davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The nonpartisan leader., 1918-02-18

20 sections of land for each additional mile of rail-
road and exemption from all taxation for rs years.
besides preserving to each road it's original grants
The state looted in other ways. It had set
aside approximately 100000 acres to provide
fund for state buildings. This entire grant was
turned over to a syndicate of Chicago and English
capitalists, in return for which Texas got capitol
building. 1t is fine capitol-but that 35O000
acres is worth $50 today. Figure for your
self how much that made the capitol cost.
Even the gifts to the railroads and the capitol
grant did not get rid of the land quickly enough
and new schemes were devised Laws were passed
giving land away for each we'll that was drilled
Other laws were passed giving land grants for the
nearly had few wagonloads of sand scraped out
of it and the men who had operated the scrapers
then came to the statehouse and got in return for
their work" deeds to thousands of acres of valu-
able lands
The people of Texas, who had broken away from
Mexico because Mexico had started to graft" on
their lands, had let their government get into the
hands of as bad bunch of grafters as the Mexcans
HOUSTON NOT IN FAVOR
OF TEXAS SECESSION
Where the peoples leaders during all this
time? Something more must be said about Sam
Houston, whose voice had been lifted at the first
against land gratis. Houston was sent to Wash.
ington of Texas first senators after state
hood. There he had offended the slave owning
class of Texas by lining up generally with the
The nonpartisan leader., 1918-02-18

sun SOtS uOWu III IeXaS,
150 farmers who have
been farm owners be-
come renters.
The unders of
Texas attempted to pre-
vent tenancy by passing
what is known as the
homestead law. Accord
ing to this law, up to 200
acres of land constitutes
a homestead" and can
not be taken away from
a farmer by forced sale.
Although the intent of
this law undoubtedly was
to protect the farmer,
the way it has worked
out has been different.
Since debts can not be
collected against a home
stead, naturally money
will not be loaned upon
it. When a 2OO-acre
farmer has a little tough
luck and needs a small
loan to help him along,
he can not get the money.
So he has to mack I'm his
The nonpartisan leader., 1918-02-18

road managers and politicians friendly to them
capitalized this feeling and began to scheme on new
ways to get the land and money that was the
that had other purpose than to get land for their
promoters.
Still the railroads were not getting ahead fast
enough to suit the greed Of their promoters. "A new
scheme devised. The state had several million
dollars being held in trust permanent fund for
the benefit of the common schools. The politicians
proposed that this money be loaned the railroads
to help them in their development and they forced
through the legislature bills for this purpose loan
ing school money at the rate of $4,000 per mile,
and in addition freeing the railroads from taxaton.
STATE WAS LOOTED BY
THE RAILROAD PIRATES - -'..t
There was enormous increase of railroad
building to get the $4,000 per mile. The school
funds were raided. When it came time for repay
ment many of the roads were found to be bankrupt
and the state suffered huge losses.
Every possible scheme figured out to loot
the state Of it's lands and money Two roads con-
solidated into the International & Great Northern.
One road, under the terms by which it was built,
entitled to 20 sections of land for each mile
Of road the other road entitled to borrow state
funds to finance itself and to exemption from taxa
ton. Under the combination the roads claimed all
the original privileges that had been granted to
each-that is, both the land grant and the loan and
freedom from taxation. The legislature of Texas
compromised" the case by giving the !. & G. N.
The nonpartisan leader., 1918-02-18

