davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The broad ax., 1927-02-05
MAN GIVEN HEARING ON
CHARGES OF FRAUD
preston News, Service)

Baltimore, Nd, Feb. 81. Frank
lin Johnson, porter, was held under
$500 bail for action by the federal
grand jury, by United States Commits
sioner ]. Frank Supplee, Wednesday,
following hearing on charges of US
ing the mails to defraud.
Postal inspectors charged Johnson
with being the moving figure" behind
the Cooperative Service Company,
which, he said, has perpetrated fraud
on several newspapers in large cities,
on magazines of national circulation
and ambitious authors throughout the
country.
The advertisements brought to the
attention of the Commissioner, repre-
sented the Cooperative Service Com
pany to be the consultant of authors,
revisers Of manuscripts, song writer's
and publishers.
Mrs. Lulu H. Etler, Govanston,
who described herself as a housewife
with literary ambitions" told Com
missioner Supplee that she saw one
of the ads in motion picture maya
zine and sent to the Cooperative Serv-
ice Company a poem. Later she said
she received letter requesting $500
for the publication of her poem by the
company.
Mrs. Margaret L. Grant, of Rock
Hall, Nd, told of sending him $500
to cover the cost of publishing her
poem, "The Coon Hunt"
The poetry has never been pub
lished, she said, nor the money re-
funded, although she has requested the
return of both.
Mrs. Grant testified that she saw
an advertisement in a magazine and
sent her first novel, Billie, or Her
Brother" to the Cooperative Service
Company, for publication. Following
this she said she received letter from
J. Franklin Johnson, which stated that
the novel would "get the public hear
ing it deserved if published by his
company" but that 1915 would be
necessary to cover the cost Of the first
thousand copies. She did not send
the money, she said.
The broad ax., 1927-02-05
PEONAGE CASE HEARD
preston News Servicel


Corpus Christi, Tex, Feb. A
special venire Of rs men is being sum-
moned for a jury to hear the three
peonage cases that will be heard here
shortly. The cases were transferred
from the Brownsville division Of the
southern district Of Texas by Judge
J. c. Hutchinson, Jr.
The first of the three indictments
charges peonage and conspiracy prac-
tees on the part Of G. S. Stockwell,
J. H. Chadwick (alias Jack Chadwick)
Raymond Teller, Frank Brandt, N. H.
Stockwell, Floyd Dodd and R. F.
Robinson.
The second Indictment, which reads
'unlawfully holding persons in con-
dition of peonage," is against Frank
Brandt, Carl Brandt, Raymond Tel
Ter, r. r. Robinson, Floyd Dodd and
r. d. Reisdorph. A conspiracy
charge is also made in this indictment.
The third indictment names Ray
mond Teller, Floyd Dodd, Lloyd Bar
nett, John Swanner, William Har-
grove, Frank Brandt, and R. F. Rob-
inson- The charge in the third indict-
ment i @unlawfully conspiring to hold
persons in condition of peonage."
Section 81 of the penal code, which is
cited in the indictment, makes each
party to conspiracy charge liable to
the acts Of the other parties.
The charges are said to have grown
out of several arrests for vagrancy.
The broad ax., 1927-02-05
RACE r E L A T 1 o N S H P
SPEAKERS SUBJECT
preston News Service)

