davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-05-17
much the same as they were millions

much the same as they were millions
of years ago.
During the Mesozoic period mon
sters of fearful aspect and gigantic
size, seen neither before nor since,
swarmed upon earth. The sea, how
ever. abounded with still more amaZ-
ing colossi, and within its depths We're
horrors beside which the most hideous
Of Nightmares pales into insignificance,
and in the fact that today, teeming in
tropical waters, are mammoth rays
for sea-bats) brobdingnagian sharks
and SaWfiSh, we have living evidence
that the fish life of the Mesozoic pc
riod still exists in the ocean.
ENABLED to undertake an ambi-
tious program of two years deep
sea exploration work, 7 left Avon
mouth, England. early in the month
of September. 1921, and proceeded di-
rect TO Jamaica.
Though the fishing there was slow
until after Christmas. I finished up
the year in splendid stvle. About
: miles down the coast from Black
River / struck a leopa rd-ray. 1t
is really most extraordinary the
fight this fish can give. and it is
necessary to exercise the greatest
Ike tail in the male being fitted with
2 spear, situated about a foot from
the body.
This is their weapon Of defense, and
f ny one unfortunate enough to have
his dagger-like weapon pierce his
flesh is almost certain to suffer. The
wound becomes infiamed, causing
great pain, and in many cases 7 be
lieve the poison produces a species of
paralysis.
Within an hour Of, catching the first
fish 1 struck another, which | was
also successful in landing. And SO,
on the first day of the new year. ] re-
turned to the spot where I had previ.
ously caught these two whip-rays.
In a short time l landed still another
Whip-ray of 20 pounds.
A quiet period followed, when there
came a slow, strong pull. / had en-
tirely discarded my light rods and
tackle and now used only heavy gear.
Steadily the line commenced to run
through the rod rings. I struck hard
and was surprised TO find there was
no rush, the fish still proceeding in
the same steady, resolute manner.
Gradually l applied the brake until
the strain must have registered 50
pounds, with no appreciable result.
for this extraordinary moving sub
Stance SllIl COIllllueu It's curious llIo-
ton along the bottom of the sea.
TITS another ray"' I exclaimed.
But a different species"
1 vas not far off shore, and by ap.
plying great pressure on the line
stepped the fish from heading farther
out to sea. Griffiths, my native fisher
guide. gradually Unanswered the dug
cut to the beach, where ] got out and
eiayed the fish from the shore, and
sitter about an hour beaohed one of
The ugiiest brutes / have ever seen
With it's dirty brown back. dilating
nostrifs. raised repulsive eyes and a
long whip tail, this fish was indeed a
hideous object. Its appearance die
not belle 1t. for here indeed was one
Of the most terrible forms of death
lurking in the ocean.
It is armed like its prototype. tho
leopard or whip ray, with dagger
in the tail, but this is "A much more
formidable weapon. fashioned of ivory
about 3 to u inches long, and scr
rated down the edge like tishhooh
baxbss On coming into contact with
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-05-17

In a life devoted TO exploration
and deep sea research, Frederick
Albert Mitchell Hedges has gained
numerous worlds records for the
capture Of giant fish and has added
largely to the knowledge of ichthy-
illogical science. Educated at Birk-
hamstead University College. Lon
don. Mr.. Hedges deep-sea research
work has been carried on chiefly in
Central America, the Caribbean
Sea and the Pacific Ocean.
With Lady Richmond. Brown,
who also takes heroic part in the
encounters with sea monsters dc
scribed in the present series of
three articles. he penetrated an
unknown portion of the hinterland
Of Panama in 1922 and 1928, where
they discovered a new race of peo-
pie.
Mr.. Hedges fishing expeditions
have enabled him to present large
collections of heretofore unrecord.
ed specimens to the British Mu-
seum and museums of the UniVer-
stiles of oxford and Cambridge.
He is a fellow of the Linnean So
ciety. the Geological Society. the
Royal Geocra phic Society and the
Royal Anthropological Institute.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-05-17
Continued from First PageD

