davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-12-22
JAKE |. HAMON ELECTED
VICE PRESIDENT OF THE
FORT WORTH STATE BANK
MARCUS BRIGHT PROMOTED
TO POSITION OF ACTIVE
VICE PRESIDENT

The growing Importance OF Fort
Worth a an oil center is having the
effect OF drawing Oklahoma capital
to that thriving city. Jake /. Hamon
OF this city was elected vice presi-
dent of the Fort Worth State Bank
at a meeting of the directors held
Yesterday morning and at the same
time the investment in a bank home
at the corner Of Ninth and Main
street was authorized and the deal
was consummated. The property will
be Immediately improved to the end
that this financial institution shall
have as fine a banking property as
any in the city.
The other officers elected were:
Presidents: l.. b. Coomer; vice pres
idents. w. c. Forbes. c. +. Haley
and Lee /. Russell. Marcus Bright
becomes the active vice president
while /. +. Reynolds succeeds him
as cashier, having been promoted
from the position OF assistant
cashier. With an Ardmore man in
active charge and Ardmore capital
interested in this bank it will be
come popular with the oil men from
the southern Oklahoma oil metrop-
oils.
The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-12-22
GOVERNMENT IS
AIDED BY NAMING OF
A CENTRAL COMMITTEE

Berlin. Friday, Dec. 20.-The re-
voutionary parliament which ad-
iourned this afternoon gave the cab
met the fullest authority to man
age affairs. The prestige of Chan
cellor Friedrich Ebert and Philip
Scheidemann has been greatly en-
hanced by the appointment OF a
national central executive committee
OF q soldiers and workingmen, COM
prised wholly OF majority socialists
The committee is largely a body
with parliamentary functions on a
small scale. 1t can eject obstreper-
ous cabinet members and has re-
stricted veto power.
The congress devoted its closing
hours to problems of socialization
1t approved OF state control for such
industries "as are ripe" for the ex-
pertinent and start will be made
with the coal pits Afterward the
steel and chemical industries and the
alkali mines will be in line for seiz-
ure. although the bulk of sentiment
was for leaving such complex prob
lens to the national assembly.
Emil Barth of the Ebert cabinet
urged that an immediate start be
made wit hthe coal mines on account
OF the economic situation, as indus
tries are being menaced by the
chronic unrest in the Silesian and
Rhenish mining districts.
Herr Rickelt proposed Weimar
capital of the grand duchy OF SAKE
Weimar- -Eisenach as the seat OF the
hrst constituent assembly.
The general makeup OF the con
gress was pronouncedly mediocre, as
the majority of members were iron
local soldiers and workmen'S coun
ellis hurriedly organized in the ear
lv davs of the revolution. The fac'
that the congress convened at Ber'
lin was responsible for some embar'
rassin gepisodes. such As invasion'
bv soldiers and laborers.
Herr Scheidemann wa cheeret
loudly by the country members
when. in the course of his address
he declared that Berlin is not Ger
MANY.
The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-12-22
StephensMakes Ansluerto Accusations
ofGrandJmy Setting Forth 7hatHe
Acted on Aduice OF County Attorney

Another interesting chapter OF
the grand jury inquiry into the
conduct OF the affairs OF Carter
county was written yesterday when
Ben stephens filed an exhaustive
answer TO the accusations made
against him by the grand jury.
This answer makes it plain
throughout that the accused and
other members OF the board OF
county commissioners have relied
upon the advice and counsel OF the
county attorney in carrying on the
business OF the county, none OF them
being lawyers, and in the case OF
Stephens at least having no pre-
vious experience in business OF this
sort.
1t is also apparent that often
nentlv that it has been the system
OF the board to arbitrarily make
each commissioner wholly responsi-
bic for the conduct of the affairs OF
his district and that no one ever
questioned the making OF contracts
or auditing OF claims made in an
other commissioner district.
1t is tlso apparent that often
matters were either not brought be-
fore the whole board or were taken
up during the absence OF one OF
the members as some OF the most
important transactions by the
county seem to have been made
without the knowledge OF Commis-
sioner Stephens.
Order of Removal Withdrawn
w. B. Johnson, attorney Tor
County Commissioner Ben Steph-
ems. said Yesterday that the resigna-
ton of Mr.. Stephens as commits
sioner would be forwarded to the
governor at once, the order OF re-
moval from office made by the dis
trict Judge having been Withdrawn
late Friday afternoon, but the case
remains docketed in the district
court and Stephens therefore filed
his answer, admitting some of the
acts charged and telling why they
were committed, insisting that he
relied upon the advice OF the coun-
tv attorney, who also audited some
OF the claims in question and that
it was upon his advice that they
were allowed.
The answer casts new light on
many of the matters referred to IN
the accusation printed in The Ard
moreite on Friday and is herewith
printed in full:
Stephens Answer =,
In the district court within ana
for Carter county state OF Okla
homa. e..
State OF Oklahoma, plaintiff VS.
Ben Stephens. defendant.
Comes now the defendant ben
Stephens. in the above numbered
and stvled cause, and for answer
The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-12-22
TWELVE MILLION RED
CROSS MEMBERS SIGN
Up TO NOON SAT TURDAY \

