davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-01-27
'KOOTz' BAILEY
TO FRANCE and
BACK A MASCOT
Travels Thousands Of Miles With
Rock Island Battery Lads
Ready for Battle.
STANDS 60 INCHES A SOLDIER.
Goes Across Ocean As a StowaMay
That He Might Stay With His
"FOster-Parents Lads.

From Little Rock, Arkansas, to
Deming, New Mexico, then to Fort
Sill. Oklahoma; from there to
New York, from New York to
Southampton, England, rs stow
away, and to France in the same
guise, then back to America and
Davenport, Iowa-such is q sum
mary Of the travels OF Charlie
~Kootz," Bailey, Is years old,
adopted as a mascot by Battery B,
ST Davenport, during its early train
ing period at Fort Logan Roots,
Little Rock, Ark
Round-faced, freck1ed, snub
Eosed, with bright, dancing brown
eyes, full of latent deviltry, barely
five feet tall, but every inch of his
so a fightin' Yank-erect in regula-
ton army suit, wrapped puts and
service brogans; in the complete
regalia of the American soldier
even to the tiny, overseas cap
perched jauntily over one ear,
"Kootz," as he was affectionately
called by the boys became the idol
of the battery. The story is a
unique one.
He's not an orphan-at least he
says he's not-claiming folks and
kin at Little Rock. So he told the
men of Battery B, who took him at
his word and asked no questions,
although even upon protracted
stay at camp no one came in search
of the lad. Occasionally display
ing various accomplishments which
were the envy of his older com
rades, he early grew TO earn their
Sespect and admiration.
The "'boys" listened open mouth
ed. when the kid" as he was then
called, unbosomed himself one sig
cling summer day upon a callous,
conscience-deadened, leathery-
skinned Missouri mule; pouring
forth a torrent of verbal abuse, the
profaneness of which must surely
have recalled to the sluggish mem
DRY of the aged beast of burden,
a former muIe-skinner, long since
dead, who had acquired fame
through a similarly picturesque vo-
cabulary.
An Asset.
Not for long did the kid" watch
as an innocent bystander thrilling
games Of black jack" wherein
whole months pay changed hands
with amazing rapidity, nor crap
games where fat stakes were swept
away in a throw of the dice Not
for long! He soon developed into
a dangerous opponent and much
sought after partner at cards and
his skill was mutely attested to by
the fact that he was soon loaning
the boys money the day after pay
day.
1t was the same way shootin'
craps. He and the bones" seemed
brothers with nary a relative in
camp. On his knees he'd fondle
them. Groom to them and uncannily
TOLL his point for killing.
Twas no usei He came in rags
after the first payday he changed
1T full uniform. Always ready for
fight or frolic, serving all with
never failing good cheer, the kid"
was officially dubbed "Kootz" by
the men and initiated into full
membership as mascot of the bat
terry. His was an answering and
loyal fidelity. To "Kootz" Battery
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-01-27

men pinned a purchased croix de
guierre (they are cheap in France
upon the out-thrust chest OF
''Kootz" Bailey of Arkansas.
He was the honored house guest
of several of his pals before he
vanished once again. Some kid
say the boys of Battery B.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-01-27

light After several months they
made ready to sail again, this time
for home.
Only a few days ago Battery B,
Davenport boys, with several Rock
Islanders in its personnel. however.
arrived at Davenport after nearly
two years of training for war. At
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-01-27

smiling word that went the rounds
as mess kits were secured and
knapsacks packed.
A R0amer.
Kootx" proved their confidence
not misplaced, for IN a snug billet
near Paris, Battery B was once
moro rejoined by its mascot, be-
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-01-27

grimed and ragged but happy. For
some time all went well The res
tive spirit OF ~Kootz" would not be
denied, however, and he again
dropped out of sight, vanishing as
completely as though he had never
existed. Many months passed. Bat
terry B emerged from intensive
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-01-27

training in fine fettle. eager and
anxious to be at the foe. Then the
armistice was signed and life be-
came dark and cherries for Bat
ter B. The snap with which the men
had gone about their various dut-
les was gone. anticipation, after all.
Was to have been their only de-
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-01-27

the station. happy as any OF the
boys in the homecoming was
"Kootz." the wanderer, all logged
up In a natty uniform. overseas
cap. broad. fiat toed army brogans,
wrapped puts n'eVerything-the
''Kootz" of old In unison the Bat
terry welcomed him and one of the
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-01-27
Domestic remnants

Thousands Of remnants of all kinds. Tennis fan
mel percales, ginghams, sheetings, etc. all In good
practical lengths; offered the remnant prices
less 20%
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-01-27

1 lot OF boye', mems and women's
rubbers that sold for Sc and Csc.
For the Clearance Sale re-
duced to ---.------.----
1 lot of children's shoes in sizes
from 10 years up. Have been
selling for $L98 and S2.4S. Re
duced to .-.----.----- 3
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-08-13
Officials Of State Leave.

