davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Mena weekly star., 1919-07-31

ing to this report, which the Railroad Age publishes:
 The report of the French minister of public works shows that 3,500 miles of standard trackage, 1900 miles of narrow gauge lines, 1,500 bridges more than twelve feet long and twelve tunnels, not to mention all the sta tions. switch towers, loading cranes and other railroad property in the oc- cupied area were completely wrecked and made permanently useless. That part of France was swept clean of railroads and railroad equipment, even road embankments being dynamited, abuttments to bridges blown up and cuts filled.
 Those in this country who have been inclined to regard the terms of the peace treaty as too severe should study carefully the destruction wrought in France by the Germans, at the same time taking into consideration the motive for such destruction-no mil itary necessity, but a malicious desire to cripple France for generations to come-and they will stop their whin- ing
 A view of this destruction will also show why the French stood out so strongly during the peace conference for adequate reparation from the Ger mans, and why they have fought to keep the Germans from gaining an ad- vantage in the resumption of industry and trade with the world. In the the light of the facts, the French view is easily explained.
 TSe first thing France must do to re- build and revive her industrial activi- ty is to rebuild these railroads, and that in itself is task huge enough to discourage an ordinary people.
The Mena weekly star., 1919-07-31
ATTENDED LEGISLATIVE MEET.

Three Auto Loads of Polk County
 Citizens Present at Special Session.
 Three autos loaded with Mena and Polk county citizens left Saturday aft ernoon for Little Rock where they at tended the special session of the state legislature, which Governor Brough called for Monday. The party expected to influence, if possible, the passage of a relief bill, prepared by Judge J. |. Alley, validating previous actions in the Jefferson Highway project. The special act, if passed, will end legal controversy over the building of the first real road in Polk county and will permit work of actual construction to begin right away In the first car were Judge J. l. Alley, George B. Cook, John Harkey of Hatton, and V. W. St. John, editor of The Star. In the sec- ond ear were Mayor Ira o Smith. Judge II. W. Finger, Representative V. 5. Thomas of Wickes, and Clyde Cunningham. The third car carried A. A. Zachary, County Clerk Will Alex ander, J. c. Allen of Cove, and W. J. Lauck.
The Mena weekly star., 1919-07-31
A GOOD SIGN.

We are beginning to see this fool Bolshevism idea in it's true light, SO far as America is concerned. We have come to the place where some of our newspapers and publications can joke about it, which indicates that We are no longer hysterical and can appraise the thing at it's true value When we can laugh at bugaboo the bugaboo loses it's frightfulness.
 Says one editor:
 We know Bolshevism cannot per petrate itself, for who ever heard of a female Bolshevist 2"
 And a labor journal contributor sends in this
 A Bolshevist by the Volga's brim,
 A simple Bolshevist was to him,
 And nothing more; But when he sailed across the sea, Coming to live near him and me,
 And came around our wives to seek
 We made him spell it BAWLshevik
 And beat him sore.
 Make fun of American Bolshevism Laugh at it. But if you meet a Bol- shevik do as our labor journal friends did and the Russian terror will depart hastily whence it came.
The Mena weekly star., 1919-07-31

.na of cood report. All over this ~ s-oad state of ours teachers have told mo how these methods have helped 10 control their pupils with but httie fr;ction They have been controlled tbru their understanding of the rigne n,.;nc;nle to do right for rights sake. When child is actuated by the rigns motives he becomes trustworthy, ana ,o+ rntil then. Discipline should be the watchword in every school, with the understanding that the only efii- cacious discipline is the dlsciplne from within. Children's moral percep- lions differ just as their intellectual ah;litv varies. So you may not De able to arouse as high a degree of ,,oral nerception in some pupils as m others. but if you do your work we'll rest assured you will help each llttie child spiritually. The result will be boys and girls who are daily becoming befter able to cope with their dlfflcul- ties find solutions for their problems and learn to recognize and reverence the divine in life.
 All unconsciously we teach the things that we really are. The only virtues we can impart are the virtues we actually possess Many of us fall in our efforts to control and uplift pu- nils because we are not what we should be ourselves. If we are impa~ tient and ill-tempered the pupils do not manifest very angelic dispositions If we are partial and unjust in our treatment of them, they will display that very trait in their dealings with each other. Therefore, the memory gem for each teacher is:
 Example sheds genial ray
 Of light that men are apt to borrow
 So, first improve yourself today,
 And then your friend tomorrow"
 GEORGE B. COOK.
The Mena weekly star., 1919-07-31
HUN MALEv0LENCE.