were safeguarded to considerable extent but not
completely. The republic finally set aside millions
OF acres for schools and capitol building confirmed
most of the titles granted by the legislature of
Coahuila and Texas after throwing out the most
fragrant steals tract of 1905 acres to every
white head of family in the state about one
fourth as much to each single man, bigger grants
yet to every man who had fought in the Texas
army, issued land scrip to settle several million
dollars of debts of the republic and then decreed
that the rest of the land was the property of the
state
Perhaps you think there wasn't much land left
for the state. But there was. Although the amount
covered by the Mexican grants, by the grants to
heads OF families, single men and soldiers, and by
grants to the schools were enormous, Texas had in
all 160,O00000 acres to play with. Was it any
wonder that the old timers thought it was an in
exhaustible supply?
RAILROADS GRAB LAND
OWNED By PEOPLE
One of the first things that the Texans thought
about was the necessity of having railroads. At
this time, nearly half century before government
ownership of railroads began to be a real ISSUE
there considerable contingent of Texans who
believed that the state should build it's own roads
Their idea that the state should build the
roadbed lay the rails and construct terminal faci
tes and then lease the road for term of years
to railroad corporations which were already COM
peting for the privilege of tapping the state The
idea was that later If Texas considered it advisable
The nonpartisan leader., 1918-02-18
HOMESTEAD LAW NOT
FARMERS PROTECTION

dozen years ago Texas woke up to- discover
that all the valuable public land in control of the
state had passed into the hands of private owners
Much of this land is being held, unimproved and
nearly tax free for speculation Much of it is being
rented on shares to tenant farmers In 1910 ac-
cording to the federal census SO farmers in Texas
out of every 100 were tenants. According to nves-
tigaton of the committee Industrial relations In
1915 in 81 counties, 60 per cent of the farmers
tenants 1t is estimated that every day when the
The nonpartisan leader., 1918-02-18

thousands OF lives and many millions of dollars in
the war and lost them in vain. Slavery went into
the discard. People came gradually to see that he
had been right all along-that Houston was right
and the others were wrong back in the days of the
revolution, when they called him coward for re-
treating before Santa Anna; that Houston was
right when he counseled fair treatment for the In
dians; that he right when he advised for peace
and against war.
And they see in Texas today that Houston was
right when he protested back in the 4Os, against
valuation of land gratis that were the entering
wedge in wholesale system of gratis that con-
tnued for the next so years. For the 10000 900
acres of Texas lands did not prove inexhaustible
Crafts of thousands and millions of acres at time
gradually cut down the total Exorbitant interest
charges by bankers and occasional crop failures
gradually froze out the small owners and the vast
lands OF Texas gradually came into the control of
few thousand great landlords
The nonpartisan leader., 1918-02-18

the leases could be termi-
mated and the state could
buy it's own rolling stock
and operate the roads
for the benefit of all the
people.
The other plan was the
one that was being fol-
lowed by the federal gov
ernment - to allow the
railroads to build and
own the lines themselves
and to pay them for the
work with great grants
of land. There was a
short but bitter battle be-
tween the state owner
ship men and the rail-
roads and the railroads
won. Texas embarked
on a mad career of CIV
ing it's lands away to the
railroads. Twenty Sec
tions to the mile of rail-
road was the usual gift.
Railroads began, to be
built. The people hailed
their coming as an omen
of prosperity. The rail-
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-05-29
MADISON
Old Cider Thought Bottom of
Cases of IntoXicatiOn in
Town-G. A. 4. Veterans
Make Annual Visit.

For the past few weeks quite a
number of persons have been seen on
the village streets of Madison and
Norridgewock in an intoxicated con-
dition. The local officers have been
quietly investigating and came to
the conclusion that the DRINKS We're
caused by old cider sold by some OF
the farmers. Sunday afternoon Dep
uty Sheriff +. l.. Harding of this viii
lage and Deputy Sheriff CasWell of
NorridGeWock started on a tour of
investigation and brought up at the
home of John Eouillard On what is
known as the back road to Norridge
wock about three miles from Nor
ridgewock village just in time to wit
ness Rouillard serving cider to a
party of young men. Rouillard was
hailed before Judge J. Frank Withee
in this village Monday afternoon the
charge OF single sale and pleaded
not guilty. The officers gave their
testimony after which the judge i'm
posed a sentence of $50 and costs.
Rouillard appealed and furnished
bonds.
Messrs. Charles Lander, Charles
Marden, Clyde Lander and G. II.
Marden returned Monday afternoon
from fishing trip to the Moxie
region with a fine string Of brook
trout
Manager and Mrs. Howard A.
Smiley of the Pastime Moving Pic
ture Thcater entertained 4 party of
friends from Boston at Embden Pond
over Sunday.
Levi Adams, who ia employed as a
tool maker in a Philadelphia NUM-
ton factory, arrived home Monday,
BEING called by the draft.
Rev. VIM. Clements in company
with G. A. +. Veterans visited the
Weston avenue and Old Point ave-
nue. school Tuesday for the purpose
of patriotic instruction. Rev. J. S.
Clark visited the Garfield schools in
Arson Monday on a similar errand.
Clarence Cox has returned from
Houlton where he has been with
friends for the past two months.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-05-29
Belfast
Biggest Fish Ever Caught at
Swan Lake-To Organize
Waldo Sunday Schools.

