davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Wrangell sentinel. (Wrangell, Alaska) 1909-current, 1918-10-03
NUMBER OF EXCHANGES LIMITED

No publisher shall send free copies in exchange for
other publications. except to such other publications
printed within the county, within radius of 40 miles
from his point of publication.
The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1918-10-22

These losses have all occurred since
the year 1913, the aggregate Of the
principal sum being $10,781.5l. Dur
ing all this period an amount in ex-
cess of this sum stood as an outstand-
ing Indebtedness Of the district and
was drawing 7 per cent interest. We
compute the loss from interest on the
above amount to have been approx
mately $2,489.01, or a total loss Of
principal and interest of $13,270.52.
Practically all of this amount is COW
cred by standard surety bonds and
should be collectable without serious
difficulty.
The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1918-10-22
MORE EMBEZzL LEMENTS ARE REPORTED
School Funds Taken, but Can Be Recovered;
Report Indicates Six Crimes Not Outlawed;
Prosecution May Follow.

cured and Indebtedness paid was
$4y,293.88, or cost per child of
$31.35.
This per capita per annum cost is
the unit upon which the accountant
usually bases comparisons of differ
ent school districts. 1t may be said
that the cost in this district is not
excessive when so compared.
A low per capita cost, however,
does not necessarily imply low rate
of school tax. The possession of a
large number of children does not
always accompany a high assessed
valuation, either with the individual
or the community. Right here is
where the fellow who deals in figures
begins to get in deep water; he goes
too far. Before we prove conclu-
sively that Blackfoot has too many
children to the dollar I'VE will change
the subject. IN,
AS every student of local govern
ment in Idaho knows, the cost of op-
Grating our public schools is increas-
ing with alarming rapidity. This is
true FROM every standpoint, popula-
tion, school census, or taxable
wealth. Any argument looking to
a reduction Of school service to be
unpopular; the politician is more apt
to advocate some new and additional
service than any retrenchment in this
particular direction.
But where the cost Of any public
activity is increasing out of all pro-
portion to community growth, it
would seem wise to ascertain the
specific reasons for such increase.
Whether it were equally wise to at
tempt reduction or not is another
matter. Among the reasons in the
case under discussion may be men
toned the following:
1. A general increase in the mar
ket cost of all forms of service and
supplies.
2. A tendency toward constantly
greater cOnveniences and service,
more elaborate courses of study, pro-
visions for manual as we'll as mental
training, the transportation of pupils
to and from school, etc.
8. Constantly increasing interest
bearing Indebtedness. Frankness
compels the statement that this para
graph applies with more than ordin-
nary force to the schools of Bing-
ham county and particularly those
of Blackfoot. a,.
4. The public attitude, limited at
above, of resenting any effort looking
to a reduction Of school costs.
5. Lack of intimate knowledge of
specific facts on the part of those
charged with the financial manage
ment of our schools. The average
school board member is a man busy
with his own affairs, who cannot rea-
sonably expected to treat his public
duties as more than incidental.
6. Neglect on the part of our nor
NAL schools and teachers Institutes
to give proper attention to the ques-
tion Of "cost and school operation. :"
Independent school district No.
has at this time an Indebtedness APP
proximating $140,00O.O0, drawing
interest at rates from to Z per cent.
It's interest bill is therefore In ex-
cess of 100000 per annum. Until
at least two-third of this has been
wiped out our tax payers should
cheerfully submit to the highest levy
The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1918-10-22
SCHOOL BOARD
APPEAR RIDICULOUS

