davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Imperial Valley press., 1925-11-24
BERNICE JOHNSON
RETAINS SECOND
SPOT IN CONTEST

Miss Bernice Johnson of this city
continues to hold second place in
the popularity contest being con
duetcd by the Imperial Valley Mid
Winter fair. The local entrant ha d
total of $4,000 votes at | o'clock
Saturday afternoon. Miss Athabel
Rodcman of Brawley was leading at
that time with $4,000 votes. A
new entrant, Miss Aurelia Busta-
mante of Calexico holds third place
with 12l,000 votes.
FL Centre friends of Miss johnson
are working hard for her and con.
fldently expect that she will be
awarded the prize. A group of her
girl friends are making a thorough
canvas of the city, selling admission
tickets to the mid winter fair
which opens next Wednesday week.
Imperial Valley press., 1925-11-24
SPECIAL SCENERY
IS BEING BUILT
FOR LEGION PLAY

Special scenery is being construct
ed for "Dulcy,' a side-splitting
three act comedy, which will be pre-
sented at the Palace theater next
Tuesday and Wednesday evenings
under the auspices of Boye Aten
Post, American Legion.
None of the standard scenery in
use i'll any of the valley :heaters
could be made adaptable for the
play, SO the legion decided that the
special scenery required would have
to be built. Notwithstanding this
additional cost, the legion voled to
keep the price of admission down to
u minimum and tickets selling at
81 each will be placed on sale this
week.
The cast in the play, which is be-
ing directed by Mr.. and Mrs. Cooper
Mac Murray, who also take roles i'll
the offering, includes Russell
kliegle, Edwin Byrne, Miss Evalyn
Boman, Miss Jimmie Berlin, Char
les Barry, Joe Reynolds, Jimmy
Greene, Earl Bodine and Charles
Somervill, all of whom have had pre-
vlous experience III theatricals.
Dulcy' is one of the most pop
ular Of the new plays and aftorus
splendid opOrtunilies for the mem
Defs OF the cast to display their
various talents. The story, though
light, Is tull OF interest ana the ac-
ton Is maintained at rapid pace
throughout the production.
Imperial Valley press., 1925-11-24
ASK CALIFORNIA
TO PROBE CHARGE
OF FLAG AFFR0NT
by United Press Leased Wire

SACRAMENTO, Cal, Nov. "a
The state department. has re-
quested California to conduct an in
vestigation into reports that proper
respect was not shown the Ameri-
can flag by MeXicans during the
Mexican independence day parade
in Los Angeles September 16.
Secretary of State Frank b.
Kellogg, in letter to Governor
Friend w. Richardson, asks the state
to consider reported disrespect of
marchers in carrying the emblem
upside down and in prominently. dis
playing the Mexican colors.
The matter has been referred to
the district attorneys office, with
instructions to ascertain the com
pletc circumstances and then report
to the governor S office.
Seventy five bales of Sacramento
valley cotton were recently ship
ped to England.
Imperial Valley press., 1925-11-24
BANK IN S. f. BUYS
REDDING CONCERN
by United Press Lensed Wire

REDDING, Cal, Nov. 24.-Thc
Liberty Bank of San Francisco to-
day purchased the Redding National
bank and the First Savings bank of
Shasta county, with assets Of a mil
hon and Il half. The price paid
was not made public.
Imperial Valley press., 1925-11-24

The Modoc county wool growers
association is to make a fight
against coyotes.
Sonoma county farm bureau re-
ports u heavy increase in cover
crops over last year.
Imperial Valley press., 1925-11-24

We all know what we would do if
we had a million dollars. We
would wish it was two Dillion Dol.
lars.
Imperial Valley press., 1925-11-24

paths, and pledged their coopera-
ton to the fullest extent in aiding
the scout movement i'll every way
possible.
Imperial Valley press., 1925-11-24

Newcastle, Placer county, shipped
43O more cars of fruit this year
than in 1924,
Imperial Valley press., 1925-11-24
FORMER INFORMER
TO BE DEPORTED
FOR DOPE TOTING

FRESNO, Cal, Nov. q. = Ray
Park, resident of Dinuba for TWEEN
ty years and a former government
informcr for narcotic violations,
was sentenced to the pcnitcntiary
for Two terms of three years, fined
one thousand dollars and ordered to
be deported to Korea after he has
served his sentences. Park piead.
ed guilty before Federal Judge Ed
ward j. llenning 10 having cocaine
and yen-shee in his possession, At
expiration or alloviation Of his pris-
on sentences, he will be deported,
according to terms Of Jones Miller
act.
Imperial Valley press., 1925-11-24

