davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-11-29
HAROLD MEEK NAMED
HEAD OF FRAT ALUMNI
IT'S Attend Banquet; Legion Chief Is
Main Speaker.

IT'S Attend Banquet; Legion Chief Is
Main Speaker.
Harold Meek was elected presi-
dent of the Indianapolis Alumni As
ISOLATION of Beta Theta Pi fraternity
at the annual Thanksgiving dinner
at the Columbia club, Wednesday
night.
Other officers were Volney M.
Brown, first vice-president; Howard
w. Fieher, second vice-preSident;
Ebert De Luse, secretary treasurer,
and Carl futile, assistant secretary
treasurer.
More than ITS alumni and under
graduates attended the banquet, rep
reSenting chapters at Indiana, De
Paw and Purdue universities, and
Wabash and Hanover colleges.
Paul v. McNutt, Bloomington,
Ind, national commander; elect of
the American Legion, was the prin-
cipal speaker He is member of
the Indiana chapter. Arthur Ed
ridge was POSTMASTER, and James L.
Gavin, national treasurer of the
fraternity, responded.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-11-29
LOCAL MEN ELECTED
Four Cited for City Planning and
Real Estate Work.

George T. Whelden, Thomas l..
Dillon, William L. Elder and Frank
Cantwell have been elected to mem
bership in the American Civic Asso-
citation, according to a Washington
dispatch.
The organization is devoid to
civic enterprises in American cities.
The citations:
civilian L. Elder, for his serv-
ices in connection with city plan
ming and park development in real
estate subdivisions.
Thomas L. Dillon, for city plan
ming and coming as realtor and
member of the Indianapolis coming
commission.
George T. Whelden, for city
planning as subdivision realtor and
promoter of proper street develop
ment.
~. Frank Cantwell, for city plan
ming and housing as president OF
the indianapolis home show"
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-11-29
THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

not all for boys, either. One Of the
most lavish doll displays n Indian
apolis is on exhibition, and doll fur
niture is plentiful.
Railroad trains, games of all de-
scriptions, and toy motors take up
a large amount of space.
The graduation of the old magic
lantern into a real movie projection
machine is demonstrated in the dis
play of movie machines of all sizes.
All are equipped with film, most of
them one-reel comedies, and are
complete with silver" screens.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-11-29

Archie Bobbitt, will take the oath
as state auditor.
Simple ceremonies have been ar
rangd for each of the offices. The
oath will be delivered by Judge
Clarence R. Martin Of the supreme
court. After the ceremonies the
new officials and their wives will
hold open house for friends and
well wiSherS.
Retiring officials, Frederick E.
Schortemeier, secretary of state, and
L. S. Bowman, state auditor, will
introduce their successors.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-11-29
War Toy Display Makes
Great Hit With Kids
aud GroWn-UpS.

Come on mother, let's go in here
to the Victor furniture store, Jimmy
told me there were some swell war
toys in there. Let's look at EN-"
In they went, mother literally
dragged into the store, half of
which had been transformed into a
veritable land of toys, and Jack was
not disappointed.
"h boy! Looka that tank, and
them guns"
The embryo general was looking
at the outstanding novelty in the
stores toyland, toy caterpillar
tank, equipped with a tiny cannon.
that really runs. He saw also sew
eral movable howitzers and mortars,
with guns built to represent one
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-11-29
HOOVER VOTE COUNTED
Official Majority 2S5,599 Tabula-
ton Shows.

Herbert Hoover's official total
vote in Indiana was 1920 and Al
fred E. Smiths 562,691, giving the
Pfesident-elect a Hoosier plurality
of 285, 500.
These figures were announced
by the state canvassing board
They are the result of a tab
ulation of returns brought to the
statehouse Monday by the mar
shals of election.
Hoover's vote is based on the
number of ballots cast for Arthur
Binford, Greenfield, a Republican
presidential elector, and Smiths on
the total cast for Meredith Nichol-
son, indianapolis, Democratic presi-
Dental elector.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-11-29
'CATERPILLER' IS BIG
NOVELTY VICTOR.