The trustees of school district No.
8, BlackfoOt, have long been crit
icised for not publishing detailed
statements of the receipts and dis
bursements, and for not publishing
warrant calls.
The AUDITORS report, just made
public, shows that during the past
year, there was from $4,000 to
$4,000 in the treasury, available for
the payment of warrants, and no
warrant call was. published. Besides
that, when warrants were presented,
they were simply stamped on the
back, Presented and not paid for
lack of funds" They were then ne
gotiable and drew Z per cent interest
from that date, but should have been
paid then.
In the light of present develop
ments it appears that the money was
being loaned out or used in specula-
tions, and the profits arising from it
were being pocketed by the treasurer,
while the unnecessary interest ac-
cruing on the warrants has to be paid
by the taxpayers.
"A idtuCI dMucAA6 CaCuAotdACC OC-
cured during the summer, after it
was known that there was a shortage
of $4,000 in Charlie Fishers funds,
affecting the county, city and school
district, and members of the school
board were somewhat anxious to
know whether there might not be
other losses of school moneys, and 1t
was urged that they have an audit
made to make sure. One of the
members of the school board is re-
ported to have said, "Oh no; no that
is not necessary, the rest Of the
school money is all right"
On being asked how, he knew, he
said. "Why | went and talked to
Charlie about it,, and he says it is.
The auditors report indicates that
it was very, very short then, and that
Fisher has been putting money back
by a process that involved falsifying
the books to accomplish it, evidently
anticipating the audit that has since
been made.
We wonder if the school board
still accept the statements of their
former treasurer at face value! We
wonder also, what would have been
done If they had found that man
living near the school building with
plenty of coal in his basement, had
invaded the school building and car
ried off some of the coal. And If
they had placed watch over the
building, and the man had come back
and appropriated a lot more Of the
coal and stored it in his own bins.
We wonder whether the board
would have hired somebody to go and
try to get possession Of the coal and
take it back to the school house. We
wonder whether they would be salts
fed with his promise to let them take
the coal back. We. understand that
the board have employed a man, to
go out and see If he can get possess
sion of the money. The board had
special meeting Friday night, and
it was moved, seconded and car
ried," that they accept the auditors
report, and then the board then and
there adjourned to meet again in
regular meeting the second week. in
NOyemher
The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1918-10-22
AUDITORS CONDENSED
REPORT OF BLACK
FOOT'S SCHOOL FINANCES
(By Byron Defenbachl


We have just finished an inspec-
tion Of the financial affairs Of Inde-
pendent school district No. 8, COW
ering the past ten years. Thinking
that perhaps Blackfoot people might
be Interested in the very early his
tory Of their school district, we di-
gressed for few minutes from our
actual work to delve into the musty
records Of thirty-six years ago.
We found the minutes of a meet
ing of the school bord held in Feb
ruary, 1882. That's quite while
ago. and good many changes have
taken place since that time in
. Blackfoot as well as in the rest of
the world.
Some Of our old timers may re-
member the people and occurances
mentioned in that old record. The
trustees were G. e. Taylor, John
Miller and John Montgomery, and
they met for the purpose Of provid-
ing for an election to levy ten mill
tax "for the purpose Of building and
repairing and supporting public
school in district No. is" as 1t was
then called.
The cause of education was not de-
layed, however, as the board pro-
ceeded to impost rate bill of rs
cents per month on the parents or
guardian of each child attending the
school to pay for school furniture
and firewood." The result Of this
rate bill business seems to have been
very satisfactory ,and within couple
of months thereafter their clerk re-
ported the collection of $22.50 from
this source. With the cash thus in
hand to pay for educational neces-
stiles the district pledged its credit
to cover it's future operations. Miss
Dora Walker was employed as
teacher at a monthly salary Of $500
and it was decided to purchase from
Alice Montgomery the building in
which school was being held. You
will observe that with the dissipation
of the $22.5O we went from cash to
a credit basis; we have never, never
returned.
Such was the humble beginning
from which has grown the present
district, with its several fine build
ings, many teachers, and annual ex-
penditures of $4,000. 90.
In the year 1917 there were 1872
children Of school age in the district,
of whom 812 were boys and 76O
girls. The total cost Of operation
exclusive of permanent property Sc
The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1918-10-22

NEW BOOKS AT THE. LIBRARY
objectionable Sin .....Rupurt Hughs
Billy and the Major acknowledgement.
Emma Speed Sampson
On Furlough Florence Olmstead
Daughter OF the Land ....................
Gene Straten Porter
Tang of Life Henry Herbert Knibbs
Men, Women and Ghosts Amy Lowell
Mr.. Britling Sees 1t Thru H. G.. Wells
The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1918-10-22

