davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1926-07-22

pervaded the court room Thursday
afternoon when Ferdinand Schlaps
testified to what happened May 2
when Tony and Ludmilla Geisler
met their death. He said that
morning he had been called by
Tony at $50 o'clock, and had gone
down to the barn and harnessed
his own team and that of Geisler,
and then was called to breakfast.
After the two went to the field,
Schlaps began to drag and Gels
Her to drill. At noon, having fin
ished dragging, he returned home
a few minutes before Tony and
put his team in the barn and fed
them. Geisler arrived soon after
ard put his W team in the barn,
according to testimony, and then
went to the house for dinner
without asking Schlaps to go with
him.
Schlaps said he eve went in
to eat unless asked by the Gels
lers. On this day, he believed that
Geisler was mad at him, but
didn't know any reason why. He
said after being at the house half
an hour, Geisler returned to the
barn and asked the boy why he
hadn't come in to dinner. Schlaps
said. "Because YOU didn't ask
me-" Then he said Geisler shook
him by the arm and told him to
leo in and eat quick.
Commits Murder
He testified that he had gone
to the house to get his dinner and
found the table cleared and Mrs.
Geisler washing dishes. He had
not asked for anything to eat, and
she had not offered him anything.
That made him "mad'' at her,
Schlaps said. He took a drink of
water and got the gun. Asked
lby his attorney why he took the
gun, he said it was to shoot Tony
Geisler. He walked through the
barn and shot Geisler, who was
on the far side of the barn from
the house. Then went to the
house and shot Mrs. Geisler.
Confession in Question
Attorney Noun took the con-
Ifession of Schlaps in his hand and
picking out isolated words and
phrases from the text asked
lSchlaps if he knew what they
meant, and if he had ever used
these words himself. In almost
every instance Schlaps denied ac-
Guaintance with the expression in
question. Asked if he knew the
meaning of plan he said he did
not. Asked if he knew what it
meant to swear the boy replied
that he did. Asked when had
ever heard anybody swear, he
said "At the Jail" Asked if he
ever wore to anything he said
mot in English, I swear in Ger
man sometimes" Sometimes
when asked about the meaning of
a word he would say that he I'M
derstood it but could not say it
in English. Apparently it was the
purpose of the defense to show
that the document purported to be
Schlaps confession could not be
his own in that he was unfamiliar
with the meaning of the %phraseolo-
Igy.
The most dramatic period of the
trial was when County Attorney.
Marion, cross examining, went
The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1926-07-22

pillow and had helped milk night
and morning from the time he was
ten on. There was just one older
boy at home, three other older
older boys being accustomed to
work out.
Ferdinand came to Montana the
first part of February with the
other boys, she said. and she and
the younger children anne about
a month later. In North Dakota
while working for his cousin Gott-
fried Schlaps he received $50 a
month the same as Tony Geisler
had agreed to pay him. Mrs.
Schlaps said that the G~eislers were
German also. She told about two
visits that Ferdinand made to her
home on the Mcneil farm after
going to work for the Geislers.
Both times he was with his en-
ployers in their Ford sedan which
he drove.
Schlaps Takes Stand Thursday
Ferdinand Schlaps proved a
poor witness for the defense when
he went on the stand Thursday
morning. The defense is trying
to prove Schlaps' insanity and his
Iirresponsibility for the crime which
his lawyers admit he committed
When first on the stand, Schlaps
appeared unable to fully under
stand, and he answered many
questions with II don't know" OF
mo-" spoken so low as to be
scarcely audible to the jury.
AS questioning continued, he
replied more readily, and was able
to recollect events that had oc-
Cured for several years back.
When examined concerning an ac-
cident he sustained at Ashley, N.
D., in July, 1925, when he was
thrown from a horse, Attorney
Noun asked him what the doctor
did to him. He replied, 81 did
MT see him do anything" Previous
testimony Of the mother had
shown him to be unconscious at
the time. His broken arm was set
and his chest bandaged by the doc
tor. Noun asked him if he I'M
derstood what cloth meant, and he
replied that he did not. Later
Noun asked him if the doctor put
a cloth around Schlaps head at
that time, and the boy answered
promptly that he did.
Tells of Early Life
Asked if he could remember
what had occurred at various
times in his life, Schlaps told of
learning to plow at 10; said at II
he could do all kinds Of farm
work, and at IA, he had learned
to drive a ear. He testified that
after the accident last summer,
he had not done much for a month
or six weeks. He told about COM
ing to Montana early this year
with two brothers, a sister and a
brother-in-law They spent about
three hours at the home of an
uncle, John Wisner, in Home
stead, before going to the Me
Neil farm, which his brothers had
rented. Later, the same day, he
went to the home of another
uncle, George Wisner, where
he worked for a month. He went
to work for Tony Geisler the first
part of April.
Events Before Murder
Intense suppressed excitement
The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1926-07-22