Founders and which really shoot
corkS.
The war toy display includes air
planes, zeppelins, motor lorrieS,
completely equipped kitchen wagons,
and various other combat imple-
ments.
Other toys. abound. and they are
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-11-29
Grotto win Give Show

Sahara Grotto will present the
second Of series Of shows at the
Athenaeum Saturday at 8 p. m.
Plans are under way also for the
annual cupid party of the Grotto
Dec. 81 at the Claypool. Guests of
honor will be Prophets married dur
ing the last year.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-11-29
TWO TO TAKE OFFICE
FifieId and Bobbitt to Be
Indicted Saturday.

The first state officials elected
at the November balloting will take
office Saturday.
At 10 a. m, Otto G. Fifield, Gary
will be indicted into the office CT
secretary of state and at 1890 a. m
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-11-29
DELAY ON BLACKMER
Extradition Case May Not
Be Decided for Two Weeks.

BIZ United Press
PARIS, Nov. ga delay of pos
sibly as much as two weeks in de-
Gliding the extradition case OF Henry
M. Blackmer was indicated today,
While Blackmer, surrounded by a
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-11-29
HANGS SELF IN JAIL
82-Year- Prisoner Finishes Most
of Term First.

GRAND ISLAND, Neb., Nov. 29.-
After having virtually completed a
fifteen-day sentence in the county
Jail here recently, Louis Kamerad,
81, hanged himself with a short
piece of chain wrenched from his
bunk.
Dependency over a divorce ac-
ton started by his wife while he
was in Jail caused the action,
Sheriff Round said.
The man was sentenced to fifteen
days in jail for stealing two bushels
of oats valued at $1.15.
The last ten days of the sentence
was on diet Of bread and water.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-11-29
PAGE IL

score of his own American and
French private detectives. took hi
ease in his suite at first-class hotel.
his case was being put through o
slow process in the French judicial
system.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-11-29
Five ouacks Put Four in Jail

81 United Press
PHILADELPHIA Nov. 29.-Per.
sistent quacking of five Thanksgiv-
ing ducks put four men in Jail
The ducks were stolen and
the quacks were overheard by q
railroad detective as the men passed.
The independent. [volume] (Elizabeth City, N.C.) 1908-1936, 1928-10-12
Ham and Cohoon
To Stump For
Party Wreckers

M. T.. Ham, professional evange-
list, Ku Klux Lecturer. the biggest
liar ever heard in a pulpit in Ellz-
abcth City. has been employed by
the auti-Smith organization to come
to North Carolina and make eight
speeches against Al Smith. He will
make one speech II Elizabeth city
it is said. Hams present domicile Is
Oklahoma City, Okla.
Ham will be in North Carolina
fer eight days and it is significant
that the auti-Smith managers in
this State have made a call for a
special campaign fund of $1,000 at
this time.
At the same time it is announced
that Walter L. Cohoon of Elizabeth
CITY will go on tour for the anti
Smith organization.
Ham is expected to speak in Eilz-
abeth City on or s.Jcuo OcC. 10Th.
The independent. [volume] (Elizabeth City, N.C.) 1908-1936, 1928-10-12
Thought Our Judge
Was The Roman Pope

The eminent Sun-Journal, a news
paper that endeavours to shed some
light in Simmonish New Bern, car
ried the following item one day this
week:
when Judge I. M. MeekinS, OF
Elizabeth City, who is presiding over
a weeks term of federal court here
walked through the crowded up
stairs of the federal building yester-
day. gowned in his flowing black
Judges robe. he was watched with
great curiosity and interest by the
vast throng Of visitors.
One old countryman saw the
flowing black garment, his eyes pop
ped open. he clutched friends
hand and whispered tragically:
Good God Almighty, if there
amt the Pope o: Rome done come
already before Smiths elected"
The independent. [volume] (Elizabeth City, N.C.) 1908-1936, 1928-10-12

