davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
La gaceta., 1930-08-20

Procedente de Espana ha lie
gado a esta localidad, despues
de una larga ausencia, ell como
edo j6ven Pic Brun, expresi-
dente de la "Seccion Atletica
del Circulo Cubano".
Nosotros lie damos nuestra
cordial bienvenida.
La gaceta., 1930-08-20

Todavia no han sido encon-
trados los tres hombres que
en- la madrugada de aver AGO.
metieron al viejo S. D, Roop,
de 55 amos, hiri6ndolo de gra-
vedad, cuando trataba de de-
fender a su hija, Sra. Beulah
Ransom, y a dos amigos de es-
ia, Sra. Marta Paula y Sra
Melna Wright. Ell estado del
viejo, que presenta una heri-
da de bala debajo del coraz6n,
mejor6 algo en- la tarde de
aver.
Varios sospechosos deteni-
dos aver fueron puestos en- Zig
La gaceta., 1930-08-20
CHUNGAS Y NO CHUNGAS

dos los fumadores que ell ia
baco elaborado en- Tampa es
ell mejor del mundo.
mo da "margen' ell tabaco
para anunciar'-dicen.
iva tendran "margen" Guam
do las fabricas Sc cierren por
falta de marchantes!
La gaceta., 1930-08-20

No fue anoche ell bale como
e~rr6neamente publique en- mi
cr6nica de aver, de la Logia Sa-
cerdotisas del Hogan No. 2. Sc
verificara ell pr6ximo martes,
en- los salones de la "Reciproci-
dad". Lo amenizara una repu-
tada orquesta.
La gaceta., 1930-08-20

Llegaran hoy a Tampa, en-
la competencia de velocidad
entire Miami y Chicago, tres
biplanos Waco tripulados POI
AR Davis, Art Killips y George
T. Burrell.
La bora del arribo sera la
lis de la tarde y la de parti-
da para Jacksonville las 300
p, m. Aver Sc retro de la re-
gaia ell photo Doug Davis, de
Atlanta.
Los aviadores seran aqui Oh
sequiados.
La gaceta., 1930-08-20
NOTICIAS De
INTERES LOCAL

Hoy comenzara en- la corte
de 10 criminal ell juicio de la
causa contra William H. Tin
dali, acusado del asesinato en-
segundo grade de Milton c,
Miles.
Penetr6 Miles en- un melo.
mar que cuidaba Tindall y este
dispar6, matandolo.
La gaceta., 1930-08-20

Los herederos de Benjamin
H. Micou presentaron aver un
pleito contra la Gulf Fertilizer
Co., r~qclamando $4,000 pol
los servicios que el prestara a
la compania, como abogado,
durante la guerra.
Por mediaci6n de Micou la
Gulf consigui6 varias concesio
mes.
La gaceta., 1930-08-20

Cuanto nos alegramos.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-23

did not. could not find one bit of evidence
to support the three letters. John Henry
seemed, after all, to be only myth.
But the legend stiM haunted my mind.
tried many clews, but they turned out as the
Alabama case did. Finally decided to try one
other clew. Several Negroes had told me that
they had always heard the Big Bend Tunnel
ON the c. & o. road in West Virginia was the
place where John Henry met his tragic end.
Then, too, many Of the songs about John Henry
began like this:
John Henry sOas q little bog,
Setttn' on his neGnGs knee.
Said, "The Big Ben THnneI on the C. & o.
Is gonna be the death o. me,
Is gonna be the daeth o. me-
:. ~.
had written long before this to the G. q o.
Railroad oficias at Richmond. and they had
said there was never any steam drill at Big
Bend. There had let the matter rest
But now received q letter from q white man
who had been associated with a contractor ON
the Big Bend Tunnel. This man assured me
that John Henry did work at Big Bend, that
there was . steam dfin there and that John
Henry beat 1t drilling.
PIG BEND TUNNEL was begun in 1870 nm
iShed In le72 Steam drills were invented
in 1S4o. found that the c. & o. road had
used O steam drin ct Lewis Tunnel in 1871.
Would not the same company which placed the
steam drin ut Lewis Tunnel have tried to sell
one ct Big Bend?
At any rate, considered It worth while to 60
10 Big Bend Tunnel This tunnel Is IN q very
beautiful part Of the Aneghenies in Summers
County, w. Va. It was named for the big bend
in the Greenhr1er River near Talcott.
In the village Of Talcott found that nearly
everybody, both white and colored, had heard
that John Henry died ut Big Bend Seeing
that there was q strong local sentiment to this
effect, I set out TO ind some one who had
actually worked on the tunnel So years before.
found several people living near the tunnel
who had helped build 1t. but they were not
especially encouraging. 1t Is hard for people to
remember accurately what happened 81 years
ago. Take Uncle Beverly. for instance. Negro
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-23