Men are terrible people. Espe-
clally married men. Costs a mar
rled man more to live. But maybe
it is worth more.
Imperial Valley press., 1925-11-24

The state grange convention at
Sacramento was attended by l,2OO
delegates.
Imperial Valley press., 1925-11-24

Love S blind, but that sbopIdn =
MAKE a girl kiss everyb 3dv.
Imperial Valley press., 1925-11-24
State of California,

State of California,
County of Imperial, IS:
On this 2sth day of October, 1925,
before me, Eleanor McGirk, a No
tary Public, in and for said county
and state, residing therein, duly
commissioned and sworn, personally
appeared Mitsugi Okano and Satoru
okano, known to me to be the per-
sons whose names are subscribed to
the foregoing instrument and they
acknowledged to me that they ex-
ccuted the same.
WITNESS my hand and official
seal the day and year in this certi-
ficate first above written.
ELEANOR McGIRK,
Notary Public in and for the Coun-
ty of Imperial, State OF Califor-
MIA. (SEAL)
. ..-. N 10 II "a
Imperial Valley press., 1925-11-24
CERTIFICATE OF DOING BUSI-
NESS UNDER FICTITIOUS
FIRM NAME

we hereby certify that we are
transacting business in the State Of
California, under the name of
OkANO BROS, that our principal
place of business is in the County
Of Imperial, in said state, and that
the names and residence of all per-
sons interested in said partnership
are as follows:
Mitsugi Okano, north side of
Commercial, between Fourth and
flfth r Streets, City of Ell Centre,
California.
Satoru s4Okano, ,one-fourth mile
north of Writings Crossing, about
three and one half miles southeast
of Ell Centre.
Dated this 2Sth day of October,
~ MITSUGI OKANO.
SATORT OKANO.
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-08-23

"'Ths is what you viii have to practice .
with straw, made to look like q man. never eS
now beginning to control myself. and under q
dun1my's wrists and ankles and fitted the moo
THE dummy was placed standing upon the
pulled up to close the aperture covering tina
lever for the first time in my life.
1T all happened just as If a real man was b
and the dummy disappeared. The sight was
myself up to be disconcerted by nothing. and
Scott to Mr.. Shepherd, as if to say. He will do
Chief Warden Scott, who found was always|
charge of candidates for employment as execute
ers, pointed phlegmaticaly to yawning hole in q
centre of the floor, explaining, THAT is the drop
He instructed some keepers to put a couple
planks over this hole and invited me to stand on the
The air of the place appalled, me, but dared /
show my feelings and though would rather h I
done anything than stand on those planks, did so
Looking down ] saw pit twelve feet deep Al
realized that it was in that lower space that [
actual tragedy of an execution was accomplish
The grimness of it all made me feel anything !
comfortable, and terror possessed me lest
planks should give way and precipitate me into t
dreadful pit.
Chief Warden Scott noticed my nervousness,
spoke most kindly to me, and gradually recove
my self-possession. Then Assistant Warden Sh +
herd appeared with what looked like the limp BID
of man under his arm.
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-08-23

wonder why wanted to be hangman Why on
earth should any man seek to make living by
killing his fellow beings?
1t seemed to me perfectly respectable business,
authorized by law, and is quite necessary for some-
body to be willing to undertake it. When first an
nounced my intention of making application for this
government position my mother was startled, and
my wife refused to discuss the matter with me.
What will people say about us p my mother
cried.
Let somebody else do Il" my wife replied, with
fnality, and ended the discussion.
But was determined to have my way. put in
my application, and in few days ordered to
report to the Home Office in London, where the
agement of prisons and the employment of prison
wardens and the government hangmen is attended to.
Of course, there is not murderer to be hanged
every day, and although my services were made use
of all the British Isles in the various prisons
where execution to take place, yet there
days and sometimes weeks at a time when had no
official duty to perform. The law requires an APP
premiership covering reasonable PERIOD in which
the candidate for public executioner must attend
hangings and act in the capacity of an assistant to
the hangman. =
At the time Lmade my application, nearly TWEEN
ty-ive years ago, the official hangman old James
Ellington, who had performed hundreds of execu-
tons. The hangman and the assistant hangman
paid by the job-not salary The assistant execu-
about $40 for each hanging and the head execu-
toner receives $50 for the job.
The Home Office, always with an eye to economy
and good bargain fixes the fee for the head execu-
toner at SIS for double execution.
once hanged day for three days, which
was $3.50 for the three days, with an additional al
lowance for my expenses. But business seldom
as brisk as this
When received my notification to report to head
quarters in London and take of instruction
in Newgate Prison. carefully refrained from telling
my wife or mother the object of my trip to town.
After my return from my schooling on the gallows
with my appointment safely in my pocket as assist
ant hangman, revealed the facts TO my family, and
there was painful scene when they learned of my
new profession.
1t is matter of pride to me that, by conscien-
tious regard for my duty, the humane innovations
have made to rob a criminals last moments of many
Old-time terrors and my fiat refusal to pander
to morbdly curious folks sensaton-mongers,
have earned the goodwin of all who at one time
were prejudced against because of my profession
My mother and other relatives gradually lost
their repugnance, and my wife at last came TO
accept the thing commonplace. But may say
that she and never discussed executions, and, as
matter Of fact, never talked of them to anybody.
From the beginning adopted discreet silence
as the keynote of my official career and in thus be-
ginning to write my life-story for the American
Weekly Magazine am opening my lips for the first
time as to the things have witnessed and heard on
the Scaffold.
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-08-23
Official Executioner of Great Britain