Dick WA 90 tense 9th suppressed
excitement that he boltsd out Of the
carriage a. ? as it STOPPED: enc
had to run to keep pece with him.
When Ss reached the office about q
dosen men were weiting.
rs this a show, ALP Dick snapped
the worde out. He was full Of impa-
thence. We stood around about ten
minutes. Dick looked at me angrily.
hfs look to mean that his fingers
wouldn't respond II we didn't hurry. |
ran over to the warden, humping
against two gossipy, stupidhlooking Of
ficials.
Hurry up or the Job Is up" HI,
shadow / ever saw. Dick put his hand
to his mouth and laughed. I whis-
pered to the warden that the men
would have to remain outside. Only
two state representatives, the warden
Dick and | went into the room where
the safe was kept.
CHATS t." one Of the men said,
Dick went over 10 II. There WASH
a breath of hesitation in his answer.
Take the time, AL" There was a
chuekle OF triumph in the challenge,
His thin face was quiet as a statues.
red and his eyes unnaturally brilliant.
He kneeled before the safe, put his
bruised fingers across the dial, waited
a moment, and then turned the combi-
nation. watched every culver OF his
strong, delicate hands. There was the
slightest pause, his right hand went
backward, He turned the dial again,
pulled the knob gently toward him. The
safe was opened!
The miracle seemed to strike everyone
dumb. The room was stiller thar
silence. 1t was ~spellbound. The state
officials stood. as though riven, I looked
at my watch. II was just twelve
seconds since Dick had begun.
He got up and walked. The warder
sprang toward him. The tears wer'
crowding into Darby's eyes, His fact
was flushed with pride. He put his arm
on Dicks shoulder. .
THAT was fine, lad. God bless you!
Dick nodded. He was an Indifferent
sort.
on the ride back to the pen TIL
warden leaned over M put his han'
on Dicks. You're the noblest fellow
God ever made" he said. IF they CAV
me the deal you got, bell itself wouldn'
thAve made me DO IL"
; Disk shruExsd his sAalidArs 60
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-08-13
YOU CONTEMPLATING
AN OPERATION?
Instead We Urge You to Take
Life and Health Remedies,
q Scientific Combination
Women's Medicine.

II you suffer from any Of the many
symptoms known only to weak or deli
catc women, organic troubles, nervous
ness. headaches or become irritable and
depressed without apparent cause and
are contemplating an operation as q
last resort you should take LIFE AND
HEALTH, a remedy that Is sold under
a positive guarantee.
Price sic per bottle u2 og.).
Or mailed prepaid on receipt of price
GUARANTEE.
We hereby guarantee l., and H. rem
edies to be manufactured from only
roots, herbs, barks and pharmaceuti-
calls. we Furthermore agree 10 refund
the full purchase price of any l.. AND
H. remedy that fails to do all we claim,
when used according to directions,
! CoSMo CHEMICAL COMPANY,
Mamnhi& Tenn. ad,
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-08-13
False Promises Given.

Fifty questions she asked me. Every
answer was = lie, The truth would
have killed her as 1t was ending Dick.
| told her Dick was happy. l told
her he was well. said he might get
a pardon, 1t was all I could do to talk.
/ knew that Dick was doomed. He was
actually wasted with tuberculosis. But
the promises seemed to give her COM
fort. She stood silent a moment.
win you be after telling him his old
mothers prayers are with him. And
Just let on to him that I come down
BY the walls every blessed night to be
Poor Dick. he was waiting in the
range for me that night. He never
said a word. He just looked at me,
! told him everything she had said. l
told him how pretty, like a grandmoth-
er she looked, ! said that she came
Gown to the prison at night to pray
off. Four times he came back and
tried to thank me. At last he sat down,
covered his face with his hands and
burst out crying.
1t was only a few months later that
was caught trying to escape. Dick
Price tried to take the punishment in
my stead. He went TO the deputy and
swore he had given me the saws. 1t
was a guard who had done It. II
had Switched on him he would have got
ten years.
The deputy knew that Dick had He'd.
| told him that he did It in gratitude
that l had got a letter TO his mother
and he wanted to ave me from the con-
tract.
So l cleared him Of the charge, but
he was reduced to the fourth grade and
compelled to fall In with the lockstep.
1t was going pretty hard with him,
His work In the shop was exacting.
Sometimes he would get a fit Of cough
ing that left him weak for an hour.
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-08-13