permitted by law, in the meantime
insisting upon rigid economy in
school management. Such economy
should be intelligent, to the end that
there be no impairment of the SER
vice. Management, to be economical
must not generalize; it must deal
with specific items. This implies con1
stant analysis and comparison OF
every phase Of expense, and this In
turn requires good accounting meth-
ods.
Many business man has learned
that the first step in saving money Is
usually to spend some. On this
theory we suggest that some one man
be literally paid to keep the board
and the public advised as to your
progress in specific lines; to see that
every available dollar Of the district g
funds is working all the time; to see
that we are doing better to-day than
we did yesterday, and that we are
doing better here than is being done
in other places under similar condi-
tions. To do all this with success
would be a fine community achieve
ment; it can be done, it has been
done.
We realize that the public are pro-
perly interested in the amount OF
losses sustained by the district as a
result Of unfortunate occurrences
disclosed by our audits of the county
and district records. AS our report
to your board is now a matter Of pub
lie record, we feel that no harm can
come of our making a definite state
ment thru the press as to the amount
involved.
The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1918-10-22
NOTICE OF ASSESSMENT

The Peoples Canal & Irrigation
Co. a corporation, principal place Of
business Moreland, Idaho.
Notice is hereby given, that q
meeting Of the board Of directors Of
the above named company, held on
Saturday, the twelfth day Of October,
1918, at Blackfoot, Idaho, assess-
ment No. 81, of 65 cents per share
was levied on the capital stock Of
this company, which is now due and
payable to M. M. Farmer, at Black
foot City Bank at Blackfoot, Idaho.
Any stock on which this assess
ment remains unpaid on Wednesday,
the twentieth day of November, 1918
will be delinquent, and will be ad-
vertised for sale according to law.
Please specify in whose name the
stock is recorded on which you are
paying.
H. A. BENSON,
Secretary.
The Peoples Canal g. Irrigation
Co.
Dated October 81, 1918. 14a-5m
The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1918-10-22

AMSTERDAM, Oct. 2O-Accord.
ing to advices reaching here today
from Germany, the German reply to
President Wilson may not be ready
until Monday.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 1870 many
conflicting reports about a German
reply to President Wilson have come
out OF Holland and Switzerland dur
ing the past few days that officials
mere are disposed now to believe
nothing on the subject until the text
OF a note is received.
Every version fthe probable ma
ture OF the reply, under considera-
ton II not adopted, indicates that
the Germans are preparing to come
forward with what they, at least, will
The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1918-10-22
CALL FOR FORT
ROSECRANS CALIFORNIA

Men to be entrained October %,
1918:
Edward Leroy Higgins, Blackfoot.
Idaho.
Albin Nelson, Blackfoot, Idaho.
James Blain Adamson, Blackfoot,
Idaho.
Marcellus Chard, Ogden, Utah.
Sylvester Caldwell, Pingree, Idaho.
Albert Ogden Fay, Pingree, Idaho.
Edgar Henry Thornton, Shelley. Ida.
Arthur Ruben Kofoed, Blackfoot,
Idaho.
Carl Allen Ross, Blackfoot, Idaho.
Clarance Horton, Pingree, Idaho.
Arthur Eugene Anderson, Firth, Ida.
James Elmer Pead, Sage, Wyo.
The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1918-10-22
DEATH AT THE ASYLUM

On the nineth Of October there
was a death at the asylum resulting
from revolt. Joseph Deselets, a
Canadian, f1fty-seven years old, made
a sling-shot by putting salt cellar
in a sock, and with an insane notion
that he was putting an end to the
war, he proceeded to pelt everybody
he could reach. Somebody grappled
with him and the two fell across a
stone door-sill and Deselets died in
a short time.
Cornor Peck held an autopsy and
the jury stated in the verdict that he
died from rupture Of blood ves-
sci, due to the fall.
The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1918-10-22
INTERVIEW WITH
COUNTY ATTORNEY

