davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1929-07-04
$. N. MANLY AND A. "A. PORTER
PRESENTED 5O-YEAR MEDALS

Sunday afternoon at 2 O'Clock.
Messrs. S. N. Manly and Alfred A.
Porter, two of Valley Lodges most
honored members, were presented
with 50-year medals. The presenta-
tion took place at the beautiful Man
ly camp, on the New Lexington pike
in the presence of better than 100
Masons, their wives and friends. The
heavy rain during the forenoon kept
many away. The presentation speech,
which was very fitting to the occa-
sion, was made by Mr.. r. X. Brown,
past master of Valley lodge. Both
Mr.. Manly and Mr. Porter appro-
priately responded. Mr. Manly has
been a member of Valley lodge since
August 2, 1876, and Mr.. Porter was
made Mason Of that lodge, Oct.
II, 1877.
Following the presentation, re-
freshments of ice cream, cake and
lemonade were served, and the
guests tarried to enjoy the splendid
hospitality of Mr.. Manly, at his very
attractive camp
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1929-07-04
LARGE NUMBER OF DOCTORS
ATTEND THE MEETING HERE

More than 100 doctors were pres
ent last Thursday at the district
medical meeting held at Rocky Glen
sanatorium. The program as pub
lished in this paper was carried out,
with some additions. AS part of the
entertainment Magician Birch did
some tricks" and his friend w. c..
Domfeld, formerly comedian with
the Elsie Janis Co, who was visiting
Mr.. Birch here, let loose some of his
humor The Moores & Ross sextette,
assisted by local talent, furnished
the music The orchestra was seated
on the extended porch, just outside
the dining room.
The elegant chicken dinner, of
three courses, was prepared and
served by the ladies' aid society of
the Methodist Episcopal church, un-
der the direction OF its president
Mrs. Kenneth Longley. Seated at
the ends of the speakers table were
DIR. and Mrs. L. Mark The other
guests were at small tables. The
tables were artistically decorated in
varying pastel shades, with candles
and sweet peas, the latter being
from the flower garden at Rocky
Glen. The sanatorium rooms were
elaborately decorated with roses
and garden flowers, the whole pre-
senting a very beautiful appearance.
The fall meeting will be held at
Lancaster.
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1929-07-04

The saying "A prophet is not
without honor save in his own couE-
try" did not seem to hold good
Tuesday night, when George McDon-
aid Birch gave his magical enter
tainment here. The ChautauQua
auditorium was crowded not just
the reserved section, but clear back
on the circus seats, and in every
section of that big auditorium young
and old strained their eyes and ears
throughout the long program, in or
der that they might take in the per
formance to it's fullest No officers
were necessary to keep order. Ev-
cry eye was riyeted upon the mag
ical man. Only words OF praise were
heard on every side. While all were
completely mystified from the begin
ming to the end of the program, all
were satisfied They would not
have been, had Bircn not made good
And for Birch to make good in his
old home town was no easy thing to
poets more of home TALENT than
of some one from away. For this
reason, and because of the fact that
in his audience was the worlds lead
ing magician, also many other ma
gicians of lesser prominence, his
task was not an easy one. However,
if he was the least bit embarrassed, j,
or nervous, it was not apparent to
the audience
OF course it is impossible to ere
port the show" and tell what he
did-if the writer could, he would
be out doing the same things Birch
does. However we can call atten-
tion to his wonderful equipment, es-
pecially in the matter of stage
scenes, with his handsome draperies,
etc. Not only has Mr. Birch a great
variety of tricks, all of which he
puts across most capably, but he has
also commanding stage pres
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1929-07-04
CHAUTAUQUA PROGRAMS
READY

