davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The star-progress. (Opelousas, La.) 1917-1921, 1920-12-08
ELECTRIC SHOCK CAME
NEAR PROVING FATAL
TO SEVERAL MONDAY

from the roof also give him hard
shock. but holding up under the in
nuence he manage to reach the chill
dren and dragged them beyond the
influence of the current that nad
stricken them down. Mr. Lpembos
young son was slightly burned, it is
said, but fortunately none were seri-
ously injured.
This is not the first time that live
wires have been down in Opelousas.
but this recent occurrence emphasizes
the necessity Of re-wiring the city at
the earliest possible moment. Many OF
the wires have been in use for years
and the insulation on the high-voltage
ones is worn to shreds, leaving the
copper entirely exposed. Occasionally.
in heavy winds, some wire breaks. and
the broken end sputters the "blue de-
wills that mean death or injury to the
unfortunate one who comes in contact
with it.
Old Wires to be Removed
The city intends removing all the
old wires and erecting new ones when
the work of installing the new light
plant and system begins 1t will be-
quite large job but one well worthy
the undertaking and expense Future
accidents will thus be avoided ana
perhaps the lives of a few people
saved. Every now and then some
wire breaks during high winds but this
is the first time in our recollection that
fatality was narrowly averted By
prompt action. The wire this time
rested on the roof of building and the
current jumping from its broken end
simply followed the falling water, this
latter being splendid conductor Of
electricity. II the wire itself had been
on the ground the unfortunate chill
dren undoubtedly would have been
killed.
The star-progress. (Opelousas, La.) 1917-1921, 1920-12-08
GENERAL
RULES WOMEN WILL
NOT HAVE TO PAY
Constitution Makes No Pro
vision for Females Pay
ing Regular Poll Tax
DECISION APPEARS
TO BE FAR-REACHING
Status Of the Organic Law
to be Adopted May be
Changed Soon

The state attorney general has just
ruled that the newly enfranchised wo@
men voters will not have to pay poll
tax in order to be qualified electors.
This ruling has been sent out to the
several tax-collectors and will automat-
icaIy stop the collection of the tax from
the women Of Louisiana
Constitution Makes No Provision
1t is presumed that the officials ruI-
ing is based on aprovision of the pres
ent constitution, which was adopted IN
1898, which says that 'fall male cit
izens shall pay pol ltax." The poll
tax prerequisite of the election law Is
based on this provision Of the constitu-
ton, and as no change in either consti-
tuition or legislative act have been
made, women voters naturally do not
have to come across with the annual
dollar poll tax now required of male
citizens.
/ AS long as the present constitution
and laws remain in effect the female
voters will cast their ballots tax-free.
Nothing has appeared in public print
relative to any contemplated change
which may be attempted by the cons
titutionai convention, but It is suppos-
ed by many that the convention will
correct this paIpable defect in the law
in order to place both the male and fe-
male voters on the same footing.
Opinions Differ Widely
! AS usual, there is wide divergence
opinion on the question. Some Of the
leading lights profess strong belief in
requiring women to pay the poll tax
as well as the men On the other
hand there is another element Of men
(who may be ranked as just a shade
more ohivalric) who state positively
that no change in the existing status
should be made or attempted, and that
women should not now or ever be COM
pell go pay a poll tax, but should be
allowed the privilege Of voting in al
future elections simply by registering
Solution Yet to Come
4. These conflicting beliefs and opin
ions may have to be worked over for
final and best solution when the con
vention meets, according to some
, the third or conservative class. Wha
that working out process will amour
no one can at present say or eve
q guess. However, from a question Q
revenue, the recent ruling of the a
torney general will hit the public treas
:. ury quite hard. The poll taxes go
!. the public school system, and if ever
voter in the state, male or female, pal
the dollars each per year the ann r
q receipts from this source would b
doubled. if not more. This phase of tn
# situation may cause the convention
. frame an article which will require II
women to pay, just as the men are r
4 uuired. The small amount of one dc
II lar would injure few, and on the oth'
y hand would go long way toward al
J. ing the school system OF the state al
! as the women are strong Supporters
the schools there should be no disse
e among them on this important matt
% of increasing the schools revenue.
The star-progress. (Opelousas, La.) 1917-1921, 1920-12-08
SPOOKS AND SPIRITS
DRAW LARGE CROWDS
TO SUBURBAN HOME

