davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1924-01-03

home. They have many friends in
Sank Centre who wish them well IN
their new location.
A. M. Fritz and Miss Beatrice Cam
field of Minneapolis were week end
guests at the j. n. Garfield home.
The Public Library is closed this
week for decorating. It will be OPP
ened on Monday, Jan. 7th at 1 100
o'clock.
Mrs. NJ. E. Vaughn, of Minneap-
oils who has been the guest of her
sister, Mrs. G. H. Vandesteeg for
the past week returned to her home
Monday.
Jess Willard Clough was passeng-
er to Grey Eagle Wednesday morn
ing and will remain until Saturday
visiting with his grandparents, Mr..
and Mrs. William Clough. II
Miss Margaret Mcclure who has
been visiting with her sister, Mrs,
Guy Mickey and mother, Mrs. Nc
CURE for the past week, returned to
her home at Salem, S. D., Wednes-
day.
Mr.. and Mrs. VIM. King arrived
in Sank Centre Saturday and were
guests of Mr.. and Mrs G. H. Van
desteeg, returning to their home at
Forreston, Mimi, Tuesday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Roy Lamberts and
son Roland left Monday evening for
their home at Winona, after spend
ing Xmas with Mrs. Lambert's uncle
and family, Louis Ruehmann.
Doctors Ed Hayden and W. Wen
ner who are attending the University
of Minnesota, and Miss Joan Peters
of Cold Springs, arrived Wednesday
and are guests of Miss Ermalia
Borgmann.
The telephone operators were new
err more pleasing remmeberd by the
patrons than they were at this "Yule-
tide" And they desire to express their
deep gratitude for same. They re-
ceived about rs pounds of delicious
candies.
M. P. Stadtherr the district deputy
for the Modern Woodman of America
left today for Raymond and Willmar
to conduct Woodman drive for new
members. The goal for Raymond il
set for SO new members and at Will
mar 100 new members.
H. A. Brown, district sales man
ager for the Regain Bread Co., re-
turned to Sank Centre from Roches-
ter Wednesday morning, where he had
spent the Yuletide with his family
who are residing there temporarily
while a little son is receiving treat
ment from the Mayo's.
Mark maitland, well known Kan
Gcta township farmer, has purchased
the residence corner of Fourth and
Oak St., occupied by the Charles
Smith family for number of years.
Mr.. maitland will take possession of
the property and become resident
of Sauls Centre once more.
Miss MERGED Bishop who has been
confined to her home the past week
WIN complication of measels and
a very severe cold is today (Thurs-
day. reported to be recovering nice
ly.
J. R. Stolsmo, who for the past
three years has been on homestead
near Blackjack, Mimi, on which he
proved up last winter, returned to
Sank Centre last Saturday. His
f-",n-, Knute Stolsmo, died Dec. 16,
1923, and the son will remain at
home with his mother and operate
the home place eight and one-hah
! miles north of this city.
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1924-01-03
Caughren Theatre.
Sunday and Monday. Jan. OF
"GRUMPY"

"GRUMPY"
mystery of young hearts and old heads that has
grouhy umpy with the heart of gold Supported by May
Nagel "FELlX Comedy Special!
Alexandria Orchestra, Overture at 7:1O.
Tuesday, Jan. 8
"ADAM AND EVA"
Did you Marion Davies in "When Knighthood in
Flower? If will want to this charming star in her
Cosmopolitan production Miss Davies supported by T.
Roy Barnes Also the second chapter of the STEEL TRAIL
rs5a Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 9-1O
"PlONEER TRAILS
pulsatng story the Early West David Smith produc-
ton with all including Alice Calhoun and Cullen Lands
This special feature will be by the Community Club OF
Sank Centre Christie Comedy, PLUMB CRAZY"
Friday and Saturday, Jan ll-l2
ssTHE GO-GETTER"
a highgared Starting with
ambition dollar girl
sizzles the by Peter B. Kyne Cast in
and Owen. Educational Comedy
CASEY JONES. JR"
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1924-01-03
Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 9-l0
"PEONEER TRAILS"

A pulsating story of the Early West. David Smith
ton with all cast including Alice Calhoun and Guile
This special feature will be put on by the Community
Sank Centre. Christie Comedy, PLUMB CRAZY"
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1924-01-03

