davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-12-21
MYSTERIOUS SHOTS
EARLY THIS MORNING.
IN TWO LOCALITIES
Residents of Delaware Avenue and
Harrison Street Aroused by
Bombardment.
SIMILAR REPORT FROM
WASHINGTON HEIGHTS

Mystery surrounds the firing of at
least ten revolver shots at between II
and / o'clock this morning at Delaware
avenue and Harrison street Residents
living in that neighborhOod suspect that
an attempt at holdup was made on the
highway leading out of the city. Mrs l.. A.
Kittinger, who lives at 1903 Delaware
avenue, was awakened shortly after mid
night by five revolver shots. which sound
ed as { they came from the front OF her
ward At 1905 Delaware avenue, occupied
by Mrs James Baily, distinct report OF
the shooting was also heard
DR. Henry j. Stubbs, 1904 Delaware
avenue, was awakened shortly after mid
night by pistol shots fred close by A
daughter, who occupies rear room, facing
PENNSYLVANIA avenue, was awakened by
the shooting Upon going to her window
Miss Stubbs states that an automobile
could be seen going at a tremendous
rate of speed out Pennsylvania avenue
and heading for the outer section OF the
city.
II was thought at first that Federal pro-
hibition agents may have had clash
with a whisky caravan, but w. Truxton
Boyce, enforcement Office, says his men
were not ON the highway last night,
Residents living along the Boulevard d
report that revolver shots wera also heard
in that section early this mo ming. A. T.
Parsons, 404 West Twenty street
was awakened shortly after ] 0 clock by
the report of revolver shots The police
have been notified and will endeavor 10
solve the mysterious shooting.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-12-21
JURY CONv|CTS SLAYER
Of BANK MESSENGER
James Insanity Plea Ignored and
He is Found Guilty in
First Degree.

C,mden. n. J.. Dec 3'1.--Frank J.
James was convicted here Yesterday ~
murder in the first degree for killing
David s Paul. 6O-year-old bank messenger
here The Jury ignored plea Of insanity
Paul left the Broadway Trust Company
on October wit s65 900 he wn. 10 have
deposited in n Philadelphia bank. Eleven
days later, buried under two feet Of earth
in n lonely wooded spot near Mount
Holly. n. J., detectives found Pauls
BODY On November Z, James and Ray
mond Schuck, motor car salesman. were
arrested. Both signed confessions. Nearly
all the money was found under flower pot
in a cemetery
Prosecutor Wolverton Of Camden on
November Z, gave the details Of the crime
as follows.
After meeting Paul they took him in
.Iamess machine 10 the First National
Bank. When he came out he got into the
machine again He believed he was beng
taken To Philadelphia, where he WAS TO de
posit $40. 900 in cash and checks amount
ing 10 s25 900 Paul sat with Schuck, who
was driving and James sat in the rear scat
When tho machine had almost reached the
ferrv James hit Paul on the head with q
tire iron, rendering him unconscious
/
Hill Park whore Paul recovered conscious
ness and begged 10 be allowed TO go. but
instead James struck him again Schuck
declares James fired two shots James de-
clarcd Schuck took the tire iron and beat
Paul on the head
II was charged TINT James and schuek
then plac 4 Paul's body IN n creek At Mari
ton. tving IL 10 two stakes. and later
buried H. Schuck will be tried January
On January 4, when the trial of his
companion Raymond w. Schuck begins,
James win hear himself condemned 70
death IN the electric chair nt Trenton.
The epiloguc Of the five-day drama IN the
Camden Court House came at dusk yes
tcreiav when Supreme Court Justice
Katzenharh set that day as the time when
sentence will be pronounced.
In his cell today James accepted thf
punishment calmly His counsel has filed .
formal notice Of an appeal.
Mrs Maude A. James, the prisoner !
wife. called on him in his cell III theG Gandei
Court House last night and the two talked
for an hour
When Schuck heard that the jury hao
| retired to Deliberate Yesterday ne eagerly
awaited the verdict This he learned as
soon rs James was brought back 10 NJ
cell. Tell him I'm sorry, was the mes
sage sent by Shuck to James.
Prosecutor Wolverton says he holds 9
confession signed by Schuck which wil
also be presented at the trst In TIN
statement Schurk denies he had any par
in the killing Of the bank runner. He al
leges he was driven To assist James II
burving the body by threats OF death
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-12-21
BERGER
VICTIM OF FAT Al
MOTOR ACCIDENT
Wilmington Man Killed When HIS
Car Was Wrecked at
Frederick, Md.
$4,000 ESTATE is
CLAIMED BY WIFE

