davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Winslow mail., 1925-06-02
Dagg Mercantile Co.
Lays Hardwood Floor

A new hardwood floor Of maple
was laid in the Dagg Mercantile
company store over the weekend.
The entire floor space of the retail
salesroom and the office was COW
cred. Dover & McKillip did the
work.
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-08-23
Woman Most Dangerous Weapon Is Being Taken Away From He

she Is seen as a drifting menace
to the reputation of anybody she
encountered, liar so ruthless that
she sacrificed her own mother to
her greed for sympathy.
am in a state Of great mental
confusion as to what ought TO be
done about criminals, and / am
quite ready TO absolve Helen Scran-
ton of blame since she is doubtless
the helpless victim of her own twist
ed wits. But if anybody is going
to be locked up, Helen Scranton
ought to have her circulation cen
sored.
1t is terrifying to imagine her
going on through life forging
cheques, slandering innocent people
and blackmailing people whose guilt
she shares and perhaps inyents or
at worst helps to procure.
envy her her inventive faculty
and her gift for making imaginary
stories plausible. II i had il /
might earn n good living as a master
of pure fiction, instead OF struggling
along as a poor servant of impurc
fact.
But doesn't il make your blood
run cold to realize that there are
thousands Of such people at large
on this planet-"going to and fro In
the earth, and walking up and down
in it,"-as Satan said he was doing,
in the Book Of job?
Is it too much to ask that people
who come to us with charges Of per-
secution should be compelled to bring
the most irrcfragable evidence be-
fore they are needed?
AS l said before, this newest OF
new things, the equality of women
may remove from the world one
ancient iniquity. In the good old
days woman cculd always blame
a man for her downfall. From
now on, she must accept at LEASE
half of the responsibility.
Woman has suffered for centu-
ries from legal and social inferiority,
but this very helplessness gave her
frightful weapons of blackmail and
perjury that she has not always
neglected to use.
Copyright. 1925. BY the Bell Syn. mel
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-08-23

been more stirred with sympathy
and indignation. r A
i was convinced that Helen
Scranton was a rowing and reckless
fictionist who had persuaded two
kind hearted ladies that she was a
martyr. Finally, more from curio.
sity than benevolence, at last ;
ventured to telephone the Judge.
He kindly spoke to me from the
bench:
Il have been expecting you to
look me up, for the woman said
that you would. But 1t would
have done no good, since the evil
dence against her is conclusive.
am sentencing her today to six
years in the pcnitentiary.
"The probation board has studied
her case and advised against proba-
ton. She did indeed overdrnw a
few dollars on one account she had,
but she also gave large cheques on
six banks where she never had an
account. She is proved guilty of
several forgeries. Also she has the
habit Of getting acquainted with
married men and then Matchmaking
them in large sums on the ground
that they were the fathers of chill.
dren of hers"
Later, I met the Judge at
reception and asked him the truth
about Helen's superfiendish mother.
He said;
"Helen's sister testified before
me that their mother was a good
mother to all the children, while
Helen was such a bad mother to
her own children that her sister
has had to take care Of them Cor
years"
And that is the cold truth about
Helen Scranton. 1t contrasts
strangely with the warm romance
she tells about herself. Instead of
being the unpitied victim Of medic
val cruelty from her infancy on,
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-08-23
F Famous Musician viii
Headline New
Program.

Harry NJ. snodgrass, who stepped
from the broadcasting room of Station
WOS at jefferson City, No., into
vaudeville fame as "The King of the
worries" is at the Majestic this week.
The King Of the worries" gained
his fame in the air as a pianist. His
playing won for him the title of most
popular broadcsster in the country in
contest that lasted more than q
year With him n J. NJ. witten, de-
clared tho prize winning announcer in
the same contest. Snodgrass, known
either through his radio concerts or
newspaper and magazine stories Is rs
sensational success on the stage as
he is in the air. He wins his plaudi:s
strictly on his ability to grind out
sweet melody from his piano. He plays
most Of the favoritcs that brought him
fame in the radio world and adds
some of the newest compositions
some of them his own.
There's an extra act this weck--an
added feature Of entertainment that
scores.
The extra act brings Winston Hoi-
land, a Texas boy into action. Hol-
land is making his vaudeville debut.
Hos whistler and goes through all
the popular numbers, whistling them
in manner that is entirely new TO
the vaudeville stage.
A gripping drama that deals with
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-08-23

