davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1921-02-09
MURDER AND ARSON
CONFESSION MADE.
Negro Prisoner Tells About Kill
ing Four, Says He'll Sleep
Better.

Yazoo City, Miss, Feb. 4.-Gus
Davis, a negro who has been held in
the Yazoo county Jail here for the
past month charged with murder.
called for Sheriff Regan Thursday
afternoon, and the sheriff says Da-
Wis confessed to the killing of four
negroes and burning their bodies in
their houses near Holly Bluff on Mo-
vember 18th. The victims were old
and after the killing the bodies were
stuffed in the fire places and satur-
ated with kerosene and burned.
Suspicion pointed to Davis and
Sheriff Regan placed him under ar
rest shortly after the killing. The
negro is quoted as saying that on the
night of November 16th, he and
Mack Gibson were sitting In front of
the fire in Gibson's home, discussing
the theft of some cotton. Davis was
accused by Gibson of stealing the
cotton, and Davis admits now that he
did steal the cotton. Both of them
were angry and Gibson reached for
an iron poker, when Davis grabbed
a gun that was leaning against the
wall near him, and fired, killing Glib
son. Davis says that he knew that
Gibson's wife heard the gun dis
charged So he went out to an out
house and killed her to cover his
tracks.
He then went to the house of AL
len Smith, whose wife was alone in
a house nearby where he killed her
by hitting her over the head with
his gun and stuffed her body in the
fire place. the confession of Davis
continues. Smith was away from
home at the time, so escaped being
killed also. Davis says he then went
to the home Of Mary Williams, ne
gro woman who lived alone in a
house nearby, and killed her so that
no one could accuse him of the
crime. He says he stabbed her in
the back with knife.
Then he went back to the home of
Allen Smith and secured some kero-
sene and scattering 1t over the three
houses set them on fre. This sec
tion Of Yazoo county is not very
thickly populated and the families
lived practically alone. Davis
thought that by killing every one
who could have seen him commit
the crime that he would escape the
consequences.
Sheriff Regan was accompanied by
Elmo Stricklin, who witnessed Da-
Wis confession. and after confessing
Davis told Sheriff Regan: "This may
break my neck. but sure do feel
better now and maybe can sleep
tonight,
The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1921-02-09
FIELD DAY WILL BE
HELD FRIDAY, MAR. Is
Committee Gives. Out List of
Events - Beat Contests
March 5th.

The Annual Lincoln County Field
Day will be observed in Brookhaven
Friday. March 25th. The various
Beat Contests will be held on March
9Th.
Following is list of the events to
be contested
Expression, Defamation, Music.
For students up to and including
the Eighth Grader Arithmetic,
English. Composition, Spelling, Civil
Government.
For 9th Grade students only Al-
zebra, tthrough factoring.)
s 100 yard Dash, Broad Jump, 440
yard Dash, Relay Race, " Mile
Race, Mile Race, High Jump, Pole
Vault.
rs Yard Dash-for students IA
years old or under.
so Yard Dash-for students 10
years old or under.
Basketball Games.
A good list of prizes will be OF
fered and the interest in this annual
event is expected to be great. Let
every teacher and pupil put forth
every possible effort and we will have
the best Field Day in the history Of
the county.
Field Day Committee
The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1921-02-09
RUSSELL WRITES OF
INSURANCE TANGLE
COmmends Revenue Agent Rob-
ertsOn and Says Companies
Quit in Body.

