davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1930-12-25
FROM AN ASTRON
OMER'S WORK SHOP

BY DR.. Harlan T. Stetson, direc-
tor of Perkins Observatory, Ohio
| Wesleyan University, author of
Man and the Stars.
! What Was The Star OF Bethlehem?
! December brings a gorgeous ar
ray of brilliant stars into the ev-
ening sky. The brightest of all the
[ fixed stars, Sirius. sometimes called
the Dog Star, glitters above the
eastern horizon in the later hours of
the evening and fast follows Orion
in his ascent skyward. Whenever |
! look at Sirius near the Christmas
season. | always think of the Star
of Bethlehem which tradition places
! as the herald of the Nativity.
So many people ask. What was
the Star of Bethlehem, that it
seems appropriate to recount at this
season some of the various astro-
! nomical theories that have been adj
vanced to account for the origin of
the part played by the star in the
Christmas story. A brilliant meteor
dashing across the sky has been
supposed by some to be the basis of
the phenomenon. Meteors, however,
are such transient affairs that it
hardly seems possible to give serious
consideration to such an hypothesis.
Some would have us believe that
a special star appeared in the sky
for this purpose, and have asked ii
such a phenomenon is at all posi-
BILE astronomically. From time to
time in the history of astronomy,
hytr Of n
Z, star where before nothing visible to
| the naked eye was in evidence. A
temporary star Of this sort is known
to astronomy as a nova, or new star.
Among some of the most cOnspicu-
Gus exhibitions of this sort was the
! bright star which appeared in the
constellation of Cassiopeia in 1872
and was largely responsible for the
celebrated career of the Danish as
tronomer, Tycho Brahe. In more
recent times, Nova Persei appeared
as brilliant star in the constella-
tiOn PerSeus in 1901 and Nova
Aquilae in 1918 There is an ac-
count in some ancient Chinese rec
ord which appears to refer to nova
or temporary new star occurring in
B. G.. 4.
Another interesting theory that
has been advanced IS that the Star
Of Bethlehem may be interpreted
an unusual conjunction OF planets
which, to the wise men of the East,
may have had peculiar astrological
significance. Searching astronOmi
cal tables. the great German astron-
omer kepler, the 300th anniversary
Of whose death has been celebrated
this year, found that there was an
unusual conjunction of Jupiter and
Saturn which occurred three times
in the year b. G. Z in the constella
tiOn of Pisces, the Fishes. This is
phenomenon which occurs only once
in 500 years. 1t is believed that
since the Sign Of the Fishes was of
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1930-12-25

ing the goods for himself. Sheriff
Byron Shafer of Caldwell was mott
fled and he ordered the boys to re.
tain their man until he could get
there. The man was taken to Cald-
well and gave his name as Frank
Smith of Byesville. He was put un-
der heavy bond. and then placed
in Jail. On the advice of the sher-
iff, Ray Tilden took the load Of stuff
home and on the following day took
the truck to Caldwell. The Nor
rison boy says when he first saw the
outfit there were three in the gang.
What became of the others? We
know not. Parties from Byesville
have been rabbit hunting in this
community on certain farms, and
perhaps finding this place vacated
made themselves acquainted with
the premises. There is strong evil
dence that they had visited this
place before. year ago many of
the farmers here became disgusted
with rabbit hunters from a distance,
and Mr. Tilden was one to go into
the organization. The Woodgrove
community was stirred to action
few weeks ago and we hope this af-
fair will i.ad t.. further action here.
j. " Dye of GAINESVILLE has been
visiting his sister Kate Dye and
others, at the old home place.
The pulse Of the grange indi-
Gates that it will be back to nor
malcy before this appears in print.
A drizzling rain interfered with the
last meeting We're hoping for
more interference like that.
If this appears in print it will be
near that day OF all days. Christmas,
so here's our greeting to you, one
and all Jingle Bells
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1930-12-25
McCOnnelsville Rt. 3