to another she saw Mr.. Scranton
sitting in there with all those alien
lists. Helen at once called them all
into the court room and asked the
judge II her sanity was to be judged
through Mr.. Scranton. Again she
was proved 100 per cent sanc-eight
times this woman has been tried for
insanity and proven 100 per cent
sane
HER LIFE WRECKED.
-The case then came before the
public under the title Of How In
nocent People Are Railroaded to In
sane Asylums!'
"For weeks and weeks the head
lines in the newspapers, without
stating the amount, referred to that
$40 check as one involving thou
sands Of dollars. She was proven
sane but what was said in the press
is what lived with the people and
ruined her prestige. AS Helen her
self puts it: No matter what
may do, or where l may 90, there
will always be that question Of my
sanity
Shortly after her return to Gen.
terville she learned that Mr.. Scrsn-
ton had obtained a divorce on the
grounds Of intidelity mentioning
the butler, houscman and the chauf.
feur. with their pictures. and
Helen's picture, all headlincd in the
newspapers. Incidentally, one of
these men was a returned soldier
whom Helen had given employ
ment to.
"During her stay in Blankton,
Mr.. Scranton had had her head
lined in the newspapers as Bo-
hemian member of various vile re-
sorts. Helen visited each vile re-
sort mentioned, and proved herself
to be utterly unknown. The fol.
lowing day the newspapers repu-
dated their original story.
3 "The following three instances
will serve to illuminate Helen's
child-life conditions and her char
acter:
Helen was given 10 cents every
morning for her carfare to work.
This morning was payday so she
was given only a nickel. Through a
blizzard, with all the electric wires
down, Helen walked through twenty
miles OF snow and ice. That night
her frozen feet were thawed out in
ice water. This was Saturday;
Monday she was compelled to return
to work.
"During about her fifteenth year,
after two weeks of serious illness
while at work, Helen remained at
home for one day. Her mother
accused her of pretensc and forced
her to RETURN to work the following
day. At the mills her condition
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-08-23

social relations is the celluloid head.
liner at the Majestic this week. Frank
Woods -Chalk Marks is the cinema
feature. Marguerite Snow and June
Elvidge hold down the featured spots
in the cast. It's story as human as
life Itself. The action Is spontaneous
and frequent Chalk Marks is what
film men term a family picture-a
film that has home appeal Tor the
entire family.
Roy Rice and Mary Werner black,
face comedy favorites, are on the bill,
too. They're doing " On the Scaffold.r
It's ono of the few novelty comedy
acts in vaudeville. 1t kept the audi
encc Saturday in a good hunnor and
went oyer with bang. 81
The show starts with spectacular
revue. His Little Revue" featuring
0'Hara San is the initial turn on the
bill. 1t goes in for.song, dance, music
and artistic stage effects. The May
belle Sisters and George Browning fur
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-08-23

home, it was all over between him
and Helen.
Late one night during their mar
rage there came ring at the door,
Answering her husbands call for
her, Helen came down and was kid
napcd by four men to the Wendley
Insane Asylum (priynte). No trial.
no examination, just kidnapped. Alter
short time Mrs. Scranton escaped
and went voluntarily. directly to the
state insane asylum. Here she vol.
unfairly remained for six weeks for
observation. She was declared 100
per cent sane.
Returning to Mr.. Scranton's
home (her home), she was rear.
rested that very day to show cause
why she should not be interned.
That same evening she was taken to
the Blankton court before Judge
Smith. There four alienists in the
pay of Mr.. Scranton and two en-.
ployed by the state again declared
here 100 per cent sane, and added
that it was a case of incompatibility,
not insanity.
MRS. Scranton then went to the
Scranton country home and shortly
after left with her children for Cen
terville. Here she was visited by
the Juvenile Association in the per.
son of Mrs. Robinson, who said
that Mr.. Scranton had sent them
a letter that called for investi-
cation of the children's surround.
ings. Finally, finding everything al
ways all right, and disguised with
the stream of vile accusations and
insinuations that continued coming
from Mr.. Scranton, the Juvenile de.
partment made Mrs. Scranton aware
of the nature of these letters.
AGAIN DECLARED SANE.
AT the Escrow Real Estate Com
pany where Helen was employed as
head salcswoman, having charge of
the whole salesforce and the women
solicitors, letter was received from
Mr.. Scranton, warning them that
Mrs. Scranton was not a fit person
to be connected with their office
and would bear watching. Accused
her of living with her former chauf-
feur. This man had been discharged
by Helen from their Blankton home.
She later learned that he had been
nearly q year in Centerville but
when she later went to Blankton he
turned up there.
Learning that Mr.. Scranton was
bringing suit for divorce, Helen in
formed Mrs. Robinson that she was
going to Blankton to consult with
Mr.. Scranton.
During her stay in Blankton,
while concluding some business ar
rangemcnts her account was over
drawn $40.
"She was arrested. Her bail set
at $4,000. (Ths average bail on
such charge is S50O.) The Blank.
ton Gazette went her bail.
again she was obliged to APP
pear before the psychopathic board.
While passing from one court room
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-08-23