Frederick. Md, Dec. 2l.-Letters of
administration have been granted to
Alban Wood and George r. Dennis, Jr.,
Frederick. on the estate of Edmund
Berger. who. with George W. Watts,
Negro was killed when their liquor laden
auto was wrecked here Thursday
Bergers property is valued at $1,000
consisting of $1,000 in lewelry; automo-
bile, "a. 500. liquor, $1,000; cash, 5000 "a,
and certificates on the Bank Of Berlin
for II. a66 marks Mrs Edmund Berger,
Wilmington. who SAYS she is Berger $
wife. and 7. NJ. Miller, Of Philadelphia,
came to Frederick Friday night TO claim
the body They took il 70 Mrs. Berger $
home in Wilmu gton.
Mrs Berger said that her husband
maintained two residences, ore az Gao
North Seventeenth street. Philadelphia.
and the other IT 732 Fifteenth street,
Northwest. Washir gton She said that
her husband was away from homo fre-
quently aud that she could give few
particulars q his life, She said that
she believed the liquor IN the car was
Pergers. as she had heard him say that
he owned some
The local address Of the Bergers does
not appear in the Wilmington directory
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-12-21
ACUTE SINKING SPELL
IN NEW YORK STOCKS
Speculative Issues Are Thrown
Over Regardless Of Quoted
Values.

ny Associated Press 10 Every Evening
New York. Dec u The stock market
had another acute sinking spell today. o
number Of speculative ISSUES being thrown
over regardless If quoted values
Further liquidation was accompanied
by rImors affecting the hnaucinl standing
of various traders md other interests,
some of whom werc especially prominent
Of recent years 10 the promotion Df go
called war brides
Standard shares of the railway find
industrial group we're comparatively steady
making only moderate receeslons ln
such issues az Vanndium, which recently
cut its dividend, and Replpgle steel, lossee
Of g 10 2Is4 point respectively were re-
gisteTed az midday
Shares Of the motor variety and sub
sidiariea lost to 3 pounts, and me tale,
especially the copper groups. continued
their reaction on further heaving selling.
Sales in the frat half ~ the secession ap-
proximated 10000 shares
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-12-21
BELIEVE ROBBERY MAS
PLANNED FROM INSIDE
American Express CO GUARDS az
Toledo Held Up oy Men
Who Get Slo. 500
' - -. y - ! -.

BY AsSocia Ell Press -o Evcrv veu.4s
Toledo. OhIo. De, 1l .ty .etn,tif.,
working IN -unyuc-lDu nita u.,.-. gators
Tor the American Railway hNUr-s lou'
panv. began TO-DAY to invest gate .le na..
sibiiitv that The Sl6.5UU muuec t lie
COMPANY Offices hcrc last glt Naa
planned from b, ns.de
Georgc n Hartman or,. -srr
the express company furnished 'lU NoHus
with the names % guards klu ,rr he.4
up by ,iN men trusel Nth >hor- Rhls
transferring safe ruutAmiaE lr luurF
from the office 20 Is trlck a tncr.h. e.. tla
store for shipment
Less thau half AZ hour 81 rHs -1i
berry another and larger ,slc .airiaA
more thar $4,000 WAS ua--tI flrllg
the same 8nui and taacu - ae .arlaI
station anG placed on fran
This doubtless was Che one tnc 1Dvn
were after the Doacc potat lf nd 10
this they base their belief Thar 7t 0ob-
berry was an inside job
The police bChevc last ugat -lcues
was committed ~ bows During the
progress OF the hold % thc landkcrchlsf
mask worn bv one % the bandits shipped
down and disclosed she lacc 3' yu4S
not more than - wears 81 age
Another curious phase tle e, A.
irving ~ solve s the fact tnat 't q snot
Wss fired
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-12-21
NY. POLICE RAIDS
FAIL To STOP CRIME
Minor Robberies Numerous While
Fnright Issues New
Orders.

