davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1921-08-02

Beaver, Pa, Aug. 2.-Did Fred
I. Reno slay his five-year-old step
son, Lawrence Kerr, and then hide
his body in an old, abandoned els
tern not far from his home in West
Madison street, Rochester, Pa?
This is a question the Beaver
county September grand jury will
endeavor to solve. Solution of the
mystery through the intricate pro-
cess of an Investigation that will
even take into account the lasting
qualities and transparency OF a
spiders web promises to develop
into one OF the most interesting
and sensational cases that Beaver
county has had for years.
Kerr, now in jail and refused o
writ of habeas corpus by Judge
Frank e. Reader, declares he is
not guilty. His wife, the mother
of the boy, believes and declares
for fair and impartial trial.
Chubby-faced Lawrence tr'tted
away to the home Of neighOor,
Mrs. Baird, on the afternoon of
June 23, this year, to do an errand
for his mother. Mrs. Baird said he
left her home. He failed to reach
home and search was started
late in the afternoon.
For days 1t was feared the lad
had been kidnapped. One story went
that gypsies going through the
town the afternoon of the boys
disappearance had picked him up.
Then on July 5, fifteen days after
his disappearance, his body was
found in an old, bandoned cistern
at the rear of what is known as
the Baldwin property, in West
Madison street. Kerr, the step
father, made the gruesome discov-
cry. With him and near at the
time was his brother-in-law, Har-
rison S. Wilson, of East Liverpool,
Ohio.
From the moment 1t appeared
that the boy could not have fallen
through the slight opening in the
covering of the we'll, murder was
limited. But police were at sea,
never suspecting the stepfather.
Coroner J. NJ. Jackson investi-
gated. At an inquest searching
investigation failed to disclose
anything OF consequence, and the
verdict of the jury was merely ''ac~
cidental death"
Friends of the little lad, among
them Daniel Sweeney, an East
Liverpool newspaperman, were not
satisfied. Sweeney had called the
boy his pal and had taken a great
fancy to him, so he aided friends
in securing the services of Detec-
tive ]. J. Finerty of East Liver
pool and Youngstown, to probe the
mystery,
Detective Finerty came to Ro-
chester on July and made obser-
yations, Not until July did he
pick up the clue of the steptather.
He "sized-up" Kerr for several
days. according to his own story.
and observed a certain form Of
ION July IL dress
ed up as a tramp and went to Con-
way yards. where Kerr was EN-
Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1921-08-02

inches. The motor develops be-
tween 35 and 40 brake horsepower
and road tests have shown that
the power plant will deliver up to
so miles an hour with ease. Fea-
lures of motor construction are
the large three-bearing crankshaft
and 12i-nch long connecting rods,
extra long rods being provided to
reduce vibration to minimum. A
circulation splash oihng system
which is standard equipment on
all Buick cars, is the automatic
carburetor heat control through
which ideal vaporizing conditions
are obtained.
The transmission is of the selec-
tive sliding gear type, three speeds
forward and one reverse. The uni
versal joint is of standard Buick
construction, being virtually an
integral part of the transmission
and automatically fabricated from
the transmission. The clutch is
of the multiple disc dry plate type,
built in exact accordance with the
principles which have guided
clutch construction in Buick skies.
All moving driving parts are en-
closed.
Front axle of the four cylinder
car is an I-beam forging. The
rear axle is three-quarter floating
type, all the weight of the car be-
ing carried on the axle, tubes and
only driving torque and steadying
of the wheels being taken by the
axle driving shafts. The third
member is of standard Buick type
of construction, designed success
fullf to eliminate all twisting or
weaving in the rear axle. Gear
ratio of the rear axle on high speed
is 4 2-3 to l..
Wheelbase of all models is 100
inches. The spring suspension is
designed to give fine riding quail
tiles to car of this wheelbase
The front springs, semi-elliptic
type, are SO inches long, and the
rear springs, also semi-elliptic, are
55 " inches long.
Cord tires are standard equip
ment on all models. These tires,
which are 31x4, are the first
straight side cord tires in this
size ever manuf red and were
built especially to meet Buick re-
quirements for the new four cylin-
der cars The tires have been
adopted as tsandard size.
The chassis is fabricated with
the high pressure Alemite system
Delco starting and lighting system
is standard equipment. All models
are complete with tire carrier and
extra rim and all are equipped
with non-glare headlight lenses.
Shipping weights OF the four
models are: roadster. 2310 pounds
touring car. 1880 pounds, coupe.
24S0; sedan 1850 pounds.
In adding the four cylinder mod
els to the seven models of six-cyl-
inder cars now produced, Buick
executives feel that they have
rounded out their line and con-
structed cars which are in every
respect worthy of the Buick name.
Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1921-08-02
City Puts Idle
Men at Work

