davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The New York herald., 1922-02-19
History of the Days Before ROn1
First Carried Water in the Sic
Test Their Goodness, to b
Revealed inNew Discoveries
That UncOper the Strange
Customs of the Bronze Ape

TIDDEN in a recent announcement
from the Royal Italian Admins
tration of Antiquities, devoted to
the interesting results Of new excavations
in the vicinity of Rome, there is short
sentence which is almost startling.
Among these ruins" the bulletin reads
in its description of discoveries on little
hill few miles from Rome, "there seems
to be no doubt the first of the vestal vir-
gins once observed her devotions and ex-
erted her influence over the affairs of
people who had built great city on the
site long before the coming of Romulus
In fact the footsteps .of the first of the
Vestals may soon be almost completely
disclosed"
ITO walk again in the footsteps of the
first vestal virgin!"
Can there be more fascinating prom
ise held out to those who are watching
these new excavations among the secrets
buried in the soil of Italy? The Vestal
Virgin always will be one Of the most ro-
AAA"AeA~ AhcSAsusAoho VI dACAcAt nOulS. MOIc
than priestess, more than stateswoman,
indeed demi-goddess, she has remained
through all the centuries the epitome of
all that is gentle and splendid in the noble
ness Of woman.
While the vices and the intrigues of an
cient Rome disturb our admiration for the
greatness Of the people who built the
foundations of our modern civilization, we
have learned to look back upon the vestals
with wonder and an almost sentimental
regard
Their origin always has been in doubt.
Legend has placed them as a Grecian in
stitution of the gods, brought to the banks
OF the River Tiber in the train of Hercules
and Mars when those two gods wandered
thus far afield. The first of which there
is tradition was Sylvia, daughter of a leg
endary king of tribe of descendants from
the refugees of Troy. She was the priest
ess of the first Temple of Vesta built not
long before Romulus, according to beliefs
up to this time, founded the city of Rome.
Now it appears there were vestals on
the Tiber before Sylvia, and that, indeed,
there was city of Rome before the COM
ing of Romulus. N
The New York herald., 1922-02-19

time possible. In the tense moments no
sound is heard but the rapid clip clip of the
shears and an occasional restless movement
in the large crowd of spectators in the am
phtheater.
In few minutes the first undressed sheep
is set free The other clipped sheep are
turned out in rapid succession After each
contestant has sheared two animals and tied
up his fieeces the judges make their de-
cision. The various factors entering into the
determination Of the final score make the
speed of shearing relatively unimportant.
Emphasis is laid on the correct and humane
methods of handling and shearing sheep and
the proper tying of wool.
Individual timekeepers keep accurate
count of each contestant, and the judges,
well known flock masters and sheep men,
Grade each man on the handling of the ami
mall his use Of the shears and the character
and preparation of the fleece
It is said that American sheep men are
not only the most skillful Of all handlers OF
sheep but that they are the most humane
an well.
The New York herald., 1922-02-19

A N examination Of the bricks and NOR
Il tar in the Great Wall Of China was
made at Shan -hai-kwan by chem
list attached to the Bureau OF Science at
Manila. He reports that the bricks are so
weak that pieces may be broken OF with the
fingers.
They are much larger than ordinary build
ing bricks, gray In color. and resemble
pumice somewhat in structure The mortar
which is pure white under the exposed sur
face, is much stronger than the bricks. The
tradition that the bricks were dried In the
SUN only has been confirmed by laboratory
tests. If they had been dried In Kiln the
appearance OF the wall would have been
considerably different and its strength and
durability would have been much greater.
The general appearance and analysis OF
the mortar indicate that no sand was mixed
with tho lime.
TIME sheep shearing contest, an annual
event at the Agricultural College of
= the Ohio state University is thought
to be the only function Of the kind held any
where in this country.
simultaneously with the starters word
the competitors in the opening contest close
their shears as one man and bend to the
work. of removing the neeces In the shortest
The New York herald., 1922-02-19

able dispute as to whether or not the
vestal Virgins of Romulus-and before
did not preside at human sacrifices. 1t is
known that human beings were sacrificed
to the gods, until Hercules-or the tenn
poral King whose identity has been con-
fused with that of the god--halted the
custom. In the rites exercised by the later
The New York herald., 1922-02-19

