davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-06-29

and asking for stories. His business was
driver of a two-horse truck AS vol
unteer fireman he took part in heroic
rescues in the neighborhood
AL Smith, ST., was a big man with q
wonderful memory and a laundering
voice His distinguished son has In
herited that memory and something of
that rough, powerful voice. AL still re-
members how his father used to come
home to the third floor OF TIA South
street. AIS birthplace. covered with
''streaky sweat" and how he would peel
off his upper garments and plunge his
neck, arms and hands into water TO, cool
off. One of his fathers favorite sayings
was. "A man who cannot do friend a
favor lis not man" He never made
much money.
The father was born in 1910 on Water
street near Oliver. His mother was
born in 1850 in a store on the corner of
Dover and Water streets. Smiths ma
ternal grandmother was better educated
than the average Irishwonan OF that
section. She had attended a convent In
Ireland and was famous for her fine
sewing. Because she read a little more
than persons with whom she associated
scholar.
Father Died Years Ago.
Although his father died while Al
was sim young, he remembers scattered
things about him quite well The
boy watched Brooklyn Bridge being
built. He has since said that he grew
up with the great bridge. His father
wanted TO be able To say that he was
the first To walk across the bridge
before IL was completed Al renleni-
beers a walk he took with his father
across the wooden planks Of the great
structure while the finishing touches
we're being put on 1t. It was a win
try day, and the wind blew cold up
the East River.
In the warm days Of Summer the
boys used to go In swimming from
the docks along the river front, Some
times AIS father went In with them.
The hoy recalls one day when his
father tied rope around his sons
body and threw him into the water.
II was his first lesson in swimming.
His father held tight TO the other end
Of the rope. AL, like the other boys
became a good swimmer, and To THIS
day one OF his chief pleasures Is SWIM
ing in the surf at Coney Island.
Mother Was Strict.
Contrasting with his father, AIS
mother was the strict one OF the fam"
lily. She, too. had the irish friend
illness and sociability, but not as much
as her husband. She stayed around
home all day and devoted her life 10
! bringing up her children. She always
made IL point 10 know what the
| children were doing and TO guide them
toward the right. In later years, when
Mrs. Smith lived with her daughter,
/ Mrs. John j. diynn, whose husband
( was long a member OF the police force,
/ the old lady never lost her habit OF
/ supervision. She would stay awake
! at night waiting for her grandchildren
| 10 come home,
/ After an illness Of two years. tlfe
| father died in 1895. having been \
night Waterman toward the end of his
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-06-29

life. Then Mrs Smith went back to
her trade as an umbrella maker to
keep Alfred in school Her rules for
life were simple One of her sayings
was, Show child the difference be-
tween right and wrong and it will
choose the right" She taught her chill
dren to tell the truth and not TO make
excuses. She was especially attentive
to the dress of her children and they
were better clothed than most of their
playnates.
Lived on Third Floor.
The house on South street where AL
was born was old and narrow. with only
two windows on each floor. The
Smiths lived in four rooms on the third
floor A German kept barber shop
on the second floor and there was a
fruit and candy shop on the ground
floor The Smith home was a favor
lite resort for the children Of the neigh
borhood. and there was an attic in
which they often played. 1t was II
happy home
AIS work In the paroehial school was
steady and 1t came easy To him, but he
never made brilliant record as Il
scholar. He liked public speaking and
did well at 1t. In an orat0rical contest
among boys III the parochial schools of
the city he won silver medal for a
recitation on the death OF RQDespierre,
1t Is stu preserved in the family II IL
engraved with the words, ALFRED f..
Smith, for Elocution" Friday after
Moons at the school were devoted to I'M
promptu speaking. AL soon became
known for his naturalness Of manner,
magnetism and originality Of express
sion, His old teacher, Brother Baldwin,
refers to his faculty for concentrating
upon the meat OF subject and not bur-
dentng his mind with excess material.
He stiil does that.
Quits school ut is.
When he was Is, two years after his
fathers death, AL quit school and went
to work His first regular Job was
truck chaser" or business hunter, for a
truckman. From 1883 to 1890 he
worked at this, and then he became an
, office boy and assistant shipping clerk
In an oil factory He soon found that
his job aa assistant shipping clerk"
was principally the handling OF heavy
lead pipe,
Two years later he went to work for
! VIZ WEEK as aufL 81 Il combination
| salesman and assistant bookkeeper for
/ John Feeney IL Co, vi stall Is In the
| Fulton Fish Market. He was also
| known as basket boy" For years, as
young fellow, he had sold newspapers
| around The streets. Everybody who
knew him liked him, and now that he
was Older II was predicted that he
would be a sure-flre success with Fee
| ney and would help 10 boost his bust
| ness
| Basket boy at the Fulton Fish Market
was no soft snap The peddlera and
| some OF the retailers usually carried the
| loaded baskets 10 their wagons and 1t
| was The task of the basket boys 10 see
| that the baskets were not carried away
| They gathered them up and returned
| them 10 the stalls, The boys also
helped carry the baskets 10 the wegons,
NTps esssassfsHas
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-06-29

