davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1921-12-07
LEWISITE DUE TO
REV. DR.. GRIFFIN
Deadly Poison Gas Made by America
Late i'm World War Discovered
by One of Chemists Pupils.

Americas deadly poisonous gas, three
drops of which are fatal, was discovered
through a suggestion made by the late
Rev. DR.. John J Griffin of Washington,
d. c., cousin of John g. Baker and Miss
Johanna Baker or Brattlcboro, for many
years owner of Camp Namaschaug at
Spohord and one Of the leading chemists
of the country. This gas, which is said
to be regarded aS the main source Of
security in case OF future war is not
being made at the present time, but at the
time of the armistice chemists We're turn
ing out 10 tons of it daily.
Working many years under the dI-
rection of DR.. Griffin at the Catholic
university at Washington. a student
named J. A. Newlands, found that ace
tylcne and arsenic tri-chloride produced
an irritating and toxic gas When Amer
lea entered the war, the chemists of the
country were modified and Dr. Griffin
suggested that this reaction be inyesti-
gated Prof. W. Lee Lewis of North
western university assumed the task and
the mysterious and fatal ''Lewisite' was
the rcsilt -~""' t $3.50
Brig. Gen, Amos 4. Fries. chief OF the
United States chemical warfare service
has said about this gas:
1T proved to be Americas only dis
tinctive gas and great secrecy was main
tanned regarding all details Of prepara-
tion and of the properties of this new pro-
duct At the close of the war il was CON
sidered one OF the most valuable of chem
;cal warfare secrets. and therefore publ
cation of the reactions was withheld.
, Unfortunately or otherwise the British
7 later decided TO release the material for
, publication" III,
4 mere trace of 'Lewisite'' in the air
attacks the mueUous membrane of the
@Io4
/ if q soldier has on q gas mask he is forced
to take it off, But even if the mask is
! perfectly tight it affords no protection
for "Lewisite" will soak through the
clothing and corrode the skin. 1t is said
to be more than twice az strong an irri-
tant as mustard gas. and, what is worse,
j its injury is not confined to the skin, for
the arsenic pcnetratcS the body and
causes death in n few hours Three drops
upon the skin of rat viii kin il within
an hour or two.
! Henry W. Nevinson. special corre-
spondcnt at the Washington armament
conference, recently wrote TO his English
paper. the Manchester Guardian, in re
| gard 10 the gas:
! "Lewisite is n burning gas like mus
! tard gas, but its effect is far more power
full. 1t spreads slowly. unlike phosgene,
/ which on that account is more favored
for ordinary bombing from the air. Bnt
/ Lewlslte could be sprayed upon cities, as
with hose from aircraft with devastating
effect. burning clothes. skin and flesh of
ell the soldiers and citizens indifferently
Large aircraft, each carrying several
bombs or spraying machines could easily
destroy great cities if unopposed and
I gradually reduce the whole human popu-
lation, rendering birth control unneces-
sary. 1t is believed capable of pene-
trating any mask and passes through the
! flesh or down the lungs. burning the
/ victim inside and outside"
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1921-12-07
VERMONT AID FOR
THE UNEMPLOYED
Committee of Public Safety to Cooper
ate With American Legion
Community Survey Asked.

MONTPELIER, Dec. THE Vermont
committee OF public safety is to COOP
crate with the American Legion, depart
ment of Vermont, in providing work
for the unemployed this winter. Mason
:. Stone, chairman of the committee, has
laid plans with Allen NJ. Fletcher, state
adjutant of the legion, and the work is
to start Immediately. IL will be ON the
GO operative plan. and no discrimina-
ton Is to be made between legion mem
bers, non-legiOn men, and women. The
plan is, however, to find work for bread
winners first. .-. a
Through the public safety committee s
special committee on administration and
60 operation, letters are being sent out
to the presidents of boards of trade and
chambers of commerce in the larger com
munities OF the states, requesting each
one 10 appoint a survey committee to
canvass the community and learn of OPP
EOrtsInities for work. Brief instructions
are being sent to the chairman OF these
committees IN order that their methods
may bc uniform. The American Legion,
tant, has communicated with the COM
manders Of local posts in the respective
communities aud the commanders are
Co appoint service committees. which
viii list the unemployed and connect
them with available work -.
At the present time, no large numbers
of men are known to be out of work,
may be- employed. il i intended. through
the committee of public safety, to Ia
.cilitate the means of securing work and
TO accommodate those desiring TO have
work performed, thus rendering mu
tual service.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1921-12-07