Altho everyone is familiar with Ger man destruction in the Huns retreat from France, not much has been said about the destruction of the French railroads. But according to French reports recently made public, the Ger mans followed the same policy in de- stroying railroads that they used in destroying everything else. That is they went much further than military necessity dictated.
 Not content with cutting railroad communications in the area they were evacuating just enough to prevent the French from using the lines. they sought to destroy them utterly, accord.
The Mena weekly star., 1919-07-31
IN MEMORIAL.
For the boys from Polk County Wnc
 gave their lives for us.

Last night you died and from the var lev of the Shadow, From out the darkness, come troop ing into view, 4 thousand mingled memories stretched along Life's meado"' The present goes away and leaves me still with you. Oh dear, dead Lovel the shadow oi my pathway n. Has given place to iighe ln@' strangely shinesl I know your heart will beat in peace ful slumber, When we lay you down to rest pe- meath the pines. Tho short and sad, yet sweet was your dear journey, Like passing thru the light, then dark again, !. of I should die" you said, FIJI wal for you in Heaven" Thank Godl not even death can steal our memoried pain. A mission have I then, thru all our separation, To work, while you must watch and pray for me. Oh Lovel dear Lovel when Death dark mist is lifted, We'll live and love again beyond the sea.
 -Pedagogue.
The Mena weekly star., 1919-07-31
More Advertising Urged.

For months the United States gov ernment urged all business men to realize that they could "sell" prosper ity to the country by big, bold adver- Using. It urged everybody to adver- tise heavily; if they were already ad- vertising, to increase their publicity campaigns; and if they were not ad- vertising, to begin an aggressive cam paign.
 Never was better business advice given, never was it more fully accept ed and never was there greater de- nlonstration of the wisdom of such ad- vice. Business men everywhere com menced to advertise more freely and on broader lines. Many men who had never done much advertising saw a new light and began to advertise, while oldtimers made larger appropri- ations and gave greater heed to the almost limitless power of publicity.
 The result is everywhere in evil dence. The confidence displayed by heavy advertising begat confidence The optimism of advertisers created optimism, and the pessimists slunk back into their holes and pulled the holes in after permanently buried face downward, as is the just desert of every man who becomes a pessimist in America.
 Many men who at first did not see just how advertising could help their individual business, nevertheless they too, if broad in vision and patriotic in spirit, began to advertise, following the governments advice, and soon they felt pride in being numbered among the business leaders who were doing their part toward bringing pros- perity to the country and thus help ing to destroy the seeds of bolshevism, which fructify in poverty soils and which die in soils where prosperity is nourishing.
 Largely as an outcome of this splen- did work, vigorously conducted by the secretary of labor and to whom great credit is due, every one now realizes that the country has taken the right road at the forks, and instead of trav- cling toward the land of poverty and anarchy, is headed straight on the road to the land of ahounding national prosperity, and this glorious change is largely due to the power of advertis- ing, which created an air of optimism, and as naton thinkesh in it's heart, so 1t is. The nation is now thinking in terms of puhlicity-created prosperity, and t realizes as never before that advertising is the great power which has saved us from stagnation and un- employment, and that advertising, big, broad and intelligent advertising, will
The Mena weekly star., 1919-07-31
CANTALOUPE CRATES
 FINALLY ARRIVE
Shipping of Fieions viii Start From Mena Next Week-Crop Short bu.
 Cariots Can Be Sent Ont

tafiots Can Be Sent Out.
 After the lapse of many days inc carload of cantaloupe crates ordered for the Mena Truck & Fruit Growers Association finally reached Polk couu. ty. The carload of crates arrived in Mena Tuesday and was unloaded at the cotton warehouse. The crates ars imported stock, having been shipped from Chihuahua, Mex, the reason for this being the shortage of supply in the United States.
 An important meeting of local can taloupe growers will be held Saturday afternoon at the Commercial Club rooms at which time demonstrations of grading and packing will be giyen for the benefit of growers who have not learned this fine art. The meet ing will also serve to ascertain ths size of the melon crop in Mena and Vi. cinity.
 Tho the recent dry spell has disap- pointed hopes of many of the growers of cantaloupes, it has been reported there are many fields that will make | good yield and it is almost certain enough melons can be had to ship in carlots. It isexpected the first carload will be sent out this coming week Saturdays meeting will demon strate the size of the crop and which ones of the growers will be able to gs in on the shipments. It is considers1 best to ship by carlots rather than bI express and if proper arrangement can be made this will be done.
The Mena weekly star., 1919-07-31
SUBSTITUTE FOR SALOONS.