through the Schlaps confession
statement by statement and asked
the boy if he had not told those
things in Marron's office when DR.
IDeWane, Chas. Council and Wal
ter Johnson were present. In
most cases the boy admitted that
he had made the statements, and
that they Were true. In a few
instances his testimony today diff
fered from that of the sworn
statement. For instance he de
clared that he had come to Mon
tana in March instead of Febru-
ary. but admitted that he had
worked for his uncle George Wis
ner a month after coming to the
state, had stayed on the Mcneil
place for two weeks and had
worked for Tony Geisler a month.
He took exception to the state
ment that he had tried to keep out
Of sight of Tony Geisler before
shooting him. He said that he
had walked directly into the barn.
but that Tony had not seen him
there, that he had not aimed at
.Tonv's heart, but had shot at him
without thinking where the shot
would strike. The same had been
true in the case of Mrs. Geisler.
He identified his signature and said
that he had written it himself and
that he had seen the witnesses
write their names. He admitted
that MI. Marion had told MIN that
he could have a lawyer if he want
ed one and that the court would
appoint n for him. When asked
if he had read the confession be-
fore signing it he said he had not
read all of it. Asked why he did
not read it all through Scnlaps
said it was because it would take
too long. He recalled the fact tina!
Marion had read the %confesslcn
to him and had asked him if ne un-
derstood it. Mr.. Msrron asked
the boy if he knew what it meant
to plan anything and Schlaps re-
piled that it was ''to think any
thing in the head"
In Nouns direct examination
quite a point had been made q
the fact that the last day Schlaps
had worked for Tony Geisler he
April 80. Asked on exami-
nation what day was the last ne
rad worked for Tony Geisler ne
promptly replied "May first" He
took exception to the statement in
the confession that Mrs. Geisler
was preparing to go to a school
entertainment and said he had not
said that she was going to an en-
t~ertainment that afternoon but
that it was in the evening the en-
tertainment was to be.
Cross examination of Schlaps
by Marion had not been completed
when court adjourned Thursday
evening. Ar evening session was
suggested but Noun pleaded bus
mess that would take him to Pop
lar.
Reprinted from last weeks Her
aid for the benefit of those who
have not followed the story from
the beginning.
- A~ 1 Wal
The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1926-07-22

the mouth of the Marias river, on
the left bank of the Missouri, he dis
covered several scarcely perceptible
mounds and into these, with picks
and shovels, went the searching
committee" of the Fort Benton Com
mercial Club.
Eight Buildings?
Nothing remains of the fort itself
but considerable charcoal and heaps
of stones that evidently We're used
in building freplaces. There are
eight of these. in orderly arrange
ment about a two-hundred foot
square, showing where the buildings
had been
The eXcavators soon began to I'M
earth other evidences of an Indian
trading post One foot of silt had
drifted over the remains of the fort.
Under this covering were found
beads ranging in size from birdshot
The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1926-07-22

Reprinted from last weeks Her
aid for the benefit of those who
have not followed the story from
the beginning.
Jury After 1 Week
The case was the first or the
criminal calendar when court con-
vened July 8. A full week was
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-01-17
SWIMMING OF RABBITS
REPORTED BY HUNTER
Animals in Neither Of Two Cases
Driven by Fear, Writer on
Animals Says.

SYRACUSE, y. Y, January 10
Although rabbits in general have the
natural aversion to water that the
cat has, c. +. Johnson of the New
York State College of Forestry, here,
reports in a coming issue of the Jour
nal of Mammology personal observa-
ton Of rabbits swimming.
Will" instances have been known
when Il rabbit would not hesitate to
plunge into water when Cornered or
closely pursued, the author states that
he observed two instances in which
rabbits We're apparently swimming
quite voluntarily when not being pur-
sued.
Hunting one day along the banks
OF Il creek his dog started a rabbit.
The pursuit led to the edge of the
rather wide stream but by the time
the rabbit had reached the edge, the
dog was far behind. The rabbit had
unlimited ground on either side so
that il might easily have chosen a
different way. Hopping slowly to the
waters edge, the rabbit plunged in
T%;chout hesitation and swan to the
other side. In swimming he appar-
emily propelled himself by "a vigorous
kick with his hind legs much like his
hop on ground.
on another occasion the author re
ports having watched rabbit swim
Il considerable course downstream.
and at Il time when the rabbit was
not being pursued and apparently was
not prompted by any fear.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-01-17