Special Dispatch to The Reformer.
Copyright 1921.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1921-12-07
The Ideal

The bride was a dusky Amazon of i'm
posing proportions. while the ebony col
ored bridegroom might easily have been
taken for her youngest. The ceremony
went along swimmingly until the minis
ter asked: DO you take this man TO be
your lawful welded husband?' what
yo' mean?' he replied Indignantly
What yo' think Abs heah for ?''-Amer-
lean Legion Weekly.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1921-12-07

when public attention may have been
centcred upon the international confer
ence in session here but the President re-
fers in n single paragraph to the arma-
ment question and appeals to congress for
confidence and help mostly on domestic
matters that have an international rela-
tionShip.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1921-12-07
WORRY
THE PRESIDENT
Finds Appeal for Party Sol
idarity Necessary In
Message
ISSUES REBUKE TO
AGRICULTURAL BLOC
Should BE Loyal to Party Policy - Asks
Increase In Executive Powers - VIII
Meet Opposition On Requests = Pre-
dicted He VIII Finally Win.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.


Especial Dispatch to The Reformer.)
Copyright 1921.
WASHINGTON, Dec. president
Harding's address to congress is in many
respects one of the most remarkable docu-
ments ever sent by the executive to the
legislative branch of the government, re-
markable for the many significant circum-
stances which have made necessary an
appeal for the solidarity of the political
parties in America. as well as the plea for
more executive power with the promise
that it will be prudently exercised.
Mr.. Harding did not mention the Re
publican party. nor did he make refer
ence to the agricultural bloc which
threatens to become an insurgent move
ment not unlike the famous revolt which
led to the Taft Roosevelt split in 1912.
The fact that the President devoted the
very beginning of his address to a plea
for party harmony as against sectional
ism is due to the tendency of the agricul-
turaI West and South to unite as against
the manufacturing East, undermining the
hold which Democratic as we'll as Repub-
lican leaders have hitherto had upon
their respective followers of the same po-
litical party in congress. President Hard
ing has seen a coalition of Democrats and
ReDuhicans become 50 powerful as to
force the Republican ma iOritv TO accept a
tax revision bill for which Mr.. Harding,
with characteristic frankness. now says
he would be insincere if he accepted re-
Engrgibility
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1921-12-07
Almost Everything In This
Store Has q Quality

that makes it serviceable Christmas renembrances and
especially of serviceabe quality
We do sell tawdry tnsei merchandise We
have every article be such will fulfill the
er's expectation for the money paid for it.
In almost every prices lower than last year.
We do say everything, but wherever it is possible
lower prices you may be they adjusted.
This store first patrons afterward for
Look this list over:
Blankets and Confortables-
Linen Table Cloths and Napkins
Isle, Wool and Silk Hosiery
Isle and Silk Socks
Ladies and Misses Wool Scarfs-
Leather and Velour Hand Bags
Knit and Fabric Gloves
Ladies and Mems Handksrchiefs-
Ladies' Hand Embroidered Gowns
Ladies Hand Embroidered Envelope Chemises-
Ladies and Children's Knit Underwear
Bath Towels
Bead Neck Chains
Boudoir Caps
Huck Towels, white and colored borders
Hemstitched Sheets and Pillow Cases
Ladies and Mems Umbrellas.
S. WINFIELD MEADE
100 MAIN STREET
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1921-12-07
Not Satisfied with Tax Law.