New York, Dec n Raids bv police
fail 10 stop crime wave
Thus read headlines in Naw York news
papers last night after what vas describ-
ed as the first dav pf the mort sweeping
roundup of crooks IN the history ~ New
York
During the day amid numerous minor
robberies wa 8 listed on police records
another murder bv gIrmen. who invaded
the Seamens Mission on the waterfront
and shot and killed one nnn while stcal-
ing s4O0
But AZ roll call IL police stations Iast
evening were read two orders that ln-
dioated Commissioner Enright intends
to push the roundup ~ the lirnl'
The first command wns FOR patrolmen
~ stop and qlestion all pedestrians found
between midnight and dawn IN unfre-
Cniented streets. and If their actions arouse
suspicion. 70 search them for firearms
The second order revoked permis-
sion for policemen to take half an horr
for meals while on duty
Revocation of the meal hour permls-
SION came after the Board of Estimate
had postponed until today further con
slderation Of request by Comm Issioner
Enright for nearly 800 more uniformed
members Of his force.
Meanwhile, criminal courts cleared
their calendars for action against rob
Der bands. All cases against burglars
ard highwavmen were advanced, and
heavy penalties inflicted IN cases where
4 verdict ~ guilty vas returned
While the municipal authorities we're
preparing 70 launch their Official offense
On the underworld, the American Le-
gion. Merchants Association and other
bodies met TO Law plans Of their own.
New York posts of the War Feter-
ans Association, after their session. dis
patched a letter 10 Mayor Hylan Of
seriug nm the services offrom $50 70
100 selected members Of the Legion 0i
reinforce the regularly constituted police
.0rce of Greater New York at such time
- you. the chief executive 0f the -lty
and responsible for he maintenance q
law aud order. NAV determine that theiI
services are required
This offer j made recognizing p,
responsibility of the individual membei
0f the Legion As citizens and does not
contemplate Offering the assistance 8
the Legion N any matter involving II
dustrlal disputes, added the lerteF
Steps taken in other cities 70 checi
crime waves we're discussed At the meet
ing Of the Merchant Association. which
appointed committee 70 study the situ
alton in New York
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-12-21
|. {. {. RULING MtRGtS
EXPRESS COM PAhIES
Consolidation Effected q Adams
Southern. American and
W-lls-Fargo
~ Associated Pes. . E-~-y Ev-uius

Ry Asso~iatef Press - Ew~rv rerfnE
Warrington. Der. n Auth0rsv uaH
granted yegterdav nv ne Inte-stafe
Commerce Commission Tor permanerf
consolidation of ne transportation 1us.-
ness and properties Of The adams. Amer
can. Wells Fargo and southern rxpress
Coupanies into the American fsllWar
Express Company The commission said
il was their belief fhe public would hesf
re served bv 0ne consolidated company
serving al lines with equal rates
The permit granted hv the comuis-
ziOn was based on an application lied tv
the four express comuanIes last March
Hearings were heid bv the commission ir
August, representative ~ The .am-
uames. shippers and the public appsarng
20 present Arguments
The commission divlued n tne lues-
ton u permitting The expre-s cpnsulda-
ton. effected bv me railroad alministFa-
ron a. a var measure. to - made uer-
rnanent. commissioners No h0r1 anu
Mver dissenting from me maIOritf lur
presenting D minority -ppprr written
The former
The consolidation. thr lassenIilR
rarr as-ert.-l -eates aauuuuiv tnl
lestrot- -v-r --mD.auee -pmne
ton.
The tAer members um.,-
son rs .re.r --por declared ne
n -ac pnluu ard -na -ue 4u.r
terest N.A g. aromotrd oy .ne .lusn.....-
ton
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-12-21
BANDITS HOLD UP
AND ROB CAR CREW
At HUNTERS CORNER
Covered Conductor and Motor
man With Pistols and Took All
the Cash They Had.
ATTEMPT ON SECOND
CAR WAS FOILED

