davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-12-26

Washington, bee. 24-The simpli-
,,,v TINT attends observance OF
,,,r,stmas in rural Vermont marked
.,odav Mt the White House and In a
MEASURE pervaded the entire life OF
the capital
whether by design or not. observ-
,nce Of the holiday throughout
Washington partook OF tho quiet
and simple manner Of celebration OF
president and Mrs. Coolidge partly
through the inherited custom of their
vermont forebears and partly be-
cause Of the recent vacancy In the
family circle.
Cabinet members remaining In the
ritz for the holiday observed the fes-
.ivaI with members of their families
md those Of high and low degree In
official and private life followed much
the same plan. There were few of
the receptions and parties that once
marked the day in the capital.
Mr.. Coolidge refused to permit the
holiday to interfere entirely with his
routine. lie and Mrs. Coolidge. al
though late in retiring last night be-
cause Of the Christmas carol service
on the north lawn of the White House
and the buffet supper they served To
The singers after in the state dining
room, arose and had breakfast at the
usual .. -.
Nine o'clock saw the president In
his office, but u clear desk greeted
him and so he wandered through the
executive offices seeking among the
desks the overnight accumulation oil
mail. Finding this. he sorted 1t out
taking with him n few letters that
appeared most likely to be addressed
to his personal attention, and then
nking a scat beside the policemen
desk In the main lobby read the
morning papers. Returning to the
executive mansion he spent an hour
sith Mrs. Coolidge and John, the
son. and the White Houses only
Christmas guests. Mr.. and Mrs
Frank W. Stearns of Boston. and then
the entire party drove to the First
Congregat lonal church for the union
Christmas Day services, held under
the auspices of the Washington fed
Grafton Of churches.
Again before luncheon Mr.. Cool
idge visited his office aud finding
there Rudolph Foster. White House
executive clerk. went over few mat
es,with him. Late in the afternoon
10 went out for long walk In the
sharp air of partly cloudy day.
Mr. and Mrs. Stearns were the only
quests at the Christmas dinner to-
! night, at which the place of promi-
hence was given to a monster turkey
raised on a government reclamation
poject In Wyoming and sent to the
White House by the Lions club OF
Mserton, Wyoming.
The government departments,
which closed Wednesday at noon. will
reopen tomorrow but congress will
not reconvene until next Monday.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-12-26
Mild Christmas
Weather in Nome

Nome. Alaska, Dec. 25--Santa Claus
was given a warm reception in this
usually frigid town yesterday when
he appeared on the main thorough
fare in sleigh loaded with Christ
mas presents and drawn by real
reindeer. The presents were distrib-
uted to whites and Eskimoes alike.
While the United States and Can
ada shivered from sub-zero weather,
fur overcoats and heavy clothing
was discarded here yesterday with
the mercury registering 20 degrees
above zero.
Nearly an ich Of rain which fell
yesterday melted the small amount
OF snow on the ground. A tempera-
ture Of IL above zero, recorded a
week ago, stands az the coolest day
OF the winter. A local hospital was
without patients today for the first
time In many months.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-12-26
$4,000 DAMAGE BY
FIRE IN GARAGE
At SkOWhEGAN

Especial to Kennebec JournaD
Skowhegan. Dec. 25-About 7:so
Christmas FIRE was discov-
cred in the Peoples Garage on Water
street at the rear Of the waterville
Motor company sales room by Wal
ter Lessor, one OF the American
Railway express drivers. The build
ing. which is Of brick. was filed with
smoke when the fire was discovered,
making it hard to locate the origin.
1t is believed by Charles Smith and
Walter Clark, who operated the gar
age that the fire started In the front
end of the building.
The building was badly damaged
as were 16 cars and three trucks
which were in the garage. The build
ing, which is owned by the Water
Vile Motor company, is damaged to
the extent of $4,000 and Smith and
Clark estimate the damage on their
equipment and cars and truck to be
$4,000. -
Smith and Clark had a new REQ
truck burn. The loss was partly
covered by insurance. 1t is. thought
that the only two cars not insured
were q Ford touring owned by Char
les Estes, public car driver and a
Maxwell sedan owned by an employe
Of the Central Maine Power COM
pany.
Among the cars burned were an
Essex sedan. owned by county COM
missioner Henry Crowell which he
bought just three months ego.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-12-26
Six or More Others
Missing and 81 In
jured in Disaster on
H0lston River,
/ Virginia
Poisoned Water and Muck of
River Causes Serious Injury
to MaRy-Due to Presence
of Alkali Plant-Fcur or
Five of Injured May Die
Feared Missing Are Buried
Under Tons of White Muck