Miss Woodie Fisher Of GAINESVILLE
spent the week end at the George
Buchanan home
Mr.. and Mrs. Willie Hooper and
daughter Maxine, Paul Childs, Roy
Harper and Paul Heron spent Sun
day at Wilbur Stills, it being their
son Georges ninth birthday.
Mr.. and Mrs. George Spencer and
Mr.. and Mrs. Charles Heron spent
Sunday at George Buchanan's.
The Loyalty society met at the
home OF oliver Gheen, Dec. 13, and
had a pot luck supper. There were
38 present. The program was in
charge of Mrs. Della Spratt. There
was a grab bag for the grown peo-
pie, and one for the children. The
next meeting will be held at Floyd
Lindimore's Saturday evening, Jan.
3, with Hettie Hooper leader.
Miss Jessie Taylor spent the week
end with her sister, Mrs. Lulu Hum
phrey of McConnelsville.
Mr.. and Mrs. Charles Heron and
son Paul, Mr.. and Mrs. George Blu
chanan. Mrs. Belle Fisher. Miss
Dove Fisher, Mr. and Mrs Thurston
Fisher and daughter Mary Isabelle.
and Mr.. and Mrs. Percy Lyon and
Mrs. Fletcher Lyon spent day re-
Gently with Mr.. and Mrs Fred
Moves of McConnelsville.
Arthur Hickman of Bloom town
ship was a recent visitor at the Wm
Hickman home
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1930-12-25

special significance to the Jews, the
eastern astrologers, who were ever
ready to read noted events from the
positions of the stars in the sky, had
come to the conclusion that some
event of extraordinary importance
was happening which concerned the
Jewish race Furthermore, con.
spicuous conjunction was often re
garded as heralding the birth OF
royalty. We have, therefore, in this
simple astronomical setting some in
gradients for the happy Christmas
story
There was also conjunction OF
the planets Venus and Jupiter on
May &, b. C. 6. two years before the
death of Herod From this it would
follow that the Crucifixion took
place on April s, A. ID. 49, 1t would
in the constellation of Pisces al
ready referred to would have had
the greater weight with the Magi.
1t is Interesting to note that
Stockwell in 1892 repeated Kepler'S
calculations of 800 years earlier and
found that in b. c. Jupiter and
Saturn were but one degree, or but
two moon breadths. apart on June
Z, and similarly again on September
Is and December | 5 of the same
year. These two major planets in
close proximity would certainly
make a noteworthy spectacle. The
first of these three conjunctions oc-
Cured when the planets We're seen
in the east, four or five hours be-
fore sunrise. In the second case,
the planets were visible all night.
In the third instance, they We're
seen as evening stars in the west
IN the last case, the phenomena
would hardly fit so accurately with
the Biblical narrative NO other
conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn
occurred until some 20 years alter
this time. and this would have been
well beyond the boundaries of this
significant configuration of the Sign
OF the Fishes.
As regards the conjunction OF
Jupiter and Venus which occurred
on May s. B. C. 6, the two planets
were only one moon breadth apart.
This is about all the light that
the astronomer can shed on any
cosmic phenomena as supporting the
tradition / star Of the Nativity. IL
one wishes to think, therefore, OF
the story as based upon some as
Economical fact, it would appear that
he must choose between the posi-
bic appearance Of Il nova and the
conjunction Of the planets described
above.
However. for one who has a bit or
poetic imagination, | think that the
bright star Sirius, mentioned at the
beginning of this article, rising as it
does in the eastern Sky early iii the
evenings at Yuletide, is quite a
sufficiently satisfying star to bring
to mind each season the slgnlhcant
events Of the first Christmas.
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1930-12-25

Gale, small son of Mr.. and Mrs.
C. C. Seyler, has been sick for sew
eral days and under the doctors
care.
d. w. Bamfield of Cambridge, Is
spending several days with friends
here
Dana Brown returned to his home
here, Saturday, from industrial
school
John, son of Mr.. and Mrs. Cloyd
Harper, and Jerome Walters have
each been out Of school for about
week on account of sickness.
The next basketball game to be
played here is Reinersville vs. Dea-
vertown, and will be played Wed
nesday evening.
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1930-12-25
RinggOld

Miss Mary Vivian Ault, daughte,
of Denny Ault, of Crooksville. diec
at her home last week. Burial was
! made in the Crooksville cemetery
Mrs. Denny Ault was the daughter
of Mrs. Laura Brooks of Lancaster
and a great number Of years resided
near here
1t is reported that Ernest Byers
shows but little it any improvement
at his family home in Glouster
George Byers is taking care of him
December is showing up some
winter and snow
Philip Browns son who under
went an operation for appendicitis,
at Columbus hospital. was brought
home last week
Mrs Martha BURNETT remains
about the same
Ivan kincaid and family wer4
guests OF relatives at Lancaster; last
week
Emery Kimball was taken to the
Columbus hospital for ol servation.
Mrs. Belle Kincaid was the guest
OF her son T.. nj. Kincaid and fam
lily OF Lancaster, last week
Mrs Ola and Harley GLADDEN. were
visiting in New Lexington, Friday.
George Porter has gone to Crooks
Vile to spend the winter with his
sisters, Mrs. Amanda Clifton and
Mrs. Lulu Hartley.
Homer NesS is on the sick list
from flu.
Elmer Carter made several days
visit with his daughter and family
of Lancaster
Clyde Thompsons oldest son who
had a bad spell of appendicitis last
week, is some improved.
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1930-12-25