The woman, evidently young and pleas
ing, seems to be vestal.. She stands ma
jestically while the men approach in atti-
tudes that suggest humility. This is held
to be certain indication that there were
vestal Virgins before Sylvia, and II this
be true, as it undoubtedly is the footsteps
of these first vestals surely will be traced
and the records of an unknown civilization
opened up to us.
The New York herald., 1922-02-19

MARS, goa or
war. Mars, it
is said, s a W
h e r o ne day
while he was
resting on the
banks of tn e
T i b e r. Her
grace and love-
liness attract
ed h 1 m. H e
wooed her with
all the impetu-
BUSINESS every
soldier is sup.
posed to dis
play in a sim
liar situation.
He pro missed
the frightened
guardian of the
sacred fire d.
vine children IL
she would lis
ten to him with
favor.
When it was
learned at
Sylvia had lis
tened to the
god she w a s
denounced and
it was ordered
t h a t s h e be
"p u I to tn e
test. This
meant that
t h e beauti.
full Sylvia e.
had to walk K
down to the s
edge of the
The New York herald., 1922-02-19
How Chance Played Part
In the New Excavations

lhc new eACdFdIlOuS nave Deen maQe at
the summit of the hill Monte Mario, just
outside Rome proper. There has stood for
many years small rambling village on
this hill. Recently it was decided by
new purchaser of the property covered by
the village to erect modern buildings
While the workmen were digging up the
old foundations they suddenly came upon
the ruins of an old wall. The Government
promptly was notified, and the Admins
tration OF Antiquities at once sent repre-
sentatives to examine the ruins. They
were seen to be of an age reaching back
much further than any ruins unearthed in
the vicinity of the city.
The Government took charge of the prop
erty and began an official excavation. 1t
was not long before there were signs that
this hill marked the northwest extremities
Of city built as far back as the Bronze
Age-long before the Iron Age, which is
marked by the oldest relics so far discov-
cred.
To historians IL came as a shock, this in
dication that Rome existed before Romu-
lus. The legends which tell of time pre-
ceding Romulus speak of the people of
Janus, the son of Apollo, who lived near
the Tiber and ruled over a race of people
who were simple and pure, even though
rude and uncultured. or these, however.
there has been no trace.
The secrets of the earth that have been
revealed have all marked the, progress of
the descendants of the residents of the
Seven Hills who began with Romulus and
through the succeeding dynasties of the
CBsars built their temples and expanded
the city.
Now. however, there is promise that we
shall soon be able to construct mental
picture of a time before this--of civil
ization that existed in the Bronze Age that
had laws very much similar to ours of to-
day, and who already had their vestals
whom they slew if, when one was sus-
pected, she could not successfully dip water
from the Tiber in sieve and hold 1t aloft
not single drop running through.
All through our known history of an
cient Rome the stories of the vesta1s of
each period are intermingled with the ac-
counts of the activities of &he Caesars.
These accounts begin with that still legen-
dary time of Sylvia.
This Sylvia was the heroine of the first
The New York herald., 1922-02-19
Only Women of Prominence
And Trusted Implicit,


1t will indeed be interesting to know the
origin of this custom of nominating a
group of young women, dedicating them
to the State and giving into their charge
the sacred fire. They were virtually the
only women who were given prominence;
they were considered wise enough TO give
advice to the Kings at a time when women
were looked upon merely as playthings.
They were trusted implicitly and allowed
the freedom of the cities and the country
side at a time when other women were
closely watched and never allowed out of
sight of their masters most trusted slaves
or attendants. They were the most beau
tiful women In the kingdom, always young
and charming OF manner-and yet there
are but few records of a vestal Virgin
offending as did Sylvia.
1t always has been a matter of consider
The New York herald., 1922-02-19