u
Columbus, O., Feb. 3.-"Elevation
of the social plane upon which the
black and white races now meet is the
secret Of better race relationship" Rev.
E. A. Clark, pastor of ST. Paul's A.
NJ. E. church said in an address before
the Columbus Urban League, Friday
evening at the Opportunity School.
Police courts or in places of such
social level is where the majority of
the contacts are made by the two
races" he said.
Mexico and Race Relations" was
the subject of DR.. H. A. Miller of the
Department of Sociology at Ohio
State university. There is no race
question in Mexico, there they ask
only that a man be a Mexican; they
do not question his color" he said.
Miss Bertha Eisenbeis, principal Of
Opportunity School, told Of the work
the Colored Big Sisters Club of Co.
lumbus has done and outlined its plans
for this year. This is an independent
organization, sponsored by the Urban
League.
An address, can Approach to the
Problem of Crime Prevention" was
given by L. w. Shaw, social worker
for the Friendly Service Bureau. Mr..
Shaw also read the annual report of
this organization, which is sponsored
by the Urban League. The annual
report Of the League was read by N.
B. Allen, executive secretary.
Board of Trustees elected were:
Judge Homer z. Bostwick, J. B.
Kahle, Miss Ara Warren, Mrs. 7. H.
Winters, L. H. Goldman, T. w. Dyer,
Judge D. H. Sewers, Mrs. Julius F.
Stone and Rev. J. H. Plus. Elected
to as many vacancies on the board
were: Perry Denune, Rev. Mr.. Clark,
Mrs. Romeo Johnston and Rev. Yves
ley Chinn.
The broad ax., 1927-02-05
THE PASSING OF SENATOR
HELM

Washington, D. C.-According to
political prophecies, Senator Hehin, of
Alabama, is due to learn at a very
early date that there is a vast differ
ence between standing on Main Street
in the village Of Lafayette, Ala, lust
lily singing to DISTINGUISHED, exploited
and Jim Crowed" colored citizens,
Bye, Bye, Blackbird," and standing
in the Senate Of the United States
bitterly denouncing the Catholic
Church
There is no worthwhile thrill re-
sulting from the song to his helpless
cOlored constituents; but for his in
tolerant oratorical effort in the Senate
IN which he attempted to present the
Roman Catholic Church in an unfavor-
able attitude upon the question Of this
country's relations with Mexico, the
Senator will doubtless receive a mis-
celaneous assortment of "thrills" that
will injure his political activity in the
councils Of his party and probably
cause his retirement from the national
political game. AS a distinct party
liability he will be useless to Democ-
racy as a campaign orator in the
doubtful Northern States, and as a
Chautauqua lecturer, anywhere north
Of the Chattahoochee River he will be
exceedingly unpopular.
Although it is generally believed that
me Hefiin assault upon the Knights of
Columbus was prompted by his OPP
position to the presidential ambitions
OF Governor Al Smith Of New York,
VINO is a Catholic, his uncalled for and
very bitter speech in the Senate not
only had the effect of solidifying the
hrge Catholic Democratic vote, but
also served as an excuse for the 'istute
Senator Reed of Missouri to throw his
nat INTO the ring a few weeks prior to
the scheduled time.
1t caused Governor Richie of Mary
and hurriedly to broadcast statement
. the effect that Governor Smith is
me Outstanding Democrat of the
country" and drew the pronounced
eensure of several leaders of Democ-
fscy. Down in rural ALABAMA, in
spTed and captious criticism Of Catho-
us' Negroes and Jews may be a
peasant and profitable diversion; but
n the Senate of the United States il
: an ungracious, unstatesmanlike per
Torrance.
The broad ax., 1927-02-05
BEGINS LIFE TERM PRAISING
THE LORD
preston News Service)


