davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1926-02-06
TWO KlDNAPPER
SUSPECTS Held
Denver Police See Plot
to Steal Girl Given to
Mother by Court
(By The Associated Press }

DENVER, Colo, Feb. 6.-Two men
are under arrest here today. suspect
cd by police to have planned the kid
naping of four-year-old Carmen Phyl-
lis Minchew, daughter of Augustus p,
Minchew, wealthy Texas oil operator
from her mothers home in Denver.
The child was the object or court ac-
tion between Minchew and his divorced
wife, Mrs. Carmen Minchew Smith, for
nearly two years before Mrs. Smith
finally was granted custody Of the child
in Texas courts in November, 1925.
Police say they found a quart of acid
in the mems room and express the be-
lief that they planned to disfigure the
child in case their kidnapping plan was
frustrated
Mr.. Minchew attempted forcibly to
recover the child here in December,
1924, when it was under the jurisdic-
tion Of the Denver Juvenile court, pend
ing the outcome of legal action for its
disposal. Minchew at that time took
the child from the home of its grand
parents and fled. but was apprehended
and returned to Denver. He was charg-
ed with contempt of court but later
cleared of that charge.
Mrs. Smith appealed to the Denver
juvenile court last Monday to guard
the child against any attempt on Min
chew's part to get the child from her.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1926-02-06
DEFENSE SEES
POLITICIANSIN
HOFFMAN SUIT.
American Co. Settlement
by Moody Attacked in
Summing Up; State Re-
plies in Argument
(By The Associated Press }

AUSTIN, Texas. Feb. 6.-Turbulent
arguments in the Hoffman Construction
company trial today revolved about the
I. G. Hoffman indictment and charge
Of defense counsel that their clients
are victims of political prejudice in
jected by the prosecution.
Defense lawyers also charged that
Attorney General Dan Moody in accept
ing a 100000 judgment from the Am
erican Road company had allowed that
company to get out of the state with
16 2-3 cents a square yard for a single
asphaltic treatment, and was now at
tacking the Hoffman company for re-
ceiving 80 cents a square yard on a
two-course contract.
Hoffman, vice-president and general
manager Of defendant company, was in
dicted last week by the Travis county
grand jury on charge of swindling and
false swearing growing out of his COM
pany's highway contract.
1T is an outrageous shame that this
man Hoffman was indicted,r Earl Con-
ner, first to argue for the defense said
Hoffman testified in this trial Did
you ever see a more honest face?
never did.
Travis county grand juries had
been deliberating three months and yet
it returned this indictment against
Hoffman in the middle Of this trial. It's
stain on the fair name of this state
that this man who left his wife and
three small children to fight our bat
ties in the world war should be so in
dicted."
R. L. Bats also spoke for the de-
fense, while George Christian, assist
ant attorney general argued for the
plaintiff. AT o'clock John Hornsby
Travis county attorney, will take the
floor for the state; John D. McRae will
follow for the defense, and Moody will
close for the state. with the case going
to the jury about 4:3O o'clock.
Counsel for defense has dragged in
the Hoffman indictment for the sole
purpose of discrediting the plaintiff, -
Christian said. "The state made every
effort to exclude mention of the Grim
inal indictment in this civil case; but
now that it has been dragged into the
argument by the defense, we have the
right to defend the II good and honest
men of Travis county, who were sworn
to do their duty and returned this in
dictment.
"They say this Indictment has
brought shame on the fair name Of Tex
as. I say the shame has been in this
road company's taking the honest money
of the taxpayers and giving no adequate
returns. If this jury allows these de-
-
cable stain will mar the history Of the
state.
"They cry politicsl Why such a cry ?
Because a state officer, sworn to do
his duty, discovered the treasury was
being looted and took steps to protect
the treasury"
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1926-02-06
MRS.PREVOSTIS IS
KILLED I'M CRASH
Vera Stedman, AL Chris
tie, Film Stars, Hurt as
Auto is Wrecked
(By The Associated Press. }

Los ANGELES, Calf, reo. o.-Mrs
II. Provost, mother Of Marie Provost
film star. was killed and All Christie
screen comedy producer, and Vera Sted-
man, motion picture actress, were in
jured in an automobile accident last
right % miles east Of Lordsburg, N.
d.. according to word received here to-
day.
The accident occurred when the car
heavy machine owned by Miss Sted-
man, overturned while travelling about
80 miles an hour, the message said.
Mrs. Provost was crushed by the rear
end Of the motor car, suffering a brok-
en- spine and fractured skull. She died
before medical aid could be summoned
Christie and the actress narrowly es.
capped death, being pinned uncer the
rlachine. Both were rescued few mo
ments after the accident by occupants
Of a passing car.
Miss Stednan sustained bruises and
lacerations about the face and lower
limbs while Christie escaped with a
lacerated arm and head
The party left Hollywood Wednesday
for Palm Beach, Fla. Mrs. Provost was
to have been joined in the Southern
city by her daughter.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1926-02-06
VOLSTEAD ACT
CHANGES URGED
BY DRY Chief
Alterations to Aid En-
forcement Drafted by
Andrews Given Appro-
val by Mellon
(By The Associated Press.)

WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb. 6.-The
treasury has drafted recommendation
for a series of changes in the Volstead
act and other statutes having to do
with enforcement Of prohibition, in or
der to meet new conditions.
The proposed changes were drafted
by Assistant Secretary Andrews and i'm
the light Of his experience as chief en-
forcement officer and have been ap-
proved by Secretary Mellon. They will
be submitted to congress Immediately.
The character Of the changes desired
was not disclosed at the treasury today
but there were indications that the
program included application Of . grad
uated scale Of penalties to differentiate
between wholesale violations and hip
pocket offenses.
The treasury's decision to seek
amendment of the dry law comedies
with renewed drive in and out of con-
gress for legalization Of light wine and
beer, but there was no indication that
any step in the direction Of such legis-
Iation was contemplated in the treas
ury program.
Many Bills Offered
Many bills for changes in the Vol
stead act are pending in congress, but
the committees having jurisdiction have
shown no inclination to consider them.
Bills to authorize the making Of beer
and wine predominate among these
measures.
Some time ago District Attorney
Buckner at New York announced a pol
icy Of concentrating on bootleggers and
rum runners, in preference to lesser
offenders, and afterwards, it was dis
closed at the White House that while
President Coolidge stood for full en-
forcement of the law, he recognized
that present enforcement machinery
would not permit prohibition agents to
give hip-pocket violators the same at
.ention as bootleggers.
It is assumed that the new legisla-
tion drafted at the treasury will have
the full backing of the administration
when it is submitted to congress, but
the White House declined today tc
make any comment.
Modification Demanded
Renewing his demand for considera-
tion of his bill to modify the volstead
act. Representative Boylan, democrat.
New Cork, wrote the house judiciary
committee today that in his opinion
congress was binding its eyes to the
prohibition situation and would rather
listen to fairy tales by the anti-saloon
league than face distasteful realities.
"Clear-sighted and honest men, in
Guiding the chief Of the prohibition un-
it, Assistant Secretary Andrews Of the
treasury, admit prohibition has not
been enforced" he said.
with the government spending zlil-
lions to enforce one foolish law, il ii
little wonder that congress cannot af-
ford sufficient sums to keep our army
and navy and air service on a par with
those of foreign countries?"
livery test of strength in congress
and recent years has resulted in over
victory for the drys. and al
though many attempts at modification
have been made not single syllable
Of the volstead act has been changed
since it first was written on the statute
books"
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1926-02-06
ALCOHOL Theft
ARRESTS near
Illinois Officials Be-
lieve Local Men Were
In Train Robbery
(Bv The Associated Press. }

PEORIA, ILL.,, Feb. 6.-Convincej
that local hi-jackers were the princi-
pals in the $4,000 theft Of alcohol in
the holdup of a Rock Island railroad
merchandise train yesterday near Put
nam, federal agents from Chicago start
ed an investigation today here and in
Pekin. They expected arrests would
follow soon.
One clue on which they worked was
the story that a man giving his name
as Albert Hanson Of Pekin. was ordered
off the train yesterday by a special
agent riding it. near Chillicothe. He
said he was cumming" his way to Sill
Wis, but agents believe he was the "tip
off man for the robbers
Tools used in breaking open the cars
containing the alcohol were believed to
have been taken in a robbery of the
Minneapolis and st. Louis railroad Of
flce at Bartlett station Thursday night.
Thieves broke into the building and
took several rifles, heavy wrecking
bar and number of acetylene torches.
cutters and hose.
Similar tools. in the hands Of the
score or more robbers, broke open three
cars from which the alcohol, 160 cases
in ten crates and 80 cases in five crates,
was unloaded ard stacked in motor
trucks in the roadway nearby.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1926-02-06
BANKER, Wife
ARE REUNITED
ON HONEYMOON
Pair Sail for Europe on
Trial Reconciliation,
New York Paper Says
In Copyrighted Story

