davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1926-04-11

At last the mother awOke to the sudden
realization that this prompting was some
thing more than mere foolish fantasy, and
that there must be some real reason why
her inner consciousness was constantly be-
ing stirred by this insistent demand. Fin
ally, almost as though she were being led
by an unseen guide, she went to the place
where she had sorrowfully laid away her
daughters clothes, and seating herself
beside table she spread them out before
her.
And then again she seemed to feel
stocking. She picked it up-and there
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1926-04-11
Mr.. Virgil Massie, the
Ideal Husband, Now
Charged with Wife
Murder.

was something in it that rustled. Still
with that unseen hand Slaspng her wrist,
the mother reached down into that stock
ing, and her fingers closed upon a piece
Of paper.
And when she had drawn it out, she
saw that it was in her dead daughters
handwriting. She read it unbeievingly:
''If anything happens to me, for Gods
sake do something quick. V. is drinking
again and running around with-"s
This was the message to which she had
been SO strangely drawn.
Over and over again the amazed
mother read that peremptorY command
from the dead:
eff anything happens to me .
do something quickr'
Something certainly had happened-her
daughter was in the grave. But she had
never given her mother even a hint that
all had not been well between herself and
her husband. Nor had Mrs ROsenbaum
known that Virgil drank. And for whom
had Catherine meant that message? Not
for her, it would seen-at least, not while
she had been alive. Why had she not
finished it? Who was it that Virgil had
beer running around with?
So the questions flew through the
mothers mind. OF one thing, though, she
was very certain-she could not ignore
that appeal. There had been something
not easily explainable in the way the
message had come to her. 1t was as
though it had been protected by unknown
powers. She had a swift mental picture
of her daughter thrusting it into her
stocking as she heard some ones footstep
outside her door. Forgetting it, perhaps,
she had drawn off the stocking that night
And there the note had lain hidden ever
since. 1t had escaped prying eyes and
hands, as it could not have done if it had
been in any other article of GATHERINGS
clothing. Who would have thought of
looking in the toe of a stocking for such
a thing? Jumbled up in the other APP
parel, it had been brought to her by Mas
sic himself. What ironic justice there was
in that if he had been responsible for her
daughters death! And finally, there had
been that subconScious whispering, that
urge to search the clothing that had re
suited in her finding the message.
No, GATHERINGS mother concluded, in
c., prft.f, p,-b,. U..rr-.t
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1926-04-11

suburb of Denver, Colorado, felt
- sorry for Virgil A. Massie when his
attractive young wife died suddenly dur
ng the night of February /. They had
been such an ideally happy couple and
Mr.. Massie's grief at the funeral was
truly pitiable.
But now Mr. Massie is in Jail at Golden,
the county seat, charged with the murder
Of his wife by poison, and in the cell next
him is his good-looking sweetheart, Mrs.
Rene Divelbess, whom he managed to
keep under cover for months before his
wife found out about her, and who is
being held as his alleged accomplice.
Neither of them would be there, and
/ his neighbors would still be feeling sorry
for Mr.. Massie, had it not been for what
seem to many truly an accusing voice
from Mrs Massie's grave.
This was a despairing note which the
wife had written on the day of her death
had hidden in her stocking, and which was
carried all unsuspectingly by Masse him
self to her mother. And that mother,
urged on by inexpicable impulse, searched
the stocking, found the note, and started
the authorities on the investigation which
resulted in the arrest of her sOn-in-law
and "the other woman"
For whom Mrs. Massic had intended
her message is not clear The State
investigators conjecture that she had
been interrupted in her writing by her
husband, that not having time to destroy
it, she thrust it, in the way of women,
down into the top of her stocking. 1t
worked its way down into the foot and
she forgot tor perhaps had no chance
to take it out.
That night she died. But her message
escaped detection; escaped all pTying
bands, and at last came safely to the
dead woman's mother, thousand miles
away. No stranger thing than this has
ever been told in play or story.
Young Mrs. Massie had been Catherine
Rosenbaum, of Carthage, III. Massie had
extensive business interests about Denver,
and the only cloud on the wife's happi-
ness was that Governor Morley had named
her husband as one of the agents of his
newly organized volunteer prohibition
force. OF course, it was Virgil's duty to
see that the eighteenth amendment was
being obeyed, but it did take him away
from the house quite a lot-sometimes for
a week or so at time while he was in
vestigating conditions in far parts of the
State.
But this was the only cloud. Not even
the sharpest-eyed neighbors were able to
detect as much as ripple in the house.
hold.
II was late on the afternoon of Feb
ruary that the phone rang in the office
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1926-04-11