II you ask almost any Negro workngman
who is the greatest hero of his race, the
chances are that he will name John
Henry among the first two or three.
In fact, many Negroes will be able to
tell you all about John Henry who may know
nothing Of men like Booker T. washington
Who was this John Henry, then, who has gained
such q wide reputation?
The usual story about John Henry is that
he was q powerful Negro steel driver, who
pitted his strength against a steam drill in
order to prove his supremacy and, after win
ming his fight dropped dead with the hammer
In his hand" His name has become a Upward
among Negroes for strength and endurance.
One Of their work songs says:
If I could hammer
Like John Henry,
LaiDd, I'd be man,
I'd be man.
A steel driver is a man who hammers steel
dfiu into rock or stone to make hole In which
explosive may be inserted. Formerly hand
drivers did all of this sort of work IN tunneling,
mining etc. In these days Of electricity, steam
and compressed air the steel driver is not what
he used to be.
There are literally hundreds Of songs and
stories that have grown mp around this man
John Henry Wherever you fnd Negro laborers
you win nnd some one who knows about John
Henry and likes to talk about him.
GENERAL years ago became interested IN
~ the tradition about John Henry and decided
to study it, first, to see how much Information
about John Henry could bring together and,
second to satisfy my curiosity as to whether the
man was real or was merely myth.
I began by talking to Negro workers and
wanderers-men who 90 over the land with
rainbows round their shoulders and wings ON
their feet They know John Henry best. be-
cause he was workingman himself. I got
dozens Of songs from them, but they made the
mystery Of John Henry al the darker.
One man would say, "Sure, know all about
John Henry" but he would reel on some tale
which would be all too obviously the product OF
his imagination or his desire to please me.
Another would say, My uncle used to WORK
with that man John Henry, bait uncle Is deao
now and I can't give you the exact story"
Another would say: MY father knows Jonn
Henrv-used to work with him. But Aeft
home when was IA, and my father has gone
ont west somewhere don't know where
he s."
Some men would tell me that John Henry
worked and died in West Virginia when the
ri1 BEND Tunnel was being built
Others would say, why, everybody knows
mat old John Henry beat the steam dr1h ana
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-23

nearly 100 years old He was mature man
when he worked on the tunnel. went to see
him at this little cabin
At the mention Of John Henry he frightened
as If he were going to recall something But
the something whatever 1t was, couldn't quite
get across the door Of his memory and had
to go away disappointed.
I found several men who said that they were
boys Of IL or II when the tunnel was begun ana
that they could remember seeing John Henry.
. large, powerful man. They had all heard Of
the drilling contest, bat none Of them had
actually seen it.
OFTEN was told, "See Old Man So-and-SO.
He surely ought TO be able to give you the
truth about this" Then would look up Old
Man So-and-So, only to hear him tell that he
had heard about the drilling contest but had
not seen it. Then he would name some other
man.
Thus I chased clues around for several days.
shall never forget the day spent looking for
q man whom several people had advised me to
see. Starting early, ] drove seven miles over
rough roads and came to q small house at the
end Of the road.
A young lady came out. asked If I could
get to Mr.. Smiths house from that point. You
can." she replied, but you'd better not try It
unless you know the way"
She gave me directions for another route. I
hacked up, retraced my seven miles, drove seven
more. stopped and asked man II was On
the right road. YES" he said, but turn left
ut the next crossroad." But he was facing IN
the opposite direction, and his left was my
right. I discovered his error only after six more
miles
Getting on the right track again, I finally
came to village ON the river. I inquired for
Mr. Smith. He lived on the other side of the
river up near the top of the mountain was
hungry tired and hot, but I thought IT'S
worth 1t all II I can find this man." Borrow
ing q boat, rowed across the river
At last sighted q house. AS approached,
. boy with shotgun came toward the gate. I
went nearer, hailed him, and found with great
relief that he was looking for hawks. The boy
Continued on Tsirtee,,th Pace
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-23

