davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-10-29

The cards marked were the nine ten. ~ Y#
jack queen king. and joker. They NJ W
were placed in the machines and trimmed
and as they were made triAe smaller the
other cards were also trimmed so that the
cards Of the crooked" packs were all
the same size.
For instance deck marked as follows aces with
border end kings with narrow border
side queens with the top and right borders the jacks
with the top and left borders the twisted way
round and twisted the other way round The other cards
made all alike, having even borders all around
Such cards and are. used in many gambling houses
aroused suspicion they placed in the game while
boxes which bore evidences Of having been tempered with
As rule. gamblers would question such card
Other cards of standard make were marked by Bankenshp
different way Instruction cards with each deck soon taught
the purchaser how read Them The cards cost Bankenshp
The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-10-29

sMY dear SrYou will find enclosed samples Of my cards.
They perfectly natural when looked at for they have
inks ,arks. shades them ALL Therefore they will
stand up and do the work. People will find the mark
The workmanship absolutely dependable. They are easy
TO learn This the highest class card work that money will
buy The keycad explain. how (naming andardbacked
The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-10-29

over the country.
Blankcnship was not acquainted s with the internal
ated such open basis He admitted that he steamed rev.
stamps from the boxes containing standard playing cards.
read from the back He replaced the revenue stamp and .
is why he was sent to the pententary.
been tempered with and more than one person lost his fund.
because of Bankenhps clever work. according the officers
Blankenshp placed orders for large quantities Of standard
Adrian. W. Va. He aside room in his home where he
his business of marking the cards with machines
These machines the work Of genius government off,
clock and would require the skill a. that Of making
tmepiece.
One machine known side and the other as
Certain cards the deck marked by being
the side top bot and could readily be identified
through key cards furnished by Bankenshp with each order
The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-10-29

II specialize on any kind Of machine work you wish. there
fore furnish you the highest class of workmanship the
world 1t genuine factory madeso speak This material
has the world skinned for fast company.
Card Trimmer Blankenshp had registered with the col
ecor of internal revenue Carksburg W. Va,
actuer of playing cards and when federal officers arrested
him and end his shady enterprise he complained
them that he had conferred with attorney and had been
assured that his business within the law.
The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-10-29
How Federal Agents
Broke Up One illegal
Manufacturer / rade
n Marked Decks For
Professional Gamblers

TN THE smokeladcn air Of room, four men sit
! around table, Above them electric light glows
duly, flooding the players and table in yellow circle
Of illumination. One man. perhaps two. sit suavely
studying the cards in his hand and again glancing
nteny at the others. his face set without expression 70
the dart Of keen eyes.
The others finger their cards nevousy 6dget in their chairs
and glance suspcouy each other The play goes on
BY the men lay the cards their hands faceupward upo
the table, Despair floods into the faces Of several while
gentleman pulls in the pile of chips on the table,
The professional gambler has cleaned his victims
again and with cards marked so that the others were
that the backs disclosed their face value. "
Different methods have been used by professional =
gamblers to mark cards so that they. l.
themselves, can only read the face ~
Of the cards by peering at the backs. ~ !
One Of the most unusual cases Of
card marking has been put at an end ..y
by government officers in the arrest 1I7651ET
and imprisonment of Cornelius D.
Blankenship of Adrian w. Va.
Investigators said Blankenship had been engaged =
in the card-markng business for several years and ~
that he did prosperous business records disclosing ~
the names Of men. alleged professional gamblers. all
over he
The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-10-29

WITCH =. .. marshall afTeSted
the card 6xer and con6scated his
machines. he found 80 dozen doc
tored" decks and a considerable
quantity of cards yet to be marked. Six
books disclosed the names of customers III
all parts of the country.
The following excerpts are from one Of
Blanken.hip's advertising circulars:
The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-10-29

if they don't please you | will
return all your money. Fair
enough. isn't it,
Il know Of no other place in
America where they make the
tailor-madc FIVE card readers.
These cards are considered
stronger than the eye. SO you will
kindly state that they will not be
used for any unlawful purposes.
then | will be pleased to fill your
order. ! handle only the very
best in the card line. therefore
perfect satisfaction is guaranteed.
l also am at your services by
every return mail. Yours for
Real Success.
Machine tailor-made cards
are produced by slightly trim
ming the edges of the cards so a.
to produce a combination that
will easily and quickly read 8 or
10 feet. yet absolutely dehe. de-
- - u
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-07-31
No Contract Is
Made With Beach.
Officials State