"a town like this needs whole
time paid community leader or
athletic dil cCtor to mix with the
boys, organize them, engage them in
sober, healthy, character-building
sports and other pastimes and get
their minds occupied. Instead of
having a good clean, red-blooded,
athletic sports director to work with
the boys and get them interested in
other things than hootch and
kootch, the grown ups in this burg
turn them over to the Southern
Hotel Corner bootleggcrs and their
own resources.
"Why, some good live athletic
director in Elizabeth City would do
more in one year toward breaking
up the liquor habit among young
folks and driving the younger boot
leggers out of town than all the
policemen and preachers put to-
gether.
Il don't blame these poor damp
phool kids for playing with liquor;
I feel sorry for them; they are
thrown out on the streets on their
own meagre resources to shift for
themselves without leadership, with
out direction and with seldom a
word of intelligent advice and help
full interest from the grown-up
leaders of the town. The wonder to
me is that more of them don't go to
hell before they grow up"
The independent. [volume] (Elizabeth City, N.C.) 1908-1936, 1928-10-12
WALTERCOHOON
SAVED FROM A
DEMONSTRATION
Anti-Smith "Detourer", Pro.
voked a Near Riot at
Currituck &. II.

But for the interference OF Al
Smith partisans led by will Flora
of Shawboro, Walter L. Cohoon,
Elizabeth City>anti-Smitll speaker
mi.ht have been mobbed at Curri-
tuck C. II. Tuesday. Cohoon, who
calls himself "a Democrat who Is
merely detouring," left Currituck
C. II. without finishing his speech.
No one knows who invited Cohoon
to Currituck, but he was there and
took advantage of the adjournment
of court for the noon recess on Tues
day to arise and ask the crowd to
remain, saying that he had some
think to say and would detain them
but a few minutes. Some remained
and Cohoon launched into an abu-
sive speech against AL Smith and
his supporters. He charged among
other things that many Democratic
officeholders in North Carolina who
are supporting Smith are not honest
in their motives.
John w. Sanderlin, chairman OF
the Board of Commissioners OF Cur
rituck, is an excitable person and
he didn't like Cohoon'S remarks
about office holders. He took some
thing that Coohon said as a person.
al affront, arose in fighting mood
advanced upon Cohoon and threat
ened to hit him in the mouth If he
meant his remarks to be personal.
Cohoon is thoroly disliked in Cur
rituck and there were many in the
court room who we're itching for a
fight and eager to back up Sander
lin in a rush on the speaker. Brs
Flora, strong Smith partisan led
a counter demonstration for good
order, Mr.. Sanderlin was restrain
ed and Mr.. Cohoon got his hat and
got out.
So intense was the excitement IN
The court room that an attempt up
on the part of DR.. Julian G. Baum.
of Poplar Branch, to answer Cohoon
was not heard. The crowd didn't
want speeches.; it wanted a fight.
"The only good thing Walter Cohoon
ever had in his life was given him
by the Democratic party" shouted
DR.. Baum. "and now this thing
bites the hand that fed him." But
the crowd did not hear.
"Cohoon says there is negro In
the woodpile," shouted DR.. Baum:
Il know all about that niger; he
is the niger Lee Persons who wrote
Senator Simmons welcoming that
arbitrator into the Republican
party"
But DR.. Baum was not heard; the
crowd surged out of the courthouse
following Cohoon. wondering If he
The independent. [volume] (Elizabeth City, N.C.) 1908-1936, 1928-10-12
WHAT ARE YOU TO EXPECT OF TIE POOR
LITTLE DUBS?