made nice talklSaid we had al.
ways visited back and forth, and
they always had pleasant times back
north, and now we were here with
them and that the dinner was for
US, our golden wedding anniver-
sary. He presented each of us q
sealed envelope containing a SIS gold
piece. We were sure surprised; we
tried to thank them and tell our ap-
probation. Clyde said that made
him think of what preacher told
when he married couple---he told
them their troubles were at an end
About year later the man met the
preacher and said to him Il thought
YOU told me my troubles were at an
| end" The preacher said Il didn't
say what end" Pearl said aunt
Jennie, tell us how to live so years
of married life ] told the story I
heard about the young couple that
got married. Their names were
John and Mary. They said they new
er would quarrel, fuss, fight, or
speak harsh names, but if one
should get provoked and angry, he
was to give a sign and the other
erything went along well for long
time. One day John came in for his
| dinner; he looked at Mary and she
had the corner of her apron pinned
up. He knew what that meant, SO
he didn't say anything, They sat
down and ate their dinner. not a
word said. John went back to his
work; everything went along nice
for a long time, SO one day John
came in for his dinner tired and
hungry. Mary looked at him, and
he had his hat brim pinned up. She
knew what that meant, SO she didn't
say a word. They sat down and ate
dinner-not a word said. John
went back to his work, so everything
went along nice for long time.
One day John came in, he looked at
Mary, and she had the corner of her
apron pinned up; she looked at him
and he had his hat brim pinned up,
so they stood and looked at each
other and commenced laughing
George got up and said ELI Nc
Inturf said ] never talked much, so
on that ground he never had anyone
to quarrel with They all laughed.
Those present at the Thanksgiv-
ing dinner were B. B. Marshall and
wife, Galen Marshall, wife and son
Dean, Larmer Marshall, wife and
son Challis. Clyde Marshall, wife
and daughters Coralea and Mary
Emma, Otis Marshall, wife and the
latter's mother Mrs. Meyer from
Oregon, Mr.. and Mrs. Floyd Nor
man and son Richard. and Geo. B.
Dougan and wife.
After dinner the men tuned in on
the big football game. The women
got in their cars and went for a
ride around the beautiful lake; stop
ped at new house just finished.
sign up for inspection: we went
through the house-it was beauti-
ful. If any of you folks want fine
home here. it is for sale. We all
Went back to Clyde'S and had sup
per While there the women plan
ned for Christ mas. They are going
to have a Christmas tree. They
drew cards. and the person whose
na me You got on the card. you We're
to get present for and put on the
tree This leaves us all we'll. The
Dougans. Winterhaven Florida.
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1930-12-25
Reinersville

The schools here continue through
the first three days OF this week
then will take a vacation until Mon
day, Jan. 5.
John Roger Hill came to his
home here. Friday evening, to
spend the holiday vacation. when he
will take up his studies again at O.
S. T., at Columbus.
George v. Murray Much Worse
Late word from the George V.
Murray home, at Mansfield, is that
his condition is gradually growing
worse, and it is thought that he
cannot survive much longer.
Mr.. and Mrs. Jesse Grandstaff, Of
CoshoctOn, and Glenn Grandstaff
and lady friend, OF Marietta, were
Sunday guests at the Mrs. Viola
GrandStaff home here.
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1930-12-25
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

Estate of E. c. Parsons, deceased.
Frank Parsons. whose address
is Malta. Ohio, r. F. D., No.
3, has been appointed and qualified
as administrator of the estate of E.
G. Parsons, late of Morgan county.
Ohio, deceased.
Dated this 5th day of December.
A. d., 1880.
ARTHUR TORBERT,
Probate Judge Of said County.
lids
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1930-12-25
LEGAL NOTICE

Peyton Sylvester Welch, whose
place of residence is Sainte Anne de
Belleaue. Montreal. Canada. is hereby
notified that Bessie Welch. has filed
her petition against him for divorce
and other equitable relief. in case No.
5765 of the Common Pleas Court OF
Morgan County. Ohio. and that said
cause will be for hearing on OF after
January 3rd. 1881.
NJ c. UNDERWOOD,
20n6 Attorney for Plaintiff
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1930-12-25
.JOT 1T DOWN