Surratt tavern at Surrattsville be-
cause of the condition of his leg.
Booths pistols These are not iden-
tilted, but it Is believed that of the
four on hand Booth and Herold car
ried at least two. One of the pistols
can he identified as Payne's, because
the rod beneath the barrel, used to
ram balls into the chamber. was
broken when Payne struck Frederick
Seward over the head. fracturing his
skull. The pistols are about 1871
inches long and are inclosed in black
leather scabbards.
Booths compass. This is contained
in a smooth red leather box about 21s
inches square, the top of which is Sc
cured by a metal catch. The compass
is round and incased in brass. At the
top. of course, is the customary glass.
On the face of the compass is an eagle
with outstretched wings. The needle
is slender and of sensitive blue steel.
1t is balanced on a pivot from below.
The inside of the box is lined with
red plush, on which are seven tell
tale drops of tallow candle. These
signs mutely relate the story of how
Booth and Herold obscured the can
die under the desperados black SLOUGH
hat, got the direction and crossed the
Potomac at dead of night in a small
boat. The compass Is alleged to have
been found hidden in Booths hat, but
the hat has disappeared, II it was ever
found. Other authorities say Booth
was wearing a cap when he was killed.
The cap is likewise gone.
Boston Corbetts carbine. This is
the same as the Booth carbine ex-
cept that" II has no shoulder strap,
bears. different. number of the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-05-17
Battles With Monsters of the Deep Furnish Perou
S Some of His Most Impressive Experiences.

| was in the meantime pulling the
other big line in as hard as l could.
Its one of them I cried. "One of
the giants I've always dreamt I'd land.
Whether We'll succeed with this one
don't know, but If we do. mark my
words, it'll be the greatest fish I've
ever captured?'
WE now all four seized the rope and
w hauled on the moving bulk be-
meath the surface. We were COM
pletely helpless so far as endeavorins
to check it's progress was concerned,
so there was nothing to be done until
it had become exhausted.
Slowly it circled, the yacht follow:
ing, we hauling on the rope the whole
time. At last we were glad to find
that with our joint strength we were
able to commence to work the fish
nearer the yacht. BY strenuous eff
forts yard after yard Of the line was
regained.
We now gave the rope a turn around
the capstan, while Robbie fetched the
rife, SO that all might be in readiness
to give the coup de grace when-as
we hoped-it was finally brought
alongside the yacht. Persistently we
worked it closer and closer, until at
last slowly to the surface the great
brute came alongside.
The steel hook had been driven COM
pletely through. behind the lower jaw,
| with no danger of ever coming out
| until cut. What a mouth.
Rapidly ] fired two bullets through
the base of the head. But it had
quite the opposite effect to what had
hoped. Instead of killing the fish, ii
seemed to lash it into a fury.
The three others had let go the line
simultaneously with my firing, and
| with immense speed off again il
| rushed.
| The vitality of this fish was simply
astounding. It took US fairly half ar
hour before it was again. worked ur
| to the yacht. / could see it was al
most dead. but to make certain
| smashed another expanding bullet
| through it. Then there 1t lay, -f1eebly
| Tapping it's tail. Fastening the line
tight, we left it, and all rested for
| quarter of an hour.
! Now came the question of what or
earth we were going to do with it.
was determined to perform an autopsy
as l was most anxious to obtain al
| the knowledge and data / could o.
| these greater inhab itants of the sea.
Fifty yards off the beach we dropped
the yachts anchor. and, christening
the rope from the captain, allowed the
fish TO sink to the bottom, and, taking
| the reverse end of the line to tina
hitched around the tail, rowed ashore
in the dinghy with il. Then all to
gether we pulled the fish in until !
| reached shallow water. II was virtu
ally high tide, and in this part of tn
| world the Pacific Ocean has o rise ant
fall of a mean average of Is feet ever,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-05-17