HARLINGEN, July 31.-No on
tract has bene closed with General
Lansing A. Beach, member of the
proposed Arroyo waterway for the
Arroyo Navigation district, officers
OF the district announced Tuesday
morning.
General Beach, who arrived in San
Benito Sunday with the international
commission, accompanied officials of
the navigation district on a trip down
the Arroyo Monday. Various phases
OF the proposed waterway were dis
cussed, but no definite arrangement
between the district and the en-
gineer was entered into, officials
stated.
General Beach was formerly chief
Of the U. S. Board Of Army Engi-
neers, being succeeded by General
Edwin Jadwin when he retired from
the position. He has made his home
IN Los Angeles, and in 1926 was ap-
pointed q member of the interna-
tional water commission of which
W. Z. Anderson of San Benito Is a
member. He visited the Valley with
the American and Mexican members
Of the commission in March.
In the event q contract is made
with the navigation district il has
been stated by officials whether his
employment will be permanent or
merely for special surveys.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-07-31
HURLE
Continued from page one)

Continued from page one)
quired some of his cunning in the
international league. it is said. Andy
a Mersky under his wing for sew
eral years and taught him many
tricks Of the chunking art.
Playing with the Fort Brown.
Brownsville American Legion and at
times with the Tiger nine, Mersky has
been a consistent winner regardless
of support this season. He and An
derson composed the star battery az
the Army and Legion mines prior 70
the time Andy returned TO his Penn
sylvania home.
Mersky's assortment Of stuff in
cludes a sharp breaking curve, q
fast one with a flashing hop and a
nice change of pace, all OF which are
under control. He has other slants
in stock, but the above are his main
assets and bear the brunt Of often
usage well.
The White Sox are to buy his re-
lease from the army, it is said, and
he is expected to get away about
August Is, going to Chicago.
The Sox became interested IN
Mersky through Albert Sommers. a
personal friend of Scout Roy Lar
gent. Sommers was the chief instru-
ment in getting him looked over By
the scout.
Both Mersky and Sommers arc
members Of Troop B Of the 18th
cavalry stationed ut Fort Brown.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-07-31
Is Arrested
After long Hunt

A search that has lasted for ap-
proximately two months was
brought to a close early Tuesday
morning with the arrest of a
Brownsville man and the confisca-
ton of six quarts Of tequila and a
pint Of mescal.
The man was arrested by customs
and border patrol inspectors at his
home in the southwestern section of
the city at 1880 a. m. Tuesday, and
will be brought before United States
Commissioner =. X. Goodrich on a
charge Of violation Of the national
prohibition act within the next few
days.
Arresting officers were r. L.
Campbell and A. a. Champion, Unit
ed State customs inspectors, and
United States Border Patrol Inspec-
tors Robinette and Palmer
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-07-31
new OWNERS
CONTINUED from page one)

CONTINUED from page one)
various properties, construction Of
the causeway frAm the mainland at a
point about n rlile east Of Point
Isabel to Brazos Island, the construc-
tion of a hard turface road around
the she'll banks mar the center Of the
island, and placing Of all properties
in first class coalition, the work to
start immediately
The contract fodsale Of the proper
ties was first NEGOTIATED in May,
1927, but suits we're brought against
the of the properties and they
were compelled to establish title TO
Padre Island. A suit attacking title
TO the island was filed in the u. S.
district court in June, 1927, and after
considerable litigation Col. Robertson
and Mr.. Callahan established their
title to the $4,000 acres included in
the properties.
The various companies included IN
the deal are the Ocean Side Toll Road
Co., Brazos Santiago Pass Ferry Co.
Port Arkansas Ferry e. Transit Co.,
Padre Island Causeway Co., and the
Port Isabel Causeway Co., Quinn
corporated). IL is understood the
various companies will be consolidat-
ed into one holding company.
To R~efinance Project
1.-THE ocean beach projects are now
in strong financial hands" Col. Rob-
ertson said in announcing the trans
fer. with good hard surface roads
to the causeways at Corpus Christi
and Point Isabel, hard-surfacing of
eight miles around the shell banks, il
should prove one Of the most profit
able toll road projects in the South"
Plans of the new owners have not
been definitely announced, but il is
understood that work on the Point
Isabel Brazos Island causeway will
get under way Immediately. and that
hard s~urfacing Of the eight miles
around the shell banks will be COM
pleted during the fall and winter.
Erection Of club houses, shooting and
fishing lodges and beach hotels are
also contemplated, the owners stating
they propose 70 make Padre Island
one Of the favorite resort centers Of
the South.
Hard ~surfacing of the eight miles
around the shell banks Will practical
ly complete the beach drive, making
it the longest in the United States.
Cars can now get around the shell
banks, but they are considered dan
gerous for heavy traffic on account
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-07-31