strained, ervou hush over us. The
warden fidgeted, lit a cigar and let It
go out without taking a puff. He was
worried. So was I. l was afraid Dick
couldn't make good. l figured that he
probably had lost his art through dis
use. Then 1t occurred to me that he
might have exaggerated. Sixteen
a mans brain often enough.
The warden had wired Gov. George
X, Nash, Of Ohio. He promised the
pardon II the safe was opened. What
a sore humiliation to Warden Darby II
Dick failed!
Not a word had been said, but Dick
looked UP with that young magnetic
smile OF his. Don't worry, AL" he
grinned;, tn rip he'll out Of i 4 Us
confidence made us feel easier.
give me the file" DICK had eau
toned me to get him a small, rat-tailed
file and to make sure that the edges
were keen. l handed It to him. He
scrutinized 1t as though he were q dia-
mond buyer locking for a yellow specE
| The warden and I s%huddered.
Half way down the nail across the
| middle he drew the file. His nails were
deep and beautifully shaded. Back anc
| forth ne filed until the lower half Of
the Q was separated from the upper
by a thin red mark. He filed to the
quick. Soon only the lower half Of thu
| nail remained.
Light and deft. his sensitive hand
worked. I watched his face. II didn't
sven witch. He was completely alb
sorbed In the process and seemed L
have forgotten the warden and me
Once or twice he champed his teeth
and his breath came q bit short. TIL,
fingers bled a little. He took out hi
handkerchief and dabbed them clean
Then he sat back. He was finished.
took his hand and looked at 1t. I
was q neat job. but cruel. The indel
and middle fingers Of his left han,
looked as though the nails had bee
pared half off and the quick bruised ant
aandpapered.
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-08-13
There is nothing like Lux for fine woolens

started to speak. His lip trembled. He
looked out of the carriage window,
watching the people and the houses.
He couldn't keep his glance from the
streets. He was leaning forward as
though fascinated.
LOOK at that, look at thatl" He
caught me quickly and pointed to a lit
tie boy Of 10 or SO carrying a rollicking
~youngster Of 3 or 4. / saw nothing UNI
usual In the spectacle. Dick sank back
as though a vision had passed.
teen years" He didn't look out again.
We said nothing further.
The next morning every newspaper In
Columbus was full OF the sensational
story. The warden had given his word
to Dick that the process would not be
revealed. Not even the two men who
had watched knew how the feat was
accomplished. To them 1t seemed as
witchcraft. All sorts Of explanations
we're given.
A prisoner in the Ohio penitentiary
serving a life term-a prisoner who had
been sen up as a boy n who was
now dying had opened the safe, with q
steel wire, one daily said. Another
paper said he used q paper cutter. They
were all mystified. Only one spoke Of
the pardon promised the convict l went
to the warden about 1t.
Dicks cough is pretty bad. They
ought to hurry 1t up
"They will hurry Darby promised
II know he meant what he said,
brought the word to Dick. He was bach
at the machine shop.
IL don't care" he said, In a fit o.
mt indifference. Il don't believ,
up quickly. II wonder II the old woman
saw the paper. I'd like her to know
did 1t. 1t would give her q sniff owe
the neighbours. Could you set her t
know He walked to his cell ant
turned.
"Al," he said, don't worry about me
I know I'll never get the pardon. In
about done in. anyhow"
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-08-13
IMPROVEMENTS WILL
BE MADE AT RIPLEY

Nj. l., Finger a. Sons, OF this place, have
placed an order for Ice plant machinery
to be installed here In the near future, A
new bank and several other enterprises
for the town are being advocated. Ac-
cordine TO railroad officials the new
extension OF the @, M. & N, railroad
Tenn, a distance Of 10 ail.s, viii be-
completed In a few days ana trains
will begin running from jackson, Tenn.
to Mobile. Ala. This territory win then
have a direct shipping route to the
Northern markets.,
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-08-13
F r E E