IdHlliy 49, 80
Neal Liedenberg formerly a resi-
dent Of Sank Centre but now manager
Of an ice cream factory at Winona,
Mimi, who has been visiting his par
ents at Fergus Falls, stopped in Sank
Centre between trains Saturday re-
Inewing old acquaintance.
Harvey Kernighan, Donald Bishop
land Donald Lewis returned to their
school duties at Hamline, Wednes-
day, after enjoying the holiday vaca-
ton with their parents in this city.
& Jovial Fred Mossman, prosperous
| farmer of Birchdale, was transacting
business in Sank Centre Wednesday
afternoon, and while here made a
short visit at the home of his sister,
Mrs. VIM. DeLaurier.
+ Mrs. Joseph Robinson, and sister,
Mrs. Drusilla Shafer of Frederick,
Wis, spent Friday and Saturday of
asst week as guests at the home of
he formers daughter, Mrs. E. c..
Carlson, st. Cloud.
Mr.. and Mrs. j., H. Garfield and
Mrs. Iris Betz spentA Christmas in
Minneapolis as guests at the l.. w.
Garfield home. They returned home
friday, accompanied by Norwood and
lAnnabelle Garfield Of Minneapolis
| The former will remain for visit Of
Iseveral days, Miss Norwood expects
to remain for the winter.
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1924-01-03
Tuesday, Jan. s
adam AND EVA"

Did you see Marion Davies in "When Kni
Flower? If 50, you will want to see this char
latest Cosmopolitan production. Miss Davies is
Roy Barnes. Also the second chapter of the STE
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-05-01
Middle

conducted the prosecution, assisted by
James Bradbury, county attorney for
Kennebec and. George Batchelder ESD.
of Gardiner. The prisoner was de-
tended by Peleg Sprague, then U. S.
senator from Maine, and Frederick
Allen, Esq of Gardiner. both very
eminent in the legal profession. On
the appointed day, the prisoner was
placed in the dock, safely guarded by
officers of the court The proceed
ings were promptly begun in the pres
ence OF vast throng of spectators
that completely filled the pews, gal
leries and every inch of available
standing room in the church. An
especially venire had been summoned
and the formation of the jury was
sharply contested on both sides.
Twenty-seven talismen were challeng-
ed and promptly set aside. The jury
was finally made UP as follows:
Foreman oliver Bean, Readfleld, Fred
erick Abbott, Augusta; Arson Boston,
Sidney Levi Greene. Vienna; Isaac
Lapham, Pittsten; Jacob Names, Bel
grade Benjamin Melvine, Hallowell;
Sanford Pullen, West Waterville;
William Perkins, Winslow; Alonzo
Wood. Winthrop; John Woodcock,
Sidney; Cyrus Gruhel, Augusta.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-05-01

cartridges, to each man and four balls
in a separate pocket, having been ad-
dressed by their commander Captain
William H. Christholm. urging them
to the exercise of courage and the
heroic performance of whatever duty
might befall them. AS the band
played mournful dirge. the company
emerged from their quarters in single
file, the dense crowed opening suffi-
GENTLY to allow them to take up their
position encircling the gallows. The
company faced the crowd with fixed
bayonets but so great was the pres
sure that the soldiers were forced
quite beneath the gallows. At about
this moment a cry of fire" was heard,
that threw the crowd into the widest
commotion. The great mass of peo-
pie surged and lurched, like ship
at sea. In the meantime Governor
Dunlap attended by the Executive
Council, had taken position in the
court house. overlooking the entire
scene of the execution. The mother
of Sager, impelled by the maternal
instinct and affections which go out
to a child, however degraded by
habit or scored by crime. was inter
ceding with Governor Dunlap for
clemency, but without avail AS soon
as the militia had taken its position
about the gallows, Sheriff Stanley,
accompanied by two of his deputies
entered the cell of the doomed man
for the purpose of preparing him for
the last act in the mournful drama
in which he was playing so prominent
part He was saluted by the sher
iff, with call intended to infuse into
his mind, courage and fortitudc. He
readily asSented to the necessary
preparations, and was led out with the
fatal rope coiled about his right arm.
He was a man of large frame and
when first incarcerated was in the
most robust health. When led to his
execution, he was but mere shadow
of his former self. His flesh hung
loose and flabbily on his massive frame
and all his former courage was gone.
He was accompanied by the Rev. DR..
Happen, his spiritual advisor, who
read to the people rambling and in
coherent statement of the criminal,
protesting his innocence of the crime
of which he had been convicted. and
for which he was about to suffer the
extreme penalty of the law.
just at this moment, a respected
member of the Society of Friends of
Fairfield, very venerable man, had
made his way into the presence of
the Governor. MIR. Governor he
said. 81 pray thee to pardon this man
in the name of God" No response
was received, the Governor being in
tently engaged in watching the pro-
ceeding upon the scaffold. The
kind old Quaker solemnly turned
and walked away, remarking. 81 have
done my duty"
A short exhortation from Dr. Tap
pen was pronounced, In which the
clergyman in trembling accents,
warned his hearers to beware of the
habits and the wickedness of pro-
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-05-01

