davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1918-03-08
Former Car and Czarina Have
No Gas, Electricity or
Bathroom.
fare OF MOsTFRUGAL nature
Practically Condemned to the Life Of
RecIuses-Daughters Allowed to
Come and Go Freely, but Son
Is Closely Guarded.

Paris.--Though things Russian are
rather in disfavor just now, a short
account Of the life led by the Roma
nOffs, the former imperial family, may
prove Of interest.
Tobolsk has been called the "City Of
DEATH" its temperature rarely rising
above the freezing point. Most Of its
houses are built OF wood, the one
where the imperial family lives being
n Of the few brick buildings In that
part Of the country. Its ground floor
Is occupied by a company Of soldiers
Installed there as a guard. The two
upper floors, consisting Of IA rooms
most simply furnished, constitute the
apartments Of Colonel Romanon."
There Is neither running water nor
gas, neither electricity o bathroom.
The servants are obliged to draw from
o nearby we'll the water needed for
household purposes. The rooms are
heated by brick ovens which burn
wood. The largest room is not more
tnan 10 rect Dy ~ Lees
The windows Of the house look out
on an unattractive landscape. There
ts not even a garden where the ex-
car might dig and forget his bore
dom. A narrow balcony and a court.
yard inclosed by high brick walls fur
nish the only breathing spots for the
imperial prisoners.
Live Life Of Refuses.
Nicholas ROmanoff and his wife are
practically condemned to the lives OF
refuses. Their sole outing consists In
attending mass at the cathedral Of the
Annunciation or at a neighboring mon
astery or going to the public baths
where as a special favor the revolu'
tonary authorities permit them to
battle once q week. Whenever they &C
out they are escorted by a platoon OF
soldiers commanded by four officers OF
the guard.
The fare imposed upon the prisoners
ls Of the most frugal nature. Once &C
customed to the delicate refinements
Of French cooking, they are forced tc
be content with ordinary Russian
dishes: pling. a sort Of roll covered
with caviar; bortsch. a thick souI
made Of beets and other vegetables
kalacha, q cheese paste.
The people Of Tobolsk show neither
hostility nor sympathy toward the ex
fled family. Life In the small town Is
consistently monotonous. The exist
ence of the former emperor drags
along in drab sadness. Now and ther
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1918-03-08
MULE BALKS AT LEMON PIE
Animal Devours Stock In Bakery Wao-
on, Except Citrus-Crusted Va
riety.

Greenwich, Conn.-Many prominent
citizens Of this community whose
wealth permits them to indulge In pie
we're forced to go without their daily
rations unless, perchance, It was lemon
pie that they had ordered from Conk-
Inns bakery. A plain, everyday mule,
that hadn't been considered at al In
the food administrations regulations,
was responsible.
The mule furnishes the motive pow
er for one of the delivery wagons Of
the Round Hill dairy. His driver left
him In Greenwich avenue and went
into a lunch room for a light break
fast.
The mule had a hunger, too, and 1t
was accumulated by the aroma that he
inhaled with the clear morning air. He
pulled up to the rear of the bakery
wagon. When the driver Of that We
hicle returned from making "a delivery
his stock of pies vas reduced to the
lemon variety. That mule has nc OPP
petite for the crust that conceals the
citrus.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1918-03-08
Just Once! Try DOdsCn'S Liver Tone!
Take No CaIOmeI! Listen To Me!
If bilious constipated, headachy or sick, I guarantee
relief without taking dangerous calomel
which sickens and ~salivates.

Stop using calomel! 1t makes you
sick. Don't lose a days work. If you
feel lazy, sluggish. bilious or consti-
pated, listen to me!
Calomel is mercury or quicksilver,
which causes necrosis OF the bones.
Calomel, when II comes into contact
with sou bile, crashes into 1t, break
Ing It up. This Is when you feel that
awful nausea and cramping. If you
are "all knocked out" II your liver Is
torpid and bowels constipated or you
have headache, dizziness, coated ton
que, II breath Is bad or stomach sour.
just try a spoonful Of harmless Dod-
sons Liver Tone.
Here's my guarantee-Go to any
drug store and get a bottle Of Dodson's
Liver Tone for a few cents. Take q
spoonful tonight. and II 1t doesn't
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1918-03-08
CUTS COST OF CHILD BIRTH
Association In Boston Reduces Prizes
Of Bringing Babies Into the
World to $25.