pie a d e d, Don't
hurt me; oh, please
don't hurt mel"
And of the various
women | have sent
hurriedly into eter-
nifty l have many
sad recollections, as
! will explain very
fully.
The reader may
quite naturally
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-08-23

have life largely in and out of the cells of
and have secretly watched them when they did
know they being obsered have listened to their frantic
appeals their indifference; des
life and welcomed by and oked with
another would take their lives
customary know for the public hide his
identity of sight from the public and discuss the
tragedies of the scaHold.
my public hangman has ended with resignation
other and have decided tell for the first
cells which
been revealed.
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-08-23
A Word of Introduction by Mr.. Ellis.


of
denn
he
and silence
las
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-08-23

MANY q Time nave i Deen pes
tered by those who thought to ~
learn some spicy news about the
last words and acts of man whose go
crime had formed topic of dis ,,,,.,.,...
cussion for months. 1t was often !;
difficult to evade such curiosity 1913
and remain polite, but they were - ! :
invariably disappointed in their III
quest. l was ready enough to be ~
pleasant to everybody, but con- II - s; "a
ceived it as part of my duty to (, >.i,@sL@
keep my lips sealed as far as my = -. =
work as executioner was con- -; -
cerned.
Curiosity seekers had a fur. ,.,.,.,...si;
further disappointment, which is
best conveyed by the remark of a. :.
man who had walked several miles
to see me on the Sunday after
hanged Sir Roger Easement, the famous Irish pair
What" he exclaimed as that the hangma
His accent on the that was as significant a
was forcible. 1t was almost unnecessary for hin
add that he had expected to see "some big
footer, for the tone of his first remark explained
feelings fully.
That was common experience, for am by
means giant in stature, and an injury to my spi
which / sustained some years ago, still further
tracts from an appearance of robustness.
Comments upon my slight build were of frequ
occurrence. People, so imagine, believed 1t was
executioner's ordinary experience to have to d
resisting and struggling wretches to the noose-e
and wondered how man so mild-looking as mys
could manage it.
During the happy day when received my moi
cation to come to London to learn my new profess
had, of course, made application, submitted cred
tials and been examined by the High Sheriff
local officials at Strangeways Prison, near my hol
Evidently my credentials and my personal
pearance had made good impression on the pri
officials They must have reported favoraby to
Home Office and | started off for London, whic
never before had visited, feeling that everybody
the train was staring at me with the mental CO
ment: THAT man is going to be hangman"
Famous old Newgate Prison, where was to ia
my schooling as hangman apprentice, looked
most miserable place, both outside and insi
that had ever seen in my life. So gloomy wa:
that artificial lights were burning there day q
night, and taking all in all, / felt most loneso
person when | was shown into big whitewasf
chamber, which they told me was called the Hal
mans Room. That room had been occupied
hangmen for as long as Newgate had stood, an,
could almost imagine the ghosts of Calcraft, M
wood and Berry fitting about the murky place. Tn
names and initials were all carved on the walls.
Sleep did not come easily that night Under
influence of my surroundings all sorts of fevered
aginings ran riot in my BRAIN and it was with gr'
relief that eventually arose and prepared to bel
to learn my new trade.
They took me to see the scaffold soon af
breakfast, and cannot pretend to have viewed
with any great confidence. stepped into that cha
Der Of death with shuddeTy
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-08-23
By John Ellis
CHAPTER I.