No trace has been found of tho masked
bandits who last night held up and rob
bed a trolley car crew at Hunter 3 Corner,
the end of the Rising Sun line, shortly
before | | and were foiled III an attempt at
another holdup by n plucky conductor,
who awaited their arrival with pointed
revolver.
The bandits, heavily masked, stepped
from their automobile while the car wns
waiting at the end Of the line before be
ginning its return journey. With slouch
hats pulled well down over their eyes, the
rest of their faces covered with band OF
Georgctte crepe, the bandits leveled auto
matte pistols at II. ID wilkinson the con-
ductor. and John Woodward, motorman.
At the command Stick 'em up the
two trollcymeu obeycd. In order 70 gam
time hoping someone might arrive to dis
concert the highwaymcn, Wilkinson at
tempted to parley with them One OF the
bandits ordered the money TO be placed on
the seat of the car The highwaymen Sc
cured $40 from the conductor, $50 ot
which was his own, the balance having
been fares collected during the evening
Fifteen cents. all the motorman had, was
taken
SECOND ATTrMrT FRUSTRATED.
Warning the trolleymen 20 not make an
cutlery the bandits made of toward the
CITY ii their machine, which had been left
with it's motor running. On the arrival of
another trolley car. the victims told OF
their hold-up and prepared to mako their
return trip TO this city Later X blackwell
conductor of the second car, hearing an
approaching automobile, stepped from his
trolley car INTO the road and faced the
machine with drawn revolver The ma
chine then turned quickly within loo teot
Of the car and sped back IN the direction
from which u had come.
While Wilkinson and Woodward had
only seen the two men who had actually
committed the crime. Blackwell was posi-
tive there were four in the car at the time
Of It's supposed second attempt
According 10 Wilkinson the man who
rifed him was about 35 wears old, six feet
tall and heavily built He wore dark
overcoat and dark slouch hat, as did his
companion Neither Wilkinson nor Wood
ward could tell what make OF car the mer
were driving nor did Blackwell or the two
victims see the license number.
WANT roIIcF PROTECTION.
The Levy Court today received from
r. ID. wilkinson. conductor, and J. T
Woodward, motorrnnn, n written state
ment Of the hold up Of a trolley car al
Hunters Corner last night by bandits,
President Elliott told his colleagues thai
William Campbell is employed in that
district as a constable. but probably was
not near the railway terminal when he
robbery WAS committed.
H. n. Geiger. dispatcher for the vii
mington & Philadelphia Traction Co.
requested the court 10 provide more
protection for the outlying trolley lines
The court. on motion of Commissioner
Ward. asked constables TO pay more at
tention 10 the Rising sun. Newport mad
Brandvwine Springs terminals.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-12-21
VIRGINIA Dunn HELD
ON THEFT CHARGE
Delmar Girl Comes 70 Grief
Through Alleged Exploits in
Wilmington.

Miss Virginia Dunn. alias Minnie
Banks. who was arrested yesterday after
noon. as the mysterious woman who gain
ed entrance 10 various houses throughout
the CITY ard then robbed the owners. was
arraigned before Judge Hastings in Mu-
nicipal Court today on nine charges OF
larceny and held under $500 bail for the
Juvenile Court She gave her age as II
and her home as Dclmar
The alleged operations otth girl had
been harassing the police for some time
and they have been on the lookout for
her The losses reported comprise three
pearl necklaces, number ofrings. stick
pms. brooches. watches and other pieces
Of jewelry Search Of her room on Nawa-
set street revealed a large amount Of loot
She is charged with larceny from the
following persons Mrs Mary Leof, ll6
Connen street: Mrs Emma Webb Dos
Harrison street: Mrs. Oda Barrett 204
North Connel street; Alexander Blair
1920 y. Monroe street: Mrs Mary Peck
ham. 7O6 Monroe street: David X Zeigier
6l2 East Sixth street; Nathan Feingold
GIG East Eighth street: Mrs. Mary Joyce
304 North Jackson street; Samuel VII
liams. 1875 West Seventh street
The plan of the girl, II Is said. was 10
pick out home with 'for sale or 'foI
rert" sign on it and gain entrance on q
pretext of inquiring about the place Her
story generally was that her father had
Just sold his farm and intended to rent OF
purchase place in the city. On some pre-
text or other she managed TO get TO the
second floor usually alone and soon after
left the place 1t was while she was up,
stairs that she is alleged TO have stolen the
jewelry.
She was arrested yesterday by Officer
Scott at Fourth and Market streets, when
she was pointed out TO the officer by Mrs
Mary Joyce, who recognized the woman
as the one supposed TO have stolen watcl
and diamond ring from her home
When she was searched by the polio,
natron the diamond ring was found in hel
shoe
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-12-21
B|SHO CHAS.S BURCH
DEAD OF HEART DISEASE
New York Prelate Dies Suddenly
in Apartment Of Woman
Friend.