the prisoner instead Of taking the
prisoner to the Judge. 1t was easier
in completing the picture. And when
soldier had a message for the gen.
eral the scene was outdoors and
showed the general going to the sol
der for the purpose Of the play
Otherwise 1t would have been neces
sary to build an interior set Even
so. the sets then were meager, skinny
things, corner or a wall.
II recall one picture In which II
was necessary to show Congress ir
session. The set cost S. 1000 and be
fore this terrific expenditure was made
there was much argument and dis
cussion. Today a set that costs 500,
600 is no novelty.
II was making 800 a week then
My wife, Florence Smythe, whom ]
recently lost after many years of rea
happiness together, had been an &C
tress on the legitimate stage, and was
working extra. Her first three DAYS
work brought her SIS and she bought
Peg, an Airedale. which became the
mother of our Airedale kennels. Pegs
son, Scout. is out in the back YARD
now. spry in spite Of his age.
Until Mr.. Lasky began to produce
films were in the novelty stage. Some
attempt had been made In the direc
ton of real dramatic work, but proved
abortive. Mr.. Lasky brought out the
first semblance Of art in the new IN
dustry. Five reelers were being made
and the shooting period was abou
six weeks. Geraldine Farrar's first
picture at the Lasky studio was a four
reel affair with an Italian setting anC
I never heard what happened to 1t.
Max Figman was the comedy sta,
OF the company. l appeared with hin
In minor part in the second film OF
my career. and was killed in the mid
die Of the picture and thrown into a
sewer
I'VE had no research department
then and pictures were filled with In
accuracies and anachronisms We
used great deal of makeup and OF
everything 1 think our acting was the
least crude
The great things that have come
from the small beginnings in the
Paramount studio on Vine Street mus
largely be attributed to Mr.. Lasky.
said Mr.. Roberts. His influence ha:
shaped the course of motion picture!
more than any one man. ] had many
memories when I attended the Twelfth
anniversary of the studio that owes f.
beginning and progress to his courage
and his genius"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-01-17
StaccatO Notes.

Wilhelm Furtwaengler famous Eu-
ropean musician, who will conduct the
third and final concert in Washington
of the New York Philharmonic Or
chestra March 9, is reported as telling
those who may be interested in Ber-
lin that the United States orchestraS
rival the best of the continent, accord
ing to news published in the New York
papers last week. He is the director
of the famous GewanthauS of Leipzig,
but sails for the United States soon 60
follow Arturo ToScannini as a guest
conductor here.
America is in a position to assem-
BILE the best orchestral talent that
money can obtain" he is quoted as
saying. I'm the orchestras / have
heard or directed each man is a solo
list of the first quality, whether he
plays string, reed or brass instru
ment. The fact that the symphony
orchestraS are not required to Tic
double duty in opera and the concert
stage, as is almost invariably the
case In Europe, makes possible a spe
cialization of symphony music such as
is to be found nowhere else except,
possibly. in Berlin.
Mr.. FurtWaengler suggests also
that the youth of American orches
tras prevents the welding together OF
several orChestras into one, but gives
Sanguine hopes of this becoming pos
sible later on. He also places New
York with Berlin and Vienna as the
three greatest musical centers of the
world.
The minister of a Methodist Episco
pal Church of New York has burst into
print in a recent issue of ii leading
New York paper with the somewhat
astounding statement that Jazz was
thoughtless noise which led 10 evil and
should be combated by the churches
by the use of such music as might he
| found in Rose Marie" There is
nothing unusual in the Staying Of the
reputation of the musical fiapper, Jazz
but it Is bit novel for a Methodist
minister to recommend musical comedy
as an antidote in the churches. He
even went so far as to state that he
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-01-17
CHEVY CHASE.

Today and tomorrow. Jackie Coogan
II odd Clothes" Spotlight, News
vents and Aesop Fables, Tuesday,
'ercy Marmont and Mary Brian in
The Street of Forgotten Men: I'm
perial comedy. 'On the Co; Wednes-
lay and Thursday, Norma Shearer
md Lew Cody in His Secretary"
.omedy and news events: Friday, Hoot
;ibson in The Calgary Stampede .:
Ial Roach comedy. Between Meals. "
eventh chapter, "Perils of the Wild .;
'aturday. Owen Moore and Gladys
tulette in GO Straight" Bluebird
'omedy, Back to Nature" "AdNen-
ureS of Maize"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-01-17
FASHIONABLE LONDON
DOTES ON MUSSELS
New Luncheon Fad introduced by
Daughter Of Lord Birkenhead
Proves Palatable.
By the Associated Press.