Of the deep sand. The pavement will
be carried toward the center OF the
island well above tide and storm.
Drive an Old Project
Col. Sam Robertson, developer OF
the Ocean Beach drive, inaugurated
the project twenty years ago., devot-
ing much time TO its study. In 1925
work on the project got underway.
and a few months later EARS were
running the length OF the island. Col.
Robertson interested w. X. Callahan
in the project and Padre IsAAd was
purchased. Last year =re a-5seway
near Flour Bluff, IL miles below Cor
pus Christi, was completed. Corpus
Christi interests aiding in financing
this project. Last year permission
was secured from the federal govern
ment to construct a causeway from
Point Isabel to Brazos Island, and
work on this part of the project Is
expected to start at ar early date.
Cars are now ferried from Point Isa-
bel to Padre Island. A short cause
way was constructed by Col. Robert
son from RoGa Chica to Brazos ISL
and, ad has made that island one Of
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-07-31
CITY BRIEFS

The TerraCe-Cut flowers and de-
signs for MI occasions. Phone IS.
ADV. Il.
Why wait for your barber work
when YOU can get it done by first
class BARRIERS without delay at "66'
Barber Shop and Shine Parlor, HOS
Elizabeth, next to Harper's Cafe
Adv. S-4.
S400 a month average compensa-
ton of our representatives. Perma-
nent connection, with rapid promo
ton to executive positions assured.
Production only measure Of worth.
Work pleasant; sales experience
helpful. Room for three men in
Valley cities with exclusive terri
tory. J. A. Merva, district manager,
Del Walt Hotel.
Elks to Meet-A regular meeting
Of the Elks lodge will be held at the
club rooms Tuesday night for the
purpose Of initiating several candi-
dates. Members report excellent
progress in the membership cam
paign.
Commissioners Meet-A quorum
meeting of the county commissioners
court was held Tuesday morning and
after organizing as a board Of equal
ization adjourned to Thursday when
equalization Of the county tax rolls
will get underway.
Dickey's Old Reliable Eye Waite.
relieves sun and wind burned eyes.
Doesn't hurt. All druggists.-Adv. ~
Stork Busy-There were Al births
recorded with the city health depart
ment during the month Of July, ac-
cording to Miss Emily Lannon's, act
ing city health nurse.
Hold Annual Conference.-The an
nual child health conference was to
be held at Point Isabel Tuesday after
noon, according to Mrs. Laura Hous-
ton, city health nurse. The confer
ence is to be attended by DR.. Ernest
Prothro. Misses Emily Lannon's and
Rosita Putegnat and Mrs. Houston.
Increase Voltage-Voltage is being
luCIeaseu h4ateiiailS Over the NaiiouS
electrical circuits in the city, ac-
cording to City Electrician Meyer.
The city recently purchased a volt
meter for testing purposes.
Ringworm.-One bottle OF Imperial
Eczema Remedy is guaranteed 20 be
enough for any case. All druggists
are authorized 70 refund your money
IL il fails.-Adv. a.
Directors TO Elect--Directors Of
the Fourth Of July celebration are 70
meet at the chamber Of commerce
building at I o'clock Wednesday
afternoon for the purpose Of electing
officers TO serve the organization
during its initial year.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-07-31

