davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Mexico Missouri message., 1918-01-10
A GOVERNMENT "oPENING."
Rev. Hook Had His Church Disor-
ganized--A Reminder OF Ben
Hur's Chariot Race.

Editor Mexico Message: 1 am hardly
able to be up today. 1t is cold. The
coolest weather I have ever expert
enced here. But l am anxious to fin
ish up my "reminiscences Of the past
40 years, or nearly so.
1 went from Audrain county to
Caldwell, Kansas, wife and / and
three children-by the way of st.
Joseph. Got to Caldwell after long
and uneventful trip. Found brother
at the depot to welcome us into the
town, in the Sunflower State. 1t was
in the month of May. Everything
looked beautiful, as far as nature
had left it. A town of 1 800 inhabit-
ants, more or less. A beautiful little
city, called the Queen of the
Prairie"
We were soon located near the
church house, and l soon found my
self at work, telling the Old, Old
Story.
My work progressed nicely for
about three years. Then the work
was blocked by the opening of the
Strip" 1 mean the opening of the
Cherokee Strip for settlement.
The people gathered there, and all
along the border for miles and miles,
Thousands gathered in our little
town, both men and women. Every
one on tiptoe of expectation.
At last the signal was given, by the
firing of a gun. Men and women on
horseback, in spring wagons and
buggies,-and the sports, nothing
more nor less. All rode like fire.
You ask me if 1 was there. Well,
yes. But I went out with hundreds
of others in a large palace stock
car on the Rock Island Railroad. 1
had a good seat in the car, up high,
so l could witness the race in all its
fury. 1t was a wonderful race. Many
won out, many failed and went
home disgusted, cursing the coun-
try and the Government, and called
the opening a farce.
But it is too cold, and l am not
able Just now to write any more.
Must ask space for one more letter
and maybe two. Sincerely,
w H. H.
Mexico Missouri message., 1918-01-10
MRS. ID. j. ATKINS.
w. H, H.

Mrs. D. j. Atkins died at her home
at Lebanon, No, Dec. 27, 1917. She
and her family were residents of this
county from 1881 to 1903, moving
here from Virginia. Their home here
was a short distance northwest of
Worcester.
Mrs. Atkins was a native of Vir-
ginia. The husband survives her be-
sides the following children: Wiley,
of Leblanc. VIM. c., of Madison, Mon
roe county, Mo-, and Mrs. Walter
Thrainkill and Dee Atkins, of Sleeper
Mo.
Mrs. Atkins was a good woman.
Her neighbors and many friends in
Audrain county will be panied to
hear of her death.
Mexico Missouri message., 1918-01-10
TELLS ABOUT THE
GIRLS IN FRANCE.
Farm House And Barn One And The
Same--Candles And A Fire
Place.

Frank Summers, soldier boy in
France, writes the following inter-
esting letter to his foster parents,
Mr.. and Mrs. Frank Harris, north of
Mexico:
My Dear Father and Mother:
Somewhere In France, Dec. 10,
1917.-I received your letter yes
terday and 1 was more than glad to
hear from you.
will tell you something of
France and her customs. The land is
rolling, in places, but you do not no.
tice the hills as you would at home,
for the road is very fine. France
road system is certainly to be admir-
ed, for everywhere you go you find
mile after mile of hard-surfaced road
that will last forever.
The main feature an American will
notice is that no farm houses dot tie
landscape, as in our country. The
farmers, or peasants, as they call
them in Europe live in villages, gen
orally situated in some valley. The
houses are built of stone, with slate
or tile roof, all crowded one against
the other. In one side of the house
are the rooms where the people live,
and under the same roof, with only n
narrow hall between, is the stable for
the stock. They live in tbs most
primitive way-candles and a fire
place.
They have only one really large
place in the village, that is the
church. The people are very relig-
ious, and observe every holiday.
1 have heard much of the French
beauties, but either they keep them.
selves we'll hid or the representation
exceeds the reality.
1 don't think much of the French
rural life.
Well, must close now.
l am going to send you a copy OF
poem that I think tells the truth
about the Regular" and how he is
taken for granted.
Tell all my friends hello for me.
Your loving son,
FRANK SUMMERS.
Mexico Missouri message., 1918-01-10
The Army Regular.