Columbus, Ohio, Feb. 5.-Charg-
ing that the insurance companies
withdrew in body from Mississip-
pi and commencing Stokes v. Rob-
ertson, revenue agent, who, he says,
has pursued his duty as outlined by
the laws of the State" Governor Lee
M. Russell has written a letter to
the Ohio State:-
/ have just been forwarded clip
ping from your paper, presumably of
recent date, headed Fire Insurance"
There is-so much untruth expressed
in this article that / am forced out
of self-respect and fairness to myself
and the state revenue agent to de-
nounce it in no uncertain terms. Hon.
Stokes V. Robertson, our very able
and efficient state revenue agent, has
pursued his duty as outlined by the
laws of this state. These laws are
old and we'll understood, and nobody
better understands them all these
years than the fire insurance compa-
nies. These laws are not too harsh,
either. In fact, they have never been
complained of by the fire insurance
companies, nor have they SO far as
l ever knew, ever tried to have them
amended.
have said absolutely nothing
against these companies that l did
not say and that my oath of office
does not force me to say against the
smallest individual in this state. We
have simply asked that they obey the
law of the land, the law of the
sovereign state, If you please, and
this they must do. AS matter of
history, they have in body with
drawn from the state, and, while it
is for the courts to pass upon their
The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1921-02-09
FIND MISSISSIPPI
SUPPORTS SCHOOLS
State Superintendent Bond and
Co-Workers Complete Dis
trict Rallies.

Jackson, Miss, Feb. 4th.-Profes-
sor w. F. Bond, state superintend-
ent of education with several Of his
co-workers. has just completed a
series of district meetings of the
county superintendents of the state,
held at seven different places, name
ly. Meridian, Hattiesburg, Brookha-
ven, New Albany, Clarksdale, Gre
NADIA and Jackson, and reports that
the sentiment throughout the state
is heartily in favor of maintaining
the schools at their present state of
efficiency, at least, and that in some
counties and places plans are being
made Tor even better schools for an
other year. Superintendent Bond
finds that while the people favor the
cutting down of expenses along many
lines, there is an overwhelming SEN
timent against giving the children
less chance educationally than they
now have. At these meetings the
following things were agreed upon:-
1. The work of the one, two and
three-year high-schools should be
standardized, and the schools put
on an accredited list. so that students
finishing in any of these schools may
get the credit for the work done.
O. The teachers of the state
should be classified on the basis of
successful experience, scholarship,
professional training, ETC., in order
that the county superintendents may
be able to comply with the law in
paying teachers in accordance with
their ability
8. The summer schools for white
teachers should be fewer in number
and better, while for the negro tea
chers the work should be more, ele-
mentary.
4. The trustees of the rural
schools of the various counties
should meet at least once year at
the county courthouse, on the call
The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1921-02-09
A Near Thousand and More TO Come
for European Relief From
Brookhaven.

After being out only few hours
yesterday the committee appointed to
solicit relief for the starving child
rem Of Europe reported 5000 as the
immediate result. This nice sum will
be augmented by other contributions
as the committee circulates on be-
half Of the youth Of foreign coun-
tries orphaned by the iron god OF
war and dwelling among the wreck
age and devastation that is the out
come Of warning nations, while the
Bolshevik spirit has dominated the
deplorable situation since Peace"
tried to spread its~winga in protec-
tion Of the war-worn and weary peo-
pie grim-visaged war failed to oblit-
crate and relieve Of suffering furth-
Eer.
Our people are doing the humane
and benevolent thing in contributing
TO the material necessities Of Eu-
rope.
Colonel Dan Cameron, who recent
" returned from overseas, states that
the cause Is, beyond doubt. a just
and worthy one.
The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1921-02-09
7, A. Maui Teaches Sunday School
Glass IA Years.

Last Sunday morning the fact de-
yeloped at the Baptist Sunday school
that Mr.. J. A. Maui, the well-known
senior member Of the law Arm of
Maui & Yawn. was completing on
that day his fourteenth consecutive
year as teacher Of the Young Mems
Bible Glass.
Mr. Maui enjoys the distinction of
having been present every Sunday
with few exceptions in that length
OF time.
Many men have been attracted to
the Sunday School BY Mr.. Naul's ef-
ficiency in teaching his class and
the good he has done BY precept and
example cannot be computed on this
mundane sphere. The class has al
ways been q large contributor 10 be-
nevolence and denominafional needs
and last Sunday contributed SIS Of
the total amount Of s1Os given by
the Baptist Sunday School to the
children's European Eelief Fund.
The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1921-02-09