c) 1925 by American Weekly Rights
LONDON August LIZ
International., 1925-12-20
CHRISTMAS AT THE
EPISCOPAL CHURCH

AS has been customary for
several years past, there will be
a Midnight Mass at st. Andrews
Episcopal church on Christmas
Eve beginning promptly at IL
o'clock.
The service Will be Vnat of the
Holy Communion, the musical
setting for which this year is an
adoption of Mozart's Twelfth
Mass, sung by the choir cons's-
ting Of about twenty voices. The
following are the parts sung: KY
re E'eison. Gloria Tibi. Graf a
Tibi, Credo Sursum, Corda Sane
>tus, Benedictus qui vent, Agnus
Del. Gloria in Txcelsis.
The Twelfth mass of Mozart
is one Of the best known and most
famous of classicaI SETTINGS Of
sacred music and thoroughly in
keeping with the solemn and vet
beautiful service of the Holy
International., 1925-12-20
CONFIRMATION CLASS

TITO confirmation class at st.
Andrews Episcopal church on last
SUNDAY Dacember 13 was as fol-
lows. Mrs. Herbert C1a~e+t, Mrs.
Robert Consar. Mrs. v"ra'o Pot
finger. Mrs. Robert Bear, Mss
Man,io Roam. Miss Penriette
Rercraw. Mr.. and Mrs. W'nifrnd
Tockhart. Roy Noon. Jr.. Charles
r. Fowler, .Tr.. Miss Fran"~s Han
nah. Miss Marcaret S"he11 Miss
Mary SnnAlter, Mss Dorothy San
ders, and Miss Nary Simonton.
International., 1925-12-20
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

SUNDAY, Dec. 20.
Sunday School: 1000 a. nj.
Morning Service: HOO
Morning: Subject of sermon
"Lovalty"
E~ening Worship: 7:30 .. m.
Even nr: Subject Of sermon
MANS Three Saviors."
Special Music: Male Quartette
from Tucson.
A cordial invitation extended ia
one and all.
JOHN CURD. Pastor.
International., 1925-12-20
BAKERS cURIo STORE

Bakers Curio Store. near the
market in Nogales, Sonora, is al
ways a popular place with shop
pers. You can find good varie-
ty of Christmas presents here
Imported French perfumes, all
kinds of Mexican curios, etc.
International., 1925-12-20
DiQb School MeWs
Bu Jovier A. Mozon, High School Reporter

The second day Of the inter
class basketball meet was opened
Tuesday afternoon when the Jun
ior girls trounced the Sophomores
by score of IA to s. The Jun
ior Girls won mainly because they
were a more experienced team
and because they had three letter
girls of last year. Nena Larriva
did almost all of the scoring for
her teammates and the floor work
of Connie Fain as running center
was also fine to see. For the
Sophomores, Grace Mitchell and
Ruth Gatl'n were probably the in
dividual stars. The afternoons
victory gave the Junior girls the
right to meet the Senior girls in
the final game of the tournament
to be played Wednesday night.
The Senior girls are favored to
win the championship.
Realizing that if the Senior
girls were in line for the cham
pionship, they should also drop in
line, the Senior boys basketball
team took the Freshie boys bas-
ketball team into camp Tuesday
afternoon by score of IA to g..
With formidable lineup the
Seniors had little difficulty N
downing their opponents. The
Freshies tried hard to match the
attack of the Seniors, but t was
useless. Albert Donnadieu work
ed good for the Seniors, piling up
score after score from long range
shots early in the opening quarter.
In the third stanza, however, the
Freshies managed somehow to get
across the Senior defense and put
over score, but the Freshmen's S
rally was not long, and the Sen
iors settled down and continued
on their rampage. The after
moons victory also gave the Sen
ior bcys the right to clash with the
Junior aggregation N the fina,
game of the tournament for the
championship to be played Wed
nesday night.
Owing to the fact that Alice
Fain, star forward and main cos
in the Seniors cffense, was still
suffering from an injured knee
the scheduled game to decide the
inte~-class championship between
the Senior and Junior girls team
was POSTPONED indefinitely We'd
International., 1925-12-20

Communion which it is to en-
bellish.
! The offertory anthem is "The
New Born King" by A. S. Nor
rison.
AS professional and recessional,
well known and beloved Christ
mas hymns will be sung.
International., 1925-12-20
ARIZONA PACKING CO.