Racine, Wis, Aug. "A mu-
nicipal work project to combat
unemployment was put into oper-
alton here today when some 800
men reported to the various de-
partment heads who will keep
them employed on street, ceme-
terry and park improvements as
long as the $150,0OO bond issue,
created by the city for that pur-
pose, holds out. Originators of
the plan hope other cities will
adopt 1t.
From 200 to 800 laboring men,
many of whom are now on the
city's charity list, are to be given
employment under the new pro-
ject.
JOURNAL WANT ADS PAY
Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1921-08-02
State Plea
Rejectedby
Land0ffice
Spry Refuses to Heed
Request of Oregon
and Will Continue
Swapping Lands

The general land office of the
United States will continue TO
make exchanges OF Oregon and
California grant lands for private
ly owned timber lands as hereto'
fore without permitting the state
of Oregon look in as requested in
! the memorial enacted by the last
! legislature.
This is made clear in letter re-
ceived by Governor Olcott today
from William Spry, commissioner
of the land office.
"The act of May 81, 1918, places
upon the secretary of the interior
the responsibility that exchanges
shall be of approximate
equal aggregate value and shall
also be advantageous to the gov
ernment in that its timber hold
ings shall be consolidated there
by" Spry writes. This RESPONSE
bility, placed upon him by the
present act Of congress is one that
he should and must accept which
he cannot divide with the state
even should he desire to do SO; !;
nor is any reason seen for the
amendment of the present law so
as to make an exchange of these
lands OF the United States depend
ent upon approval by the state Of
Oregon"
The memorial addressed to con-
gress, which was fathered by
Speaker l.. II. Bean of the house
OF representatives, intimated that
the interests of the state were be-
ing jeopardized by the indiscrilni.-
nate exchange of the o. & G. grant
lands for private timber lands and
asked that the federal government
refrain from further exchanges
until approved by the state.
Nothing whatever has been
brought out, in any way reflecting
on the work of employees OF this
office on such exchanges as have
been favorably reported upon by
the special agent in charge" Spry
declares. 1T is believed that a
careful carrying out Of the regula-
tions in the future as in the past
will prevent and unjust criticism
as to the action taken by this Of
flee on exchange application under
said act"
Acting under instruction con-
tanned in a resolution compan-
ion measure to the Bean memorial
1.-The state land board some time
ago instructed the state forester to
proceed with the cruising of lands
on which exchange applications
we're pending. Correspondence
with the general land office at
that time had lead to the belief
that the government would accept
the cooperation OF the state in fu-
ture exchanges.
This hope, however, has been
completely shattered by Spry's let
ter which concludes by saying
that "the order OF April 8, 1924,
suspending action on such ex-
changes. having served its pur-
pose, is hereby revoked and the
pending applications will be talS-
en- up for appropriate action"
Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1921-08-02
Accused Mans Fate
Rests on Thickness
Of a Spiders Web

ployed as a brakeman" declared
Finnerty when he was put on the
stand before Justice Of the Peace
Addison Courtney, in West Bridge
water, at the preliminary hearing.
II picked up an acquaintance with
him, won his confidence, told Kerr
| had killed niger in West Vir-
ginia, that l wanted to go west,
and so forth"
1t came out, according to the
detective, that Kerr was frighten-
ed. Finerty said on that stand
that Kerr confessed to becoming
a1gered when the boy was not at
home, of catching him in the dusk
of evening in the hallway of the
Kerr home and of choking him.
Then, according to the detective,
the body was thrust into the well,
stone covering being lifted up
that this might be accomplished.
Kerr was held by Justice Court
ney to answer to the charge of
murder. A habeas corpus petition
was filed by Attorney Henry Fl.
Wilson, representing Kerr, who
contended that the wealth
had failed to show that the body
had been murdered. Assistant
Assistant District Attorney Blaine
McGoun contended that the testi-
mony was of such nature as to de-
mand that the case Be submitted
to the grand jury.
Damaging testimony was given
by Kerr's brother-in-law, Harrison
s. Wilson, Detective Finerty and
Chief of Police j. j. Sheppard of
Rochester.
Finerty simply repeated the
story he had told when Kerr was
held by Justice Courtney. Wilson
told of the search for the missing
lad. He said the we'll had been
found boarded up when he and
Kerr looked. He walked away, but
presently glanced back and saw
Kerr coming out of the courtyard
in which the old cistern was To-
Gated. He said Kerr was pale, and
when he approached, Kerr said:
"My God, I have found him!" The
stone covering had to be lifted,
Wilson said, before he could see
the body in the water.
Chief Shepard testified as to the
exact size of the opening In the
cistern cover and of helping re-
move the body. His next state
ment proved startling. 1t was in
effect that, with the exception OF a
hole five inches in diameter, the
entire opening in the cistern COW
er was closed with heavy coating
of cobwebs and dust to the thick
ness of cheese-cloth. This evidence
was sufficient to cause the re-
manding of Kerr to the custody of
Sheriff Charles r. Anderson, but
may be a point for argument when
the trial comes. How long it takes
a spider to perfect construction of
a web of the size and texture of
that found may enter into the con-
clusions of the court and jury.
Kerr maintains the demeanor of
an innocent man. Either he is en-
tirely innocent Gr ne is the best
actor the Jail authorities have had
in the county Jail for years, they
say.
Sentiment is divided. Some
thoroughly believe the story of his
alleged confession to Detective j.
J. Finerty and would convict him
on the strength of that. Others
believe there is some mystery yet
remaining to be cleared that will
absolve the man from charge of |
extreme brutality and worse.
Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1921-08-02

