davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The New York herald., 1921-07-31

corner of the room and conferred in
whispers.
what shall we do with him?" asked
my colleagues.
1t was agreed that he must pay with his
life the penalty for his crime, but "how?"
was the question. Stedman made the happy
suggestion to allow him to commit suicide,
urging that a regular trial before a court
martial would only give undue publicity
to a regrettable affair rejecting discredit
on the navy and possibly bring to the
scoundrel a certain amount of glory in
his own country. Moreover, the Admins
tration in Washington, in all possibility,
would let him off with a paternaf warn
ing, or at most short term of imprison-
ment. This did not appear to us an ade-
quate punishment for his hideous crime,
so, rightly or wrongly, we took matters
into our own hands; notified Johnson
that he had been condemned to death and
offered him the alternative to be shot
where he was or to jump overheard. free
man. In the latter event we would toss
a lifebuoy after him and within his reach.
Unhesitatingly he chose the second horn
of the dilemma. His feet and hands were
then unbound We three led him out
through the door and to the side of the
ship, where and not until then, the gag
was removed from his mouth.
MAY God forgive you for what you
meant to do" said /. You have staked
your life on the game you tried to play and
you have lost. Nevertheless, we are giving
you one chance to save It, little as you
deserve consideration. Are you ready?"
YES" he answered in low tone.
"One, two, three" | counted. At the
word three Stedman tossed life preserver
overheard. 1t was instantly followed by
Johnson, who jumped to the rail and with
wild yell, "Hoch der Kaiser!" hurled
himself after 1t into the boiling waters.
The cry of Man overboard!" was at once
raised by Baker; Stedman and I ran to
the bridge. AS officer of the deck. he
stopped the ship and manned the lifeboat.
In loud voice, however, / ordered him
not to risk the lives OF seven men by low
ering the iifeboat in such a sea, but to
stand by the unfortunate sailor, getting
the ship as near him as possible and to
leeward. In this way the traditions Of the
service were observed. Ostensibly we did
all that could be done to save a drowning
shipmate but every one on board realized
that no human being could survive in such
a seething cauldron.
After an hour spent in the seeming at
tempt to rescue a man who had gone mad
and committed suicide" as we informed
the crew, with all the apparent reluo
The New York herald., 1921-07-31

with the advantage on our side of weapons
loaded and cooked, he might have made
strenuous resistance. AS 1t was, nothing
was left to him but to submit and to pray
that his captors would be more compass
sonate than he or any of his foul breed
would have shown themselves had the
situation been reversed. In this he was
mistaken. for to our suspicious we're now
joined a thorough loathing and a deter
mination to do unto him even as he would
have done to us. Doubtless additional
evidence of his intended treachery might
exist, although not absolutely required.
If so, it would probably be somewhere in
his apartment or on his person. To search
for 1t was our next move.
Baker now stood by him with an auto
matte pressed against his chest, while l
searched his pockets for the keys to his
desk and private safe. These secured, |
went through his belongings, finding a
number of letters in German, which we're
of personal nature and not important;
but tucked away in the inner pocket of a
waistcoat was what I needed, document
from the German Spy Headquarters, Will
helmstrasse, Berlin, directing Johnson, or
as he was therein named, Kapitan-Leuten-
ant x B., Kaiserliche Marine, to
bring the Ponticus to stated rendezvous.
of which the latitude and longitude were
given, at noon of the second day after his
receipt of radiogram beginning with the
word "Barcelona"-all other words having
no Specification. There he was to sur
render her to a submarine which would
be in waiting.
Holding this up, opened on him in my
choicest German billingsgate. My sea trips
had provided me with fairly workable
vocabulary of objurgation for special
emergencies, and that thoroughly enjoyed
pouring into his ears some of its fairest
gems can be easily imagined. | told him
that he was "schmutziger Schwein-
hund'': dirty German spy, who had been
detected before he could carry out his
nefarious intentions, and that his fate
would be decided Immediately by three
"idiotic Americans" sitting on his case as
q drumhead court-martial. His amazement
at learning that l knew his language as
we'll as he did filed him with impotent
rage. This was development which he
had not foreseen. His fury at being thus
fooled by me was short lived. however. be-
ing quickly replaced by blind horror as the
significance Of his situation grew upon him.
Stedman was now called in from the
bridge through the voice pipe over the
Captains bunk.
few brief sentences made the case
clear to him. We then drew away to
The New York herald., 1921-07-31