Boston.-The cost of bringing babies
into the world In Boston has been re-
duced to S25. Hooverization!
Mrs. William Lowell Putnam. the
only woman president of the American
Association for the Study and Proven.
ton of Infant Mortality, has fixed the
price through the establishment of a
prenatal and obstetrical clinic.
The expectant mother who pays s25
receives a preliminary examination BY
a physician with a nurse assisting,
The woman is visited every ten days
by a nurse and, after confinement. re-
ceives the expert attention of the
physician and nurse until she is entire
ly recovered.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1918-03-08
ROMAh0FFS ARE PLAINLY HOUSED

he Is authorized to receive the visit Of
two faithful high f~unctionaries whom
the revolutionary government permit
ted to accompany him in his exile
Count Frederiks and General Voyekov.
To them he confldes his regrets, his
memories and his hopes.
Nicholas Romanoff said recently to
General Voyekov in an accent Of pro
found resignation:
HAS my life noe always been that
of a prisoner? I do not regret my lost
power. All I ask Is to be allowed to
retire to Crimea, where I could live
surrounded by flowers. I feel more
than eve that l would be peaceful and
happy as a simple citizen Of a repub-
lic."
His resignation In no wise Is shared
by the former Czarna Alexandra. Ev.
erything In her new mode Of life
wounds, shocks and irrltates her.
Nowadays Alexandra devotes herself
to her children, whom she teaches not
to resign themselves but to remember
What makes her most indignant is thai
she is allowed neither to write nor re
ceive letters that r not opened BY
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1918-03-08
False Rumors Shake Britain

rumor by way Of kindly neutralS had
sent a thousand asses laden with pure
gold as a peace bride TO Berlin A later
effort. told with due pathos and dra-
matte effect, concerned the loss of a
large American transport, which had
been sent down by a German U-boat,
with a total loss Of life and material.
The rumor was common property, with,
perhaps, the possible exception Of the
American naval authorities.
Thousands Of Woolwich arsenal
workers, unable to obtain food, were
rioting furiOusly, and the troops had
to be called out" was the preface
to another. Inquiry showed the case
to be that Of a woman Of inebriate
habits and revolutionary tendencies, Il
misapprehension with n local police
constable and a sympathetic crowd,
hungry and disappointed. supplied the
necessary background and climax.
Another case was that of two kiltie
regiments. The - H%ighlanders. hold
Ing the left flank of a big advance
movement, were to have been sup
ported at 5 q. m. Of a freezing winter
morning by the Black Watch. The
latter failed to put in an appearance.
The Highlanders, sadly mauled by
shrapnel and machine guns, returned
to rest billets at quarter strength and
swearing vengeance dire. On the road
the Black Watch was encountered.
Forthwith the two b~attalions set about
one another with their dirks and bay.
onets. leaving the dead and dying by
the roadside In the hundreds. This
story to the troops individually con-
cerned proved extremely acceptable
from its humorous element alone.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1918-03-08
TELLS OF HUNS WORK
;pe,valided Sergeant Describes
q atrocities Committed in France.
tndescribabie Brutality Revealed When
H~lehIanders Capture Village Near
Piouahestreert Wood.

San Francisco.-Indescribable afro
cities, which even the brutal Hun
might not be thought capable of, were
committed in France recently and dis
covered when the valiant Seaforth
Highlanders captured a small village
near Ploughestreert Wood, according
to Sergeant A. Goad Of the Highland
ers, who has been invaded to Amer
ica with three wounds.
"When we took the village I hap
pened to look into q hut, still stand
ing among the ruins, and there saw
the most horrible sight that / have
yet seen In my war experience" Ser
geant Goad said.
Against one wall was the dead
body of a woman, her hands crossed
above her head and nailed to the
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1918-03-08

the revolutionary officers She con
stantly repeats TO her daughters;
Never forget what we are forced
10 bear at the present moment"
Her only conhdante Is Countess Ma
riSchkine. who was her lady in waiting
and who wns allowed to follow her to
TobOlSk.
Alexis Closely Guarded.
II the grand duchesSes are allowed
to come and so freely In the town
without the WxatOn Of any surveil-
lance, the same thing is not true Of the
ex-czarevitch. Prince Alexis, who is
Familiarity known as AliOscha, can 60
out and play in the public parks when
ever he likes. but he is watched by
guards specially attached TO his person.
The daughters Of the former car
lead a simple life. Grand Duchess
| Olga, the most serious Of them all. has
enrolled herself among the voluntary
nurses of a military hospital to which
are sent ~convalescents from Siberia
and where she conscientiously passes
several hours a day.
Grand Duchess Marie has taken up
stenography and typewriting to help
her father write his memoirs. But he
| dictates nothing and writes nothing
! Sometimes he leans out Of the only
window, which overloOks the town,
and watches his children when they 90
for a walk. He wears the undress
uniform Of a colonel Of the Prevbajen'
skys and puts on a digni6ed air as
soon as he thinks he Is being observed
But when he thinks himself alone his
back loses its stiffness, he hides his
| care-lined face in his hands and this
man, whose hair has turned quite
white, falls into melancholy brooding
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1918-03-08

