davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Smyrna times., 1931-10-21
Explaining Origin of
American Dollar Sign

In pAnimateur des Temps Nou-
veaux, Charles Prince explains for
French readers the origin of the
American dollar sign. He relates
that Spain, in the Fifteenth cen
tury, when practically all the
worlds gold was carried to the
Iberian peninsula from the mines
of South America. designed a coin
of eight reals value which bore
on one of its faces a representa-
tion of two columns (the columns
Of Hercules) intertwined by a ri
band in the form of a letter S bear
ing the inscription, "Plus Ultra"
Englishmen called these coins ''pil-
lar dollars" taking the word dol
lar from the German coin known
as a ''thaler." When the United
States congress in 1887 decided to
strike a coin known as a dollar,
with the same value as the Spanish
pillar dollar" accountants natu-
rally used as the sign for this new
coin the old device of pillars inter
twined with a garland which is so
well known today in the form of
an S with a double bar.-Exchange
Smyrna times., 1931-10-21
Miniature

A news item states that the
largest shipment of golf clubs has
just been made to Japan which but
recently caught the craze for min
iature golf. Owing to the lack Of
wide open spaces in Japan, and
the national liking for dwarfed
things, whether golf or plants, it is
believed that the game will win
permanent popularity there.
On the same vessel was another
huge shipment of clubs for China,
and the custodian was asked if, in
his country also, midget golf was
the rage. He turned up his nose in
scorn.
mo play in back yard. China
big place. We hittee balIee like
hellee-next week maybe find him.
No find him-buy new ball and hit
tee again."
Smyrna times., 1931-10-21
ID. L. MONEY COMMANDER
Election and Installation of Officers
Held bY Delaware City Legion

~ sC+AAhHAAN NChLt ~ sun
Election and installation of offic-
ers of the Robert L. Taylor Post,
No. 13, American Legion, Delaware
City was held Friday night with
State Commander Hanson, of Do
yer, installing the newly elected
officers. Refreshments were serv-
ed by the Ladies Auxiliary after
wards. The officers elected and in
stalled were: Commander, David
L. Money; Vice Commander, Ser
geant Henry Guertin; Adjutant
General, Frank Shoeder; assistant
Adjutant General, Francis Mann
ing; treasurer, Frank Meenn; Post
Surgeon, DR.. Walter VI. Ellis; Ser
geant at Arms, Walter Heart;
Judge Advocate Victor 2. Dever-
eaux. Commander Hanson Install
ed the officers, assisted by the Rev.
Gibson, of New Castle. Short ad-
dresses were made by Commander
Hanson, Mrs. William n Cam.
president of the auxiliary and
George D. Hill, of Dover.
Smyrna times., 1931-10-21
Ancient Water Organ

One of the strangest musical in
struments, and which, by the way,
plays an important part in the his
tory of music, is the ancient water
organ or hydraulic. The water or
gan was the musical instrument
of ancient Alexandria and Rome.
One of these old organs was discov-
cred in making excavations for a
new electric plant in the suburbs
Of Budapest. Hungary. Despite the
fact that it had been buried for
centuries it was in a good state of
preservation
Smyrna times., 1931-10-21
Davis Final Interment

Jefferson Davis died December 6,
1889, and was buried in New Or
leans. On May q, 1898. his body
was removed from the tomb, where
it had remained since his death, to
Memorial hall in the city of New
Orleans. where it lay in state un-
til the next day. 1t was then taken
to Richmond, reaching that city on
May 81. The body was taken to
the capitol, where it lay in state
through the day, and in the eve
ming was inferred with impressive
ceremonies in Hollywood cemetery.
Smyrna times., 1931-10-21
Like a Battle"

