davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-25
SUCCESS DEPENDS. .0N TRANSFORMATION
Systems of Travel Make Up Foundation of Modern
 Civilization

Perhaps some day master of the pen who can dress up facts to look like fiction will tell the story of mans day in terms of transportation. If that ever does happen the average man may gain at least a faint realiza- tion of what transportation means to him and to the human race.
 Beginning with the newspaper ana the milk left at the ordinary citizens door in the morning and ending with the pillow on which he lays his heao at night, the story will bring home to the reader an understanding of his de- pendence upon waterways, railways and highways for everything he uses. Then he will think of his morning col fee-for a moment at least-not as brew of berries from the corner gro- cery but as a drink for which the foundation was brought overland oy
 trail andS rail. down rivers and across
 oceans, over country roads and through
 city streets. He will visualize the
 thousands of miles of transport in
 volved in bringing to his table even
 the simplest of breakfasts; he will
 follow in his mind the divers go- ings and comings of men to produce the clothes he wears; he will picture the converging trails from mine, for est and field, over which there have
 been brought the component parts of the innum merable things he uses in his days work.
 Only such word picture will ever drive home to the rank and file or humanity the fact that transportation systems make up the foundation of every day life; that without them we would be no further advanced than savages in ~the wilderness. Nothin; else can ever so forcefully illustrate mans dependence upon the agencies | that fetch and carry for him., can make him so fully appreciate his debt to those of his fellows who establish and l care for the routes of trade and travel | When this story has been written possibly in a rennected narrative Ike | that outlined. but more likely in 2 lsmultitude of word sketches-the people and those set in authority over them
 may comprehend the tremendous possi- 1 bilities in the nations highways. The ] roads are there. some ready for use and some yet = be put into usabie
 condition, but all having potentia 1 value literally incalculable and ini- measurable.
 1 France What can they not do for 1 America a?-Editorial from Good Roads
 New York, issue of August 10, 1913.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-25

CLARENCE GILLIAN
 Technical service manager for the w. w. Phelps Motors company, local for the Mormon 34 and the Rec line of pleasure cars and trucks. Gillham is considered one of the best all round automobile me- chanics in the city and takes special care in giving service to the many pa irons of the Phelps company.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-25
Why He Waited

From the Pittsburg ChronicIe-TeIe-
 graph.
 An old man, clad in somewhat youthful suit of light gray flannel, sat on a bench in the park enjoying the spring day.
 'What's the matter, sonny" he asked a small urchin who lay on the grass and stared at him int0ntly. Why don't you go and play?'
 Don't want to-" the boy replied.
 But 1t is not natural the old gem tleman insisted, flor a boy to be so quiet. Why don't you want to?"
 "Oh, I'm just waitin'," the little fell low answered. I'm just waitin' till you get up. A man painted that bench about Is minutes ago"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-25
Solving a Problem

From the Pittsburg Chronicle-Telegraph
 A pompous old gentleman, upon reach ing home in the afternoon, found the street blockaded and heap of earth piled against his doorstep. Observing a workman welding his shovel in near by ditch, he accosted passing police man and complained that the Iaborer was trespassng upon private property. What do yez mean by throwing dirt on tn gentlemans steps?'' demanded the officer.
 There's no other place t throw it!'' replied the workman indifferently. Well, thin, In that case, yez had bet ter dig another hole an throw it in therer'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-25

picturesque, for at this time all the coolie-j and their families come tn town. The women are dressed in the gayest of colors and wear all thei adornments.
 Many East Indians are hanged in British Guiana and Trinidad for mur- der. Among the coolies it is an un- written law that death must come to wife who commits cardinal sin. A woman is a slave to her master, and she must obey him in every way. If she refuses he more than likely will disfigure her face; if she betrays him she is sure to die; provided he learns of her dishonor; and among these East Indians news of this sort travels myS- teriously and fast. An East Indian woman who asserts herself or who seems to have an air of independence is very rare-so rare, indeed, that one may wander through the coole vil- lages for weeks without meeting such a woman.
 The ge-Herald travel series. show ing views of the East Indians of British Guiana" may be seen at the Colonial theatre. Birmingham and the Franklin theatre, Ensley.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-25
Spirit of the Times,

