davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-03-22
Cured At Last

How do you feel nowT' Aunt Polly
Woodchuck asked Solomon Owl. when
he had come back 20 her house aftet
q weeks absence.
mo betteri" he groaned. Il stu
have pains. But they seem to have
moved and scattered all over me"
Good" She exclaimed with . smile
you are much better, though you
didn't know Il. The wish bono "a
broken. You broke It by flying against
the traes. And you ought not 10 have
any more trouble. But let me exam
inc yous" she said. prodding him In the
waistcoat once more.
This II odd!" she continued BIT
later. II can feel the wishboue more
plainly than ever"
That's your own wfshbonel" Solo.
mon Owl cried indignantly. I've
grown 20 thin through not eating That
it's a wonder you can't feel my back
bone, too"
Aunt Polly Woodchuck looked sur
pr1sed.
: Perhaps you're right!' SAID sha.
mot having wishbone Of my own. !
forgot that You had one"
A look Of disgust came over Solomon
Owls face.
you're . very poor DOCTOR" he told
her. Here you've kept mo from eat
ing for a whole wesk-and don't be-
lieve 1t was necessary ut all!
"Well, you're better, aren't you?" she
asked him.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-03-22
Children's Evening Story

II shall be % soon % heve Q eo0d
meal" replied Colomon Owl
You ought not 30 eat ANYTHING fos
another week" Aunt Polly told him
solemnly.
"Nonssnse!" he cried.
I'm . doctor; and I ought to n0w
best" she insisted.
But Solomon Owl hooted rudeay.
"I'll never come to you tor adv10o
any more" he declared. Il firmly -
lieve that my whola trouble was stuA
ply that rvs been Getting too spafmolS
And / shan take GOOD care 70 go ~
&c doesn't happen ass1n.s
No one had Gvor spoken 70 AR11
Polly IN quite thst 1ashion- thoaGh al
Mr.. Crow had complained ono 0ae
that she had cued him too Qn1GAay.
But she did not lose her tanDo& q
spite Of Solomou's jeses.
You'll be back here aE3ln ehe w.
naxt time you're ~" she 1sgnnE1bsA
"And II you continue o. swallow ygu1
food whole"
But Solomon Owl dad nat svsu vuet
to hear Whist she aaid. He w. % N.
polite that he dew away w11flo aho W.
dark, and good tina 10 loek 1oe 6alA
mice, he began his ni8hts hu1e1ne
T1sht thers In Farmer 0essuS paseWA
By lmoruing Solomon was @ y1p
that Aunt Polly woah have had . oDe0
deal Of trouble finding hi whh6on1
But since he did not Watt ~ -
she had no further chance 70 .pDn6 -
IN the wahtcoet
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-03-22
RUSSIA AND AMERICA

An instance OF the extent to which
reform" has progressed In Russia
under bolshevik rule is furnished by
the order which has gone forth. with
holding recognition Of church mar
riages and decreeing that civil agree
ment Of extreme simplicity shall be
the only proper ceremony Of mar
riag9. 4.
Carelessness Of tho marriage vow Is
one of the hallmarks OF anarchy and
socialism. The atheistic doctrine of
socialism dictates the bolshevik gov.
ernment's order which seized church
property for the state and robbed the
church not only OF government support
but of all its rights under the govern
ment, including the right to hold its
accumulated property.
The natural sequel to this order was
that regarding marriages. Compared
with some OF the acts which illustrate
the thorough contempt for law and
order in Russia this seems minor at
fair, perhaps, but 1t is indicative OF
the permanent trend Of socialism
toward lawlessness and away from q
regard for the institutions which
civilized peoples consider essential IN
the fabric Of organized society.
Atheism is one of the foundation
stones Of socialism, In America as well
as in Russia. The close relation be-
tween socialism here and bolshevism
in Russia is boosted by both. It Is the
disregard for law and order which has
brought Russia to her present terrible
condition that has been endorsed so
warmly by American socialists and
their leaders.
Citizens OF America who subscribe
to socialism subscribe to the law.
lessness and anarchy Of the bolsheviki.
Other citizens OF America. who tol.
crate socialism or permit political
candidates bearing It's stamp to win
election to office arc encouraging a
disrespect Of law which, II 1t were per
mitted, would not stop short Of the
chaos which has been wrought in
Russia.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-03-22
GET THE SHIPPER