up collar. He cut quite q figure and
did not fail to make favorable inn
preston on his lady love. especially as
his weekly earnings enabled him 10
save enough money TO buy flowers and
candy for Katie.
Alfred Emanuel Smith led Catherine
A. Dunn TO the altar in May, 1900. at
st. Augustine's Church, at Franklin
avenue and 167th street. Father john
Kean left his own parish and united
them in marriage A Catholic priest
seldom leaves his own parish for such
purpose, and Gov. Smith likes to
tell of this fact as evidence OF the
warm friendship which existed between
the priest and the young man who
had grown up under his watchfut care.
Five Children.
The marriage has been happy, Alfred
Emanuel Smith, ir., was born January
IS. 1901. and was married IN 1924 TO
Bertha Mary Colt Emily Josephine
was born December %, 1901. She re-
semhles her mother and has much OF
her fathers vivaeity. In 1926 she was
married to Maj. John Adams Warner,
and this union recently brought TO the
governor his first granddaughter, Mary
Adams Warner,
The Smiths third child Is Catherine
Alice. born April Is. 1904, while the
fourth child Arthur Williams, was
born August 20. 1907, Walter Joseph
was born December IS, 1909. Arthur
married Anne Hess IN 1925 and they
have two husky boys, Arthur, IT,, and
Walter.
The Smiths lived for long time
In half of house at 25 oliver street.
When the governor returned after his
first term OF ONCE IN 1921 they took
the whole house.
Starts Taking CONTRACTS"
Smith learned politics as the ward
OF the Tammany tiger. Tom Foley
was the leader OF the district in which
AL lived. The young man soon began
to take contracts" under the orders
of Foley. not business contracts, but,
in the parlance of New York politics,
commissions TO do something for some
body. He might be sent to see an eni-
ployment manager OF a corporation to
get job or raise in salary for some
worker lie might go to city de
partment for the same purpose. These
contracts, which meant getting some
body q Job or keeping somebody In a
Job &C the same or increased salary
meant votes for Tamnany ON election
day.
Smith Joined the Seymour Club. the
political organization IN the fourth
ward. and soon became known as the
orator Of the club Before that he
earned q great reputation as an anna
teur actor at numerous theatrical per-
formances given under the auspices Of
sc, James Church. He had a special
aptitude FOR acting, Sometimes he was
cast In the hero's part and sometimes
as the villain, He learned great deal
about public speaking In those days
both In the Seymour Club and as an
amateur actor, Occasionally he would
do song and dance, sometimes alone
and sometimes as a member OF team,
Help Frem Audience!
The plays were usually given IN the
basement OF ST, James Church. the
seating capacity OF which was 800, For
It's size the stage was wide and deep
and the Iootllghts were very consnicp-
ana The old basement used 10 be
packed 10 the doors when the plays
we're given, AS usual. whenever. there
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-06-29