las county circuit court for more
than rs years, today announced
that he would not again become
candidate for that office. Seua-
tor B. L. Eddy, Attorney j. o. Wat.
son and District Attorney George
Neuner have all been mentioned
as possible candidates for the po-
sition.
Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1921-08-02
Plum TreeShakes
For Alaska Jobs

Washington, Aug. 2.-Nomina
tions today included the follow
ing:
To be judges in Alaska, Thom-
as M. Reed, first division; Elmer
E. Ritchie, third division; Cecil
r. Clegg, fourth division
To be marshal, Alaska, George
B. Beaumont, first division; Gil
bert e. Stevens, fourth division.
To be district attorney, Alas
ka, Guy Ersin, fourth division.
Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1921-08-02
Tuesday, August ], ID,

more, more ,nimble-fingered
die cultivated tobacco lsts ! 70 hsl.
pioyers here, who sav v'' L . sa,
are. are superior to men for tss' H. A. ~
Men are getting s2.5o 'ns salL
whiie women are paid SAX ~
Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1921-08-02
Took Too Much License

Boston. Aug. An autoist.
whose license had been supended
for driving while under the in
fluence Of liquor. applied to Mo-
tor Vehicle Commissioner Good
win to have it restored. Goodwin
smelled the mans breath and
suspended the license for another
year.
Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1921-08-02
Spaulding Has
Logging Camn
On Willauin,

A new logging camp h.. I.
opened by the spaulding eo,,s usea
on the Willamina which MI, lpal'
ply much Of the timber us.s 'ap'
the company during the wints. y |.
is the third camp operated H. y I !
local company at present. ths ~ ~
er camps being located At p,'.s ~
Rock and on the Big Luckiaun,'A 'sA
The new camp will supply rod y,
yellow fir of good dimension. NV
The Willamina camp is at a low
er altitude than the other esma.
and insures a steady supply Of Ios.
in case a severe winter would hoIs NJ,
up the higher camps.
JOURNAL WANT ADS Paw
JOURNAL WANT Ans pAv
Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1921-08-02
Experts Secure
Information For
Disarmament

Washington, Aug. "A small
group of experts on International
subjects already has been added to
the state department personnel to
gather and coordinate informa-
tion that may be desired by the
American commissioners at the
forthcoming disarmament and Far
Eastern conference. The work of
getting together the information
in the different government de-
partments was said today to be
we'll under way.
While the way for the confer
ence to meet not later than No
vember IL is understood to have
been practically cleared, formal
invitations setting such a date
have not been issued. 1t is be-
lieved they may be forwarded
within a few days.
Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1921-08-02

Women Best Tobacco Workers
Westfield, Mass, Aug. l.
Mere man is in fair way to be
ousted from another trade by the
Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1921-08-02

JouRNAL wANr ADS PAY
Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1921-08-02

Judge Hamilton to Retire.
Roseburg, Or, Aug. 2.-Judge
]. W. Hamilton, who has served
on the judicial bench of the Doug
Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1921-08-02

Salem's Busiest Store because the services
rendered, the quality of the merchandise,
and the prices are the best. When thousands
shop at one store there must be good rea-
son, shop with them.
The Yale expositor., 1921-07-21

