davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1930-12-17

Dear Santa Claus: I heard yOu
were coming to town. Please CONS
to see Patricia. / thought I would
write q letter to you this Christmas.
Please bring me a watch, spair Of
long pants, q tool chest, pair Of
ice skates, some candy and nuts. Ny
little brother wants little train.
was glad to see you and your rein-
deer. Please go to the poor children
and the orphans home. wish you .
Merry Christmas Santa. Your little
friend, Pat Farrell
The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1930-12-17

Dear Santa Claus: Will you please
bring me a bed for my doll, pair Of
bedroom slippers, a pair Of shoes for
my-baby doll, and story book. I
would like new dress, also. ! hope
that you will bring the children that
have no father nor mother present.
Your loving friend, Leah Nickels.
Grade 2 A-Redwood Falls.
The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1930-12-17
OLD SANTA PICKS SIX WINNERS
WHO MAILED LETTERS TO HIM
phone. From one of your many
friends. Madonna Jacoby.
District 13-Redwood Falls.
Honorable Mention Letters

Dear Santa Claus: l live in Red
wood Falls. Santa, will you please
bring me an electric train? l think
that l want depot to go with it,
and an iron airoplane. We have been
studying about you quite while. l
have brought a Santa Claus to school
that is hanging up in our room right
now. We are on the fifth story in
Reading. 1 like to read very much.
l would like another book, please.
Yours truly, Thomas Gold.
Grade l A and Brentwood Falls.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-12

that first time, because the thrill was gone and
1t was just business stunt"
Mrs. Mcfarland was SO enthused over her
jump that she persuaded her husband, Edgar
Mcfarland, to try it, too. He caught the fever
and they decided to become professional para
chute jumpers
For three years they travelled over the coun-
try, taking turns att aerial acrobaticS while the
crowds applauded. They might have gone on
with the business of marketing thrills if the
accident hadn't occurred which won Mrs Nc
Farland her membership in the Caterpillar
Club.
The McFarlands had been performing at an
air circus in Dayton Ohio, and gone to Gin
cinnat, where they had a three-day contract
One day one of them would fly and the next
the other.
There was wind blowing as Mrs McFar-
land waited for her turn to perform. Three
stunt flyers were shattering the crowds nerves
and she was to top the climax Of sky adventure
for them. Her husband had packed her bal
loon" type of parachute and she had the
utmost confidence in 1t. It weighed 40 pounds
and was contained in a large canvas bag which
was fastened to the undercarrtage of an air
plane. The chute was held in the bag by elastic
at the bottom end.
The parachute was designed to function when
the jumpers weight broke the elastic and pulled
the chute from the beg.
MAJ. HUGH WATSON and Maj E. L. Hoff-
Az man, officials Of Grisard Field, examined
Mrs. McFarlands equipment and weren't en-
tirely satisfied with its manner of operation
"You had better carry an Irwin Army para
chute as precaution," they told her.
81 didn't want an extra parachute strapped
around me-" Mrs. Mcfarland says. st thought
the 35-pound pack would be too bundlesome
SO said wouldn't go up if had to wear it.
They told me, then, that since this was Gov
eminent field it was rule that no one could
fly without that particular type Of parachute
Still I was determined I wouldn't wear it,
After while, though, yielded, let them
fasten IT. around me, and climbed into the
plane, which Maj. Watson was plotting"
The ship which they used was q now obso-
1ete standard bipiane powered with a Curtiss
OXX-6 motor.
When they had reached an altitude of $500
feet Watson cireled his plane and signaled to
Mrs. Mcfarland to jump.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-12