The regular army man
He amt no gold-lace Belvidere to
Sparkle in the sun;
He doesn't wear gay cockade,
No posies on his gun.
He wears a crust of tan
And dust-the Regular Army man
The marching, parching, pipe clay
starching-
Regular Armp Man.
He's not at home in Sunday school,
Nor at a special tea.
And on the day he gets his pay,
He's apt to spend 1t free.
He is no temperance advocate
He likes to fill his can;
He's somewhat tough, maybe
Rough, the Regular Army man.
The rearing, tearing, sometimes
swearing
Regular Army man.
There are no tears shed over him,
When he goes off to war.
He gets no speech from minister
Nor from governor.
He packs his little grip-sack-
Up and trots to the van.
To start the fight and start it right
The Regular Army Man.
The rafting, battling Colt or Gatlin
Regular Army Man.
He makes no fuss about the job,
Nor does he talk so brave.
He knows he's in to fight and win'
Or else to fll grave.
He is no mammals darling, but he
Does the best he can.
He's the chap who wins the
Scrap, the Regular Army Man.
The dandy, handy,
Cold and sandy
Rugular Army Man.
Mexico Missouri message., 1918-01-10
rrod Peck. Morria Keath and Ros

Fred Peck, Morris Keath and Ros-
coe Dobyns of this city have passed
the examinations for the Third Of
ficers Training Camp at Fort Riley,
Kansas. They were the only soldiers
from Audrain who passed the exam
ination. They were three out of "a
men in their regiment who stood the
rigid test. Smart boys, and we are
all proud of them.
Mexico Missouri message., 1918-01-10
COMMITS SUICIDE.

Mrs. Nora Newton, 26 years old,
residing northwest of Thompson
died Sunday from taking strychnine
Mrs. Newton was the daughter OF
N. A. Sheldon. The funeral was held
at Liberty Church Monday afternoon
conducted by Rev, ]. F. Arvin.
Mrs. Newton's death is mourned
by large circle of friends.
Mexico Missouri message., 1918-01-10
ERoM HARRIsoN pIsTRIOT.

Mr.. A. Kidd of Kansas City is
visiting his daughters, Mrs. Geo.
Barker and family, and Mrs. Stephen
De ornellus and family,
George Barker and son spent Sat
urday and Sunday in Columbia with
Phil Barker and other relatives
Mexico Missouri message., 1918-01-10
Is In France And
Has Seen Action
Arthur Snedeker, Formerly OF The
Mexico High Sci Writes His
Aunt at Laddoni,a.