Il see old man Thingumadoodle
chasing all over town this morning
looking for that son Bill, of his. l
didn't have the heart to tell the old
man that the fool boy tried to Kill
a quart of raw corn liquor last night
and is as drunk as a fool this morn
ing, hiding out in a garage and try
ing to sober up The speaker was
the Bank Clerk who mad dropped
into the corner Pharmacy to chew
the rag with his friend the Soda
Jereker.
The Bank Clerk continued: It's
a great pity that so many boys and
girls of this generation are liquor
addicts; they seem to be just so
many poor damned little numbskulls
who don't know that there are
healthier, happier ways of having
good time. The popular idea OF a
good time seems to be to chip in and
buy a bottle of bad hootch and get
soused. Girls are as bad as boys.
We'll" said the Soda Jerker'
what the hell can you expect OF
boys and girls in a small town like
this who have no social leadership
or directions? I know for a fact
that most of these poor durn little
fools buy liquor and stage drinking
parties because they don't know
what else to do. Their parents turn
them loose On the streets to loaf
and take no earthly interest in them
for hours at time.
The independent. [volume] (Elizabeth City, N.C.) 1908-1936, 1928-10-12

I have never entertained a fear
that North Carolina would bolt the
Democratic ticket have maintain
ed in season and out of season that
when all the facts we're before the
people, North Carolina would hold
true to it's best sentiments and tradi-
tionS.
North Carolina was in bad way
at the beginning of the campaign
this fall because the campaign
for the election of Governor Smith
did not get underway until this fall;
and it got under way then in the
face of furious anti-Smith cam
paign that had been going strong
in North Carolina for four years.
The Democratic forces in support
of Al Smith in North Carolina did
not organize until in the later sum-
mer of the current year; the anti
Smith forces in North Carolina have
been organized and campaigning
against Governor Smith since 1924.
Anticipating the nomination of Gov
ernor Smith. the anti-Smiths organ
lied and got into action immediate
ly after the Madison Square Garden
sCenvention In 1924 They have been
going strong ever since; and being
the noi5ie5t thing in North Caro-
lima they very we'll succeeded in
creating the impression that they
had North Carolina hog-tied and
ready to deliver to the Republicans.
In a court of law, a loud-mouthed
lawyer with the weakest case on the
calendar can make great impress
SIGN on a jury and court room
audience when he gets in the first
speech, before the opposition is
heard.
Afraid of Clerlcs
North Carolina has been a priest
ridden State; North Carolinians
generally have been cowed by their
eCCleSiaSticS. Aware of the ALMOST
supernatural awe with which a con-
siderable peaSantry regarded its
preachers, the average North Caro-
lima professional and business man
has been most discreet and polite
Continued on next Page
The independent. [volume] (Elizabeth City, N.C.) 1908-1936, 1928-10-12
ELECTRIC CHAIR
POSSIBLE FATE
OF B. F. PRUET7
Two Youngsters Pleading
Guilty Get Prison Sentences
Third Fights and a
County Wants His Blood

