davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Imperial Valley press., 1924-12-26
Border Officer
to Get $1,000
Reward

! Officer Clarence Brewer. whil'
not able to show a check for $1,000
rs Christmas present, following
the killing of John Teal at Calexi-
go two weeks ago, will be able to
do so within q short time, accord
ing to Sheriff Gille;it.
The officer killed Teal in a gun
fight at the border city and it
developed later that there was Il
reward of $4,000 offered in Texas
for the capture Of Teal, dead or
alive, as he was wanted in that
state for murder.
Wednesday Sheriff Campbell of
Crowen, Texas, positively Identified
Teal as the man who was wanted
in Texas and left that night for
home, the body being shipped on
the same train.
Campbell said before leaving,
that immediately upon his arrival
in Texas, he would take up the sub
iect of the reward for Brewer, and
hoped to get it for him in u. short
time.
Imperial Valley press., 1924-12-26
KIWANIS CLUB
TO BE FORMED
IN Ell CENTRO

January has been designated as
the date for the first meeting of
the newly organized FL Centre XII
wants Club, branch of Kiwanis
international, according to Ernest
Lucas, field manager for the Cali
fornia- Nevada district, who organic
ed the local club.
Over 35 members have already
been signed up for the new club,
and a charter has been applied for.
Officers of the new club are:
President, r. Y. Watson, Solthcrn
Trust and Commerce bank; vice
president, w. II. Tyler, Ragan In
surance Agency; secretary, DR.. r.
c. Clemons, dentist; treasurer, Fred
Gianola, First National Bank; dis
trict trustee, l.. c. Lee, lettuce
grower.
Il is believed the Kiwanis Club
will prove Il welcome addition to
the civic and social life of FL Cen
tro, and it will be given ronsing
welcome here. -.t.t
Imperial Valley press., 1924-12-26
SENATE AFTER BIG CORPORATIONS
C0uzens Reported
To Be Checking on
Income Payments
BY PAUL r. MALLON
Omitted Press Staff Correspondent

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20. A
unique congressional investigation is
being quietly conducted behind the
scenes in the senate.
Dodging publicity, Senator James
R. Couzens, Michigan Republican, is
now probing the United States Steel
corporation, Henry Ford, Harry Sin
clair. =. ID. Rockefeller, j. +. Nor
gan and practically every big bus
mess corporation in the United
States.
His intention is to ascertain how
and what income taxes they are pay
ing and he expects his inquiry to de-
vclop proof for vital changes in pre-
sent taxation system.
For the last month squads of
clerks and financia: experts have
been poring over the tax returns of
the millionaires, finding flaws and
developing testimony for the inter,
nal revenue investigating committee
of which Couzens is chairman. But
little of the information is being
made public. 1t will be used later
as basis for revisionary changes in
the present tax law and Couzens be.
lieves it will add millions IN revenue
to the government and permit reduc-
tion of the tax burden upon poorer
payers.
This thing can't be done with
publieity,' Couzens told the United
Press. 1T is n constructive investi-
CATION. The bureau which we are
investigating is cooperating at every
hand with us and / believe that we
have already saved millions of dol.
lars TO the government.
"lf we gave out The facts we
disclosed our constructive end wonld
be thwartcd.
Many irregularities have been
found and some of them are being
corrected. am not sure who is at
fault, the system or the men that
enforce il. Our evidence, however,
shows that Il change must be made
and that we are losing much that we
ought to get. "
Imperial Valley press., 1924-12-26
Entire Town STEPPED in Gloom by Christmas Tragedy
BURSTING DAM
BROWNS MANY,
INJURIES SCORE
by United Press Leased Wire