the blaze of the sun and heat was al
most past human endurance. Moth
ing but the continued excitement
could have kept me going.
+
THE breeze was now blowing strongly
= from the sea but fortunately in
side the coral barrier we were not af-
fected by the troubled waters without,
but I knew by the wind it was past
midday and that we must have been
fighting the creature for over four
hours.
The fish resumed it's sulking, hug
ging the bottom after every run of
80 to 40 yards. Persistently we manip-
ulated this strange adversary nearer
the shore, where the depth of water
beneath us was not more than five
feet. sixty yards away from the boat
there was suddenly tremendous
smashing and lashing. creating show
ers of spray and vertable whirlpool.
In the midst of the vortex we could
see thin black tail curling spasmod-
ically.
My ---, GriflithS. it's a giant.
How on earth we're going to land it
beats me-
I'VE land him. boss cried the
thoroughly excited Griffiths. We land
him if stay all night"
The fish submerged. but ever and
anon the black tail appeared above the
surface-snd slowly we were getting
closer to the shore.
Here. Just above the tide mark
where the sea grape and Cocoanut
trees grow almost TO the waters edge,
are about five or six matched native
huts-a little isolated colony of native
fishermen, eight or ten of whom had
for some time been watching the fight.
| have always found the men in this
part of the world splendid fellows and
| knew / could count on their assist
ance.
1t was well past , O'Clock before I
| finally worked the fish, an immense
ray, up on the sand close to the beach.
| The great bulk appeared almost life
less, being thoroughly played out, and,
| having landed from the boat, / was
| thankful myself to squat down and
rest. meanwhile keeping the line taut.
! If only there had been a big rise and
| fall of tide, as in the Pacific, it would
have been a simple matter to have left
| it until the ebb but here, varying only
a few inches. the sea remains at the
same level year in and year out.
dared not attempt myself-or let
others try-to drag the fish up on the
| beach. owing to the deadly, poisonous
| dagger in the tail.
! How l cursed the fact that ! had
! left my automatic behind, However,
! two or three of the natives volun-
| teered to go to Black River in their
| dugouts and fetch it. Hosting their
curious little sail. with the strong sea
| breeze behind them. they passed out
of the channel and rapidly scurried
across the rough surface to the vii
| lage But il was al entirely different
| story on the return. With the wind
| dead in their teeth, it entailed pad
ding back virtually the whole dis
! lance.
| ] sat on the beach. awaiting them.
| 1t was an hour and three-quarterS be
fore they finally arrived.
With the automatic fired six shots
through the brute's head, and then.
with an ever-wary eve on the tail, we
all Waded in. fastened rope through
| the nostrillike apertures, and with a
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-05-17
BYE. a. MITCHELL HEDGES.
Els. F.z.S.. F.RG.S f. A. I.


- fascinated by the subject of
- life in the remote past. thou
sands probably millions lions of
school days been given to con-
iuring up in my mind such visions as
that of battles royal between an enor
NOUS fiSh-lizard (the iChthyoSauruS)
and a gigantic, long necked prodigy
tthe pleSiosa uruS) with that monstroS-
ity the pterodactyD. a huge reptile
with wings shaped like a bat but
with a spread of 90 to 80 feet, flying
overhead. The struggle would prob
ably take place i'll IA swamp, amidst
trees of almost unthinkabe height
and beauty.
These terrible creatures have van
iShed with the successive changes on
The surface of the earth, but it has
for many years been in my mind that
in unknown tropical waters and in
the depths of the Seven Seas, where
more protection has been afforded,
there still exist monsters compa rably
as great as those living in the remote
hesozoic epoch.
It was over 20 years ago that
commenced my Investigations. Since
then l have fished many waters in
various parts of the world, though
chiefly in that part of the Pacific
coast from the Gulf of Lower Cali
fornia to the Colombian border and in
the Caribbean, around Jamaica, Co
iombia and Panama.
One frequently hears exaggerated
tales of great fish. A news report ap-
pears that Capt. Y of the S. S. Il.
observed a huge monster playing on
rhe top Of the water in (here follows
the latitude and longitude), and people
smile. From other quarters come
tales of the mythical seq serpent and
huge fish seen with tusks, and people
smile again.
When asked if I believe in the exist
ence of creatures almost past the i'm
agination in the depths of the ocean
my answer is an unqualified Yes"
My own experiences have only served
TO corroborate my views that there eX-
list in virtually unknown and known
waters forms of life which still remain
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-05-17


