davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun., 1919-08-31

Merchants Association which revealed
that silk shipments all over the coun-
try had been the prey of thieves ow-
ing to the great increase in value dur
ing the war. The careful tabulation
the robberies had occurred in New
Jersey Connecticut and this city.
Erie Lost s75O,OOO.
The Erie Railroad at that time had
suffered a loss of $750,000 from this
cause, while other lines reported sim
liar large amounts. Never in the his
tory Of the country had there been
such a carnival of theft in this par
ticular line. Then it was that word
came through the underground route
that the looting had been systematized
and a syndicate was directing the
work of the gangs.
Insurance rates began to soar and
at last reached a pitch that a carload
of silk was looked upon as about as
good a risk as was a slow moving
steamship loaded with munitions pass
ing through the Mediterranean during
the opening months of the war.
To combat the evil the United States
Railroad Administration was appealed
to and started n crusade. Many Of
the small fry were captured as the
long lists of indictments show, but the
big operators managed to escape and
kept their channels for trade open.
Assisting in the disposal of these
wares is the illegitimate silk manufac-
turer. He Is the man who conducts a
small plant, or often times an embroid-
cry mill. Most of these are located in
Jersey. AS raw silk is one of the hard
est things in the world to trace they
work in comparative safety.
When a car is robbed the loot is
stored away for while, or at least
until the hunt grows cold. Then it is
taken to pirate" mill. II entirely
raw, the silk is thrown" that is,
formed into two or three ply threads.
This wipes out the last hope of identi-
fication. Holding back 800 or 400
pounds for his own use the mill owner
let's the rest seep into the markets
through mysterious channels provided
for him by 1.-THE Big Four"
Dyeing Prevents Recognition.
Should the material taken from the
cars be thrown" before the thieves
get it. then it is, put through a dyeing
process which effectually makes rec
ignition impossible. This is also COB
bled up because of the attractive price
at which ii Is offered
For several years the Silk Associa-
ton has been working on a series of
secret marks which will even cause
raw silk to be recognized Immediately
when it goes astray. This was a hard
job, especially as relating to the goods
coming direct from Japan. The bolt
goods can be registered after a fashion,
but the others were a puzzle. 1t is be
lieved now, however, that all obstacles
have been overcome by an arrange
ment with the firms in Japan. A spe-
Y
Continued on Both Pogo
The sun., 1919-08-31

\ IlCROBES are not indispensa-
M BILE to all life If they are in
dispensable to any. Tho
question has been definitely settled.
it is claimed by some authorities.
A cage completely sterillzed st 90
degrees was made and the openings OF
the cage closely stopped with cotton
and protected from the outside ry a
Theoretically closed metallic chamber
Such manipulatiohs as were neces-
sary in opening the cage were made
by hands guarded by aseptic rubber
cloth. Into such sterillzed cage three
hens eggs were placed after having
been externally sterillzed. The cage
was fitted with a glass pavilion or
chicken run, where the chickens could
develop during their six weeks So
journ in the cage. In the cage were
sterilized air, pure water. sterilized
sand and sterilized feed
The experiments showed that life
does not depend upon microbes, but
that the vital work of the organism
is easy and natural when everything
Is sterilized.
The sun., 1919-08-31

went away filled, but the neighbors
did not know that.
About two or three weeks later a
youngster who was returning from an
apple orchard robbing or some like
juvenile expedition, happened to pause
, in the shadow of the old house to get
his breath and collect his thoughts in
order to frame some good excuse for
his absence. AS he waited a weird
sound Of tearing-yards and yards OF
tearing-followed by a dull scraping,
sent convulsive chills down his youth
full spinal columns. Without more ado
he cut for home. where he unfolded a
tale OF ghosts in the cellar of the old
place, as he had seen no lights there
at the time of the mysterious sounds.
Not until a police raid occurred sew
eral weeks later was the battling cir
cumstance explained.
Destroying Identihcations.
Although no captures were made at
this point. here is what occurred: The
women, acting in concert with silk
thieves and under direction of the
higher powers, had been preparing
bolts of silk, containing about fifty
yards each, for the market. This was
done by eradIcating all marks Of the
original manufacturer and in some
cases slightly damaging the goods as
an excellent excuse TO sell it at a re-
duced price.
The story of the rental told to the
caretaker was hoax. The owners of
the place. who lived in another town,
had been watched and Immediately on
their departure for the South on an
extended trip the woman leader of the
band appeared as an accredited ten
ant. In this case n clue was obtained
when one of the vans broke down.
Before the police could act to make a
complete bag of the outfit mysterious
tip had gone out and all fed, includ-
ing the costly automobile. Some of
the silk was found in the cellar.
In disposing of the bolt, or prepared
silk, which in a measure is really one
Of the minor branches of the criminal
industry as the raw brings the biggest
money, several ingenious methods are
used. Chief among these is the hiring
of stores for the particular purposes
and many of these mushroom estab-
lishments bloom on the East Side The
vanguard of the stolen fabric vender
is the golden letter painter. On the
window of some heretofore cobwebbed,
grimy store he produces an imposing
Tame generally ending in importing
company" When the job is completed
the place generally looks far more re-
spectacle than it's neighbors.
Queer Work Hours.
A few days after the silk firm" moves
in, stock and all. Then the statesmen
gather. They generally employ their
odd hours, after the regular business
period. in hurfying about with odd
looking bundles of papers under their
arms. When the eyes of traffic are
dtyartad alSaUbara tbasa hundIas .ara
The sun., 1919-08-31
Marketing Stolen Silk Amounts to Vast Illicit Industry