Utica! institutions or the social life Of
America As in other cities. the Irish
of New York In few years became po-
liticai leaders. Al Smith sprang from
this stock
The fourth ward, where Smith grew
up. has been called "a distinct world of
IFS own" It's boundaries are the busy
East River. South street, which borders
the river: the BoWery and East Broad
way. Within this area on Water street
we're houses Of bad fame, conducted
especially for sailors. The vagabond
and derelict found refuge in Bowery re-
sorts. Just north Of the fourth ward
on the Bowery was a place called Nc
Gurk's Suicide Hall The region was
one where gambling drinking and worse
things abounded.
These things surrounded the parish
Of st. James. Through the streets Of
the parish broken men and women
passed continually. Al Smith, like every
boy and girl who grew up in the neigh
boThood, was familiar with the harshest
things which could be found in life. But
the people OF the parish, about $4,000
in number. were not Of that sort. Fun
damentaily. 1t Is said. there was not
much difference between them and the
same number Of people in Middle
Western community. Those OF the Md
die West were mostly Professionals,
who had come originally from England
Sweden or Germany. The people Of
this parish we're Catholics from Ireland
Virtue was praised and vice was con-
demned In both communities.
Life Conferred Around Church.
Az Is usual ia such communities, life
ccutereo around the church.~~Et. james
Catholic Church. Father Farrelly, an
easy going, much loved man, was there
when AL was younger. Later, at a criti-
cal period Of his life, came Father John
4, j. Kean, who. Smith has always said,
had great influence on him for good.
Father Kean was handsome, dignified
man, with fine tenor voice, which he
used TO advantage when he sang the
mass
| A strict pastor Of his fock, Father
! Kean never permitted 4 saloon adyer-
/ tisement ~ appear IN church programs.
/ He fought a salOonkeeper for five years
| because he permitted women IN the
/ back room Of his saloon, and IN the end
drove him out Of the neighborhood. He
never permitted drop Of liquor for any
purpose on the church premises. In the
parish schools, which Al Smith attend
/ 81, the Christian Brothers did the
/ teaching
| Al Smith was an altar boy from the
| age III ~ a. lie usually served the Z
O'Clock mass. bat for a time he had To
get up al Is minutes after 10 serve
the 6 O'Clock mass Even then he had
d loud voice, and on the way 10 the
church he used TO waken another boy
whose name was Heating, by shouting
from the street But he stopped that
after an irate citizen threw soap box
at him out of a window
Father Truck Driver.
AIS fathers name was also Alfred
Emanuel Smith. HIS mothers name was
Catherine MulQehili Both we're natives
Of the East Side. Although the father
was GOOD stDry-tfllcr, be war not yers
successful hi business Sandy Hook
pilofs liked him ard when they came
ashore we're fond o. hunting him w
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-06-29

The average fish basket holds 1875
pounds OF slippery live fish.
Day of Toll.
This toll began before dawn. Al
would trudge back and forth in the
smell OF salmon. haddock. pollock, half
but and the rest of the inhabitants of
finland until or 6 o'clock in the eve
ming. Occasionally Fecney would say
to AL. Here's lonesome cod that needs
a home" or Wrap up these founders
before I throw them back into the
river" From the Fulton Fish Market
at that time more sea food was dis
trihuted than from any other point In
the world. outside of Boston 1t is stun
the largest receiving and Distributing
point for fish.
While he worked there Smith picked
up some homely figures Of speech which
he has sometimes used in later life. He
has referred To some one he did not
like as having IAN eye as CLASSY as
a dead cod" Once he said OF another
person, He shakes hands like frozen
mackerel" 1t was In Fulton Fish Mar
ket that AL Smith grew his fins and
learned to swim in business waters.
Begins Political Career.
Al had been working nearly three
years as basket boy" when he dropped
In one day on the boss and said;
1--WE got job in the Office of the
commissioner of jurors, and maybe I'll
be taking a fling at politics,
Sorry to have, you go," replied
Feeney but We'll cheer for you down
here AL Good luck. my boy.
Fulton Fish Market votes 100 per cent
for AL whenever he runs for Office.
inkN &C eaRi ia f1A
of the commissioner of jurors had been
obtained through the influence of Henry
Campbell, a friend. AL worked there
from 1895 to 1908, II was while he
was working at this job for SIS month
that he was married In 1900 10 Cath
crime A, Dunn When hts son Alfred
ir, was admitted to the bar not long
ago and had earned his first days re-
tainers as a lawyer, the governor de-
sired to give him perspective on life,
"Al, when | was your age" he said
Il was married and supporting family
on less per year than you have received
iii retalners on this one day Don't
think life is all rs easy rs that,
Falls in Love.
When the future governor fell IN
love he fell hard. lie was then n
we'll developed handsome young man
and Catherine Dunn was n dafk-eyed
Irish girl somewhat more reserved than
the average girl born IN AIS neigh"
borhood. Her family was in moderate
circumstances and she had been given
more educational advantages than the
truck drivers son Miss Dunn lived
with her mother at 36al Third avenue
at the corner OF roth street.
The elevated railway on which steam
trains ran. ended at l2Dth street and
Third avenue. but those were the days
of the bicycle, and AL was an enthu-
slastic rider. The Bronx, where Miss
Dunn lived. was a long way off from
AIS home, but he managed Ia get there
fertly good derby hat, a. entaWay coat
and trousers with noticeable stripes. a
black four IN hand tie q stand
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-06-29