01ed IN ALABAMA" Still others would give Ten
nessee or North Carolina or Kentucky as the
State where John Henry's great combat took
place.
The more tried to find out something def
mite about John Henry, the more confusion
found. The Negroes agreed on only one thing;
John Henry was q real man, the best steel
driver the world ever saw" AS to where when,
and how his contest with the steam drin hap
pened, there were SO many tales that it began
to look as II there were dozen different John
Henrys
TT seemed useless to try to find out whether
John Henry was real or imaginary, but my
curiosity whetted by all these tales.
began to hold John Henry contests in Negro
schools In the South giving prizes to those who
turned In the best songs or histories of John
Henry. put advertisements in Negro news
papers asking for old ballads or other informa-
ton.
The result was stin more contradictory stories
about John Henry. But these stories were
often extremely interesting and at one time
thought had trailed John Henry to his begin
ming. There came within few days Of each
other three letters from people who lived far
apart. but who told very similar stories.
The FIRST came from Utah. An elderly Negro
wrote me O 2,25O-word description of the IA
NOUS steel-driving contest. It happened In
Northeastern Alabama he said, ct Cruzee T1ln-
nel which was being built by the A. @. 8. Rail-
way. he gave the date rs September 20, 1882,
and gave minute details.
The second letter was from an aged colmed
man Of Birmingham, Ala. I win quote part Of
it. There was q real man John Henry. He
was the champion Of the world with q ham
mer. I was driving steel on Red Mountain ut
the time Of the contest. John Henry was ON
Curzey Mountain Tunnel. This happened
about 1892"
Notice that these two men gave very similar
testimony, except for the name Of the noun
tain.
The third letter can from q woman in LAns-
ing, Mich, who said, MY Uncle Gus was work
ing with John Henry and saw him when he
beat the steam drin and fell dead This was
in the year 1887. 1t was at Oak Mountain in
Alabama.
HERE were three people claiming 70 have
flrst-hand knowledge about the real John
Henry. Their accounts were alike except I'm
minor details. I thought that had come to
the end Of the John Henry trail. wrote to
the roadmaster Of the A. q. g. Railway to get
the exact location Of the Cruzee or Curzey Tun-
mel. He replied: There Is no tunnel on the
A. q. s. known as Cruzee or Curzey. There Is
only one tunnel on this line and it Is known
as Lookout Mountain Tunnel
asked newspaper editors, public oficials,
and others In Northeastern Alabama II they
knew Of any such mountain or tunnel They
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-23
First HERO of NEGRO Folk LORE

ltIhat Paul Buuyan Is to Lumberj0cks o. the
North WOods, '.John Henry, the Steel
Dri0ing Man, Is to Railroad Labor
Gangs of the South, and No1o the Mystery
Has Been Remo0ed From the Legends of
His Famous Contest to Decide Wlhich Mas
the Stronger W/ith a Sledge or a
Steam Dy1U2
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-23
BY GUY B. JOHNSON,
Professor Of Sociology, University of
North Cardinal

F you ask almost any Negro workingman
who is the greatest hero of his race, the
chances are that he viii name John
Henry among the first two or three.
In fact many Negroes will be able to
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-09-23
HORNSBY TO
MANAGE CUBS

CHICAGO, Sept. 23-P- The
Tribune. in a copyrighted story said
today that William Wrigley, Jr.,
club owner. had announced that
Rogers Hornsby would be appoint
ed to manage the Chicago Cubs,
National league champions. for the
season OF 1891 and possibly longer.
There has been no misunder-
standing with Joe Mccarthy, the
present manager" Wrigley was
quoted as saying. we simply de-
cided to make a change, and as
proof of my friendship and respect
for Joe I will do all I can to assist
him in getting another major league
position.
1T may be true that we will be
worse off II the change is made.
The move may not be popular with
the fans. Mccarthy was given free
rein in the buying OF players. and
i believe we have a great team.
Mccarthy has had five years TO
prove this. so I don't think there
IS anything unusual about not en-
gaging him after a stretch such
as that.
Rajah Gets Trial
We planned to offer Hornsby a
contract a few days after the sea-
son closes. We didn't want to m
barrass Mccarthy. Now that all
sorts OF rumors are flying around
the matter probably WI be taken
up Immediately"
Hornsby. regarded as one Of the
greatest infielders eve developed.
has been out Of the game NEST OF
this year with injuries. His play
last season was held by many TO
have been a vital factor in the win
ming Of the league championship.
The decision TO make a change
in managers. the Tribune quoted
wrigley as saying. was reached
when the Cubs failed last year to
win the World Series from the
Philadelphia Athletics.
"Since the day I entered baseball
as an owner" he said TO the
Tribune. Il have had my heart set
on winning a world series"
Wrigley intimated that some
other things had occurred to con-
vince him a change vas justified.
the Tribune said. but he refused to
Celebrate On them.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-09-23
BY ORLO ROBERTSON
Associated Press Sports Writer