~straighten you right up and make you
feel fine and vigorous by morning. /
want you to so back TO the store and
get your money. Dodson's Liver Tone
Is destroying the sale OF calMnel be-
cause 1t Is real liver medicine entirely
vegetable, therefore 1t can not Saliyate
or make you sick.
l guarantee that one spoonful Of
DodSon'S Liver Tone will put your
sluggish liver to work and clean your
bowels of that sour bile and consti-
pated waste which is clogging your
system and making you feel miserable.
l guarantee that n bottle Of Dodson's
Liver Tone will keep the entire family
feeling fine for months. Give 1t to
your children, II is harmless: doesn't
grippe and they like Its pleasant taste.
ADV.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1918-03-08

wall by a spike. There were no other
wounds on her body-she must have
been left there to die from torture.
Opposite her, against the other
wall, was a little three-year-old child,
with Its head impaled on a sharp hook
and its limp little body hanging down.
The two had doubtless been crucified
at the same time and left alone to
watch each others death agonies.
Sergeant Goad said that some time
later the British took Ploughestreert
Wood, but were driven back Temporal
rily, and when they re~captured 1t a
score Of wounded, whom they had been
unable to rescue, had been savagely
slain.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1918-03-08
BOSCHEE'S GERMAN SYRUP

will quiet your cough, soOthe the In
fammation of a sore throat and lungs,
stop irritation In the bronchial tubes,
insuring q good nights rest, free from
coughing and with easy expectoratlon
In the morning, Made and sold In
America for ifty-two years. A Won
derful prescription, assisting Nature in
building up your general health and
throwing off the disease. Especially
useful in lung trouble, asthma, Group,
bronchitis, etc, For sale In all civil.
lied countrles.-Adv.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1918-03-08
Life Still Has Its Joys.

II you are troubled with the belief
that war has taken oil the Joy out Of
life. you should have been on hand
when the playful wind took the fat
man't hat and he made a zlg-zag race
for It along the street car tracks, and
noticed what a lot Of people stopped
to laugh their eyes full Of tears ut the
spectacle.-Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1918-03-08
Catarrh Cannot Be Cured

BY LOCAL APPLICATIONS, as they
cannot reach the seat Of the disease.
Catarrh 10 a local disease, greatly intiu-
enced by constitutional conditions. HALL
CATARRH MEDICINE will cure catarrh.
1t Ia taken internally and acts through
the Blood on the Mucous Surfaces OF the
System. HALLS CATARRH MEDICINE
is composed Of some Of the best tones
known, combined with some OF the best
blood purifiers. The perfect combination
OF the ingredients in HALLS CATARRH
MEDICINE Is what produces such won
derful results in catarrhal conditions.
Druggists 75c. Testimonials free.
+. J, Cheney & Co, Props, Toledo. o.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1918-03-08
A StIckIer.

Banker Henry Z. Dawson said at al
artists banquet:
Gentlemen, I Once went In for paint
Ing myself, I enameled a bathtub.
MY friends sought to discourage me
In my artistic aims. They said: It's
no use going In for painting unless you
stick to your work.
Gentlemen, | did So"
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1918-03-08
irresponsible Talk Is the Worst
Form Of Enemy Pro-
paqanda.
PEACE BRIDE TO BERLIN
Thousand Asses Loaded With Pure
Gold Reported to Be Sent-Wild
Tale Of Fight Between Two
kiltie Regiments.

London.-The most deadly form Of
German propaganda in Great Britain
today Is the mouth to mouth rumor.
Wherever n goes, In clubs or restau-
rants. at the theater or in the railway
car, ones peace Of mind will be IRE
trievably shattered by some kindly In
tentioned stranger.
The keep of the London Tower has
been o~vercrowded with riddled corpses
to a positively u%nsanitary degree. Now
it will be an airman of worldwide re-
nown. The next day an ex-lord chan
cellor Of the realm will toe the line fol.
lowing him; King George will have his
Germanic extraction flung In his teeth,
and an ex-prime minister receive the
welcome news that he has sold the
country to save his financial interests
in the enemy's country. Your true
propaganda is no respector Of per-
sons.
Of Eastern Origin.
There was one story of distinct East
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1918-03-08
Office Girl Efhclent

Kansas City, Mo.-Isabelle Gilzean,
the first "ofice girl" to be employed at
the Missouri Pacific railway offices
here, has so greatly excelled the use
fulness Of the average Office hoy that
many other local offices are preparing
to replace their boys with girls.
A marked decrease In the mortality
rate among grandmothers during the
opening weeks of the baseball season
Is predicted.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1918-03-08
RECIPE FOR GRAY HAIR.