probation officer to supplement the
official ono, to look after her inter
csts as q sister or true friend.
II Relieve that her rich husband
lied about hcr--he is rcactionary
and she has Vision. / do not be-
lieve she will repeat her mistakc--I
never had but one girl l plead for
fail; and not a single boy or man.
Judge or Judge would tell
you that I co-operated with them
teen years. We han an Anti
Capital Punishment Society but It
was premature. The people, par
ticularly the women, are blood
thirsty and vengeful and haven't the
first idea Of sane and effective,
criminology,"
This first letter interested me
kcenly, but various things conspired
to postpone my taking any steps
until a letter came from another
woman describing the same Helen
Blake more fully.
II told me one of the most amaz.
ing stories of inhuman and UNI
motherly mcrcilcssness ! ever read.
Yet / read il all with n jaundiced
eye because OF one niue tn'ns; when
heicn blake toid the hrst iody that
l had VISITED hcr IN the county
jan ana oxen an interest IN -her
case, sne toia Whot was tiet'enns
out iaise'
1 had certainly never visited the
County Jail even us o spcedcr and
had most certainly never called ON
Helen Blake in prison or anywhere
else. had taken no interest in her
case, and had never even heard Of
her. Since she said that ] had called
on her when hadn't, how could l
believe the astounding things she
told Of her mother, whom l did not
know, and the incredible things she
told of a prominent mqn who l
happened to know.
Rut this ;s the letter dcceu,Iv die.
v,,,od,
49, -
am 'aAi's >He l,Oe,S o. send
sou pri't i'u"'' VI LUG me ol
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-08-23

nish the dancing-and what dancers
they arc! Elizabeth Williams is the
troupe's prima donna and does some
very good song numbers. -
Seymour and Howard are clever
folks who chatter and sing. Seymour
ID the comic and his pretty partner
lends helping hand as his foil, The
act is ono of those breezy, snappy sort
Of turns that so well down this way.
Thirty Pink Toes is a novelty
turn that closes the show. 1t goes
in for song, comedy, acrobatics and
what mt,
In addition to the featured photo.
play there are other screen features.
Yesterdays program had another
chapter Of -Play Ball. the McGraw
serial. comedy, news reel and the
fables.
The fellows in the hole have some
snappy numbers to hold the musical
end of the bill at the top speed set
by the acts.
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-08-23

was so obvious that the superiu-
tcndent summoned q physician, wao
pronounced the case advanced
diphtheria.'
"Helen was sent to the hospital
In an ambulance. After six weeks
there she was found to be so under
nourished from her homo life that
the hospital authorities sent her for
a six weeks rest in the st, Con-
valescent Home. On leaving this
last place she was at once sent by
her mother to work in a chocolate
factory. when she started in with
this company she was paid five
dollars per week. Within less than
seven weeks she was made floor
superintendent and paid eighteen
dollars per week. That was twen-
ty.five years ago: big wages then
for a fifteen year old untaught
girl.
After such a child life, and her
stormy married life. Helen now
faces this: Through the machina-
tons of that brutal drunken mother,
and that husband who had eight
times caused her to be eight times
tried for insanity, tho tenderest
spot Of all is now to be probed
--on Tuesday, Helen is to be
sentenced on an insufficient funds
check charge. She Is to appear in
court to show cause why her chill
dren should not be taken from her.
"But even though she should 90
to the penitentiary she has won.
Out of the slum and the slough of
humanity she has made of herself
a woman Of courage, refinement
and marked executive ability. She
can face herself as mother Of
whom her children may well DO
proud. As Helen herself puts it:
Nothing so big can ever happen
to me that cannot be bigger
Most sincerely yours
"P. s. This information was
given me BY Helen Scranton her
SELF
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-08-23
THE OTHER SIDE.