Il was riding in the cockpit" Mrs. McFar-
land says. Il jumped but my leap ended with
a sharp jerk"
She hung suspended in the air 10 feet below
the surface Of the plane Her weight wasn't
Sufficlent to break the elastic and release the
parachute, although she weighed 100 pounds.
The crowds below gasped at the sight of a
plane soaring above them with girl dangling
from it. Edgar Mcfarland knew instinctively
that something had happened to the parachute.
And he had packed 1t so 1t would be safei
Maj. Watson studied the situation There
was nothing but danger in any course of action.
THE girl Unanswered herself as much as pos
sible, wriggling around in the sky, and
1t wouldn't open.
Il couldn't climb up the single strand of
rope to the planes .undercarriage. Mai Wat
son knew 1t meant death for me If he landed
the plane while I danged underneath I'll
admit was scared. didn't know what was
going to happen"
But Watson knew there was one chance left.
That was to signal Mrs. Mcfarland to open the
Irwin chute. The chute might soar upward
and entangle with the plane, fouling the con-
trolls and causing a crash. He knew it, and so
did Mrs. Mcfarland But he took the chance
She reached for the ring to release the chute
1t opened and bulged upward toward the plane
Quick as flash Watson sent the nose of his
ship down and the tail up The chute passed
clear of the tail.
Then the added pressure broke the elastic
on her other device.
But didn't know what was going to hap
pen," the youthful stunt flyer remembers now
when she tells the story-which is almost never
CHE doesn't like to think about it. Neither
does her husband, nor her parents, Mr.. and
Mrs. j. ID. Mcfarland Of Canton, who didn't
know-until the whole story was over-that
their daughter had ever done anything more
exciting than climb a tree
1.-THE wind started to blow stronger and
started to wonder just where would land
and how" the blue-eyed, wavy-haired para
chute jumper continues. "I couldn't tell
She started In the direction OF the hangar,
Continued on T,Dentietb Page
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-12

as her initiation into the Caterpillar Club was
made. In fact, Mrs. Mcfarland has never
piloted ship, although Miss ellis is licensed
pilot.
Of the 14s who have made emergency Jumps
1873 have lived to tell the story. Some have
made more than one jump. Col. Charles A.
Lindbergh Is recognized as the supreme COM
mander Of this club, which never meets, for he
has been dependent on a parachute four times
to save his life.
Drowning people, rescued in time, frequently
say that their memories are very clear when
the waves start to roll over them and the same
thing is true OF those who seek adventure in
the clouds. Mrs. Mcfarland and Miss ellis
recall every detail Of their spectacular jumps.
And the touch of the small gold caterpillar pins
they wear brings the memories back.
THESE pins, which are really made in the
form Of mems stickpins, may have chosen
a masculine design because no one thought
that feminine adventures would wear them.
They are fashioned in the shape of the cater
pillar, for which the club is named-the cater
pillar, which lets itself down to earth on its
s1lken shrouds spinning as 1t comes
Mrs Mcfarland Of Canton, Ohio. the
first woman to invade the club which has be-
come part of the unwritten tradition of those
who fly. Her spectacular parachute jump took
place at an aerial performance at Grisard Field,
now Watson Airport Cincinnati, Ohio, on June
%, 1925. But there is an interesting story
which led up to the jump.
Way back in 1928 when aviation was very,
very young, Mrs Mcfarland and her husband
were living at Anderson Ind. Some friends of
hers had constructed an airplane and had en-
ployed a man to do parachute jumps for them.
Il wish could jump for you" Mrs. McFar-
land told them with wistful note in her
voice. IF ever you need any one 10 do it,
won't you let me try?"
Her wish came true much sooner than she
had expected.
When the day arrived for the man to per-
form his exciting stunt in the air his courage
failed He looked into the sky wondered if the
parachute would really open and decided that
there were easier and safer ways 70 earn a
living.
The people who were in charge of the plane
sent word to Mrs. Mcfarland.
II had never jumped before, but was too
excited to be scared" she explains. IT went
out to the field, got into flying toys and they
strapped the parachute on me and told me how
to pull the cord.
The first thing knew was up in the sky
and 1t was time to jump. I obeysd in
structions and found myself floating through
the air. I wasn't at all frightened. The sen.
sation was glorious guess the first jump
always is more thrilling than any of those that
follow. I always minded jumping more after
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-12

The Ceometridae caterpillar lets itself
down to earth on self-spun thread of
silk. Thus it is the symbolic emblem
of those ,Uho hare saved their lives by
means Of silken parachutes.
thrill of her aerial adventures, and also the
accolade of the air, a double surprise, for
each was forced to jump and depend on para
chute to save her life.
Thus it happened that Mrs. Mcfarland and
Miss ellis are the only two women in the
world who are members of the Caterpillar
Club, that exclusive, mythical organization
whose membership is composed of aviators who
have had to jump to save their lives.
Other women have told of escapes from
Jungle beasts and sinking ships, but they are
the only two who had to depend on high jumps
to save them from death.
Neither woman was plotting her plane at the
time that the parachute jump which served
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-12
BY HELEN WELSHIMER.