NEW YORK, N. Y, Feb. 6.-The New
York American in a copyrighted story
today says that Mr.. and Mrs. James A
Stillman sailed for Europe aboard the
Olympic at midnight, happy in a trial
reconciliation after sensational five year
divorce litigations.
The banker and his wife, it is stated
are planning new start in life OF q
trial honeymoon after cleaning the
slate Of their marital difficulties.
Mr.. Stillman recognizes baby Guy
Stillman, now seven years old, as his
son and withdraws his allegations in his
unsuccessful diforce suit that the boy
is the son Of Fred Beauyais, Indian
guide. A divorce suit recently started
by Mrs. StilIman is to BE dropped and
LAWYERS Of both sides have been mott.
fled that their services are no longer
required.
The couple held a quiet farewell din.
ner at Mr.. Stillman's home in West
Fifty Second street last night with their
II year old son Alexander.
Through With Lawyers
From now on we march forward to-
ESIhcis He HOpes Ine american quotes
them as saying.
"We don't know what fate holds for
US in the future. Tonight we leave foI
a new honeymoon, a sort of trial honey.
moon.
We are through with lawyers
through with outside advisers. We are
going straight with each other and
with ourselves, whether this reconcilia-
tion will be permanent only time can
tell We hope 50"
The American prints in facsimile a
note written by Mrs. Stillman on her
departure. 1t reads:
Life and love are not fairy tales
They are as bitter as death some
times-and as splendid as God, if there
is one.
"For me this is hard-somewhat big
ger than myself-so | am uncomfort-
able So that | will have to grow some
what more to fit. And so, as Briggs
would say, far into the night"
Mr.. and Mrs. Stillman were booked
on the Olympic, the American says, as
"Mr. Smith" and Miss Fuller" with
separate state rooms.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1926-02-06
TRUCK MARKETS
By Naval Radio to The Herald from
U. s. and Texas Agriculture Depart
ments.

Primary destination, Texas vegeta.
bles-Cabbage: Houston Is. Tulsa, Ok.
i; Brooklyn l, Boston 1, New York 1
Memphis I, St. Louis 4. Chicago 8, Pitts.
burgh l, Birmingham l, Carbondale
Sanford, N. c., /. Total 81 Mixed vege-
tables: Houston 5, New York 4, Chi.
cago 2. Hitchcock 1. Philadelphia /, Wa
terloo l, East St. Louis l, Greensboro
1, Kansas City 1, Little Rock I, st. Lou
is 4. Total o. Carrots: Jersey Cit,
l, ST. Louis l. Total 2. Mixed beets and
carrots New York 2, St. Louis 1. To
tai 8. Spinach: St. Louis 3, Houston
Total a. Potatoes: Pittsburgh 1. Total
Carlot shipments for U. S. Friday
Cabbage: Alabama 1, California 1, Flor
ida s, Idaho !, Michigan 1. New York
So, Oregon 8, Pennsylvania z, Texas 49,
South Carolina 8, Virginia 1, Washing.
ton 1, Wisconsin 23 Total 1873. Mixed
vegetables: California 8, Colorado l.
Florida 5, Louisiana z, New Mexico 1
South Carolina A. Texas 81, Virginis
Z, Wisconsin 2. Total 81. Lettuce: Ari-
zona 5, California 1873, Florida 2. Total
1870.
OhAPPihR pOlHJ IHIOrmaLlOn-OaD-
bage: Lower Valley, demand slow
market dull, usual terms, Danish type
$50 to $55, mostly around SIS; wagon
loads cash to growers, $45 Rochester
n. Y. and nearby points, demand mod
crate, market steady, Danish type, $45
to $50. Kenosha- Racine district-De-
mand and trading limited, market stea-
dy, per ton, Danish, $50.
Carrots: Lower Valley, demand and
trading slow, market dull, weak, straight
cars no sales reported; mixed cars as
high as IS cents a bushel; growers in
field receiving Is cents. Rochester, N.
Y. and nearby points, demand slow,
market dull, few sales at S1.6O.
Beets: Lower Valley, demand and
trading good, market firm, usual terms,
bushel baskets punched, mixed cars,
as high as $1.75 bushel,
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1926-02-06
OFFICERS SEEK
BOOTLECCERSN
DOUBLESLAYINC
Constable and Deputy,
Whose Bodies Were In
Grave, Tortured Six
Days, Clues Indicate
nv The Associated Press.D


