davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-02
TOO MUCH TERRITORY

The familiar story OF the pugnactouG
individual who learned 10 his sorrow
that he took in too much territory in
issuing a sweeping challenge Is re-
called by the plight OF Germany. Hav.
ing embarked on an adventure with
the purpose Of sub1ugating the world
the kaiser. after making pretty good
SDb Of 1t for Q time. is about to dis.
ooyer that he undertook too extensive
. contract.
The weak link in the central pow.
~ military chain seems to be the
Austrian army. The BulgariAns and
Turks were depended upon only FOL
that advanced branch OF butchery In
which they have become worlds
champions through patient applica
ton for generations. But the Germans
have assigned to their Austrian allies
more than one military task in which
thsy have fallen down miserably.
Only last year. in the Italian thea
tire, the Austrians Permitted them
selves to be dislodged from the noun
tain defenses and Lushed back and
back until they were fighting within
their own territory and facing the
possibility of yielding at point which
would have served the allies excellent
" as key to Berlin.
The collapse Of Russia at this op
perfume moment enabled the kaiser tc
send veteran soldiers and accomplish
ed socialistic propagandists to the
rescue Of the Austrians with the re
suit that the Italians we're forced bacl
beyond the danger line and into 8
position which menaced the allied
cause until British and French rein
forcements stiffened the defense.
Now, having brought Russia to hel
knees through military pressure au6
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-02

together with his occupation, II he
has one. and his reason for being idle
These records are preserved In the
mayors office, and form an up-to date
inventory of Mason Nty's loafsrs
strength, with interesting foot notes
In many individual instances.
The Mason City mayor has q con.
viction that non-productive idlenesa
il not an expression Of patriotism
Just now he has no jobs to which he
can assign the loafers In his commun.
ny, but should vacancies occur he
will have, in his census reports, the
basis for excellent arguments in favor
OF unaccustomed industry on the part
of some scores Of youthful citizens.
It's fine scheme, worth trying in
every city In Iowa.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-02
<finfmfIfE1 BENNNYE:s
|, NOTE BOOK
By LEu PAPD
l. - - - - - =
Tho PaFk Ave. Non.

Tho Park Ave. News.
weather. summir Expected eny
mun&h.
sisslety. Mr.. Sid Hunt went "a
visit his cuzzin out of the city last
Ssttiday and Svndey, sending Mr..
Sam Cross a pickture post card With
a pickturs of . lake on 1t marked.
Hand colored. Munday morning Mr.
Hunt was setting with Mr.. Cross on
Mr.. Crosses bottom step wen the let
ter carrier delivered the post card.
Mr.. Hunt telling Mr.. Cross wat was
on It before Mr.. Cross looked at It.
Intristfng Facks about lntristins
People. One time Leroy shoosters
mother handed him q exter slioe q
pie ON account Of forgetting that she
had jest hsnded him . peece, and Le-
roy Shooster politely ate them both
without saying enythinS.
Spoarts. There was big mud
puddel on Broad street last Thersdsy,
wich, every time q awtomobesl went
throo 1t, It sQuirted mud On psspA on
the pavemint. AmunS those present
in3oying the site Of the people getting
mad was Benny Potts. Artie Alixan-
der. Ed Wsruick and Skinny Martin.
Pome by Skinny Martin.
BE Cheerful.
Iron ypw homework you-drop drop
Always be cheerful and gay, CIR.
For evon n the blotter won't take It
al up.
You can always use eraser.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-02
ANXIOUS TO SERVE;
HE DYES HIS HAIR