Dr. Frank Crane, whose always bright and interesting writings are appearing in many American periodi- calls, writes along most original lines for "The American City" magazine on that popular topic, "A Substitute for the Saloon" Dr. Crane says "the only way to get anywhere is to start where you are now" and the present day saloon would be his starting point. Nothing fancy, nothing with the touch of "uplift" or charity will get anywhere, he believes. He says:
 'lt must be place where any man with nickel can go in, have good time, and feel that he is helping sup port the concern.
 "lt must not be place where men are "urged' to go. If they are urged they will not go. 1t is human nature Preferably it should not be entirely approved by the moralists. It should be as tough" as it's neighborhood. IL must be run by private enterprise and pay we'll enough to attract an ef- ficient manager. If the city runs it or church, or some benevolent soci- ety, it will fail.
 Tt must have a free comfort sta tion. Some kind of a free lunch also would help. There should be opportu- mites for card playing and billiards.
 There should be an expert barkeep- CT who gets part of the profits.
 There is no reason why a place of this sort should not thrive, as it would have no license to pay and no graft to distribute to the ward boss.
 All this may seem rather low along the ground. Perhaps it is. But there's where folks live, the kind of folks that go to saloons, and if you want them you must go where they are; they will not come to you.
 And this is the kind of a substi- tute that will grow up to meet the need. And any other kind you at tempt to devise and hand down to the ex-saloon crowd will most certainly fail"
 There is wisdom in this The fre- quenter of the saloon will shy off from pink tea surroundings and he wants no charity. Likewise he does not desire to be 'uplifted' or swelfared.r Both are being ovcrdone in this country But he does want some place to go, and some such place will spring up to meet the demand. And it will not be altogether desirable, but it won't be as bad as the saloon, so we shall get one step further along, at any rate. We must understand that the of the barroom will not her aid the millennium.
The Mena weekly star., 1919-07-31
SETTING WORLD EXAMPLE.

France is showing the way to the world in peace as it did n war. While n greater part of Europe is talking, fighting or rioting about it, the French people are getting down to work. The nation is already showing a wonderful power of recuperation, despite the fact that it's wounds were deeper and more extensive than those of any country save only Belgium and Serbia.
 During the seven months since the ending of hostilities France has laid 600 miles of double track railroads and TOO miles of single track lines She has also cleared and reopened tc navigation more than 200 miles out
The Mena weekly star., 1919-07-31
AIien Property.

From the Southwest American
 The property of aliens in thls coun- try will not be turned back to them They will have to look to ti.eir own governments for reimbursements. Our government Is going to sell the property, where it has not already done so, and pay the proceeds to citi- zens of this country who lost proper ty thru Germany's actions.
 The people who lost property thru the submarine warfare, American manufacturers and merchants whose property located in Germany was con- fiscated or taken over by the German government, and all other citizens of the United States who have claims against Germany will be reimbursed out of the property of German citizens that has been taken by the govern ment of the United States. Proper receipts will be given, and the owner of the property can make whatever claim he desires against the German government. But the United States will not return the property or pay the owner anything
 There is to be an investigation of the manner of handling the alien en- emy property in this country, but it will not alter the determination of the government not to turn the property or it's equivalent back to the owner. The investigation will have to do only with the administration of the office of alien property custodian, and will not involve the policy of the government in the matter of taking care of it's own citizens who have suffered at the hands of the German empire.
The Mena weekly star., 1919-07-31
NOT YET TWENTY ONE
 BUT FOUGHT IN FRANCE
Corp. E. c. Roberts Entered Uncle Sam's Army When Only IT, and
 Won Croix du Guerre in War.