the King.
Declare war on the allied side in
half an hour or I will proclaim a rev
olution with my son as king, was her
memorable ultimatun.
THAT the King replied Queen
Marie did not tell me. But it is
history that within the half hour Ru-
mania had declared war on Germany
No wonder that Won Bulow himself
once declared:
SHE is so damned clever in diplo
macy that l am afraid she will upset
our plans Her good looks and her
brains viii do for us"
And Won Bulow is by no mean ms the
only diplomat who feared the Ru-
manian charmer. There are many
other members of foreign diplomatic
circles who feel distinctly nervous
when they see her lovely face. For
not a few of them have all too vivid
memories of wonderful moonlit nights
in the Carpathians and on the banks
of the silvery Danube, of fountains
splashing softly, of the songs of night
ingales. of the clash of weird Tziganc
music, and a soft voice coaxing from
them secrets they would wish had
been left untold.
But in her own Ruman MIA they love
and trust her. In their history she
will live as the Teacher Queen-the
teacher who practiced what she
preached.
They love her. too. because she
shares their love of gambling. Often
she has told me that of all the eX-
elements of her life the greatest thrill
is the one that comes when she
takes a futter with a horse. She
herself is splendid horsewoman. She
drives a horse as we'll as she does a
car, and rides like a Diana. And al
the same time her omelet would not
disgrace the chef al the Ritz. l know.
because I've eaten them.
For royal parsonage she IS very
close TO her subjects. It is not diff
cult to obtain an audience with her.
Indeed. a large portion of her time.
as we'll as King Ferdinands. is de
voted to receiving not only visitors
but any one else with proper Creden-
tials, for it is the custom of the kings
and queens of Rumania TO give their
subjects advice on all sorts of matters.
The queen told me how one old lady
from the country made the arduous
journey TO Bucharest to ask her what
she should feed her chickens. The
old lady explained simply that she
had heard that her majesty was good
at raising poultry and preparing them
for the table.
II the ghost of old Bismarck hap
pened to be lowering around the pal
ace that day his historic scowl must
have grown deeper and blacker.
For it was Bismarck who once said
That damned little golden-h haired
girl will cook our goose in the Bal
kans."
And Queen Marie did just that
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-05-17

IL hours, so-that all ! had to do va
possess my soul in patience until the
ebb. which would leave the monster
high and dry.
Slowly the tide receded, but If was
over two hours before we were able to
get a full view of our quarry. 1t
proved to be a shovel-nose shark, far
and away larger than any ] had YET
seen or expected to see. 1t measured
IA feet 8 inches in length, II feet
inches in girth, the circumference OF
the jaws being 5 feet inches. it
weighed $50 pounds.
Copyright. 1927
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-05-17

il, but / shouted to him to let it alone.
With a jerk and almost thud it
frightened on the ca pstan. One could
hear the halt-inch Manila rope creak
under the strain. Slowly the yacht
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-05-17

rode ahead. The anchor chain at the
bow frightened.
Haul up the anchor-quick," /
cried, and. up it. came. Freed from
this. the Yacht was now being lowed
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-05-17
Sounded That Way.

Smith Is wrapped up In his auto.
When did the, accideT> happen?
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-05-17

Queen Marie stepped out on the bal
cony and answered them:
You want war. So do 7. And we
will have warm half an hour,
promise YOU
Then like an avenging goddess she
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-05-17
BY A LADY OF THE RUMANIAN
COIRT

!: !; l.: &C.: e: :; !:
lay her long anticipated visit
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-05-17
Personality Helps Rumania's Queen
To "Sell'' Her Kingdoms Demands

swept straight into the presence Of
the King.
Declare war on the allied side in
half an hour or will proclaim a. rev
olution with my son as king" was her
memorable ultnatun.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-05-17

the blaze of the sun and heat, was al
most past human endurance. Moth
ing but the continued excitement
could have kept me going.
The Chilkoot post. [volume] (Chilkoot Barracks [i.e. Port Chilkoot (Haines)] Alaska) 1923-19??, 1925-10-30
NOTES FROM COMPANY "E".

Corporal hosher
Through last week
The returned Freswater
IenaAee Inlet
Famous
the Aess sergeant
Heavy Artillery
Pr1vatea
hear
Time had,
Ozaek in the
me company brought in big
WI fort
biggest one "hl CHI three brigg
several canped those lucky
enough 20 KILL
Ptarm1ga2 in
- ~0o0" w
Ihere were great geese on the flats
the Some of the
sely?). ~ "1 A0SS0As' winch everyone enjoyed 1rmen
Captain a11 camp about dark one evening
serious Injury. N' 00O1p00
Hesaw heard
O. bunkan
OO~' ~ Vic 0ooS oGaI1Ag
CconA
The Chilkoot post. [volume] (Chilkoot Barracks [i.e. Port Chilkoot (Haines)] Alaska) 1923-19??, 1925-10-30

n NO. WIN" ARs PXE AND MISS VISIT ISLAND
nancy Eav
from Eoehu 1s1and where they spent the
their foxr WILL
andcl
Ae 0Np"r1eAce smoothing A A010st
The Washington times., 1925-01-19
CHAMBER MUSIC GROUP
IN CONCERT WEDNESDAY