1T would suggest insincerity," says
Mr. Harding. IF / expressed complete ac-
cord with ever expression recorded in
your roll calls" and n sentence further
on the President told what is in his mind,
when he added Later on. when other
problems are solved. | shall make some
recommendations about renewed consid-
Grafton of our tax problem"
This is the first public indication that
Mr. Harding isn't satisfied with the tax
bill which congress passed and which be
signed There is. Of course. a renewed
discussion of a sales tax as new
method of taxation altogether. but Mr..
Harding's address to congress is the out
growth of the executive discomfort winch
has been known on the inside for several
weeks and which has just come to a head
i'm his message.
The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1921-09-15
MILES CITY DOG STEALS
RIDES In AUTOMOBILE

Canine wisdom is a constant source
of surprises to mankind, but Miles
City has a dog which is starting a
new fad among his race. A big
shaggy dog of uncertain breed parks
himself daily and nightly at the cor
ner of Main and Fifth, rests quietly
until some kind looking, unsuspect-
ing motorist m down the street.
When within 100 feet or so of the
place where Mr.. Canine rests, the
driver sees a huge form rise from
the curb, limp into the street and
stand directly in the path of the ap-
preaching a r Mr.. Dog stands there
until the driver comes to a stop
and most of them do-and then he
walks lazily around to the side, and
climbs onto the running board, where
he makes himself comfortable. The
wondering driver starts up, drives
around and when he stops somewhere
about town, Mr.. Canine steps off,
grins and pants a little to show his
thanks, and trots back to the corner
where he got on.
And Jitneys, why, they are out of
the question. The discriminating
hobo will hand any flivver driver the
highbrow stuff. When the customary
rattle is heard coming, the hobo will
condescendingly open one eye, take
in the offending Universal Twin Two
and continue his nap. J
The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1921-09-15
THRIFTY FARMER
HARVESTS FINE CROP

DR.. H. R. Kyle, who has a farm six
miles north of Grass Range, is con.
sidered an example of what industry
can accomplish. Although depend
ing on his own labor, he has succeed
ed wonderfully well, it is conceded.
Although so years of age DR.. Kyle
has cropped and harvested 80 acres
of land. He sowed his wheat in
March, a field of Marquis on the first
day of the month; the field was
ready to cut on July 2. He did all his
seeding, cutting and stacking alone,
the latter nearly stalling him. 1t
was slow work. He managed to do
it by unloading some of his grain
and starting his stack from the
ground, until it reached nearly wagon
height, placing loose grain in the
center. To properly cap the stack
he brought a ladder into use.
Besides the big field worked DR..
Kyle planted, cultivated and harvest
ed a fine vegetable garden and dis
puted with the coyotes the possession
of some $50 turkeys and chickens.
In addition to all this and as a lit
tie diversion, owing to the absence of
Mrs. Kyle the doctor had the cooking
and homework to do. Then there
was the milking and a few other
things that had to be done.
DR.. Kyle thinks his wheat will go
20 bushels to the acre. He has not
ben damaged by grasshoppers.
The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1921-09-15

northeastern. On a diagram for each
the total precipitation for all stations
reporting in that section is shown
graphically for each month.
"The chart shows, among other
things, that there has not been a year
quite so dry as 1919, since 1889;
there have been other dry years, as
we all know. but the extremes have
occurred only once in 80 years. Other
dry periods have been 1867, 1904,
and 1910. Starting with 1901 and
1902, which were fairly wet, the rec
ords show a downward tendency n
til the dry year of 1904. After 1904,
they slope upward to the wet year of
1906, 1907, or 1908, in the different
sections; after which they get drier
again until 1910, which will be re-
membered as the year of the forest
fires. After 1910, the tendency is
upward to the good years of 1914,
1915 and 1916; and then downward
again with some irregularities, to the
real bad one of 1919.
"Since 1919, the tendency seems to
be upward to the wet years which
may be due in 1922, 1928 or 1924,
but when we try to predict the wea-
Their we are taking chances, because
there is no known method of making
it act like we think it ought to, and
the cycle is too irregular, and the
data too meager to be absolutely sure
that u guesses are correct.
However, for a person whose bus
demands that he bet on the
weather conditions one or two years
hence, this chart furnishes as reason
able a basis on which to make that
bet as the writer knows of to date"
The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1921-09-15
FIVE YEAR CYCLE
RAINFALL THEORY
STATE PHOTOGRAPHER GEORGE
H. ELLIS TAKES RECORDS AS
GUIDE TO FUTURE
Precipitation Data on Montana Wea-
Their Divisions is Compiled and
Hope for Plentiful Rainfall Seems
Justified; Five-Year Cycles on
Moisture, is Theory.

