davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Douglas daily dispatch., 1927-12-20
Wealthy ChicagOan's
Child Is Threatened
By Kidnaper's 5 Letters

+ CHICAGO, Dec. 10 Ry-With
X the receipt of a third letter
= threatening to kidnap seven year
= old Herbert Debs, son of B. r.
y Debs, wealthy Chicago manufac-
y turer, unless $4,000 is paid, the
y police today doubled the guard
y around the boy.
y The three letters have been
* written on the same stationery
y and by the same hand, the police
X said, and detectives were detailed
* to guard the Debs' home and Of
= flee on the South Side.
y Neighbors said they had seen
y two men in an automobile watch
<. ing the child constantly while he
y played near their home. Arrange
y merlts are being made to send !
y Herbert and the other Debs chill
y dren out of the city.
s. yIay
4 * * y * * * * y * y * y s.:
their machines, and whatever is bougl
for them, they prefer to buy them
selves. I haven't taken along an
presents. I would not know what
get" :
Douglas daily dispatch., 1927-12-20

mans 11:17-27. Isaiah 56:6-8 SAYS
God will gather others beside Israel,
and Isaiah 11:10-12 says He will gather
Israel and Judah the second time.
zechariah 14:4-9 says He will stand on
Mt. Olives and will have all the saints
with Him. Every overcomer or Prince
of God will be with Him Revelation
2:17, 21:7, 1915, and 3:20, 21). We
become spiritual Jew by overcoming
every besetting sin in our characters,
and following Jesus in every way"
The subject announced for tonight
is Christ, Our Righteousness" What
is re-birth. Every one is urged to be
present as the meetings will soon close.
Douglas daily dispatch., 1927-12-20
WOULD CASH BOMBS

WASHINGTON Dec. l9 (P)--Con-
version into cash of the bonus certi-
ficates issued World war veterans
would be provided by a bill introduced
today by Senator Dilr democrat,
Washington.
Each veteran would receive an
amount equal to his adjusted service
credit, plus four per cent interest, pay
ment to be contingent upon the turn
ing in of the certificates and the in
tereSt to be compounded annually
from the date Of their issuance.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1927-03-12

YOU IN SEND US THREE YEAR, SUBSCRIP TI0NS
with your own making S. and we will send you an Over
size, SETTLING Pen with an0ver-szed 14karat Solid
Gold Point wit Hard Iridu Tip prepaid and an Over.
c'zaa Pencil to match the Pen both packed in beaut
FL e4o' box which is eoyerod with Karato and lined
7r''h h'6h Grade plush and tin
The Washington times., 1927-12-27
Dc. Heads Are Again
Reminded of Bird
Pests Here

The District Commissioners got
an abundance of Christmas mail
but most Of it had to do with
the startling scourage which has
afflicted and environs for the
past several years.
These letters, coming from
many towns and cities, carry all
manner of freak recommendations
for the elimination of these feath-
cred pests.
They recommend everything
from using sharp shooters against
them to hanging cages Of live
hawks along the lodges of the
District buildings.
The Commissioners who are
busy with their 60.40 campaign in
Congress have turned their starl.
ing correspondence over to Daniel
E, Garges. secretary of the board.
The Washington times., 1927-12-27
AUT0|ST R D B s
CAS- STATION

While he was in the pit making
an examination of an automobile he
failed to see the driver enter the
office of the filling station at Sixth
Street and Maryland Avenue S. W.,
last night and rob the cash regis.
ter, Lester A. Pigott, 241S Four
teenth st. N. W., told police.
Pigctt said that a man driving an
automobile with Virginia tags asked
him to examine the transmission of
his car and stole between $25 and
$40 and a revolver from the cash
register while he was beneath the
car.
A colored man who was assisting
Miss Elizabeth II. lockwood, 152S
Sixteenth st. n. w., to change a
tire at Tenth and o Streets N. W.,
stole her pocketbook containing 81
in bills and IS gold piece and a
check for $3.50.
The theft of diamond brooch,
valued at $3.50, from a dresser
drawer in her bedroom, was re.
ported by Mrs. F. G.. Schriber. 274O
Thirty-fourth Pl. n. w.
Irene Scott. AIS Washington St
N. W. reported the theft from her
home OF Christmas presents valued
at $50.
The Washington times., 1927-12-27
TWOLA|D LOW IN
D. c. FIGHTS