yelling thrills. That was Irene Nc
] Farland's job
She and her husband travelled
merrily across the country, visiting
flying fields and County fairs, taking
turns making the spectators catch their breath
Is they jumped from airplane that sailed
high in the sky.
Fay ellis, on the other hand with the same
spirit of daring, didn't mind flying in an air
plane that was upside-down any more than
in one that was rightside-up.
Each of the two women received the supreme
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-12
Two Ladies Join the Caterpillar Clut

Here Is the Unusual Story o the First Women
to Gain Membership in the Exclusive
Caterpillar club, Mythical Society of
-Aviatory Whose Lives Haze Been SaUed
byPa,uehute Jumps From Planes Disabled
While in Flight.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-17

craft caught m one of the freak squalls that
sometimes blow down upon the stream Peril
turks for the braveSt swimmer in trick currents.
And there is real danger on the river IN Mid
winter when ice foes break, pile up against
bridge piers and banks and threaten to close
the channel to navigation.
Winter and Summer, In fair weather and
foul the harbor police must be ON duty, "A
hours q day, ready for any emergency, ready
to keep order and to see that laws are obeyed.
FROM Chain Bridge TO Alexandria and up
the Eastern Branch as far rs the District
line stretches the course they must constantly
patrol They must keep watch over fnnumer-
able little creeks and inletS and observe every
twist and turn of the waterway where boat
men may wander intent on breaking the law
or where danger may lurk for the unwary.
They must apprehend the fishermen who
violate the regulations by using nets and seinS
or fishing out of season, catch the hunter who
breaks the migratory bird law and run Gown
the thieves who prey upon, craft at anchor in
the harbor and steal from the wharves and
landings
At night they must see to 1t that boats dis
play the proper running lights at bow and
stern and enforce all safety measures. They
must race to the scene of q reported accident,
and when drownings occur they must drag the
river for the bodies Of victims.
Like NIL members Of the Police Department,
they must cooperate with the prohibition agents
and they stretch the long arm Of the law out
over the water to catch the violator.
In Winter they must keep the channel clear
of ice, and in Summer they must keep watch
over the hundreds of pleasure craft ranging
from capsizable canoes and diminuitive out
board motor boats TO yachts and excursion
steamers.
And this year a new task has been added 10
the duties Of the harbor police. A speed law
has rneuN vfuaF and 10
to the harbor force to see that racing craft
keep within the 15-mile limit imposed In Ger
tain areas They have become the traffic cops
of the Potomac, and, like their brothers On the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-17

=
III The harbor police speedboat Sui
~ Ivan slips from the dock; throws
her nose into the air and cuts out
- over the blue surface of the Potomac,
riding on wings of spray. Fun speed ahead, her
roaring motor drives her into the wind Win q
horsepower shove
eneinee. of the police feet, twists bis trembling
craft In and out among yachts anc CRUISERS
emitting a white path on his way 70 the open
channel. Beside him sit couple OF due
coats" alert, trained to the ways OF the rlVef'
set for action
The Sullivan might be racing to a codnslon
an the water to an overturned launch TO
speedboat on fire, or dashing to the rescue OF
drowning person. She. might be answering
call to the scene of any one OF score OF pos
sible accidents or violations of the law that can
and do happen on the IS miles OF WasnmgOons
waterways under the jurisdiction of the river
front precinct.
THIS swift craft and her dauntless crew
typify the service Of the vignant harbor
force of the Metropolitan police. Speed, ef-
nciency and readiness for duty, are their watch
words, and the safeguarding Of thousands OF
lives on the rivers and streams of the Nations
Capital and the preservation Of law and order
on this vast and extended beat is their task
What the Coast Guard means to the surf
beaten shores OF the ocean-Ooroefeo states the
harbor police mean to Washington waters:
Though less glamor and less of the picturesque
quality surrounds their %ork, they are rendering
q service no less important in protection Of life
and property and at times no less adventure
some.
While patrolling calm waters In Summer
weather or padding beat on the wharves and
river-front properties might be quiet and peace
ful routine, there are occasions in the line OF
duty when the men must face all manner Of
hazard and hardship.
The placid Potomac can kick up q PREACHER
GUS course under . lashing wind storm, and woe
betide the inexperienced skipper Of Summer
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-17
Safeguarding MeLiUxs Of Thousands ON the