From Pearson's Weekly.
 The lawyer was sitting at his desk absorbed in the preparation of brief. So intent was he on his work that he did not hear the door as it was pushed gently open, nor see the curly head that was thrust into his office A little sob attracted his notice, and, turning. he saw a face that was streaked with tears and told plainly that feelings had been hurt.
 Well, my little man did you want 10 see me?''
 Are you a lawyer?"
 ''Yes. What do you want?"
 II want"-and there was resolute ring in his voice-'I want divorce Iron my papa and mamma"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-25

as any gaited thoroughbred, and will also demonstrate the latest dances.
 Guided by it's inventor and builder, Roy Repp of Columbus, O., the acr3- batic automobile will glide onto the open track, it's head and front wheels aloft. Then by means of an ingenious gyroscopic arrangement and mechan- ism which sets a brake on each of the rear wheels, the driver will, while the car is upright, put it through it's paceS.
 When the left rear wheel Is locked the car turns easily to the right. When the right wheel is engaged by the brake the turning movement is re- versed. The differential gear is part of the apparatus. The gyroscopic con- trivance not only serves to tilt the car far back but maintains balance which gives the driver perfect control Auto polo games will be daily fea- ture at the fair.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-25

through coolie services defend the in- denture with arguments that the East Indian is better off here than in crowd- ed India, and that his labor is neces- sary to make cultivation profitable. Both sides have points in their favor. It is estimated that there now are
 more than 100000 East Indians in this colony. During the early years of the indenture system many thou sands of these Iaporers were brought here with their wives. Rapidly they multiplied, and the coolie coloney soon became a large one. It has continued to grow fast from year to year, and l is still increasing, in spite of the war. which has denied the planters full op- | portunity to take advantage of their | years of grace. So it is easy to see | how important these Indians are in country which depende upon them for | labor, and especially when they are ] full third of total population of 300,.
 900 people.
 | British uiana, like Trinidad, pays heavy toll in the way of long crim | inal record for having within its boun- l daries so much cheap labor. The ne- | groes in all the British possessions of | this part of the world are a source of | much trouble to the colonial govern ment because of their fights, thefts, | disturbances and numeous odd crimes; but here in this South American col
 ony the presence of the East Indian l increases the law violations to a very /, high number and gives the police much | to contend with at all times
 | The average East Indian is no men, ] ace to the peace and safety of the l white man. It is among his own race | that he is very bad fellow if he hap pens to be crossed. The coolie inva-,
 riably wants to settle all differences | himself without awaiting the hand or | the law. He wishes to be his own l judge and executive, and therefore he 1 is much in court If coolie is serious | ly offended by another of his race he l is very apt to satisfy himself by killing
 the offending manor woman. Of if he fancies he has been wronged ill
 some trade or in some dealing he either will wage fist fight or immediately
 go to law with his trouble. Lawyers, therefore, find the collie a very good
 souI ce of revenue During the sessions
 of court the scenes around the house
 of justice in Georgetown are often very
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-25

Prominent members of the Trades and Labor council and the Board of Trade in Vancouver, B. C., have formed
 a committee as a court of appeal and conciliation board to avert strikes, if possible,
Connecticut western news., 1918-06-27
A Belated Honeymoon

When a young couple are joined
in the holy bonds of matrimony and
the wedding breakfast is eaten and
rice, old shoes etc. are thrown on
them and after them they generally
depart for a short bridal tour but
Mr.. and Mrs. John German have de-
parted from the usual custom and
spent their honeymoon last week.
They were married years ago last
Monday and on Tuesday quietly left
our little town without any shoes or
rice in their wake. Maybe the H. C..
of L. had something to do with this.
Nevertheless, they had a pleasant
time visiting friends in various parts
of the state and returned to their
home the latter part fthe week.
If congratulations are not too late,
their many friends extend them
most heartily.
Connecticut western news., 1918-06-27
HARRY WALLER ARRIVES
g. SAFELY IN FRANCE
Praises Manner In Which Uncle
Sam Cares for the
Soldiers