State of Michigan, the Probate
Court for the County of st. Clair.
In the Matter of the Estate of
Alvin z. Boughner, Deceased.
Notice is hereby given that
four months from the 22nd dav
OF June A. d. 1921, have been al
lowed for creditors to present
their claims against said deceas.
ed to said Court for examination
and adjustment, and that ali
creditors of said deceased are re-
CURED to present their claims TO
said Court, at the Probate Office
IN the City of Port Huron, in said
county, on or before the oath day
Oh october A. ID. 1921 and that |
SAID claims will be heard by said |
court on Monday the oath day of |
October A. ID. 1921, at nine o'clock
in the forenoon.
Dated June 22nd, A. D. 1921.
GEORGE l.. BROWN.
"A true copy Judge of Probate
SURF ID. CADY, Attorney for
Administrator.
f. WRIGHT.
Probate Register. 14-4
The Yale expositor., 1921-07-21
REMOVAL

LoST-A dark navy blue hat for
a little girl at the park at the
homecoming. Please leave at
the Expositor office and receive
reward. 16-0
FouND-On streets of Yale, a
chilss neck chain. Owner call
at Expositor Office for same.
FoUND-On Main street, Yale. a
sum OF money. Owner please
call, prove the loss and receive
the money. H. c. Martin.
The Yale expositor., 1921-07-21
LIVE WIRE UHu!N,3 rloN

The ~ Il. T.. is th. Inn. ar ,i,,
Cote Hethod EHoh ). n viii pay v.u
u attend IA school where H., man
bers OF the staf are i,rrs .essi,s
enough 10 be considered authoritias
on the subjects They handle.
The Yale expositor., 1921-07-21
UP-ro DATE

Over. 5000 invested In modem
once devices for practice purposes
Ia the last year. You need this
training. The - b. u. sives you
training that il just a little better
and more up-to-date.
The Yale expositor., 1921-07-21
Yale Chapter, No. Ga, o. E. S.

Regular meetings in Masonic
Hall Wednesday evenings during
1921 as follows: Jan. &c; Feb. 20 !;
March %; April 20; May 25 {;
June %; July 20; Aug. "a; Sept.
Il; Oct. 10; Nov. 16. Dec. ID.
Special meetings announced in
he local columns. Visiting mem
ers cordially invited.
Miss Pearl Mcdonald, w. M.
Minnie Richardson, Treasurer
w. r. Smith, w. p.
Eta Clyne, Secretary
The Yale expositor., 1921-07-21
II. Il. 4. COURSES

Include business framing, =. =. A.
PREPARATION stenGaraiie, secretarI
al coriI t-a,a-r ana special l.a-
CAine courses.
The Yale expositor., 1921-07-21
REAL PLACnMnNr srRNIcn

The best Emph', ment Dept. 81
hlhd IN tho parts. A positi.a
ar every graduate
The Yale expositor., 1921-07-21
General Trucking
Mathews & Wight

Am prepared to do general
trucking business, both local and
long distance hauling. VIM. w.
Flynn, phone 62-5r, Yale Mich.
The Yale expositor., 1921-07-21
RE A

Private Secretary, stenosrapher.
bookheepsr. Commercial Teacher.
Government CIetk. Accountant.
A""i'Sf' Ad'e'ti"inE MANAGER, az
eAh7i"E Agent cr U.d,e Manager.
The New York herald., 1921-10-16
FRENCH THEATRES
FACE WAGE CRISIS
Artists May Abandon Comedie
Franchise Cooperative
Society.

s,eeia, Cable to The NEW YoRx HERALD.
Copurtoht, 1891, BY TIE New YoHK HERALn.
New York Herald Bureeu.)
Paris, Oct. Is.
There is a real crisis In tho French
theatres. with the artists Of the Coincide
Franchise threatening to abandon their
cooperative society unless the State In
creases It's subvention and allows them
more than 5000 francs a yeai, which Is
not enough now to pay the household
expenses of an ordinary laborers
family here.
The French Government allows half
a million francs yearly to cover this
theatres deficit. but this amount has
not the buying power 100000 francs had
before the war.
Naturally members Of the cooperative
society, who hold themselves always at
the disposal Of the theatres directors.
frequently find themselves closely ap-
preaching penury and are forced to give
private recitals In suburban towns to
keep body and soul together.
The wage shortage also has hit hard
the girls engaged for small roles
walking parts"-for which the pay is
only francs q performance. but these,
unlike their trained sisters, have made
no protest, declaring that the honor OF
appearing at the Cemedie Franchise Il
worth more than money to them, as II
gives them an opportunity to make &C
quaintances. with the possibility Of bril-.
liant marriages, while members Of the
cooperative society are SO welded. to
real art they are not SO interested In
offers Of marriage.
The New York herald., 1921-10-16
u. S. FILM MEN SAVE
CHATEAUS FROM RUIN
Pay Large Sums for Rental to
Poor OUners.