Promise of increased rainfall fol
Montana next year and possibly fol
the two succeeding years is held our
to those who accept the theory O.
George Henry Ellis, state h~ydrogra.
pher, that precipitation runs here Oh
a five-year cycle.
Ellis has prepared a chart showing
the rainfall year by year in each OF
the five districts into which Montana
has been divided by the weather bu-
reau and the rise and fall in the
marks which represent precipitation
is so regular in blocks of five as to
give visual confederation, at least, to
his novel suggestion.
The state photographer, however,
makes no claim of being a weather
prophet. He thinks the cycle theory
is interesting and has prepared the
following explanation of it:
"It has been customary in the past
to state the amount of rainfall which
might be expected by any locality,
as the average annual total for as
many years as records have been kept
at that place. Since the precipitation
for any given year will vary consid-
erably from this average, a study has
been made of the records for Montana
to show the amount of variation that
may be expected, and to determine
whether there is any regular cycle of
and dry years.
1.-THE greatest difficulty in a study
of this sort seems to come from the
local cloudbursts which, covering
only a few square miles do not affect
the general condition of the state.
When those few square miles, how
ever, happen to include one of the
measuring cans, the record for that
does not represent the condi-
ton of very much of the territory
around it. In order to determine the
average rather than freak conditions,
the attempt is made to drown the
effect of these local storms by plot
ting the averages of a large number
Of stations. Since the distribution of
the rainfall throughout the year is as
as its annual total, the rec
ords are taken and plotted as totals
for such month. A few of the most
noticeable of those freak" months
lave been disregarded, and with that
exception this study comprises every
precipitation record which is publish
ID by the U. S. weather bureau for
he state of Montana.
1.-THE weather bureau has divided
Montana into five Sections" No. &c
icing the southeastern, 27 the south
central, 28 west of the continental di-
ide, 29 the northcentral, and 80 the
The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1921-09-15

Mr.. and Mrs. George w. Thoma,
arrived in Broadus recently, having
completed a 6OO-mile auto trip il
three days time. They left Creight.
on, Neb., near the Iowa line, in theil
Ford and from the diary kept by Mrs
Thomas the total expense of the trir
to Broadus was exactly $10.95. This
sum represented money actually paid
out for gasoline, oil, and edibles on
the way. By train to Miles City the
transportation alone would have cost
the two one way, $72.
Thomas said the jitneys and trucks
are putting the railroads in the tred''
every day throughout Iowa and Ne
braska, and people here should not
feel so aggrieved for the lack of rail
road facilities. Shipping by truck is
being practiced everywhere and trips
100 miles and more are becoming as
common as they are in remote dis
tricts of Montana.
Trucks are more than competing
with railroads and are weaving a
good portion of the freight business
away from the railroads because of
the high freight rates. And people
are adopting automobiles as their
means of travel. People will not pay
the high passenger rates when they
a travel by jitney at such a reduced
expense, said Thomas. IT is quite
common to see many cars on the road
nowadays making long trips. When
the passenger fares were normal
these people went by the steam route.
Withal, the motor vehicles are play
ing havoc with the business of the
railroads, Thomas said.
Thomas said that his car averaged
from Is to % miles per gallon. At
Creighton gasoline was selling for 20
cents a gallon and % cents a gallon
at Belle Fourche.
Buy Western Cattle
Throughout eastern Nebraska there
is quite a cattle feeding industry.
The farmers there buy many western
cattle and after feeding them all win
ter sell them as corn-feds in spring,
and usually make a good profit. Most
Of the cornfed cattle have now been
marketed and the ranchers are start
to buy cattle now from the South
Omaha markets for winter feeding.
The commission men make a profit
by the sale of this stuff and then
,ome in for another nice commission
or unloading the stock to the ranch
IT'S engaged in feeding.
Thomas said there we're bumper
in eastern Nebraska this year
tut the tightness of money is as no
iceable as in this country.
The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1921-09-15
RECALLS TRIAL OF
THE HICHWAYMEN
STORY OF FINDING OF HAZE
LYONS HEADBOARD STIRS
THIS PIONEER
BY George Beatty