The biggest fish reported caught IN
this vicinity is q seven-pound salmon
caught by Ernest Maddocks al swan
Lake. This lake has affordeo some OF
the best fishing this season, known IN
many years and parties from All over
Maine as we'll as from out OF the state
come here to fish. c. w. Johonnot, Fred
Harris and c. w. Finlay, Boston jewel
ers. and Fred Kane, also OF Boston
have been at the Swan Lake House for
two weeks and made some excellent
catches. Mr.. Johonnot was accompanied
by Mrs. Johonnot and Miss Johonnot.
Mrs Alma A. Smart of West Newton
was also in the party.
Wesley ]. Weir general secretary Of
the Maine State Sunday School Associa-
tons, will pass the week in Waldo
county in an attempt to organize the
districts known as South Waldo, West
Waldo and Winnecook Mt. Waldo dis
trct is already organized and will hold
its convention on Friday Mr.. Weir will
be at Unity on Monday and at the
Methodist church in Belfast on Tues
day at . T. NJ On Wednesday he will
be in Morrill,. All pastors, superintend-
ents, teachers and others interested in
Sunday school work are urged to at
tend these meetings and every school
In the county should send delegates.
Mr.. and Mrs. John Chapman re-
ceived letter on Monday from Their
only son Clarence, who was one 81
the first to go overseas more than :,
Year ago. with General Pershing,
having been in the regular army for
some time previous to that. Youn.;
Chapman was reported among those
slightly wounded few weeks ago
and the letter received was from a
base hospital in France. Notwiih-
standing the fact that he has seen
active trench service for some time,
he is chatting III the hospital beca use
he wants to get back where his com
rades are facing the foe, and says he
feels like a Stacker where he is. lii
q previous letter he wrote that SeV-
cral of his teeth are dec0ying, in spite
Of his constant care and that he
could not get them filed with gold.
lie asked his parents 10 send him
some detail gold or if they could not
get that to send gold coin. The youn :
man had perfect teeth before he eH-
tered the service and was able to notl
himself up by them, in his school days
earning the name Of strong man" Wy
his faats Of that sort They were his
greatest pride and he recently wrote
that he had taken the best care he
possibly could Of them in the army
but was not always able 10 get tootn
paste. The wound recently received
affected one eye.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-05-29
PITTSTON

NORTH-The entertainment given
at the North Pittston schoolhouse bv
the scholars and assisted by several
from Whitefeld was very successful
and the gratitude and thanks of the
workers are extended to those who
aided in any way. The proceeds OF
the evening were SIG and this, with
$25.05 raised by Astrid Peterson and
s24.30 raised BY Elwyn Grant Ctotal
S65.35) is the amount given to the
Gardiner Chapter of the Hed Cross
from hits vicinity.
Mr.. and Mrs. Wallace Taylor and
daughter OF Chelsea, were recent
visitors of friends here.
Fred Jones is the guest of relatives
at Gardiner for a short time.
G. b. Putnam was a dinner guest
of Mr. and Mrs. VIM. King at Ram
dolph last Sunday.
Charles Mason is at work for H. d.
Gordon.
Mrs. George Sparrow and daughter
Mildred were weekend guests of
relatives and friends in Lewiston and
New Gloucester.
Mr.. and Mrs. Arthur Bradstreet of
Gardiner were Sunday guests at the
home of her parents, Mr.. and Mrs. T.
c. Jones.
Miss Emma Green is the guest of
relatives in Chelsea for few days.
Mr.. and Mrs. John Brayley are the
proud parents of a new son and a
new daughter born Sunday night.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-05-29
CHELSEA