Washington, e ,c2l,-The mem
bership roll OF the American Red
Cross stood at 100000 at noon to-
day. This total, it was announced
at headquarters tonight, represented
the scattering reports from all sec
tons OF the country, and was the
answer of the American people to
the organizations Christmas Roll
Call which will close Monday night
The central division still led with
approximately 100000 members.
New York, &C. 2l.--Ohicial Jig
ures on the Red Cross Roll Call show
that up to Friday night lO,l22,4OC
persons in all parts OF the country
had joined the. organization for
1919.
The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-12-22
GERMANS TURNING OVER
MANY BIG GUNS TO OUR
FORCES Of OCCUPATION

American Army OF Occupation
Friday, Dec. 20.-The German
authorities today began turning over
to the American Third Army large
quantities of war material which will
require several trains to transport,
Included in the artillery given up
by the Germans are 700 guns oi
large calibre and nearly 5000 ma
chine guns. 1t will take one train
to carry the machine guns alone
The other guns. ranging from lSOS
to 2l0's will require at least three
trains.
Metternich, just outside OF Cob
lena. is the assembling point for this
matter. Some of it comes from east
of the Rhine, many OF the guns hav-
ing been sent into the interior OF
Germany for repairs, as the terms OF
the armistice require that all the ar
tillery be turned over in tirst-clasS
condition.
Today American officers began
checking up the guns as they came
in. German officers especially as
signed for the final delivery OF the
material, assisted in the work and re-
ceived the receipts as fast as the Am
orleans inspected and accepted the
surrendered property,
This is the largest amount OF ar
tillery turned over to the Americans
under the armistice. and it is es-
timated that it will require Il week to
inspect and receipt for all the equip
ment.
The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-12-22
SIX BATTLESHIPS IN
FROM FIGHTING ZONE
FOR CHRISTMAS JOY

New York. Dec. 2l.-The first OF
the many units of the nations Tight
ing ships ordered here for Christmas
season ceremonies, arrived in port
today. They were six battleships-.
the Illinois. Alabama, Mississippi,
Iowa. Indiana and Kearsage-and
the hospital ship Solace.
These vessels will put ashore their
men on holiday leave from time to
time and will be here to greet the
homecoming battleships, EN- route
from active duty in the North Sea
when they arrive here next week.
The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-12-22
rprAr1NG CONSCIENTIOUS
DIRECTORS TOO HAKonL Irrpe
aRREAKs" TWO OFFICERS

Washington, Dec. 2l.-Dismi'SSS' g
from the army OF Mai, Gus5av e Tyh;tc %,
Tanssig and Capt. Frank ,. w i';th ,',t1
for negligence in connection wre,; ,ros
nndrly severe disciplinary mea1';. b;ac -
arainst army conscientious 09yeu, =
tors nS in a detention section at - Ja"lp mp
Funston. Kan, was annou"'eu
dav by Secretary Baker. ,o of
O"l Major Taussig was in charge gS OF OF
+be section. He was conVic!eu 10
having t permitted undue severity :y, 1Iiv IT,
lore TO- ,h the prisoners had been iSrma'iH Santai4
convicted OF any oftense. Cap,aat las
White as Judge advocate, ,,' wa -
charged with having made oh,s % :,
enoeryicial investigation OF the ar taol
when it was brought to his a''e"
ton, ID +bot several
ocular army officials were imPlicaha, A.
Cd and the cases of these VIII Of ~
tolen ND in the regular routine u
the department.
The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-12-22
SCHOOL CHILDREN
IN NEW YORK DIE
FROM STARVATION
"FAINTING IN'SCHOOLROOMS
AND DYING AT HOME
FROM HUNGER"
FOOD PRICES CA USE It
Citizens Organize Emergency Com
mittee to Feed Them First and
Investigate Afterward"- Many
East Side Little Ones Almost
Naked, Reports Investigator.