tance in the world, the ship resumed her
course and Johnson was left to his fate
far more kindly than his deserts war
ranted. Our last sight of him was for
brief moment after he jumped overheard.
He was struggling to seize the lifebuoy,
which appeared to evade him as the huge
combers carried it out of his reach. Then
the darkness swallowed him up, never
again to be seen of mortal men.
The rest of the cruise may be passed over
briefly. The third degree was applied by
Baker and me to the Quartermaster
Smith" From him we ascertained the
"hocussng" of the compasses by means
of tiny magnets glued underneath the COM
pass cards. also such details of the plot
as the Captain dared entrust to sea-
man. That he was the Captains only ac-
complice was reasonably we'll established.
We kept him in close confinement until
we reached Queenstown. where, by mutual
agreement between Admiral Sims and the
British authorities, he was turned over to
the tender mercies Of the latter, who were
notably less disposed than our own to
condone so black villany. | believe that
he was first discharged as an enlisted man
In the American Navy and then tried as
German spy for plotting against the
delivery OF the war materials which the
Ponticus was bringing over for the British
Munitions Department. l am not quite
sure, but labor under the strong convic-
tion that he Joined Karl Lody, one of the
first of these vermin to suffer for his work.
The case was reported in full to the
Navy Department in two documents, one
stating with deep regret the temporary
insanity and suicide of Lieutenant Charles
Johnson. U. S. ~ r. F.; the other con-
fidential and exact account of the whole
affair. The latter. / am given to under
stand, was suppressed "for the public
good"
Not only was the Ponticus thus saved
from falling into the hands of the enemy,
but our code radiogram to the Commander
in-Chief informing him OF the discovered
plot, but giving no further details. other
than the location and hour OF the pro-
posed rendezvous. was instrumental in his
sending three destroyers to the spot. In
the most complete and satisfactory man
ner they accounted for the German sub
marine u. This IL would seem was a
very different meeting from the one
planned by Johnson and his fellow schem-
ers in Berlin. Had It been carried out
as intended, the Ponticus would have been
added to the list of the countless vessels
which have met their end in "the port Of
missing ships" and this story would never
have been told.
The New York herald., 1921-07-31
Flowers Offer
New Source of
Spirit for Motors

TIME great number of motor vehicles
OF all kinds is causing serious con-
sideration to be given to the queu-
ton as to where the gasolene or petrol is
to come from to keep these going. Power
alcohol is mentioned as a solution. To make
this from potatoes is possible, but 1t requires
a ton of potatoes to produce twenty gallons
of alcohol. A British writer suggests that
the greatest possibilities seem to be offered
in tropical and subtropcal countries. East
Africa is mentioned as an example. In that
country two crops of maize can be obtained
each year. and about eighty gallons of alcohol
cen be made from ton of maize.
In the current number OF the Bulletin Of
the Imperial Institute the possibility is dts
cussed of utilizing the mowra flowers Of
India for the purpose of manufacturing
alcohol for use as motor spirit. These
flowers possess thick. juicy petals, rich in
sugar. They are used by the natives as a
foodstuff. and especially for the preparation
by fermentation of an alcoholic liquor called
daru or mahwa spirit. single tree will
yield as mucn as 200 to 900 pounds of flowers
in year. The tree also produces valuable
oil seed, which is exported in fairly large
quantities to Europe.
During the war the flowers were used in
india for the production of acetone, tho
yield being said to be ten times as much as
that obtained by dstilling wood. the usual
source of this substance. The demand fer
acetone in India in peace times however is
not great. and large quantities of the flowers
would be available for the manufacture OF
alcohol. and would appear to be an excep-
tionally cheap source OF this material as the
yield Is high compared with that from pota-
toes and other materials commonly used.
about ninety gallons OF 90 per cent. alcohol
being obtainable from one ton OF dried
flowers
II has been estimated that In Hyderabad
State alone there are already sufficient
mowra trees for the production OF 100000
gallons OF proof spirit per annum, in addi-
ton to that necessary for the local liquor
requirements. report prepared for the
Nizam OF Hyderabad states that the total
cost of preparing the flowers and transport
ing them to the factory amounts to s7.25 pcr
ton. IL is suggested that the most profitable
way of utilizing the flowers would probably
be as a source of mixed motor spirit of the
natalite type for use I'm India. That motor
spirit can be produced on manufacturing
scale in India from mowra flowers has al
ready been demonstrated. and It is stated
that running trials with the spirit proved
satisfactory.
The New York herald., 1921-07-31
Continued from First Page.