The experienced
housewife as well Is
the beginner will
end unusual inter
est in the newS sixty
eight page Cora
Products Cook
Book Beautifully
illustrated - and
suggestions galore
for preserving, etc.
II Is free. Write W
today for 1t.
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-08-13
GETS TRUCK

RIPLEY, Miss, Aug, 10, (Spl)-
ing OF good roads, the government has
presented Tippah county with a two
ton truck, II having been driven here
from Tupelo by Homer Martin, The
good roads sentiment In this county Is
growing stronger and stronger every
day, and that good roads are coming
there liz no doubt.
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-08-13
DISTILLlNG OUTFIT IS
FOUND In KITCHEN

HUNTSVILLE, Ala, aug. 10. (Spl.)-
The capture Of a, complete Illicit dis
tilling outfit operated In the kitchen Of
a privates residence has been reported
by deputy sheriffs who raided the home
Of John Poe, in Merrimac., Nearby
neighbors had complained that Poe vas
working all night in his kitchen and
that the stencil was Of a kind that
could only be made by boiling beer or
mash. When the officers made the raid
they claimed that they found evidence
Of recent operation, and they claim that
Poe had worked through the previous
night, several small containers Of
m%oonshine OF a poor quality being the
output.
The stu was operated on a cook stove
and had a ten-foot copper work which
ran into q garden hose pipe 80 feet long
The product had a kick like a mule bu,
was tainted with the taste OF rubber
according to the raiding party. Poe
was sick In bed as a result Of drinking
some OF his distillation and was al
lowed to remain at home until able L
come up and report to the sheriff,
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-08-13

ITO Be Contiausd.)
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-08-13
HAIR ON Face
DISAPPEARS QUICK

The mest effective, cenvenienf
and harmless way 10 remove hatx
ID with D~eSfiraeie, the oriwinal
sanitary liauAd. II acts quickly
with certainty and absolute safe-
ty. Results fresn its use are ina
mediate and lasting.
Only wenuine D~ehfi1acle, the
original sanitary iigutd, has
meney-back guarantee In each
package. At toilet counters I'm
COO, 81 and a. aisea. or By mail
from us In plata wrapper On q
ceipt OF price.
FREE book mailed Ia plata
sealed enveiope on request. De
Miracle. 12etk 81. and Park Ave.
New York.
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-08-13
To wash your sweater

Whisk Lux into q rich lather in
very hot water-two tablespoonfuls
to the gallon. Add cold water to
makethe suds1ukewarn. Swish your
sweater about in the suds. Wash
quickly, pressing the suds through
the sweater, but DO notTuh. Rinse
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-08-13
XVIII,

The warden got a closed carriage,
Early that afternoon the three OF us
went to the office Of the Press-Post
Publishing company. Dick wanted me
with him.
We scarcely spoke, There was q
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-08-13

three times in lukewarm water.
Dissolve a little Lux in the last
nnsing but do not make a lather.
This leaves your sweater softer and
more woody. Never wiring sweaters.
Squeeze the water out, and spread
On a towel 10 dry IN the sfade.
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-08-13
tcontInuea rrom Prsvlouu 1.,u,.l

VContinued From Previous Issue.)
Dicks mother had a faded red shawl
wrapped about her head. she was
twisted and bent. A bit Of gray hair,
coarse and curly, fell over her ear. She
had liked herself up, thinking she
might catch a glimpse Of her boy.
And they won't let his old mother
see the Lad, my poor little Dick-the
poor child! The sobs caught in her
throat, She pressed her face against
the wicket, her gnarled wasted hands
shaking the bars.
The poor old creature was Just crazy
for a sight OF her son. Dick was not
100 yards away. They wouldn't let
these two have the scrap Of Joy. Not
In four million years could the law un-
derstand the agony II had wrought,
But | thought ! might catch the
look Of him, by chance, maybe" She
looked up at me with a pitiful hope in
her esn eyes. 1t hurt the heart to
wouR the poor creature. l had to tol
her that Dick could not rome, that
had sent for her, that l would tell
Dick anything she wanted to say, that
she must not let the guards know who
she was.
"Dick is the foreman Of the machine
shop and he smartest man In the pris-
on" | told her. A prideful smile anne
like a sunbeam into her eye.
~ p II AAAS" ~ NAAeAN RNAN ~ "1A
as a baby" She began to groupe into
the packet Of her skirt and brought out
an envelope tied In red ribbon. Careful
ly wrapped In brown paper were a
couple Of pictures, One ives Of q big
eyed, laughing %youngster of 4 or 8.
"A prettier BARN ever drew breath.
'Tis happy we were In that time. Twas
before the drink got the better Of poor
John"
The other picture was Of Dick Just
before he had been arrested the last
time. He was Q boy OF 10. The facl
vas sensitive, clean looking, dOtermin'
ed.
He doesn't look clipper like that
now" she looked At me hoping I would
contradict her fears. Twas the gay
tongue that he had and the laugh al.
ways In his heart. Such a tale al he
would be telling me Of the good home
he would buy. The poor child, does
1t go very hard on him in here, he wal
that fond Of o cherry placer"
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-08-13
o. Henrya and All jennings