The following letter was received
by Mrs. Louise Smith from her neph-
ew, Harry Waller, one of North Ca
MANS most popular soldier boys,
who has arrived safely in France.
Somewhere in France
May 10Th, 1918.
Dear Aunt:
Just a few lines to let you know
that am alive and we'll and hope
you are all the same. We had fine
trip across as the weather was very
favorable. We had little excite
ment for awhile but nothing serious
on our part. would like to tell you
all about it but, as can't now will
have to write until some other time.
The weather is fine here and the
country is beautiful and l have seen
some fine scenery on my travels.
The French people are very kind
tefus, -taey~are fine 4peeple---but not
being able to speak French of course
we can't visit with them very much,
but we do some through some of the
fellows in the company that speak
French. You probably hear more
about the war than we do as we hear
very little but from what we do hear
it looks very favorable for our side
and we are not worrying a bit about
anything as that isn't worth while
you know. We are very comfortable
here and do not want for anything
as Uncle Sam is taking care of US as
we'll as anybody can be taken care
of and what's good enough for him
is good enough for me.
| am sending a copy of a clipping
from a paper which one of the Off
GERS gave one of the cooks, which l
think is very appropriate and perhaps
the editor of the News would like to
publish it, and the letter also if you
think it worth while. Of course
there is not much news in it but it
gives you an idea as to how we are
situated. Well as there is nothing
more this time l will close hoping to
hear from you soon. With love to
from
Harry
Connecticut western news., 1918-06-27
Harry
SOMEWHERE IN FRANCE"

"The Army Cook"
He never gets medals pinned on him
He never is given chance
To stand up and shoot at the on
\ coming Tent,
When the Kaiser begins to advance.
The shrapnel may whistle around
him,
And hand grenades fall at his feet
But he and his crew must keep mix
ing the stew
For those lads in the Khakiwill eat!
The peasant girls smile on the
soldiers,
But they never give even look
At his gravy-stained map or his SCOT
covered cap,
Or murmur: "Mon Dieu! we sweet
cookp
He sticks to his stove while his COM
rades
Are busily blowing their pay,
For the fellows that fight are in fine
appetite,
And they've got to have three meals
a day.
He never is named in dispatches
For gallantry, courage or skill,
He never has time to attempt the
sublime,
He has too many bellies to fill.
But when the whole business is over,
And the Kaiser is handed the hook,
We're hoping that fame will find
room for the name
Of that w?rkaday hero, the cook.
Connecticut western news., 1918-06-27
PLEASANTLY SURPRISED
MIR. and Mrs. Robert Black Celebrate
Wooden Wedding

About twenty y0uag friends Of
Mr.. and Mrs. Robert Black descend
ed on their home Tuesday e"ening of
last week and reminded them that it
was their wooden wedding anniVer-
sary, they being five years married
on that date. After Mr.. and Mrs.
Black had sufficiently recovered from
their surprise, the guests presented
them with black walnut rocker and
other wooden articles. The presen-
tation speech was a short verse
written by Miss S. J. Adam which
read as follows:-
Give years have fled, since Robert
Black
Came counting Mary Lee,
The years have gone but here they
are
AS happy as can be;
Accept this little rocking chair
AS a token from your friends,
We wish you both the best of luck
And JOY that never ends.
During the evening, the hostess
entertained her friends with singing
and piano solos. Refreshments were
served about II P. M. after which
the party came to an end, all wishing
them long life and happiness and
hopes for future wedding anniver-
saries.
Connecticut western news., 1918-06-27
COMPLETES rs YEARS
AS SCHOOL TEACHER
Miss S. j. Roraback Has Seen
Many Changes During
That Time

Miss S. J. Roraback remarked at
the close of the present school year
that she rounded out twenty-five
years of consecutive work in the
school building on Granite Ave.
When Miss Roraback began work
in this building, September 1898, it
was four room building, three
rooms in use. Mrs. J. G. Root was
in charge of the Primary room with
seventy pupils. Ms. Amy Duggan
Gilligan, now i'll Wethersfeld prison
under sentence of death, taught
grades above this, in the same school,
In 1897 the town voted to consoli-
date the school districts and the
management of the town schools
passed into the hands OF town COM
mittee or School, Board. One of the
first problems with which this COM
ffssssussss tH 10 dSe& ww she over
crowded condition of the. primary
room where over seventy pupils were
registered, with seats for fifty-two,
c1hO pAOPOA III Cc1Cl1lIlS opdCS LUZ ISoS.
A two story addition to the building
at the south was ready for use in
January 1900.
In the spring of 1910 it became
necessary to provide for greater
number of pupils and two story
addition was made at the north.
Again in 1915 more room appeared
to be necessary and a two story addi-
ton was made at the east giving at
present ten room building, four
rooms being devoted to high school
work.
The first class to be graduated
from the school was in June 1896, a
class of ten. The largest class grad
uated was in June 1910 when the
class numbered tWNenty-one.
The first superintendent of schools
for the town was Mr.. F. o. Jones.
He served one year 19O3-19O4.
In the spring of 1904 it was voted
to have music supervision. This work
has been continued to date.
At present six teachers are en-
Logged in the grades and four in the
high school, which offers four years
course.
A music supervisor is employed
also a superintendent of schools.
Connecticut western news., 1918-06-27
LOYAL AMERICANS WILL STAND UP AND
BE COUNTED ON FRIDAY, JUNE THE 18TH