liability or nonliability, their con-
certed action in withdrawing from
the state and refusing to renew the
policies Of our people is rather
strong evidence of their unlawful
combination.
/ might add that not single in
surance man dared to approach my
self or the revenue agent, asking a
dismissal of his suit. Why? Be-
cause he knew that he would have
to make his defense in the courts as
any other citizen. But what did they
do? Scattered propaganda Casually
like yours), presumably hoping it
would throw the business interests
into such panic as to demand the
withdrawal of the suits and thus
make a, sovereign state get on her
knees and ask mercy at their hands.
In short, you are misadvised as to
the facts / might add that there is
not lawyer in America with little
enough sense to argue that any hon
est fire Insurance company cannot do
a legitimate business in this state.
There is no reason why any one of
them should violate the law-they
have simply been charged with vio-
lating the antitrust laws of the
state, and our courts will try this
issue. If the insurance companies
are within the law, you may be as
sured they will be acquitted. If they
have violated the law, they will like
wise be forced to pay the penalty.
On behalf of a great law-respect-
ing and law-abiding people, 1 resent
your unwarranted and untrue charge
and ask that you please make cor
rection in fairness to all parties
concerned.
Lee NJ. Russell, Governor.
To o1x ATico4 To
The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1921-02-09
BrOOkhaven to Have New $4,000
Business Building.

At a meeting of the directors Of
The Southern Wholesale Company,
which was organized last September,
it was decided to erect a modern
brick building on the lots they own
on North Whitworth Avenue, to cost
approximately $4,000.
A building committee composed of
v. Panzica, ]. S. Penn and George
Lewenthal was appointed to have
plans and specifications drawn up
Immediately in order that construc-
tion be begun to accommodate the
rapidly increasing business Of the
Southern Wholesale Co.
The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1921-02-09
-Field Day. Committee.

A meeting of College students and
alumni of Methodist institutions will
be held at the Methodist Church in
Brookhaven next Monday evening at
1870. An alumni association will be
organized with a view to more ef-
fectual service in the campaign for
Christian Education. Speeches and
music will be interesting and inspir-
ing for the purpose of the meeting.
The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1921-02-09

The rain came. the floods fell and
the winds blew Monday morning at
about nine o'clock. Newly cultiva-
ted ground and old fencing and out
houses were damaged badly in this
vicinity; but everybody was glad 1t
was no worse.
The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1921-02-09

ectually employed in the schools.
7. Better teachers are being de-
manded by the people, and steps are
going to be taken to raise the stan
dard,
The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1921-02-09

Today it's not assquestion Of what
you make, It's What you save. You
will save money by getting our pri-
ces before buying. I'VE save you
money. Hoffman's.
The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1921-02-09

Since Nov. IL. 1918. "A war vet
eran" hasn't meant. necessarily an
Old man. There are numerous young
VETERANS nowadays
The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1921-02-09

We are slaughtering the price OF
Box Paper, stop and take look at
our window. Beautiful assortment
of eolors to select from. 75c value
for 49c.-Hoffman's
The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1921-02-09

THIRTY-sEvENrH YEAR OF PUBLICATION,
The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1921-02-09

Lee NJ. huSSeII, GOYtTnOT.
Jackson, Miss, Jan. 26.
The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1921-02-09

UP WITH ALL THE LOCAL NEWS
Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1921-04-07
Social
,coutributed,