No Mrs Smith appeared just before leaving for the convention
greeting Asheyie N
studio
favor portrait Of the nominee No Th Smith family on the occasion Of
Smith Alfred Smith G Mrs Alfred Smith G MAI Warner Arthur
Smith f. Smith, Walter Smith, I'd
Arthur Smith, Smith with Adams Warner No sIndnging
their York No 9As appeared recently the golf links
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-06-29
Help From Audience,

The plays were usually given IN the
basement OF ST James Church. the
seating capacity of which was 800, For
It's size the stage was wide and deep
and the footllghts were very consnlcp-
aus The old basement used te be
packed Ia the doors when the plays
we're given, AS usual, whenever. there
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-06-29
Father Truck Driver.

AIS fathers name was also Alfred
Emanuel Smith. His mothers name was
Catherine Mulgehill Both were natives
of the East Side. Although the father
was GOOD stOry-tflcr be war not very
successful IN business Sandy Hook
pilots liked him ard when they came
ashore we're fond o. hunting him up
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-06-29
sprang From Irish stock.

The Irish were the frst immigrants
g. arrive IN large numbers IN New YORK.
Unlike the Germans. Jews, Italians,
Greeks, Siavs and scattered national
ilies. they spoke the English language
and they @ere already familiar With
Trulish political institutions They DID
gen5lne h HARD to understand the po-
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1928-12-21
LUTHERAN CHURCH
A. M. EGGE, Pastor

Subway, tDGCGIilDtI AOLu
Sunday school at Plentywood at
10 a. m. u
AT Outlook the Sunday school will
have their Christmas program on this
day at 10 o'clock in the morning. Ser
mon by the Pastor Immediately after
the program. The confirmants meet
for enrolment.
Services at Archer at 2:30 p M.
The Plentywood Sunday School will
hol dtheir Christmas program in the
evening at 1880.
Christmas Day, December 25th
Divine worship at Plentywood at
II a. m. and at Dooley at 2:30 p. M
mote change).
Wednesday, December 26th
Services at Archer at IL a. m. The
confirmants meet after the service.
In the evening at p. m. Services
with Christmas tree at Antelope. Spe.
cial music by a choir.
Thursday Evening, Dec. 9th
Christmas tree and program at the
Raymond Lutheran church at 7:3(
p. m. Sermon by the pastor.
We cordially invite you to worship
with us. We wish also to extend t
one and all our sincerest Christmas
greeting. May the happiness anC
blessings of Christmas be yours thru
out the New Year.
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1928-12-21

and you won't have to say it with
flowers so soon. Save a life this
year with Christmas Seals.
Quite a number of the worn out
books of the library have now been
rebound and are just as serviceable as
new ones.
The Operetta "Yanki San" given by
the grade schools at the Orpheum was
not as we'll attended as the usual
school program, but with the large
number of cases of illness in the COM
munity, we can consider that we had
good attendance. The program was
well given.
Semester examinations will be given
during the second week of school fol-
lowing the Christmas holidays. Be
prepared.
Due to the splendid support which
the people of PlentywOod and commu-
nifty have shown the school, in its
various pursuits for the raising OF
money for school activities, fine bal.
ance is on hand in many of the funds
The people Of the community deserve
the credit for such a balance. A few
of the funds are mentioned here a!
an illustration. These are the foot
ings of December 18th, 1928:
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1928-12-21
Local News

Have the Producers News print your
Christmas cards.
Oscar Angvick of Medicine Lake
motored to Plentywood Tuesday to
transact legal business.
Hans Agaard was business caller
in Plentywood from his farm near
this city last Wednesday.
"Red" Thompson left Saturday for
Omaha, Neb., where he will spend the
holidays with relatives and friends.
We are in the market for Sweet
Clover seed free from noxious weeds.
Points Seed Farms, Crosby, N. D.
35-4t
VIM. Gottlieb left for Seattle, Wash
ington Monday to spend the holidays
with his family in that city.
Peter Fink of Outlook was Plen-
tywood caller Wednesday and made
the Producers News office a pleasant
call.
Joseph Searis and Pat Liggett OF
Medicine Lake country were in Plen-
tywood Sunday and remained over
night.
Ship your cream to Farmers Unior
Coop Creamery Williston, N d. We
pay the transportation. ad-S8-ts
Fred Desonia of Daleview, Johr
Harrington, Mrs. A. D. Coleman anC
daughter Sarah of Redstone are
among those who have registered il
the Telegraph school at Wolf Point
during the last few days.
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1928-12-21
Fine Engraved Christmas cards at
The Producers News.