Surely the most jaded reader Of
sensational stories would admit
that Helen Scranton had been
abominally used by the world. Her
mother sounded a little overdrawn,
but then there are all sorts Of
mothers in the world, and the So.
ciety for the Prevention OF Cruelty
to Children had to be organized
and carried on at enormous ex.
pense TO save unfortunate children
from evil mothers.
II that first letter had not quoted
Helen Scranton as crediting me
with visiting her philanthropically
in the county Jail, / might have
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-08-23

-.
ul''y reisnea at nome mat nisn''
mere was 1000 otherwise none
j. AT about her twelfth year, dur
ing drunken carnival in her home.
Helen ordered the whole drunken
bunch out OF the house. For this
she was pealeh unherciiuiiy Dy her
~ Nafa"s me pioou-uWa's
o'oou anu oIuiSes IN ianiiy peat
s9, "nu pi1e.p IN 'no iione VI Nne
'Vou SHspnVrp
But the loss OF the $3.50 per
week was felt too keenly. After a
snort time she was taken out and
again placed in the mills.
HELEN FINALLY MARRIES.
After about a Year Of This life,
the drunkenness and the snuff ut
the mills, the brawling fights and
the beatings at home proved too
much, so Helen ran away with a
neighbor's family who were en- route
to Newton. There Helen worked
in a canncry for AZ Der week.
In all this life there was no
youthful diversion, no amusement,
no dancing, no shows, no picnics--
nothing just work and home.
after about month Helcn's
mother learned of her whereabouts
and wired the police, who sent Helen
home. After a cruel beating from
her mother, she was again returned
to the mills. Her wages were again
taken by her mother (the father
had died during her fourteenth year)
and the drunkenness and the fight
ing continued.
"Reateu until she Law e1boustad in
n eorncr for such offonsos a, in.
sisting ON calling +, doctor for
bobv an With noosIos !. ..0ir h.
came too much iii a, II moot;r,
your1 Harold Rrowro ,hor 10
Helen ran awav and ,bev wore mar
ried
"Thers fo,,owod Tto - hard
struggle but great happiness. Nov
ing around from mining town to
mining town they came at last to
Goldberg, where Helen adopted her
two Oldest children-Tom, then
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-08-23
WOMAN is KIDNAPPED.

"About two years later she met
and married Arthur Scranton, prom
inent business man of Blankton.
After his meeting with her family,
which from then on infested his
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-08-23

Up. s. This information was
given me BY Helen Scranton her
self
Seward daily gateway., 1925-06-05
ROWING SAILOR LANDS
 SNUG BERTH IN JAIL
 BY REFUSING TO TALK

LISBON, June 4-(4o)-Seven years without having uttered single word, despite possession of all his facul- ties. coupled with a determination to live in jail in preference to life of freedom, have made Ivan Gluch- osa known to everyone in Lisbon. He is a mystery to the police, who have on more than one occasion shown him the prison doors, and the people seemingly never tire of speculating why the voluntarily "si- lent prisoner" never says word.
 A policeman picked Ivan up one summer night in 1918, asleep on a park bench, and ran him in. Ques- toned, he refused to answer. Papers in his pockets gave his name, and his nationality, Rumanian, and the fact that he had belonged to the crew of a foreign steamer that had left port the day of his arrest. He got a few months as vagrant. In iail he behaved himself, but spoke never a word. His time up, the pris- on authorities sent Ivan to the Ru- manian Consul, but not a word would he say. The perplexed consul sent him back to prison, where he remain ed for three years quietly, peacefully and contentedly, but absolutely si ! lent.
 | Doctors have pronounced Ivan nor nal in every way, and established the fact that he enjoys listening to the singing of birds. He has been insulted and abused in his own Ian guage, and in most others, but he never showed he heard what was said. Traps have been set for him but all is of no avail Ivan has de | termined not to speak.
 At the end of three years the pris on authorities gave this silent man new outfit of clothes and pocket ful of money and set him free. Blu at the gate he shrank back and re fused to leave the sheltering walls.
 Four years have passed since then Today Ivan is assistant prison cook but he will accept no money for his work. Occasionally he goes out or business connected with the kitchen but from these excursions he return: with manifestations of joy. He love: his job, he loves his prison home and he finds joy in his self-impose( silence.
Seward daily gateway., 1925-06-05
Russian Sovite Mariners
 Live in Comfort and Ease