Two men were treated at hos.
pitfalls, one here and the other in
Alexandria. Va. last night, as q
result of injuries suffered in alter.
cations.
Walter Widklossly, %. 10 Over
land Ave-, Glen Echo. Md, was
treated at Georgetown Hospital for
possible fracture suffered when
he was struck on the head with a
flat iron during a fgiht at 1891
Prospect Ave. N. w. Police arrested
Samuel Nicholson, of the latter
address, and are holding him to
await the outcome Of Widklossky's
injuries.
Henry .Ownes. A.. living on a
sand dredge south of the railroad
bridge, across athe Potomac River
was stabbed in the jaw during a
fight on the barge. He was first
treated at the Alexandria Hospital
and then reported the matter to
local police, furnishing them with
the name of his assailant.
The Washington times., 1927-12-27
DRIVEN
Off POOL

washington's fee skating season
ended shortly before noon today.
when park police shooed the figures
experts from the rejecting pool at
the Lincoln Memorial because the
ice had become too thin.
There's ice on the Potomac, In
Rock Creek and at Chevy Chase
Lake, but only in the Iast-named
place is there any security for
skaters--and that may end at any
minute.
The Weather Bureaus report of
rising temperature today and to-
morrow sent inspectors from the
office of Public Buildings and Parks
to examine the ice on the reflect.
ing pool. 1t showed signs of be.
coming thin and orders to close
the pool to skaters were given.
Many small craft on the Potomac
are held firmly in ice near the
shore, hut no serious Inconvenience
have been reported to the Harbol
Police. The temperature is sup
posed to take a drop tonight. but
warmer weather win be here to
morrow and the Ice will :lav,
vanished before New Year Day
II Is predicted.
The Washington times., 1927-12-27
WATSON QUITS
j. s. POST

Robert Watson, president OF the
United States Housing Corporation
and q familiar figure in Govern.
ment circles for twenty years, has
resigned his post to practice law
in this city.
He will become associated with
the firm of Davies, Jones and
Beebe; the senior member of the
firm, Joseph e. Davies, specialist
in international law, having been
chairman Of the Federal Trade Com
mission
Bob" Watson came to washing.
ton from his native town of Lowell.
Mass, in 1906, as a stenographer
in the Bureau of Immigration
Seven years later he became chief
clerk in the Department of Labor,
his rise having been rapid. When
the World War came he a'led in
organizing the United Sta q EN-
ployment Service and served as as.
sistant to Secretary of Labor vii.
son in organizing the Housing Cor.
poration, becoming president Of the
latter in 1920.
The Government hotels on Union
Station plaza have constituted one
OF the properties under the super.
vision of the corporation, and Wat.
son has been their landlord and
overseer.
The Washington times., 1927-12-27
NEW KIDNAP Law URGED
FOR DISTRICT BY CAPPER
STFFEN
PENALTIES
HERE

A new kidnapping statute for the
District of Columbia today was re.
quested by Senator Capper, chair
man Of the Senate District Com
n1ittee.
In a letter to District Attorney
Peyton Gordon, Senator Capper
points out that the present law is
defective and provides penalties that
are altogether inadequate in view
OF the monstrous nature of the
crime.
I'VE do not want any Marian
Parker abductions in the District"
said Senator Capper in his letter to
the District Attorney. who is re-
quested to prepare legislation which
Congress can act upon at the pres.
ent session.
Senator Capper points out that
the maximum penalty for abduction
In the District is 20 wears, so far as
children under is years OF age are
concerned. Above that age q maxi.
mum penalty of seven years Is pro.
vided for kidnapping.
Furthermore, Senator Capper saws,
the present law is so vaguely worded
that in abduction cases wherein the
victims are not taken outside the
boundaries of the District, the kid.
naper may escape without any pen.
atty whatever being imposed upon
him.
Senator Capper believes that life
Imprisonment is not too severe a
punishment for the crime of kid.
mapping a child. He suggests. how.
ever, a maximum penalty of so
years imprisonment in kidnapping
cases involving the ext5rtion of
money.
Even the threat OF kidnapping, Sen.
ator Capper said, should be made a
crime punishable by ten years i'm
prisonment.
The Washington times., 1927-12-27
POLICE TO DROP
FESTIVAL BAN