The 1929 Chautauqua programs
are now ready for distribution, and
can be obtained at the drug stores
in McConnelsyille and Malta, hotels
and other business houses. The u.s.
ual booklet" has been changed into
a "broadside" showing pictures of
all the attractions on one side and
the program in detail and other in
formation on the other 1t folds up
conveniently for mailing, with place
for address on the front. Place a
one and one-half cent stamp at the
top, extending over the edge to hold
together.
Everybody is interested in when
Billy Sunday is to appear on the
program. His date is Thursday ev-
ening, August 8. On the program
are five plays four different musi-
cal companies besides our own
band, and most unusual array of
speakers. S. H. Pollock, Of the
Sebring, Ohio, public schools will
manage the platform and give Bible
hour talks
A new experiment will be tried
here this summer, in that a Western
Electric public address system will
be installed and used throughout.
By use of microphones on the stage
and amplifying horns out in the aud
itorium it will be possible to make
even the softest notes of music and
conversational tones plainly audible
in all parts of the building. Watch
the Democrat for full program next
week.
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1929-07-04
ASKING FOR BIDS ON NORTH
RIVER CONCRETE ROAD

Resident Highway Director Fred
C. Barkhurst was in Columbus Mon
day, taking with him the plans and
specifications for the Improvement Of
the north river road. The plans We're
approved by State Highway Director
Robert N. Waid, and the Notice to
Contractors asking for proposals for
this Improvement, is published in
this issue. Date of letting is July
%. These plans call for 3.176
miles and will take the road almost
to the w. C. Manly camp 1t is to
be Of concrete, 20 feet in width.
The date set for completion is Nov.
is, 1929. The estimated cost OF
construction is $110,498.60. OF the
amount $4,000 is federal money,
and the balance is to come from the
state. Mr.. Barkhurst and his force
have been working almost night and
day to get the plans ready as soon
as possible, SO that much of the
work can be completed this fall. By
the time the contract is awarded
and the preliminaries are out of the
way, it will likely be about the mid
die of August before actual con-
stfuctfon work will be under way.
While this stretch of road is being
built, the road will be closed and
traffic will detour to Gaysport by
the east river road, or the ridge
road, on west side, better known as
the GAINESVILLE road We understand
that this section to be built will be
calcium chloride treated, in order to
control the dust, until it is closed.
In the event the road is not COM
pleted by November Is, it will then
be opened, and such part of the road
as will not have then been complet-
ed, will be graveled and put in good
shape for winter travel.
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1929-07-04
Blew In Mail Boxes

Saturday Postmaster Rosa nj.
Fouts received word that nine mail
boxes on McConnelsville Rt. No. 3,
and about an equal number on Mall
ia Rt. No. /, had been blown up.
An investigation Immediately fol-
lowed. 1t has since developed that
there were three young men from
prominent Marietta families who
had been away attending conven-
ton, and on their way back to Ma
rietta, which took them over the
roads named, they stopped at place
where fire crackers were being sold
and purchased supply, which they
used In various Ways-one of which
was to light cracker and throw it
under passing car. The explosion
made the driver think he had a blow
out and he would stop to repair the
tire, when the joke would be discoy-
cred. They also conceived the idea
of placing the crackers in mail boxes.
and it is said that they would light
the fuse and then drive on, not
knowing that the explosion wrecked
the boxes; neither did they, it is
claimed, realize the seriousness OF
the olense.
Tuesday Atty Noll of Marietta,
representing the young men, was
here and explained the matter to
those who had their boxes Destroy
ed, and replaced the same with new
ones, so that no court action was
taken here against them.
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1929-07-04

ence. He is smooth and graceful to
Z Gegre ., which we viii venture to
state is not found in so marked Il
manner with any other magician.
jrst personal word here: With all
the prominence Birch has been Civ
en- throughout the country, and the
high position he holds in his pro-
fession--all this has not changed
him particle He is no swell
head" but is just the same every
day "Birchie" among his home peo~
pie that he has always been. To
him alone is due the credit and
whole credit for what he has made
Of himself
Near the close of the show, Mr.,
Birch presented Thurston who was
in the audience, and who as stated
is the worlds greatest magician. He
was practicing wizardry on his aud
fences many years before. Birch saw
-tse- lie sltssof daJ Tso ssDlse In most
complimentary terms of Mr.. Birch's
performance, and of his rapid rise
soon is to be known as the worlds
leading magician. He stated that
he had for more than 35 years been
on the stage as magician before
audiences, and that tonight was the
first time the tables had been turn
ed that he was in the audience and
someone else was on the platform.
lie did not hesitate to say that Birch
had a better show than has Keller,
who is ranked among the very best
magicians. ThurstOn advised Birch
to not go abroad at this time, but
to remain in America, and asked Mr.
Birch if he would not give up the
trip as planned. To the question
Mr.. Birch did not give a positive re-
ply. Let us hope that he takes the
advice of the premier magician.
Mr.. Birch was assisted on the
stage by two young ladies and two
gentlemen, besides number OF
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1929-07-04
Charles Cochran Dies In Toledo