Playing baseball at an 800 clip Is
championship ball in anybody's
league but that Is what the St.
Louis Cardinals have been doing
since Aug. II 10 all but clinch the
National league pennant.
On Aug. 16 the Cards had won
only six more games than they had
lost but on the next day the match
was lit that eventually turned the
Heydler pennant race into a red
hot affair. An even break with the
New York Giants in q double head
er vas the start. Since that date
the cards have won Is Of their IS
starts.
The Cardinals moved a little
nearer the clinching OF the pennant
yesterday with a Is 70 7 triumph
over the PhillieS while the Chicago
Cubs were downing the Boston
Braves, 6 to 2, In the only games
played In the major leagues. The
victories Of the league leader and
the runner-up still left the Cubs
trailing by two and one-half games
but made their task Of winning
v more difficult. The Cardinals
have five ore games on their
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-09-23

ElGHTS LAST
&N

N3t AA@ A@1NAA1AGA EAWIIF
, SALT LAKE MANUEL
Quintero Tampa. Fla knocked out
frankie Bray. Oakland. Calf. 90.
Leo Hansen. Salt Lake City out
pointed Jimmy Valqucz Los Angeles
49,. Sammie George. salt Lake City,
%outpointed Vic Crnn4n. Vicksburg.
Nils. f6t.
Portland. Crc-Ardy Divcdi. Rev
York. and Eddie Murdoch. Tulsa.
drew. tl0l.
WICHITA Kas.-AnEus Snyder.
Dodge City, Kas, OuTp0inted Babe
Hunt. Pcnca Cl.y. Okla. U0J. Earl
Wise, Oklahoma City and Chick
Raines Dodge City. Kas., drew. go.
BABY Striking. Macon. Ca. out
pointed Ed McWllliamS. Kansas
City. 90. Bobby Sample, Eureka,
Kas., o%utpointed Tommy Knopp
Pratt. Kas. t6J.
JOPLIN MO.-J0e Rivers. Kansas
City. ~Outpointed Paul Wanrley
Tulsa. ti0l. Cecil Wells. Tulsa
Okla. Knocked out Loren Parkinson
Scammon. KaS. On.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-09-23
cAMPoLo GETS CHANCE

NEW YORK, Sept. 23-tFl-Vic-
torio Csmpolo, whose attempts 10
emulate the spectacular feats of
his compatriot, Luis Angel Firpo,
have met with failure SO far. gets
his big chance to crash his way
into the list Of outstanding heavy
weight contenders Thursday night.
His opportunity comes in a Is round
bout with Jack Sharkey at the
Yankee stadium. but the experts
are predicting that he will muff II.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-09-23
ALLISON IN

LOS ANGELES. Sept. 23-tP-
-Four seeded players In the mems
singles Of the Pacific southwest
tennis tournament today faced some
real opposition.
Going into the third round. Sid
ney 3. Wood of Pasadena and New
York; George Lott. Jr.. Chicago:
John Van Ryn. East Orange. N. j..
and Wilmer Allison. Austin. Texas:
all OF high national ranking. faced
opponents Of no mean ability.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-09-23
Reaches 3rd Round

Especial 20 The Heraldl
HARLINGEN. Sept. 23.-Hinman
was the first man to reach the third
round Of play in the Lions Club
golf tournament here, defeating
Lilies. two and one, in the second
round play. Each had a bye in the
first round.
IN other matches. all in the first
round. Or. Diehl defeated An2lin,
two and one: Hall defeated Chap
man. five and four: Henderson beat
Brown. four and three: and Dug
ger won over Davenport, three and
two.
Nc. q. Digger. Jr., Is In charge Of
the tourney
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-09-23