Corp. E. c. Roberts Entered Uncle
 Sam's Army When Only l7, and
 Won Croix du Guerre in War.
 Polk Countys youngest soldier in the great world war, Corp. F. c. Rob- erts, has ended a furlough spent with the homefolks, and on Wednesday he started back to finish his enlistment with Uncle Sam's army. Corporal Roberts is son of J. Nj. Roberts, a well known farmer living east of Mena, near the Ouachita river. He was only IT years of age when he volunteered for service against the Hun in August, 1917, and tho not yet of age has seen and experienced events in the great world war that many older men have missed.
 The young soldier was member of machine gun company in the 9th Division and was wounded in action on the Voges early in October. For his gallant action at thls time he was awarded the Croix du Guerre, much appreciated French military decora- tion, and an honor but few Arkansas soldiers won After spending several weeks in a French hospital corp, Rob- erts went back to the firing line and saw AS hours service in the Argonne drive before the armistice was signed.
 When he enlisted for service Young Roberts thought he was only in for the duration of the war. Since then he has discovered his enlistment was for three years. Now that the war is over he is going to spend the remain ing year in study with Uncle Sam pro- viding the tuition.
 After spending a pleasant visit with homefolks ard friends in and around Mena, he left Wednesday for Dallas, Tex, to visit an uncle. From there he reports to Camp Pike and then goes to San Diego, Calf, where he is to study mechanics in an avia- tion school. He expects to fit himself in this manner for a good place in civilian life.
 Corporal Roberts is a quiet unas- suming youngster and decidedly mod est when questioned about his two overseas service stripes and his wound stripe. Of his winning the coveted Croix du Guerre he has little to say, but asserts that the honor should also have gone to other members of his company for, as he says, q didn't do a bit more than the rest"
 In addition to being the youngest soldier in overseas service from Polk county, Corporal Roberts was the youngest in his entire battalion.
The Mena weekly star., 1919-07-31
O------------ ------- COULDN'T INTEREST TRAvELERs
Union Grove Lads No Match for sh| Travellers and Are Easily Defeated

Travellers and Are Easily Defeated
 Mena fans were disappointed in ts' game between the Travellers and I1l Union Grove nine on Mena field Salai' day afternoon, the visiting players r' ing easily trimmed by score Of ' to 2.
 After Union Grove had been nsA scoreless fer five innings, Captan Clement called in his substitute plal CTS, shifted the Travellers around aM gave the home lads a chance to faI'l up their batting averages, when 'A'5 did. The Travellers had lot of gc1 practice in batting and base-runnlis' but the Union Grove lads didn't BY them much chance for field pTac.ns. The Travellers collected 15 hits agans 5 for the visitors. Anderson struck " 6, and Fletcher, who relieved nm . 9th, famed 8. The Union Grove ssan was composed of the following pA CTS: Cox,c.; J. Ward, If; Empfy, " 2 Boehm, ss.: Middaugh, D.; M. war u., 2d; Chambers, 3d; Swiggers ef.; n' <, ris, If. Travellers who took pals I the picnic were Capt. Clement, Dul~s V. Tweedy, Cunningham, Fletcher, nOss S.s sel, Silvey, Anderson, Wood, uaiiO''' and Daniels.
The Mena weekly star., 1919-07-31
wIcKEs FRUIT AND TRUCK FARM
Gateway Produce Company Buys sOO-
 Acre Tract.

The small fruit and truck growing industry in the vicinity of Wickes is gong to be given decided impetus thru the efforts of the Gateway Pro- auce Company of Texarkana. The concern IS already extensively en- gagged in cantaloupe growing in that community, having shipped out two car loads on Wednesday, but just re- gently J. A. Robinson of the Gateway company consummated deal for the purchase of 800 acres, and the pur. pose IS to develop the property for the growing of strawberries, cantaloupes and other fsuit and truck crops.
The Mena weekly star., 1919-07-31
WHAT HE ONCE SAID.

T know the habits and thoughts of the working people. I know nothing that could be done by Congress one hundredth part so prejudicial to the peace and tranquility of the masses than this attempt to take from them the opportunity to drink glass of beer "-Gompers.
 Most of us regard Mir. Gompers as a good American and admire him as such. But there is a suspicion that he has made an error of judgment in this. At least Congress thinks so.
The Mena weekly star., 1919-07-31
BLIND MINISTER pREAcuna
 HIS FAREWELL. crn.
Rev. John T. Miller of cher,v ,.,. Pulpit Adieu After Man. a bds
 Service-Story oe p ean'