Under the direction of the Treasury
wide campaign being conducted every
American pledge regularly Savings
periodic intervals evidence support
of
this
and be counted.
This does that the War Savings campaign
that that
heart and soul behind the will
evidenced their loyalty making least their initial
From that time the will
count definite weekly income from
themselves to invest the results of their savings Savings
The Thrift stamp campaign well
their
pledge yourself
War certificates There
must their loyalty This he
Connecticut western news., 1918-06-27
Potato Crop Threatened

At least three counties, Hartford,
New Haven and Fairfield, are
threatened with the aphis which is
quite as terrible as it's name, implies,
according to federal chronological
|experts who today discussed it's en-
farious career. The aphis which
caused so much damage to potato
crops in Connecticut last year has
unfortunately again made it's appear
ance in the State. G. M. Codding,
Special Field Entomologist of the
~. S. Department of Agriculture,
has located colonies of this pest in
New Haven and Fairfield counties
Connecticut western news., 1918-06-27
LECTURE AT TOWN HALL
ON FRIDAY EVENING
Miss Carita Spencer Will Tell
of Scenes on the Western
Front

Miss Carita Spencer, chairman of
the Food for France Fund will give
an illustrated lecture at the town
hall on Friday evening at o'clock
Miss Spencer needs no introduction
to the people of this community,
having spoken here previously. Her
lecture on Friday evening should
prove of particular interest and it is
hoped there will be large attend
ance.
Our latest information from
France brought back by Miss Spen-
Ger, who has just returned from
Paris, is to the effect that notwith-
standing the great volume and excel
lence of the operation of the nation
ally organized relief agencies, there
are and must continue to be a large
group of cases of distress requiring
instantaneous relief which very Of
ten can only be reached by individu-
ais or committees not held down by
other restraint than their own imme-
date discretion.
"In every quarter (ward) of
Paris and all other French cities and
towns, in every Commune (village)
of France there are sick and delicate
soldiers, children, old people and
newly confined mothers suffering for
food.
"There are tens of thousands of
whom the big organized relief works,
wonderful as is their work, cannot
know about in time to relieve the
most desperate needs.
"Those sufferers have but one re-
course, to apply for relief to their
'Mairies'. The 'maires' (mayors) of
France correspond rot only to our
:i,ic a"tlD"''Irs but 10, our local
charity organizatio rs and ooaris cf
health rolled into one. The 'mairies'
are swamped with appeals that are
pitiful.
In the French Military Hospitals
men are lying wounded, fever-ridden
sick. The surgeons and nurses labor
with splendid self-sacriice to bring
as many of these men as possible
back to such a state of health and
efficiency as will permit of their re-
turning to the battle line.
Shall we, living in comparative
profusion remain indifferent to this
situation? Would it not be better
to contribute little of our surplus,
even if for no other reason than
every French soldier returned to
duty, adds one to the sum of man.
power opposed to Germany, which
must otherwise, inevitably be sup
piled by America. And remember
3his-The French Fight, They
Suffer, They Starve, but they Never
Beg!
Every penny or donations received
is expended exclusively for food; no
salaries, commissions or honorariums
are given to anyone. All expenses
or necessary OUTLAWS are met person.
ally by members of the Committee.
Connecticut western news., 1918-06-27
Ouestionnaires Mailed

Questionnaires are now being
mailed to the selective service regis
trants of the class of June 1918, and
25 per cent will be mailed daily.
Local boards are proceeding accord
ing to the registration number of
registrants, but will defer classified
ton until the order numbers are
assigned according to regulations
later to be promulgated.
Connecticut western news., 1918-06-27