SALTFILLE, Va, Dec. 2d.--
Thirteen bodies have been recover
ed and seven persons were still miss
ing today in the wake Of the
flood which devastated the Holston
river valley. ut Parmertow Va,
Christmas Eve.
Fifteen homes in the little mill
settlement were swept away before
Il torrent OF white muck and va
ter when the dam of the MathiHson
Alkali Works gave away. The en-
4 ire valley was inundated by the
mud and water which was released
on the village without warming when
the storage dam burst.
Nineteen injured are being treat
ed in sn emergency hospita! here.
Several have contracted pneumo-
MIA us a result of exposure in the
icy waters and others were severe
ly burned by alkali in the muck.
Scores of others were made home
less by the flood and were given
shelter in local homes and business
houses.
Rescue workers laborcd through
out the day searching for additio-
nal bodies along the banks of the
river for miles below the dam.
The death toll, according to re-
lies workers, will include those
bringing the lis; to twenty.
Imperial Valley press., 1924-12-26
DAY
BRINGS JOY TO
COUNTY FARM

individuals and organizations il
Imperial Valley demonstrated that
the Christmas spirit goes farther
than the family circle by the gener-
Gus contributions and gifts to wards
of the county Yesterday.
Superintedent f. G.. Weir of :Ae
county far.s, declared today that the
inmates o. the hospital and poor
farm spent enc Of the happiest
Christmas days recorded at\ the
county institution.
A stream of gifts and remem-
brances from "the outside flowed
in MI day and included cash dona:
tions, food, clothing, eonfections,
fruits aud nuts.
" The reminder given by the Press
asking people to remember the eoun-
ty charges on Christmas day, GER
tainlv brought. out q hearty response
from ali parts of the county, Mr..
Weir said this morning. 1--WE can
not adequately thank the givers for
their 'houghtfulness in making
things little pleasanter for MS at
the farm.
There are 80 wards living at the
county farm at present. Or TINS
number % arc under medical care.
Included in the register of inmates
is one old lady SO years old and 4
ii year old girl.
The list of donors yesterday en-
braeed the following people and or
ganizations:
Elks lodges of FL Centre and Ca
lexico, A. G. Campbell, Mr.. and Mrs.
c. G. Cotton, Mrs. Clemont ID. Nor
ris, Frank Albright, NJ. Marcot,
Clement s Drug Store, Christian
church, Salvation Army, Imperial
Valley Press, Welfare League of
Calexico, Senator and Mrs. c. f.
COggins, Mr.. and Mrs. G. +. Co
nant, Carlotta Williford, Cal Nous
seau, Andy Wise, II. c. Stevens, Com
munity church of Imperial, Ferguson
Electrical shop, Mrs. n. s. Wilby,
and Ten Thousand club.
Imperial Valley press., 1924-12-26
Girl Survives
Freezing Ride
On Locomotive

ward at 60 miles an hour clip,
struck an automobile in which Mrs.
Clark was riding at q crossing N
Indianapolis.
Mrs. Clark S husband and his par
ents were injured.
Kenneth Clark, the girl S hus-
band, notified storekeepers across
the street from the crossing and aid
was summoned, but his wife could
not be found.
County and city authorities form
ed searching parties and searched
in the darkness along the track.
An agent at small station notified
police he saw Il woman riding the
pilot of the Knickerbocker locomo-
tive. a special switch engine trail
ed the fast train to Fort Harrison
and then returned to Indianapolis.
Farther on, near Oaklandon, II
miles the scene of the accident, a
farmer picked up the girls nncon-
scious form and notified authorities.
Mrs. Clark suffered only from eX-
posure to the extreme cold.
Imperial Valley press., 1924-12-26
ENTIRE ISLAND
TRIES TO SAVE
DOCTORS LIFE
Ey United Press leased Wire

PUT IN BAY, Ohio, Dee. 20
Virtually every able bodied inhabi-
tant of'this isolated member Of the
Bass Island group III Lake Erie
worked as one in the sub-zero wealth
er today building a large sledge on
which to rush the island physician,
DR. IL. l.. Sowash over the ice to
the mainland where proper facilities
may be had to save his life.
DIR. Sowash is slowly bleeding to
death and the only hope of saving
him depends on the ability of the is
landers to carry him carefully but
speedily to Sandusky or some other
lake port nearby.
DIR. d. NJ. Riley, of Port Clinton,
has succeeded in reaching the bed
side of his dying professional broth
er tramping II miles over the
treacherous ice of the lake
Exhausted from his long journey,
DR.. Riley has watched over DR.. So
wash constantly since his arrival
here Christmas day.
DIR. Riley wearing snow shoes, was
accompanied by two guides who met
him at Cataba Island. Lighthouses
in the island group Illuminated their
beaeons to guide the rescue party.
DIR. Sowash was forced oatk eto
Dr. Sowash was forced 70 take to
his bed with severe hemorrhages
several days ago.
The large sledge, when it is com
pleted, probably will be drawn by is
land inhabitants.
Imperial Valley press., 1924-12-26
Attempt Made
To Assassinate
Federal Officer
ny United Press Leased Wire