load lot consigned to a firm in this
city was taken with a holiness which
stunned the authorities. Most OF the
stuff was disposed OF before Bernsweig
was trapped. He received a ten year
term and $4,000 fine. Several as
sociates, taken in the same dragnet,
we're convicted also.
Despite all the relentless warfare
the big 4" continue to flourish, re-
placing every one of those sent to
prison with two Just as good, and ac-
cording to tabulate6 figures of losses
since January this will be at least a
100000 year for them. Gangs may
come and gangs may go, but the
fences" are their strongholds. And
in this branch OF the criminal dealings
women often play prominent part.
Trey are fascinating. clever women,
too, capable of enacting the role of
true lady, even to the extent of de-
ceiving trained police eyes, and at the
same time equally capable of dealing
merciless retribution to any one who
attempts a double cross.
Not far from Paterson, n. j., there
was, and is still, for that matter a Sc
date old country house, built in the old
colonial style of pillars, white paint
and green blinds. Resting comfortably
in the midst of a rolling lawn traced
through with gravel paths and neat
rcadways, the place seemed permeated
with ancient aristocracy and respecta-
bllity. For several years the mansion
had remained uninhabited, except for
a negress caretaker. One day a woman
drove up in a limousine, She was
dressed in black, and the few gems
that sparkled on her fingers were ap-
parently of great value. Her hair was
almost white, while the eyes that
gaZed through n pair OF gold trimmed
glasses had a pathetic expression, as
though much sorrow had come into
her life,
Mourning for Son.
"Oh, it is simply beautiful here, so
quiet so restful." she told the care
taker while inspecting the estate. II
know that / am going to enjoy the Sc
clusion with my six daughters. Poor
dears, all of their men are away at
the terrible war" Suddenly she be-
gan to sob. THAT is why | am in
black. My poor SON." The sad story,
with the additional information that
the place had been rented for an in
definite period, was poured into the
sympathetic ears of the caretaker, who
carefully retaied it about the locality.
By using the innocent old negro as a
tool in this way the stranger had the
neighborhood won before she arrived.
Few will attempt to intrude upon the
privacy of war grief; none did in this
case.
Within a few days the stately
limousine rolled up again and the
woman and her "daughters'' stepped
out. Then the furniture vans began
to arrive. BY some misdirection in
following the road 1t was not until
nightfall that they reached the old
mansion, and in several cases long
after dark. Some that came empty
The sun., 1919-08-31
Four Men I'm Control.

At the present time four men are the
brains that direct the vast, compli-
Gated, but finely organized system of
fences" who turn pilfered fabrics into
gold. These four said to have head
quarters in this city. are so subtle in
their dealings that they have managed
to escape unscathed. Eventually they
VIII be taken. Then one of the bitter
est of legal battles will ensue before
conviction is obtained For this reason
the police and the Silk Association of
America have proceeded slowly and
with the utmost caution, testing each
strand in the net OF evidence before
making a final move. Every precau-
ton has been taken, however, so that
the quartet will have no chance to
fec from their fancied security.
Working virtually as henchmen for
the millionaire Four" are five gangs
Of expert silk robbers, two in Man
haitian, one in Brooklyn and two in
the vicinity of Jersey City. This lat
ter body is something of a flying
squadron and prowls about northern
Jersey keeping constant watch on the
many railways. always waiting to
pounce on a carload OF pelf. And as
The sun., 1919-08-31