Arthur ]. Snedeker, who attended
Mcmillan High School in this city a
few years ago,is at present with the
American army forces in France. He
writes the following letter to his his
aunt, Mrs. Ellen Leet, of Laddonia.
The letter is dated Nov. 20, 1917,
somewhere in France" The Mes
sage quoting from the Laddonia Her
aid:
Dear Aunt:
was most agreeably surprised
yesterday to get your letter. News
from home does not CO. very often,
and is most surely welcome when the
mail does come in.
am getting as fat as butcher.
You would not think that army life
agreed with me so good, but It does.
l don't say, however, that 1 like it.
1t is very, very rough life as lived
at the front here. Men are crowded
into billets that are not half as good
as a straw covered barn floor at
home. Up until a few days ago 1
was living in very dangerous coun-
tryand my quarters were Is feet un-
der the ground. Rats, mice, frogs,
and, let's not forget, the graybacks
were somewhat prevalent If you
wanted a fire you had to slip out
some dark night, when you could
not be observed from the Boche
lines, and forage for wood 1t was
just pure luck that piece of flying
shrapnel or a big nine hundred and
eighty pound shell did not light up
on you.
But as said before, circumstanc-
es have moved us back mile or two
and we are now impatiently waiting
our next chance to get into the fray.
1t is strange how bloodthirsty fell
low will get. I think it is caused by
feeling that the harder you fight
the sooner you will get home.
AS 1 write you l am looking out
upon one of the busiest roads I ever
saw 1t is about 60 feet and division
after division of cavalry is passing
by. To say a thousand horses an
hour is not putting it too big. The
center of the road is reserved for
great Lorries, a steady stream of
them moving in either direction. Red
Cross ambulances are darting around
thru the thickest traffic 1 ever saw.
Great wagon trains of ammunition
are moving by. Great big automo-
biles carrying officers are rushing
bac kand forth, and mixed along with
all this conglomeration of mud and
swearing auto drivers.
Last, but not least, is little mar
row-guage railway running beside
the road, Every available passing
track is full of trains meeting and
passing. Now long hospital train
or a long ammunition train or
train OF rations With all OF this you
will see plainly that one cannot get
lonesome. I guess l am safe, If l
don't get run over.
Tell Ida to write if she finds
time, and you must write again.
Give my regards TO anyone who asks.
don't think I will be gone over
a year.
Sincerely,
ARTHUR j. SNEDEKER.
Mexico Missouri message., 1918-01-10

Crop reports released recently by
Government experts indicate that the
winter wheat harvest will be a sli n
one. Now If you haven't done it be-
fore, make that wheatless Day on
wednesday real one.
Mexico Missouri message., 1918-01-10
Factory Extension
A Million In Wages
Addition To Plant To Cost Beyond
$21 1,O0O-Chamber OF Commerce
Lands Big Plum.

A payroll of $1,100,O0O is guaran-
teed to Mexico by the International
Shoe Company under the contract
covering the increasing of its Mex
leo factory. The corporation agrees
to pay out in wages and other eA-
penses in Mexico the sum stated
above in consideration of the pay
ment of $1,000 by Mexico citizens
toward the cost of increasing the ca
pacity of the plant. The contra It
provides further that this sum is to
be paid out within period Of ten
years, and only to perso' who re-
side in Mexico or vicinity, not in
Guiding money paid out for freight
or to employees residing elsev acre.
The provisions of the contract we're
made public Thursday by the Mexico
Chamber of Commerce following a
meeting of the Board of Directors on
Wednesday afternoon when the con-
tract was received and read.
The Shoe Company guarantees
that the addition to the present fac
tory, exclusive Of manufacturing
equipment, shall cost not less than
$21,OOO." In other words. the Inter
national Shoe Company will spend
not less than $500 for each $1.0O
put up by citizens of Mexico for the
additional factory space.
The con,r.ct is now held at the Of
fee of tn, Chamber of commerce.
Subscribers to the factory building
fund may see the contract by calling
at the Chamber of Commerce head
quarters. A meeting of the sub
scriber will be called in the near fu-
ture for the purpose of voting on a
committee of trustees to represen;
Mexico interests in the contract.
A committee of business men Sc
lected by the Chamber of Commerce
will examine the contract, with the
aid of lawyer, and will call meet
ing of all the subscribers.
Several other Missouri towns bid
for the location of International shoe
factories or the enlargement of pres
ent factor, ,es, but Mexico landed the
increased plant and payroll on ac-
count of the promptness of the re-
sponse of our business men to the
proposal. The international Shoe
Factory made no proposition to Mex
leo. but a Committee from the Cham
Der of Commerce went to st. Louis
and obtained a proposal from the
corporations officials. The Cham
Der of Commerce learned that the
shoe company was considering in
creasing it's manufacturing capacity.
A committee of Mexico business men
went to st Louis the next day and
obtained the proposition which now
is embodied in the contract in the
hands of the Chamber of Commerce.
The increased factory will raise
the capacity of the Mexico branch
from 1850 to 1000 pairs of shoes
daily, will bring in from rs to 15O
more families to Mexico and assures
large steady income to the business
houses of this city.
Mexico Missouri message., 1918-01-10