Washington apparently is going
to celebrate New Years Eve until
the wee, small hours of the morn
ing without police interference.
This was indicated today when
the police informed hotels and res
tuarants that they may remain
open after midnight provided no
cover charge is collected.
Jean Monk, manager of the Ma
tional Fellowship Club, which holds
Saturday night dances at the City
Club. today called on Commissioner
Proctor Dougherty to complain that
favoritism has been shown some of
the other dance clubs by the police.
Monk, who was found guilty last
week in Police Court of violating
the Sunday law. announced his club
would run their dance next Satur-
day night until a. m.
Monk complained to Commissioner
Dougherty that Lieut.. James ID.
McQuade, of No. precinct. was
derelict in his duty early Sunday
morning when he failed to take
action against one OF the night
clubs which operated after mid
night. Monk and ms wife went to
the club in question at l a. m.
bought dinner and danced. They
saw McQuade there, he told the
Commissioner.
Monk said he would today file
formal charges against McQuade
and ask for his trial before the
police trial board. Their charge
will be dereliction of duty.
The Washington times., 1927-12-27
D. c. YOUNG FOX GANG"
TRUSSES UP BOY VICTIM.
FOUND GAGGED
ON HIS own
STEP

Police today are searching for
three members Of the Northeast
Washington's fox gang" who last
night are alleged to have kidnapped.
hazed and trussed up. Elmer Nash,
IL years oldr and later deposited
him in front Of his home at 2024
Claggett st. N. E..
The crime according to informa.
ton furnished by Elmer, has all
the appearances Of the work Of a
gang of boys, with a perverted
desire to initiate In q small way
the sensational act OF William
Edward Hickman, Los Angeles
fox killer.
Gagged With Tie
In the place Of Hickman's un.
speakable crime, they merely kept
Elmer out in the marshes Of East
ern Branch for five hours until he
was blue with cold, gagged him
with his own necktie then tied him
up in a ball with his head between
his legs and deposited him in front
Of his home q few moments before
a searching party OF frantic rela.
tives were about to look for him.
Francis Wyehe, also IL years old
2032 Claggett St., was more forum.
ate than Elmer. Both boys were
chased from the mot dog" stand at
Sixteenth Street and Benning Road
Northeast, through the woods back
OF Union League Park. They
separated and the gang selected
Elmer for its victim, letting Francis
get away.
Was Chased Before
Both boys describe the abductors
as about is or IL years old. all
three dressed in blue. and wearing
long pants and wearing caps.
The same three boys. who Elmer
does not know. chased him shortly
before Christmas. he said. Failing
to catch him. they shouted. "WelI
get you yet"
According to Elmer they took
him into the marshes and for five
hours kept him picking up sticks
and stones and running races
against time. When he failed to
beat the watch. he said. they would
hit him with their fists.
Shortly after IL they tied him up
like a roast of meat. carried him
to his home and dumped him in the
front yard.
The Washington times., 1927-12-27
AL. WASHINGTON 14f7ES SECOND
HOME TOWN PAGE TrsD.S 1T9EsPHS - 100, LOCAL NEWS
M|SS|NGBOY,11,
FOUND AGAIN