Miss Ida Scarles was last week in
Waterville attending the county
convention of the NJ. 4. Sunday
school.
c. Fl. Watson while at his work at
the Maine State hospital Friday, re-
ceived a severe injury to one of his
eyes, which may result in the loss OF
the sight. He is quite comfortable at
this writing.
Miss Emma Green of North Pitts
ton is visiting at II. c. I.awrence's.
Mrs. Doris Cain and Miss Cla
Cowan spent the week end in Read
field.
f. A. Thompson is working on A.
s. Smalrs hay press for Roy Harris.
Fred Kicker OF the Milliken regi-
mcnt is home for short furlough.
Mrs. Annie Powers and daughter of
West Chelsea were recent callers at
Laura Thompson's.
Important business is to be dis
cussed at the meeting Of the Grange
Friday. A large attendance is asked
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-05-29
DEXTER
Memorial Sunday Fittingly
Observed-Grand Windup of
Red Cross Drive.

Memorial sunday was lttngiy OBJ
served here SUNDAY afternoon when the
members Of Stafford Post. q. A. r., the
Woman 5 Relief Corps, members OF Re-
hecca Weston chapter. g. a. X, Odd
Fellows and Boy Scouts, attended a
union service at the Methodist Episco-
PAL church and listened Ia an excellent
address delivered ~ Rev. r, Ernest
smith. pastor of the entertaining
church Fine muse was furnished by
the regular church choir and prayer was
offered H. Rev George {. Sauer of the
First Baptist church The henediction
was pronounced 10y Rev. Einaldo l..
ODDS
A hitting windup 10 the Red Cross
drive In Dexter took place Saturday
evening hy demonstration on monu-
ment square. after a parade down Main
street 10y the Boy Scouts. company OF
the ID Name Regiment, and school chill
dr"n. a dozen young girls carried a
large American flag by the sides and
offerings we're received along the way.
the money beng thrown upon the flag
\ large box ON pole WAS also carrie |
aioft. bearing nu its four sides, urgent
pleas Tor contributions ,3a was re
ceivcd during the evening bringing the
total results of the drive TO about $500
the towns quota being only $500.
\ special meeting of the New Eng
land MIR FRO luce-s Association will
he held at Grange hall Friday evening,
May II for the purpose Of elccting Off
GERS and transactns any other business
"nI'h may properly come before the
meeting All Interested in the dairy
business are invited to attend this
meeting
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-05-29
DRESDEN

SOUTH-Sybil and Olive Groves of
Wiscasset passed the week end with
Mrs. Leland Siegars.
Mr.. and Mrs. Alfred Houdlett and
daughter Audrey OF West Dresden
We're the guests of Mr.. and Mrs.
Frank McCobb Sunday
Mary Siegars returned to her home
Monday from Warren where she has
been visiting her sister, Mrs. Fred
starrett for the past four weeks.
MT and Mrs. Harry Hatch are re
ceiVing congratulations on the ar
rivai OF young daughter, Saturday.
arthur Siegars and Geo. Tibbetts
VINO work in Bath. passed the week
end at their homes.
Mrs. Boynton of Massa chusetts IS
visiting at the home of Edwin Siepars
ior few weeks.
Mrs. CHARLES Rice Of Bath is ston.
ping with her daughter, Mrs. Harry
Hatch, for . few days.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-05-29
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

