davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1921-05-01
Ho.D He Approaches
The Sailor Mind

1t is mostly among the men Of the sea, how
ever, that the "Bible man. of New York's
water front carries on his work. The big aim
of the men whose reading is mostly done by the
dim light in forecastle and whose library
must be part Of the small dunnage to which
such men find themselves limited through
necessity. Some Of these men have wide fannili-
arity with the Bible. Others are free to admit
that they have never looked into the book until
they get copy from the "Bible man." Some
have their interest reused by the reading Of
smaller pieces of literature from the Bible and
ask for the book itself. Here is the record of
Mr.. Jones's visitations and distributions along
the water front for the first three months Of
this year: Steamers, 465; schooners, 249:
barks, Z; canal boats, 81; barges, "a; coal
boats, SO; Bibles distributed, 212; testsRsents,
1896; smaller parts of Scriptures, 2,OOe.
Mr.. Joness Office has not always been in its
present location. Owing to the recent demands
for Office space of all kinds, he has had to
change his place Of location three times within
the last year. But the sailors always know
that the "Bible man" who helped them when
they were broke, or who secured counsel for
them when they were about to be beaten out Of
their wages by unscrupulous shipmasters, is
somewhere along the water front. If they cam
not find his Office they have only to await his
coming. for the average storm does not deter
him from his daily visits among the strange
craft thai poke their noses into the slips at
New Yorks edge.
New-York tribune., 1921-05-01

BY ARTHUR CHAPMAN

~ oRTY-SEvEN years ago the bowsprits
Of square-riggers hung over, South
Street like roof beams, and all sorts Of
dgureheads smiled or frcwued down
uucn the one who followed the tar-strewn trail
along the water front.
young preacher from Brooklyn Joined
those who walked among the sailormen and
stsvedores in that early day, and he has been
It It ever since. It will be forty-seven years
nsxt September, to be exact, that the Rev.
william G. Jones, as representative of the
New York Bible Society, picked up a gripsacls
dlled with religious literature and began the
work which has made him familiar figure in
South Street In that time he has given away
countless thousands Of Bibles, testaments and
smaller portions Of the Scriptures. It is an
important part Of the distribution work car
ried on by the two great Bible societies in this
country. The American Bible Society attends
to the distribution Of Biblical literature out
side Of New York, but in this city the New
York Bible Society covers such fields as Ellis
Island, the water front, hotels and downtown
lodging houses.
Carrying big gripsack, loaded with large
and small books, printed in various languages,
Mr. Jones starts out from his headquarters at
175 South Street, near the Brooklyn Bridge,
and makes daily pilgrimage along the docks
on both rivers. All these years Of ship hunt
ing have given him unerring vision for craft Of
all sorts. He knows when liner or q fruit
ship has come in overnight, and if q new canal
boat warps alongside the many that winter at
the Battery he does not need to have the latest
arrival pointed out to him by any dock official.
Giving away Biblical literature is not as
simple as it sounds. There are differences Of
opinion to be met among those to whom the
literature is proffered. Most pronounced Of
all, there is the human distrust of some one
who is giving something away. 1t would be
even more pronounced if Mr.. Jones's gripsack
were loaded with SIS gold pieces, instead Of
books and pamphlets. Men who have some
thing to give away are SO consistently regard
ed with cold suspicion that it would be re-
markable to find one who could stick at such
a task seven years, to say nothing of seven
and forty. Acquaintanceship alone has man.
aged to soften the task. Mr.. Jones is known
to captains of craft Of all tonnages and all
shapes and motive power. Brawny negroes
and other workmen on the docks hail him as
he passes. If there Is particularly narrow
gangway to walk across or steep ladder to
negotiate, generally there is some one to carry
his heavy gripsack.
New-York tribune., 1921-05-01
Carrying the Message
To the Canal Boats

Sometimes there are large families on these
canal boats; usually each boat carries crew
of three men, who alternate in driving the
mules and taking care of affairs on board.
The children, during the long, busy season,
have little chance to leave the boats They
must amuse themselves as best they can. It
is not unusual to see baby tied to the deck
Of one Of these boats Secure in the knowl-
edge that the child cannot crawl over the
New-York tribune., 1921-05-01
Sailors Haze Bank
Accounts Nowadays