Mrs. James Benjamin of this place
received word Sunday of the death
Of her father Charles Cochran,
which occurred in Toledo. He died
at the home OF his niece Mrs
Blanche Shoarer with whom he had
made his home number Of years.
His wife who died some years ago
was Agnes Graham. They were the
parents of two daughters-Mrs. Kate
Josselyn who resides in Los Angeles,
Calf, and Mrs. Effie Benjamin,
above mentioned The last named
was reared in the home of her uncle
the late Samuel Cochran here, and
has always made McConnelsville her
home Charles Cochran was a son
of the late James and Mary Cochran
of McConnelsville Besides Samuel
Cochran mentioned, other brothers
were the late John and James Coch-
ran. Besides the two daughters men-
toned, the deceased is survived by
several grandchildren and great
grandchildren
Funeral services were held We'd
nesday in Toledo, with burial there.
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1929-07-04

younger boys and girls. "Dorney,"
Chicago magician, and former COM
edian With the Elsie Janis show,
who is master OF ceremonies at all
affairs OF The International Brother
hood OF Magicians, was assisting
back Of the curtains.
Besides those mentioned, many
from away from here, more or less
prominent, were in the audience,
including DR., Holston, magician, of
Ianesyille; DR. Levi and father
Mamie Levi, proprietor of the A. E.
Starr Co.; Becker of New York
City, and Professors Bale and Weed
of Ohio State University.
From every indication the at
tendance tonight will even exceed
that of last night. Among those
who have signified their intention OF
being present tonight is w. w. Dur
hin OF kenton. for number of years
president Of the International Ma
gicians' association; and the 23
members of the society of magicians,
Columbus, are also expected.
The Boy Scouts were pressed into
service to handle the parking of the
hundreds Of autos on the common,
and to look after traffic in general.
AS has been stated, the American
Legion sponsored Birch's appearance
here, and assisted in putting the
auditorium in shape, selling of tick
cts, etc, and they are most liberal
in dividing the proceeds with Mr..
Birch. The Malconta Post band gave
concert earlier in the evening at
the Chautauqua grounds, and six
piece orchestra from the band play
ed during portions of the perform
ance.
Tonight, after the show, the Le-
gion is giving a reception in their
hall to Mr.. Birch and others of
prominence, guests of Mr.. Birch, who
are here for the performances.
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1929-07-04
Garage Changes Hands

Messrs. C. B. NORM and Harry
Maynard became owners last week
of the Morgan County Motor Sales
Co., formerly owned by the Perry
County Buick Co., and under the new
management the firm will be carried
on under the name of The Malta
Garage. Mr.. NORM has been asso-
ciated with The Perry county con-
Germ for the past three years, and
Mr.. Maynard who is from Stockport.
has been one Of its mechanics. Hhey
will handle Buick and Marquette
autos; will give seven days a week
service, and will be open of even
ings, and will maintain an auto
laundry, and wrecking car service.
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1929-07-04
SERVICE CELEBRATES CLOSE
OF VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