To half pint Of water add l OF. Bay
Rum, a small box Of Barbo Compound.
and \ OF. Of glycsrine. Any druggist can
put this up or you can mix 1t at home at
very little cost. Full directions for Hak-
ing and use come in each box Of Barbo
Compound. 1t will gradually 5arksn
Ereaked, faded gray hair, aAd make il sOtt
AID glossy, 1t will not sOlor the scalp. is net
sticky or greasy, and does Dot rub of. Adv.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1918-03-08
Skin Troubles That Itch

SN" ''SSS'SS 'HdN ihSH
Burn and dlshgure quickly soothed
and healed by hot baths with CUT
cura Soap and gentle a~nointings of Gu.
ticura Ointment. For free samples,
address. "Cuticura, Dept. X. Boston"
Sold by druggists and by mail. Soap
Is, Ointment IS and O.-Adv. q
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1918-03-08
WHY Shes Rarrrd-

Il haven't seen a milkmaid In musi.
cal comedy for a long time"
Evidently you haven't followed the
trend Of girl shows"
"No?"
"A milkmaid is supposed to wear
some clothes, even on the Stage."-
Birmingham Age-Herald.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1918-03-08

HE Is a great stickler for proce-
dure, isn't her
II should say SO! Why, even the
furniture overs In his house are all
bound with red tape"
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1918-03-08
Quits Tobacco at Elohty.Two.

Cleveland.-W. F. Adams started
chewing and smoking tobacco when he
was ten. Now, a Civil war veteran Of
eighty-two, he has quit using tobacco
In any form.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1918-03-08
Positive Proof.

"Ferdy, do you really love met"
Didn't It take 81 cents to send that
last letter I wrOte?"
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1918-03-08
a HINT TO WISE WOMEN

Don't suffer torture when all female
troubles will vanish in thin air after using
"~Femenina." Price soc and sr.oo-Adv.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1918-03-08

New l. Il. Tin. to C. Rid Of Th... Ugly SPOT,

There's no longer tho slightest need OF
feeling ashamed of your freckies, as the pre-.
Bcription ~othine-double strengths guar
anteed TO remove these homely spots.
Simply get an ounce Of othine-double
strength-from your druggist, and apply a
little OF 1t night and morning and you should
soon see that even the worst freckles have
begun to disappear. while the lighter ones
have vanished entirely. II is seldom that
more than one ounce 10 needed to completely
clear the skin and gain a beautiful clear
complexion.
Be sure to ask for the double strength 9TH
Inc. as this is sold under guarantee OF money
back II IL fails to remove freckles-Adv.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1918-03-08

Sloth wears out the body and con.
sumes the mind.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1918-03-08
Not Certain.

my dear, do you love me stlll?'
"How can | tell? I've never yet
seen you that way"
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1918-03-08

False teeth are one thing, but Il false
tongue behind them Is another.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1918-03-08

The man who blows his own horn
Is merely n self-entertainer.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1918-03-08

Nothing rattles a timid belle like an
engagement ring.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1918-03-08

Precedent Is n convenient peg to
hang incompetency on.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1918-03-08
OF Eastern OrIqin.

There was one story of distinct East
ern origin. Great Britain, ran the
The Washington times., 1918-05-23
PROPOSALS

OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONERS. D. c.
Washington, d. c.. May i& E91s-Sealsd
proposals gill he received At this Office until
: o'clock ,. m. June I. 1918 FOR grading and
improving c'artain streets, HgEregating about
. no cubic yards ~ grading. Blank forms %
proposals. suerIira tiors and al necessary
iufuTmar on may be ao-aiHed from the CHief
clerk. Engi1Hy- Department. room -. Dis
f~t-' Building Washington. u. e. fDI'I~
rROW%LON fDlI> g. o.. KNIGHT. "
GWYSS GARDINER, Commissioners n c.
LZ25.A. .S,z.S
The Washington times., 1918-05-23
Miss Gregory's
TALKS TO YOUNG WOMEN.
NTTTPER