Little Rock, Ark, Feb. 3.-The pas
sengers on a Cotton Belt train out OF
Little Rock the other night were
amazed and amused at the spectacle OF
a Negro convict who appeared suffer
ing from an overdose of happiness as
he was being whirled along to begin
a life Of Imprisonment.
He was clad in stripes and hand
cuffed to a guard, which ordinarily
does not constitute cause Of rejoicing.
Yet, at frequent intervals, the Negro
gave vent to exuberant hallelulahs
which resounded with full-lunged clar-
ity above the roar Of the train.
"Glory to God" he shouted, God
bless everybody"
ne passengers stared.
Whats the matter with that boy?"
they inquired of one another.
Dunno. He's going to the state
farm at Cummings"
For how long?"
Life, I hear"
"Goshl And he's happy about it."
The amazement of the passengers
changed to understanding when they
learned the identity of the noisy pas
senger. He was none other than
George Alexander, who was saved
from the electric chair on the morning
of Nov 5, even as the machinery fol
the current rumbled its death message
and the witnesses waited wide-eyed
in the adjoining chamber.
When George was called from the
death cell and informed that he would
not have to die, that his sentence had
been committed by the governor tc
life Imprisonment, he blinked his eye:
stupidity and whispered: "Says which? ?
Now George comprehends but he
has been unable to say much else since
that memorable morning except
praise the Lord" and GOD bles:
everybody" He considers the life
term ahead Of him mere lark com
pared with the fate he so narrowly
missed.
The guard who escorted him to th'
Cummings farm last week returned t
the walls yesterday. He reported tina
before the train reached Cumming
the other passengers had showereC
George with 81 or s., probably tht
last coin Of the realm he will handle
for many years, and maybe forever.
The broad ax., 1927-02-05

tinction on the committee Of manage
ment of the Indiana Avenue branch OF
the Y.W.C.A. ever since its first in
ception and she has devoted much Of
her valuable time and contributed some
Of her means to further its laudable
aims and objects.
Mrs. Watkins and her associates OF
the Indiana Avenue branch of the
Y.W.C.A. have a new dream, namely
that the year 1927 will bring forth a
new and modern edifce, as a new
home for the Indiana Avenue branch
of the Y.W.C.A.which will include a
new residence, swimming pool and
everything which goes to make up a
modern Y.W.C.A.
The broad ax., 1927-02-05
COLORFUL NEWS MOVIES
By THE CAMERAMAN

book, although there is no lack OF
pathetic incidents-even tragedy itself.
Literary Prominence
1t is of considerable importance to
the race to know that one of us has
attained distinction in the field Of lit
erary work. We are proud to learn
that DR.. W. E. B. Dubois is listed
among the contributors to the thir-
teenth edition Of the Encyclopedia
Britannica.
1t is only human for us to glory in
the achievements of our men and
women and we as a race should be es-
pecially proud Of those Of us who are
able to distinguish ourselves and
thereby reflect credit upon us as a
whole.
We must be broad enough in our
views and liberal enough in our crit
icisms TO forget the individual and see
only the good done by the individual.
No one can do anything unto himself
alone-his actions reflect either good
or evil on those around him. So it
is with this honor that has come to DIR.
Dubois. 1t is not a distinction for
himself alone, but it honors the whole
race-the whole country.
This is the first time such an honor
has come to a member of our race.
The Encyclopedia Britannica is the
most comprehensive set OF books OF
its kind in the world. Its contribu-
tors are people prominent in the liter
airy, scientific, political, economic and
religious world, each one being a spe-
cialist in his particular field.
DR.. Dubois contribution is on
American literature-in part.
The broad ax., 1927-02-05
l. The Promised Land.
2. Literary Prominence.
The Promised Land"

THE Promised Land
Harlem is no longer "Nigger
Heaven" According to Rudolph
Fisher. our own story writer, it has
become the "Reg'lar promis' Ian
Canaan hitself-Promise money lax
CROWN on trees-Promis wuk TO-
dem what want wuk-Promis' free
dom from d. viii folks"
Carl Van Vechtens "Nigger
Heaven" may we'll serve as a foil to
Rudolph Fishers The Promised
Land" published in the January At
lantic Monthly. All that one is, the
other is not. Each author portrays
conditions in the sordid life Of Har-
lem, but quite different feeling is left
with the reader, at the end Of each
story.
Fishers Nanny" with her Bible
and her old time religion, is a lovable
old soul and the common little gold
digger, Ellie, is at least interesting
though impossible.
In fairness to the author Of mig
ger Heaven" we cannot claim that he
tries to make viciousness attractive
but Fisher makes it pathetic, heart
breaking, something to be Stunned.
Both authors have doubtless written
about Harlem folks as they found
them. Each has selected a very diff
ferent group from different walks Of
life. Yet each group has common
meeting ground, might life in Har-
lem." There is a subtle charm and
pathos to THE Promised Land that
one does not find in Van Vechten's
The broad ax., 1927-02-05
STOOL PIGEON ARRESTED
preston News Service)