Rev. John T. Miller of cher,, ,,., ' Pulpit Adieu After Many VI 'ds
 service-story of Even, q"
 F. M. Taylor of Talihina. oE
 of Mrs. Jesse Philpot of Mens .s''s' recent visitor at a church ratb..' 1as a Cherry Hill at which tima e''.sring as at John T. Miller, a blind rn;,;a4 .as Rev, livered his farewell sermon oaa ds- ing which event the Talibin. sOneera. can had the following to saw. VI Aalsri-
 "F M. Taylor, a prom;,,sa.
 Of this city, was summoned Iaxt S'sleA M by special wire to his boyhooS s' Sesk Cherry Hill, Arkansas to u haa nons, farewell sermon of a lifetin,e 1s As and minister, Rev John T. Milla. a.'snd
 "Thirty-one years ago in
 completed church in Cherry HiIl .swly Reverend Miller's privilege t1 ,' :. Tas the first sermon ever yoica5 plsaea building. The audience at tbs. u U ne ic meeting numbered two bundras ,'.s'oF. seventy-eight. And last sunda,' ~ sad the good man preached bis vnen sermon in the same church fo,,s. fsHsi of the boy and girl listeners of b;1 sl.sea mer sermon, represented man 9 '0'. women at the latter; Mr. Tavlor A.a aOa member of the IA. 0'1ls
 "Mr. Taylor, who in his dav ,. very noted singer, was assoeiatas paa .,., q Reverend Miller for sl years as ,s- ,sa.a S'.n leader at his services. sa0'i
 Rev. Miller is now in his sO.h .. and has made his life career tha s ssa' istery of the Methodist faith Faa .,'' years ago the minister was rena.D, val sightless and this is his cause far n sa ing up his work. s"'
 Much credit is due Mrs poarl IT. ron, a religious lady of tact and 4 7. { tegrity for the pretty way in whieb x. X, had q class of little girls sing ou sh;. s';. special occasion. Mr. Taylor in N. L.s praise of that feature of the proo.s a.s [ said: 1t was second to none -
 During Mr. Taylor's visit haot :. his old home he had the pleasure of :. tending family reunion at which \, and two brothers, jointly with tbys. own cousins (brothers) by the nama ,1 !, Philpot, were guests at dinner at X, home of Dr. Philpot, the youDcss, member of the six"
The Mena weekly star., 1919-07-31
Beatent

The tourist had been boasting in the village inn.
 Talking of scarecrows," he said ''why, my fathersonce put one up, and it frightened the crows so much that not one entered the field again fol more than year"
 He looked triumphantly around his audience. Surely that had settled these country pumpkins!
 But he was to meet his match.
 That's nothingl" retorted one farmer. "A neighbor O mine once put a scarecrow into his potato patch, and it terrified the birds so much that one rascal of crow, who had stolen some potatoes, came next day and put then back. ."-Edinburgh Scotsman.
The Mena weekly star., 1919-07-31

No more can it be said that any big monkey-faced maie negro can have . say at the polls of Arkansas and yet the most intelligent mother, wife and sister of the state be denied expres- sion. If Alabama, Georgia and Miss issippi are proud of being on the oth- CT side. ali well and good
The Mena weekly star., 1919-07-31
In Complete Accord.

Did you ever try to lay down the law to your wife?"
 "Yes," declared Mir. Meekton.
 Did you get by with it?"
 "I did. After I had agreed to all the amendments she demanded she was perfectly satisfied to do as I said. !" Washington Star.
The Mena weekly star., 1919-07-31
Costly Knowledge.

Caller-It's a good thing to teach your boy the value of money, as you are doing.
 Host-Well, I don't know. He used to behave for ten cents, but now he demands a quarter Boston Tran script
The Mena weekly star., 1919-07-31
Wanted 1t Healthy.

Storekeeper (to sub, and his wife on first shopping expedition)-I can strongly recommend this ham, madam, it's we'll cured.
 Wife Gin alarm) --Oh, don't give me one that has anything the matter with it, even if it is cured now. Let me have perfectly healthy one, please. Edinburgh Scotsman,
The Mena weekly star., 1919-07-31

keep the nation travelling safely on the road of prosperity.
 Advertising is, therefore, as so strongly presented by the federal gov ernment, a work of patriotism as well as of enlightened selfish business irl- terest.-M Manufactures Record
The Mena weekly star., 1919-07-31
Death at State HosnitaI

calvin Lawrence of Shady received word Monday that his daughter, Mrs. Asa PenninRer, had died at the state hospital at Little Rock. Mrs. Pennin- ger had been taken to the hospital for t'satment only few weeks ago.
The Mena weekly star., 1919-07-31

Judging from the way London is treating General Pershing, our British cousins hate us about the way a drowning man despises life guard who rescues him.