Saturca1 evening Mrs. c. B. Bryant
was honofed again by Mrs. ]. M. Ledbet
ter when three tables of Bridge were
played. After the usual progressions the
game was called off and the hostess
served delicious refreshments in two
courses to Mesdames c. B. Bryant, F. W.
Leak, ]. c. Morrison, w. R. Jones, H. c.
Wall, W. R. Fowlkes, Jake Hinson, A. G.
Corpening, Misses Glenn and Dorothy
Farley, Kathryn Mcdonald Mrs Led
better presented to the honoree, Mrs.
Bryant, beautiful gold cuff pins.
Mrs. c. B. Bryant who has been the
house-visitor of Mr.. and Mrs. F. W. Leak,
for the past week, left Monday morning
for Raleigh, whittier she goes to visit her
uncle, Governor Cameron Morrison, at
the Executive Mansion, for sometime be-
fore returning to her home in Charlotte.
Among the many delightful social af-
fairs given in complement to Mrs. c. &.
Bryant, of Charlotte, was beautifully
appointed luncheon given by Mrs. W. C..
Leak on Friday of last week. This was
an unusually enjoyable affair.
Monday evening the LILLY Duke" Mis-
sionary Society of the Methodist church
met with Miss Rosa Steele, with Miss
Georgia Biggs as leader. assisted by Mrs.
w. P. Webb. Devotlonals and the usual
business over, the young folks were
served ice cream and cake; then the
social hour followed, when games were
enjoyed. Be it remembered that the
knights of the Cross" have been invited
and have united themselves as a part Of
the Lilly Duke Society, and it is one of
most flourishing of the Missionary Bands
of the Methodist church.
Tuesday afternoon Mrs. Sam S. Steele
entertained about twenty of the little
friends Of her daughter, Elizabeth Steele
in honor of her eighth birthday. Games
on the lawn were played until refresh
ments were announced, when each guest
was served ice cream and cake ard candy
A thoroughly good time was enjoyed by:
Minnie Baldwin, Mary Thomas Covington,
Ina Reynolds, Mary Payne, Tennis Gov
ington, Elizabeth Shaw, Florence Ledbet-
ter, Maude Steele, Mary Corpening, La
donia Thomas, Annie Cole Thomas,
Elizabeth Covington, Miriam Arenson,
Cecilia Webb, Frances Steadman O'Brien,
Mamie Leak Payne, Grace. Pemberton
Coppedge, and Elizabeth Everett. This
vas party long to be remembered by
the very young set of Rockingham society
as beirg one of the best times OF rll.'
Mrs. Frank w. Leak delightfully."- enter
tain. d three tables of Bridge Thursday
evening of last week, honoring her house
visitor, Mrs. C. B. Bryant, of Charlotte
Following several progressions, the hos
tie IS served salad course and accessories
Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1921-04-07

Services at the Presbyterian
church Sunday will he: Sunday
school at 10, morning worship al
II, evening at s o'clock.
Mrs, Henry H. Smith under.
went an.operation by DR.. Stokes
at Salisbury....Saturday; she will
return home 1.-THE last of next
week.
Spending Wednesday in Sails,
bury with Miss Bessie Everett
were Mrs. J. LeGrand Everett,
Mrs. w. N. Everett and Mrs. H.
c. Dockery.
Born, Tuesday night to Mr..
and Mrs. ]. H. Starr, a son, Jack,
Junior. The Western Union will
now have another prospective
operator.
R. L. Jones yesterday subscrib-
ed for the paper to be sent to his
son, c. R. Jones, who is in Co. K,
18th infantry, at Camp Dix, N. J.
C.. r. enlisted about Christmas.
NIr. Seegar, a talented must
clan "a brother of the poet, Allen
Seegar), will give a concert at
Samarcand Saturday night. Tea
will be served. Ladies are in
vited.
Tom Bell celebrated his sew
enth birthday Tuesday by enter
tanning a score of friends; after a
round of games, the afternoon
was topped with ice cream cones
and cake.
DR.. Mary Lou Miller will have
the front office, in the Long build
ing, as well as her present office,
in a few days. This will give
her connecting rooms, and these
are now being painted and put in
attractive shape.
Mrs. w. N. Everett, leader OF
the Bright Jewels, entertained
them at angEaster Egg hunt on
her lawn on Friday of last week.
Popcorn balls and candy were
served. About rs children were
present.
The Cantata repeated at the
Baptist church Wednesday even
ing, was even better than when
given on Easter night. The
large audience thoroughly enjoy
ed such a delightful musical
program.
Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1921-04-07
Sale of Automobile for
Repairs and
Storage Charges