Manhalleovu, March 30.-Jesss r.
Davis, ~ ysars old, Of Marshalltown.
dyed his gray hair brown, gave his
age - Il and was enlisted In the
quaEtermasters' service here ysster-
day. Officers say that he will pobab-
II be allowed to remain In tho army.
Davis Is said to have two sons and
one son-tn-law in tho service. His wife
no less patriot than her husband and
sons. will care Tor ths farm during
their abeenco @ war.
The present Hun drive has aroused
the greatost degree OF patriotism
throughout western Iowa and Nebras-
ka and the recruiting station here has
been Kept busy. Many mon have bosn
sent to training camps-ths past four
days.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-02
THE sLEEr STORM

twas winter. And for several days
a strong south wind had sweps up
Pleasant valley. That-as Solomon
Owl knew very well-that meant .
thaw was coming. He was mot sorry.
because the weGther had been BIT
terly cold.
Well. the thaw came. And the
weather grew so warm that Solomon
Owl could stay out all night without
once feeling chilled He found the
change 80 agreeable that he strsved
further from home than was hA o1s'
tom. Indeed, he was far away cNtns
other side Of Blue mountain at'uso'
night, when It began TO rain.
Now, that was not quite 20 peasant
But still Solomon did not mind greatly
II was not until later That he began q
feel alarmed. when he noticed that
flying did not seem 50 easy ~ usual
Solomon hsd grown heavy all q
onoe-aud goodness Knows It was MOI
because he had ovefeatSn, Tor FOOD
was scarce At that season OF the iySar
Moreover, Solomon's w1ngs vsrs
strangely stiff. When he moved them
they cracked.
ut must be my joints" he said To
himself. I'm afraid this voting haa
given me- rheumatism So he started
home at once-though 1t was only
midnight. But the further he went
the worse he felt, and the harder II
was to fly.
'I1l have to rest while" he said
to himself at last. So he altghted on
limb; for he was moro tired than
he had ever been In all his life.
But he soon felt SO much better thai
he was ready to start on again. And
then. to his disnaay. Solomon Owl
found that he could hardly stir. The
moment he left his porch he floun
dered down upon the ground. And
though he tried his hardest. hi
couldn't reach even the lowest branch
OF the tree.
The rain was still beating dowr
steadily. And Solomon began to thinl
II 4 bad night to be out. What VA
worse, the weather was fast turninI
cold
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-02
BRITISH GENERAETO
BE AT BURLINGTON

Burlington, March 80.-Gen. O. 4.
Swinton Of the British con1nhuooa.
will spsak ut the First M. 3. church
hero next Tuesday evening q 3
O'Clock ~ Q preliminary . tho thaDd
Liberty loan campafgn in lids dty.
This meeting VIII be free to the pub.
Tic and no houbt . large sgvwd vfn
be out TO ha1 thezmessaxsosn- swim
ton IL bsfnsdAE.
The .gen11s1 was forms14y Q mann
6er Of the personal stAl$ Of O..
Ntche1sr and bad much to Do weth
the formulation Of British and Amosk
can war plans.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-02
Children's EvenfnR Story.

I'm snddSIn tU>oSeuaKe -;
. woek after thn." he.SiuaasG /,
'sit here Ions, rs wet a an, uAns
the thsw Turns into -a..nNsuo, JFsp1n
certainly be H.
Now, Il II hAdHtabeen.Aor4Aennn.
FSoSoQm Owl would hive ~ ~
trouble at all. Or. Mit h4dhtY ~ cr
thu hessinG cold he woa1d - -
in no difficulty. Though he d(6npt
know q. his trouble was 0q1pay Oh,
The rain fro1e upon him - ~ Ao,1t
Ten. covering him VITA . AnS1 ~
fcA n was NO wonder That - ~.
stpangpfy havy-,n6s vonee1 -tA1kShs
|couldnt4y.
Thsre he erouched ON the uumA.
while tho rim, and slsstsbso< vIpn A1m.
And the only comforting THOUGHT thaa
entered hjs head was TIT ON -
stormy . night Tommy Fox md Fe1R
Coon would b snug and warn In kNek
beds. They wouldn't go out IN such
weather.
Aud Solomon Owl. wished thAE ne
too had stayed at home that nigAI
From midnight until. almost dawn
Solomon ON sat there. Now andahsn
n0 lIlOd 10 1ly. Dun IL W81 NO -.
He conld scarcely raise himseif on
the ground.
At last he decided he would have
70 walk home. Fortunately . hsrd
crust covered the soft snow. 30 Colo
mon started OF ON his long jourH4@,
Flying. Solomon could hAye cov1oa
the distance in u few minutes. BU@Ao
was a slow walker. BY the lind be
reached HIS home among the heml4eks
the sun was shining brightly-4oR NE
rain had stopped before daybeeak,
Solomon wondered how he could
ever succeed In reaching his doorway,
high up In the hollow tree. He enoSd
helplessly upward, And A. he sak
there mournfully the bright sunktane
melted the Ice that bound 10 Wlngs.
After q time he discovered tAae he
could move freely once more. And
then he rose quickly In the air and -
q twinkling he disappeared into The
darkness Of his home-that DARKNESS
which to him was always - pflaaaAA
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-02
the kAIsER's ALIBl