of them had been taken i'll with
ptomane poisoning shortly after
they had finished their dinner the
night before. Neither of them
had been able to summon aid,
and in the night his wife had
died. He knew that she had died,
but commissions had seized him
and he had, he thought, become
delirious. 1t was not until a little while
before that he had been able to sum-
mon help.
There was nothing in the story to
arouse suspicion. At any rate, the ply
sician, after a cursory examination, con-
cluded that Mrs Massie had ruptured
blood vessel in her brain during the con-
WILSON'S caused by the ptomaines, and so
notified the coroner. The coroner &C
copied the physicians certificateSand gave
permission for removal of the body to
Carthage for buriaL~
Masse, dressed all in mourning black,
took back his wife to her mothers home
and mingled his tears with those of Mrs.
Rosenbaum. He brought with the body
the dead woman's clothes and after the
funeral the mother tenderly and reverent
ly laid them away. But something kept
prompting her to look them over more
carefully. She resisted the impulse-the
clothes were sacred. They were all that
she had left of her daughter, and she
could not bear to overhaul them as
woman might an ordinary bundle of old
wearing apparel.
And yet by day, and in the stiffness of
the night, something seemed always to be
urging her, and finally the impulse grew
so strong that it was almost as though
her dead daughter stood by her side and
kept saying:
"Mother, look among my clothing!
Search, mother, searchp'
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-01-26

nearby. The University Club is few
doors away.
An empty pistol she'll is the only
tangible clue thus far found. Police
are working on theory that a crank,
with no particular motive, may have
committed the crime.
Another theory being investigated is
that an enemy of Mr.. Deering may
have sought to invade the house and
shot the butler. Police are seeking to
learn more about several arrests made
in futile effort to find the purloiners
of $4,000 in bonds from the attorneys
office safe in July. 1920.
Although the police were notified
Immediately and hundreds of persons
were on nearby Fifth avenue, the STAY
er escaped without being seen.
Mr.. Deering was in Atlantic City
and his wife was awaiting his return
when she heard the bell Perhaps
that is my husband" she remarked to
her guests. A moment later the shot
was heard
Mrs. Deering and the servants
thought robber was forcing entrance
and were afraid to go downstairs. A
telephone call brought two policemen
who found the butler stretched on the
floor back of the iron grill doors. An
empty .3S calibre shell was nearby.
A Waterman across the street in an
excavation neither heard the shot nor
saw anyone leave the house.
Bramall's wife, who is maid en-
ployed by the behring's. returned from
a walk to find the policemen bending
over her husbands body. She said
that as far as she knew, he had no
enemies
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-01-26

Miss Rose Witham. the tall, dark
eyed entry in the Carnival Queen con-
test, is the only one of the quintet of
fair aspirants to the honor of reign
ing over the festivities of the NTH an
nual State of Maine Winter Carnival
on February 4, 5 and 6, who up to
Monday evening had demonstrated any
real strength in the balloting. Miss
Williams standing when the contest
committee inspected the ballots just
before 6 o'clock yesterday evening was
1910.
1t was pointed out, however. that
the first count could not possibly give
any real indication of the ultimate re-
suit, as 1t is recognized that all of the
student nurses of the Augusta General
Hospital who are candidates for popu-
lar selection have many friends whose
ballots, totalling many thousands, had
not been placed in the polling place at
the Central Maine Power Company
electric shop.
Next in the standing last evening to
Miss Witham was Miss Josephine Har-
wood, who has been selected by many
as the candidate who will make one of
the strongest bids Tor the honor of
any of the five energetic young ladies'.
There undoubtedly is real strength be-
hind Miss HARDWOOD, and the next
count of the ballots cast may show a
difference in the status of the several
aspirants, any one of whom would be
a most charming and gracious queen
of the carnival.
The official ballot for the contest is
being printed each day in the columns
of the Kennebec Journal and other
coupons good for 10 votes will be at
tached to the tickets for the outdoor
features and for the big Carnival Ball
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-01-26
Girls Club Members
Hear Reports from
League Sessions