What the Coast GnardNeans to Surf Beaten
Shores the Harb0r Force Means to WIash-
mgton Waters in Rendering Ser0ice No
Less Important in Projection of Life and
Proberty-AH Manner of Thrills and
Hazards Face Them in the Line of Duty
and They dire Ready, 7aoenty-Four Hours
Day for Any Emergency.
By Hudson Grunewald
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-17

Put. c. NJ. Birkight, UeterGn member of
the hGrbOr police force, assigned to the
upper riUer, sUhO on September I sOiH
pass the ttUoscore mark of service.
road, they are out OF catch the speeder, the
reckless driver and the skipper, who having i'm
bibed too freely, can be hauled up for ''piloting
q craft while under the influence and en-
dangering the lives and property of others.
The greatly increasing number Of speedboatS
and "outboardS" On the river has made the new
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-17

- SIREN screams out over the water.
III The harbor police speedboat Sui
~ Ivan slips from the dock; throws
her nose into the air and cuts out
- = over the blue surface of the Potomac,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-17

regulations necessary as a safety measure and
calls for added vigilance ON the part of the
harbor police. Fines for violations of these
rules range from 81 to 600, and special efforts
are being made to warn all pilots and to inn
press them with the need of holding their speed
down to safe pace while In trafic."
New Britain herald., 1930-07-12
4 WILD DRIVING CLIMAX

Nobody has sympathy for so-call- ed wild drivers" least of all the vast majority of sane automobilists who are endangered by this species of dangerous individuals who some times run amuck on the highways.
 The sensational outcome of q wild drivers escapade in Newbursh, N. Y, which because three persons were killed led the account to the first pages Of the newspapers, has the significant implication in that manslaughter charges will also be filed against the man who sold the liquor to the driver.
 Even good liquor will not mix with gasoline. as the saying goes: but the type of rat poison frequent ly sold under prohibition acts like dynamite under the skin. The fel- low who deliberately sells this species of drink to an automo bile driver Is shouldering dire re- sponsibility. The significant point about the Newburgh tragedy is that the liquor dispenser is not merely
New Britain herald., 1930-07-12

before coming to this city, is an ex- ecutive who has been handling peo- pie ever since his college days.
 He is considered among those who know him as a man who does his own thinking. and who believes. like a we'll known national adver- tisement that You can't run a job on apple sauce." Conscientious. seri- ous minded. practical. determined, sensitive and quick tempered, witty. a rapid fire thinker with a fluent command of English and the type of a go-getter who either does things or gets them done, Jim" O'Brien promises to become the city's most picturesque civic club president.
 As an indication of how seriously he is taking his job is the fact that he has voluntarily given up his sec- rctaryship with an income of s200 a year in order to do what he can to place his club on g. par with similar organizations.
 The ultimatun delivered by the new president upon taking offica, was not aimed at any one individI- al, neither was it direct rap at the general membership. Rather, ac- cording to MT. O'Brien, 1t was an indication that the iron fist will h2 withdrawn from the velvet glove for a year and that ordinary decoru.n and dignity will be restored to Lions meetings, much to the delight of most of the mem bership.
 The Lions club as are all civic clubs, gets it's membership from q selected group. Men who are recog- nized as leaders in their profession, with probably a few exceptions, are members. Most of the Lions are men Of the highest calibre and prestige in he>community. Especially is this true in the matter of presidents, these officials without exception hay ing been men against whom no criticism or charge of discourtesy ever have been raised This list ill., cludes such men as the type of Harry c. Brown. Harry G. Hancoc-;, Fred C. Teich. Colonel w. W. Bull len, P. F. King. w. C. French, C. w Buckley and Mayor George A. Quigley.
New Britain herald., 1930-07-12
Non Steuben Important Factor Tn S,,ocesS of Reyol,,fiop