New Yor. Dec. 2l.-Aroused by
reports with Christmas approach
ing East Side children are faint
ing in school-rooms and dying al
home from hunger, because tnen
narents cannot pay the prevailing
high prices for milk and staple
foods. representative citizens to,
dav organized a committee to iced
Them first and investigate alter
wards. ,.
A nlea that something be done
for her pupils, who were "slowiy
starving to death" was made by a
teacher to Joseph 5. Markus,. Z!
banker. who now heads the rene!
organization. Mr.. Markus himself
visited schools. hospitals and tene-
ments. and today issued state
ment dealing with conditions on the
East Side.
One settlement, he said, has the
names of $50 babies, who, recover
ing from ingluenza, now lace death
from pneumonia because their par
ents cannot buy milk needed to re-
store them to health. Every hos
pital in the district, he continued.
knows hundreds more OF under-ied
children. many of whom are physi-
callv unable to continue their stu
dies. OF his visit to one school, ne
said:
an one room there we're p chil-
drcn. A ragman would not have
paid five cents for all the clothing
they wore. Many had no under
The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-12-22
'MANCHANCED WITH
GIRL s MURDER IS
A SUICIDE IN JAIL
MILO II. PIPER PIPER, The
CHICAGO TENNIS PLAYER
HANGS HIMSELF
USES COLLAR AND BELT
Police Had Declared Miss frieda
Weichman, Victim, Was Killed
With Shotgun Held Close to
Head, and Accused Man Admitted
Owning Such Gun,

Muskegon, Mich, Dec Zi'-N"o
II. Piper, the Chicago tennis pia!e'
charged with the murder oil MISS
Fre;da Weichman OF Chicago, COM
nitted suicide in his cell in the
county iail here early tonight by
HANGING. The body was discovered
NV Attorney Charles Il. Cross WHO M
had called to consult with MN,
Pipcr last was seen alive ABOUT ''0
o'clock. .;,,e
Off;cials OF the Jail for a time
denied that Piper had crded ms me-
hrt after an examination lor' oan.-
nel 4. Jackson, county phy''cla',' :,
announced that the accuS'I i"'''
was dead. lie col
,or1I twisted it as nearly into inc
'bane OF d rope as possible, ana Sc
rrred it around his neck mr iien'
looping his belt through the eoi'", ~
~" fnsfened it to the cross bars ol o
tIo M cell gate and threw the Weigh.
Of his body into the moose e'N'9
his life. ao,,h,e-barrel
shotqun more than Il years ola orG anu
shrne ,no'e tennis racquets found, accord
inc TO the police, in the home ao oi y,
ni6er. S occupied the attention ;ra, roGns ia =.
ni local authorities inNes''s"''"S
'''I Thc girl identified as Miss s " e,Sa. ,',a 3.
man the police announced "~9 80
lJled with a shotgun held cloSe =, .1
her head-so close, they StateT' t,,o,red ,",i
,hc t felt wad from its shell 10, i1Ilowed srd
he he shot through her skull '"N
1odced 1,T red in the lower Jaw Attorney
assistant Prosecuting 1ay n,ao' az ad,
Jackson stated that Piper today lay g,,, nu
Jm;tted ownership OF a ,';,pn sno'Ers his
found by officers searching '''0
home here. go, ,or's home.
thc police decla9e' also feNe"'vr wee Tad-
49,, on,nber OF shot>un shells, the oi wHo
d;m@ :, % OF which, they added Gorr', ,Ha
nonds in size and texture WIN ''''
fomnd U, in in the dead girls jaw.
The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-12-22
EVE LEWIS, THE LADY"
BANDIT, GETS FIVE YEARS

Denver, Dec. q. - Eve Lewis,
member OF the bandit gang which
terrorized Colorado Springs and
Denver districts in September, was
sentenced today to serve from five
to seven years in the state peniten-
tiary.
Miss Lewis was convicted on a
charge OF robbing Miss Mildred
Gates OF Dallas, Texas, and w. d.
Otter OF Chicago.
The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-12-22
SPECIAL GRAND JURY
IN MONTGOMERY WILL
INVESTIGATE OFFICIALS