The ever.eIusive 11-year.eld Elmer
Francis Medley, OF first one address
and then another and at present
Of 419 Third St N. W.. was picked
up last night and offered. another
of his weird tales to account for
his appearance alone on the street
late at night.
Christmas apparently means little
to Elmer for he failed to keep an
appointment to purchase presents
on Christmas Eve with his mother
and she instituted a search that
ended only today.
When found late last night by
Policeman ]. B. Trittipoe, of the
First Precinct. the boy said that he
was an orphan whose mother died
in September and left enough
money to board him for a short
time with man in Olney. Nd.
Yesterday the money ran out, he
said, and his landlord put him out,
so he walked all the way to the
city. He was sent to the House
of Detention.
The boys mother, Mrs. Mildred
Williams, 14O4 Ridge Pr. S. E.,
boards him with Mrs. Lee Burris,
419 Third st. N. W., and the hoy
attends the Seaton School. spending
his week-ends with his mother and
step-father, George Williams.
Saturday he was to meet his
mother down town but failed to
keep the appointment and it was
not until today that she learned his
whereabouts.
Police records show that the boy
has run away upon a number Of
previous occasions.
The Washington times., 1927-12-27
HI. B. Spessard Asks
Cancellation of AIimOny

Hubert B. Spessard, sued by his
wife for alimony, and who on Octo.
Der ], was ordered by the court to
pay her $40 per month. today filed
petition in the District Supreme
Court to have the alimony set
aside on the grounds that his wife
is earning $4,000 per year and is
able to support herself.
Through Attorneys Jameson and
Ward, the husband says that the
wife, Mrs. Ruth E. Spessard, of
1912 New Hampshire Ave. N. W.,
is employed by the Civil Service
Commission,
The Washington times., 1927-12-27
RAISE FOR
j. 5. WORKERS

With Government officials declar-
ing that continued prosperity is as
sured for the nation, congressional
advocates Of better pay for Federal
employees will begin a drive in their
behalf Immediately after the holi-
days.
Citing Uncle Sam as the richest
employer in the world, Representa-
tive Richard J. Welch R.) OF Cali
fornia, today announced that he
would go before the Civil Service
Committee In support of his bill fix.
ing $1,000 minimum yearly wage
for Government workers.
Thousands OF Federal employees,
WEIGH asserted, are not making
living wage, and exist only by doing
outside work or depending on the
aid of their wives.
There are men and women en-
ployed at the ridiculous compensa
ton Of $50 a month";" he said
There are charwomen working In
the Capital for even less.
"Uncle Sam is rich enough to sci
good example for other employers
and pay his servants living wage.
WEIGHS bill would classify Govern
ment workers in grades receiving
from $1,000 to $4,000 year, sever
classes being established.
Liberalization of the Civil Service
Retirement Act Is another goal Of
Congressman who condemn Uncle
Sans labor policy. Representative
Lehlbach R.) of New Jersey. chair
man of the Civil Service Committee
has proposed a bill which is said
to have administration support.
The Lehlbach bill would assure q
retired worker, who had been on the
payroll for forty years, a pension Of
$1,000 a year. Representative Glib
son (Rl Of Vermont has proposed a
bill providing for optional retirement
after thirty years service for work
ers So years or older.
The Washington times., 1927-12-27

Barren and desolate on s Street,
at the dead end Of Twenty-second
Street. the old Holmead house today
echoes with the voices of young
people on the public playground
adjacent. but to the historian it
recalls colonial gaieties and luxury.
The old building end the site on
which it stands were bought before
the Word War as the site for a
German Embassy. The war upset
the project.
A search of the records estab.
fishes fairly well the origin of The
house. 1t appears to have been
built in 1895 by Anthony Holmead
on a site given to him by an
uncle of the same name. 1t had
been a gift from the king of Eng
The Washington times., 1927-12-27
The Other Wise Man"
To Be Given Tonight