He wrestles with questions of
law. Lately he had hard struggle
with case of typhoid fever. But he
came OF winner-like he does in
most of his cases in the courts. Mr..
Barnes is again back at his desk.
All his friends are glad to see him
and meet him again.
Mexico Missouri message., 1918-01-10

A barn belonging to Moody Broth
ers in Mexico was greatly damaged
by fire early Snday morning,
Mexico Missouri message., 1918-01-10

Food means energy, Energy means
more efficient fighting. Efficient
fighting will end the war, Save food.
Mexico Missouri message., 1918-01-10

Baker Barnes, at Camp Funston
visited relatives in this county first
of the week.
Mexico Missouri message., 1918-01-10
w. NJ. G. A. CAMPAIGN
OVER THE TOP.

w. NJ. G. A. CAMPAIGN
OVER THE TOP.
Mexico Makes Good Showing-Sub-
scriptions by Townships for Au-
draln-Million's Report.
Audrain's quota was $500 but
the subscriptions ran up to more
than $4,000.
While the list is not complete the
following has been given out as sub
scriptions by Townships:
.Cuivre .Township-Black Voting
Precinct.
j. F, Parker, solicitor, $121.5O
31OO
Crow Voting Precinct.
Jess Gatewood, solicitor, $20S.SO
1886
bandal1a and Helpers
VIM. Daniel and Helpers .$s01.74
Farber
j. D. Sutton and Helpers $21.61
Total $1,2S7OO
LOUTRE TOWNSHIP
C. T. Peyton and helpers $257.75
Benton City.
J.ENorthcutt and Helpers $4,000
C. C. Thompson, solicitor, $319.1O
Total $696.S5
LINN TOWNSHIP
Rush Hill.
Misses Maude Cornett and Laura
Maxwell, solicitors $53482
At Church, ]. w. Million $3.50
PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP
Laddonia.
J.C.DeLaporte and helpers, $S51.OO
Beagles.
A. T. Cauthorn and helpers s6O.5O
Unpaid, $26.5O
Beagles District
Ed Atchison, ]. W. Beagles and
John ]. Johnson, solicitors $111.OO
Unpaid $500
McClintic District.
Mrs. Homer Anderson and Mrs.
Leslie Brown, solicitors, $22.O0
Dye District.
Mrs. Homer Azdell and Mrs. Bar
ney DudgeOn, solicitors, $15.56
Ringo District.
Miss Effe Hanger and Mrs.
Frank Whitley, solicitors =. $5S.S1
west LICK
Mrs. Roy Elan, solicitor 8. $1,000
Total collections =. E. =. $625.S7
Total unpaid E. :. =. :. S41.5O
Salt River Township
Molino
To j. w. Million E. .... :. $500
List headed by name of T. C.
Bolts go. $SS.9O
List headed by name of Milt
Householder e. -. E. E. $4,000
UNPAID, $24.5O)
List headed by ]. G. Crawford $500
UNPAID, $4,000
List in which is included Willing
Workers for $4,000 .. s295.5O
Mexico
First Ward =. =. :. =. :. $294.61
(Uupaid, $3O9.9OO
oGSOHu " dlu - Nouo'NN
(Unpaid, $116.5OO
Third Ward E. ..... E. =. S57S.55
(Unpaid, SS75.OOD
Fourth Ward S424.S5
Missouri Military Academy $1S9,S5
Union
Thomas Crum, solicitor e. s1S7.90
Joseph Crews, solicitor 80. $3.50
Total collections E. =. $2,S43.28
Total unpaid 49,. $1,61O.2O
Wilson Township
Rowena
w, F. Pollock, solicitor :. S52.lS
Thompson
Mexico Missouri message., 1918-01-10