Montgomery, Ala, Dec. 2l;-Ataer ;.,,.nen
oonference here today between
Goyernor Henderson, joseph ~
'Tatc solicitor OF Jefferson county
and Attorney General lhignpIhm, .h -
announcement was made that lIr .i,,
snecial grand jury which recently y,
sapt,,r,ed spNt number of indictments IN
.onnection with recent lynchings at
Sbeffield, Ala, will convene cary
in January to continue its inyestls@
ron Of the lynchings, and the con, con,
duct generally of officials in an1 !,
found Sheffield and Tuscumbia'
The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-12-22

to the accusation filed against him,
denies each and every allegation
therein contained, except as speciii-
cally admitted herein
This defendant admits that he
was duly elected on the 5th day OF
November 1910, as one OF the Coun-
ty Commissioners OF Carter Coun-
ty, Oklahoma, and qualified as such
officer on the last day OF January,
1917, and has been acting as such
commissioner since said date,
He admits that the duties re-
quircd OF him were as alleged in
the accusation, and alleges that so
far as he was able and had intor-
milton, he complied with all OF the
duties required OF him by law.
Done on County Attorneys Advice
lie denies that on the 5th day OF
August. 1918, he unlawiully and will
fully audited claim No. lS6 filed by
{. {. Baker, or directed that a war
rant issue in payment thereof Tor
the sum OF $l27.S5 for services pur-
ported to have been rendered sad
county by said Baker as assistant
engineer, but states that all the acts
that he performed in connection
Herewith. were done under the ad-
vice Of the chairman OF said Board
of County COMMISSIONERS and ot the
County Attorney OF Carter Coun-
tv. Oklahoma, who required the
said Baker to show power OF at
tornev to act for the engineer OF
said county in collecting said claim,
and that the same defense applies
to the claim No. l64, filed by said
Baker. and that he had no knoWl-
edge OF the issuance of said warrant
to said Baker; that the same was
done. ii at all, at the instance OF the
chairman OF the Board OF County
Commissioners.
Was Not Wise to Deal
Answering the charge that on the
5th day of August. 1918, said Board
OF County Commissioners issued 20
the FrOcbc-Grdy CONSTRUCTOR I'm
panv. warrant No. l6l, ior $5953.4A
in payment for one carload OF steel
and that upon the same date.
knowingly and neglgently, issued
and delivered warrant No. lS/ to
the same company, foe the same
amount. for the same material as
shown by warrant No. l6l, which
resulted in the payment for sad
car OF material twice, by the Board
OF County Commissioners, this de,
fendant says that he never heard
OF the issuance OF these two war
rants until this charge was made !.
that he did know that carload OF
steel had been purchased by Char
man Young OF the Board OF County J,
Commissioners. and that the blIi
had been allowed for said amount
The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-12-22

garments. and those who did could
hardly call them by that name.
Many were without shoes and 9th
ers had heelless and soleless ones.
I'VE learned most OF them came
there without any breakfast. Some
kind people were giving the teacher
a little money every week, and with
that she purchased some milk and
cereals. preparing Cruel over a
small stove in the room. She said
with the high cost OF milk now she
was not able to buy much, and that
several of the children had tainted
hight there in the classroom. 9th
ers were took weak TO leave home
and died there. Malnutrition was
the ause-starvatiOn.
The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-12-22
Ships Wrecked Off Georgia

Charleston. 5. c.. Dec. 2l.-The
lighthouse tender Cypress returned
here today with the officers and
crew OF the steamer Bedminster,
which went ashore on Sapelo island,
off the Georgia coast. The Bcdmins-
ter was reported pounding to pieces.
The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-12-22
AMERICANS OCCUPYING
GIBRALTAR ON RHINE

Coblcnz. Friday. &c. 20.-The Ger
man fortress OF Ehrenbreitstein.
sometimes called the Gibraltar OF
the Rhine. on the opposite bank OF
the river from Coblenz, was occu-
pied by American troops today. The
commander of the American forces
is Col. Robert Boyers, West Point
graduate OF 1908.
The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-12-22
HUNS RESTORING GOLD
THEY STOLE FROM THE
BELGIAN NATIONAL BANK

Paris, Dec. 20.-German repre-
sentatives have brought here IRON
Cologne 3S0,000,000 marks in gold
which is being restored by Germany
to Belgium.
THE armistice with Germany pro-
vided for the return of the cash de-
post of the National Bank OF Bel
gium which was removed by the
Germans.)
The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-12-22
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF
GERMANY WILL MEET AT
FRANKFORT ON THE MAIN

Munch, Dec, 2l, - DR.. Luppe.
mayer OF Frankfort -en-the Main.
announces that the German nation
al assembly will meet there,
Chief Burgomaster Nagt has gone
to Berlin 10 make arrangements for
I meeting.
The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-12-22