For the third consecutive year
the Chapel Players, OF Luther Place
Memorial Church, will present Van
Dykes Christmas legend, 1.-THE
Other Wise Man." tonight in the
church chapel.
Denis E. Cornell, Katherine
Riggs and Charlotte Hartman will
play the leading parts.
The play was given last night for
the first time this year. A large
crowd attended.
The Washington times., 1927-12-27
COME ON, GANG !!
.DsLKRICl
ne us.pKr opPleE

o tell the Truth and you'll have
youth, heaped up and Overlooking;
yOu'll get the pep into your step
a-cOminK and a-gOinG.
For Truth Is Good. and IiVeH-
hood and Love ara based upon It.:
a garment fine that's yours and
mine IL we hut choose to don 1t.
There IL no use. no sane excuse.
for anything hut TrueRess. 80
come along and sing your song,
and let Il not be blueness.
Let's show the world. with flag
unfurled, that we're no Lodge Of
sorrow; and biz will hum and
blessings come, today and each to-
morrow! GENE BLOSSOM.
The Washington times., 1927-12-27
$4,000 Damages Asked
For Hurts by AutOmOhiIe

Edgar r. McClung. 1916 Sixteenth
st. N. W., today was named de.
PENDANT in $4,000 suit, filed in
the District Supreme Court by Vir.
gil Henry Hollis, for personal in.
juries.
He alleges that McClung was
operating his high-powered automo-
bile in a reckless and dangerous
manner.
The Washington times., 1927-12-27
NEAR EAST AIDE NAMED

DR.. John Ryan Devereux, of
Chevy Chase, Nd. has been an.
pointed medical director for the
Catholic Near East Welfare Asso.
citation. according to announcement
today by Prof. Edmund A. Walsh.
8. j.. vice president Of Georgetown
University and president Of the as.
sociatiou.
The Washington times., 1927-12-27

few years ago. built a score Of
garages on the property and rented
them to neighbors. He got into the
courts over this evidence of enter
prise. He had been employed as
caretaker by the German govern
ment.
The playground adjacent to the
house was donated 10 years ago to
the District of Columbia by wealthy
woman who died IN California and
left several thousand dollars to be
used in the upkeep Of the grave OF
her pet poodle dog. The little grave.
surrounde by a picket fence. is in
one corner OF the playground. The
dog had been carried all over the
world. 1t died while she was a resi-
dent of this city
The Washington times., 1927-12-27
Taxi Passenger Sues
For $4,000 Damages

Mary q. Porter, of All L st,
N. W.. injured in a collision while
a passenger in a cab of the Black
and White Company, today filed q
suit in the District Supreme Court
for $4,000 against the company tt
recover for her alleged injuries.
The accident occurred October II
at North Capitol and G SITS.
The Washington times., 1927-12-27
Memorial Is Planned
For Clara Barton Here

Plans have been practically COM
pleted for a public memorial Sun
day. in the United States Chamber
of Commerce. to Clara Barton, the
battlefield nurse OF the Civil War,
it was announced today.
Maj. Gen. John L. Glen, retired,
heads the committee on arrange
ments
The Washington times., 1927-12-27
HoLMEAD HOUSE

land. The elder Holmead had
been given a grant of land lying
between Rock Creek, Kalorama
Heights. Florida Avenue and
Georgia Avenue.
The nephew brought the brick
and materials for the house from
England. He lived in luxury, enter
tanned lavishly and his place was
social center. A stone in the
chimney bears the legend '1795
A. H."
Holmead was extremely friendly
with the Indians and when they
were driven from this locality by
white settlers he stood on his front
porch and bid them good-by.
The last occupant of, the house
was a Washington policeman, who a
The Washington times., 1927-12-27

IL has been a mighty long
time since you heard a mother
sag to her daughter: go
right upstairs, Nellie, and
put on your flGMnels. It's
getting cold" And it has
been a long time since a
mother. pat 'em on herself.
JUMBO JAKE.
The Washington times., 1927-12-27
POETIC HEADLINING