By virtue of the provisions contained
in Section 2435 of the Consolidated statutes
of North Carolina, the undersigned will
sell to the highest bidder for cash, in
front of tn Court House in the town of
Rockingham, N. c., on Saturday, April
23rd, 1921, at IL o'clock M, one Chevro.
let 5.passenger automobile, model "490."
This automobile is the property OF MIR.
Paul Carroll, Hamlet, N. c. and will be
sold for repair bill and storage charges.
This April 7, 1921.
West Brothers
Fred M Bynum, Attorney.
Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1921-04-07

to Mesdames c. B. Bryant. ]. {. Morrison,
J, M. Ledbetter, John Watts. w. R. Jones,
Misses Rosa and Jennie Parsons, Kathryn
Mcdonald, Beth Thomas, Lillian Long.
Spring flowers were. used throughout the
home in profusion, which added to the
already beautiful home.
Friday afternoon Miss Kathryn Nc
Donald entertained in honor of Mrs. c.
B. Bryant and the members of her Dup
licate. Others than club members pres
ent were: Mesdames Isaac London, w. N.
Everett, Jr., ]. C. Morrison, Jonh Watts,
T. L. McRae, Misses Glenn and Jean
Farley, Sarah Dockery, and Beth Thorn
as. Vases of spirear, white and pink hy-
acinths and white Iris were conspicuous
in the decorations. The hostess served a
salad course and things that go with it.
Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1921-04-07

LOCAL ITEMS
and PERSONALS
Matters Briefly Mentioned
Little Happenings
Personal Notes
CALL P0ST-DISPATCH OFFICE
Phone 1872

*"-*-%-%%-::.-~%-%-*-%
Watch your label.
Phone Post-Dispatch 1872, your
items of news.
Oasis Temple, Shrine, will have
a ceremonial at Asheville Mays.
Born, Tuesday morning to Mr..
and Mrs. James Saddler, Rober-
del, a daughter.
Miss Anna Leak Ledbetter re-
turned Monday night from avisit
since Thursday to Miss Isabel
Harding at Chester, S. c.
Sidney Hopkins left Sunday
for New York to FILL in" with
goods for Hopkins Bros. He will
return by the last of next week.
Mrs. Joe Powell came from
Norfolk a few days before Easter
to spend three weeks with her
parents, Mr.. and Mrs. C. c.
Taylor.
Mrs. Octavia Mason, widow of
the late P. R. Mason, of Gibson,
and sister of Miss L. E. Blakey,
is seriously ill.at her home in
West Virginia.
Mrs. Vinison Lazenby has re-
turned to her home at Hunting
ton, w. Va, after having spent
the weekend with her aunt, Mrs.
Gertrude Long, and Mr.. and Mrs.
D. H. Gay, at Entwistle.
W. w. Ormond and George
Entwistle, Jr., last week formed
a partnership in the electrical
business, under the title of the
"Blll-Buck Electrical Co." They
have a quarter-page announce
ment elsewhere in this issue.
Mrs. T. B. Lilies and Misses
Mildred and Thelma Terry, of
Hamlet, spent several days last
week in Salisbury visiting Mrs.
jerks Terry, who was operated
upon by DR.. Stokes three weeks
ago.,
Miss Mary Agnes Funderburk
spent from Friday to Monday at
the home of Mrs. J. A. McAulay
en- route back to Salem College
from her home at Lancaster S. c.
She is a niece Of Mr.. J. D. Cam
eron.
Mr.. and Mrs. ]. w. Leak and
daughter, fAtlie, returned on
Thursday night of last week from
a six weeks sojourn in Florida,
principally at Hawthorne. They
had the PLEASURE of attending a
reception to President and Mrs.
Harding, al the Ponce de Leon,
St. Augustine, while away.
Friends here will be interested
in the marriage at Richmond on
Friday morning of last week at 8
o'clock of Miss Vashti White to
Dr.. Russell Beam, both of Lum-
berton. Mrs. Albert White, an
aunt of the bride, went to Rich
mond with the bride for the mar
riage. DR.. Beam is an eye, ear
and nose specialist at Lumberton.
Mrs. Annie Peele, of Osborne,
Route l, sent her renewal to the
PoST-DISPATCH Monday. She
will be 81 years old April 18th
and has eight children living
three sons and five daueh' ers
She lives at the Old home place
in Marks Creek township, anc
within 200 yards of the Scotland
county line.
If the present growth of the
Baptist Sunday school continues
a new building will eventual,
have to be built. The average
attendance for the past three Sun
days has been G23. Last SUNDAY
MIR. Benton's class for married
people had As present; Mr.. Brew
er's young mems class, %; Mrs
iii E1xop~ 010re> fo,- 1,o.,,,Ir IoIsaz If
Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1921-04-07