but that he had nothing to do with
the issuance OF warrants IN pay
ment therefor.
No knowledge of Cissel Warrants
In answer TO charge that on the
9th day OF August, 1917, said Coun'
ty Commissioner negligently, know
inglv and unlawiully issued TO w. t.
Cissel, a warrant for $4,000, in pay
ment OF claim No. l5O, warrant
for 10000 upon claim No. 4So, a
warrant for $4,000 on claim No. 700,
warrant for $4,000 on claim No.
1850. a warrant for $500 upon
claim No. l76l, and a warrant tor
$500. upon claim No. 29l7, all
filed by the said Cissel. as alleged
at different times, this defendant
denies that he knows anything
about said warrants, or that any
such claim was ever presented III
his presence to the Board OF Cou"-
ty Commissioners.
Audited by County Attorney
In answer to charge that the
County Commissioners ncgligently'
knowingly and unlawfully issued to to
one Harris, their warrant for S29.Oo'
ON claim No. %, for extra assist
ance in the sherifi's office, and
warrant in payment OF claim OF
5000 upon claim No. 997 to Jack
Shaw. as assistant in the sheriff ; oil
flee. and that on the 4th day OF
February, 1918, a warrant issued 10
lin Carter for $500, upon clam
No. 1924, for assistance in the shcr-
ifi's office, this defendant says that
all of said claims were duly audited
nv the County Attorney, who ap-
proved the same for payment De,
lore they were allowed by the sara
Board OF County Commissioners.
Never Heard OF Harris Claims
In answer to the charge that the
Board of County Commissioners
negligently, knowingly and unIaW-
iully ISSUED to bessie Harris war
rant for $S4O0, upon claim NO.
1913. for extra work done IN me
County Treasurer's Office which,
was illegal and unauthorized, and
warrant for $500 to the same per-
SON upon claim No. 1884, for the
same purpose, this defendant says
fbof he never beloic heard oi these
claims, and never knew that any
warrants had been issued nor is III,
acquainted with bessie Harris and
has no knowledge whatever either
about the claim or its payment
Advised Auto Claim Was Legal
In answer to the claim that on
the 9th dav OF August, 1917, said
Board OF County Commissioners
issued and delivered their warrant
for 100000, upon claim NO. ol=
CONTINUED on Page ~
The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-12-22
WAL SH IS DEFENSE'S
|. CHIEF WITNESS IN THE
TRIAL Of SOCIALISTS
SAYS MUCH OF PARTY'S LIT
ERATURE MIGHT BE
MAILED WITHOUT HARM

Chicago, Dec. 2l.-Frank F..
Walsh OF Kansas City, former head
of the federal industrial relations
committee and later joint chairman
with William II. Taft of the federal
war labor board, was the principal
witness for the defense at today's
session of the trial OF Congressman
elect Victor l.. Berger of Milwau-
kee and four other socialist leaders
charged with conspiracy to violate
the espionage law.
On cross examination he drew a
distinction between what he thought
should be barred from the mails
and what should be excluded under
the espionage law. lie expressed
the view that much OF the socialist
anti-war literature might be mailed
without doing any harm.
He said he did not agree with the
socialists that ii was a capitalist
war, and he vouchesafed the op-
inion that many persons who eX-
pected TO make great fortunes ont
of the war would be sorely dis
appointed when they got through
paying war taxes.
Appeared for Texas Editor
Walsh told OF his appearing with
Amos pinchot, Clarence ). DarroW,
Morris Hillouit. Seymour Stead
man and ]. Louis Engdahl before
representative OF the postofiice de-
partment and the department OF
Justice in Washington July IA ,l9l/,
to protest against the governmen
ACTON in barring a number OF small
newspapers from he mails, which
it was charged, had been publishing
seditious articles.
Walsh said he went to Washing-
ton to represent Texas editor
named Hickey and found the So
cialists and others there on SIM
liar mission and the various issues
were combined. He said his client
had no intention violating the law,
but was desirous of knowing Just
what might be published SO that
the mailing rights OF the paper
could be restored.
Appealed to President
The witness read letter when
had had been addressed to Post
master General Burleson alter the
Washington hearing. protesting
AGAINST the procedure followed, III
barring papers from the mails and
threatening to appeal to President
Wilson for relief. He enclosed al
editorial on free speech from
Hearsts New York paper. Inc
witness read a reply from the post
master-general in which the letter
OF Walsh was characterized as I'M
pertinent. and probably intended TO
be offensive" -,
Walsh said that later he took the
case M with President Wilson and
suggested various changes in the
methods followed by the poStoilice
department in excluding papers
from the mails. w aIsh s''u ~
never had read more than one OF OF
two issues OF the American SOCIAL
Isl and had glanced at some OF the
socialists anti-war phamphlets. lie
also read the St. Louis convention
nlatform. but none OF these. he SAID
had made much OF an impression on
him.
Walsh said he was opposed ia
the war, but when this country en-
tered the conflict he was able to
change his mind and do his duty a,
a loval citizen. He said he believed
the pamphlet The Price We Pay
should be excluded from the maii'
under the espionage law.