The pro-German sniper, the origi.
nator of lies calculated to destroy the
morale of the men and women OF
Ottumwa who are working and pray
Ing for the success OF the American
armies, has had an easy time for
months. He has been permitted to
scatter his stories of disaster almost
without rebuke. He has grown bold
in practicing his special brand Of
treason. He has found many victims
who have become his innocent assist.
ants. He has brought terror and
loubt and fear into the hearts OF
brave American men and women in
1andreds Of Ottumwa homes. He has
Worked hard for the kaiser.
He must be smoked out. It Is the
duty OF every loyal citizen to assist
in the process. and the task will be
anseasy one II there is suflcient CO.
operation.
The Courier is tracing various pro
German lies to their sources. In a
few days we will make public the re.
suits Of investigations which have
been In progress for some time. Mean.
while, we will welcome the assistance
OF every loyal citizen.
When carrier Of bad news brings
Il to you, demand from him the
authority for his assertion. II he tells
YOU. a. many do. that he "just heard
this or that rumor Of disaster to
American troops. for instance. ask him
whom he heard. Get the names OF
the persons who, even though they
arc doing it innocently, are repeating
pro- German lies. Then give those
names to The Courier.
II 10 not our purpose to embarrass
those who unwittingly help the pro-
German game of spreading discourag
ing lies. 1t il our purpose, however
TO run those lies to their sources, and
that can be done only by tracing them
back. from lip to lip, to the persons
who originated them.
The Courier is doing this. Every
loyal man and woman in Ottumwa can
help.
Dispatches from the American head
quarters yesterday told Of search
behind the lines for German spy
Here In Ottumwa. far behind the lines
enemies Of the very same sort are
working.
Don't repeat their stories unless
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-03-22
LEARNING TO SAVE

Give each of your children Is cents
and tell them to buy thrift stamps ct
their school, Twenty-Five cents week
soon will grow into q IS war savings
certificate, and while the child 10 &C.
cumulating the sum he will be learn.
ing the value of money.
The war demands many sacrifices,
but 1t Is paying dividends. The abtl.
ity to save and the knowledge of econ.
omy's importance will be one Of the
benefits Americans will have, won
when tho war is over.
The war savings stamps are the text
books In the education Of thrifty
nation.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-03-22

rob their wives and children Of food
and clothing and happiness.
On that side is the man OF Affairs.
the employer. who boasts Of his ply
steal, mental, moral and financial abil.
!ity to take drink or leave 1t alone"
lHis "IiberaIity" sets an example which
isome employees and friends emulate.
The strength that upholds him y
matched by the weakness which pulls
them down. Their slim resources are
sappsd by the expenditure OF sums
which mean little to the man they
seek to initiate. His occasional 81.
cursion ito have a good time" shows
his imitators the path which they fol
low weakly, along the gutter to jan,
and to the graves Of paupers or sui
cides.
On that side is the profiteer. who
oajoles tho law breaker and winks at
! his iniquities because he ia . ready
spender.'' Happily, events have at
forded ample proof that whom the
gambler and the bootleggsr are driven
from a community legitimate business
shows a healthy growth instead Of a
decrease. The money which would 20
to and through the tentacles OF the
leeches lows instead through proper
and direct channels Of trade, from the
mon Who earn It to the savings bank
or to those from whom they buy the
comforts which lawlessneSs would
have snatched from them and theirs.
On that side is the conscionce1ese
or inemcient of1cial, who by his tail
ure to check lawlessness, or by his
active encouragement and participa,
ton in 1t. violates his solemn oath and
de6es the very laws he II sworn 70 en-
force and uphold.
On that side-for there is no middle
grounds the law-abiding citizen
who, for one reason or another, ne
fuses to add the weight Of bis infiu'
ence to the denunciation Of lawless'
ness. Whether he Wills 1t or not he
serves the bootlegger. the gambler
and the woman Of the street, who are
the sole and only bsneAciaries Of the
wide open town" They produce moth.
ing but poverty and misery and
death: they are supported In tdleness,
pronigacy and debauchery BY their
dupes, and they are encouraged and
abetted by all who do not actively op'
pose them and denounce theiI
criminal activities.
Money y not all that the bootlexger
and his coterie of lawless leeches
steal from their victims. They rob
their prey Of bodily vigor and health
OF self respect and ambition, and nm
ally, in many instances, of life ITSELF
TO the sum Of their other crimes they
add murder as a climax, and as q
part Of the penalty for mems careless
ness OF their duties as citizens.
The time is coming soon for show
ing Of hands on the issue between de.
cency and lawlessness in Ottumwa.
Where do YOU stand?
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-03-22
GETTING CLOSER TO THE WAR