"The old time sailor did not save his money"
said Mr.. Jones. IL have seen men paid off on
the big clippers, and have watched them 20
ashore with 5000 or $500 apiece. They would
start for the resorts of the Bowery, and in
two or three days would be back without
cent, waiting to sail again. Nowadays there
is much thrift among the sailors as a class.
Nearly all Of them have bank accounts.
went to the Seamen's Bank the other day with
a sailor who deposited $780, his savings after
voyage of about four months in South Amer
lean waters.
"The men are better treated now than in the
days Of the pier head jump When a captain
found that he was three or four men short, and
was due to sail at sunrise, he gathered in any
body who happened to be available on the
docks. That was called taking the pier head
jump. If you didn't take it voluntarily you
were hit over the head and slowed aboard
shanghaied The clippers were either Yankee
or English. They had picked crews mostly.
The old Black Ball Line came in at Fulton
Street, and the clippers in the China tea trade
were to be found at Pier 9. Nowadays 1t ia
seldom get aboard square-rigger. All of
them sail under other flags than ours. About
the only square-rigged ships now are French
or Norwegian"
The stevedores and others who work along
the docks, according to Mr. Jones's testimony,
have grown more approachable. In early days
the stevedore was what the Westerner calls
"on the prod"-that is, naturally inclined to
belligerency. The short iron hooks which
formed the chief implements Of their calling
and which they sank with peculiar delight into
the boxes and bales bearing the printed warn
ing "Use no hooks" were handy and terrible
weapons in fight. They were utilized freely
for purpose Of offense and defense, and a
fight along the water front generally meant
bloodshed.
The lot Of distributor Of Bibles among
New-York tribune., 1921-05-01

such sailormen and dock workers was by no
means easy.
In those days used to wear a mackin-
tosh even in the finest weather." said Mr..
Jones. II had to on account of the men on
some Of the fruit boats. They would pelt me
with bad oranges and bananas. The only way
to do was to keep coming in spite Of such treat
ment. Such men were in minority, it is true,
but they were numerous enough to make plenty
OF trouble when they found what my mission
was. To-day am never disturbed. There are
certain ships to which am never admitted but
officers and mep in general are much more
kindly disposed than in earlier times.
New-York tribune., 1921-05-01
South Street Has Known Him, and His Sample
Case OF Religion, for Nearly Half Century, He
Dates From the Days of the Towering Square-Rggers
and Sailors May Take Him or Leave Him Alone

and the flags Of all maritime nations are un
turled to the breeze You may find little clam
boats from Connecticut and fishing smacks
from the Banks, shapeless canal boats from
Buffalo and grimy steam barges from the Della
ware and Raritan, coquettish pilot boats trip
ping seaward and trim schooners with pota-
toes from Nova Scotia or tobacco from Nor
folk, briggs from Boston and Bombay, barks
from Mediterranean and South American
ports, ful-rigged ships and swift clippers rest
ing from voyages around the Horn or the Cape
of Good Hope, thick skinned whalers from
Arctic seas and battered merchantmen from
the Indian Ocean, Liverpool, Glasgow and
Hamburg steamers whose crews speak Of the
Eastern Hemisphere simply as the other side
and go over and back in three weeks, iron-clad
frigates representing the navies of the world,
natty corvettes escorting imperial visitors to
Uncle Sam, and. weaving all together, saucy
tugs, spluttering here and there, ferry boats,
like turtles, gaudy pleasure steamboats, and
revenue cutters with gilt-edged officers in the
wheelhouse. Yokohama is said to resemble it
more than any other port"
In those days the sailors aboard the Yankee
clipper ships that constituted large proper
tion of the craft at the docks were of New
England stock. They were the men who made
the American clipper feet the finest Of it's kind.
gallant, clever, but reckless lot they were.
New-York tribune., 1921-05-01