SAN FRANCISCO, Dee. 26.-An
attempt is believed to have been
made here today to assassinate As
sistant United States District At
tornev Kenneth {. Gillis.
Gillis was at work when Il bullet
crashed through the window of his
office in the federal building here.
Had he been sitting in his accus-
toned chair he would have been
killed, secret service men said after
an examination of the path taken
by the bullet.
The would-bc assassin escaped,
ellis could ascribe no motive for
the attempt nor could he name any
one who might have designs upon
his life.
The bullet was fired from rifle
from some point on a level with
Gillis' office, which is on the fourth
floor. ellis has been active III pro-
scouting liquor violation eases.
Guards We're placed in the vicinity
of his office and secret service men
have been assigned 10 him rs 4 body
guard.
Imperial Valley press., 1924-12-26
DEATH PENALTY
NOT EXPECTED
in M'C0Y CASE

LOS ANGELES, Dee. 26.-Refo
the end of the day Kid Mccoy, ex-
welterwaight champion and much
married man, may know whether he
will be hanged, sent to prison or
freed of the charge of Staying Mrs.
Teresa Mors.
The general opinion is that an
early verdict may be expected.
Betting on the ease gives heavy
odds that Mccoy will not hang.
1.-THE "Kid spent quiet Christ
mas in his county cell. He received
scores of letters and kilograms but
was allowed no presents. His Christ
mas dinner was q roast pork spread,
the usual Jail fare.
Should Mccoy be freed of the
murder charge he will face trial on
three charges of assault. with in
tent to kill and four of robbery
growing ont of the miniature
crime wave he staged on the store
of Mors, Inc, the morning his dead
sweetheart 8 body was found.
Imperial Valley press., 1924-12-26
WOMAN CLAIMS
MAN ATTEMPTED
TO ASSAULT HER

George Bratsoules, -, Greek farm
er, is being held at the county jail
today following a complaint made
by Mrs. Sam Danenberg this morn
ing, in which she stated that the
Greek had assaulted her and threat
ened 70 kill her.
Bratsuules siezed Mrs. Dancnberg
by the throat, according to the. story
told deputies at the Jail, and at
tempted TO strike her with Il club.
He was said to have threatened to
shoot her before interference could
be made by Deputy Sheriff George
Evans who was called on the case.
The trouble arose over some prop
ertv, Mrs. Danenberg said. She had
gone TO get Il goat claimed to be
hers and kept about quarter of n
mile west of the city limits. 1t
seems that the Greek would not per
nit the removal OF the animal and
the attack ensued.
The date for his trial will b" set
later.
Imperial Valley press., 1924-12-26
NORMAL BASIS
REICNS TODAY
in POST OFFICE

Although the outgoing mail from
the local postoffice has returned to
something like normal basis, ac-
'cording TO Postmaster Collins to-
day, the incoming parcels and cards
are almost equal in volume to pre-
ceding days of this week.
"We were practically even with
the rush last night" Collins sai6
''but the stack of packages and
cards this morning is just as large as
it was yesterday morning. We hope,
however, to get everything cleared
away shortly and if people who are
expecting mail, will be prompt in
calling for it, there will be little diff.
ficulty in taking care of the rush. y
The postmaster has been employ
ing eight extra helpers during the
past week and all hands worked a
half day Yesterday.
''This has been the heaviest
Christmas mail season since the end
Of the war;" Collins said.
Imperial Valley press., 1924-12-26
POLICE SEARCH
FOR SENDER OF
REVENGE BOMB
Italian Attorney Gets
Deadly Present in
Mail