dealing with the Captain. 1t should be re-
membered that the night was pitch black
and that every light discernible from out
side the ship was thoroughly screened.
This was a necessary and obligatory pre-
caution, since we were In the war zone.
where an enemy raider or submarine might
be encountered at any moment.
The vessels rolling and pitching in the
storm were so violent that we had to
make our way by holding on to hand rails
and stanchions at every step. Stopping
for a few minutes in the wheel house, we
managed to disconnect the wires leading
to the Captains bell without being per-
ceived by the quartermaster on watch.
Then, well armed and ready to shoot II
necessary, we reached the Captains door
just abaft the wheel house, on the upper
deck. 1t opened into large Office, fur.
nished among other things with safe
for confidential documents, writing desk
and the large table on which was spread
the chart by which the Ponticus was being
navigated. Adjoining the office was the
Captains bedroom.
On hearing our knock Johnson replied
cheerily:
Come in"
We entered to find him reclining on his
berth, reading by an electric light, OF which
the thick green shade prevented the rays
from illuminating the apartment other
than very dimly.
Good evening, Cantwell What do you
wish?"
My answer was hardly in accord with
this polite greeting.
Hands up" said, as we covered him
with our pistols. Don't bulge an inch or
cry out or you are a dead man."
Up went his hands, naturally; but quite
as naturally he asked Indignantly: What
does this outrage mean7"
you'll find out soon enough" I replied.
Then to Baker, Tie him up, hands and
feet, and gag him. I'll see that he doesn't
move OF shout, unless he wants to die"
Struggling and protesting, he was
promptly gagged and then his hands were
firmly lashed behind his back. His feet
were also bound. Just as promptly the
passion depicted on his countenance gave
place to alarm as he realized that he was
in grave danger, to say the least. His first
sputtering Indignation, manifest even in
spite OF the gag, faded away, his eyes
registered" terror and we believed that
the muffled babbling through his gag was
plea for mercy, after the well known
German fashion.
Doubtless, had we not been two to one,
The New York herald., 1921-07-31
A. E. F. Veterans
Plan Pilgrimage to
Foch's Birthplace

Wv THEN the $50 American veterans who
\A/ are journeying to France in August
w have completed their programme of
ceremonious visits to various French cities
they will turn their faces toward the
Pyrenees and in the little town of Taubes
the birthplace of Ferdinand Foch. they will
take part in simple and most impressive
function
The Pont Roosevelt is to be dedicated at
Chateau-Thierry, in the presence of the A.
E. F. men, a monument is to unveiled at
F1irey and a statue of Jeanne dare is to be
presented to the city Of Blois. At Rheims the
veterans will take part in the presentation
Of gift of 100000 francs to the City Ii
brary in behalf of the Carnegie Foundation
But when they meet Marshal Foch on the
threshold of his home and greet him in the
name of the American army that fought
with him the delegation OF veterans will
feel that they are taking part in a historical
occasion.
John G. Emery. National Commander of
the American Legion, has written to Marshal
Foch to tell him that the French Govern
ment's invitation has been accepted and that
on that pilgrimage the Americans will esteem
1t privilege and an honor to visit his birth
place and leave there simple token of
the affection. admiration and respect which
the American Legion and this nation hold
for him.
Il have written also to President Miller
and" said Mr.. Emery pointing out that we
are revisitng France with sense of genuine
reverence and humility to receive for the
A. T.. F. the monument which has been
erected In its honor at Flrey. We believe
that the town of Flirey and the battlefelds
OF Lorraine stand as a monument in them
selves, monument of the union of the
French and American people. President
Mierand's invit-tion came through the
French Ambassador and l accepted Il at the
White House in the presence of Mr. Har-
ding.
II have every reason to believe that our
visit to France this summer will add to the
goodwill we have for our ally and strengthen
still further the ties that bind u.s."
Mr.. Emery has asked Premier BRAND to
convey to the French Minister OF War and
Minister of Marine the fraternaI greeting of
the American Legion. The reunion of
French and American veterans is being
looked forward to eagerly on both sides Of
the water. the National Commander be-
lieves, and all preparations have been com
pleted here for selecting the ESQ delegates
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-06-24
Try NEWS-TIMES Want Ids
WENDELL PILLS
AMBITION BRAND
For Nervous People