Baton Rouge, La, Feb. 3.-A Negro
giving his name as N. Bibbens, was
being held by police here last We'd
nesday after he is said to have re-
veaIed TO Negro under-cover police
agents that he had killed three white
persons in Birmingham last week. Ar
resting officers said Bibbens ap-
preached the police stool pigeon
with a plea for financial aid. declaring
that he had to have funds to get far
Their away from Birmingham immedi-
ateiy. as there was a $1,000 reward
out for him there.
The broad ax., 1927-02-05
CITIZENSHIP'S RIGHTS
RESTORED
preston News Service)

Columbia, S. c., Feb. 4.-The first
act of executive clemency OF his adj
ministration was performed by Gov.
Richards, Wednesday, in restoring to
Hayward Martin of Aiken, his citizen
ship rights in order that he may testify
before the Aiken grand jury concern
ing the Lowman lynching. Martin was
convicted in Aiken County Court last
October of receiving stolen goods and
was sentenced by Judge Martin Nc
Mann to serve 90 days. No part of
this sentence was RENTED in the gov
errors order, As Martin has completed
serving the sentence. The pardon re-
stored citizenship rights in view of
the fact that the State may need his
service as a witness.
The broad ax., 1927-02-05
NATIONAL NEGRO HISTORY
WEEK CELEBRATION
preston News Service)

NIlCSlOA 4NNNo 5SANANSJ
Washington, D. c., Feb. 3.-Schools,
churches and social agencies will pause
during the week Of February to 13,
inclusive, to invite attention to the
long neglected record of the Negro.
This week, which covers the birthday
Of Lincoln and approaches that Of
Douglas, is a most appropriate occa-
sion for this timely observance.
Around the story of these great char
acters and others who have worked
for the benefit of humanity and for the
Negro in particular, the brilliant record
Of the Negro may be so dramatized as
to inspire the Negro youth to noble
deeds.
To invite attention to the romantic
Story of the Negro, there have been
engaged throughout the country nu-
merous teachers, ministers, profess
sional men, and leaders of business
who will participate in various exer-
cises held throughout the week. Pub
lie schools will use the hour Of as
sembly for this purpose City and
state school authorities have set aside
special days of this week and social
uplft agencies will hold appropriate
exercises in the evenings. The enthu-
siasm has decidedly increased since
last year, when this celebration was
held for the first time, and the pre-
liminary reports from the field indicate
that it will be in every sense of the
word national celebration.
The people throughout the country
have been called upon to do certain
definite things. They are asked to or
ganize their community through COM
mittees for the celebration, to appeal
to their boards Of education for the
adoption Of Negro history textbooks,
to interest their library and school in
securing a shelf of scientific works on
the Negro and pictures Of distin-
guished men Of the race, to urge every
one to write to the Association all he
knows about Negro family history
and to send it any important docu-
ments bearing on the record Of the
Negro.
This is not a money-raising effort
The Association requests that efforts
now being made to assist it in raising
funds be discontinued altogether from
the celebration. If any money is
raised it should be applied definitely tc
some Of the objects mentioned above
especially that of purchasing picture:
of distinguished Negroes and useful
textbooks bearing on the record of the
race. There must be an actual dem.
onstration. The Negro must learn hi:
past and publish it to this prejudicec
world.
The broad ax., 1927-02-05
Crowley MI 13m8pt 2-3
BEAR WINS
preston News Service)

Norwalk, Fla, Feb. ga Negro
hunter whose feet wouldn't coincide
with his brave intentions, quit a bears
den hurriedIy, after firing three
charges of buckshot into the animal
Two minutes later and a half mile
away he came on other hunters. "A
party of seven returned to the scene
and brought from the den 400 pound
black bear.
The broad ax., 1927-02-05
MRS. HARVEY A. WATKINS Be
COMES ONE OF THE NEW
MEMBERS OF THE METRO
PoLITAN BOARD OF DIREC-
TORS OF THE Y.W.C.A.