Canal boats are included IN the distribu-
ton Of Bible literature in the worlds
greatest port. The boats winter at the
Battery, and have distinctive family life
all their own
edge Of the boat, the mother pursues her
household duties in the living quarters be-
low the deck.
Some Of the canal boats are owned by
the men who run them. There are canal
boat owners who have been in the business
for many years. They have held on, in spite
OF dire prophecies to the effect that railroad
and automobile transportation would drive
the canal boats out of business. Some Of
The Oldest and best known Of the canal boat
owners are French-Canadians. Some Of
them have reared their families aboard the
old boats, and have seen their sons follow
the same calling and their daughters mar
ried to canal boatmen.
Visiting these canal boats is another part
OF Mr.. Jones's work. Sometimes he doesn't
get anything more cordial in the way of a
reception than he would if he were walking
along country road and dropping in at every
farmhouse. But generally the "Bible man"
is made welcome by those who live in the
cramped quarters in the canal boat fotilla
There is distinct social life here all it's own
The women visit from boat to boat, or perhaps
they spend their afternoons uptown shopping.
The children go to the little school in Coenties
Slip which is maintained for their benefit dur
ing the winter. From the first of May till the
ice comes in the fall they are on the boats.
The canal boat colony has its joys and griefs,
in which the "Bible man." being minister, is
privileged to share at times. Mr.. Jones mas
conducted funerals on the boats and has been
called upon to perform wedding ceremonies.
Often he holds religious services on the deck
of one of the canal boats, and many members
of the colony will come and take part
New-York tribune., 1921-05-01
War Has Done Much
For the Bible Mar,

"The war has done more than anything else
to bring about such change in sentiment. So
far from rendering men callous, it has made
them more kindly. The men who were in the
war heard good deal about the Bible Lots
OF them who had never had any religious in
struction received their introduction to the
Scriptures when they were in the service.
Thousands of Bibles, Testaments and parts of
the Scriptures were distributed among soldiers
and sailors during the war. All this had it's
effect To-day there is not a fractional part
OF the intolerance which found when 1 began
this work"
Mr.. Jones was Baptist minister in Brook
lyn when he took up his calling along New
Yorks water front.
II had been pastor Of three churches two of
which had built" he said. 'I had no idea
OF taking up this work, which at that time was
carried on by an old gentleman who was hav
ing hard struggle to carry his gripsack con-
tanning literature for sailors. 1 helped him
carry his gripsack one afternoon, and he was
SO grateful for that aid and also for some helm
gave him in Interpreting, as can speak two
or three languages besides English. that
New-York tribune., 1921-05-01

agreed to give him three afternoons a week.
That arrangement continued for two years.
when the old gentleman died. was offered
this position, and took it because it seemed
to be the work for which was intended.
Fine, Honest Shippers,
Those Old-tiraers
ut was easier work, In some ways, in those
old days. There were no covered docks then,
and sometimes I could go from one ship to an
other and from dock to ship, along the whole
waterfront. Also there wasn't so much red
tape as there is now. There were many fine
commanders among those old ships - fine.
Straightforward, honest men. The English
and American crews, too, were kindly and ap-
proachable, and, though there might have been
good deal Of wildness among them individu-
ally, they were good-hearted in the main"
Distributing literature is not all of Mr.
Jones's work among the Sailors Many an old
time sailorman who is now enjoying life in
the Sailors Snug Harbor found his final berth
because of the influence of the "Bible man" on
South Street. Even to-day there are old men
New-York tribune., 1921-05-01


East River docks
securing legal help in fight against "land
shark" to borrowing a few of the old maga-
zines that always stacked ready for dis
tribution
tits remarkable about the old sailors
though" said Mr.. Jones, "that they hang on
and hang on long after the time you'd think
they would be knocking for admittance to the
Snug Harbor. The reason is, so the masters
tell me, that the old men are navigators. Thew
are the best men to keep at the wheel. The
younger men can't always keep ship on her
course, but you take an old sailor who may
not be much good for other work, and he's
generally the best helmsman aboard. It
wasn't so long ago that went on a big ship
and met the boatswain, who was eighty years
old. The captain told me that he'd rather
nave that man at the wheel than any other
man on the ship"
Down near the Battery, with the proud liners
all around them and big freight carriers from
all parts of the world trying to elbow them
out of the way, is fleet of canal boats put up
for the winter. They are beginning to stir
about now, and in few weeks will all be in
their quiet service, hauling grain from Buff
falo or grain from Canada or potatoes from
Syracuse. They have been wintering at the
Battery for these many years, and no doubt
will continue to do so for many years to come,
in spite of the elbowing of the big ships The
canal boats did not give way for the square
riggers, and they have not been overawed by
the great, smoking huks of iron. An inde-
pendent lot those canal boats happen to be,
and all during the winter they breathe of fried
onions and other evidences of domesticity.
Family washings on the decks stir in the same
harbor breezes that flutter the gay pennants
and the flags of all nations on the big ships
New-York tribune., 1921-05-01
The little fishing schooners, with their
graceful spars and tangle of nets, are not
overlooked by the Bible Man with his
gripsack of books