Germany has set the stage at home
for the reception of stunning retail
iatory blow at the hands Of the allied
armies. Following the plan which has
been Germany's In other encounters,
responsibility for the plans on which
the offensive was waged has been laid
on General Ludendorff and story has
gone forth recording disagreement
between that doughty fighter and the
kaiser just before the drive was inaug-
urated. Then the Berlin newspapers
have published predictions OF q coun.
ter offensive by the reinforced allies,
to prepare the reading public for a
possible German reverse. Now, even
II the Huns should be forced back to
the old Hindenburg line again, tho
kaiser still could count his prestige
among his slave-like subjects unim-
paired by laying the blame for any
disaster upon Ludendorff.
There have been other German
goats" In other German defeats,
elected to save the faces Of the Hohen-
xollern family. The crown prince had
q difficult time finding enough gener-
ais in his command to blame for the
long-drawn German disaster at Yer
dun, but his father has been able to
clOthe him with some of his old-time
splendor again by loading him down
with praise and glittering medals for
the costly success OF his decimated
armies during the past week.
Psychology plays major part in
the conduct of the war by the kaiser.
With the utmost jealousy and vigil
ance he watches every slightest turn
OF events to give It the proper inter-
probation to the gullible but somewhat
excitable German public. Should that
downtrodden body polite suddenly
find sanity and see itself as the out
side world sees 1t, the resulting fury
would consume the Hohenzollerns and
their fate would make. the past years
misfortunes of the Romanoffs seem
like period of pampered luxury in
comparison.
Now he has prepared for eventual
ties. II the Germans are able to hold
their positions on the Somme he will
be able to claim q victory to his credit
by comparing their gains in a week
with those OF the allies in almost two
years. II the counter offensive Of the
allies results in German retreat and
defeat. Ludendorff already has been
selected to shoulder the blame.
None but a German proletariat
would be deceived by such campaign
of faithlessness, ingratitude and decep-
ton, to be sure. but the fact that It
has succeeded so we'll for four years
IL ample indication that 1t will succeed
again. 1t 10 q part. and no small part.
Of the whole Ubiquitous scheme OF Ger
man autocracy. Without It there
could have been no such war as Ger
many has waged since 1914.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-02
Two OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

Dubuque; Narch 30.-INo0svupo
drowned and tour others nnrDuH
ESCAPED desth in a n~sr >ot9dG1l
near Clayton. few.miles up de y1vUr
from hare Sunday. Heruan N&l(Sr
aud John 61idel were III voag1mn.
The SIX bad planned 10 eo5eGS RI
ing expedition. They weRo No. ~
Iowa shore when the het bDe =
which they wore riding
throwing allHuf the men into - 7ou1 e
water. -Four Of the ocoupks e ~
boat managed TO swim 10 sa1GH, ut
the other tWo1sauk.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-02
LAW ENFORCEMENT