Special Cable to THE NEW YORK FIHnALD.
Copyright, 1921. bp THE New YosK HERALD
New York Herald Bureau.
Paris, Oct. IL.
American cinema concerns, backed
by millions Of dollars. are taking advan-
tage of the situation of French chateau
owners whose financial condition. ag-
gravated by the war. does not permit
them to rebuild the topping cornices of
their fine dwellings or to install modern
conveniences which would assure them
suitable rents
II Is understood. however. that the
movie concerns may save many cha
teaux which are rapidly falling to ruins
One California company of motion pic
ture producers has approached a group
OF chateau owners offering to rent four
teenth to eighteenth century mansions
at 1000, 900 francs each for a period Of
ten years, during which all the rooms
will be repaired and the chateaus re-
stored to the owner In such shape that
a sale will be almost certain.
further advantage of the offer IL
that the chateau would be used for
thousands OF films, obtaining publicity
greater than that any real estate dealer
could provide The cinema company
would benefit as during the production
OF the films all the artists as we'll as the
army of lesser employees could be
housed free. thus reducing the COM
pany's annual overhead charges.
The New York herald., 1921-10-16
GIRL STENOCRAPHERS
PERIL TO ADVERTISERS
Henri Bernstein Found Too
Many Applicants for job.

speciol Cable to THE NEw YoRK HyRALp.
Copyright, 1891. by THE New YosK HERALD.
New Ysrk Herald bureau.
Paris. Oct. Is.
There is so much unemployment OF
girl stenographers here now that II Is
dangerous to advertise for office help.
the police In some cases being asked to
investigate suspected white slave traffic
Henri Bernstein. noted dramatist
discovered this last week when he re-
quired some etenographers. and put a
few lines in the leading newspapers
giving the address OF one OF his friends
instead of his own. In a few hours
hundreds of candidates appeared at tho
residence Of his friend. the visits con-
tinuing several days to the consterna-
ton of other tenants OF the respectable
quarter, who knowing that M. Bern
STEMS friend was single and did not
need comely blondes or brunettes to
write his personal letters promptly no.
tifled the police.
An explanation by NJ Bernstein alone
saved his friend from the discomfort
of q police cell.
The New York herald., 1921-10-16
HIS MECHANICAL "LEGS'
USELESS, BUT COST 8125
Earl of March Tires of Mend
ing Them With ScrelDdriUer.

Special Cable to THE NEW YORK HERALD.
Copyright, 1881, by TIE NEW YoRK HERALD
New York Herald Bureau.
London, Oct. 10.
The Earl of March had to carry
around with him all the time a screw
driver on account of the pranks of
pair of leg supports which London
firm of instrument makers made for him.
II was testified in court. 1t embarrassed
the Earl greatly to have to stop in the
middle Of all sorts Of dignified English
pursuits when he felt his mechanically
reinforced legs trembling. 1t was tes-
titled IN this connection that the Earrs
real legs had never trembled until he
suffered from poliomyelitis.
At such times he had to stop every
thing, draw forth a screwdriver, roll up
his trousers and go to work as his owen
personal machinist. So he told an Off
cial referee, after he had got bill for
f175-odd for pair Of leg supports which
he chucked-both bill and leg supports
into his castle moat or some other place.
But the maker Of the leg supports also
went into court and almost tearfully told
the referee how he had lavished care
making these leg supports for the Earl.
and the official referee awarded to him
f125 and costs.
The New York herald., 1921-10-16
AIR CUSTOMS FLEET
TO PATROL CHANNEL
Gen, Laden Passengers Use
Planes for Smuggling.

Special Cable 20 THE NEW yosK HrrnLp.
Copyright. 1871. bv The NEW YosK HrnaLp.
New York Herald Bureau.
Paris. Oct. rs.
A new aviation problem has devei-
oped here which probably will be solved
by the organization OF n squadron OF
flying customs inspectors. Numerous
forced descents on the cross-Channel air
route have been observed 10 be marked
by the disappearance Of certain passen-
gers and the police are convinced that
such incidents are really attempts--usu-
ally successfui--to smuggie In vaiuabie
from London. Brussels and Holland.
chiefly cut gems. which find a ready
market here.
The law says that when a machine
Is forced 20 land outside the appointed
landing area all passengers must remain
with their baggage untouched until tho
customs police arrive. In most cases.
however. this would require remaining
IN the ca bin OF the planes over night. as
few iirect trains follows the route taken
by the airplane service
Most uf the custom officials are loath
10 rick their lives In airplanes. and have
consented TO the formation OF q special
air division which will be called by
~lreicss from Paris or Boulogne wheT
ever flights must be abandoned owing
TO defective machinery.