arriving in New York and cast off from jobs
here who do not know that there is such re-
treat for them. 1t is big part of Mr.. Jones's
work to hunt out such and help them get their
papers shaped up so that they can secure adj
mission to the home on Staten Island. Also
he steers more than one homeless and penn-
less sailor to place where he can always get
a meal and hed-the Church Institute, at %
South Street Then there is aid to be extend
ed to the sailorman who is being defrauded
of wages. Many sailor does not know there
is a legal aid society organized for his par
ticular benefit. Getting free legal advice for
men who are in financial difficulties takes
good deal of Mr.. Jones's time. In fact, the
little Office which business concern permits
him to share Is the magnet that draws sailors,
old and young. on al sorts Of errands. from
Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-02-12
BOY, IN STREET,
HIT BY CAR, DIES
Driver of Auto Held Under
Bond on Charge of Man
slaughter.

In three automobile accidents yester-
day one boy was killed and two other
persons injured.
Louis Whitcomb, 6, son of Mr.. and
Mrs. Roy Whitcomb 432 West Thirtieth
street, was struck by an automobile
driven by Walter NJ Evans, 500 Win
throp avenue as he was crossing Thir-
tielh street near his home.
Evans drove to police headquarters
after he had carried the boy to his home,
and surrendered to the police. He is
charged with manslaughter, and was re-
leased on a $4,000 bond signed by Ar
thur V. Brown. Or. George r. Christian,
deputy coroner, said death was due to a
broken neck.
Louis attended the Holy Angel school
and he had returned home only a short
time ebfore the accident Mrs. WhitcOmb
had given her son permission to go to
the grocery to purchase some cookies.
He was returning from the store and Wit
nesses told Sergeant Chitwood that he
ran from behind an automobile direct
ly In the path of Evans car, which
struck him. Evans said he did not see
the boy because Of the automobile that
was standing at the curb.
DR.. G. +. Hobb, 3025 Northwestern ave-
nue., who was called to examine the boy,
said he found no serious injury except
a scalp wound He left the Whitcomb
residence and had been gone only a short
time when the boy began bleeding at
the nase. DR.. Hobb was sent for, but
before he arrived the boy died
Louis is survived by his parents and
one brother, Charles, 3.
Mrs. Emma Meyers, 56, 600 Sanders
street, was injured yesterday afternoon
at Illinois and Washington streets. when
the fender, Of an automobile driven by
Elmer w. Arnold, %, living at the Alien
berg Hotel, struck her. Mrs. Myers was
taken to the office Of q physician in the
United Building and injuries to her hand
and arm were dressed. She was sent
home in an automobile.
Herman c. Hill. Greenfield, was Sc
verely cut and bruised when struck by
an automobile driven by William KEEP
per. 1923 East Pratt street. The acct
dent occurred at Massachusetts, avenue
and North street Inst night
Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-02-12
MAKES APPEAL
AGAINST CANAL
STRIKE THREAT
Active Governor Calls on En-.
plOyes to Abandon Walk
out Plan.

BALBAO, Panama Canal, Feb. 12.-
Acting Governor Morrow Of the Panama
Canal Zone, issued public appeal today
addressed to all employees on the canal
asking them not to put into effect their
threatened general strike.
The trouble started with the machin-
lists, who demanded an increase In pay
Of cents an hour. They now receive
Sill an hour.
The acting Governor asked all employees
to assert their loyalty to the United
States Government and their good sense
by not striking"
The additional cents represents half
of the bonus which was proposed for the
canal machinlsts, but which Secretary
Of War Baker and Governor Harding of
the Canal Zone declared could not be
granted.
The strike threat has not yet been APP
proved by the International organization
of machinists.
The canal authorities declare they are
prepared to keep navigation open, al
though they admit strike might cripple
the repair shops.
Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-02-12
NOblesville Holds
Safe Bandit Suspect