on SteuDen important fdCtoF
 In Success of Revolution
 Headed by Councilman Joseph Landwehr members of the von Steuben societies recently requested the park board to name the triangle at the intersection of East. Jubilee and Dwight streets Ton Steuben park The board suggested that the petitioners present their request to common council as the board was not empowered to name the triangle.
 The request suggests honorong one who contributed much to the mak- ing of the American Colonial army. When the revolution started, peace prevailed in Europe and military of ficers found themselves out of work. The war of the Colonies appealed 10 number of them as a means of finding employment for their talents. Their coming to America to help in the war was not prompted by selfish motives for it was well known abroad that congress was in a state of poverty
 The names of Lafayette and Kos Ciuszko, first conspicuously known here. were later destined to become watchwords of liberty to their own countrymen. Baron Frederick Will liam Augustus Henry von Steuben vas Germany's contribution to this galaxy of military lights who taught the Continental army nearly all it l-,, rf < ,,, his honor that the petitioners would have the park named.
 The baron's name is pronounced Shtoi- but most American die tionaries and biographies use an Angelicized version which makes the name Stew-ben and omits the won" entirely.
 Born in Magdeburg, Prussia, No vember IS, 173O. Steuben was edu- cated at the Jesuit colleges of Neisse and BreslaU but at the early age of l. served as a volunteer in the cam- paign of the Austrian war and soon became an aide camp under the king of Prussia In 1763 he with drew from the Prussian service 10 become 8 canon of the Havelbu,g cathedral and later was made grand marshal of the court by the Prince of Hohenzollern-H n-Heichingen
 In 1777 Steuben was summoned 10 France where the French minister Of war urged him to go to the American colonies to drill the un- disciplined troops The prospect of returning to army life was too strong for the baron to resist and although his personal fortune was small and coming to America would mean re- signing his court position he de cided to make the sacrifice.
 Benjamin Franklin then met the baron and the details were arranged. Under the name of NJ. de Franck he sailed for America and after a dan gerous passage art-~-d at Ports mouth. x. H., on December l. 1777. He then went to Yorktown where
New Britain herald., 1930-07-12


 Over in New York state residents living near an airport claim they have 10 keep their windows closed to prevent the dust from the planes entering their homes; not 10 men, ton the noise from the motors It may yet come to pass that when cities are confronted with agitation for airports-so as to be on the aviation map--all residents will want to see the airport establish cd "in the other part of town.
 Property values around airports are not likely to soar 10 dizzy heights,
New Britain herald., 1930-07-12
THE OBSER VER- Makes Random Observations
 On the City and Its People

he was received by congress with
 every mark of distinction. The baron explained that he did not demand him to Valley Forge where the
 army was in winter quarters.
 To bring raw recruits to the point where they were accustomed to the utmost precision of movement and management of arms and to yield punctilious obedience to orders was the difficult task assigned to this German volunteer. He was obliged l to instruct the officers as we'll as the men all of which he did despite his handicap of being unfamiliar with the English language. Once when he had exhausted his small vocabulary
 he called an officer named Walker
 to swear at the awkward troops for
 him. T can curse dem no more" he said sorroWfully.
 A department of inspection was organized and the baron placed at it's head. Whenever the troops were
 to maneuver Steuben rose at 3 . U tlOCh Gillu Sulll lSt loullu nm oii horseback ready for the days work.
 When the baron had been with the army only few weeks. Washington wrote to congress: "I should do in justice if I were any longer silent with regard to the merits of Baron
 Steuben. His knowledge of his pro- fession, added to the zeal which he has discovered since he began upon the functions of his office. leads me to consider him an acquisition to the service, and to recommend him 10 the attention of congress"
 Following receipt of the letter, congress appointed the baron ma jor general and gave him a salary. After this Steuben was sent to Rhode Island to assist General Sullivan. In his spare time the German wrote a manual on military science for use
 by American officers While in New England the baron once stopped at
 Fairfield, this state. Finally Steuben
 realized a fond ambition and was
 made an officer of the line in com
 mand of all troops in Virginia.
 At the close of the war he was sent to Canada 10 receive from General Haldimand the frontier forts Later he was considered as q
 candidate for secretary of war. but
 his German nativity prevented his
 being given the office, He retired
 from service and passed his last
 years at Steubenville, where he died,
 November oS, l794. q