The announcement that General
March, acting chief Of staff OF the
army. will surround himself with as
eistants who have had actual service
experience in France. indicates that he
has discovered in Washington a lack
Of realization of the conditions which
General Pershing and HIS armies are
facing. Rather than try to instill the
knowledge he gained in France into
the men on whom he depends for
action in Washineton. he has asked
General Pershing to send back enough
CT his own officers to take the places
of the staff officials who still are re-
gardins the war as 5000 miles away.
Secretary Baker. according to dis
patches from Europe. is gaining new
realization Of the war and what It
means by his inspection Of the work
that has been done In France. He will
come back to Washington with the
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-03-22
GET THE SHIPPER

The pro-German sniper is busy IN
Ottumwa.
He. or she, is spreading lies.
He. or she. is originating, elaborat-
ing or repeating lies which are calcu.
lated to weaken the splendid morale
and courage that uphoIds the mothers
and wives Of Ottumwa's soldiers In
France.
this morning and helped to spread It
through Ottumwa. It travelled more
rapidly than prairie fire. It carried
dread and anxiety into scores Of homes
where service flags and soldier pic
lures form shrines Of love and patriotic
devotion.
The story ran that twenty of Com
pany G's men had been killed and 9TH
Iers captured.
1T is A LIE.
The pro- German sniper who origi-
mated It knew it was lie. He, or she.
told It with the express and single pur.
pose OF discouraging patriotic men and
women who are working and praying
for Americas success in the war and
the safety Of Ottumwa's heroic SOL
oilers.
The Courier is tracing this particu-
lar pro. German lie toward its source
The search may not be successful. SINH
lar searches have ended in the cul de sac
in which the real originator Of this or
that pro-German lie fell back on the
empty defense. II did not say that: I
was misquoted."
Every loyal citizen in Ottumwa can
help The Courier in crushing this pro-
German propaganda by demanding the
authority for every discouraging rumor
he or she hears. Ask the man who
says. II Just heard" etc. whom he
heard. Get the names OF the individ.
uals who are spreading baseless lies.
And bring your information to The
Courier.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-03-22
TRUST IN PRISONER
PROVES JUSTIFIED

Dss Moines March 20-Privs1g
Charles Taught, who was released
from Jail on his honor SO that hs
might 60 to the bedside OF his dying
mother at Waukon, Ind, has fulfilled
his trust and returned to Des Motnes.
He said no was ready to serve The
remainder OF his sentence.
Taught has been turned over q
the military authorities by POLES
Chief Jackson and will be returned 10
his old Job in the cooks and bakegU.
school at Camp Dodge. An charges
have been dismissed.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-03-22
WHERE DO YOU srANp2

The time Is coming soon for a
showing Of hands on the issue as be-
tween decency and lawlessness in
Ottumwa.
Where do you stand?
On one side Is loyalty to the gov
eminent and the men who are tight
ing its battles-our battles. On that
side, too, Is respect for the written
laws and regard for good citizenship
On that side is faith In Ottumwas
future as business center and q city
Of homes. On that side Is pride in the
excellence Of Ottumwa's school sys
tenn. one Of the deciding factors in In
Iducing new residents to make the city
their home. On that side is desire
to see Ottumwa prosper through the
prosperity Of her business concerns
and her industries. On that side is q
desire 70 see her wage earners OWE
their homes, build up bank accounts
and become active, influential factors
In the community and its further
progress. On that side is desire tc
soc the children obtain useful, prac
tical education amid proper surround
ings and grow to sturdy, honorable
manhood and womanhood.
On the other side stand the boot
logger, the gambler and the woman Of
the street. This inseparable trium
virate of crime and debauchery Il
committed to a campaign of lawless
ness which, at this time particularly
In an insult to decency and deliber
ate assault upon the United States
government, It's institutions and thu
principles on which 1t Is founded-th,
principles In defense OF which hun
dreds Of Ottumwa youths are Offering
their lives. On that side is thu
habitue OF dives who flaunts his Oh
scene deprAvity among his fellow
and their dupes, glories in his den
ance Of tho laws and steals q para
sites living from the pockets Of wag'
Gamers, who to pay tribute to- him
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-03-22
NOT A PARALLEL