Saltville, Va. Dec. 25-Nine dead
six or seven missing and 81 persons
injured stood az the toll tonight OF
the muck dam disaster at the Math-
ieson Alkan Works on the Holston
river.
; The injured lay in an improvised
hospital here. Four or five are not
expected to live. Many have con.
tracted pneumonia from their i'm
mersion in the icy waters and vir-
tually all Of them were severely
burned by the alkali In the muck.
Many others who escaped injury
when the torrent of water and mud
come down the north fork of the
river, together with members of the
rescue parties who toiled all of last
night and today In the lime muck
and sustained burns were treated al
emergency hospitals.
A revised list of the dead issued
tonight gives the following names:
Mrs. Luther Clear, her son Charles
Clear.
Opal Pauly.
Mr.. and Mrs. Harry Prater.
Leslie Prater, their son.
/ Mr.. and Mrs. James Prater.
Major James Scott.
Several OF the bodies were recover
ed IN Tumbiin5 Creek, six miles be-
low the dam. 1t was feared that
some of these missing were buried
deep under tons of the white muck
that spread throughout the valley.
+ Inc mood which bore down upon the
mill settlement came without warning
and the victims, trapped in their
homes. were unable to escape the on
coming wall of water and mud. All of
the missing are believed to have been
swept into the north fork of the river
Ten houses occupied by workmen
were swept away and the bottom lands
of the Holston as far as Tumbling
creek. six miles distant. were covered
with the sediment released by the dam
break.
Dozens of houses were swept from
their foundations and carried along
by the Swirling waters. For miles
below Parmartown debris from
homes Uttered the river bank.
Hundreds Of persons in Parmar-
town were in the midst of Christ
mas celebrations when the dam, a
quarter of a mile above the town,
gave way.
Hedged in by the hills, the waters
rushed fiercely and without warning
upon the unsuspecting homes.
Hundreds of persons trapped by
the water made their way to the
banks and later were picked UP by
rescuers or were able to make their
way to other nearby towns for aid.
In many places below Parmartown
the river early today still was out of
its banks.
Scores Of persons were warned by
telephone operators and were en-
abled to leave their homes ahead of
the on-rushing flood.
News of the deluge spread quick
~ and rescue parties from various
towns spent the night searching the
river banks for survivors or bodies
of victims.
Virtually all residents of Parmar-
town were employees of the alkali
works.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-12-26
Il DEAD, l HURT
IN BRIDGEPORT
AUTO ACCIDENT

Bridgeport, Conn. Dec. 25--Mrs.
Nina Curtis, AZ. OF this city. Is dead,
and Mrs. Ida Shew. "a, Is in a criti-
cal condition at the bridgeport hos
pital with a possible fracture OF the
skull. after both were struck today
BY an automobile operated by Thorn
as j. Conner of Bridgeport, who is
held in bonds of $1,000 charged with
manslaughtor. Conner is the su-
perintendent Of the municipal garage.
According to statements made by
Common and others to the police, the
women stepped in the path of his
car and were struck before he had o
chance to turn aside. o.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-12-26

Hobart, Okla, Dec. 25 (By
A. P.)-With the Identification
of the last victim established,
the rechecked death list in the
Christmas eve fire at the Babb
Switch rural school, stood at
thirty-three tonight. Twenty
injured persons are still COLI
fined in two hospitals. One is
expected to die and two others
are in a critical condition. Fun
eral services for sixteen of the
dead will be held tomorrow.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-12-26
DEATH VICTIMS
SO IN HOBART
OKLA, TRAGEDY
over so DEAD and
BIG PROPERTY LOSS
DURING HOLIDAYS