furnished amusement to a large num-
Der. Interest centered around that
little house and the folks who flock
ed there presented a strong picture of
the true working of democratic ideals,
in that the poor rubbed elbows with
the rich. the white with the black, all
curious and determined to see the an
tics of the invisible spirits that hov.
cred around and some wag, seeming
the righteousness of the occasion, said
positively that the only spirits present
was the departed soul of John Bar
leycorn and Banished Alcohol.
Spirits Have ReveIry
There was all kinds Of talk about
the mysterious happenings, The stove
lids flew off and ran around the room;
eggs frying in a. hot skillet jumped out
tackled like real i've hens; a bicycle,
stored in a closet, opened the door and
went wheeling across the floor without
any rider; shingle after shingle flew
off the roof and shimmied through the
air and later on the ground; then,
someone said, half jocularly, even the
windows had panes. Quite long
calendar of the happenings at this
house are detailed by the many who
witnessed ~ the occurrences. The
stories seem to gather weight and vol
ume as they spread abroad and If this
thing continues much longer Opelou-
sas will have a real sensation indeed.
Strange to say, however, the negro
tenants are apparently unmoved and
unconcerned and refuse to vacate.
They hang on to their place of abode
like grim death and al the antics of
the bunch of "spooks" fail to drive
them to leaving the place. Seriously,
some think there is nothing to the en-
tire affair but poorly yelled attempt
to scare the negro away and make him
sell his home for a song-to some per-
son who desires ownership at a nom
! inal price.
The star-progress. (Opelousas, La.) 1917-1921, 1920-12-08
More Work in Sight

There yet remains considerable
work to be done on the church and
many more funds will be needed. Re-
Gently several new amounts have been
added to the church funds. The Lib
erty bond, donated to Father Colliard
by the Knights of Columbus and in
turn by him donated to the church and
awarded to Mrs. Bercier, brought the
sum of $3.50 for the church, Last Sun
day Father Colliard announced that on
the last Sunday of November, when he
passed the special collection in church,
he obtained $25S. These sums, and
also money obtained from the sale of
lumber used in building the scaffold-
ing will also prove valuable additions
to the church funds.
The star-progress. (Opelousas, La.) 1917-1921, 1920-12-08

.hout fifteen years ago a "haunted"
IN in the northwest limits of Ope-
80 - created a long-lasting sensation.
crowds visiting the house and
,tnassipg the strange doings of the
o,s and other uncanny things. We
mt inst recall what happened, or
IN happened; but everybody said
j happened; but everybody said
ss;nos did happen there in quick sue
aosgion and the superstititous believ-
i that the place was ''hanted" for
t-no However. in the course of time
tbings simply quit happening at that
rarticnlar house and Opelousas hasn't
had another sensation Of the kind un-
n the past few days.
spooks and More spooks
The spoolzs have come to life agai1
or maybe. it is another set Of the
strange beings that have appeared to
disturb the tranquility Of the staid old
town and excite the minds and imas-
,ratjons of the believers, in suc1.
fbipgs Another house in the western
limits of the city this time, is the
nresent scene of the ghostly things
and is a ne wdwelling owned and occu-
MED BY a respectable negro. So many
stories are told about what happels
that IT is difficult to describe the
strange doings, but it is stated that
the performance starts in the after
noon and lasts spasmodically for sew
eral hours.
Crowds Flock to See Sights
Hundreds of people of both colors
YIocked to the scene last week to wit
ness the happenings. Some declared
that everything mysterious came off
IN due time and according to pre-ar-
ranged schedule, while others state
emphatically that nothing extraordi-
nary took place. Which class is right,
we leave to the reader to judge. AT
sny rate, the occurrence served to
break the monotony of existence and
The star-progress. (Opelousas, La.) 1917-1921, 1920-12-08

Nathan Roos motored from Lafay-
cite to Opelousas Wednesday and at
tended the card party given by Miss
Rosalie Roos.
Mrs. w. B. Powers went to Eunice
Wednesday.
Mr.. T. Dalpheres of Lafayette spent
Saturday and Sunday in town visiting
Miss Nathalie Haas.
Jimmie and Sidney Dejean, Mr.. and
Mrs. Armand Dejean and ia. Durio
motored to Vile Platte on Saturday
last and partook OF a wild duck sup
per at the home of Mr.. ana Mrs. 6
Deville
Mr. and Mrs Ben Dejean are the
proud parents of a baby boy born Z
them on Friday, December g.
Mr.. Frank Merritt of Blanks, La
spent several days in town visiting
friends.
The star-progress. (Opelousas, La.) 1917-1921, 1920-12-08
COLORED CATHOLICS
TO ERECT CHURCH
FATHER HYLANp MAKING PRO-
GREss WITH WORK OF sEcUR-
ING HOME FOR FLOCK