That we do. the very
best line of Commercial
Printing and unreasonable
prices. Give us your next
order and let us prove our
assertion
Bear in mind, we want.
your business, and we pro-
pose making ourselves de-
serving. Are you with us?.
THANK YOU
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1930-09-18
Government CrOD RepOrt

The serious drOuth in Ohio has
been broken, but the extreme heat
and absence of rain during the first
week Of August caused sharp de-
cline in corn prospects, the showers
during the latter half of the month
being of little benefit to this crop,
states G. S. Ray, agricultural stat
istician for Ohio. Pastures are now
reviving in many localities, but
stock water is still short in the
drier parts of the state. Potato
prospects are much poorer than a
month ago and the outlook for ap-
pies and grapes is slightly under
that of August 1. Tobacco prospects
show some improvement over last
month. The forecast for the Ohio
corn crop on Sept. was 81,719,-
900 bushels. Production last year
was 128,407,0O0 bushels while. the
five year average, 1924-1928, is
1872, 200 bushels. Conditions on
the first of September pointed to a
yield of $50 bushels per acre, the
lowest yield on record
Hay production this year is
around 2,633,000 tons compared
with over 100000 tons in 1929
and 4,298,00O tons, the five year av-
erage. Potato prospects are de-
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1930-09-18

NOFFEE is not only Americas
~ favorite drink, but-surpr1s-
ingly enough-it is also the favor
ite recipe fiavoring of an English
actress. The actress is Miss Lii
liam Bond, star of the musical sue
cess Follow Thru" who is herself
an excellent cook and has collected
more than one hundred recipes for
delicious desserts and drinks in
which coffee is a principal ingredi-
ent.
Miss Bond has found hot coffee
of enormous benefit to her in the
exacting life of the theatre. Often
she must act a role when she is
tired and feeling quite unlike the
gay, lively person who must appear
behind the footlights-then a cup
of fragrant coffee gives her the
proper physical and mental stimu-
lation to play her part.
When she makes her own coffee,
this petite young Englishwoman is
careful always to get the proper
proportions-a heaping tablespoon
full of coffee to cup of water. She
believes that the time of infusion
should be as short as possible so
that there will be no bitterness and
that, to be at its best, the coffee
should be served hot and freshly
made.
But Miss Bond has many de-
lightful uses for coffee beside the
customary beverage. Here are a
few of her prize recipes:
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1930-09-18
A Thought for Sunday
BY
AMOS r.. WELLS
Full Speed Ahead
Uith Discrimination

After much discussion, the parlia--
ment of Sweden has decided to do
away altogether with the speed linn
| it for automobiles. Henceforth the
motOrist is to drive as fast as he
considers it safe to drive We may
come to that decision ourselves some
day. Certainly the present chaos in
our laws, with the speed limit vary
ing enormously from state to state,
and in cities and villages of each
state, leads only to disregard for
law, and diminishing of the motor
lists sense of individual responsible
ity.
Responsibility must go with pow
er and privilege. An operator of
chine of his own body and mind,
sanity, to a just regard for others,
to a wise consideration of the gen
eral welfare. 1t must all come to
this, however many laws we may
make.
1t is in that way that God con-
ducts His moral universe. He gives
us life, with an immense array of
possibilities both of evil and good.
Then He holds us strictly to such a
use of life as will result in good
and not in evil The true child of
God will be proud of the trust thus
reposed in him, and will so use it
IS not to abuse it.
What doth the Lord require of
thee, but to fear Jehovah thy God?''
Read Deuteronomy 10:22-22.
copyrighted by Christian Herald)
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1930-09-18
Black Walnut Trees Worth Growing

Black walnut Trees Worth Growing
The black walnut was one of
Ohio's most valuable commercial
timber trees Occurring more spar
ingly in the original forest than other
foremost species. its lumber has
brought the highest price of any
been priced for food by man and
rodent, and its popularity in this
respect is increasing, as may be at
tested by the growing demands oi
confectioners, and other manu-
facturers of food products.
Industry has made such great in
roads on the timber stands that the
older walnut trees have been largely
cut for lumber The species does not
reseed itself naturally to the extent
of many Ohio trees, because of the
large seed which precludes covering
with sufficient soil to promote germi-
nation, and because the nuts are
sought alike by man and many deni-
zens of the woods.
Land owners, therefore, might
well take more interest in the arti-
fetal planting of the black walnut
in the opinion of Edmund Secrest
Chief of the Forestry Department al
the Ohio Experiment Station. The
small waste places on farms where
the soil is fertile and moist are well
adapted to the growth of the species
Walnut should not be planted on
thin soils, nor heavy wet clays;
neither should it be grown in soils
too swampy or wet for the growth o1
annual crops. The best trees in the
original forests grew along streams
and in alluvial valleys, but there are
also many fertile soils on upland
farms in Ohio where the tree will
thrive
Walnut paintings may be estab.
| lished by use of nuts, planted direct.
| ly on the site, or by the use of one
year seedlings which have beer
grown in nursery rows. Direct seed
ing with nuts is usually best
Gather the nuts as soon as they fall
from the trees, and plant them with
husks on about two inches deep any
time in November before the ground
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1930-09-18