r
/ Yesterday Ottumwa had an fllustra-
ton of the aggressive sort Of police
work which discourages law violation.
But II is hardly necessary to add that
the work was not done by Ottumwa
or Wapello county omcials. ;.
The raidiEg OF the Erbacher gamb-
ling house was carried out by state
agents, without previous knowledge
Of the Ottumwa police or the Wapello
county sheriff. It took place i'm
mediately after evidence regarding
the place had been presented to the
grand jury in the hearing Of the
wapello county attorney, but that Of
fetal did not 1naugurate the raid.
Y 1t has long been a matter Of COM
mon knowledge that q gambling house
was being conducted at the location
whore the raid took place yesterday.
The police have known 1t and II the
county ofacials have not known they
have achieved q degree OF ignorance
which Is astounding
Such q raid could have been carried
out by local authorities at almost any
time within several months. There are
dozen other places. some OF them
EQUALLY uOlOIlOuo. WASlO A0AuD SO0A~
be made today or; tonight, by local
authorities.
TIE obvious conclusion is that the
local authorities have no desire to
punish the gamblers, bootfeggers and
women Of the streets who violate the
laws 20 openly that their activities
are matters Of common knowledge. II
this conclusion is wrong it means
only that the local officials are SO In
emcient that they are worse than use
less.
The time has gone by when onicials
could successfully defend themselves
for failure to do their duty by de-
manding that formal evidence be pre-
scented by citizens - . basis for in
augurating onlcial action. Such q de-
Tense is so old. outworn and thread
bare that It does not deceive even the
most ingenious citizen.
The failure of Ottumwa and Wapello
county ollc:als with police powers to
exercise those powers is an open con-
fession Of utter inemciency. And this
IL taking the most charitable view
that IL possible.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-02

the Vaccinations Of German diploma
fists euphonious title for Hun thieves
the kaiser withdrew most of his
army of conquest from the eastern
front, leaving on guard the Austrians
Odessa, gateway to southern Russia s
wheat country and to the beckoning
east, had fallen to the Huns. Ukraine
had been whipped and cajoled BY
turns and the Baltic territory had
been brought under German DONNA.
ton.
But Russia is q mixture of many
minds. The sort Of peace Germany
made failed to match the expectations
some of the Russians haG builded
when they sought surcease from war.
In some miraculous manner they sal
vaged enough munitions to renew
their interrupted warfare, and the
Austrians have been compelled to
give up Odessa
Meanwhile. the kaiser has on hand
rather important dispute along the
western front. He has made the i'm
portant discovery that although he
can compel a live German to fight
for despotism, his commands have no
effect on that same soldier after he is
dead. The German losses in France
dui. Ng the past week have been ire
mendous. Reserve divisions have been
wasted with a lavishness which only
a conscienceless monster, devoid Of
the slightest regard for human life,
could permit He cannot spare any of
the survivors at this time to retake
Odessa or any of the other Ukraine
%a~ ha AN,ot
Obviously, the insane tyrant of
Potsdam has set himself too great
a task, Before we can compel
him to admit the fact, the United
States and our allies must fight many
more decisive battles and suffer many
sacrifices. But victory is certain to
be our reward II we fight on, and
never was the fact more patent than
at this time.
France and England are staunch.
and so ia the vast bulk of American
citizenship. The greatest menace to
the allied cause today lies in the
danger that false confidence and OPP
timism in this country may defeat the
vitality necessary effort to speed our
preparations for making Americas
participation in the war fact instead
o. a promise.
Optimism We must have. but it
must spring from a Consciousness
that the whole country. down to the
mos. humble private citizen farthest
removed from the wars center, Is ex-
pending every possible ounce OF
patriotic zeal to the end that the war
may be won. Now Of all times there
must be no stacking. America has
lost enough time and too much. Only
by the utmost devotion Of every Amer
lean can we hope to enjoy the fruits
OF the victory to which the path Is at
once 80 plain, and so full Of dangers.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-02
u.,,vERsAL MILITARY TRAINING
(From Saturdays Daily