1Oldl reported .. $7,S56.9 81
Total unpaid :. E. :. s1,757.25
We are aware that the above list
is not complete. Many deposits were
made at the bank and the deposit
slips not turned over to either E. A.
Shannon or ]. w. Million. The diff
ference between the total of cash
subscriptions, $7,S56.91, as appear
ing above, and the amount of cash
deposited up to January 3, 1918, at
the Mexico Saving Bank, of $S,66O.-
O6, is the amount of cash which we
must credit to miscellaneous deposits
and to solicitors in different terri
tories whose lists have not been
handed to either the chairman or
the campaign manager. We are sor-
ry not to be able to give specific
credit to additional solicitors whose
labors were Just as productive and as
patriotically given as any whose ap-
pear.
We are all doubtless gratifed,
however, at the total result. By ad-
ding the cash received to the
$1,757.25 unpaid subscriptions, we
find that the total is $10,471.S1. The
total will suffer perhaps a slight re-
duction because of the fact some
subscriptions which were unpaid at
the close of the campaign have been
pal dsince and would thus appear in
both columns. These amuonts, how
ever, are small. We can say definite
ly that that the total is more than
$40, whereas our quotawas to be
only $7,7OO for the Y. NJ. CA. Just
about the time the campaign started
we took on $1,000 more for the Y.
NJ. c. A, making our total quota
$500 for both organizations. We
have passed both quotas by about
$500.
The above amounts include the
subscriptions from the Missouri Mil
itary Academy, $1S9.S5. and the
Mexico High School, $172.OO, but do
not include the contribution by Har-
din College, about s1,25O.OO. as an
institution.
E. A. SHANNON, Chairman.
j. w. MILLION, Manager.
Mexico Missouri message., 1918-01-10
Sincerely

ARTHUR j. sNEDEKER.
Mexico Missouri message., 1918-01-10

Total collections. =. $1,23s.35
Mexico Missouri message., 1918-01-10

Total collections :. ., :. 's1s.65
Mexico Missouri message., 1918-01-10

Frank Summers, a soldier boy in
France, writes the following inter-
esting letter to his foster parents,
Mr.. and Mrs. Frank Harris, north of
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-20

ITO Hell With the Kaiser has taken Birmingham by storm.
 When the first performance began at the Trianon theatre yesterday morning the theatre was crowded and hundreds damned the theatre during the day
 It was impossible to accommodate the evening crowds and many were unable 10 get in the theatre. Indications are that all attendance records will be smashed even the records made by Gerard 5 Four Years in Germany
 The picture is one of the most thrill ing of the screen and the applause is continuous. It rises and falls with the events of the picture and the climax is the signal for outbursts of cheers.
 ITO Hell With the Kaiser lays bare the atrocities of the Hun during the war and shows the private, as well as public. sins of the Kaiser. This Screen Classic Gnc), master drama, has been built along intimate dramatic lines rath- CT than the spectacular and romance with an American hero and heroine runs parallel with the expose of the Kaiser s machinations toward the conquest or the world.
 The cast is composed of stars. but the greatest naturally centerS around Law renee Grant as the Kaiser, and beautl1ul Olive Tell as the American heroine. MT. Grant is noted for his impersonatlons of the monster of Europe and on one oc- casion ne amazed New Workers by walk ing down Broadway dressed as the kai- ser. Olive Tell is favorite player of both stage and screen. She has appeared
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-20
INTEREST CENTERS
 IN SENATE RACE
 IN MISSISSIPPI
Generally Conceded That Second Primary Will Be Necessary to Deter
 mine Winner