the wrappers torn from the loot and
which might lead to detection.
The statesmen, prosperous appearing
gentlemen all, spend their days circu-
lGting about the city and suburbs,
visiting the smaller dry goods estab-
lshments, presenting their highly en-
bossed cards and telling plausible
stories of the failure of such and such
a ones silk mill and the bargains TO
be gained thereby. The prices they
quote are always right in fact. they
are startlingly 50, quite 20 per cent.
lower than the biggest legitimate
dealer in town. How can they do II?
asks the astonished merchant. Well
this Is strictly a cash transaction,
must turn the goods over; II you or
der to-day you get it tomorrow, pay
after you inspect the goods.
Such offers are not to be sneezed at
in these days of high prices and the
whole haul is turned over quickly. All
that is left then of the importing
company" is the shiny letters on the
windows and a receipt for n months
rent paid in advance, fluttering about
in the empty store, which is fast re-
turning to it's original state OF CRIME.
OF course there are some places which
remain permanent, plying their Illicit
trade and taking a chance. They have
clientele of customers who ask no
questions as long as they get the
goods at the reduced figure. Most of
these houses are supplied from loft
robberies here, and it is believed that
there is a clearing house manipulated
l'y the millionaire Four" that sup
Tlies their wants in such a manner
as to escape detection for months and
perhaps even years.
One broadway Shop.
There was a shop on Broadway,
visited by some of the finest trade in
town, that was suspected OF receiving
thousands Of dollars worth of fabric
in this manner. For a long time the
owners evaded every trap that was set,
but when the hunt got too close they
suddenly sold out and retired to enjoy
their gains in security somewhere else.
II is in the raw or thrown" silk that
arrives in carload lots the real big
profits are found for the thieving syn
dicate. however. At the beginning of
the war the robberies of consignments
coming from Japan via the Pacific
coast and roads into New Jersey grew
to an amazing extent, and in many
cases have continued to set new high
marks.
SO successfully had the thieves
worked and so skilfully had they con-
cealed their tracks that in the spring
and summer Of 1918 the railroads were
In despair over the situation. Car
after car was robbed steadily and sys-
tematically. until hundreds of thou
sands Of dollars worth of the precious
fabric had disappeared. Then the
heads of the roads sought to place an
embargo on this class of freight as the
only method by which they could end
the wholesale looting.
An investigation followed hE the
The sun., 1919-08-31
QUITTING stolen silk on the mar
80 ket is a millionaire's game. Be-
hind fha final A.n....--

ket Is a millionaire's game. Be-
hind the final transaction in
which a languid eyed clerk ships off
so many yards for milady's best bib
and tucker are robbery. murder, rail-
roads frightened into embargoes and
titanic struggle of highly specialized
forces Of law and order with several
of the most astute criminal minds of
the country.
Prof. Moriarty, master of London's
underworld. as portrayed by A. Con-
an Doyle, was of more or less simple
tastes with a penehant for gas cham
bers, subterraneous refugees and shah
by clothes. The men higher up" in
what Is now known as-the metropoli-
tan district. including this city,
northern Jersey and Connecticut,
who spin Illicit gains from the silk
worms honest toll, do not hide their
automobile headlights under any such
bushel baskets. Theirs is frankly a
life Of luxury. with yachts, country
places. town houses and all the addi-
tional extravagances of easily acquired
wealth.
AS usual the thief, he who does the
blackjacking, makes the gun plays,
rifles lofts, rips open car doors and
battles sometimes to the death with
the police in the struggle for precious
loot, gets the infinitesimal share. His
pay is few dollars by which he graft
fies his vicious nature with a week or
so debauch in liquor or drugs, or
brighters the eyes of some soiled CO.
quette on the distaff side OF crime with
jewel or two. He feels it is a good
fee, too, for the master tells him so
and is willing to face similar peril at
the same wage.
The sun., 1919-08-31
Queer Work Hours.

A few days after the silk firm" moves
in, stock and all. Then the statesmen
gather. They generally employ their
odd hours, after the regular business
period. in hurfying about with odd
looking bundles of papers under their
arms. When the eyes of traffic are
diverted elsewhere these bundles are
pushed down sewers or burrowed un
der refuse In ashcans, for they are
The sun., 1919-08-31
v War Figures Show That Peak of Prices May Be Broad
Men and Women Who Contended
With High Prices of the eos Re-
member Long and Painful Period
OF Economic Adjustment

"hoiesale rice: OF Commodities Consumed bv Each
Person in the United States in a Year
Dun,SR nr;auu
The sun., 1919-08-31

Continued on Both Pogo
The sun., 1919-08-31
Life Without Microbes

IICROBES are not indispensa-
2, BILE to all life If they are in
dispensable to any, Tha
The sun., 1919-08-31
By JOHN WALKER HARRINGTON.