The colored Catholic congregation
oi 0pelousas and vicinity, under the
wise leadership of their priest, Rev.
Father Hyland Of the Order of Holy
Ghost, is making considerable pro-
gress toward the fuutre erection of a
church building. To this end a sub
scription list has been started and
vas most libenally contributed to,
more than two hundred having already
contributed sums ranging from TWEEN
y dollars down, Father Hyland has
made deep impression on the mem
Dership and with the individual aid,
g well as that Of several religious or
SENSATIONS that are exclusively color
y ne and his helpers in the matter in
ena to build the church as soon as
possible For the time being they
re using temporary place until the
aes structure is erected.
The star-progress. (Opelousas, La.) 1917-1921, 1920-12-08

Mrs. Marie Dupre arrived here on
Tuesday from Houston and will visit
her daughter, Mrs. John Desmarias,
for an indefinite time.
The star-progress. (Opelousas, La.) 1917-1921, 1920-12-08
HIGH SCHOOL NOTES

Monday there was only school a
half holiday on account Of the bad
weather.
The star-progress. (Opelousas, La.) 1917-1921, 1920-12-08

mr. and Mrs Walter Dupre Of Hous'
'on' Texas, spent the weekend IN
soVn IS guests Of Mr.. and Mrs. John
Dssnarias.
me many friends of Mrs. Jonas
4oOs win be glad that she is up again
a''ef being under the weather for the
past week.
The star-progress. (Opelousas, La.) 1917-1921, 1920-12-08
TO Put Up Big Fight

The company is going to have the
best legal talent obtainable at the We'd
nesday hearing. Every effort, legal
and otherwise will be made in order
to secure permission from the COM
mission to establish the higher rates
and If the patrons, VIII oare to pay the
added cost il the rates go into effect,
are present to object to it, everyone
can rest assured that the company
will win by default and have its way,
unless the commission sees the un-
fairness of the monopolstic demands
and refuses the company commission
the privilege of increasing rates. Pa
irons in person, or by committees ap
pointed to represent them, commercial.
bodies etc, should be on hand il
strength to present their side of the
case in order that the company WI
not win out by actual or partial de
fault
/ 1t is time to get busy, and th'
time is short!
The star-progress. (Opelousas, La.) 1917-1921, 1920-12-08

Two children of Mr.. and Mrs.
A. L. Lacombe and the young sol Of
Mr.. B. L. Sanders were shocked into
insensibility by electricity Monday.
Mr.. A. L. Lacombe also received q sew
ere shock from the invisible "iuico"
when he rescued the children. but
managed to hold up under it and get
the stricken ones to a zone of safety.
Live Wire sputters Current
During the heavy rainstorm a live
wire broke and was sputtering the
deadly current on the roof of the San
ders store, corner of Market and Gro
/ lee streets. The Lacombe- family live
just across the street and Mrs. La
combe discovered the smoking wire
and thought the store roof was afire.
She promptly sent her young son over
to notify Mr.. Sanders of what was go
ing on on the roof and when the child
reached the shed over the sidewalk
the current coming down the stream
of water knocked him into insensi-
bility.
Three Knocked Insensible
Young Sanders, who was in the. rear
of the store rushed forward to ascer-
tain what had happened and he, too,
was knocked insensible Both boys
were PROSTATE and Mrs. Laeombe from
her window looking on the scene,
knew something was wrong and sent
one of her little daughters over to
investigate, and when the child reach
ed the place she also was knocked out
by the deadly current.
Larry" Saves Stricken
Mr.. Lacombe rushed from his home
to the store, not altogether sure what
had happened, and when he attempted
to approach the insensible children the
current following the water falling
The star-progress. (Opelousas, La.) 1917-1921, 1920-12-08

Alfred Cormier of Port Barre was
here on Tuesday to take in the street
fair.
The star-progress. (Opelousas, La.) 1917-1921, 1920-12-08
Bought with Contributions