The service at the Main Street
Church of Christ Sunday evening
was in celebration of the closing OF
the vacation Bible day school. The
school had closed on Friday after a
months session. At the Sunday
night service the devotionals at the
opening and closing were by the
children of the vacation school. AT
the opening they quoted the first IA
verses of the first chapter of John
and offered individual prayers, and
iat the closing they repeated the
Lords prayer in unison. The pro-
gram given included songs by the
children, and Bible drills by them.
There was a display of articles that
had been made by the children in
the art department of the vacation
school,
During the four weeks this schooi
was in session, 81 children were
reached, and there was an average
attendance of 43 children a day.
This is an increase over the average
attendance the other summers such
school has been held, and also marks
a steady growth from the first
school.
Friday afternoon the pupils and
teachers of the vacation Bible day
school enjoyed picnic supper at
Embree park. There was an attend
ance of 85, 60 of whom were chill
dren, the others being some of the
teachers and parents of the chill
dren.
AS Rev. E. F. Kendle and his
splendid corps Of workers have
been giving of their time and talent
gratis in the conduct of this school,
some of the business men of the
towns wanted to show their appre-
citation of the worthwhile work be-
ing done, and to contribute some
thing in a material way. These
firms-Miller Furniture Company,
Muskingum Valley Grocery Com
pany, Twin City Transfer Company,
and the G. e. Fisher Company, fur
nished free transportation for the
children to and from the picnic
grounds.
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1929-07-04
FRED McCONAHA IN JAIL HERE
TAKES HIS LIFE BY HANGING

Sunday about noon Fred McCona-
la, prisoner here in the Jail, COM
mitted suicide, by hanging himself
with a towel. He and three other
prisoners were in the jail, and a few
minutes before he committed the
deed, he closed the door, shutting
the others in their cells. Gong
around the cells to the toilet he took
clean towel, such as had been is
sued to each of the prisoners short
time before by Mrs. Henery, jail
matron. He tore it lengthwise, and
fastened the ends together. Stand
ing upon the edge of the stool OF the
toilet he fastened the towel around
his neck, then tied it to the iron
lattice work above, and stepped OH
the stool. IIis groans and struggles
alarmed the other prisoners, and
they tried to call the sheriff, who
with his wife was sitting on the
front porch Of their residence, but
since it was raining, neither the
sheriff nor his wife heard the cries.
However the screams and noise
among the prisoners was heard III
the Walker restaurant, just across
the alley, and the sheriff's sister
Mrs. Ola McKibben, an employe OF
the restaurant, hastened to the
sheriff, telling him something must
be wrong in the jail. Going to the
Jail he found McConaha's body
hanging, his feet about foot from
the floor The sheriff saw that life
was extinct, and he at once called
Coroner Carl c.. Miller, who came
and took charge Of the body.
McConaha was So years of age.
He and his wife were separated, and
they have eight children. His faith
er resides in GAINESVILLE. The de-
ceased was a coal miner. April ~,
he was placed under arrest on the
charge of larceny, stealing automo-
bile accessories, and was found gull
ty of the charge, here in common
pleas court, and was fined $50 and
costs, amounting in all to about
$133, and in default of payment he
was sent to jail With him, impli-
Gated in the crime, were his son-in-
law Ira Giffin, Lee Love and Todd
Dickens Love is out on bond, and
the others are serving out their SEN
tence here in Jail. McConaha, just
before hanging himself, and after
he had locked the others in their
cells, wrote on piece of yellow pa
per, a note to his son in-law, which
read as follows: IRA, you take me
and bury me. | seen them all talk
ing and / locked them in for joke.
Signed Fred McConaha. Those lock-
ed in were Ira Giffin, Clifford Hill
and Kenneth Allen. Todd Dickens
has been a trusty, and was out OF
jail at the time.
The body was held here at the
Miller undertaking parlors until ear
ly Monday morning, when the Glous-
ter undertaken came and took it to
that place.
Funeral services were held Tues
day afternoon, and interment was
made in Glouster cemetery.
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1929-07-04
MAGICIAN ThurSfNn Here

Howard Thurston Of New York
City, the worlds greatest magician,
arrived Monday to visit Magician
Birch and to attend the Birch per-
formances in the Chautauqua build
ing. While here he was also the
guest of Superintendent and Mrs.
Harry A. Phillips, of the Rocky Glen
sanatorium.
W. s. Becker, also of New York
City, came Monday to attend the
Birch shows. Mr. Becker is the ad-
vance booking manager of the Birch
company.
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1929-07-04
II. C. Betz House Hit BY Lightning