The life of Benjamin F. Pruett,
smart, sporty, falr-eycd young
Virginian with a police court
record and reputation for in
doIence, Is the stake for which
attorneys will wage battle in
the courthouse at Currltuck this
week.
On the night Of Saturday, July
81, 1928 three young men in a Chew
rolet sedan came down into North
Carolina from Norfolk to find
some easy money" The leader was
evidently familiar with the Curri-
tuck country, for the party selected
one of the lonesomest roads in Cur
rituck, in the neishbourhood known
as Tulls Greek. About ten o'clock
that night. when most Of the resi-
dents on that lonely road were in
bed and there was no traffic to
speak of, the young Virginians stop
ped at the store of P. H. Flora on
Tulls Greek. The aged merchant
was alone preparing to close his
place of business for the night.
Two boys, each barely eighteen
years of age, left the sedan and en-
tered the store. They asked for
cigarettes; when Mr.. Flora turned
to get the cigarettes one of the
youths covered him with a gun and
commanded him to put up his
hands. Instead of putting up his
hands, Mr.. Flora reached for his
own gun in a rear pocket. In an in
slant the youth with the gun fired
point blank at his victim; P. H.
Flora crumpled up in a heap on
the floor behind the counter, blood
flowing from a mortal wound in his
chest. He died a few hours later.
The sedan sped away in the dark
ness and weeks went by without
a clue to the murderer or murder
erS.
And then two bright and enter
prising Norfolk detectives suspected
and arrested Paul Tayloe and Carey
Perkins, eighteen year old youths.
Tayloe and Perkins confessed and
each, questioned separately, told how
they had been led into the affair
by Ben Pruett, an older man. They
didn't know they. were going out
with Pruett to kill man that night;
killing wasn't in their plans. Pruott
took them to Flora's store, directed
them what to do and forced them to
do his bidding when they weakened
and protested. Both Tayloe and
Perkins said they were glad it was
all over, for they had suffered much
in carrying the bloody secret on
their hearts and minds for many
weeks.
Paul Tayloe, the boy who admit
ted firing the fatal shot, is
simple-minded youth of barely eigh-
teen summers; just weak youth
not overendowed with intelligence.
Carey Perkins, a boy of 18 years, a
native of Currituck, an orphan since
early childhood, is bright, amiable.
lovable youth with no trace of vici-
business in his features. He is
boy any one would be inclined to
trust on sight.
Pleading guilty to second degree
murder, turning States evidence
and throwing themselves on the
mercy of the court, Judge Cranmer,
presiding over the special term at
Crrrituck this week sentenced Tay-
Continued on next Page
The independent. [volume] (Elizabeth City, N.C.) 1908-1936, 1928-10-12
FLYING
BOAT LAUNCHED
HERE THURSDAY
Taft Airplane CORPORATION Ex-
rects TO Fly First Built in
Elizabeth City Plane II
Two Weeks

Jiniaue in the industrial history
nf Elizabeth City was the launch
in- yesterday of the first flying
boat built in .Jor:;l Carolina, a
product of the Taft Airplane Cor
poration of Elizabeth City. The
wings and superstructure of the
flying boat will be placed at once.
its engine installed and the craft
will be ready for flight in two
weeks, says its builder, Philip E.
Taft, general manager of the cor
poratiOn.
The Taft flying boat. to be mark.
otad under the registered trade marx
''Kingfisher" is two or three pas
senger flier with hull length OF
25 feet over all and wing spread
of 81 feet. 1t will be powered with
a 1O6 H. P. new series LeBlond
motor and will have a cruising speed
of 65 miles an hour. with a top
speed of 95 miles. 1t is designed to
sell for s4500.
The keel for the Kingfisher was
laid on August and it will have
taken nearly three months to COM
plete it. 1t was designed and con-
structed by its inventor with the
mechanical aid of five helpers, four
of whom are inexperienced youths
entering the shop of the airplane
company thru youthful ambition to
learn about aircraft and work into
the new industry. Three OF the
Youngsters came from Weeksvllle,
Pasouotank county. They are
Early Culipher, Marshall Stevenson
and James Owens. A fourth. VIM.
Blalock. was formerly of Kinston.
Mr.. Taft's only trained helper Is
Cecil Derby. a young mechanic from
the Norfolk naval air station.
The Taft Airplane Corporation OF
Elizabeth City was Incorporated by
s H. Johnson. president; P. E. Taft
vice president and general manager;
w. G.. Gather. vice president; DR..
VIM. Parker, secretary and Cam
den C.. Blades, treasurer. The COM
uanv began operations in one small
building. erected on Machelhe IS
land. opposite the Elizabeth City
waterfront. Much depends upon the
success of the first flying boat built
by the company; if it meets all ex-
pectations and is approved by avia-
tors who are watching its progress
with keen interest. it is proposed TO
erect other buildings and work up
TO an output of a boat a week.
The Taft flying boat is not
hvdroplane or hydro-aeroplane, but
actually a boat with wings that Is
flown like an airplane. having
distinct advantage over hydro-
acroplane because Of seaworthlneSS
and the ease with which it may take
off and land on water.
Aviators and prospective purchas-
ers of the Taft flier from many cities
are expected here when the trial
flights are made late in the month.
Great aeronautical progress has
been made in the building OF land
machines, but the seaplane and fly-
ing boat business has been neglect
cd Elizabeth City is mothering an
infant industry with great possloll-
ties.
The independent. [volume] (Elizabeth City, N.C.) 1908-1936, 1928-10-12