The altar is for the most part the
result of contributions from the girls
and ladies of Opelousas, who, about
six or seven years ago, were formed
into society, contributing twenty-five
cents monthly for the altar Father
Colliard in calling the peoples atten-
tion to the altar, did not fail to give
due credit to the generous givers
whose small donations have swelled
far into the hundreds-aye, perhaps
thousands-an and in this splendid ad-
dition to the church which is source
of pardonabIe pride to every lady of
Opelousas. In pointing out the new al
tar, Father Colliard took occsaion also
to mention the article relative to- the
church work on the newspaper which
stated that every Sunday there was
something in church for the congrega-
tion. Mass was said at the new altar
Sunday for the first time,
The star-progress. (Opelousas, La.) 1917-1921, 1920-12-08
new ALTAR WAS
USED FOR FIRST
time AT CHURCH
Last Sunday Mass Was Gel
ebrated With Pomp and
Impressive Fervor
ALTAR BOUGHT WITH
CONTRIBUTED FUNDS
Generous Congregation Do
mated Willingly to Edi-
fices Completion

An imposing sight greeted the Goth
olic congregation last Sunday when
they entered church. 1t was the mag
nificent new altar which had been
erected during the past week.
Altar Work of Art
The altar is a work of art in every
respect. 1t is about twenty-five by ten
feet. 1t is mostly composed Of imita-
ton marble. Near the base below the
tabernacle, is a lovely representation
of the Last Supper in raised figures
whose vivid colors reflect to advan-
tage against the dazzling white of the
altar. Above this, removed somewhat
back as on all Catholic affairs, is the
tabernacle which is of imitation mar
BILE with a gilded door on which is a
raised figure of "a ceborium. The tab
ernacle is surmounted by white cru
cifix with a gold colored corpus. A
dome about five feet high is reared
above the tabernacle and above it is
an arch which is capped by another
smaller dome. Two undulations of the
altar, one above the other, makes it
easy to place candlesticks to display
to advantage. On each side, of the al
tar on pedestals about five feet in
height, joined to the altar, stand two
kangels holding golden chandeliers. Far
above these, almost on level with
the last dome, there are two other
statutes of angels each holding al
extended trumpet in an outstretched
hand. The two former figures are
tinted with different colors, the two
latter being solid white.
The star-progress. (Opelousas, La.) 1917-1921, 1920-12-08
COMMISSION TELLS
DATE OF HEARING
ON The PHONE GRAB
Body to Hear Both Sides
On Next Wednesday,
December Is
PUBLIC'S ATTENTION
SEEMS UNATTRACTED
Monopoly Will Put One
Over Unless Steps Taken
Against

The railroad commission of Loulsl-
ana has issued notice of the public
hearing on the Cumberland telephone
company's application for an increase
in rates charged for service rendered
its patrons. The hearing is set for
next wednesday, December Is, and no
further notice will be issued. All
parties interested in the question are
notified to be present in person or
by letter.
Monopoly said Foundation
Some time ago the tele 4lone mono
poly, in laying Accumulation for its pro
posed grab, prepared some skilfully
worded advertisements which it pub.
lished broadcast throughout the state
1t is almost needless to say that the
array of figures, the plaintive talk OF
how much it was losing or how little
it was making, was not read by many,
and most of those who read did not
digest or understood the technicalities
placed before them. In fact, no one
was interested except as to the de
manded increase.
"HeIp the Poor" company's Cry
If the poor company had been losing
money in its operation in Louisiana il
would have gone out of business OF
sold out. That's patent. If it had beer
spending its income in improvements
/ of service, that fact was not and is
not apparent. However, to justify itS
claim for more pay it says it needs
/ the mon" in order to make exten
sions in the state-build more lines
put in more. boxes and serve" more
! people, so that, Of course, the subscrip
| ers on the new lines will have to come
| across with the increased rates. There
isn't the slightest doubt in the worlt
that the telephone monopoly is wis'
! bird in its day and generation. If i
can put one over the sleeping patrons
it will rake in the shekles and add Il
its property ownings in the state ant
thus heel itself for a long, long tins
to come. That is also patent.
/ Should Use Past Earnings
No one has the slightest objection
to the company's taking its past earn
ings and erecting new lines and ez
changes in Louisiana, thus increasing
its annual income. This increase vii
add to the stock dividends of the fl
ture. But there is a strong objection
to paying more money for existin
service and with little or no guarante
that that service will at all be improH
ed, the greater income to go towar
constructing other property holdin
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-11-05
9PEKA DAILY STATE