Will A. Wells, editor of the
Webster Is. d. Journal, con-
tinues to attract attention by
the poetic headlines in his paper.
This one describes a wedding:
HE LOOKED INTO
HER EYES OF BLUE = THAT
SETTLED PENNIES FATE
In Weeks But Two-Away They
Flew - And Now She Is
His Mate
This one describes the hard
luck of a local "cat" burglar:
MUCH CASH HE STOLE
BUT LOST THE ROLL: 1T SLID
DOWN THRU Al POCKET
HOLE
Then Away He Flew, In Pants
OF Blue, Nor Left Behind a
Single Clue
~
uyxur ryEHDrcrAxA cnrr>rr
The Washington times., 1927-12-27
BRoADCAsTING ADVICE

BROADCASTING ADVICE
The doctor advises his patient just
what he must do,
And assures him he will certainly
pull him through:
But. II the patient dies. the doctor
comes around
To see his mistake quietly placed
under ground.
The lawyer says, 'I1I get you clear
beyond doubt"
And the pFls0ner believes he knows
what he's about;
But when the drop falls and he shoots
The lawyers error is elevated above
ground.
10, In giving advice. we may make
mistakes In conclusions,
For we are frequently subject to
mental illuslOna:
And we should BRe moderation I'm
what We do and say.
But to avoid giving general advice
10 the safest way.
The Washington times., 1927-12-27
HIS TOUGH LUCK

A fellows got to feel sorry
For Rudolph Won Specka.
Hes the guy In the circus
with half dozen necks.
The reason feel sorry
For this chap speeka
II that he can't buy collars
To fit his collection Of necIrs.
HOFFMAN.
The Washington times., 1927-12-27

Tea Richard aDas the first
fight promoter to find out
that thousands of chMmps
sciu pay $40 for ringside
seats for no other purpose
than to yell, Kill 'iml" "Bust
in his sLGtsi" "EGt I'm up!"
etc. THIRD ROUND.
The Washington times., 1927-12-27

be All the fellows / know
There's one I hate. BY heck.
asks me 70 lunch with him
AaA then lets me pay the cheek.
SAM HokUM
The Washington times., 1927-12-27

Noted educator. who today COM
mended the Hearst papers for
their plea to Congress for the
creation OF a Secretary Of Educa.
ton. Copies of Windsor McCay's
striking cartoon and editorial in
yesterdays Herald were mailed
by Mr.. Southern to each men,
her of Congress. MIR. Southern n
president Of the Southern Brothers
Universities in five cities in the
United States.
The Washington times., 1927-12-27

Capital In Pictures,
No. IS
Old Holmead House, Now
a Desolate Spot, Has
Had Gay and Interesting
History Since 1875
New Britain herald., 1927-01-08
Ouicksands of Love
 Adele Garrison's New Phase of
Revelations Of e Wife

MT. Leslie has proposed" she be- gan a bit hesitantly, that instead of his usual programme, h. A.lect partners from among you for number of short dances, and that then you will all vote upon the No- man who has acquitted herself with the most skill and grace. 1 beauti- scented to the winner tonight. and later suitably engraved and valu- able bracelet will be sent to her"
 As she ceased speaking, her glance. outwardly brave, but unmis- takably harassed, swept the circle of faces before her. That it was a doubtful expedient to which she had resorted I knew, even though I was not familiar with the general routine of establishments like hers. But that it's success or failure rested upon the next minutes caprice of the blase merrymakers looking at her, real ized, and with the sympathy which rises in the heart of every woman worthy of the name for a sister at
  bay, I waited breathlessly for the response.
 It came overwhelmingly at the end of a seconds astonished silence. in another burst of handclapping and laughing calls of approval to the woman standing in the center of the floor, and a sudden look of joyous relief succeeding the worry in her eyes, she swung around in half circle, throwing kisses eNtravagantly to the crowd. Then she laid her hand upon Jack Leslie's arm and walked with him toward the musi- clans gallery.
 To reach it, they had to pass our table, so that we were the nearest of all the revelers to Jack Leslie when young Noel Veritzen, eluding the grasp of his fellow musicians, who evidently fathomed his purpose, hurdled the rail of the musicians gallery and grasping Leslie by the throat, pushed him against pillar with the gasping demand
 Tell me what you have done with her, you dog!"