A few days ago 1 read an article in
the Helena Independent about the
finding of a head board which had
been placed at the head of the grave
of Haze Lyons after he was hanged
by the Vigilantes in Virginia City
half a century ago, and it brought
flooding back to my memory the trial
of three road agents, Stinson, Forbes
and Lyons, at Virginia City.
Dillingham; came over from Ban
mack to warn two miners who had
made their pile, that they would be
robbed on the stage coach on their
way to the states. Dillingham; was in
a brush saloon when the three took
him out and two of them shot him.
One of the road agents revolver had
all the charges in it.. Dillingham; fell
in front of Sam Shaffer's blacksmith
forge and Shaffer testified that he
thought Forbes was the man who
killed him. The road agents lawyer
was Judge H. P. A. Smith and he
got Forbes trial put off until the
next day. The other two were found
guilty and their graves were dug. I
went with the crowd up on the hill,
where the Jail was a log cabin, and
there in front of the cabin were two
women crying.
Forbes being a well educated man,
and a fine looking fellow, too, wrote
a most sympathetic letter for Haze
and signed Haze's name to it. 1t was
to Haze's mother back in Kansas, tell
ing her he was innocent of the charge
of murder.
The blacksmith's testimony, the
women crying and the Forbes letter
all had their effect on the crowd, and
right in front of me was a young
fellow about 20 years old, who sang
out: LET them go!"
others took it up until many in the
crowd were shouting to let the men
go. The sheriff, / think, was in ia
vor of letting them go, for he said:
II call for a division of the crowd;
all in favor of letting them go, step
this way; all in favor of hanging
them go the other way"
About half the crowd was for hang
ing. When the guard men saw the
division, they shouIdered their rifles
and started for town. Somebody gave
6youS d Cay USE, SlluSOu jumped on
behind him and others of their
friends gave Stinson a revolver, and
as he rode out of the crowd, he flour
ished it above his head and called
the men "strangling -" Forbes
was acquitted the next day.
I never saw Buck Stinson again
but later on I was with my OK team
at Horse Prairie, IL miles south of
Bannack, the night Ted Ray and
Plummer were hung. Rays woman
tried to beg him off. One of the
said, Shut up or we will
put you alongside of him."
I was getting my wagon repaired
n Virginia City the day George Ives
vas hung and Haze Lyons came up
rom Nevada. He told the black
ninth things were getting hot there
md he left for fear they would re-
member his case Lyons did not know
ne and did not speak to me-.
How time f1iesi II
The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1921-09-15

Thirty-five Montana counties were
warned by John N. Edy chief engin-
eer of the state highway commission
that unless these counties take imme-
date steps to finance proposed road
projects within their borders, they
and the state may lose s1,284,0OO of
federal aid funds allocated for the
year ending June 80, 1920.
Road projects aggregating $780,
600 are pending in these 35 coun-
ties. Formal applications had been
made by the county boards for fed
eral assistance under the arrange
ment whereby the government pays
half the cost of post roads. Pre-
liminary surveys and plans have been
made by the engineers of the high
way commission but the counties
have not yet financed the projects.
Haste Imperative
The federal funds tentatively have
been set aside, but unless immediate
acceptance is made, Edy says the
commission will have to offer the
money to counties that can handle it
on a $3.50 basis in order to save the
funds to this state.
Necessity for haste is made appar-
ent by the fact that it takes from 60
to 80 days to complete project agree
ments with the secretary of agricul-
ture for definite assignment of funds,
Edy pointed out. The money reverts
to the government if the work is not
under contract before next June.
S4,214,16O.sO Already Claimed
OF the $5,498,OOO originally allo-
Gated to Montana, the state has ac-
cepted $4,214, 5000 and the work is
completed or now in the hands of
contractors with the exception of
1854, 600 held up temporarily.
Pending legislation in congress
may change the basis of federal aid
from $3.50 to "a per cent by the
government and SO per cent by the
state, Edy said. Counties which ac-
cept federal aid now will profit by
this arrangement-if it passes con-
gress. But if they fail to take up the
$~1,284,000 before next June it will
not be available under any arrange
ment and may go to other states.