the people Of Cedar Grove This !
be the only means Of getting freis
this season as the Boston boat 7
be missing from the kennebec 4
year at least.
Summer visitors are beginT
to arrive at the cottages on RI
mond Camp Ground and the SUN,
Houses are booking up boarders
the summer months
The town boys that are worknl
Bath report that from now
/ through the summer months t
will have their Saturday afternl
off. This gives them quite a "
! ton.
Capt. A. W. Call Of this town
is at present in command Of
steamer. Governor Cobb. in the (
ice Of the L. 5. as a training
reports that the ship is ready
service and made her first trip
training ship last Thursday. Be
w III Dt ItNt HUNS l'oi
Shad fishermen report light cat
this week Fred Weeks and T.
Hall having purchased { shad ne
expected to get some large haul;
The dance at Moody's Casino
urday night was great sue
Nearly % couple were in attenda
There were II automobiles from
| diner loaded with dancers. Z
one reported a'good time.
There is a good demand for the
/ lumber from the Cedar Grove
houses. New lumber is Very
and as most of this is in good
| ditiOn it should find a ready mar
I Some will go to Bath for build
purposes.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-05-29
BELGRADE LAKES

The advcnt Of the spring fishermen
has already seen some good catches
recorded. a party of 10 anglers at H.
l.. kelley's camp caught 80 trout ia
three days fishing. two Of the fish
weighing four pounds each. H. l..
Kelley of Boston captured 13 Of the
total. Others in the party were:
Frank e. Leavitt. Henry Tilton and
c. +. Troftoe of Portsmouth, \. II
Amos T. Leavitt of Wollaston, Mass. :
f. &. Hail. Brockton. Mass: and r.
c. stevens of Lexington. Mass. d.
c. Kelley of Winchester. Mass
headed another party consisting of
DR.. Young and Fred English from
Lit,leton. y. II. In three days .io!.-
ing they caught il trout the largest
weighing four pounds.
The Belgrade hotel has opened for
the summer season. Saturday, Nay
% being the first day guests Wee
received. Manager Hill looks fos-
ward 70 a good sea son, the bookings
being way ahead of last season.
Wilson Clement has bought thr
Maria Pray cottage and moved in
Frank Johnson has changed his resi-
Genco to the VIII Damren cottage.
Henry Marsh and family from
Rochester, y. y, have arrived a;
their cottage in the village
L. A. Bean expects to move into ii.
Lew cottage on Great lake this week
Arthur Pray has returned to Prey.
ioence, +, l., after & few weeks stag
ere.
Leonard Frink Of Boston has !
party Of friends stopping at Hazel.
wood on Long lake.
Henry w Colder and his daughter
Mrs. f. =, Trowbr;dge were in tya !
last week
The Belgrade Great Pond Associf :
ton is building feat near The
fridge in the stream for the use Of lis
members
T.. A. Bean has let one of his cot.
tages in the Stream.
Mr.. and Mrs. Russell E. Nash l.,
Wollaston. Mass, have hired d. c
kelleys camp for July and Aug1s,
Lester Gordon Of Brooklyn, n. y
VIII occupy Mrs. Davenports cottage
on Great lake this season.
MY. md Mrs. r. l.. Clark of Win
chester, Mass, were weekend visi.
tcrs at their log cabin "Iarecscrof.'
On Great lake last week.
Harry Colder and sister. Mrs Edi,r
Burbank were Sunday visitors Il
Mrs. Thomas Golders
Mayor Swift of Augusta was n ,.:u.
itor at Frank j. Hams cottage SIN.
cay. Mr.. Ham now Of Thornastoo
formerly Of Belgrade was here vii,
Mayor Swift
George d. Haskell and son. Dani,
haskell Of Augusta. we're in town
FOR few hours with friends on sun.
day.
Robert c, Kelley. former CORE
spondent for the Kennebec Journal
at Belgrade Lakes is now in service
at the offcers Training Camp. Camp
DeVens, Aver, Mass. He was enlist
ed at Camp Devens last November
and received his appointment to the
school from the ranks.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-05-29