Los ANGELES, Dec. oG.-?aced
with the mysteries Of Latin fer,lism,
police moved slowly today as they
searched for suspects in the bomb
ing of Ernest NJ Torchia, italian
attorney, possibly fatally, injured
when a Christmas package he was
opening exploded in his hands.
The attorney : condition his
morning was pronounced un"hang-
ed. He is in the Glendale santa
rum. to which he was rushed from
his home in the Eerdugo foothills,
where the tragedy occurred. =
Postal inspectors were called into
the ease today, the bomb having
been sent through the mails. it was
delivered u Torchia 5 dowAtown
office Wednesday morning. The
attorney casually tore off the heavy
outside wrapping, ana, aoticing the
inner package. bedecked Ind label
cd ''do not open until Christmas,
set it aside and took il home where
il was placed at the base of the
Christmas tree with other gifts.
Yesterday morning Torehia and
his IS year old daughter Emily,
started opening the gifts. Mrs.
Torchia was still i'll her bedroom.
One of the first packages the 1T
torney picked up was the death
box.
AS he tore off the lid, there was
n terrific crash, and Torehia was
hurled to the floor. Windows were
shattered and the furniture wreck
ed. Torchia S left arm was blown
from his body. Emily was shock
ed speechless and slightly hurt.
Neighbors, who heard the explo
sion, rushed in and put out the
fire in the living room carpet.
They pulled the mangled attorney
from beneath the overturned Christ
mas tree and rushed him TO the
hospital.
Search was still pressed today for
che rough paper III which the bomb
was mailed 1t was carried out of
Torchia' s office with other waste
paper Wednesday night and Il thor
ough hunt in the basement and
other places where such refuse is
stored has not revealed il.
Torchia. 81 years of age, IS n
prominent member of the local
Italian colony. He has served i'll
several Italian divorce suits, his
tories Of which are being studied
TO ascertain what enerL:es he may
have made.
Imperial Valley press., 1924-12-26
MERCURY RISE
PREDICTED FOR
SOUTHERN CAL,
By United Press Leased Wire

LOS ANGELES, Dee. 26.--:Iighcr
temperatures may be expected in
Southern California after tonight
the local weather bureau announced
today, warning citrus growers :tnd
rancher to anticipate another cold
period tonight.
Smudging will have to be 'csort
ed to in order to prevent orange
and lemon crops being nipped, It is
expected. Smudging has been gem
cral in various sections for the past
two nights.
The mercury last night did not
drop as low rs it did the night be-
fore. Santa Barbara with "a degrees
minimum and Pomona with 26 were
the two coldest districts.
Lemons in some low groves have
been bitten by the frost but the
damage to both this fruit and the
orange crop is believed slight.
Low temperatures which register
ed FOR California one of the cold
est Christmas days in years held
about the same today, weather bu
re;.u reports from all over the state
showed. and no let up in the cold
snap is likely for another "a hours
at least.
Santa Rosa, w.th Is, and Paso
Robes and Orland with 10, report
ed the coldest weather today. The
mercury reached 3G degrees here,
the coolest so far this winter.
'fhe weather bureau pointed out
that it probably seemed colder .han
reported in many places because
official thermometers are hung
atop buildings, while people feel The
colder air which is near the ground.
Imperial Valley press., 1924-12-26
WHAT'S DOING


P. D. G. Club dance tonight
at high school.
"Petsr Pam Valley Theater,
tonight.
"'Fast Worker Palacs Thea
ter, tonight.
"'why Worry" Theater Tu-
lane tonight.
Eastern star meets tonight.
Todd Snvenie recital Satur-
day afternoon.
parm Bureau directors most
tomorrow 1:50. l
Music section Christmas par
ty tomorrow afternoo homo Of
Mrs. e. j. Mack.
Imperial Valley press., 1924-12-26