EDWARDSVILLE, H., Feb. 6.-Three
men who several months ago rented a
200 acre tract near Horseshoe lake are
sought by Madison county authorities
investigating the Staying Of Constable
DINER Hockett, 3S. and his 1ssistan-,
JOHN Bake, "a, whose bodies were
found yesterday in shallow grave en-
the land.
A CHASTITY scene of brutal murder of
the two officers by moonshirers who
thwarted raid is pictured by officials
in charge of the investigation.
The officers, who disappeared Janu-
ary 20 when they started out from Ed
wardsville on a liquor raid, are heliev-
ed by authorities to have been captured
by moonshiners and tortured for six
days with their hands tied behind them
with bailing wire before they were mur-
dered as their captors abandoned their
rendezvous.
This theory is substantiated by the
finding Of fresh blood on the bodies.
Coroner Baer said the blood and con-
dition of the bodies indicates the men
were slain Tuesday afternoon or night.
In an abandoned farm house near the
grave a squad of federal prohibition
agents who discovered the bodies found
vats containing nearly 100000 gallons
Of whiskey mash. They also found parts
of two stills.
The house, it's windows shattered by
bullets, gave evidence of a battle be-
tween the moonshiners and the Off
GERS preceding the capture.
1t is thought the officers raided the
place in the absence of the moonshin-
ers and were captured after a fight
WHEN the moonshiners returned
That both officers were shot while
they were helplessly bound is indicat-
ed, authorities say, by the fact that
each was shot under the left eye. the
bullet penetrating the brain. Faces Of
the victims were powder burned.
Hockett's skull was crushed and it
was evident he had been beaten over
the head. There were no marks OF vio-
lence on Balke's body.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1926-02-06
Had Stormy Times

Anne Urquhart Potter, brilliant So
cietv girl and James A. Stillman, young
banker, were married in 1901 and had
four children, when in 1921 their ro-
nance crumbled in the divorce court.
Mr.. Stillman, then president Of the
National City Bank and a power in the
financial world, charged his wife with
infidelity and denied the paternity of
her youngest child, Guy, then an in
fant. Fred Beauvais, Canadian Indian
guide, who had taught woodcraft to the
older Stillman children, was named
correspondent.
Mrs. Stillman in turn charged her
husband with improper relations with
Florence Leeds, a chorus girl, and as
serted that he was the father of a son
born to the latter.
The hearings opened in April 1922.
Five months later a referee found that
Guy was the legitimate son of the bank
er, and that no allegations of infidelity
had been proved against Mrs. Stillman.
Mr.. Stillman, the referee found, had
been guilty, as his wife charged. Still
man lost an appeal.
A confession letter. figured in Still
mans evidence U
Early this winter it developed that
Mrs. Stillman had started divorce suit.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1926-02-06
LARGE AUTOMOBILE
DESTROYED BY FIRE

large sedan automobile was almost
completely DESTROYED by fire when it
became ignited after running into the
ditch beside the road from Levee street
to the international bridge.
The car was owned by j. F. Magner
of San Antonio, and was protected by
fire insurance.
Mr.. Magner said that he left the car
after it ran into the ditch, and came
to the city to secure aid in getting it
back on the road. He noticed that it
was in flames when he looked back to
see the car, and the fire department was
notified.
A city fire truck made the run to the
car but it was practically destroyed
when the firemen reached the spot, and
extinguished the blaze
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1926-02-06
NEGROES Held
FOR SHOOTING
Slayers of Dallas Of
ficer May Be Yeggs;
Find Car in River
(By The Associated Press.)

DALLAS, Texas, Feb. 6.-Three ne
groes, who police believe were implicat-
ed in the fatal shooting Of Motorcycle
Policeman G. NJ. Isbell here Thursday
night were in Jail today A fourth ar
rest is expected. A bullet-pierced au-
tomobile supposed to have been used by
the men who killed Isbell and emptied
their pistols at his partner, R. D. Wof-
fard, as they fled, was found in the
Trinity river bottoms late yesterday.
Police suspect one of the negroes in
custody was the driver of the car and
said they have information which will
clear up the identity of the slayer.
The automobile contained two acety-
lene tanks, which led officers to believe
that the occupants may be bandits who
robbed two banks at Venus Wednesday.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1926-02-06
MAN ARRESTED ON
DEAN Law CHARGE

HARLINGEN, Texas, Feb. 6.-Lefiro
Benavides was arrested here early this
morning by Deputy Sheriff Dave Fer
guson. and taken to Brownsville to be
held in the county jail on charges Of
violation of the Dean liquor Law.
Ferguson made the arrest after
search of the mans place, and the
seizure Of three and one-half gallons
of mescal. Benavides was taken to
San Benito and held in the city jail
there until late this morning, when hs
was taken by Ferguson to Brownsville.
Dave Ferguson has a record here on
an arrest for liquor law violation at
least once week since he was changed
from traffic officer TO deputy sheriff.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1926-02-06
LENCLEN WINS nice
SINGLES SANS LOSS
(By The Associated Press.l