New York. Dec 2l Funeral service
for the Right Reverend Charles sumner
Bu-ch. bishop Of the Protestant Episco-
pal diocese Of New York. who died sud
denly here Yesterday of heart disease.
viii he held Friday AZ the cathedral OF
st John the Divine The full plans have
not vet been completed
Mourning was placed on ALI churches
in the diocese and the stately cathedral
WAS draped in purple and black
As the bishop had no assistant the
standing committee. headed BY the Rever-
end Or Ernest VI Stires Of st Thomas
Church in this city. automatically be-
comes the ruling body of the diocese
until a successor Is elected.
Bishop Burch died suddenly Yesterday
afternoon Of heart failure induced by
the debihtating effect Of larvngltis. lie
died in the apartment of Mrs Alice NJ
Douglass, No. $50 Rivervlde Drive, 70
which he had evidently turned for aid
when sudden weakness seized HIM while
he was walking northward in the drive.
Repor Is printed in the afternoon papers
to the effect that Bishop Burch died IA a
chair AZ the Snyod House on the grounds
Of the Cathedral 81 St John the Divine
al Cathedral Parkway and Amsi er1am
avenue, NeIc l4AColttCb+ l5lONtHtli oiitNlstia
could not explain now or where the report
originated, although the first news Of the
death came from that circle,
At the apartment house, Mrs Doug
lass refused last night 10 see reporters
or make a statement as to the manner of
the death Of her guest. She sent word by an
apartment attendant that she had been
interested in charities which also had in
ferested Rishop Burch and that as 4 cOnse-
quence Of this mutual interest. the bishop
had called on her several times in the last
year. The attendant said that Mrs. Doug
lass's husband and children were now in
France
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-12-21
DEMOCRATS HALT
REVISION Of TARIFF
PLANNED BY Cop
Opposition Grows to Measure aq
il VIII be Reported 20 he
House
BUSINESS MEN
FAVOR SALES TAX
nr As.ocl.,el -. b 2 - 2 -,

~ Associa'ed press - .r-r gsrnIrv
Washington Dec - pr1Iorents
the FOrdney emergency 'arf Yh aff
the Oprreifign wrrr runaged today
lining up their forces prrparatqfF o.
the fight shen tho measure H .tlfd Ir
for Consideration r the iir.Ha f.u0rfnr
Opcn antag0usm to th' nrn0lrr. r
both the senate and liolp s man
fosfcd for the first time yrefrr la" InII0r
ing its report bv the rsFs all mean
committee with The peri01 W. tDfhea'F
re,llced fo Ten months fr1u trH rs
vrar period previously hred
Long staplr ~ Egyptian rYttDr
cl,ided N the lis' = o0nmDfif.rs named
IN the bin on which high .uporf frfns
would be irnposed This ffu wns 1nliffef
from The let gwen ou' asf gn'
Chairman FOrdney Uerauer no 00m
mittoe had bern unahie - prrpa-r -s'i
mates ~ he total rpvertIr rhr prGf
H. derived or the hesis y 're .er's
pr pound duty .mp0-sd
Washington. Doc ~ IarF -vstor
40 this session n C0ugreae vas - 1aef
Il M. absolutely halted rv -eT.a'r Derr
ocrats a. = ~onfererer vrefe~ta~ 70 wef
decided thaf pFnrrgrurv nRHe'af'0r
this nature - mt rerrssar' ard fra' ri
re.igi0n whatever -hould - serr0r rirsiri
after careful study and fll' cha'e
any event II viii ro' - pDErif z .r rer
fecf rich legislation unfii after r- .n
davs
Coafinued on nagr
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-12-21
EIGHT PENNIES SAVED
SAILOR BANDITS LIFE
He and Three Others Fought Bat
tie With Detective Near McCor-
mick Home in Chicago.
~ Associated Press 20 Every Evening