The sophist mind Of junkerdom viii
find In the ultimatum Of the allies
taking over the shipping tonnage OF
Holland In the allied and American
ports an answer to the worlds con-
domination of the over-running Of Bel.
GUM. 1t will say that the defense Of
the fatherland made necessary the in.
vasion Of Belgium. Why condemn
Germany for this necessary act Of self.
defense while justifying the allies for
Selling neutral shipping without the
consent Of the government under
whose flag it sails?
The disinterested world has, Of
course, not conceded that the rape of
Belgium was necessary to Germaay's
self.defense. On the contrary 1t chal.
lenges and always Will challenge this
point. But suppose 1t had been neces-
sary. Is a parallel to German action
in Belgium to be found in the allied
ultimatum to Holland7
It Is not. II there had been any in
tent to recognize the rights Of Bel.
GUM under the circumstances at the
beginning of the war some proof
would have been produced at the time
to show that Belgium had planned to
surrender her neutrality to the allies
and that France had plotted a viola
ton of the Belgian position had not
Germany beat her to it. But no such
proof was produced. The pretext Of
self-defense was based entirely upon
assertion and alleged suspicion.
In the case, of the appropriation Of
Holland shipping, the allies have as q
justification to support their legiu.
mate claim Of self-defense three years
and a half of deliberate and un.
ashamed international outlawry on the
part OF Germany. Even though Hol-
land has a sovereign right to sail the
seas unmolested by the German
piracy, and even though she has acs
ceded. under necessity, to every re-
striction imposed by Germany upon
her shipping, she is still prevented
from carrying out with the United
States and the allied governments
agreements of trade which would sup
ply her with necessary food imports
while preventing those imports from
being trans-shipped to Germany.
Thus. out of the condition which has
existed, the allies can ship nothing to
WAiSh I1OIlduO dUlC W IA
sure will not be trans-shipped to Ger
many Naturally the allies will not
permit shipments to Holland under
such conditions But Holland ia pow
erless to alter this situation. Nothing
can alter 1t but allied force. There
fore allied force has no alternative
but to protect itself and incidentally
to save Holland from her own i'm.
prisonment and powerlesshess. The
allies are doing for Holland what Hol-
land cannot do for herself.
Every compensation in fairness and
equity will be allowed Holland for the
use Of her shipping, and vessels lost
will be replaced. The United States
and the allies are not invading Dutch
territory, seizing Dutch homes. levy
ing tribute on Dutch people and en-
shaving, outraging and running them.
There is no parallel in the two &C
tions. One Is measure Of humanity
and obvious necessity. The other .
chapter Of unspeakable crimes.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-03-22
whoLE.soULED PATRIOTISM
(From Tuesdays Daily

Judge M. j. Wade. in two addresses
before Ottumwa audiences last night
maid his respects to the socialisttc
enemies Of the government IN sen
fences which would have scared them
had they been within hearing. He Is
one who recognizes the menace to
American citizenship and American
Institutions which exists in socialism,
and he Is fearless In voicing MS con-
victions.
In the trial Of persons accused OF
sedition and disloyalty he has seen re-
yealed their almost unanimous leaning
toward socialism and its destructive
doctrines and he is without that toler.
alton which uniformed citizens, how
ever loyal they may be, have for So
cialism and anarchy in their various
forms.
In both Of his addresses last night
Judge Wade impressed on his hearers
4 sense of their individual RESPONSE
bility in the war, not only in the work
OF cooperating with the government
by supplying money and men, but In
furnishing the spirit Of combativeness
which 10 more important than any.
thing material.
q It is the possession Of the fighting
spirit, the American spirit. the loyal
spirit, that makes for patriotism. Pa
triotism Is not measured by invest
ments in Liberty Bonds nor subscrip-
lions to the Red Gross save when
those actions are dictated by the
whole-souled conviction that the
governments cause is just, that
Americas course in the war is right
and that the struggle must 80 on un.
II Prussianism Is crushed.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-03-22

thought that the war is less than 5000
miles away, no doubt.
The result OF his journey and of the
reorganization Of the army staff should
be greater efficiency on this side Of
the ocean In cooperating with General
Pershing. This Will become more and
more important as the size OF the
American army in Europe increases
and the center Of Americas interest in
the war becomes more definitely fixed
along the western battle line.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-03-22
HOLLANDS oUANpARv