A LTHoUGH taller than an ordinary
"A horse, weighing more than half a
ton. and adorned with widespreadins
antlers, the bull moose stalks with ghostly
The New York herald., 1922-02-19

tragic romance of which there seems to be
record-that is, record which despite
its vagueness and it's NEUROLOGICAL trim
mings seems nevertheless to have been
founded upon tangible fact.
Her father was one of the twelve leg
endary Kings who preceded Romulus-
Kings who ruled over the descendants, of
the refugees from Troy. Her uncle, ANU
nus coveted the throne and, Staying her
father, captured Sylvia and, as the legend
goes, made her a Vestal, building tenn.
pie for her to preside over"
Doomed to Serve State
And to Forego Love
AS vestal Virgin, Sylvia was doomed to
many years Of duties to the State, during
which she could neither listen to proposals
OF love nor marry. 1t was her duty to keep
burning the sacred fire in the temple. She
was. it is supposed one of six-sometimes
there were nine. Each of the Vestals had
slaves set apart for her; she was allowed
the privilege of appearing in the streets
uncovered-a privilege denied other
women; she was given other priv
ileges which were shared only by the
King. Her counsels were listened to
in all affairs of State-she was the
symbol of the purity and pride of the
women of her time.
But to Sylvia there came tempta-
tion, according to the legend in the 4
form of none other than the noble
The New York herald., 1922-02-19

in a sieve.
vestals there was much to Indicate that
originally it was these gentle young women
who welded the knife with which the
human beings set aside for sacrifice to an
angry god were butchered 1t has been so
unbelievable, however, that authorities
have been hesitant at accepting this as
true
Ceremony of the Caesars
Relic of SacrifciaI Time
In the later records it is shown that the
vestals of the Caesars in presiding over
feasts usually laid the blade of a sharp
stone or knife on the forehead of
priest about to be ordained to the service
Of one Of the gods. This is thought to be
a survival Of time when the vestals pre-
sided at a sacrifice of human life This
is one of the interesting points 1t is
thought will now be cleared up, for the
new ruins go back to the time of Hercules
and the halting of human sacrifice by the
gods, and even beyond, and 1t is hoped
ooluC oSulpluIe VI carving Will De IOuuu
in which a sacrifice Of that age will be
depicted.
Janus, the god who, according to tradi-
tion, first came to the western shores of
Italy and brought with him the first peo-
pies of that district, may now be found to
have been very human being and, really,
the actual founder of Rome. If this proves
to be the result of the new discoveries
then there will be unfolded no doubt a
complete pictare of the peoples who lived
long beyond the time marked by even the
oldest of the legends of the gods.
1t was during the time of Romulus that
religion was supposed to have been "in.
vented" Ruins have been found, thought
to be the remnant of the first temple built
in Rome, where the people were taught to
worship after a definite plan.
Sylvia had been made Vestal by her
uncle, and the sacred fire had been created
by him, the present legends run, but still
there is no record of definite, organized
religion until Romulus built the temple
and dedicated 1t to Saturn. 1t was
Romulus too who established the sacred
American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1922-03-10

permitted TO make loans owe a three
year period as now contemplated. It
is estimated by the War Finance Cor
poration that three years Will allow
practically every borrower to l~iQuidate
to his best advantage and bridge a gap
that could not be spanned by indivi-
viduai banks. No loans will be made
however for the three year period.
Borrowers will have to re-borrOw ac-
cording to Their needs.
members of the new company.
Large Sum Available.
Between three and five million dol
lars is now available for loans in the
new company.
The only direct benefits to be deriv-
ed from the formation are those OBJ
tanned by the farmer borrower. The
bank receives nothing for its particle
patton and the Company receives
nothing. The War Finance Corpora
ton makes 2 percent On its borrowed
money.
Loans will be kept at the minimum
so as not to endanger prior mortgages
and other security.
The agricultural loan proposes to
do for the small farmer what the live
stock loan has done for the Livestock
industry.
American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1922-03-10


president, Mrs. R. L. Tucker; secre-
tary, Mrs. C. C. Thornhill; treasurer,
Mrs. J.. T. Doran.
Mrs. C. e. Ulery and two little daugh-
tiers returned from Sites, Idaho, Tues
day, where they have been visiting
Mrs. U1ery's parents 70 rthe past two
weeks.
w. e. Tanner, a former neighbor of
w. M. Davie, of Florence, Colorado,
has arrived in American Falls to make
his home. He will probably engage in
the real estate business.
Sixteen homesekers will leave Som
erset, KY, next Tuesday, for Idaho.
Their first stop will be at American
and if they find things as r
sented, will locate here. A large
number of people are expected from
Washington. and others are COMING
from all sections.
American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1922-03-10
T IS THE QUESTION