The Washington Chamber Music
Ensemble will give the first Of two
concerts Wednesday at $50 D. M,
in the Playhouse, giving on that oc-
casfon the Beethoven Quartet. No.
3, two violins, viola and cello: a
Theme and Variations. Opus 80. by
Mrs. Fl. III. A. Beach, for flute,
two Yiolins, viola and cello, and
the Dvorak 'Dumky" Trio. OPUS
80. for piano, violin and cello.
With the purpose of providing
the music-loVers of Washington
with programs of the best chamber
music, this ensemble was organized.
The following artists will take part
in this seasons concerts: The Ma.
tionaT String Quartet. composed of
Henri SokOiov. Max Pugatsky. Sam.
uel Feldman and Richard Lorle-
berg: Gretchen Hood, soprano J.
Arcaro, flute: l.. &. Newell, double
bass, and LaSalle Spier, pianist.
The second recital. on February
%. will have for program "A Borodin
Quartet. the "Forellen," Quintet
of Schubert, and cycle Of six
songs composed by LaSalle Spier
pianist of the ensemble. Subscrip
tons to these concerts are for
sale at the 7. Arthur Smith, Inc,
Concert Bureau, the number being
limited to $50.
The Washington times., 1925-01-19
CARL ENGEL TALKS TO
PEN WOMEN THIS EVE

On the occasion of it's January
meeting, which is to be held this
evening at o'clock, the music de-
partment of the District League of
American Pen Women is to have
the rare privilege of gathering at
that hour in the music division of
the Library of Congress, where
Carl Engel, chief Of that division,
will give an informal talk and ex-
hibit the wonderful treasures of
his department.
Mr.. Engel will show the group
some of the original music manu-
scripts which the department pos.
sesses. with the signatures Of IA
NOUS composers upon them.
Any members of the league who
are not members of the group but
who would be particularly inter
ested in attending this meeting, arc
invited to do so by the chairman,
Mrs. Miriam r. Hinton.
Mrs. Hilton also announces that
the February meeting If the group
will be on the third Sunday instead
of the third Monday, when the
group will be hostesses from to G
o'clock at the Sunday tea OF the
league. The subject Tor discussion
on that date will De American
Women Composers" and the
speaker of the afternoon will be-
Miss Helen Fetter. music editor
of the Sunday Star. The music
program will be given by the Mon
day Morning Musical Club.
The Washington times., 1925-01-19

the final work of an artist, with
the expert tuning that follows. :.
"Of course" our guide continued,
I'VE send out a piano tried and
tested, adjusted and entirely har-
monized, nodded finally into per-
feet musical instrument by the
skill of an artist, in this line of
work"
Romance Of a Grand Piano.
Wood-wire-workmanship there
is
A golden glow of unstained ma
hogany was the room that held
the finely wrought tops that en-
close this music box. They stood in
bewildering array. From the concert
grand to the baby grand. 1t is odd
that today only a room sized corner
Of the entire Knabe factory is given
over to upright pianos.
Everywhere there are grands.
And then there are grands built
for the Ampico which, without HUI
man guidance "reproduces'' the
greatest pianists play them.
The Ampico can also awaken the
soul OF this great Baltimore piano,
which is its tone.
It was in those golden days of
piano music when Chopin. Mendels-
sohn, Schumann and Schubert were
creating new treasures of harmony,
that the first Knabe was made.
Today, through the magic of the
Ampico in the Knabe, may be
heard what their genius gave the
world, to which is added the inter-
pretive genius of such artists of
fame as Rachmaninoff, Rosenthal,
Brailowsky, Levitzki, GodoWslsy,
Carreno, NUM- and Ornstein.
1t is romance in that most subtle
of Intangible things-Music 1t Ie-
gins with block of wood and
ends with inspiration. These are
all wrapped within the history as
we'll as the making of a Knabe
grand piano, whose home in Wash
ington is the Homer l.. Kit Com
pany--the Kitt-Knabe Store.