NUMBER >.
A position midst ideal surround
ings that are cOngenial and where
ability is quickly recognized and
amply rewarded. Is consumma-
tion much to be desired.
You, who are standing on the
threshold OF business career,
either forced upon you by necss-
sity or a commendable desire to
supplement family income.
dream vaguely OF such place OF
employment
Yet it is within your reach. You
have no doubt often wondered.
when you had occasion to use
telephone, how the operator at
the. other end individualized YOU
call and answered you so pleas
antly and patiently.
The solution Is simple. her
speech is not forced. her service
Is second nature and a logical re-
suit OF her surroundings, train
ing and daily duties.
The g. & =. Telephone Co.
have use for more operators; you
will be paid while learning
Ihe Work IS easy and highly
interesting. It teaches you pa
tience, coOlnesS, pOise and quick
ness OF perception as no other
work can; all this comes to you
unconSciOusly-you also acquire
a disposition TO be envied: our
motto, Smile while you talk"
stays with you.
Good pay aaSy hours and splen-
did opportunities for advance
ment Rest rooms. sick BENEFITS
tWlthout dueBl. death allowances.
and rewards for faithful services.
Call and let's talk il over
Miss Gregory, Room 3O8,
G. & ?. Telephone Co.
Homer Bldg. 18Th St. Bet. F & e
Sts. n W.
I-n3
The Washington times., 1918-05-23
AUCTION SALES

OVER lse HORSES and mules sold nors svsry
Saturday: private sales daily: watch for olI
big announcement Friday.
McHENRY BROS. us 1th 81 N ".
The Washington times., 1918-05-23
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

WORKING PARTNER IN going carpenter
and iobbinE business. DOING big trade: caah
required. BOX 10. Times office q I-5..5.I
ESTABLISHED ACCESSORY TIRE AND
VGlcaniEinE business for sale cheap. bargain
% quick purchaser: owner In DRAFT BOX Ia
Times ofdcS- MI 40
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-08-24
To PROSECUTE
UNDER ORDINANCE
Lafayette White is Charged
With Failing to Leave
Premises Sanitary.

Prosecution of Lafayette White.
1924 South Bend av. under the city
ordinance providing that tenants
must leave rented premises in good
sanitary condition upon moving will
make the first case OF the kind un-
der the ordinance 10 he brought up
IN CITY court. the ordinance only
recently having been passed.
White until recently lived at 727
y. Eddy ST. this property being
owned by John Roth. White then
moved and according % Roth failed
10 comply with the terms Of the
new city ordinance. Roth then
had White arrested. The case was
brought up in city court Saturday
morning and was continued 20
Tuesday.
Bert Hartzel charged with vag-
rancy. was fined $50 and costs and
viii go 10 the state penal farm for
SO DAYS.
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-08-24
CARD DOES
NOT COUNT HERE
Arrest Brotherhood
Member For Stealing"
Ride on Train.

Cards OF the Brotherhood OF Rail
way Trainmen DO not count with the
South Bend police when it comes TO
.arresting persons for riding on rail
road trains without paying their
fare.
J. H. Middenday, p years old, on
his wa from Pittsburgh. Pa, 10
Cincinnati. O., 10 register for the
draft, having attained his majority
last Thursday. was arrested by the
police Friday night Just as ne go on
a Grand Trunk passenger train.
With Middenday was Joseph
Jones. 10 years old, also on his way
from Pittsburgh 10 Cincinnati.
where he said his parents live. Mid
denday had with him a member
ship card in the Brotherhood Of
Railway Trainmen which ne said
had always entitled him TO ride
wherever he wanted 10 and on any
train he desired.
The South Bend police. however.
feel differently about privileges ac-
corded 20 members of the brother
hood for they fred several shots
az M%iddenday and his companion.
making them dismount from the
train and taking them 70 police
headquarters. Judge Gilmer con-
tinued the cases 20 Monday for in
vestigation. The mer succeeded IN
giving bonds for their appearance in
city court Monday morning.
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-08-24
MyStitiieS Prosecutor,
City Judge and Police

George Grange. arrested Thursday
on a charge Of begging. has City
Judge Gilner. Deputy Pros.
Schwartz and the members OF the
police department completely mys-
titled rs 20 his identity.
He may be a United states secret
service operative or a German spy
or an l. ". " Or Just a plain vag
for all they know. Grange was ar
rested after n had asked Harry
Gross, proprietor OF a restaurant at
103 2. Jefferson blvd. THURSDAY 10
be allowed 70 wash dishes or do
something Ike that for something
TO eat.
Mr.. Gross told him that he had
better 20 70 some factory 20 get
work, and refused 70 give him any
thing 70 eat. Grange left the res
taurant and shortly after Mr.. Gross
pointed him out 70 a policeman with
the remark that the man should be
al work.
Immediately M officer placed
Grange under arrest. He was ar
raigned in city court Friday norm
ing On a charge Of begging and
pleaded not guilty His case was
continued 20 Saturday morning at
which time he again pleaded not
guilty. He declared that he had