Chicago. Dec. eS.--(By A. P.)-More
than 60 persons were killed. upward OF
half hundred were injured and a
number Of others are missing as tho
result Of an unusual number OF acci-
dents Christmas eve and Christmas
day. ..,-,
In addition 20 tho loss of life, fires,
many OF them resulting from over.
heating due to tho zero Christmas
weather in some parts OF the country,
caused heavy property loss.
The most serious as we'll ms the most
palmetto christmas eve tragedy occurr-
ed near Hobart, Okla, where 81 per.
sons are known TO be dead and six
Others are missing or dead as tho re-
SUN OF q fire In n schoolhouse where
CHRISTMAS entertainment was in pro.
gross.
The next highest toll OF life was
taken near Roanoke. Va, where six
are dead. 9tne are missing and IS are
IN hospitals as the result OF the break.
ing or u muck" dam at Saltvillc.
AT Stamford. Tex. four were billed
and six injured. one seriously, in q fire
at the Stamford Inn.
Two men were frozen TO death In
Chicago's flve-below-zero Christmas
weather policeman was killed as the
result OF a fall and Chinese iaun-
dryman was shot and probably fatally
wounded In renewal of tong warfare.
Four were killed. and one was prob
ably fatally hurt and another less So
riousiy in an automobile accident at
Richmond, Va. At Dixon. ILL.,. a three
year-old child shot and killed his 10
year-old brother with their fathers
shotgun. and one person was killed as
the result OF placing oil In q coois-
stove. ~
Two were killed in a Christmas aye
shooting scrape near Richmond. KY,
and two in an automobile Mt Birming-
ham. Ala. A three-year-cld girl died
Of burns at Worcester. Mass, and one
was killed in an automobile accident
at Lexington, n. c. A policeman was
Killed at New Orleans by bank rob-
Der. and two were injured at Glendale.
Cal. when n bomb In the form OF,
a Christmas package exploded. Two;
We're killed and two injured in an au.
tomobile accident at Centralia, Ill.
and Mt Michigan City. Ind, two wero
killed and two wero injured when n
train struck an automobile. In New
York City five men were seriously
wounded by two gunner.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-12-26
Reorganize Law
Firm of GOY.-Elect

Portland, Me-, Dec. 25-The law
firm Of Chapman & Brewster, with
which Governor elect Ralph o. Brew
ster is associated, has been reorgan-
lied into the firm Of Thaxter, Chap
man Brewster. Sidney st. Felix
Thaxter is the new member. Philip
+. Chapman and Carl w. Smith are
other members of the firm.
Governor-elect Brewster win be as
ISOLATED with the firm, but under
certain restrictions during his term
as governor. For that period he will
practice only in the probate and
federal courts and will assist in the
office work in connection with real
estate and corporation business.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-12-26
General Eorecaxt

Cold weather prevailed Thursday
throughout the United States except
in central and southern Florida.
Pressure was low Thursday night
over the Canadian maritime pro-
vinces and it was high over practi-
cally all other regions Light pre-
cipitation has occurred within the
last "a hours in portions of the At
lantic states.
The indications are for generally
fair weather Friday and Saturday In
the Washington forecast district,
The weather will remain cold in
the Atlantic states Friday but the
temperature will rise slowly general
~ east of the Mississippi river.
Winds north of Sandy Hook
Fresh to strong west and northwest
and weather fair Friday.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-12-26
ParOled Anderson
In Horne Christmas

Yonkers, n. Y. Dec. 25.-William H.
Anderson. former superintendent of the
New York Anti-Saloon League, who
was released from Sing Sing yesterday.
spent Christmas day within the fam
lily circle at his home. He did not at
tend services at the Central Methodist
church, of which he is a trustee. The
only message from the Anderson home
was conveyed by Miss Anderson, the
former superintendent daughter, from
her mother. She said to the reporters:
Mother says that she has nothing
to say, except that she wishes you a
merry Christmas"
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-12-26
Traffic Block on
M. c. Ry. Forces
Transfer PASSENGERS

Portland, Me-, Dec. 25--Pessengers
on the eastbound train over the
mountain division of the Maine Gen.
trail Railroad this morning finished
their journey. to Portland by taking
automobiles from White Rock to
South Windham and trolley cars
from the latter village to the city, as
the result Of the derailing of a large
coal car in a westbount freight, not
for from White Rock station.
Although little damage was done to
the track when the car left the rails
after losing truck, traffic was
blocked for more than four hours.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-12-26
Two Leap to Safety
As Train Hits Auto

Mansfield, Mass, Dec. 25 - The
Shore Line express from New York
to Boston today struck an automobile
which had stalled on q crossing here
and threw 1t against the crossing
tenders shanty with such force that
the house was torn from its founda-
tions. Walter Orrs of East Foxboro,
the driver. and Harold Holland of the
Dorchester district of Boston leaped
to safety just before the crash. The
crossing tender was uninjured and
the train only slightly delayed.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-12-26
Thugs Wound Five
Motive Unknown