Col. Robertson said. "The nen Pc
S;rd II have ample finances for TIE
various improvements necessary "
make II very popular with tourls1s
ara travellers. III one-f0urth OK the
traffic now going by way of Eann-
burg and Faifurrias passed over ne
drive ~ would carry from SO0 po ~
ears daily, and In q year OK wy "
iirve that average will be exceeded.
\ did not have the finances 60 mali
me improvements necessary, but
am confident that within anofENr
wear I will see the NATURALIZATION
vision Of twenty years ago--aE
ocean side drive that will be = OF
the most popular in the South.
an all my efforts ! have had the
close cooperation Of the people OF
Brownsville and Corpus Christi, and
had il not been for their support ano
assistance it would have been I'M
possible for me to have carried on the
projects. / am now retiring from the
management, but I retain an inter
est in the ocean beach drive, and !
hope the Valley and Corpus Christi
will extend to the new owners tne
same support they rendered me-.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-07-31

Continued from page one)
and the entire tract OF river 'front.'
are, approximately 10 acres, is still
ir the possession Of the Brownsville
Ferry Co., a subsidiary Of the
Brownsville 4 Matamoros Bridge Co.
IL 1905 the Mexican Central rail-
road. which was later merged with
The Mexican National Lines, purchas-
ed tho Stillman ferry interests. When
tn Brownsville & Matamoros Bridge
Co. was organized, the St. Louis,
Brownsville & Mexico railroad bought
a half interest in the ferry and also
held half the stock in the bridge pro-
Ject. These interests were among
the assets transferred TO the Mis-
souri, Pacific Lines in 1924. At pre-
sent the Missouri Pacific Lines and
the Mexican National Lines each own
so per cent CO the stock in the bridge
and ferry companies, the assets of the
companies being approximately ST.
100000, including the bridge. trestle
and connecting trackage on the Amer
lean side and 1000 feet Of track on
the Mexican side; also 10 acres ex-
tending from Levee street 10 a point
opposite the Matamoros light plant
and from Eleventh street TO the Rio
Grande.
The ferry has been prominently
identified with the history OF the
MatamoroS and Brownsville - the
twin cities of the border" During
the civil war. when thousands Of
bales Of Southern cotton were
brought through this port for ship
ment to Europe, via Matamoros and
Bagdad, a large freight ferry was es-
tablished just above the present fer
~, and millions Of dollars worth of
supplies for the Southern armies
crossed at this point. The freight
ferry continued 70 do a thriving
business up TO the time the interna-
tional bridge was opened in 1910. At
ter the civil war when supplies for
most Of northern Mexico flowed
through this port, coming by way OF
Point Isabel over the Rio Grande
railway, the freight ferry handled a
heavy tonnage.
The completion OF the first inter
national bridge did not materially af-
feet the business Of the passenger
ferry. During the World War. when
traffic between the two republics was
almost at a standstill, the ferry did
litIle business oub uuElng the past
ten years il has carried hundreds of
thousands OF passengers across the
Rio Grande. Following the compile
tion of the new international bridge
on July Z, the business of the ferry
dwindled rapidly, and the past two
or three weeks only an occasional
passenger followed the old route.
Under the terms Of the concessions
from the Mexican and American gov
ernmert, which have been renewed
annually since the original concession
was granted TO the Stillman inter
ests, a months notice was necessary
before the company could discontinue
service. An optional notice was Civ
en- July /, and in accordance with its
terms the service will be permanent
~ discontinued July 81.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-07-31
Acid Stomach
Phillips Milk of Magnesia"
Better than Soda

-4eafter. insteau OF soda take d
little Of phillips Milk Of Msgnesia"
in water any time for indigestion o.
sour, acid, gassy stomach, and re-
lief will come instantly.
For fifty years genuine phillips
Milk of Magnesia" has been prescri5-
ed by physicials because il over
comes three times as much acid in
the stomach az a saturated solution
of b~icarbonate of soda. leaving the
stomach sweet an free from all
gases. IL neutralizes acid fermenta-
tions in the bowels and gently urges
the souring waste from the system
without purging. Besides. it Is more
pleasant TO take than soda. Insist
upon Phillips" Twenty-Five cent
and fifty cent bottles, any drugstore
milk OF Magnesia" has been the
U. S. Registered Trade Mark Of The
Charles II. Phillips Chemical Co.
and its predecessor Charles II.
Phillips since 1875.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-07-31
NUN Held AS
(Continued from PAGE one)