Fine Engraved Christmas cards at
The Producers News.
George Jackson moved in building
from the Welliver country the first OF
the week and will use the same for a
residence in this city.
"Dad' Powell, who has been in
Plentywood for the past year, left
Monday for Miles City, where he will
make an extended visit with relatives
and friends.
Dan Olson, Clerk of the District
Court, has been confined to his bed
for the past week with an attack of
the flu. He is better at this writing.
Adolph "Stub" and Paul Stephens
of Coalridge motored in to Plenty
wood Tuesday to visit. their brother
Emil, who is patient at the Memori-
al hospital.
James Ostby and family of McCabe
autoed through Plentywood Tuesday
on their way to Scobey where they
will visit at the home of Mr.. Ostby's
brother for a few days.
Alcohol and Glycerine, Crosley RAJ
dos, Kelly Tires and Vulcanizing,
Battery exchange. Tire Shop. 34-t5
Friends and Customers-We have
installed telephone (No. 184) for
your convenience. Give us call for
service. Garneau's Variety. 38-t2
Gibson Zeidler returned the first OF
the week from the Wisconsin Univer-
sity, and will spend the Christmas va
cation with relatives and friends ii
this city.
You're there with Crosley. Tire
Shop. 34-tS
Bradley Dooley returned this. weel
from Fargo, N. D., where he is at
tending college, and will spend the
Christmas vacation with relatives a
Dooley and friends in this city.
TRACTOR OWNERS! The Schnitz
Ter Corporation at Froid has JUS
moved into its $4,000 new plant anC
is equipped to thoroly overhaul trac
tors of all makes. Don't let that jol
go until spring; run it down to u
now and we will do the rest.
SCHNITZLER CORPORATION,
S6-t3 Froid, Mont
Henry Krebsbach and John Mob
left Monday for Los Angeles, Cali
fornia, in Mr.. Krebsbach's car. The
expect to spend the winter in tn
Golden state. While Mr.. Krebsbach
away Emil Hoyt will take care of tn
pool hail. While in California Hank
will look after his interests in the Ar
telope valley, short distance fror
Los Angeles.
Visit st. Paul-Tne Christmas Cit
Dec. 17-18-19-20. Finest Christina
Pageant ever staged in the northwes
Wonderful street decorations, lightin
{ effects and special Christmas fir'
works. Unlimited parking privilege
for out of town visitors. Stop {
HOTEL JEWELL, II E. 9Th Stree
Opposite Court House. Special rate
$1.50 per day for two people. (37-2t
FOR SALE VERY CHEAP
M, Sec. 9, Twp. 81, r. $3.50
north of Dooley and SWA SEA, Sc
IA and SEA NEA, VIZ of NEA, E1
NWA, SWA NWA, NWA of SW1
23-S5-52, near Redstone. These tract
will be sold very cheap. Make an O
fer at once. A. E. HANSON, "a
14th Ave. So, st. Cloud. MINI.
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1928-12-21
TOM ALLEY BACK
FROM AUSTRALIA

The following letter has been re-
ceiyed from Tom Alley, well known
wrestler of this county, who has been
spending the past several months in
Australia, where he met the best they
had in the land of the kangaroo:
Vancouver, Wash.
Dec. 10, 1928.
Dear Friends: Just few lines to
let you know that have returned
from Australia. | had nine matches
in Australia and won seven. / would
like to issue a challenge to any
wrestler in Montana. | am willing to
wager any part of one thousand del
lars that | am undisputed heavy
weight champion of Montana. Prefer
to wrestle Stanley Buresch or Elwood
House. Have a few important matches
on the Pacific coast before come to
Montana.
Wishing you merry Xmas and a
Happy New Year.
TOM ALLEY.
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1928-12-21
Ess..s.ss.s...:,s ...:..

Christmas Cards Producers News.
Clarence Young of the Coalridge
section was a court house caller Tues
day.
Peter Gallagher, deputy sheriff, re-
turned to his work Wednesday after
an attack of influenza.
George Bell of the Quitmeyer pre-
cinct was in the county capital Tues
day looking after business.
Mimmo Harshberger, of the Coal
ridge country transacted business at
the court house last Tuesday.
Jesse Cook of the Welliver country
was in the county capital on legal
business Tuesday.
Get your Chevrolet car or truck
from Bredevine & Larson at Westby.
adv. 2ltt
Blaine Van Pelt of Comertown is
in Plentywood for few days doctor
ing for the flu.