freezes The nuts can be planted by
making a hole in the ground with
spud, placing the nut, and covering
by stepping on the hole with the heel
of the shoe In forest paintings
space the nuts about four feet apart.
Nuts can be carried over winter and
planted in early spring, but they
must not become dry. If carried
over, place in shallow hole and
cover with leaves and enough soil to
keep them in place. Il is not neces-
sary to plow the ground on the
planting site unless the sod is heavy.
Do not plant in dense woods or
under the shade of trees. Failure
will result Large openings in
woods may be used
Walnuts planted on good soil will
grow rapidly and such paintings will
be profitable and a source Of pride
to the owner.
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1930-09-18
WALNUT MOCHA CAKE

WALNUT MOCHA CAKE
n cup butter
l cup sugar
u cup coffee (cold)
IL cup -four
2R teaspoons baking powder
Whites of eggs
q cup broken walnut meats
Cream the butter. then gradually
add sugar, coffee, -four mixed and
sifted with baking powder, nuts
and egg whites beaten stiff. Bake
40 minutes.
COFFEE FUDGE ICING
4 ounces chocolate
IS pound butter
1a cup coffee (cold)
Add enough sugar to make it the
right consistency to spread.
COFFEE JELLY
l envelope sparkling gelatine
1a cup cold water
3 cups clear strong coffee
"a cup sugar
Juice Of lemon
Soak gelatine in the cold water
5 minutes and dissolve in the hot
coffee. Add lemon juice and sugar,
stir until dissolved. Turn into a
mold, first dipped in cold water,
and chill. Serve with whipped
cream.
COFFEE CREAM PUNCH
To 2 quarts boiling coffee add
u cup granulated sugar and 4
teaspoons maple extract. Allow to
cool, then add " cup cream. Stir
well, pour over crushed ice and
top with whipped cream.
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1930-09-18

The last meeting of Profit and
Pleasure club was held at the home
of Minta Haines, Sept. 3. The next
meeting, Oct. l, will be at the home
of Emma Bell. Program: Song,
Precious Name; roll call, Give de-
scription of your wedding dress;
recitation, Madge Lowe; readings,
Maggie Combs and Minta Haines;
jokes, Rhea McNabb and Bessie
Stringer; duet, Stella Schuster and
Josephine Drummond; Give biology
of some noted man born in Oc-
tober, Edyth Hutchins; new recipe,
Roxie Haines; ghost story, Nellie
Arrick k-XX
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1930-09-18
How | Removed My GOitre
Told In Letter Received Here

Mrs. Carrie Farmhouse, 421 West
C. st. Wellston, Ohio, has written to
Stanbery Pharmacy fully describing
how she removed her 20 year goitre.
1.-THE night before commencing the
treatment, l sat up in bed and fan
ned to get my breath. In three days
the choking and smothering were
gone and in two weeks had no sign
of a goitre." Mrs. Farmhouse has
nothing to sell. Everyone is in
vited to call and read the letter.
Stanbery Pharmacy.
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1930-09-18

Mr. and Mrs l.. b. Pennell, former
" of this place, but now of Zanes-
Vile, left Monday for Adrian. Mich,
where she will attend Adrian col
lege. Miss Pennell graduated in
May from GAINESVILLE high school
While in school she was a reporter
on the Zanesvillian, high school
weekly paper. She was a member
of the debate society and Ifka club
and Y. w. G. A. She enters upon a
four year course in education, pre-
pairing herself for the teaching pro-
fession.
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1930-09-18

Mrs. Llewwella Mcdonald. presi,
dent of Phil H. Sheridan, w. r. c..
No. 124, who attended the G.. A. r.
encampment at Cincinnati, as rep
resentative of the G. A. r. Post, No.
32S, of Morgan county, gave a fine
report of the encampment, before
the w. r. c. recently. Al the close
of her report, fine watermelon
feast was enjoyed, and a delightful
social hour was spent.-XX.