. four san Elizario
tracts. s4602.50.
Building Permits Issued.
J. II B. Wright, dollhouse, 2133 Cy-
press street. $500.
C. G. DeGroff. SO Mesa avenue. re-
pairs. $3.50.
Zelman shoe Co. 100 South stan
ton, sign. $500.
David crockett. s1S Mesa avenue. re-
pairs. $500.
Joe Assad. lots 1892. block "a. Bas-
sett addition. four room brick house.
$500.