Turkey and other good meats
which go long ways toward
making the Christmas dinner a
big success, can bs xound at the
Arizona Packing Company. Tie
line of meats, butter. and eggs,
carried by this company is very
complete at all times.
International., 1925-12-20
EVANS NEWSSTAND

What is more appropriate than
flowers for Christmas? Your or
der can be promptly filled at the
Hotel Evans Newsstand, E. A..
VESSEL, proprietor.
International., 1925-12-20
NOGALES STORES
ATTRACTIVE In
HOLIDAY ATTIRE
E. L. CHALFANT

Beautiful boxes of Vassar choc-
'olates, on sale at E. L. Chal-
.fant's 2tore on Grand avenue,
would make ideal Christmas G fits.
This store has a big line of Christ
mas candies.
International., 1925-12-20
AT THE cosMo

Remodeled and redecorated,
prettier than ever, the Cosmopoli-
tan Cafe Dance Garden is ready
for the holiday season. Big spe-
c' al dances are scheduled for
Christmas eve, Christmas night,
and New Years eve.
International., 1925-12-20
AMERICAN DRUG STORE

Gifts for every member of the
family can be found at the
American Drug Store. Jesus Sal
damando proprietor. This store
always carries a complete stock.
International., 1925-12-20
LoHN STUDIO

Kodaks, picture frames, beau
tiful pictures, ETC., can be found
at the Lohn Studio. 1t is not a
hard matter to select an apprcpri-
ate gift at Lohns.
International., 1925-12-20
CHURCHES
ST. ANDREWS CHURCH

The St. Andrews Episcopal
church, Crawford and Sonoita
streets. Services:
8 A. M. Holy communion.
10 A. M. Church school.
IL A. M. Morning prayers and
address.
All seats free and unassigned.
Christmas service Christmas eve
starting promptly at midnig hit,
with service of choral Euchar st.
The public is cordially invited.
International., 1925-12-20
SACRED HEART CHURCH

Masses at 1880, 8:45, and 1000
A. M.
Afternoon service at 4 o'clock.
Week DAYS: mass at 1880 A. M
International., 1925-12-20
TRINITY CONGREGATIONAL
CHURCH
222 Terrace Avenue.


A Christmas program of music
will be rendered by the choir and
friends of Trinity Church as fol-
lows, Sunday. Special voluntary
Mrs. Grace A. Farrell and Mr..
Hampton Ra;nes.
Worship section-congregation
Old Hundredth; Lords Prayer,
Gloria Patria; Responsive Selec-
ton, led by Rev. C. E. Crawford.
Christmas Hymn, 80 Come All
Ye Faithful" choir and congrega-
ton. Morning Prayer, Rev. C. +.
Crawford. Response by choir.
Christmos Chorus, choir; Offer
tory. Duet, Christmas Time,"
Misses Emily Parker and Esther
Greason. Scripture Reading. Rev.
&C. E. Crawford; Solo, "The Holy
City" Mr.. M. S. Mirriman. Ad-
dress, "If Jesus Had Not Come"
by o. A. Smith, d. D. Solo,
Mrs. F. NJ. Long. Hymn, "It
Came Upon the Midnight Clear"
choir and congregation; Benedic-
ton; Recessional.
A cordial invitation extended to
all who do not worship elsewhere
to attend our services, GA Merry
Christmas to ALL"
O. A. Smith, D. D. Pastor.
International., 1925-12-20

Miss Polly Titcomb who at
tends school in Los Angeles has
returned home for the holidays.
International., 1925-12-20

W. Beckford K'bbey. rancher,
was in town Saturday from Ha-
cienda Ell Alamo. in Sonora.
International., 1925-12-20

nesday night by mutual agree
ment of both classes. Instead OF
this official game, the two teams
agreed to play an exhibition game
with the Senior team using few
substitutes. The Juniors started
the contest with their official line
up and throughout the first half
held the Seniors blank with a z
to 0 score. When the third quar-
ter opened, however, the Seniors
shifted their lineup, and Irene
Mazon was removed from one of
the guard positions and placed as
forward. Then began the Senior
attack which netted them seven
points and held the contest very
close during the third quarter.
The Junior girls, however, flirted
with the weak Senior guards, and
were able to win the game by a
score of 10 to 7. This game does
not count in the official stand
ings. The deciding game VII
have to be played sometime in the
future, or just as soon as the in
jured player recovers.
International., 1925-12-20

Judge w. A. O'Connor and r.
T. Frazier returned Friday from
Ia business trip to Los Angeles.
International., 1925-12-20

The Junior boys copped the high
school championship by emerging
victorious over the fighting Senior
boys by a score of IL to 7.