Mrs. Harry 1. Holcomb, age so,
died last Friday of complication of
diseases, at the Hartford hospital.
Mrs. Holcomb was a former resident
of Canaan. Before her marriage
she was Miss Eta Griswold of Els
worth, and was married to Mr.. Hol-
comb in Cornwall Bridge in 1886.
Mr.. Holcomb is street superintendent
for the Borough of Torringtcn.
Connecticut western news., 1918-06-27
81 Years Service

o. S. Hutchinson, agent at New
Lenox, Mass. was appointed agent of
that station in October 1867 by the
old Housatonic railroad. He will
complete term of 81 consecutive
years Of service next Octcker.
Connecticut western news., 1918-06-27

Continued on page s
Connecticut western news., 1918-06-27

The graduation exercises of the
eighth grade of the public school, at
the town hall Friday evening, de-
lighted those who were present to lis
ten to the program.
Every part showed careful prepar-
alton, the compositions Were
thoughtfully prepared and well read.
One of those that elected the most
applause was the class will by
Douglas Adam, expressing in strictly
legal form various requests to the
members of the faculty, the janitor
and the succeeding classes. The other
was the class prophecy by Louise
Beaujon. She found a place for the
nineteen members of the class in the
great city of the future, the Canaan
of their school days, grown to un-
dreamed of proportions.
The singing led by Miss DeHart
was particularly good, most of the
choruses being unaccompanied. Rev.
A. B. Crichton gave the class good
advice for building their future
lives.
The diplomas were presented by
the secretary of the school board,
G. w. Parsons, to the nineteen who
successfully passed their examina-
tions, all of whom expect to enter
high school next year.
The decorations emphasized the
class colors, red, white and blue,
surrounding the class motto "Im-
possible is un-American"
Connecticut western news., 1918-06-27
Following is a copy of the vale
dictory delivered by Miss Lasher.
Woman's Work.

About 1885 bright star appeared
in the West. A college had been
founded in Oberlis, with doors broad
enough to admit women mn the same
terms as men. Previous to this our
young women had been educated in
Connecticut western news., 1918-06-27
GRADUATION EXERCISES
ARE LARGELY ATTENDED
Hon. E. S. Roberts Presents
Diplomas to Eight
Graduates

The graduation exercises of the
Canaan High School held at the town
hall last Thursday were attended by
large number of the parents and
friends of the graduates. The hall
was lastly decorated with flags and
bunting, while in the center of the
stage was the class motto, Umquam
Altior lever Higher) with the
figures 1918, and the class colors,
green and white.
After the invocation the gradua-
ting class sang a greeting by Rowley,
followed with a greeting by Blanche
Frink. A solo by Marjorie Johnson,
Loyalty is the word today, was es-
pecially we'll rendered and is worthy
of special mention. This was fol-
lowed by the class prophecy by Rosa
Reel. While the prophecy contained
many local hits of humorous nature
the class as a whole might do worse
than try to fulfill this prophecy.
Phillip Rood made the presenta-
ton of the class gift, which con-
sisted of two large pictures, one of
Lincoln and the other of Washington,
and Leroy Beaujon accepted them
for the school. Miss Ellen Lasher
delivered the valedictory, Woman's
Work in a manner which brought
forth hearty applause from the large
audience. The address of the even
ing by Rev. R. M. Timberlake gave
many interesting and humorous side
lights of school life which at times
brought forth hearty laughter and
then again would suddenly turn to-
ward the more serious questions of
life which the class must face as the
members make their way individually
in the world.
Hon. E. S. Roberts, for over a
half century a member of the school
board, presented the diplomas after
a short speech which was of equal in
terest to class and audience. Mr..
Roberts dwelt in a reminiscent man
ner on the graduation and spoke of
the necessity of loyalty, trusting that
each of the menbe%r 81 Gre sh-s
would at all times en~aeavor to do
their utmost for their country. The
exercises closed with the singing of
the Star Spangled Banner by the en-
tire audience.
Each member Of the class wore a
white rose, contributed by Ms.
Richard Palmer, in honor of the
memory of Lynn Palmer, who died
i 1917 and was a member of this
class.
The members of the graduating
class are as follows:
Frederick Joseph Goggin, Esther
Jerusha Hurlburt, Marion Rose Wer-
ner, Rosa Cora Reel, Blanche Emer-
cite Frink, Marjorie Josephine john
son, Ellen Palmer Lasher, Philip
Nichols Rood.