Ralph w. Adair, prosecuting at
torney, when interviewed by the edi-
tor of this paper this morning as to
his contemplated action relative to
the defalctations Of county money
and the misuse Of school funds. as
disclosed by the recent audit OF
Byron Defenbach and Sons, made the
following statement:
"The recent disclosures relative to
the county finances were first made
known about July /, and more than
three and a half years after the short
ages occurred. AS soon as learned
Of them, I investigated the statutes,
and found that no criminal prosecu-
tion could be maintained. Section
1901, revised codes, reads as follows:
An indictment for any other fel-
ony than murder must be found
within three years after its commits
sion.'
"On September 80, 1918, the De-
fenbach report was completed and
submitted to the county commissions
ers, who Immediately referred the
matter to me for proper legal PRO
C00uluSS. ! uOClucu all pdTLlcS, III
cluding the bond companies, on Octo-
ber l., demanding restitution Of the
money. I am now preparing the
necessary civil suits, which will be
filed at an early date. According to
the Defenbach REPORT, the county
shortages in the Offices Of the treas
urer and auditor, respectively,
amount to $35,665.60, and the
county will recover this entire sum
with accrued interest, as no question
of the bar of the statute of Emita-
tions can be raised in these civil
suits. e
Il am now investigating the re-
port of Defenbach on all matters re-
lating to officers implicated, and will
in all cases take such action as the
law requires. All matters will be
Investigated and handled in accord
ance with the statutes governing
them in the same unbiased manner
that l have endeavored to handle all
matters pretaining to my office"
The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1918-10-22
War Summary
October 18

Hun exodus from Belgian coast.
Allies now approaching Bruges. Ger
mans giving up coast of Belgium.
Enemy seeking refuge behind Ant
werp defenses.
Yankees and British in fierce at
tack. Combined troops cross the
river Selle against a hail of German
machine gun bullets.
Must raise two billion dollars.
Only tow days now remain to COM
plete fourth liberty loan.
Spanish Influenza grows worse In
Salt Lake, spreading from east to-
westward.
October 10
Advance in Flanders continues;
Americans win west of Meuse. Allies
now moving in direction of Client.
War lines rapidly changing, nature
may now upset the whole German
schedule and large captures result.
Design to stop war munitions on
Carbolic acid and other explosives.
Planned by Germans In America In
1915.
October Fl
Boche forces fee to Holland.
Kaiser dallying over answer.
Fifteen thousand Huns In retreat
interned by Dutch. Belgian soldiers
taking charge of the H0lland-Bel-
GUM frontier are cheered by popul-
ace. German newspapers declares all
constructed military works removed
from coast.
Germany hestitant in reply on
peace. Many conflicting reports
aboard. Washington believes moth
ing until text comes.
British advance north Of LeCateau.
Huns withdraw before Yankees.
Germans, however. ordered to hold
lines at all costs.
The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1918-10-22
LIBRARY CLOSED

BY the orders of the state board Of
health, the library will be closed
until further notice.
All persons having books, keep
them, but return them when the lib
rary is opened again.
The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1918-10-22

Mrs. r q. Hatch, who has been Wis
iting relatives and friends in Keever,
visited with relatives here Monday
leaving the same day for McCammon.
The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1918-10-22
IMPROVING

The Misses Nita and Grace Bing-
ham of Groveland, who have been
i'll with the influenza, are now much
improved.
The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1918-10-22
SCHOOLS REMAIN CLOSED

BY order of the state board Of
health, the schools Of the state will
remain closed till further orders.
The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1918-10-22
GERMANY HESTATES IN REPLY ON PEACE
Huns Fleeing Into Holland British Advance
North of LeCateau French Repulse All
Counter Attacks.


expect the world to believe is long
step toward meeting conditions which
President Wilson has said must be
met before there can be thought Of
an armistice or discussion of peace.
Whatever may be the substance Of
the note, it is believed here its form
will be designed to make it difficult
for President Wilson to avoid further
exchanges.
LONDON, Oct. 20-Fifteen thou
sand retreating German soldiers have
been interned in Holland after being
cut off by Belgian troops moving
northward from Eecloo, according to
reports from the frontier reaching
Amsterdam and transmitted by the
Exchange Telegraph company.
Belgian soldiers took charge of the
Dutch-Belgian border last night and
were received enthusiastically by the
population.
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-07-17
SHOULD REDEEM
 THE WAR STAMP PLEDGES TUESDAY