Y Il
Yesterday the senate, by q close
vote, defeated an effort to table an
amendment to the draft law which, II
adopted, will institute universal mill
tary training in America. Today the
senate reversed its attitude Of yester-
day, but there is hops for reinstatement
Of the provision In the bin before 1t
emerges from the house.
Numerous plans for intoxicating
military knowledge In the civilian
American mind have been proposed.
Long before America became involved
in the world war The Courier, In COM
mon with many other newspapers, was
urging the wisdom Of universal milf
tary training, not only as safeguard
AGAINST attack or sudden entrance into
actual warfare, but as means Of pro-
ducing q sturdier, more self.reliant
citisenship.
A knowledge Of boxing or wrestling
is good for every individual, although
few make their livings In the ring or
ON the mat. It is well for business
men to have . course in commercial
law, not a. equipment for a career at
the bar but to enable them to decide
OuUIUcS0 UIOUlcmS oSSul 0SCAys \
It is no less proper for nation to
be prepared, through its younger men.
to raise an effective army on short
notice.
The pacifists object to military
training on the ground that 1t would
establish a militaristic policy In Amer
lea and make ours a nation Of trouble
seekers rather than community Of
peace. This is o baseless fear, for
while America remains a republic,
with its constitutional provisions for
frequent changes in official circles, It
would be impossible to erect . pugna-
cious policy without making It cam
pain issue and sub1ecting 1t to defeat
at the first election
The grievous failure Of America to
measure up to the war strength which,
a year ago, this nation and our allies
confidently expected would be exerted
by us at this time. Is an unanswerable
argument in favor OF preparedness In
the future. And universal military
training is the basis Of national pre-
psredneSs.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-02
THE MASON CITY PLAN

The mayor OF Mason City has adopt
ed an admirable plan for solving the
problem of useless idleness in his
community, should the coming sum-
mer witness . hurry-up call Tor man
power. Once q week he sends police
men into the various cigar stores, pool
halls and near beer emporiums in
Mason City to take census OF the
idle youths OF military age or younger.
Ehch subjects name is recorded
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-02
rARWERs RAISE WHEAT

Wheatland. March 30.-The farmers
near Wheakland will do their bit this
year By tying to raise wheat. Hae0
Kahn h1s sold nearly 900 bushels for
seed besides what he kept for his own
use.
The Red Cross has shipped this
month Is pajama suits, five bed shirts
five pairs bed socks, five dozen oper-
ating towels, - operating gowns.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-02
UrTUNwA sEMIWEEKLY COURIER, TUESDAY, APRIL 3 1913

will be presented which will lead to
an Indictment Of the queen. Lese
majestic, perhaps. but these are try
Ing days for royalty all over the
world. Consider, for instance, Nfcho-
las Romanoff, Esq, of Siberia.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-02
ALDAA NAN UIps -

!. Abba, March, S0.-4Oo 31uRk&o(
George es6lsFt, ST., oddas5i A&s
home. $40 South B snUse e =
o'clock M1dsy mosnfng. - Hnf1h
seriously SICK with pu166 -
several days. HS d survived - ~
VIE and two children, Ans nd
aeoEse. r. u. afaass Aas a
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-02
RAILROAD 70 IMPROVE TRACK

RAILROAD 70 IMPROVE TRACK
Sioux City, March S0.-The Chicago
4 Northwestern Railroad company
has commenced the work Of making
EXTENSIVE improvements on II l
extensive improvements on its line
between Sioux City and Council Bluffs.
Between Californa Junction and Ona-
wa 50 miles So-pound steel Will be
replaced with steel weighing 80
pounds and so miles Of the track are
to be ballasted. the work 70 be COM
pleted BY the first Of July.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-02
cALL rHE police