Thrilling Story Of TWO Men Who
Had Most Spectacular Careers Of
Crime Served Time and Came Back
to Distinguished and Useful Careers.
Copyright BY Al Jennings, 1912
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-08-13

GROVES BABY BOWEL MEDICINE
will correct the Stomach and Bowel
Troubles and II Is absolutely harmless.
Can be given to infants with perfect
safety. See directions on the bottle. 30c,
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-08-13
Pardon Promised for Aid.

When ! wal transferred to the post
office, ] used to go over and visit Dick.
! had money then, too, and we used
to swap pies and doughnuts. Dick
would talk about the reform school.
The things he told were appalling. They
made me bitter with hatred. -Lttle fell
lows Of II or IL were Just put through
a training school for hell.
Several times / tried to get another
letter TO the old woman. Something al
ways happened,
After | had been appointed private
secretary to the warden. 1t looked as
though Dicks chance had come. He
performed a service Of great value to
the state. He saved the papers OF the
Press-Post Publishing company. The
governor promised him a pardon.
The Press-Post Publishing company
had been placed in the hands Of a re-
ceiver. Wholesale charges OF thievery
were banded about. The stockholders
had beer robbed. They blamed the di.
rectors, the directors put II up to the
treasurer. They secured a warrant fol
his arrest. He locked the safe and fled
Columbus was agog over the scandal
some OF the biggest est men IN the city
the papers out Of the safe. 1t occurred
to somebody in authority that Their,
might be a craftsman in the pen VIII,
could help them. The warden was yer!
eager to accommodate them,
us there any fellow here who cal
do it?" he asked me. Warden Darb!
was a prince, He had improved prisoi
conditions. The men all liked him.
There are perhaps 40 here who cal
do 1t. l can do 1t myself. A little nitro
glycerine turns any combination"
They can't take the risk Of dyna
mite, They want the papers recovere
intact"
/ thought Of Dick Price. He told m
Of a human method OF safe cracking h
had originate. He could open any com
bination on earth In from 10 to Is sec
onds with his bare hands. A dozel
times he had told me OF The feat,
See, I filed my nails to the quick,
he said. "Crosswise through the middl
until I filed them down to the nerve
1t made them sensitive. could fee
the slightest jar. held those ffinge
over the dial. I turned the combina
ton with my right hand. The quivs
! Of the tumbler passing its mark strike
through the nerves, would stop, tur
backward. It never failed"
!, wondered II Dick would DO the trio
now for the state. "Could you get
pardon for HING I asked the Verdei
, Dick was really dying with his cough.
III he'll do II, III move heaven en-
earth to Vin It,"
went to Dick. ! told him he migf
|. get a pardon. HE thin face flushed
shed be glad. Hell, Al, ia do en-,
= thing for you"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-06-11
Col. House May Plead for Irish.
France Is Determined
to Oppose Material
Changes in Hun Treaty

p PARIS. June 1o-Oficial announce
ment was made after the meeting of the
council OF four this afternoon that there
was hope of comparatively early de-
cision on the reply to Germany.
Premier Clemenceau is especially
firm in his refusal to agree to the ad-
mission Of Germany to the league of
nations imm ediately. The French hold
that they understood German psychol-
ogy better than the allies. and realize
what the increasing arrogance of the
Germans during the last few weeks
means. They say they appreciate how
much this arrogance would be in
creased If the peace conference should
yield to the German demand for i'm
mediate admission to the league. The
French. it is understood, are willing
that the Germans should be admitted
later. but insist that this admission
must not be in compliance with what
they term "Germany's present
naughty demand"
Reparation Suggestion.