accepted the governments offer of one
million dollars for its holdings, in the
face of the fact that it had paid the
Brady interests a larger sum for the
same, and had since spent much in
b~etterments.
The Company's acceptance of the
governments offer was no doubt in
fluenced far more by the possible
great development in the Snake River
Basin than by any consideration of
present value of its plant.
Without approval of this contract
nothing can be done, and Secretary
Fall has refused to approve the con
tract until the companies and dis
tricts provide e a to meet their pay
ments.
In other words, the American Falls
goes down with a crash unless definite
certain arrangements are made to
meet these obligations.
The plan herein outlined to meet
the situation has been approved
by representatives of the various COM
panies and districts, and many others.
1t is entirely feasible, and does not
create a burden. 1t is the only means
through which the situation can be
saved, as il has been demonstrated
that payment from present available
cash is imDossihle
American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1922-03-10
Plan to Save the Project to
Idaho.

In the face of this grave emergency,
conferences of men representing the
various contracting companies and dis
tricts, attended also by leading men of
south Idaho, including Governor Davis,
after careful thought, evolved a plan
to save the project to Idaho.
In a word, this plan is to form a
gigantic irrigation district embracing,
in a general way, the Snake River ba-
sin from a point north of Iadho Falls
to contact with Twin Falls district.
Advantages of the one big district
plan over the formation of a number of
small districts are many. Some of the
points are, that considerable property
could be included that might not be
embraced in the small districts, there
by strengthening the district and fur
ishing financial participation with the
farmers. AS an illustration, we cite
railroad and similar property.
Another advantage is found in the
trict at a lower rate as contrasted
with those of smaller districts. Still
anoher good aso is that in the at
tempted formation of smaller districts
each would probably wait on the other,
thus greatly delaying action, in the
face of the fact that this matter must
be disposed Of very soon.
floating of securities of the large dis
American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1922-03-10
DISABLED VETS MAKE coon.
MOoseheart Graduates Get Jobs Easily
And Make Big Money-Should
Work be C~ommereisI9

Mooseheart. Ill, February 14.-Sign
painting and show-card writing offer
more lucrative possibilities for handi-
capped ex-service men than any of the
twenty-five trades taught at the
Mooseheart vocational school, accord
ing to the annual report of the voca-
tional director, Robert r. Havlik,
which has just been made public.
M~ooseheart, organized as a city
home and vocational school for faith
erless children of deceased members
of the Loyal Order of Moose, was COM
Wandered during the World War by
the War Department as a training
place for soldiers before they went to
the fighting zones in Europe, and has
since the war, been comandeere5 by
the government for re-educating dis
abled ~ex-service men. 1t is the only
school at present to which the federal
board sends solder students for train
ing in the sign-painting trade.
The opportunities for high-grade
sign painters and show-card writer's
American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1922-03-10

A comparison of the above figures
reveals tht startling news that In
all the state of Idaho our population
is less than the city of Los Angeles,
yet our tax levy is more than twice,
and the per capita three times that
of the city, Reclamation in Idaho
means increased population, greater
valuation and reduction In taxes.
What does the American Falls
dam mean to Minidoka county?
Perhaps no community in Idaho
will receive such a benefit as will
come to Minidoka county. There is
no question but what the north side
extension will be built. Today the
agricultural area of the county is
approximately $4,000 acres; this will
be increased another 100000 acres
at least.
One way of reducing taxes for
Minidoka county is to increase our
valuation with practically no increase
in the cost of running expense. In
creased production not only locally but
IN the entire Snake River valley Will
mean an increase in all business ac-
t~ivities, especially the manufacturing
industry. More freight to move will
mean competition in handling same
and shorter routes to market, bring
ing about increased construction.
American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1922-03-10