of the execution as it appeared in the
papers of that time.
THE EXECUTION OF JOSEPH
SAGER
On the 9Th day of October 1885,
Phoebe Sager. wife of Joseph Sager
of Gardiner, died under circumstances
that led to the suspicion that she had
been murdered by poison administer
ed by her husband, Sager was i'm
medately arrested and lodged in the
county Jail at Augusta, the Supreme
Judicial Court being then in session,
the grand inquest of the county,
promptly found a true bill of indict-
ment of murder. On the Bird day of
the term, Sager was arraigned and
pleaded not guilty. Tuesday, Octo-
Der 23rd, was assigned as date for
the trial. The court was held in the
old South Church, Chief Justice Ma
than Weston and Associate Justice
Parson on the bench (the law of the
day not nermitting any one Judge to
preside at a trial involving the life
of a human being, hence two of the
most eminent judges OF the high
court in the state appeared on the
bench, Gt is. different now. Nathan
Clifford, encouragement of the state,
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-05-01
EXECUTION OF SAGAR
At AUGUSTA
Recent Building OF Spiritualist Church
mt Augusta Leads to Comments ON
Names FIRST Hanging

The recent building of the Spirit
ualst Church at Augusta and the
clairvoyant message received by DIR,
Bigelow of Skowhegan years ago from
Sager, it is claimed, who was hanged
in Augusta in 1887. as published in
the ependent-Reporter, has given
rise to various comments on the sub
ject. People in Somerset County
were considerably stirred up over the
hanging which was not far from its
own borders and many people in the
lower towns of Somerset County, in
GLIDING NorridEewock Fairfield and
probably Skowhegan, went to witness
the execution. Through Charles S.
Campbell, correspondent from To-
hey Hill, in Norridgewock, we have
received the following true account
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-05-01

and on such q future date as the
court may designate, the said Sager
shall be taken to the appointed place
of execution, and forthwith he shall
be hanged by the neck until dead,
and may God have mercy on your
soul" Perspiration stood out on the
doomed mans brow when sentence
was pronounced; his frame shook and
he gasped convulsively as he settled
into his chair. He was Immediately
taken back to the prison. and so end
ed one of the most notable criminal
trials known to Maine. The verdict
was certified to by the governor on
October 81, and forthwith warrant
was issued under the great seal of
the State of Maine. to George W.
Stanley, sheriff of kennebec County,
requiring that the sentence of the
court be carried into effect on the
second day of January, between the
hours of 10 a. m. and p. m.
AS the day approached for the final
event, the interest of the community
was heightened and the excitement
beligerent to the public execution of
a human being, grew hour by hour
No event of the kind had happened be-
fore in this region within the memory
of those living in the valley of the
Kennebec, since long before Maine be-
came state, hence the people, eager
iy awaited the coming of the appoint
ed day. Preparations for the carry
ing out of the sentence in a decent,
dignifed humane manner, were made
. by Sheriff Stanley. prior to the fatal
second day of the new year. The
gallows had been erected on Winthrop
street, just below State street, mid
way between the court house and the
county jail. Before the sun of new
day had sunk behind the western
hills, and all through the hours of
i the succeeding night, people on foot
and in teams were pouring into the
capital city. as the waves roll in upon
the shore from the ocean. When the
morning of the eventful day dawned
great mass of living humanity had
congregated in the vicinity of the
gallows Every moment added to
the immense multitude, until State
street, from the mansion house to the
present site of the Episcopal Church,
and on Winthrop street, west to what
! is now the home for aged ladies, also
the spacious court house yard, was
packed with dense mass Of human
beings, numbering thousands upon
thousands. Windows and house-tops
overlooking the scene were crowded
with people, old men upon crutches,
and women with infants in their arms,
invalids gasping in their distress,
braved the exposure of the winter
Gay. The morning of January End
opened with an atmosphere, bitterly
cold. Early the snow began falling
and a fine sleet cutting like knife,
beat into the upturned faces of the
waiting thousands.
AS a precautionary measure, and
to be prepared for any demonstration,
the Augusta Light Infantry was ord
cred out to report to the High Sher
If for duty. Tho troops assembled
in the corridor of the court house.
Here they were furnished with five
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-05-01