Continued from page one)
detained at present" The statement
continued:
During this time Toral also was
with the Priest Jose Jincnez.
"Toral also went to the home Of
the nun Sister Conception, Where he
received mental fortitude from her.
Has No Defense
The statement added that the nun
admits she might have told Toral
the religious difficulties would end
with the deaths Of Gales. Oregon
and Patriarch Perez, head Of the So
called Mexican Schismatic Catholic
church"
After the police statement had
been read to about thirty Mexican
and foreign newspapermen Toral an
swered their questions in the office
Of the Chief of Police General Rios
Zertuche. He was pallid and hollow
checked but physically sound and
according to his own statement per
fectly sane"
Il have no defense and will make
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-07-31

the popular resorts Of the lower VAL
ley.
When the ocean beach drive began
operations a ferry similar To- that nj
Point Isabel was used TO transfer
ears from Arkansas Pass 10 Mustang
Island, from which they crossed to
Padre Island. The ferry In still In
operation, but the Flour Bluff OK
Brighton causeway handles the major
part Of the traffic to the islands.
The traffic on the Corpus Christi
end Of the drive Is heavy, the cause
way being used by hundreds of
sportsmen and others.
Completion of the ocean beach
project will shorten the distance be-
tween Brownsville and Corpus Christi
approximately so miles as compared
with the present route by way of
Edinburg and Falfurrias. The dis
lance between the two cities, via
Point Isabel is $50 miles; via Boca
Chica, 155 miles; and via Falfurrias
210 miles.
Sees Bright Future
FL am confident the ocean beach
drive will become one Of the most
profitable projects in the South
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-07-31
KWWG to Feature
Local Color Tonight

The specially arranged 7:3O-s:3O
>. m. program at r~adiophone KWWG
Tuesday calls for Ramon Martinez,
who has appeared often before in
Spanish and Mexican numbers, to
render several selections. He is 10
be accompanied at the piano by Je-
u GARLIC.
Rosa Sanches 10 TO play classical
piano solos.
Wednesday midnight the regular
Coathanger program IS scheduled to
20 on the air. Bob has been spend
ing some time composing his rhymed
ballads Of the border for the session.
He and his pardner, Tom Barber are
20 be the main participants in the
nrograrn.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-07-31

no defense in my trial." the assassin
said.
killing Good Deed
"The killing Of Oregon was a good
deed. ! expect to 20 to Heaven. /
think Oregon will be saved too, he
was fundamentally a good man.
4 expect to die tor killing Oregon.
| give my life for his.
The religious question, the re-
ligious question only, absolutely
nothing else, caused me to kill 0bre-
gon because / consider him intellec-
tually responsible for the Mexican
governments religious policy and
everything else in MEXICO.
~ hen / confessed before the kill
ing TO a Catholic priest, i did not
tell the priest / intended killing
Oregon. You only confess sins, also
you only confess what you've done,
not intentions.
The killing Of Obregon was a
good deed and not a sin and did not
have to be confessed. My soul is abb
solutely tranquil. AS my intentions
have been good l expect to be saved
and 60 70 Heaven, but if l have COM
mitted a great crime God will for
give me because my intentions were
good.
Takes All Blame
Il tell you again and ask you to be-
lieve me nobody else had any knowl-
edge of anything TO do with my kill
ing of Oregon. There are coinei-
dences which seem to involve others.
1T would be easier than what l am
doing for me TO tell you politics vas
involved, for me to tell you, for in
stance, Luis Morones, Perez Medina
and some other labor leaders were
involved. But that is not true and
l am telling you the truth. / only am
responsible, instead Of untruthfully
saying others are responsible"
Toral said the Treio in giving him
the pistol did not know to what use
ID was to be put. lie concluded:
"The statements made in the writ
ten police statement which ! have
heard read 10 you newspapermen are
correct. / have nothing to add to
them"
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-07-31
Fire Breaks Out
In Miller Annex

Fire Of undetermined origin broke
out in the Miller hotel annex, ad-
joining United States border patrol
headquarters, at 1910 a. m. Tues
day, but was extinguished without
material damage, according to Fire
Captain Guerra.
The blaze was discovered by the
night porter at the Miller hotel, who
Immediately put in the alarm.
A stack Of papers and rags piled
in the corner o. q ground floor room
was found ablaze when the fire de-
partment arrived. II was extin-
guished with a 40-gallon capacity
fire eXtinguisher.