Wy TITO IhoSVOI"ECu ICoo'J
NICE, France, Feb. 6.-Suzanne Leng-
len won the final singles match in the
Nice tournament in impressive style
from Miss Emily Wright of England
today, go, so.
The French champion thus came
through the entire tournament without
the loss of single game.
Miss Helen Wills, the American
champion, is appearing with her part
ner. c. F. Aeschlimann, in the semi
finals of the mixed doubles today. The
finals in both these and the women's
doubles will be played tomorrow.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1926-02-06
STILLMANS ADJUST MARITAL TANGLE
'GALLUSES IN FAVOR OF
CO-EDS TO HOLD SKIRTS;
y \ -
SAFETY PIN CONNECTOR
(By The Associated Press.)

SPARTANBURG, S. c.. Feb. g.
Suspenders, or "galluses to hold up
the skirts is the latest thing in wom-
ems fashions, say girls OF Converse
college here, who are today idling
over the campus thusly attired.
The suspenders have succeeded the
belt and are very conspicuous as no
drab-colored cross pieces are used,
all colors of the rainbow being blend
ed. White skirt waits are worn with
the skirts.
The girls do not trust the nail often
used in lieu of the missing button
and connect the 'galluses" and skirt
with safety pins.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1926-02-06
CO-EDs STUDY MITsTACHE

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.-Co-eds with
magnifying glasses are busy inspecting
the upper lips of 81 male students of
the University of Arkansas who are en-
tering 80 day "moustache raising con-
test" "A smooth shaven upper lip is
the only entrance qualification. .
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1926-02-06
SMUCCLED LIQUOR
SEIZED; IA MEN HELD

SAN ANTONIO, Texas, Feb. 6.-Four-
teen men we're arrested and nearly 1000
bottles of smuggled liquor were seized
Friday near Bracketville, Kinney coun-
ty, as a result of activities of officers
along the border
Two of the alleged smugglers and a
load of contraband liquor were taken by
Sheriff Salmon of Kinney county while
others and another load of liquor were
captured by immigration men working
in conjunction with border rangers.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1926-02-06
CAR HITS FENCE

A fence at the corner Of Ninth and
Adams streets was almost demolished
this morning when light truck driven
by Joe Longoria crashed into it. The
accident was caused when the steering
gear Of the truck failed to function
properly. No one was injured.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1926-02-06
CALDwELL-GARC1A WEDDING

Horace Caldwell Of Tampico, Mexico,
and Miss Ada Garcia were married last
night by Rev. E. P. Day at the local
Presbyterian parsonage. The young
couple will leave today for Tampico
where the groom is employed.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1926-02-06
RANCHER WANTS FLIER
TO TAKE PLANE OFF OF
4 y y
HOUSE; ROOF is LEAKING
(By The Associated Press.)

OAKLAND, Calf, Feb. 6.-When
an aviator crashes through the roof
Of a residence he should take his
damaged plane off the building with
in a reasonable length of time, JOS
eph Couture, a rancher of Alameda
county, contended yesterday in
suit for $3.50 filed against w. p.
Geary, aviator
Couture alleged a plane piloted by
Geary crashed into the roof of his
house on January "a and that the ma
chine is still there, causing the roof
to leak badly.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1926-02-06
THE WEATHER

For Brownsville and the Lower Rio
Crande Valley: Partly cloudy tonight
and Sunday not much change in teml
perature.
For East Texas: Partly cloudy to-
night and Sunday; unsettled on extrem@
west coast; little change in temperaturel
Light variable winds on the coast.
Weather Conditions.
Except for rain on the Pacific COAST
and In Nevada, the weather continueE
generally fair to partly cloudy over tRe
western half, and mostly cloudy to 4n.
settled over the eastern half of the
country since last report. 1t was waHm-
err this morning from the west alnc
middle Gulf states northward to Ehe
Great Lakes region, and colder in the
northwestern states. Temperatures
were, however, generally above the lea.
sonal average practically throuhoutI the
country.
The lowest temperature last might
at Texas stations ranged from 3& al
Amarillo to 80 at Brownsville.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1926-02-06
Civil Servcie For Dry
Officers, Bill Proposal

WASHINGTON, d. c.. Feb. s.-The
house civil service committee today re-
ported bill to place all employees OF
the prohibition unit under civil service
regulations,
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1926-02-06
Democratic Leaders
Discuss Coal Strike
(By The Associated Press.l

WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb. 6.-The
coal situation was discussed today at a
conference of democratic leaders with a
view to some congressional action after
the tax bill has been passed.