cess to the second team because every
night at practice the second team girls
gave the first team tough scramble.
The lineup of the second team is; Eel
la Demo, Helen McQuade, forwards;
Blanche Corvette, jumping center;
Phyllis Whiting, side center; Helen
Hes and Helen Ames. guards. In
most of the games the girls played
this year they were outweighed by
their opponents but not outclassed by
them, and they are credited with be
ing as good girls basketball team
as was ever turned out in Skowhegan
high school. The following is a
summary of games for the season.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-05-01

team. They had very successful
season, winning five games and los
ing four and never knowing they were
defeated until the final whistle blew.
However two of the games lost were
lost only by margin of one point and
in the Waterville game the score was
1913. Their one real defeat was
handed to them by Richmond 21-9.
The boys expect next year to beat this
years team and have stated that there
will be no tie for the Somerset County
championship at the end of next sea-
son. such as exists this year. This
tie exists because S. II. S. defeated
Hartland Academy here by thirteen
points and when they went to play
the return game they were defeated
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-05-01

Witnesses were examined and the
facts we'll understood In the communi-
ty where the prisoner was known,
fully established that Sager had beSn
man of very dissolute and licenti6us
habits and that the relations between
himself and his wife were of an I'M
happy character. The main witness,
whose testimony established the guilt
of the prisoner OF the crime, charged
! in the indictment was one Ann Raft
err, an inmate OF the Sager family,
who preserved the tumbler in which
was mixed the wine and poison that
Sager handed to his wife, urging her
i to drink the whole. THE goodness
! being all at the bottom" A sufficient
quantity of the poison was found to
/ permit an analysis, which showed
clearly the deadly character OF the
stuff Attempts were made TO i'm
peach the testimony of Miss Rafter
and connect her with the crime, but
i they all failed and the guilt Of the
prisoner was fully maintained. The
arguments of council were long and
very able, that of Heleg Sprague,
seldom. II ever excelled as a brilliant
and eloquent effort, in the courts oil
/ Maine. The presentation OF the
case for the government was made
from a keen analysis and was con-
vincing argument based on close rea-
soning.
Judge Weston charged the jury in
a close and impartial manner. for
which he was always remarkable. On
the fifth day of the trial, the jury re-
tired, under the charge of officers
Eben Shaw and Enoch Marshall. The
court adjourned until late hour on
Saturday night, when the jury. moi
being able to agree upon a verdict
a further adjournment was had unit
the Monday following. Deputy
Sheriff J. r. Batchelder took charge
of the jury over the Sabbath. The
great crowd which had marked every
day of the trial was further augment
ed on the assembling of the court
The jury faced the prisoner and he
looked anxiously into the faces of the
twelve men, whose foreman was to
speak the word, which would restore
him to liberty or else constgn him
to an ignominous death. The inn
menSe throng that hlled the court
room was hushed to the stiffness OF
DEATH and the word guilty" as it
i fell from the, lips of the venerable
and kind, but firm foreman, was re-
ceived with bowed heads and in rev
erential silence. The prisoner sank
into his seat, betraying NO other sign
of emotion, than that which comes
from long pent-up feelings of alter
mating hope and dependency. The
verdict was generally regarded as a
just and righteous one.
A motion for trial was Intellectual
and Chief Justice Weston in a solemn
and impressive manner, peculiarly
his own, after few words of a ten
der and touching nature, addressed to
/ the prisoner, pronounced the sentence
of the court as follows: THAT the
said Joseph Sager be taken hence to
the prison. whence he came, there to
remain until date for the execution
has been fixed by the honorable court,
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-05-01

by one point. 1t rather looks ac-
cording to the difference between
these scores that Skowhegan has the
edge on the Hartland boys. Coach
Dostie has some fine material ready
to put to work next fall, to take the
places of those who will graduate
this year. Among them are Twee
McAlister, Appleby, Carpenter, White
and Hartline.
A. o. Dostie, who has been coach
ing athletics as a part OF his duties
as a member of the high school facul-
ty, has brought the athletic standing
of the school up to a high standard.
The very credtable showing Of the
baseball football and basketball play
ers has been largely due to his skill
as coach.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-05-01