4
workers are carried out during the
week of November to II. In spe-
,ciaI Campaign the Sunday schools will
try to enroll 1000 men and boys in
the Sunday schools of the city.
Committees from each church in the
city will have fists of men and boys in
their district who should be in Sun
day school,
Churches and representatives. in the
campaign are: First Presbyterian, L.
B. Myers; Trinity Methodist F. w.
Conf TT; First Baptist, Guy Williams =;
United Brethren. Howards Huffman;
Westminster Presbyterian,IJ. H. Nc
Elhenny;; Evan MISREPRESENTATION, Ken
neth>4fobbs; sLowman Memorial, C. J.
Cross; First Congregational, E. E.
Brayman: Central Congregational, E.
n. Hogueland; Central Park Christian,
n. F. Fouch; Potwin Presbyterian, G.
A. Sewers.
1t is probable that other churches
will enter the campaign next week.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-11-05

the rate=of 1000 cars d day For this rea-
son Minneapolis wheat is below our price
while as rule their market is above ours
and they are one of orr best customers in
this market, This year for the above rea-
son they buy nothing in this market in
fact, are shipping their low grades here.
1t looks more every day as if the export
demand is satisfied as only an occasional
sale is made at sacrifice prices. Crops in
the southern hemisphere raise their ex-
portable surplus all the time. Australia
came out with 4 report yesterday that they
Will have almost three times as much as
last year. Australia and Argentina are
already offering wheat for january and
February shipment at way beloE our
prices Is it, therefore, to be wondered at
that our markets won't bull? 1t appar-
entity is not in the cards wheat COM
pared with other commodities is still high
and other commodities still are on the
toboggan. 1 guess it is still the safest
policy to sell on track and protect your
profit
If your banker should be interested in
the within letter and would like to have
further literature in regard to this we
shall be glad to submit it. We do NOT
write this letter to the banker with the
idea. of getting speculative orders A deal
of this kind would not be Speculative but
absolutely 4 business proposition. Always
glad to serve YOU Yours. very truly,
.MENSENDIECK GRAIN COMPANY
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-11-05
If SKIN BREAKS OUT,
IS FIERY, ITCHY OR
ROUGH, Use SULPHUR

Just the'1noment you apply Mentho-
SULPHUR to an itching. burning or
broken out skin. the itching stops and
healing begins, says a noted skin spe-
cialist. This sulphur preparation,
made into a pleasant cold cream, gives
such quick relief, even to fiery &C.
zema, that nothing has ever been
found toftake its place
7 Because of its germ DESTROYING
properties, it quickly subdues the Itch
ing. eools the irritation and heals the
eczema right up, leaving a clear,
smooth skin in place. of ugly eruptions,
rash. pimples or roughness.
You do not have to wait for i'm
provement. 1t quickly shows. You
can get a little jar of Mentho- Sulphur
at any drug store.-Advertisem
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-11-05

continue from Tuesday until Friday
On Tuesday candidates will-have con-
fcrred upon them the degrees in the
Lodge of Perfection, fourth to four
teenth inclusive. On Wednesday, the
degrees of the chapter of Rose Croix,
fifteenth to eighteenth, inclusive will
be conferred. Wednesday night and
all day Thursday. the nineteenth to
thirtieth degrees in the council of
knights of Kadosh will be given. On
Friday the thirty degree work
will be given. On Friday night a ban
quet will end the reunion
Both morning and afternoon ses-
sions will be held on each day of the
reunion. y r.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-11-05
FARMER PLAYS LOSING GAME.
With Money Tight 1t, Is Impossible
to Bull Market.

A letter which sets forth the situa-
ton at the present time in the grain
market was received this morning by
Topeka grain dealers. 1t shows that
by holding his wheat the farmer is
playing a losing game.
The letter reads:
Il have been thinking for some time to
get letter out to you which yon could
give to your banker. The situation as out
lined in the within letter. is so self-evident
that no argument with you, being a grain
dealer. is necessary, but it might help the
banker considerable in relieving the strin-
gent sitJfHAi0n- With money so tight at
the present time it is just like butting your
the market: besides Canadian wheat Is
still pouring info the Winnipeg market at
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-11-05
SCOTTISH RITE REUNION
Fifty-Fifth Annual Celebration Begins
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Today.

The registration of Shawnee county
Scottish Rite Masons for the fifty
fifth annual reunion started today.
The reunion will be held in Topeka
November 3, 10, IL and IL. and all
members in the county are to be regis
tered before Saturday night, so that
the members from out of the county
may register Monday morning. More
than 500 applications for membership
had been received before the lists were
closed.
The reunion will be held IN the
Grand opera house. as is customary
Meals are to be served turnout the re-
union in the main dining hall/of the
Masonic temple.
The program of degree work will