Last Friday evening at the Central
Branch, 50 E. Monroe Street, Mrs.
Harvey A. Watkins, 1857 S. Michigan
Boulevard, was elected one of the
members of the board of directors of
the Y.W.C.A.
She and Mrs. Albert B. George are
the only two colored ladies in this city
to be thusly honored.
Mrs. Watkins has served with dis
The broad ax., 1927-02-05
MUCH IMPROVED

Mrs. Lucille G. Robinson, 43l2
Vernon Ave, the sister of NJ. T.
Bailey, who has been quite iii and con-
fined to her home for several weeks,
is much improved and convalescing
rapidly.
The broad ax., 1927-02-05
LINING UP HOMES

n 7. Bailey, president Of The
Bailey Realty Co. is still busy lining
up homes on reasonable basis for
Members Of the Race in the city.
The broad ax., 1927-02-05

Nothing I'm easier than fault-fnd-
ings; no talent, no self-denial, mo-
brains, no character are required to
set up the grumbling business
Robert West.
The broad ax., 1927-02-05

Nen aAsw ehafR eAaznsew IN n0g&
ing more clearly than By what thag
think IaughabIe.-GOethe-
The broad ax., 1927-02-05

A record for comets discovered was
made in 1925. when IL were noted BY
astronomerB-
The producers news., 1927-06-03

activities. "You remember l prom
ised you nothing but that / would do
my best. You gave me your notes,
and l shall remember that you can
not be expected to be happy until you
have the real money in your hands.
l hope to make good for we have
real OIL" he said.
"Tell Everyone"
AS a parting remark Townley adj
monished the men to go home and
tell everyone that oil had been found
in North Dakota, and that 1--WE believe
that the well was located in pay sand
and that he hoped that a fine well
of flowing oil will be the reward"
Many questions were asked during
the afternoon and never before had
the leader been so anxious and will
ing to answer and invite these.
Among those who spoke briefly and
holding the bottle of crude oil, as
they said for an inspiration, were
"Dad" Walker Yucca, Jack Pieffer,
Amidon and Mr.. Patterson.
No More Solicitation.
Bismarck, N. DIN an interview
with The Associated Press, Townley
said he does not intend to conduct
another solicitation campaign among
his friends in North Dakota to fin
ance the project. Money to sink the
well was loaned to Townley by friends
who knew him in his Nonpartisan
league days. They took his note as
evidence of his indebtedness. He said
he intends to advise with some of his
friends regarding the future policy of
the drilling project.
Asked concerning the reason fol
reviving the Nonpartisan league Gus
tom of holding a big meeting instead
OF going ahead and bringing in the
well and letting commercial produc-
tion of oil be its own evidence of his
success, TOwnley said his friends haC
waited so long for news regarding his
prospect that he wanted to call them
in and show them what he had.
Asked regarding the location of hi.
Kansas property which he described
as being of great potential value
Townley said he would prefer not tC
discuss that subject.
| Following the meeting, Townley
held meeting with his drivers, tn,
men who covered the state in automo
biles raising money for him nearly
two years ago. He said he merely
advised with them what to do will
regard to continuing the effort t,
bring in well at Robinson. Thi.
conference lasted an hour, and during
its course Townley is said to have
declared that he doesn't propose tt
ask these people" for another dollar
May Sell Leases
In the event that he needs none,
The producers news., 1927-06-03