The great nerve tonic-the famous
Wendell Pills. Ambition Brand-that
put vigor, vim and vitality into nerv-
Gus. tired out. all IN. respondent
people in a few days in many In
stances.
Anyone can buy a box for only
so cents. and wettick's Cut Rate
Medicine Store is authorized by the
maker 20 refund the purchase price
if anyone is dissatisfied with the first
box purchased.
Thousands praise them for general
debility, nervous disorders, mental
depression and unstrung nerves
caused by Over-indulgence in alco-
hol and tobacco. or by overwork.
AS a treatment In Affections OF the
nervous system, Wendell Pills, Ambi-
ton Brand. are recommended as be-
ing generally unsurpassed.
Sixty cents al wetucks Cut Rate
Medicine store and dealers every
where. ADV.
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-06-24
BLACKS

The great producing organization
leaded by Lester Parks and Edward
Nhitesidcs isl an Instance OF the
strength Of the independent producer
Who IS able 90 concentrate his entire
Intelligence and financing 20 make
lne picture great instead az max
ug many mediocre ones.
Before the story Of Empty Arms"
Kas purchased. 90 was submitted to
staff Of experts. who unanimously
acknowledged that the most original
hCme for many years. IL was dis
.ot cred that the tremendous interest
the subject OF Empty Arms be-
ore one scene was made. gave 20
be film great promise of attaining
fast popularity. Empty Arms was
hen bought II is a product Of VIII
ard King Bradley. "a young author
whose many stories for the big pro-
Iucing companies have been among
hc most successful that have been
produced. Nr. Bradley spent a long
period OF time perfecting the story
.Cundiug out his situations and in
,idents. so that no single moment
could be said 10 be "draggy" As
he story now stands. IL moves for
ward every second with gathering
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-06-24
CLOSE TESTIMONY
IN ZIEGLER CASE
Defense Ends Case-To At
tempt Impeaching Mrs.
Orthwein's Story.

By United Press:
CHICAGO. June 23.-The defense
today closed its testimony IN the
case OF Mrs Cora Orthwein, charged
With numbering Herbert P. Ziegler
goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., exc
cutive.
Mrs Orthwein, who was her own
last witness, told the jury that the
only time Ziegler had a key 10 her
apartment was when she went out
OF the city and at that those times
ne was given a key to take care of
the birds. dogs and gold fish.
This was given to disprOve the
contention Of the state that Zegler
had right to break in the apart
ment the night he was shot because
he shared 1t with Mrs. Orthwein.
Coroner Peter Hoffman Will be
called 10 the stand late today by the
state 20 impeach Mrs. Crthwein's
testimony.
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-06-24
WOMAN SAYS SHE
AIDED ROOSEVELT

HILLSDALE, Ind, June 23.-Mrs.
Emma Richardson Burkett stated
today that she had $4,000 coming
from the estate Of the late Theodore
Roosevelt because she loaned the
colonel that amount TO finance his
1912 campaign.
Mrs. Burkett has filed suit in the
east against the Roosevelt estate for
recovery of the amount.
She said a friend, Judge Peyton
now lead. brought her TO Chicago
and that she saw Roosevelt sign the
Charles j. Shunson.
Mrs. Burkett said she inherited the
money and invested" il with Roose-
welt on the sdvice of Peyton.
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-06-24
Secrets of the Movies Revealed

Q.-what are the three essentials
in a film story?
All you are going TO write 4
film story or synopsis there are three
essentials that you must get into it
and they all begin with the letter
81. They are speed, suspense and
surprise. Speed is necessary to
carry your story along swiftly and
to keep IL from dragging uninterest-
ingly. Suspense is absolutely neces-
sary in order to keep the audience
keyed up and interested. The sur
prise element is very important and
keeps the story from becoming too
obvious and also keeps the audience
from guessing just how the picture
/ is going 10 end.
Q.-Does Harold Lloyd wear eye
glasses in private life?
A.-Harold needs his specs only in
! the movies and then ne uses them
merely as part Of his makeup. Har-
ODDS heavy tortoise trimmed comedy
specs are all rims with no lens in
them.
Q-How long did It take Eugene
! OBrien TO become a star?
A.-Gene attained stardom in the
rather short period of three years.
/ Q.-Can you tell us the middle
names Of the following: Elsie Fer
gusOn, Katherine Macdonald. Edna
Purviance, Hobart Bosworth, Earl
Williams, Richard Barthelmess and
! Anna Nilsson?
'A.!Here' they are: Elsie Louise
Ferguson, Katherine Agnes Mac
Donald. Edna Olga Purriance. -Ho-
I bart Van Zandt BoswOrth, Earl
] Rafae Williams. Richard Senior
Barthelmess and Anna Querentia
Nilsson.
Q.-How long has Nazimova been
in the movies?
A.-This little Russian star beg6n
her movie career as a Metro star in
July, 1917.
Who is known as the most beau
tiful fat girl in the movies 2 Read
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-06-24