entertainment to be given YIN his
honor by the Junior class of Skowhe-
gan High school.
The Home Missionary society of the
Methodist church was very pleasantly
entertained at the parsonage on Is
land Monday afternoon by Mrs.
Henry Clay Turner. There was a
good attendance. 1t was the occasion
of the opening of the mite boxes and
q good amount was secured for mis-
sionary work from this source. De-
votions were conducted by Mrs. Eliza
Covell and Mite box experiences were
recounted by nine ladies. Features
of the entertainment program includ-
ed a song by Miss Alta Porter, a
piano solo by Miss Ella NJ. Flanders
and a reading by Mrs. Laura II. Dins-
more During the afternoon mite
boxes for the next year We're given
out and Mrs. Turner assisted by her
mother, Mrs. F. J. Larrimore served
refreshments.
Mrs. Jas l.. Bride of Lawrence,
Mass. is the guest of her sister, Mrs.
William Folsom Merrill of Bush
street,
The draftees who We're in town
Tuesday night prior to leaving this
Wednesday mornin-, for Camp Dew
ems were given free use Of the Mil
burn club rooms and the Masonic
reading rooms. A band concert was
given in their honor Tuesday night
by the members of the First Regi-
ment band, military department of
the MaCcabees.
A continued hearing in the case Of
the late Lois NJ. Luce of New Port
land was in order Tuesday at the
Municipal court room before Judge
{. .. Small.
Mrs. Eliza beth Pratt of Corinna and
her daughter, Miss Arrie l.. Pratt of
Boston arrived Tuesday forenoon tc
visit with Mr.. and Mrs. {. Davis Mil
Ter.
Mr. and Mrs George W. Weeks of
Canaan were visitors in town during
the day Tuesday
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-05-29
WINDSOR

WEST-The Ladies' Union VII.
meet with Mrs. Wakefield at the
parsonage Wednesday afternoon. The
ladies are asked to come prepared
for lacking a puff
The Memorial Sunday service at
the Baptist church was under the d.
rection of Mrs. NJ. II. Wakefield Ind
was very interesting. The music was
fine A goodly number Of the G. \.
r. and auxillery were present. Mr..
Wakefield also spoke at the Metho-
dist church, South Windsor. Memo
rial Sunday. In the evening an m
teresting meeting was held at the
chapel, subject on Y. NJ. c. a. work.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-05-29

Charles Meigs and Dora. accom-
panied by Herbert Jordan were re-
cent guests Of Mr. and Mrs iteuocn
Fierce and family.
Mrs. Jenette Libby WHO passed the
winter in Massachusetts has returned
to Marie and is now oassng'a few
weeks With friends in Hallowell, Az,
gusta, Sidney and Windsor.
Neyre and Merle Jones. the young
sons If Mr. and Mrs Charles jones,
ere interested workers in the Bows
end Girls Fig Club for the prize WIN
ners contest in December.
Mrs Augusta Weber Of LINN,
Mass, is stopping with her sister tn )
summer, Mrs Warren Seekins.
Mrs Matte Casey was a recent Wis
itor of Mrs. Matilda Lynn and fam
ny.
Mrs. Abbie Taber was the guest Of
Mrs Frank Spear of Augusta last
Tuesday.
Mr.. ard Mrs. w. w. Stewart ard
daughter Dorothy of Augusta WEI G
over Sunday guests Of Mrs Stewart $
parents, Mr.. and Mrs Elbridge cas-
veil
Miss Stella Barton was a business
caller III Augusta Saturday
Harold Casey was in the place Sun
Cay.
Charles Savage of Chelsea was a
business caller in the place Friday.
Mrs. Frank Pierce with a PARTY
were 2uto callers at the cemetery,
Cross Hill, and at the Hussey home
stead Sunday afternoon.
Mrs. Mercy Hussey passed the day
with her daughter. Mrs. Frank Pierce
last week.