New York. Dec. 25-Five men were
seriously wounded when two gunner
entered an East Side poolroom and
opened fire on them today. The vic.
tins are In a hospital and three of
them are not expected to live. The
men who did the shooting fed with
several companions in an automo-
bne which they had driven to the
poolrocHl.
All re wounded men told detect
ives they knew Of no motive for the
attack. The proprietor Of the pool
room and a number Of other witness
es were taken to the station house
Tor questioning by the police.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-12-26
K KNOWN DEATH
VICTIMS TOTAL I'm
BREAKING OF DAM
NORWAY CAPITAL
TO TAKE ITS OLD
NAME OF OSLO

Chrisiania. Norway, Dec. 25-The
name Christiania. which the capital
of Norway has borne for 800 years
will be replaced on Jan. by Oslo
the ancient name by which the city
was known for 600 years.
Nine hundred years ago King Har-
old III founded Oslo. Six hundred
years later, this city on the ford
that winds down to the Skaggerack
lay in ashes and King Christian, then
ruler of Norway and Denmark, foun-
ded a new town acyoss the bay, call
ing 1t Christiania. NThe two cities
grew up side by side until today they
areO ne.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-12-26
Chinese Found
Stained to Death

New York, Dec. ga Cninese "a
,iaved to be L. Il. Fon: vas .o. .n1
dead In . tenement ouiidins n s;ytssn
night. He had been seaooeu
t'm pe,;c. were unable to identity the
,,c,sm nositivelr or to find a motive
Tor the killing. -. FIN Sing
..a .o,6 after looking at the ooay
t tf' he did not know the man. 10y, Du !.
.hat r. was possible the victim was
an ON Leong member.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-12-26
Crisis in Condition
Yanderlip Saturday

Scarborough. N. T.. Dec. 25-Franls
A. yanderlip. former financier. who IL
Norman Barnsby, the family physi-
clan. announced today.
He said that II would be two more
days before the crisis of the aiiment
win have been passed.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-12-26
Grief Stricken r e a.
tives Throng Morgue
Following Christmas
Eve Fire in District
Sch0olhouse

Twenty Injured in Hospitals
One Expected to Die, Two
Others in Critical Condition
Funeral Of Is Today
Many of Bodies Horribly
Burned-Survivors Tell How
One Family of Six Chung To.
gether And Fell Into Inferno
Teacher Proved to Be
Heroine
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-12-26
Woman Loses Life
In Marlboro, N. Y. Fire

three story building today causing
the death of Mrs. Eliza Coutaint, rs,
a cripple. in whose apartment the
blaze Is believed to have started.
Thirteen tenants. members of four
families. were rescued but Mrs.
Coutaint was dead when firemen
reached her.
Damage was estimated at $4,000.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-12-26
Child Dies of Burns
After UpSetting Stew

Worcester. Mass, Dec. 25-Dorothy
Pupkar. 5. died today at City hos
pital from burns received yesterday
when she upset an oyster stew at her
home. The child was perched on a
chair watching her mother prepare
the MONDAY meal She lost her bal
ance and in the fall knocked the pan
of stew from her mothers hands and
the hot liquid spilled over her body.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-12-26
Strike Big Gas
Well i'm Dunkirk. N. Y.

Dunkirk. N. r.. Dec. 25-Another
big gas wen was struck today on the
Richter farm. the largest well ever
struck in the Sheridan gas fields
with a daily flow OF more than 1000,
goo feet. The roar of the well could
be heard for half a mile.
The how has been turned into the
main of the company which supplies
Dunkirk and surrounding towns.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-12-26
Gen. Dawes Passes
Christmas at Home

Chicago, Dec. 25-Charles G. Dawes.
vice president-elect, passed a quiet
Christmas at his Evanston home to-
day. There was tree for the en-
tire family and for Christmas din
ner the vice president elect had as
his guests a few relatives and friends.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-12-26
Fire Dem0lishes
Business Section
Hollywood, Miss.