A very interesting report of the
January rally of the Massachusetts,
League of Girls Clubs with which
the Augusta Girls Community club
Is affiliated was given Jointly by Miss
Ruby Crook and Miss Winona Jen-
kins, on Monday at a meeting of the
local organization.
They told in detail Of the week end
meeting which was held in Boston.
The topic series of meetings was
Washington" and it is planned to
have he biennial convention of the
girls clubs in that city.
On Saturday business meeting
was held and this was followed by a
banquet at the Repertoire theatre at
$50. at which fully 500 girls were in
attendance. Robert O'Brien of the
Boston Herald, man who is fully
acquainted with the city. spoke on
"Our National Capital" His talk was
of unusual interest to the girls.
On Sunday forenoon Mrs. DeNor-
mandie spoke on the thrilling and
colorful stories dealing with the capt.
tai and the White House. In the af-
ternoon a visit was paid to the lisa =
bella Stuart Gardner museum and
this was followed by tea at the
Girls City club, at which many anec-
dotes were told and a discussion of
various questions which had been
brought up at the meeting was held.
The girls were very enthusiastic
over the meeting and they communi-
ated their enthusiasm to the local
to the local girls through the fine
manner in which they presented the
report of the meeting.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-01-26

Interest far in excess of that OF
former years is being manifest al
the Y. NJ. C. A. this year, according
to the very pleasing reports which
We're made on Monday evening al
the annual joint meeting of the
boards of trustees and directors OF
the Augusta Young Mems Christian
ISOLATION. This interest although
particularly noticeable in the phys
ical department continues through
all branches of the institution and a
banner year is looked for.
Three trustees, George E. Macom-
Der. Norman L. Bassett and Percy
V. Hill, whose terms expire this
year, were unanimously reelected
to serve for a further term of three
years. and the resignation of Fred
r. Lord. who felt that he could not
do justice to the work because of his
frequent absences from this city,
was unanimously rejected.
Boys Department Active
The members of the two boards
were particularly interested in the
report of the boys department. Here
several clubs having as their object
a promotion of interest among the
boys and the maintenance of a high
err standard of Christian character
in their every day life. have been
formed and are functioning with
their own officers, regular meetings,
limitations and with fine addresses
by good speakers on various sub
iects of benefit to them. Three clubs
for the younger boys have been Or
gained, they being the knights of
IL L.
Thomas. S. Smith as leader; the 81.
d. D." club, with Physical Director
Hoyt II. Mahan as leader, and the
"Friendly Indians Club" with Boys
Work Secretary Raymond Grant as
leader. In addition the lily
Club. composed of High school boys,
has also been organized. Sunday
afternoon meetings are being held
at the building with an attendance
of over 100 boys each Sunday. The
service is designed to interest the
boys and at the same time give them
something of worth, and they are
succeeding admirably in this regard.
Gym Glasses Popular
The report of the physical depart
ment shows a constant and stable
increase in the attendance in the
various gymnasium classes as well
as in the swimming classes. In
addition the "Y" fosters an Indus
trial Basket Ball League with six
teams, and Volley Ball League
with four, in which great rivalry is
shown. Various groups from out
side are given a chance to use the
privileges and this is proving a very
popular Innovation.
A Sunday school basketball league
for the boys of the Congregational.
Methodist, Baptist and Episcopal
church. with about 35 boys actively
interested in the league and two
games each Saturday afternoon will
soon be started, and a new morning
class is meeting >with favor on the
part of the business men. The game
of Doug invented by Douglas Fair
banks and played something on the
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-01-26
No Clew in Staying
Of English Butler
New York Attorney

New York, Jan. 25.-(AP)-An I'M
usual murder mystery in the Staying
of an English butler in the doorway of
the home of James r. Deering, socially
prominent attorney, has invaded one
of New Yorks exclusive residential
streets off Fifth avenue.
The butler Herbert Bramall, who
had served in several we'll known fam
lilies, was found in full livery last
night in the vestibule of the Deering
home on West Saith street few mo-
ments after he had answered the door
bell. He was shot close to the heart
and was instantly killed. His slayer
had disappeared. slamming a heavy
plate glass door with such violence
that it was cracked.
The pistol shot that killed Bramall
was within hearing of half dozen
well known residences. John d. Rookie
Teller, Jr, lived across the street. and
Bishop and Mrs. Robert l.. Paddock,
Chauncey NJ. Depew and Mr.. and Mrs.
James D. Dickson have RESIDENCES
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-01-26
ALUMNI OBSERVANCE At CONY ICE RINK
WILL DEVELOP SOME CLOSE COMPETITION