By Associated Press 20 Livery Evening
Chicago, Dec, Determination early
TODAY Of wound sustained by a sailor
bandit who with three men in army uri-
forms fought gun battle last night with
a private detective in front of the home OF
Cyrus H. Mccormick, head of the Inter
national Harvester Company, proved that
his pocketbook containing eight pennies
saved his life.
The force of the bullet was impeded
when it struck the pennies and 1t lodged
in his abdomen 1t was easily removed by q
police surgeon with his fingers.
The sailor, John Johr son, an apprentice
seaman at Great Lakes naval station was
deserted by his companiors when he fell
wounded after score OF shots had been
exchar ged.
TT was my first job, he said Il
wanted little Christmas spendiug & money.
met the three soldiers and asked them
to go along on little stickup party.
never saw them before
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-12-21
STEERING COMMITTEE
TO AID DEMOCRATS
Will Arrange for State Headquar-
tiers and Permanent Organi
cation.

Al recent meeting of the Democratic
State Committee, Henry X. Isaacs, the
chairman, was authorized to appoint q
committee 10 serve In the capacity Of 8
Steering Committee, the committee "a
consist Of seven members, Of which the
chairman Of the State committee should
serve as chairman.
The committee appointed by Mr.
Isaacs follows
Sussex county-Andrew J. Lynch
Georgetown William Z. Valiant, Laurel
Kent county-James II Hughes, Dover
Mrs. Marshall Derby, Woodside
New Castle county-Timothy j
Mooney, Wilmington; Miss Lena Evans
Newark; Francis de H. Janvier, New
Castle.
A meeting Of this committee will be held
at an early date.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-12-21
HOFFMAN PARDONED.
Alleged 10 Have Been Concerned in a
Number of City Robberies.

Acting on the recommendation of the
State Board of Pardons, Governor Town
send today granted conditional pardon
to William Hoffman, who Is serving a
seven-year term in the workhouse on the
charge of larceny. Hoffmans sentence
began January 8, 1919 Good conduct
in the workhouse" and dire need of the
family" were among the .easons given for
granting the pardon. He was paroled to
Assistant Probation Officer Oliver.
Jessie Reed who was sentenced to six
years imprisonment for Implications in
the same robberies, was granted a parole
in September Both men were alleged 10
have been implicated in 10 robberies
about the city.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-12-21
COLBY REACHES RIO.
Secretary of State in Brazil to
Return Visit of Prcsi-
dent Pcssoa.
by Associated Press to Every Evening.

by Associated Press to Every Evening.
Rio de Janeiro, Dec. 2I.-Bainbridge
Colby, the American Secretary Of State,
arrived here this morning on board the
battleshp Florida from the United States.
MIR. Colby, who is accompanied by
General Cronkte and Admiral Bassett,
representing the United States army and
navy, respectively, came To Brazil TO re-
turn the visit of President Pessoa To the
United States. The Florida sailed from
Newport News, Va, December 4.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-12-21
RUMELY SENTENCED.
Gets One Year for COncealing German
Ownership Of Paper.

BY Associated Press TO Every Evening
New York, Dec. 2l.-Dr Edward A.
Rumely, former publisher of the New
York Evening Mail and 5. Walter kauf
man and Norvin Lindheim were sentenced
to prison terms OF one year and one day
each in Federal Court here yesterday on
conviction for conspiring to withhold from
the government knowledge of the alleged
German ownership of the newspaper dur
ing part of the war.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-12-21
PIERCE INQUEST TO-DAY.

Philadelphia, Dec. 21-An inquest INTO
the killing of Henry I. Peirce, manufac-
turers' agent, who was found beaten to
death in his apartment here on November
% WAS held today by coroner knoght
Thirteen witnesses had been summined
bv the commonwealth