Hollywood, Miss. Dec. 25-Ainiost
the entire business portion Of the
town OF Hollywood was DESTROYED 10
day when fire said to have Originated
from q defective lighting system
broke out In a store. .--,s.
The town has no water system
and the volunteer fire fighters could
do little to check the flames. The
loss Is estimated at nearly 100000.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-12-26
Christmas Dinner and
Show at Sing Sing

Ossining. n. T., Dec. 26--sinr.
sings 1875 prisoners today enjoyed
Christmas party comprising a
chicken dinner and a vaudeville en-
tertainment. The IS prisoners coy, !.
demned to death, had q special mcSf
but did not attend the perforruarsre.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-12-26
Home Nearly Destroyed
By Fire Loss $500

Especial to kennebec Journal)
SiIpwhegan. Dec. 25-The fire conf
pany received a second call on
Christmas day in the afternoon when
the home of Mr.. and Mrs. HanAlHan-
son on Chandler street was nearly
destroyed by fire. The family was
away from home when the fire was
discovered. Nearly all the furnish
ings We're removed. The damage is
estimated between $f2-150O. There
was an insurance Of $500.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-12-26
THE WEATHER
FAIR

Northern New England-Fair and
slightly colder Friday; Saturday
generally fair.
Southern New England-Fair FRI
day and Saturday; continued cold.
Eastern New York-Generally fair
Friday and Saturday; continued
cold Friday; rising temperature
Saturday.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-12-26
officials and 9th er s
Follow Lead of Presi-
dent and Wife in
Days Observ-
ance

Comparatively Few of the
Receptions and Parties That
Once Marked Day in Capital
President Visits Office But
Finds Little to Do-Govt.
Offices Open Today But
Congress Will Not Recon
yene Until M0nday-Obser-
vance Also in Other Large
Centers
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-12-26
| Foster Fathe: to
Be Questioned
On Death of Youth

Chicago, Dec. Z0.- w Imam ~. sup
ferd, foster-father of young Wiiiiam
McClintock, the millionaire orphan
and chief heir to his estate, will be
questioned at the state attorneys Oh
flee as soon as he reaches Chicago. re-
rardinr the death Of the youth at the
She pherd home three weeks ago, II was
, announced tonight.
According to advices received from
Albudueruue. N. NJ, where shepherd
and his wife went after the boy
! death. Shepherd has already started
fpr Chicago. Mrs. Shepherd. whom the
states attorney also wishes to ques-
tion. did not accompany her husband
according to word received by the au-
thorities here.
states Attorney Robert e. Grove
..is. ho expected to order an investiga-
tion by the january grand jury If an
autopsy performed on the exhumed
body Yesterday reveals that the youth
died from other than natural causes
a preliminary report on the post-mor-
Ten, examination will be given to Cor
oner Oscar Wolfe by several patho,o-
gists tomorrow. One OF the pathoio-
rists making an analysis Oh the
youths vital organs represents 'he
Shepherds. ~,
Tomorrow
take statements from the doctors WIZ
signed the death ceruhcate Oh u.s
ynuth. ascribing the cause as typhoiu
fsvsr Mis-. Mary Gartner. maid In
~. Shepheri home, will also be ques-
t,onsd She witnessed the signing or
McClintock's will.
sbepherd Makes Denial
Ath,,cueru,,e. N. NJ, Dec. 25-Wil-
linn 70. Shepherd, foster father OF
TiIiiam n. McClintock, denied the
truth OF statements contained IN re-
norris from Chicago today concerning
events prior to the young man >
death. 80. liant
from Billy's ROOM" said Shepnsra.
"She was present In the room wnen
RiIly died. Besides Miss Pope tne.e
were Dr. Stolp, the attenolns p"ssa
clan. two nurses. Mrs. Shepneru anu
myself ..,.,. ,or some
aovs before his death. Miss Pope
tniLed with him just a week before
he died." .,.+ thew
-aised objections to the marriage OF
Riilv and Miss Pope after the youns
,,ar became i'll, but denied that
nnniness had existed" between MRS.
Shenherd and Miss Pope. Both ne
onS Mrs. shepherd. he said. were IN
favor of Billy's marriage 10 MISS
Pope. r,uu, ,rried
and wa thought the match between
him and Miss Pope was ideal. ne
said. ,,.s altar Billy
hscame III, he said, at the instance
Of RiIly. who said he did not VAN 90 %
marry until the date SET, , rsu 80 So
1925. and until he was entire'S r
penorts Of auarrels between Biliy
"a his foster parents drew strong
denial from Shepherd.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-12-26
Boston Forecast

Forecast for Boston and vicinity
Fair Friday and Saturday; continued
cold: diminishing northwest to west
winds.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-12-26

Now that's of our mind, we can
settle down to enjoy q good old
Maine winter, with all the out.
door and indoor sports that put
color in our cheeks or rinas
under our eyes. All the outdoor
sport stuff may be found at
Ff6eId's Opp. Dspot).