year and will show what the. young
men will wear In $780,"
But having a post as master Of
ceremonies at a gathering such as
this promises to be, is not all milk
and honey. Fred is having consid .
cradle difficulty In keeping Nate
Weston. '64. and Burleigh Martin. '06,
apart. and he is in somewhat OF a
quandry because the feeling between
them has risen to such a fever heat
that he is afraid they will spoil the
surface of the rink IL they meet next
Friday night.
Nate started the rumpus when he
challenged Burleigh to q tug of war,
Burleigh to get his men from the
Cony grads Of 1906 to 1910, and he
to draw from the classes of 1900 to
1905. Both men declare that the 9TH
er side will need John Gagnon and
Warren Travis as anchor men in or
der to Withstand the combined effort
of their gang, but where they are go
ing to get rope of sufficient tensile
strength is but another problem that
is making the master Of ceremonies
a worried man.
Fred Ellis as captain of the alumni
hockey team, which will meet the
Cony varsity team has issued an in
yitation to all alumni who have
skates and stick, to be there ready
to take a hand as they will all get
a chance. 1t is believed that he will
endeavor to overwhelm the varsity
by force of numbers, sending in a
new set of shock troops as soon as
the pr eeeding group has ceased to
gain ground.
In addition to this Horace Ingra-
ham will produce a fancy skater of
no mean ability and there viii be
various stunts, including relay races,
girls races. a barrel jumper and
general skating for everyone. The
high school band will furnish music.
The alumni are planning to organ
lie class teams and there will prob
ably be some inter-class contests of
various kinds that will furnish much
excitement and perhaps some little
laughter as well. The proceeds from
this moderately priced entertainment
will be placed in the Alumni associ-
alton treasury.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-01-26
SIDNEY

i MIR. and Mrs. Eldon Wort of Wa
terville were callers Thursday eve
ming at the home of Mrs, Evelyn
Goodhue.
The box social held at the home Of
ME-. and Mrs. Fred Peterson, We'd
nesday. proved a grand success, both
financially and socially. More than
$40 were realized from the sale OF
the boxes. It was voted to hold an
other hox social atthe home of Mr..
and Mrs. Charles Swift, Wednesday,
February 3.
Llewellyn Gray has returned to his
home on the Pond road after passing
several months with his brother at
Penobscot.
Mrs. Sara Cummings of Augusta is
passing several weeks at the home
of Mr.. and Mrs. F. Glenn Bailey.
Daniel Perkins is hauling wood
from Frank Jacksons.
Mrs. Alice Manter is passing sew
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-01-26
INCREASED ACTIVITIES IN ALL DEPARTMENTS
OF AUGUSTA Y. M. c. A. REPORTED AT ANNUAL
joint MEETING TRUST EES and DIRECTORS

order of tennis has been introduced
and has become so popular that peo-
pie are reserving the gymnasium for
games, just as they reserve the bowl
ing alleys for bowling matches. A
tournament is planned to be held
sometime in the month of May.
Increase in Women's Dept
The women and girls department
of the "Yv has grown to be big fac
tor under the direction of Miss Eth
ellie Garside and today numbers 426
members. Gymnasium classes for the
girls hive grown so large that it has
been found necessary to divide the
grammar school girls class into two
sections, one meeting on Tuesday and
the other on Thursday. The married
woman's class, which meets in the
morning is very popular one and
two classes are held each week. one
on Tuesday and one on Thursday. A
ten team bowling league furnishes
plenty of excitement and basketball
is often enjoyed in the gymnasium
Out of door hikes for the various
groups have been carried out and re-
Gently banquets for the high school
girls and for the Industrial workers
have proved n great success. After
the first one for the Industrial girls
they formed a club which meets once
a month with a fine program which
is of special interest to girls who are
employed in industrial plants.
At the meeting Monday night the
question of an increase in the num-
Der of bowling alleys at the "Y' was
taken up and several who are es-
pecially interested in bowling are to
talk the matter over and present IT
before a future meeting of the board
of directors, it being felt that the
facilities for this kind of sport are
inadequate and that the people of Au-
gusta desire more alleys. 1t was
pointed out that there is tourna-
ment every evening and that 1t is
necessary to turn many people away
because they cannot be Accommodated
at the alleys.
Before the meeting of the two
boards, at which George f. Macom-
Der. chairman of the board of trus-
tees presided, a delicious supper was
served under the direction of Mrs.
Bridget Springer.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-01-26
BOLTON HILL.