pastor of New Berns Tabernacle
Baptist Church.
After Nov. 6. when Republican
campaign funds are no longer avail
able this Baptist preacher and a lot
of his brother political pul3itcers arc
going to go on short rationS. Even
the dumb and Craven slaves o.
Senator Simmons will not continue
to throw coin into the hat for a
pulpiteer who talks like that and
pretends to represent the religion of
Jesus Christ.
The independent. [volume] (Elizabeth City, N.C.) 1908-1936, 1928-10-12
Politics Goes To Their
Heads Like Liquor

"I am supporting Hoover tooth
and nail. from the top of my bald
head to the bottom of my flat feet,
and any man who says I am not a
Democrat is a liar
That statement was made in
political speech at New Bern the
other night by the Rev. J. l.. Hodges,
The independent. [volume] (Elizabeth City, N.C.) 1908-1936, 1928-10-12

would be permitted to get away
without being mobbed. as
The Rev. Mr.. Thrift, Methodist
pastor of Currituck said it was a
shame that Mr.. Cohoon could not
get hearing. Mr.. Thrift is leader
Of the Hooverized political parsons
in MS neck of the woods. -"'
The independent. [volume] (Elizabeth City, N.C.) 1908-1936, 1928-10-12

MANY ills are cused by loss OF
nerve energy due to eye strain. The
ONLY method of determining eye
strain, is by thorough eXamlna-
ton of your eyes by a qualllleo
specialist. DIR. j. D. HATHAWAY
- ci,,,t creciaIist adv.
The independent. [volume] (Elizabeth City, N.C.) 1908-1936, 1928-10-12
THE TIDE TURNS FOR
SMITH IN CAROLINA
Anti-smith Campaign That Has Been Under
way For Four Years in North Carolina,
Loses Grcun In Barely as Many Weeks
of Organized Democratic Opposition
By w. 0. SAUNDERS

Carolina numbered among the doubt
nomination of AL Smith for the prc
dency ago the nomination of AL Smith
doubtful state To-day
only purbnd partisan would contend that North
Carolina is North Carolina will Demo-
crafic hy health maioriY in The November election.
The independent. [volume] (Elizabeth City, N.C.) 1908-1936, 1928-10-12
70 Lay Corner Stone for Wrghts Memorial Dec H. 1925
in Birth

The twenty anniversary the flight Of the first
ing power flying machine by the brothers
wilbur and Orvl Wright Devil Hills will be celebrated at
XIII Devils laying of the stone
authorized Congress and the erection Oh
a marker BY the National Aeronautic Association.
The independent. [volume] (Elizabeth City, N.C.) 1908-1936, 1928-10-12
,1MMONS GRATEFUL
FORARAPIST'SSUPPORT
DssDly Grateful" he says, For The Support of
~ Anti-Smith Preacher Who Was Con-
victed on Charges of Rape on Three
Young Girls

farmer Methodist Minister ex-convct who served time in
nson on charges attempt three young grils is
bs latest the treason Of Senator F. NJ Simmons
simmons deeply gratfied to have the
dr and of this deposed minister moral pervc and
;t vbo is but lately out Of pricon.
The independent. [volume] (Elizabeth City, N.C.) 1908-1936, 1928-10-12

So far the day has not yet arrived
when the younger generation thinks
only of a bar as a stick of cholocate
with nuts in it.