Summary 2b- hts: BonoWltz,
Whitworth, Fowler, Meyers. 80 hit:
Mallon. Home runs: Mallon, Hut
cheson. Bonowitz. Stolen base:
Fowler. Sacrifice hits: Prothro, Tav-
ener. Double play: Fowler 10 Mai
Ion To Brown. Bases on balls: off
Kelly 4. Walker /. Shepherd !.
Whitworth .. Struck out: BY Kelly
1. by Waller 1. Innings pitched: by
Kelly / % innings: by Walker 4 2-3
innings. Hits: Off Kelly 3, off Walk
er 8. Left on bases: Memphis s. Fort
Worth 9. Umpires: Brennan, South
ern Association Kane, Texas
League: williams. Southern Asso-
citation and Barr. Texas League.
Time: 200.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-09-23
SMALL CROWD
VIEWS GAME
Panthers Plan to Barn
Storm Through
w. Texas
BY GAYLE TALBOT JR.
Associated Press Sports Writer

FORT WORTH. Sept. 23.@tPI-
The spell that Texas League champ
ions have cast over the Southern
Associations standard bearers for
eleven years held good again yes
terday as the Fort Worth Cats def
Gated the Memphis Chicks. Is 70 8.
in the fifth game Of the 1880 Dixie
Series and brought the champion
ship back to Texas.
BY taking four out OF five from
the smuggling Chicks, the Cats gave
the Texas League its ninth victory
since the classic was inaugurated in
1920. It was Fort Worth's sixth
triumph in the seven years the Cats
have represented the Texas League,
Likewise. 1t marked the third time
that a Memphis team had tried and
failed.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-09-23

Cup for Sir Tom

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah. sept.
2s-Rl-Sir Thomas Upton, un-
successful seeker after Americas
yachting cup may carry a So
pound silver substitute for the
highly priced mug back to Great
Britain
Theron III. Tracey vice preSi-
dent of the National League for
Stabilizing Prosperity last night
announced he had teiegraphed an
offer Of so pounds OF silver to
Mayor James Walker, OF New
York city.
Mayor Walker at the suggestion
of Will Rogers, the humorist. is
collecting a fund to purchase the
English sportsman a loving cup.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-09-23
San Benito Clubs
Play Ball Friday

SAN BENITO. Sept. 23.-Arrange-
ments for the baseball game between
Kiwanians Of San Benito and the
business mems luncheon club o.
Rio Hondo have been completed and
the contest will take place at 4
o'clock Friday afternoon at Rio
Hondo.
This game will be played for
beenfit OF the Community church
which has just recently completed
a new building at Rio Hondo and
a big turnout of fans is desired.
DR.. z. T. Morris and John Prem
tiss have been placed in charge Of
the Kiwanls team here.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-09-23
Cards and Cubs Win AS
National Season Nears End

schedule and need to win only three
of them v If the Cubs sweep their
final four-game series with the Gin
cinnati Reds. The Robins. which
were idle yesterday. are four games
back Of the Cards. and must win all
Of their remaining five games Ii
the Cardinals lose all OF their
games.
The result Of the two games yes
terday left the three c~ontenders
looking like this:
w. L. Pct. G.B. TIP.
st. Louis 80 81 .591 5
Chicago &. Sc "a .s73 pa 4
Brooklyn "a IS .564 4 S
In defeating the Phillies. the
Cardinals hammered a trio of
pitchers all over the ball park in
the early innings and then coasted
10 victory behind the steady pitch
ing Of Sylvester johnson and Her
man Bell. who was on the mound In
the last inning Willoughby, Han
sen. Collard and Phillips took turns
trying to stop the barrage, which
included eight doubles. but only
Phillips was successful. He held the
Cards scoreless through the last
two innings after they had counted
thirteen Of their runs in the first
five innings. Mancuso led the at
tack with four hits in five trips TO
the plate while Watkins and Bot
tonley got three each
Guy Bush pitched the Cubs to
their victory over the Braves. hold
ing the losers to six hits while his
mates were pounding Seibold. Cum
ningham and Brandt for II safe
blows. Included in the Cubs col
lection Of hits was Hack wilson's
fifty-third home run of the season.
Wilson also contributed one of the
fielding features. making q sensa-
tional running catch of Richbourg's
liner.