"It was my first engagement. The
road from the front was horribly
new to me. Our aSsailants. who
outnumbered US 20 to 1, were Yell
ing like fiends, and their ammuni-
ton seemed unlimited. was struck
several times. My company, which
had stood gallantly till now, turned
and fled. 1t was more than flesh
and blood could stand. The"
"What battle did you say 1t
was?" asked the man next to him.
"Who said anything about a
battleg' replied the first speaker
in a surprised tone. II was de-
scrlbing my first appearance as
Hamlet in an amateur theatrical
society. ."-Exchange
Smyrna times., 1931-10-21
Helping the Farmer

The Department of Agriculture
had its origin in 1886, when the
commissioner of patents began the
distribution of selected seeds. In
1854 an entomologist was employed.
The next year chemist and a bot
anist were added to the staff and
a propagating garden begun. This
work was taken from the patent
Office by President Lincoln in 1862
and placed under the direction of
Isaac Newton of Pennsylvania as
the first commissioner of agricul-
ture. During Cleveland's admins
tration in 1889 Norman J. Colman,
the last commissioner, became the
first secretary of agriculture and a
member of the Presidents cabinet.
Smyrna times., 1931-10-21
Height of Waves

Waves rarely have a greater
height than fifty feet, but they an
pear to be much higher when seen
from a ship In the open ocean.
These waves frequently have a
greater height, however. in break
ing upon a rocky coast. The high
est wave reported by the hydro
graphic office of the United States
Navy department was encountered
in the North Atlantic ocean, Deceni-
Der %, by the British steamship
Majestic. IT'S height was estimated
at SO feet.
Smyrna times., 1931-10-21
Ancient British Clock

One of the oldest clocks in Eng
land was recently salvaged and
placed in the north transept Of Sal
isbury cathedral. 1t dates back to
1886, and was originally in a bell
tower in the close, built around
1858. This ancient timepiece, made
of handwrought iron without a
dial, proclaimed only the hours.
In 1870 the clock was removed to
the central tower of the cathedral,
where it lay hidden, neglected and
forgotten, its days of usefulness
apparently at an end. In 1884
new clock took its place. The re-
cent discovery of the old clock and
its reconstruction, however, has
given it proud place once more.
Smyrna times., 1931-10-21

Recording the smallest pack in
recent years, Somerset county to-
mato packers are winding up the
canning season, said to have been
one of the most Improbable in the
county's history. Only one or two
canning factories remained open
last week and they were taking
only a small quantity of fruit of
the highest quality. The quantity
of the crop for packing purposes
was greatly below normal. Acre
age in late tomatoes was small and
the yield was severely cut by in
sects and unreasonable weather,
farmers asserted.
Smyrna times., 1931-10-21

The funeral services of Mrs. En-
ma L. Calhoun, who died Thursday
at the home Of her daughter, Mrs.
Truitt, at Middletown, were held at
the home Sunday afternoon at 1.30.
Interment was made at st. Georges
cemetery. Besides her daughter
she is survived by son, William
Calhoun, st. Georges. She form
erlv lived with her son. She was
a member of Ruth Lodge, No. 4.
Smyrna times., 1931-10-21

M and Mrs. Charles l.. Friedel,
and James David Rawlins, son of
Mr.. and Mrs. Victor E. Rawlins,
both recent graduates Of the Sea-
ford High School, surprised their
friends and relatives, last week by
that they had slipped
quietly away to Chestertown, Md,
last Monday, where they were
married.
Smyrna times., 1931-10-21

evening, October 8, in Centreville
by the Rev. G. A. Morris, pastor of
Centreville M. P. Church. The
couple were attended by Mrs. Har-
vey LeCompte, sister-in-law of the
bridegroom. For the present the
couple are residing with the brides
mother in Rock Hall.
Smyrna times., 1931-10-21