NOBLESVILLE, Ind. Feb. PA man
giving his name as Reginald Foster and
his home as Indianapolis was arrested
here Friday, charged with robbing the
safe in the office OF the Cicero Lumber
Company at Cicero, six miles north of
this city.
He was arrested ht the local traction
station after officers had tracked him
through the snow along the railroad
from Cicero.
\ pQeketbook containing some accounts
and SFy25 was taken from the safe. The
pocketbook was found in the traction
station a few minutes before Foster wa $
arrested.
When searched he had In his possess
sion screw driver. hammer. a fashlight
and S25 in cash. Papers found on his
person gave bis address as Cincinnati.
Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-02-12
Growers and Gamers
Plan New Contract

tentative form Of a standard con-
tract between Gamers and growers of
canning crops was adopted at a meeting
Of committees representing the associa-
lions OF Indiana Gamers and canning crop
growers, yesterday at the headquarters
Of the Indiana Federation Of Farmers
Associations.
This tentative form of contract is to
be submitted TO the members of the two
associations for approval.
The tomato crop was the only one con-
sidered at the meeting.
Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-02-12
LOdferS on Chicago
Police Force VIII
Be GiUen the Gate
Chief Says Only Quick I'm,
prOUenlent Will SdUe Jobs
of 500.

CHICAGO. Feb. 12.-BOlshevists
and Ioafers on ChicaEO's police force
will be given "the gate" unless they
change their ways, according TO
Charles FitEmorris. former newspaper
man and head of the city's police de-
partment.
F1tzmorrfs has ordered all police
captains to meet with him today TO
receive instructions on how to put a
"ksck" in their work.
Unless they show n quick improve
ment Morris said he has 800 police
men in mind who he intends to drop
from the force.
Fitzmorris. who was appointed
only three months ago, say he viii
fire the whole department II they
don't obey his orders.
"Tm through playing ball with
them" he said. There's 500 cops
who won't work for me. Let them
grab their hats for they are going for
a rough ride"
Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-02-12
Welsh Orator on Big
Meeting List Sunday

DR.. Arthur Alwayne Evans. young
Welsh orator, has been secured by the
managers of the Big Meeting" as the
speaker at English's Opera House to-
morrow afternoon. DR.. Evans has en-
toyed a phenomenal success as speaker
since coming to America. He has Sc
lected for his subject Our Country-Our
WOrld-TOday-TC
DR.. Evans is the nephew Of Lloyd
George. Prime Minister Of Great Britain
He is in constant touch with his uncle
and his utterances are the utterances not
only of an orator but n student Of world
conditions.
The Atlanta Constitution recently com
mented on his lecture as follows:
For one and a half hours he opened
barrage Of wit, philosophy, criticism
and history that has not been equaled by
any Of his predecessors visiting our city
this season"
Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-02-12
Butler Founders Day
Observed by Banquet

More than $50 students, alumnae and
friends OF Butler College celebrated the
sixty-seven:h anniversary Of the insti-
tuition at banquet in the Riley room
Of the Claypool Hotel last night and
with exercises In the college chapel Fri
day afternoon. The celebration was de
scribed as the greatest ever held by this
school
Addresses were given at the exercises
and banquet by Dean James w. Put
nam, who acted as postmaster; DR.. Wal
ter Scott Athern, director Of the school
Of religious education and social service
at Boston University. and Prof. Thomas
f. Moran. head OF the history and eco
Monies department Of Purdue Uni
versity.
Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-02-12
BRASLAU CROWD
TO PACK HOUSE
Thousands Unable to Get
Seats for Concert.

crowded house will face Miss Sophia
Braslau, contralto, when she sings at
afternoon. Several thousand more re-
quests than could be met with the avail
able supply Of tickets were received
James II. Lowry. park superintendent
stated.
The concert is being given under
auspices of the board of park commits
sioners and board of school commission
ers.
Miss Braslau will sing fifteen numbers
Immediately following the concert tn,
Harmonic Club will give a reception fol
the singer in the green rooms Of the
Y. w c. A. All musicians and persons
Interested in music are invited.
Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-02-12
Bowers Chief Speaker
Before Loyal Legion

Claude G. Bowers, Fl. Wayne, was the
principal speaker at the annual ban
quet Of the Indiana Commandery Of the
Military Order Of the Loyal Legion, in
commemoration Of the birthday annlver-
sary of Abraham Lincoln last night at
the Sphinx Arms Hotel.
Other speakers were Governor Warren
T. McCrsy, Maj. Byron Parson, Evans
Vile; Chaplain Mckinley, Lebanon; Maj.
A. J. Daugherty and Capt. James L.
Tyner, Newcastle.