In the storm of last Friday after
noon the residence of FL. C. Betz and
family on North Fifth street, was
struck by lightning. A hole was
torn in the slate roof on the front
part of the house, the lightning go
ing down through and into a front
bedroom. A section of moulding
next to the ceiling was damaged,
and strip of plastering on the wall
next to the ceiling was broken off,
bits of plastering being strewn about
the room. The damage was not
great.
Mrs. Betz was alone in the house
at the time, and was sitting in a
lower front room directly under the
one where the bolt struck. Beyond
fright at the sharp report of the
concussiOn, occasioned by the near
ness of the bolt, she suffered no in
jury.
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1929-07-04
Rotary Ends Fiscal Year

Members of NJ & NJ Rotary club
met last Friday evening at Ken
nebec hotel, for the last meeting of
the past year.
Retiring President G. L. Stanbery
reviewed the accomplishments of the
club since July 1st last, and present
ed the large rotary wheel, the gift
of Mamie Levi of GAINESVILLE, to
the club.
Visiting rotarians were Jas.
Warburton and Frank Morse of
the Marietta club. The banquet was
given by the Lions, Capt, J. A.
Hambleton, to the Tigers Capt.
Ralph Baker, ending an attendance
contest in which the latter We're the
winners.
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1929-07-04
Fred Dover Home From Mayo Clinic

Mr.. and Mrs. Fred Dover and>Mr.
Herbert Manly returned Sunday
from Rochester, Mimi, where they
went about two weeks ago. Mr..
Dover went to the Mayo Brothers
clinic. His trouble was found to be
the same as the local doctor had
diagnosed it, and they prescribed
rest, and a diet to keep his weight
reduced. Mr.. Manly went along as
driver, and they returned home by
way of Cincinnati.
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1929-07-04

w. ID. Adrian was one of the sue
cessful applicants to pass the state
medical board, and is now a full
fledged chiropractor doctor.
DH. Galen Rex is now entitled to
practice medicine in 4e state OF
Ohio, having passed the state medi-
cal board on reciprocity from the
state of West Virginia.
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1929-07-04

Pastoral Relation Severed

At a called meeting of the Athens
presbytery held in Athens last
Thursday, and which was attended
by Rev. A. N. Grove and lay repre-
sentatives of the Presbyterian
church of McConnelsville, final steps
were taken in the severing of the
pastoral relation of Rev. Grove
with that church. At the church
service of Sunday morning, presided
over by Rev. A. NJ. Forester of Coz
lumbus, member of the Ohio Pres
byterian Synodical staff, the pulpit
of the church was formally declared
vacant.
1t is expected that pending the
installment of pastor, as successor
to Rev. Grove, regular preaching
services will be partic-
ularly of Sunday mornings, an
nouncement being made from time
to time as to who will preach.
Mr.. Grove, who as previously stat
ed in these columns, received a call
to the pastorate of the Chambers
vile, High Hill and Mt. Zion Pres
byterian churches, has taken up his
work with them, he and his family
to make their home in the parsonage
which is located the Mt. Zion
church.
The best wishes of many friends
follow the family to their new
field.
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1929-07-04
Little Girl Has Narrow Escape

Dorothy, the four Year old daugh-
ter Of Mr.. and Mrs. Jerrold Nor
row of Sherwoodsburg, had a mar
row escape from serious injury re-
Gently. She was with her father in
a ton truck, while he was cutting
and loading cabbage. The truck
was about half filled, when the child
fell off, the truck wheel passing
over her body. That she was not
much injured is accounted for by
the fact that the truck was on a
side hill, and the ground was such
that she was protected from the
weight of the truck.
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1929-07-04
III. p. Halls House Burns

An oil stove explosion set fire to
the H. P. Hall residence, near Gays
port, Saturday night, which with
practically all the contents. was
consumed by fire. This property
was located near the Mcdaniel coal
mine at Blue Rock.
The loss is in excess of $4,000,
and the insurance carried was less
than half of that amount. This
property is better known as the Ell
ga Shook place The Halls will re-
build at once.
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1929-07-04
An Echo Meeting.

Arrangements will soon be con-
summated by the Morgan county
president, Miss Franc e. Stedman .eto
hold an "Eche meeting" in which
the delegates from the county who
attended the 44th annual conyen-
tion of the Ohio Union of Christian
Endeavor at Dayton, will make their
reports. Time and place will be IN
nounced later.-XX.