LIVERPOOL, June 4.-(P-The Soviet steamer Bordienny, which visited Liverpool recently, attracted much attention among British sailors not only because of it's social halls elaborately furnished for all members of the crews, but also because of the long rest periods provided for the men. On all Soviet Russian ships the seamen work four hours with eight hours off, while the stokers do four hour shifts with a 12 hour break between their turns of duty
 The Bordienny was visited by mem bers of the British Independent La Dor Party who were shown the so- cial halls, and the sailors and fire mems reception room, the latter of which has a Lenine corner where photographs of Lenine, Karl Marx, Rosa Luxemburg and other noted So- viet leaders are shown.
 It was explained to the British wis itors that Russian seamen are never without a job or a ship. If their vessels are tied up, or in dock for repairs, the pay goes on regularly until they go to sea again, whether in the same or another vessel One months leave, with full pay, is grant ed annually when the seamen either visit their homes or bring their fam lilies to the port of their arrival, the expense of travel being borne by the state.
 Most Soviet vessels carry an or phan boy, to whose upkeep all the crew contributed. This money accu mulates until the young man becomes of age, when it is for him to decide what trade or profession he will fol low Most of these boys come from the Ukraine. and do odd jobs about the ship,
Seward daily gateway., 1925-06-05
INDIANAPOLIS RACE
 MAY RESULT IN NEW
 AUTO SPEED RECORD

INDIANAPOLIS, June 4.-(P)- Speed demons from France and Italy will vie with Americas best in the thirteenth annual 500-mile automobile race at the Indianapolis Motor Speed way. The entry list shows five cars of foreign make which will be man. ned by European drivers.
 It will be the first time in several years that the race will assume the proportions of an international event. Last year there was only one foreign entry and that was driven by an American. Tn years past, Europeans thrilled the fans with their reckless ness and took home considerable chunks of the nearly s100,000 prize money.
 The race again will provide an op- portunity for number of automotive experiments. Practically every car entered is of the eight-cylinder type. Super chargers, introduced by Ger: man racers here several years ago and only in the experimental stage with Americans last season, will be used on many of the domestic speed sters. The super charger adds speed to car, especially in coming out of turns in the track.
 Experts believe the track record of 9S.24 miles an hour, established last year, will be shattered.
Seward daily gateway., 1925-06-05
No Polk Directory
 Alaska This Season

There will be no R. L. Polk & Co. Alaska directory published this year according to word received by The Gateway in the last mail. Owing to the slow growth in population in the Territory, it is believed a directory, such as was published by the com pany for 1923-24 of 66S pages is suf- ficient for a two--year period at least. The Alaska Yukon Gazetteer now in use, a product of the Polk company, has proven to be one of the Territo. rvs most valuable books on informa tion of this character.
Seward daily gateway., 1925-06-05

Hear Dr. Mcqueen at the Methodist church Sunday night.
Seward daily gateway., 1925-06-05

Sheaffer's Life Time Pens, at the the Alaska Shop. If
Seward daily gateway., 1925-06-05

When a Chicago policeman arrest ed her for intoxication, Miss Alma Connor bit his thumb nearly off.
Seward daily gateway., 1925-06-05
DANISH SHIPPING STRIKE OFF

COPENHAGEN, June 4-(P)-The threatened tieup in Danish shipping has been averted The shipowners, seamen and fremen have signed a two-year agreement providing for an increase in wages of five per cent.
Seward daily gateway., 1925-06-05
HoMING PIGEONS ARE AIDS

OAKLAND, Cal, June 4.-(P)-A 1. we'll known California corporation has installed pigeon lofts at Stockton, Santa Cruz, San Jose, Santa Rosa, Fresno and Marysville, and homing birds are to be used as message bearers Salesmen with headquarters in the cities named will carry pigeons and release them to send in orders.
Seward daily gateway., 1925-06-05

Michigan state senate passed a bill providing ten lashes a year for five years on all males convicted of mur- der or robbery while armed.
Seward daily gateway., 1925-06-05

Government estimates of original cost of liquor smuggled into the United States last year is $40,000,- 900, but its price to the ultimate consumer in this country was about ten times that sum. This was an increase of one-third over the previ- ous year.
Seward daily gateway., 1925-06-05

Mrs. Ella Payton, who was grant ed divorce in Chicago, charged among other things that her husband thought more of his radio set than he did of her.