established.
Applications will be passed on by a
local advisory committee.
Details will be handled by a fiscal
agent to be appointed in each county
seat
Money borrowed will bear seven and
a half percent interest on the actual
mount borrowed. The War Finance
Board pays 5h percent for its money.
The two percent is an allowance for
expenses and incidental costs of hand
ling.
The object of the loan is to finance
the 1922 crop and permit easier liqui-
dalton at the end of the crop period.
Three Year Corporation.
Twenty percent of all loans will be
underwritten by subscribing banks.
All farmers notes and security will be
forwarded to the Corporation office at
Pocatello, passed on there by a COM
mittee, and then forwarded to the
Trustee of the company at Boise. The
trustee will then issue debenture GER
tificates against the farmers notes and
security which will then be accepted
by the War Finance Corporation.
The Agricultural Loan Company is
a three year corporation and will be
American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1922-03-10
Salient Points to BE Con.
sidered.

W. would emphasize. among other
statements, the following: The water
to be impounded in the American Falls
reservoir Is to be used to a very large
extent in experimenting the present
insufficient supply Of a number of
canal companies and districts covering
a large area, settlers on which have,
especially during years Of low stream
flow, suffered enormous crop loss by
reason of drOuth. Construction of the
reservoir will forever Danish the short
water year and provide insurance
against future loss, thus placing these
farmers on a continuing profit basis.
and, in addition, supply water for an
excess of a half million acres of arid
land which is now largely uninhabited.
This storage water will also serve,
in addition, a considerable area of dry
farm land being operated with inter-
militant success. Loss of crops there
on in years Of drouth, and -seoue
reduction of crops, renders it extreme
ly difficult to operate them at a profit.
Unless water is provided it is feared
abandonment of much of this D
ty may be forced.
The American Falls reservoir site
occupies a strategic position in the
water shed, and when the reservoir is
completed will afford complete con-
troll for the entire Snake River flow,
making it possible to utilize to the
best advantage the entire stream.
If the American Falls project
should be abandoned now, piece-meaI
reservoir construction might be I'M
dertaken, tending to make the Amerf-
can Falls ~infeasible even if attempted
in the future. The distribution of wa
ter in other directions would also add
to the improbabilities of construction
ever being proceeded with.
Should the work at American Falls
be suspended now, it would produce
a disastrous effect upon all lines of
business, and set back agriculture In
the Snake River valley for many
years. Such hopes have been built by
the people who have been suffering
from the financial depression, believ-
ing that this great undertaking would
certainly be carried out by the govern.
ment. that the suspension or abandon
ment we are proposing to prevent,
would act most disastrously.
American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1922-03-10

H. P. Fails, commissioner of Mini
doka County issues some timely COM
ment on the irrigation situation in the
Snake River Valley which tht Press
is glad to pass on to readers. Mr..
Fails says in the Minidoka County
News of last issue:
What does the American Falls dam
mean to Idaho?
Compare the following:
Los Angeles in 1920, had a popu-
lation of 575,4S0, a realty value of
$6S6,147, 1866 and tax levy of $9,960,125.
The state of Idaho in 1920 had a
population of 431, $50, a realty value
of $495,630,989. and a tax levy of $780,
S17,483.
Per capita, Los Angeles $17.37.
Per capita State of Idaho $53.97.
American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1922-03-10
- Years Ago
Taken From the Files OF the Press of
March 10, 1903.
WIN Re Swell Affair.


The Bachelor Girls Club will give a
play some time in April. The Press
is confidentially advised that it will
be a great production. For this spe-
cial occasion a few men will be Dor
rowed, but they will be discarded as
soon as the play is over. The drama
tic critic of the Press is sitting up
nights, writing advance notices of the
play which will create considerable
excitement when turned loose.
Richard Hartley resigned his posi-
ton with the Riverside Mercantile
Company Tuesday, to accept a posi-
ton in the Depot as local freight
agent Leslie Carlyle has taken the
position made vacant by Richards re-
signation.
Wednesday afternoon the M. E.
Ladies Aid society met with Mrs.
James Leitch and elected the follow
ing officers for the ensuing year:
President Mrs. w. o. Garrett; vice