. LID DAME HISTORY. Who'll is no
Mother Shipton and prophesies
- not at all, is comforting per-
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1919-05-21
EARLyILLE.

The remains of Mrs. John 2. Card
ner, of Montrose, Mimi, were brought
to this place Wednesday evening ac-
companied by her husband and son.
A funeral service was held at the
home of her step-mother, Mrs. Jane
EIDE, Thursday afternoon, conducted
by Rev A. M. Mcintosh, DID. Inter-
men was made in Fairview cemetery.
Mrs. Gardner vas the eldest daughter
of the late William Eide and she was
born in Canada, in 1850. She resided
in Earlville in her youth and was held
in the highest esteem by her friends.
She is survived by her husband and
two sons one OF them being with the
American Forces in France, and one
daughter. There also survives her
step-mother, Mrs. Jane EIDE, Of Earl
VILE, and two half sisters, Miss Anna
Eide, and Mrs. w. w. Baskerville, also
of this place.
Captain and Mrs. c. B Rogers ar
rived home Monday evening from FIT.
Aver, Mass, DR.. Rogers. enlisted in
the army leaving here in October for
Fort Riley, Kansas. He was promot-
ed to the rank Of Captain and later
transferred to the eastern camp. He
passed the overseas examinations but
on account of the signing Of the arm
istice did not go across. However he
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1919-05-21
did valuable relief work as physician
and surgeon in the army cam ps.

and surgeon in the army camps.
Mr.. William Boeckenstedt and Miss
Minnie Willenberk two prominent
young people Of this neighborhood
were united in marriage last Tuesday
morning. The ceremony was perform
ed at $3.50 O'Clock in SIS Peter and
Paurs church, Petersburg. Rev. Faith
err Loosbrock officiated in the pres
ence of large number Of relatives
and friends Of the young couple. Mr..
Tom Boeckenstedt, brother OF the
groom was grooms-man and Miss NAL
india Kane, of Gutenberg. cousin Of
the bride was maid Of honor. The
bride presented lovely appearance
in wedding gown of white satin and
georgette crepe trimmed in pearl bead
ing. She wore full length veil and
carried a bouquet of fOr-get-meh ots
and white carnations. Her maid was
attired in a gown of grey crepe-de-
CHEN and she carried bouquet of
roses and or-get-me-nots Following
the ceremony at the church a recep-
ton was held at the groom's farm.
During the afternoon wedding dance
was held in the Petersburg hall which
was participated in by the young
people of the entire neighborhood. The
groom is son OF Mr.. and Mrs. Henry
Boeckenstedt and comes from one OF
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1919-05-21

serious a few days previous to her
demise. Mrs. Keepers maiden name
was Miss Mary Magdalena Meyers and
she was born at Buffalo, N. Y. Feb.
22nd. 1866. When a young girl she
came with her parents to Iowa and
settled on farm near Forestville
On June 7th 1887 she was united in
marriage to Mr.. Anton -Kerper at
New Vienna. Mr.. and Mrs. Kerper
resided at New Vienna for seven years
later moving to Petersburg, which has
since been the home of the family.
Ten children were born to the union
three OF whom preceded their mother
in death. She is survived by her hus-
band and four daughters and three
sons. There also survives. her sis
ter, Mrs. Jacob Kerper of Dubuque,
and two brothers, John Meyer Of
Avon, South Dakota, and George
Meyer, of Tyndall. South Dakota. The
funeral was held on Saturday morn
ing in SIS. Peter and Pauls church.
Petersburg and interment was made
in the cemetery nearby. Mrs. Kerper
was well known throughout the neigh
borhood as a most estimable woman
and host of friends unite in Intending
sincere sympathy to the grief strick-
en- family.
Rev. G. M. Orvis, who came here
from Enid, Oklahoma, few weeks
ago to visit relatives has accepted the
pastorate of the EAlmoral Congrega-
tional church. Rev. Orvis is an uncle
of Mrs. Harriet Cook and Mrs. Frank
Gibbs and was for many years pastor
of the Summit Congregational church
in Dubuque.
John Raker has sold his so acre
farm in North Fork Township to his
brother, Tony Raker.
Mae Powell of Manchester, spent
part Of last week visiting friends in
this place.
\ w. l. Millen has returned from a
trip to South Dakota. While away
he visited E. H. Millen and family at
Mitchell and found them well and
prospering.
! Lawrence Jaeger residing near
Worthington has purchased the Henry
Heines farm, consisting of 105 acres.
Consideration $4,000. per acre.
l. S. Hutton the creamery man sus-
tanned a heavy loss by fire last Sun.
day morning when the Hutton & An
derson creamery at Epworth was gut
ted by fire. The loss is said to be
$4,000 partially covered by insurance.
The fire is supposed to have originated
from defective lightwire.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1919-05-21
DELAWARE TOWNSHIP.