personal property equalled $17,49O,
666. In 1926 all personal property,
including the value of all livestock in
the county, amounted to the stagger-
inc sum of SIT, ,736,958. This divided
on 1902 homes would average about
S9,325.42 on each home in Sheridan
County.
The total assessed value of the
Mountain States Telephone, and Far
mers Telephone companies, and the
500 and Great Northern railroad
companies in 1926 within the area of
Sheridan County amounted to ST.
454,942.
Words convey ideas, arithmetical
figures represent irrefutable facts.
By the above words and figures |
have given the readers Of these lines
a sort of panoramic view of the gen
eral conditions existing in Sheridan
County represented in figures. In
a certain way the figures represent
ing the values of our real estate, and
livestock industry does not represent
The producers news., 1927-06-03

vations in above lands in 1928
amounted to 11,792,672.
Total full cash value of improve
ments on above mentioned lands in
1928 amounted to $2,382,O52. In
1926 the total full cash value of
aforementioned improvements am
ounted to $2,465, ,OO1, an increase of
$50. .949. Not so bad in one of the
worst deflation periods in history for
a new county in a recently settled
western state.
The full and cash value of all live
stock in Sheridan County in 1923
was ST, I'll, ,28O. In 1926 the full cash
value of all livestock in the County
amounted to $998,447.
The number of homes assessed in
1926 were 1902.
$998, ,447, the full and cash value
of all homes divided by 1902, repre-
senting the number of assessed
homes in the county, amounts to
S524.95 for each home.
In 1923 the full cash value of all
The producers news., 1927-06-03

point of view. | want the reader of
what the general assessed value con-
ditions. of Sheridan County are.
| have taken the years 1923-24-25-
26 as basis for my few remarks.
Real estate values have in that time
gone down in value, but personal pro-
perty values have gone up IN value.
The number of acres in 1928 OF ir-
rigated lands, non-irrigated lands,
grazing lands, mineral reservations
in above lands, city and town lots
amounted to 853, ,487 acres.
In 1926 the number of acres of
above mentioned description plus TAT
acres Of patented mining claims
amounted to 866, ,235 acres.
The total value of all taxable pro-
perty in 1928 amounted to SIT, ,490,-
666. In 1926 the value of the same
property had risen to the amount of
$17,736,958.
The full cash value Of irrigated,
nOn-irrigated, grazing, state lands
(under contract), and mineral reser-
The producers news., 1927-06-03
Rv o. A. Aspelund


| have been asked to write a few
lines in respect to the assessed valu-
alton of Sheridan County, Montana.
shall in the accompanying and fol-
lowing remarks and statements try
to show the readers of this article
that, though our County like the rest
Of our Country has gone through one
of the most trying deflation periods
in the history of the United States,
the northeastern part of Montana has
held it's own, and in many respects,
more than it's own. About the year
1922 the high peak of taxation was
reached in Montana. About the
same time the deflation period of
both real and personal property be-
gan to run it's downward course. We
should in such a period expect to
see taxes go up by leaps and bounds.
1t does not belong in this article to
show the downward trend Of taxa
ton. Another article bearing on that
subject will show the reader that
The producers news., 1927-06-03
TOWNLEY SAYS
HE STRUCK OIL
AT ROBINSON
Information Given Out By Him At
Mass Meeting Held On Site of
Well-Huge Crowd Present.

jamestown, N. D.-"That oil has
been found in North Dakota is the
really worth while thing and l can
see no reason to doubt that we have
found it, was the comment made by
A. c. Townley, former Nonpartisan
league leader Immediately after he
with a huge mass of people watched
the raising of the drill covered with
oil from the 1,700 foot well at the
Robinson project Sunday afternoon.
After telling the crowds of men.
women and kiddies who had come to
the oil well scene in every kind of a
conveyance from hired hack and anti
quated Ford to high powered Lin
coins and Cadillacs that oil had been
struck May p, 1926, he showed them
bottle of crude oil, which he
said had been taken from the well
Saturday morning by Senator Dell
Patterson of Renville county and
Fred Rudy the watchman. The oil
had been drawn in a tomato can
fastened to piece of binder twine
he said. The variety was free oil
he said.
No one had been told of the dis