speed and serves 20 hold the spec
tator spellbound.
Simply Arms" starring Gail Cane,
and supported by an all star cast,
tells the story Of maternity and de-
picts the fears OF women Of refine
ment for. what seems 20 them. the
destructive monster Of childbirth.
This is one OF the best pictures
yet presented at the Blackstone. and
entirely different from anything pre-
scented 20 theatergoers OF South
Bend.
The latest International News. as
we'll as a very clever educational
comedy entitled Southern Expos
ure" are 10 be seen on the same
program.
Sessue Havakawa in his latest
production. Black Roses" will be
the feature attraction commencing
Sunday for three days. Hayakawa
gives an excellent dramatic perform
ance fin this production. and this YER
sstile star is sure 20 make many
more new followers after they see
Black Roses"
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-06-24
DETROIT MAN is
KILLED IN STORM

DETROIT, June 23.-Patrick
Glare was killed by lightning, dam
age estimated at several hundred
thousand dollars was caused, traffic
demoralized for five hours on main
arteries. sewers were blocked. cellars
flooded and several houses struck by
lightning in a terrific electrical
storm here Wednesday evening. It
was the second severe storm within
"a hours.
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-06-24
WIFE TOO YOUNG;
COMMITS SUICIDE

HYANNISPORT. Mass, June %.
Martin Hammerberg OF Cleve-
land. Ohio, 55 years Old, who 10
days ago married a girl one-half
his age. committed suicide by hang
ing in a garage here today. He left
a farewell note addressed 20 his
wife, declaring she was too good"
for him and that they never should
have been married.
II concluded with an apology for
the trouble he has brought upon
her.
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-06-24
TWO WORKERS DIE
IN MINE BLAST

POTTSVILLE. Pa, June 23.-Two
miners, both foreigners. are dead,
and three others are not expected
10 live today as a result Of burns
received late yesterday during a ter
rife explosion at the Knicker-
booker colliery OF the Philadelphia
and Reading Coal and Iron Co. at
Shenandoah.
The explosion was caused when
the loosening Of coal released a
pocket OF gas.
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-06-24
POLICE IN DESPERATE
HUNT FOR ASSAILANI

DETROIT, Mich, June 23-Police
are making desperate efforts to ar
rest S me one, believed TO be a crank
armed with a gun and Maxim silencer
who has within the last few days
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-06-24

the answer in this department to-
morrow. Questions about the NOV
les will be answered in this column
If you Will send your questions to
the Movie Secrets Editor in care Of
this paper.
Copyright, 1920
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-06-24
= ~ ~ - - m ~ ~ ~ - ~ ~ M ~ - - En- IN
COULDN'T DO THAT.

AURORA, H.. June %. - Eight
girls in a bathing beauty contest
withdrew when they were told that
it was necessary for them to get
their bathing suits wet before they
could participate.
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-06-24

! head late wednesday night
sound OF the assllants gun '
heard Audrey Robertson. %.
Windsor. is dead from a SINH
wound.
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-06-24

shot down Two young persons in
Detroit and Windsor.
The second victim. Harry Hayes.
IS year old boy scout, was perhaps
fatally wounded in the back Of the
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-06-24
DEATH LIST GROWS.

TOXIC, June 23.-More than 500
persons were drowned in foods in
the Kyusha district according 70 fig
ures announced here today. The
waters are receding and reconstruc-
ton Is under way, advices said.
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-06-24

The man who continuously blows
his own horn usually stays at the
little end.
Father wouldn't be worried so
much II a vacation were all they
were going 70 spend.
The difference between taxes and
taxis is that with taxis you get a
run for your money.
Twas a hard winter. Some Of the
young people haven't quit shaking
yet