LONDON. January Questionable
London has just found that mussels
served with delicate sauces make ex-
cellent luncheon dishes. The poor peo-
pie of the kingdom have known for
decades that just plain mussels are de-
licious in Summertime.
The new fashion is said to have been
introduced to Mayfair by Lady Flea
nor Smith. the daughter of Lord Eirk.
enhead, who, a short while ago, was
just Mr.. Smith and lived nowhere near
Mayfair.
Mussels have become the dish OF the
season, with each hostess striving to
serve them a new way. Recently the
Duchess Of York served chopped mus
sells and mushroom sandwiches, which
dances.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-01-17
YORK

Today, Richard Barthelmess and
Dorothy Gish in The Beautiful City"
and Billy Dooley in "A Goofy Cob:
tomorrow, Alma Rubens and Edmund
Lowe in Fast Lynne" and AeSop
Fable: Tuesday. Aileen Pringle and
Conway Tearle in The Mystic" and
Al St John in Fire Away; We'd
nesday, Leatrice Joy in 'Hell's
Highroad" and Cliff Bowes in SLOW
Down; Thursday, Lon CLANCY and
Norma Shearer in The Tower of
Lies and Walter HERS in Hot Dog
gle: Friday, House Peters in THE
Storm Breaker" and o. Henry's
"Transients in Arcadia; Saturday.
Hoot Gibson in "Durand of the Bad
Lands" Sennetts Butter Fingers, :"
Screen Snapshots" and THE Scarlet
Streak" No. 2.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-01-17
Sheep Population Falls.

The sheep population OF the United
States is apparently falling. In 1903
1t Is stated. there were 60 $50, 600 head
OF sheep in the country. but in 1924
the number fell 20 a little less than
10. 100000. This Is a decline OF SO per
cent.
It has been pointed out. however.
that the figures for 1924 were gather
ed without taking into account the
10 900. 900 TO 10000. 900 lambs that
could be expected. so the situation
may not be as bad as ii looks at first
blush
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-01-17
TAKONi.A.

Today and tomorrow. Mae Murray
in The Merry Widow" Continuous
Sunday from pm. Matinee Monday
at $3.50; Tuesday, Wednesday and
Thursday, Sir Conan Doyle's THE
Lost World; Friday, Lois Wilson,
Warner Baxter and Luke Cosgrove in
Welcome Home" Aesop Fable and
comedy; Saturday, Jackie Coogan in
"Old Clothes" Aesop Fable. and third
episode adventures of Maize" Con-
tinuous from 5 pm.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-01-17
CAROLINA.

Today and tomorrow. The New
commandment" with Blanche Sweet
md Ben Lyon; Tuesday. Exchange
# Wives" with Lew Cody and Elean'
~ Boardman; Wednesday and Thurs
lay, THE Phantom OF the Opera.
18th Lon Chany, Mary Philbin and
Norman Kerry; Friday, Sydney Chap
in in The Man on the Box" and Sat
Irday. Marion Davies in Lights OF
I'D RrOniMaV"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-01-17
AVENUE GRAND.

Today and tomorrow. Leatrice Joy
y "Hell's IIighbroad" and Harry
.angdon in The White Wing
ride: Tuesday and Wednesday,
;udolph Valentino and Nita Naldi In
Cobra" and Sennett's "A Rainy
night; Thursday. Pola Negri in "A
oman of the World" and comedy,
Love and Lions. Friday. Alma
;ubens and Edmund Lowe in East
ynne" and Aesop Fable; Saturday,
'ouse Peters In THE Storm Breaker, "
Vice Day in "A Sweet Pickle" and
The Green Archer" No. .
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-01-17
CIRCLE.