Certainly It must be d1ScOuraglnH 10
business men engaged in commercial
enterprise to realize that they are at
the mercy of thieves and unable to
depend on the minions Of the law to
assist them in recovering their pur-
Joined property. It Is enough, indeed,
to make them balk at paying taxes.
Consider, with sympathetic tears,
the plight OF one Ottumwa bootlegger
who, having supplied himself with q
plentiful stock of contraband whisky,
eecreted It in q cellar as safeguard
against the prying activities OF state
agents who might come prowling
about. Imagine his discontinue on
discovering, within twenty-four hours.
that his cache had been discovered
and looted by unscrupu1cus competi-
tors.
This is exactly what happened to
!, the proprietor OF one Of the most pop
ular ,nuisances on East Main street.
And his sense of loss Is the more BIT
Ter because he cannot have the assist
ance of. the authorities to reclaim his
goods.
The busy purloiners, according to
the story which comes up from the I'M
4 = s.-, ua.L. aeo Maid faithless team.
.ter ak 10 deliver a competitors $500
cnn.;onment of whiakv to them in.
st.sd ~ tha r,ehtful owner.
AIthough tha grand iury is in ses-
sion there IA NO indication that the
insar. n either If these instances
80. .nn..red before that BODY to de-
,m.ra indictment of the thieves.
INT. vr.nd iurv. by the way,
..-v;ne "a an audience for
- - thn.a nerfunctory '.inyestiga-
49, :, iawlesanas." which ON occa.
~, a.. st.red for political purposes.
4 n,r.h.r oS citizens have been sum.
1870 :. witres.as tina apparent aim
Is ~. cn,,rtv sttornav beinr to 10 on
Z $3.50 h.Voro the rrand furors and the
n,hi.c =. h.vinr sftampteds and failed.
aht:tr 1asaI -a%i6 ancs 81 which TO
Se.s srdictments against the bootleg
80 vhnsa names and activities are
r.tt.r. of common knowledge.
a. tr.nsnarent an effort to establish
hs,mjess snhetitute for the axxres.
~ comrse vhich must be followed by
~ ma rcmntv cfficials With police
Sn-.-. 20 th.v wonId stamp out this
-. - i.vI.s.rs.. :. ancient enough
:. rat;rsd II deceives no one. least
800, ~. I-.nd 1urnr. II involvea
s,..s... ayrenditure ~ nublic funds
..S,"S, ,S~ht rruch het.ar he used IN
tsrsrc,nc 4 short aharn. conscientious
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-02
DINNER STORIES

The congressional party brought
back many stories from the fighting
fronts in France.
"At camp for German prisoners
behind the British lines" said o
member Of the party In Washington.
"a detail was called out for solne
ditch digging. None Of the British
guards could speak German and none
of the Germans seemed to be able
to understand word Of English.
Under the circumstances It was
dimcult to give orders, and the Tom
mics had terrible time showing
the prisoners what they wanted done.
For this reason they drove the DID.
gers 4 little harder, perhaps. than
the union rulss allow.
Finally one big German, his nDoo
aslow with persptrstion, druDped Lii
shovel. Strengthened up painfully I'D
said in tone Of genuine disgust
Ach! Why'indh-f did ever 1esye
Baltimore!"
A prosperous fasmsr Of the cid
school had nAde . proud boast That
he hadn't drunk glass Of Waker TOR
twenty Year,. Whfleon . 3ouzney one
day, the train was wrecked W4&o
crossing br1dgesand plunged into 0s
river.
They pulled tho. farmer oue WITH .
boat hook, and when thsy0ue him -
shore ono Of his hiende sushed Up,
crying: Are you hmt?"
"No!" tho farmer GnoFted NaSof
swallowed . darn drop!n
Tho lady Of good family was,shDw-
ing her ancestral home 10 hsr smoll
son. She pdnted with special pride
to bust Of her father.
And that. Botbie;" she sadd, sis
your g1andfaeher.r
Bobb1e loarsd surprised.
rs that all there was oezhmTsAe
asked.