Miss Carrie Fletcher recently
found her horse dead in it's stall.
The loss is distinctly felt as she
drives to Augusta daily, being en-
ployed in The Crossett's shoe fac
tory.
Services were held at the usual
hour in the Bolton Hill schoolhouse.
IN the absence of the pastor, Rev.
Geo. Rix of Auburn, the meetings are
conducted by volunteers. Joe TrasK
of Church Hill is one of the popular
speakers.
]. S. Little was business caller
here this week, as was also Arthur
Day, both of Augusta.
Mrs. Carrie Spau,ding, who has
been caring for Mrs. Western Smart
has returned to her home. MRS
Smart is somewhat better. Mr.. Smart
also. is in poor health. not having
fully recovered from the effects of a
slight shock.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-01-26
Augusta Legion and
Auxiliary Members
To Meet Col. McQuigg

representatives ofSthe James F'itz-
gerald Post and American Legion
Auxiliary of this city will go to Port
land, Thursday, to meet the Legion
national commander, Colonel John r.
McQuigg of Cleveland. Ohio, who
will be- the honor guest and speaker
at big meeting of western Maine
Legionaires on that date, the first of
two days visit to this State.
Arthur S. Merrill, past command
er Of the James Fitzgerald Post and
Vlnton E. Hussey, post adjutant,
VIII be the official representatives of
me Augusta veterans organization.
General Albert Greenlaw, national
executive committeeman, will also go
10 Portland, and will continue with
commander McQuigg's party during
the stay in Maine. Gen. Greenlaw
mas been closely associated with Col.
McQulgg in Legion affairs for the
past seven years.
The American Legion Auxiliary
VIII also send n delegation to Port
ANA. Mrs. Jane Weber. Mrs. E.
Safroll Coughlin and Mrs. Albert
oreenlaw will all attend the Portland
meetings
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-01-26
WORLD WAR VETERANS TAKE STAGE TONIGHT
WITH SIXTH ANNUAL MINSTREL OFFERING

iehce in the auditorium to enjoy
Jerry Carey's old fashioned black
face minstrel Offering.
The cast of principals. speciality
artists and chorus circle includes
some well known local amateurs OF
real ability and talent. The show is
said to contain poppy music of the
most recent vintage, and following a
one part presentation with speciality
acts interspersed to the end-men
cross fire and chorus numbers. will
roll on 10 a closing that is unique
and satisfying.
The keystone part will be handled
by Major Donald c. Metcalf, who is a
favorite of many successes in this
city. With him as interlocutor the
show will have a veritable tower of
strength and the ends will find a
perfect foil for their business.
This sixth annual minstrel has
been conceived, rehearsed and will be
directed tonight by Jerry Carey,
than whom there is no better black
faced performer in the Kennebec VAL
ley. Director Carey's verdict follow
ing the final polishing rehearsal
Is that he is content with the show
and believes that the public will reg
lister it's complete satisfaction.
Following the minstrel show which
will be in one part. the floor will be
cleared for the sixth annual Legion
Ball, with music for the dancing TO
be furnished by Douglas Melody Men
with eight pieces. All the latest
dance numbers will be featured and
the dancers will have an opportunity
to hold forth until midnight.
The management announced last
night that what reserved seats there
were remaining unsold. could be pur-
chased up to six o'clock this evening
at Partridge's Drug Store, and after
seven o'clock admissions and seats
will be obtainable at the City Hall
ticket office
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-01-26
MANCHESTER

NORTH-Miss Myrtle Ramsdell of
Augusta was a Sunday visitor at the
home of Eugene Cottle.
Egbert Smith was a business call
err at the Forks, Friday.
Edward Farnham went to Augusta,
Wednesday.
Clinton Trask who had the misfor-
tune to have his hand hurt quite
badly one day last week went to
Augusta, Saturday. to have it dress
cd