It is impossible to consider the posi-.
ton in which the demand Of the allies
for ships places Holland without feel
Ing of sympathy for the little nation
which through almost four years OF
terrible warfare has succeeded In
maintaining at least an appearance OF
neutrality.
10 be sure, evidences Of assistance
given Germany through Holland are
numer and II the United States
and our allies chose to assume the
attitude which Germany has assumed
toward neutrals there would be ample
grounds for seisure OF Dutch ships
without ceremony.
But great % IL the need for vessels,
there has been . notable exhibition q
patience on the part Of Germanys en-
emies since the first request was
made. Now, forced to make reply, Hol-
land IL afforded startling indication
of what her position would b should
Germany win In the war and carry out
her plans for domination OF Europe
and the world.
Obviously, II Holland could insure
the defeat Of Germany by releasing
her ships to the allies. such step
WONlO Do IN inc u8SuI0 VI BOIL u0LoAo0s
Hesitating over her reply to the polite
/ demand Of the allies. Holland has been
threatened and badgered by the kAis-
or into q fever OF fear for her con-
! tinued Independence. no matter what
! may be the outcome Of the deal In
ships.
i 1t is to end such a condition In
Europe and prevent its duplication
elsewhere In the world that the war
/ IL being fought. 1t IL to force Ger
many to surrender her assumption OF
I dictator's powers for other nations
, and to guarantee to them tbs right to
work out their own destinies without
interference.
Gsrmany's success IN absorbing
much OF Russia, following so closely
ON the SUCCESS Of her drive on that
unfortunate nation through Lenine and
! his socialistic sophistries. leaves no
room for doubt a. to the kaiser's aims
IN ths war. Holland and her people
!! can recognise the peril which lone has
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-03-22

tatiyes to the international labor con-
ference In London, February 20.
Mr.. Gompers made 1t plain that or
ganized labor in America will not per-
NIT socialism to dictate Its attitude.
Asserting that the bolsheviki and
other radical elements are attempting
10 misrepresent American labor, he
said:
There are conditions Of indus
trial politics and law altogether
different in the United States
than in any other country. There
IL something about the labor
movement in America OF which
you may be assured-it must be
altogether American.
Further, the labor movement
of America will not be represent
ed at any conference in any coun-
try where the representatives of
an enemy nation are present.
Referring to conditions in Russia
Mr.. Gompers said the present chaos
IL the answer to the intellectuals and
radicals in the United States who,
unwittingly or not, are playing the
game for Germany" Continuing, he
said:
The pacifists. only a degree
more so in Russia than in the Un-
tied States. are extolling the vir-
tues or radicalism and the won
erful advantages to be gained
from socialism made in Ger.
many" They are trying to intro
duce this spirit into the United
states. Italy, England, Spain and
France to hypnotic the people OF
these countries into apathy and
position of fancied security.
This is the warning Of labor's recog-
nized leader to lahor's rank and nile.
It is a warning to every local union
to stamp out socialism within its or
ganization and substitute loyalty.
There are many indications that
MI. Gompers' advice Is striking home
among the members of the organise
lions which, scattered far and wide
are united in their efforts to obtain
for American labor good living condi-
lions. fair hours and fair wages. One
Of these was supplied at Des Moines
last week when the delegates to the
convention of Iowa's coal miners Vot-
ed to exclude from membership IN
their union any member Of the I. w.
W.
This is distinctly step in the right
direction and in the interest OF Ameri'
canism, It \is no less a warning to the
socialists, whose sympathy for the l.
w. w. has been expressed by numer-
Gus socialistic leaders and conven-
lions since America entered the war.
Organized labor in America Is es'
sentially a loyal institution. Its aims
are in accord with the principles OF
American government. Socialism op'
poses that government openly and for
years has sought to engraft its prin-
ciples on union labor. II the Ameri.
can Federation Of Labor and all
trades unions can eradicate socialism
now, they will have achieved long
step forward.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-03-22

hung over them nike To 0vud a
Damocles. Were they not mps1led ~
fear 10 placAte Germany oa1o en- -
no q0esfton but that they vou5a vuN
no time In accedinS to tho roQnoGoD
of de oilies.