E. J. Hopkins, O. J. Miller, A. E.
Mead, w. F. Gienapp, Grant Brayton.
Chas Cawley, J. L. Cooking W. v.
Childs, A. NJ. Cloud, L. ]. Fry, H. L.
Gillespie, Jos. Hutchinson, j, S. Jones,
Mrs. F. Lawrence, NJ. R. Maurer, F..
A. Mead, w. D. Mead, H. j. Ryan,
Martha Raymond, F. E. Richardson,
Stearns & Mccormick, Ben Takin, J.
C. Nieman, Lewis Perrin, Joe. Becker,
E. NJ. Hamblin, L. G. Wells, Carl
'Heideman, Farley Kennedy, Ed. Tuhr-
meister, Ed. Gibbs, c.. H. Gienapp.
Iowa Farm Mortgage Company, ]. NJ
Jones & Sons, Harry Ryan, H. j. Sa-
bin, A. D. Long, F. B. Kenyon, H. j.
Nave, ]. c. Wendt, Wenzel ]. Siegel,
F. NJ Hilsenbeck, ]. w. Hilsenbeck,
Odell Bros, M. C. Fitzpatrick, ]. M.
Lillibridge, John Chase, John H. Hook,
Herman Scheer, VIM. F. WuIfkuhle,
Henry Wulfekuhle, w. E. Noble, Ar
thur Harris, ]. N. Harris, Al. Parker,
R. E. Chase, Floyd Noble.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1919-05-21
Home Department.

Congress adjourned March 4, 1919.
without acting on many important ap-
preparation bills, among which was
the appropriation for the U. S. Depart
ment of Agriculture. Home Demon
stration work was handled very large
ly by money from Federal appropria-
tons last year. This appropriation
runs out June 38th so it means If we
are to continue this work we must have
good support from the county. In
other words you can help this cause
along and make Home Demonstration
work possible by taking out Farm
Bureau membership of $500 or mem
bership in the women's Division of 81.
There is no doubt but that the women
of the county want the work but every
one will have to boost and get more
members for the Farm Bureau and so
increase our funds and the strength Of
our organization.
The Executive Committee of the
Women's Division will meet at the
Home Demonstration Agents office ON
Monday evening, May 10, at $3.50 to
discuss plans to continue the work
On Saturday, May Gath, the Directors
of the Women's Division will meet at
the Home Demonstration Agents Of
flee for picnic lunch, to further dis
cuss and plan the work. Any woman
interested in the work may join us for
this meeting.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1919-05-21
Farm Department
BREEDERS ASSOCIATION MEET.


Mr.. E. r. Silliman breeder Of
Colo, Iowa, gave talk to the, Breed
er's Association on the evening Of
May 18th. A good attendance was
accorded and much interest was shown
in the different topics discussed. At
the conclusion of the general meet
ing the Shorthorn Breeders selected
a committee to have charge of the
Shorthorn interests in the county. The
Duroc Jersey breeders selected SINH
lar committee The different breed
ers in the county will select similar
committees in order to sufficiently adj
vertise and promote their interests.
Buchanan County boasts of 3S7 pure
bred breeders who are all members
of the Breeders Association as we'll
as being members of the Farm Bur-
eau. Delaware County at present has
thirty members in the Breeders AS
ISOLATION. There are other men in
the county who have not aligned
themselves with this work. In the
future men who join the Farm Bureau
will also become member Of the
Breeders Association providing he has
one ormor pure bred females This
is new step which has been taken
in order to increase the activities of
the Association. The Farm Bureau
is to furnish headquarters and to
handle the office work Of the Breed
er's Association and also to assist in
any way possible, the pure bred in
dustry in the county.
The individual breeders with their
committee will promote the interests
as they see fit Every farmer who
has pure bred livestock should be-
come members of the Farm Bureau
which will make them members in
the Breeders Association.