Dairymen in New Castle county
and the State are planning to hold
dairy tour on October 20. The
plans to date include visiting
Guernsey, Jersey and Holstein
herds in Chester county, Pennsyl-
vania. and adjacent territory. This
announcement was made by Coun-
tv Agent Ed. William, Jr., who
also states that the complete pro
gram for the day will be announc-
ed this week.
Smyrna times., 1931-10-21
In PENINSULA NEWS
| h BRIEF SPICY ITEMS
fate II EXCHANGES
Items Of People we
r - i'' Around the Larg-
osniusuls I'll Towns
Court mas
10 H. Aia. e. . new bridge
eontra'' ;+tIe Creek, the
~, lni,s being S128O.

| :, Nd, sportsmen ana
Fln'y, ~ shores along the
| au'a-11 and Chesapeake Bay
ssl aI for the opening OF
Frng y, sTl sbooting wild ducks
r l.Sicb III he gins on Novem-
/" doses december 70
Smyrna times., 1931-10-21

u Dodson, Of Rising Sun,
Etary Of the Cecn county
is in charge Of the
Ents for the annual meet
Ehe Medical Chirurgical
i Maryland, to be held at
bingham, the latter part
bnth. About $50 dele
h all sections Of the State
! attendance.
Smyrna times., 1931-10-21

Mrs. Lawrence Davis, of Rock
Hall, Md, announces the marriage
Of her daughter, Miss Ethel Lee
Davis, to Alfred w. LeCompte, son
Of w. Beachamp LeCompte, Of
near Chestertown, Md. The cere-
mony was performed Saturday
Smyrna times., 1931-10-21

,rn5red and sixty-one ar
] mad made by the state Po-
= the month of septem-
B 'pss3ntsndent .i11 C. c. Reynolds
Ea1 The total fines paid
y I.su' The amount in fines
'Snd y, unpaid was s1,915.
''.r .umber of reprimands
Smyrna times., 1931-10-21

". Rhodes, Of Queens
msrly with the Queen
EtiOual Bank and later
Trust Company
'd Iii connection with
i ! accent a post with the
state Banking Commls-
raminer. Mr.. Rhodes IS
4 ]. Louis Rhodes, Of
"a.
Smyrna times., 1931-10-21

Fire last week completely de-
stroyed the stable and COW barn,
together with 20 tons of hay on
the farm tenanted by Howard J..
Slant, near Price, Md. The farm
is owned by Richard ]. Smith, Of
Roberts, Md, and is known as the
Walls Farm. The Church Hill fire
company responded to an alarm,
and was able to prevent the blaze
from spreading to other buildings.
The loss is estimated at $4,000.
Smyrna times., 1931-10-21

hive Friedel, daughter Of
Smyrna times., 1931-10-21

| acoldien Butner, a rider
IL. .'I3l[ pock stables at Pio-
/. .ilS r.rros near Centreville,
. :, for Madison Square
PPlsg H. York City. Mr.. But
/ an expert horseman'
E,inate in the Garden
Fsich started Monday and
, until October 81.
Smyrna times., 1931-10-21
COAL
dno
COKE

We are selling HOPPER COKE,
the highest grade Coke on the
market.
WHY YOU SHOULD USE COKE
1t costs less per ton and will
give you just as much heat as you
get from a ton of coal. No chang
es needed, just any good furnace
will burn coke and you will have
a real big money saving.
We carry all sizes of Anthracite
Coal and will be glad to serve you
with any fuel you wish.
Keep in mind-our Cha-Soot will
clean your furnace and chimney.
VIII save coal and chimney fires.
We sell Roof Paint that we can
guarantee.
Smyrna times., 1931-10-21

Invitations have been issued to
the marriage of the Rev. Burt A.
Behrens, recently a pastor Of St.
Pauls Reformed Church, Ridgely,
Md, and Miss Elizabeth M. Kranch
daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. Charles
Kranch, Of Lancaster, Pa. The
wedding will take place October
%, at IL a. M, in Salem Reformed
Church, Rohrersburg, Pa, where
the Rev. Behrens is at present 10
Gated. His father, the Rev. Harry
Behrens, Of Timberville, Va, will
perform the ceremony.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-04
Youth Being Served.