Tomorrow, Thomas Meighan in Irish
Iuck"; Tuesday Bessie Love. Neil
hamilton and Phyllis Haver in New
irooms"; Wednesday, Alice Joyce and
Ialcolm McGregor in Headlines >;
thursday and Friday. and 9 pm.
'orrine Griffith and Jack Mulhall in
Classified" Our Gang" comedy, ASK
irandma''; Saturday. Buster keaton
q the laugh buster, Go West
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-01-17
Filmograns.
CONTINUED from Third Page.D

stage spectacle, which will be released
Harem." is story dealing largely
with the lavish harem of the Caliph
of Khorasan, Persia, during the
twelfth century. In the cast are
Ernest Terrence, William Collier. jr.
Greta Nissen and Louise Fazenda.
Harry Carr. newspaper man. has
been appointed managing editor of
productions at the Famous Players
Hollywood studio, and will also act in
the CAPACITY of critic" He is CO.
author of odd Ironsides," a photo
play which tells the story of the Amer
lean frigate Constitution, that James
CruZe will direct.
Two pictures based on the story of
the Prodigal Son and the Twenty
third Psalm, each featuring the uni
versatility of the Fathers love" are to
be first productions of the Religious
Motion Picture Foundation. according
TO a recent announcement by officers
OF the association.
Hell Bent Fer Heaven" the stage
drama by Hatcher Hughes. will be
the next production directed by J.
Stuart Blockton for Warner Bros.
Marian Constance is writing the
scenario.
Patsy Ruth Miller, and not Marie
Provost, will play the lead in why
Girls Go Back Home" Katherine
Brody's story. which Warner Bros is
making. Dorothy Devore steps into
the lead of Leave It to Me" in
which Miss Miller was to have starred.
Kenneth Harlan has started work at
Laguna Beach on The Sap" adapted
from Raymond Hitchcock's play of
the stage.
George O'Haras work as the treach-
erous half-brother of John Barrymore
in The Sea Beast" has won recognf-
ton for him at the Warner studio.
George was first engaged because he
resembled Mr.. Barrymore.
Agnes Whelan, we'll known Washing
ton soprano, will be heard over the
air with the Crandall Saturday Night.
ers for the filst time next Saturday.
January %. Miss Whelan has a voice
of exceptional quality.
An act Of unusual proportions has
been booked for the week of January
"a at the Lincoln Theater, L street
at Twelfth northwest, in Julian Ar
thurs Entertainers, a dozen of the
stages foremost colored singers,
dancers, instrumentalists and come
dams. now playing big-time vaudeville
in the North. Seven members of the
ensemble comprise what is claimed to
be one Of the hottest" Jazz bands
ever heard in Washington. The COM
plete turn consumes a full half hour
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-01-17
Continued from Third Page)

.ynne" and Aesop Fable; Friday.
.Ieanor Boardman and Conrad Nagel
. The Only Thing and comedy.
Love and Lions; Saturday, Monte
;'ue, Patsy Ruth Miller and Louise
'azenda in "Hogan's Alley" juvenile
umedy. THE Bachelors Babies" and
The Green Archer" No. 3.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-01-17
Rolling Pin 166 Years Old.

Mrs. Mollie Flowers of Metropolis
H., is the owner OF a rolling pin that
is said to be 166 years old. It be.
longed TO her great great -gra nd
mother. Mrs. Mary Gaines in England
Mrs. Gaines was a cousin Of Zachary
Taylor. twelfth President OF the United
States.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-01-17

Elated over the success that a.
tended the opening of the Franz
Lehar operetta, The Love Call" at
his Los Angeles theater. Louis o.
Macloon has begun preparations for
another musical comedy and it WIN
be no less an undertaking than the
setting of wedding BELLS" to tunes.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-01-17
Next Week Photoplays

RIALTO-Ernst Lubitsch's
production, Lady Winder-
mere's Fan"
COLU NJ B l A-Paramount's
production, The American
Venus"
PALACE-Sall ONeill in
Mike"
METROPOLITAN - Corinne
Griffith in "Infatuation.'
TIVOLI-"A Kiss for Gin
derella," Lovers in Quaran-
tine" Where Was II" and
old Clothes.
: AMBASSADOR-'1nfatua-
ton" The Scarlet West"
Lovers i'll Quarantine and
The Live Wire
CENTRAL "Hogans Alley
"Hell's Highroad," "A Wom-
an OF the World Irish
Luck" and The Only Thing
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-01-17
HOME.

Today. Thomas Meighan in Irish
Luck" and Felix cartoon; tomorrow
oola Negri in "a Woman of the
World and comedy. "On the Co;
Tuesday. Irene Rich and Bert Lvtell
Ewes Lover" and Cliff Bowes in
'Brotherly Love; Wednesday, Alma
2ubens and Edmund Lowe in East
lynne: Thursday. Madge Bellamy in
The Wheel and Aesop Fable: Fri
lay, House Peters in The Storm
Breaker" and Alice Day III Tee for
Two; Saturday. Tom Mix in The
Everlasting Whisper" juvenile com
edy, "Eaby Be Good" and The Green
Archer" No. |,