INDIANAPOL1S, Dee. 26.-Smil-:
ing courageously from Il hospital
cot, Mrs. Kenneth Clark, IS, today
told of her thrilling ride of twelve
miles through zero weather IN the
COW catcher of a speeding locomo-
tive which had crashed imto her
automobile.
1T was just natural thing to
do she said. When the engine
hit our car and l was thrown into
the air, my hands went out above
my head and caught something IN
the dark-Gods knows what.
but held on for dear life
nd realized soon that ! was cling
ING to the front end of the engine
and riding fast. So | stuck, but
the cold air seemed to eat light
into my bones and pretty soon |
didn't seem to remember much and
l guess l passed out of the pie
ture.
The Knickerbocke special IN the
Big Four railroad travelling east
Imperial Valley press., 1924-12-26
Director Says
Leap Year Is
Rank Failure

by United Press Leased Wire
SACRAMENTO. Cal, Dec. 20.
Dan Cupid fell down ON the
job this year, in view of the fact
that it was leap year and al
that according to L. Z. Ross.
director of the state bureau q
vital statistics. 80
The gain in marriages for 1924
over 1928 was less than one per
cent, Ross figures show. The
only gain was in the bride Ege
group of 10 to 20 years, with q
considerable decrease in the 20
to so group, proving conclusive
ly that leap year is q failure
and ought TO be abolished, T" ac-
cording to Ross.
Total marriages TO date we're
$4,000, compared with 66,l90
for 1923.
Imperial Valley press., 1924-12-26
SCHOOL BLAZE
CHANGES PARTY
INTO DISASTER
Two Score Lives Lost
When Candle Fires
Christmas Tree

HOBART, Okla, Dee. 26.-With
Christmas haunting memory, resi-
dents of Babb' Switch, small com
munity seven miles south of here,
gathered today to bury the 33 men,
women and children who perished in
IL disastrous Christmas eve party
when fire made the community
school house a death trap.
The charred remains of another
body believed to be Lilly Revill, was
removed from the embers last night.
Four of the 81 injured are ex-
pected to die momentarily.
Resting in plain black easkets, the
simplicity of which bore out their
puritanic mode of life, 10 of the
victims will be buried ut d union
funeral service here this afternoon.
Rev. c. w. Estes, pastor of the
Presbyterian church, selected to re-
present all denominations, will con-
duct the services.
Grim faced men, part of the $50
persons who escaped the licking ton
CUES of the flames which enveloped
the small one story frame building
when a tiny candle in the top of the
large Christmas tree overturned,
were busy boring graves in the ice
covered ground this morning.
Children Send Gifts
Pathos stalked in after tragedy
this morning when Il large box OF
the two score children who saw
Flames angrily engulf their presents
! which a Santa Claus had just start
ed removing from the tree. Nearly
80 Muskogee children gathered at
mass meeting yesterday and decided
to send their Christmas gifts to the
little sufferers.
Funeral services for the remaining
dead will be held tomorrow when ad-
ditional graves can be dug in the
frozen ground.
Andrew jackson, hero of the dis
aster, was called upon dozens of
times today by grief stricken rela-
tives of the victims who desired to
hear the story of the nation s most
disastrous Christmas eve tragedy.
\ flimsv curtain behind which
students of the school had remain
ed before they stepped upon the
school stage to speak their Christ
mas pieces. caught fire when the
tree overturned into the laps of
those in the front row. Jackson
said. 81 darted for the door and
got out. Then | saw my sister Vesta
being milled under the feet of those
fighting to get through the only
exit.
- couldn't get the heavy screens
OH the windows loose. 1t siekened
me as | saw the people AT the rear
of the jam being scared by the
fire. 1t was living he'll for them.
81 ran to the door and started
pulling those who were wedged tight
outside. There were over two hun
dred pushing against them trying
TO get out. couldn t reach my
sister and | saw her disappear-and
the flames just tore their way
through those trying to get out. -
Imperial Valley press., 1924-12-26
MANY PRISONERS
RESULT OF RAID
IN NEW JERSEY

NEWARK, y, j.. Dee. 26.-With
100 prisoners up for arraigament
today as result of William Walk
er's vigorous "dry' raids of the
past few days, the assistant "hief
. enforcement agent for the New
York New Jersey area declares the
latter state the wettest in the
United States" and announced he
will renew his seizures and arrests
Immediately.
Imperial Valley press., 1924-12-26
Postpone Hearing
On Teapot Dome
By United Press Leased Wire