I. T. Cole is organizing in Char
lotte another company, this time the
"Dilworth Home Building Com
pany." Capital 100000. 1t is the in
tention to build homes on the Pro
gressive Realty Company property
in Dilworth a. the rate of ten
homes a month. T. R, is president
of both companies.
Mr.. ]. c. Stubs and Mrs.
Margaret Stradley, of Hamlet,
were married at Cheraw by the
Baptist minister Saturday after
noon. 1t was a runaway" affair.
Of interest is the fact that MIR.
Stubs son, W. B. Stubs, some
ago married a daughter
of Mrs. Stradley. And now Ben's
mother-in-law is also his STEP
mother. One can figure a lot of
relationship from this.
Let us quote you on Oils and
na;nts -Allen-MOrse Co.
Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1921-04-07

Don't buy -four until we quote
you. Allen-M Morse Co.
Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1921-04-07

Let us quote you on oils and
paints.-Allen-Morse Co.
Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1921-04-07

Mineral Springs, White.
The Penn's Grove record., 1921-08-19
Remarkable DISAPPEARANCE.

Perhaps the most remarkable dis
appearance in modern times of a
prominent public man was that of
James Winstanley, a brilliant Oxford
scholar, who won the "Hertford" near
ly seventy years ago. Winstanley.
having become a positivist under the
influence of Congreye-one of the
founders of the new religion consist
ing of three persons and no Cod
left Oxford and lived in retirement on
his Leieestershire estate, where he
devoted himself to the welfare of his
dependents, built q church, and, In
the year of his disappearance, was
high sheriff. Just before the assizes
he went to Folkestone, started for the
pier to meet his mother coming from
B%oulogne, and was eve afterward
seen by his friends. A boatman at
CoblenZ stated hat an Englishman re
sembling W~instanley was ferried over
to Ehrenbreitstein, and he was sup
posed to have been drowned; but
those who best know his temperament
thought it possible that he had i'm
INJURED himself in a monastery.
The Penn's Grove record., 1921-08-19
china's Concrete Work.

Owing to the high cost of timber
in China, it has been found economic
al to make railway sleepers and cleo
tric transmission line poles Of rein
forced concrete. The sleepers are re
inforced with old mine cable, states
Engineering News-Record, and are
cured under water before use. New
track is not supplied with concrete
sleepers, but laid with ordinary wood
en- sleepers, which are afterward re-
placed by concrete when the road bed
IS well settled. The poles are 40 feet
and so feet high, and are cast hori-
Eontally. They are hollow for four
ffths of their length, square section,
and taper, and some of the reinforc-
Ing rods are carried above and below
the pole to act as lightning conduc-
tors. In both cases the concrete mix
Is 1:2:4. and the poles and sleepers
have given complete satisfaction. -
Scientific American.