Jackson, Miss, August 19.-Chief in Mississippi tomorrow centers in the three-cornered senatorial race in which Senator James K. Vardaman, the in- cumbent, is opposed by Representative $. r. Harrison and former Gov. E. F. Noel It is generally conceded that a second primary will be necessary to settle the nomination. Democratic nom ination in Mississippi is equivalent to election.
 Interest was added to the senatorial race last week when letter written by President Wilson to former Var daman supporter, now working against tne junior senator was made puolc. President Wilson, in the letter, said: T can but regard his (Vardaman's 's) election as a condemnation of my ad- ministration by the people of Missssip- pi.' Both Representative Harrison and the former governor had adopted "Loy- atty to the administration" as their slogans. Senator Vardaman, in cam paign speeches, declared he had not been disloyal, but said he and the Pres ident often disagreed"
 In the Sixth congressional district, now represented by Congressman Har- rison, Gov. Theo G. Bilbo and Judge Paul Johnson of Hattiesburg are among the five candidates.
 In the Third and Eighth congress sional districts Representative B. G. Humphreys and J. w. Collier are unop- posed. All other representatives have opposition.
 Chancery and circuit judges also will be nominated in each district
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-20
LON KINARD STILL
 LINGERS BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH
Phil Campbell Man Shot by Deputies Shows No Sign of
 Recovery

Russellville, August Especial )-Lon Kinard, who was shot and seriously wounded by two deputy sheriffs of this county, near Phil Campbell, was still alive at noon today and doctors say that there is small chance of the mans re- covery. but owing to the seriousness of the wounds it could not be stated defi- nitely if he would recover. Besides the two large holes, caused from rifles and pistols, a number of small shot have beer found in his body.
 Many different stories of the shooting are heard. A number of witnesses and neighbors of Kinard state that Deputy Britnell lost his head on approaching the house and becoming frightened for fear he would lose his own life, he began firing at the sight of Kinard and the minister seated at the dinner table Others say that Deputy Britnell fired the first shot to Tighten the men and that Deputy Woodfin, thinking that it was KiDard who had done the shooting, and had perhaps killed one of the deputies, began firing on Kinard when he came out of the house. not knowing that the man had been shot by Britnell and was running for that reason. Deputy Wood fin states that he supposed the first shot had come from inside the house as he did not see Britnell when he fired, and that he, not knowing Kinard thought he was stacker when he leaped out the door. All witnesses testify as to the good character of Kinard and that it was hard to believe that anyone who knew him would have told the officers that they would find slackers at his home
 Investigation by the Franklin county grand jury. has been postponed awaiting the outcome of the shooting. Dictors sa V that in very short while Kinard will either die or show signs of recovery.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-20
Wells Agency Combines With Merchants Credit Association
w. V. Trammell Will Be Chief Executive of the Increased Organization, Representing Local Mer- chants

The Merchants Credit association, now located ut 22S First National Bank build ing, considers itself very fortunate in securing the services of w. V. Trammell manager of the Wells Agency, as secre- tary and treasurer, as well as general manager.
 MT. Trammell has in the past Il years built up wonderful business in high class collections. and he will merge this business with the service department Of the Merchants Credit association there by effecting a combination that will be of invaluable service to the merchant who desires credit service. with full reports or all customers or prospective customers, as well as a first class means of handling nj delinquent accounts. MT. Trammell is amply qualified to hanlle this business. and the directorate is being warmly congratulated upon securing his services.
 A few weeks ago MT. Trammell re- signed as secretary of the Kiwanis club in view of this increased business, and so faithful had he been as secretary of the club without compensa that he was presented with silver tea service by the membership as token of the es- teem in which he was held by the entiro membership.
 The following are members of the board of directors, and among the list will be found some of Birmingham's leading business men: NJ. A. Myatt, Jacob Bur ger, Joe H. Loveman, James B. Pattar son, Louis Saks, R. w. Ewing, Bertram Jacobs, J Joh.i McPherson, R. M Jenk ns. J. NJ. DeShazo Ira Armstrong, George A. Blinn, .il., J. B. Morton, J. w. Beasey, w. D. Webster, w. w. Odom. E. B. IT, win, George Byrum.
 In speaking of the new enterprise as 1t now stands, following the consolidation of the two lines of business, MT. Tram mell said yesterday:
 Birmingham has taken a stride dur ing the past year or so, the results Of which mean Greater Birmingham, and Greater Birmingham makes for our own welfare. Every boost for Birming'