CHEYENNE, Wyo., Dee. 20
Hearing in the Teapot Dome ease
was postponed today until next
March 0, by u decision OF judge 7.
Blake Kennedy in federal district
court here today.
The ease was scheduled to come
TO trial here January 6.
Judge Kennedy 5 action in order.
ing Il post ponHment of the trial up
held Il motion made last Saturday by
Atlce Pomerenc, special government
counsel, asking that the govern
ment be given more time in pre-
pairing its case.
Attorneys for Harry +. Sinclair,
lessee of Teapot Dome, stfcnuously
objected to the postponement.
Imperial Valley press., 1924-12-26
FREEZING WEATHER
CONTINUES IN NORTH
By United Press Leased Wire

ny thttNu H-NtSS heaNSu
PORTLAND, Ore, Dec. 26.-The
Pacific northwest today continued
to suffer from severe cold weather,
with 10 prospect of relief in sight,
according to the weather bureau,
having experienced the coldest
Christmas in the weather bureau s
history, Oregon and Washington ap-
peared to be starting off for rec
ord New Years day.
SubZero temperatures were e1-
perieneed in various parts of the
two states.
Trains from the south and east
were running hours behind schedu-
les. The Union Pacific train from
the east, due at 6;I5 p. m. last night,
failed to arrive until 7:20 n. m.
Other trains from he east were
three or more hours late, owing to
the storms in the mountain states.
Imperial Valley press., 1924-12-26
Fits UndergOes
Grave Operation

LOS ANGELES, Dee. 26-Buron
Fits, chief deputy district attorney
for Los Angeles county and pro
minent American Legion member,
was today operated on for the four
teenth time for an injury to ha leg,
sustained when a piece of German
shrapnel pierced it along the ~
gonne front in 1918.
1t is hoped that amputation Of
the member will not be Necessary.
Fits leg was injured again four
years ago when he was in an air
plane crash while campaigning for
Il veterans welfare measure,
Imperial Valley press., 1924-12-26
STAGE FRIGHT CAUSES
BOY TO END LIFE

MUSKEGON, Mich, Dee 26.--
Fear of facing footlights in Christ
mas play caused the suicide of Aud
rev Bleauveld, Is, coroner s Iary
decided here today. The boy s
body was found hanging from
beam in an abandoned slaughter
house on the city $ outskirts early
last night-a few hours before he
was to have made the frs, stage
appearance of his life.
Imperial Valley press., 1924-12-26
Missing Flyers
Reported Safe
Hy United Press Leased Wire

SAN FRANCISCO, Dee. 90
Lieutenant Oakley Kelly and Lieu
tenant II. C.. Miller, who are report
ed missing enroute from Vancouver
Barracks, Wash, to Crissy Field
here, arrived at Crissy Field at
noon.
The Officers landed near Marys-
vile, Calf, and spent the night
there, flying leisurely to their des-
tination here this morning. The
trip south was made without aeci-
dent of any kind, according to air
service officers at the Preside of
Can Francisco.
Imperial Valley press., 1924-12-26
THREE DIE FROM
CANNED HEAT

CHICAGO, Dee. 2G.-Two men
and woman died here during the
night from q moonshine revcl and
five others are in hospitals rs che
result of drinking mixture of
canned heat and black coffee.
Imperial Valley press., 1924-12-26
Swing Names
Locations of
Examinations

Candidates for West Point
and Annapolis who desire to
take Congressman SWINGS ex-
animation are advised to get in
touch with the Local Board of
Civil Service Examiners at one
of the following places wero the
examination is to be held:
Ell Centre, Calf.
Bishop, Calf.
Santa Ana, Calf.
Riverside, Calf.
San Bernardino, Calf.
San Diego, Calf.
The examination will begin at
8 a. m. on Saturday, January
3rd, at the Post Office in the
above places, or elsewhere as
may be designated by the LEGAL
board.
The commission requires q let
7 ter or telegram from Congress
man Swing to admit one to the
examination. I'D