Mullen and Dysart. S. II. SIS two
swift forwards will be the only mem
bers of this years basketball team
to come back next fall. At a school
meeting before the spring vacation
pat" Mullen was elected captain for
next year When this year started
in the only two old players left were
the two forwards already mentioned.
Although HUFF is finishing his first
year as a student AT S. II. s., he may
be Obliged 10 return because of lack
of points and if so he will he eligible
for the team next year. Decker
jumping center and Cole, left guard
will graduate in June. Under the
hard steady practicing of Coach Dos
tie the boys developed into a snappy
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-05-01

fligate life, such as had brought
doomed man to this melancholy
dition. A short and very fe7
prayer followed. Sheriff SID
then drew down the black cap
was to hide the face of Joseph ),
from the sight of his fellowmenl
ever. He adjusted the fatal
about his barred neck and then IA
him by the hand, he very kindly
Sager goodbye. The man still
tested his absolute innocence. TT
said Sheriff Stanley, us now
ter between you and your God,
Descending the steps brisky,
one sturdy blow of sharp hall
the rope that held Sager to this 4
was severed, and he dropped over
teen feet, falling with dull d
thud, his body spinning around
top for several minutes and
he passed beyond the bounds oil
and from all knowledge OF maui
There was no struggle and death
have been instantaneous. Attel
naming a sickening sight for
thirty minutes. the attending y
elan, DR.. Frederick Gage declared
man legally dead. The body
then lowered upon horse sleol
driven by his friends, with all pos
speed to Hallowell.
The militia company marched
at the sound of the bugle ana
other officials all departed. Tel
throng dispersed; the sad TRAGEDY
at last ended; Sager was dead,
the first public execution llnde1|
laws of the great State of Maine
accomplished, successfully
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-05-01

With the coming Of graduation in
June, Skowhcgan nigh school will
lose three of their this years basket
ball girls, Birdina Valliere, captain
Fern Akeley, manager and Marie Bis
son. The nucleus for next year S
team will be captain-elect, Louise
Stinchheld, jumping center, Albertne
Chabot, forward, and Helen Groder,
guard. Out of the thirteen games
played by the local lassies they won
ten of these losing only the Alumnae
game, Watervillc and Cony games at
Waterville and Augusta. The first
team however owes much of their sue
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-05-01
Here's Proof That Advertising Pays
Famous Wisley Building Chicago Being Doubled 10 Size

The part of the Wriglcy Build
ing erected two years ago has filled
such a want that the north section,
nearly double the floor area OF the
south section, is being added.
This north section, nearly COM
pleted, occupies the entire block,
Immediately across North Water
Street, fronting on Michigan
Avenue and reaching to the height
of the main part of the first struc-
ture. with a connecting bridge,
The space in the new section is
already nearly all taken by high
class firms in advance OF the COM
pletion Of the building.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-05-01

Here is a concrete Gas we'll as
steel and glass; proof of the say
ing that Advertising pays" In
these magnificent buildings Mr..
Wriglcy has erected an impressive
testimonial to this great truth.
They loom large and beautiful.
They typify the achievements of
the man who built them. They
stand as a monitor over the activ-
ity of the Nations second city -
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
bearing unanswerable testimony
to the POWER OF ADVER-
Using.
New Britain herald., 1924-01-04
"A WORD FOR CHIEF HART'

(Reprinted from The Hartford CouranD
 The New Britain Herald" thinks the state Of Connecticut should fol- low the example of Chief of Police Hart of that city in allowing auto mobile owners to retain their 1923 markers until i2 o'clock moon" on January 1,
 Under the law, motor vehicle reg istrations continue in force until midnight on the thirty-frst day of December of the year in which is- sued" and neither Chief Hart nor any other official. whether state or local has authority to allow any one an extension beyond that time. If police chiefs of different cities were to be permitted 10 use their discretion as to when the state jaws were to be obryed. fine condition of confusion and discrimination would result. Why not, in line with such "accommoda- ton" let local authorities extend tho registration time week or two, to save annoyance for those who would prefer to apply for their new registra- tion in January rather than in Decem- ber?
 stick to the law is our advice, even 1T the chief Of police doesn't