Hartford, July 17-Tuesday, July 23rd, will be observed throughout the State of Connecticut as War Saw ings Pledge Redemption Day, accord ing to announcement made today at the office of the Connecticut War Savigns Committe. It is the express ed wish of the State Director, Howell Cheney, that on or before that date, all pledges taken during the recent enlistment drive indicating payment during the month of July, be fulfill ed on that date.
 All the War Savings Chairmen throughout the State have been mo- tified of this date and it is expected that on that occasion all records for sales made in one day since the cam paign started last December will be surpassed.
 Postmasters end other selling agen- cies have been asked to have an ex- tra supply of stamps on hand. so that there need be no shortage.
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-07-17
Wheat Substitutes
 Cause Indigestion

The use of grain substitutes is causing serious disturbances in the health of local people in the opinion of physicians. The improperly cook ed and wrong combinations work havoc with the digestive system of all except the most hardy, and the cheap restaurants are blamed for the in- crease of stomach trouble.
 The Health Department is doing everything possible to remedy the trouble. Yesterday Chief of Sanita- tion c. Howard Dunbar raided the ice box of one restaurant, and had thirty pounds of meat thrown into the garbage and carted away, in spite of the protests of the proprietor. The inspectors are active all hours of the day, and visit restaurants at unex- pected times.
 The food administration has also issued an order barring the sugar bowl from all restaurants. Last win ter they were removed, but as the supply became greater they were re- placed. This has been deemed a waste by the Food Administrator, as it al- lows patrons to use an unnecessary amount. and in the future they will not be seen on the tables.
 Corn syrup, refined grape sugar, and other sugar substitutes have been recommended to confectioners, ice cream makers, and other large con sumers of sugar, as a means of con- servation. Even hotels are using maple syrup honey and corn syrup instead or sugar in the making Of pastry.
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-07-17
SIDE LIGHTS ON CHARACTER OF
 GEN. PERSH|NG

Fl Paso, Texts, July 17.-Americans who accompanied General Pershing to Mexico in the various civilian capaci- ties never tire of talking of the little sidelights on the character of the gen. era1 commanding the American forces. in France, as shown to them while he was in the desert of western Chihua- hua.
 q saw a better character sketch of General Pershing than any of the writers can picture" said one cattle man here. He squatted in front of a camp fire at San Geronimo frying his hard-tack in the bacon grease of his mess pan, with the wind blowing sand into his face and food and the General grinning good naturedly all the time as one of our cowpuncher scouts spun a yarn about buffalo hunt he was on in the Little Canadian up in the Panhandle"
 These men tell many incidents of General Pershing's stay on the border and in Mexico as illustrations of his regard for his men and for the service.
 On an inspection trip from Nami- uuipa to Colonia Dublan he saw mule driver beating his team because they would not pull an overloaded wagon out of a rut. Jumping from his auto mobile, General Pershing lectured the mule driver, forced him to tighten his load deftly. swung the team around and drove the wagon onto the high road.
 Again he reprimanded a colonel who 1 forced his men to march all day with 60 pound field pack when empty motor trucks were passing all day en route to the same destination. An American soldier will fight harder, live on less food and accept more hardships than any other soldier in the world" General Pershing said in commenting upon the incident. But he can see no reason why his pack should not be hauled in empty trucks if trucks are passing. Neither do T." A camp sutler at Colonia Dublan smuggled in an automobile load of l bad whiskey. After disposing of his l stock, the man appeared at General Pershing's headquarters to ask for a pass back to the border. He got the pass as free ride as a prisoner and was forced to dig latines and repair roads en route.
 The announcement that General Pershing had adopted two French or phans recalled a flood of tender mem ories to friends of General Pershing on the border for it was while he was
 in command here that his wife an6 two children were burned to death al the Presidio in San Francisco. Gen eral Pershing's hair, chestnut browr slowly turned to gray after his loss and he could be seen frequently riding
 on the mesa beyond Fort Bliss alone i with his great grief
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-07-17
Nature Protects Butterfly.

When the butterfly is at rest, 1t folds Its wings over its back, so that only the drab, protectively colored low CT surface is visible. In this posture the insect is of very low prominence from any angle.
 The moth. unlike the butterfly, flies at night. Obviously, bright coloring would be to no purpose in attracting mates. The moth is garbed in dull tints, which render 1t inconspicuous during the day, its period. of rest. There Is no need of hiding the upper surface of it's wings; so a convenient means to distinguish moths from but terflies is the fact that the latter, when at rest, fold their wings above their backs, as stated, while the former spread their wings out fiat.