Edward Cline, directing Bert Wheeler
and Robert Woolsey in Assorted Nuts, -
brought both Chaplin and Buster Kea-
ton to the fore in the old days, but
he was never prouder of player than
he is said to be of little Dorothy Lee,
whom Radio plans to elevate to star
dom in few months.
Miss Lee, incidentally, is living proof
that the talkies have opened the door
to new, youthful blood. Two years ago
she tried in vain to crash the gates of
the same studio She made her debut
as chorus girl, came into pictures on
the tide of the talkie, played her first
important role in Rio Rita" and after
that appeared as Coincidence in every
Wheeler WoolSey film.
Rochelle Hudson, a little Claremore,
Okla, girl, just signed by Radio, Is an
other newcomer. She is II years old.
There will probably be a place for her
in Madame julie which is to be di-
rected by Victor Schertzinger
Leni Stengel is now playing an i'm
portant supporting role in Assorted
Nuts" Lowell Sherman's next actor
director picture, Bachelor Apartment"
and the Schertzinger production win
provide important chances for Iita
Chevret, Roberta Robinson, Rita La Roy
and other contract youngsters, some viz
tual strangers to camera liens and mi.
crophone.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-04
New Role for Washington.

TUNE WALKER, who will be seen at
the National Theater this month in
the new Theater Guild production
Green Grow the Lilacs," in the lead
ing role Of Laurie, impersonates a
wholesome and unworldly girl of the
frontier days of Oklahoma, a part
wholly unlike those In which she has
been seen heretofore In Washington.
Miss Walker is known to local thea
tergoerS through her fine performances
with Raymond Hitchcock in "Hitchy
Koo," in "Six-Cylinder Love-" 1.-The
Nervous Wreck" and as Lorelei Lee in
Gentlemen Prefer Blends" She next
played the leading role in David Be
lascos production of 1.-THE Bachelor
Father" and last season she was CO.
starred with Glenn Hunter in water
loo Bridge"
Miss Walker is a native Of Chicago.
She began her stage career at an early
age, and has won her present high po-
sition in the theater through hard
work as chorus girl, understudy, and
in . long succession of parts from the
least unto the greatest.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-04
The Snoring Picture cAlbum
BY Robert e. Sherwood.

Claire Gas Julie) felt that she could
not convlncngly appear in the role of
any ones grandmother.
X X
IN the Film Spectator Wexford Beaton
announces:
The crazy notion that stage and
! screen are Identical arts has cost the
MIN INDUSTRY untold millions Of dol
lars. That's all the stage has con-
tributed to the screen. 1t is all it has
to contribute"
The first of those statements Is true.
For among the stages past contribution
to the screen one may mention Charlie
Chaplin, Ernst Lubitsch, Douglas Fair
banks, Greta Carlo, D. w. Griffth
Harold Lloyd, Emil Jannings, John Gil
bert, Nancy Carroll Ronald Colman
James Cruze, John Barrymore. Joan
Crawford, Wallace Reid, Buster Keaton,
Ruth Chatterton, Jesse Laslky, Lon
CLANCY, Marlene Dietrich, Cecil B. de
Mile and a few thousand others of
varying Importance.
1t IS obvious that, in recent years.
Hollywood has drawn far too heavily
on Broadway. Incalculable sums OF
money have been wasted on actors, d.
rectorS and writer's who possessed a
utterly unsuitable In temperament, ap-
pearance and other respects to the
needs of the screen.
Nevertheless, the worst mistake that
Hollywood could make (and that Is say
ing great deaD would be to shut itself
off from all contact with Broadway. II
Hollywood had the ability to discover
and develop its own talent and its own
ideas, it would be self sustaining. But
1t hasn't that ability, and the prospects
are that it never will have, not while
factory methods of production con-
tirIue to prevail.
The Broadway theater is continually
experimenting with new ideas, new
personalities. Every year 1t presents a
new crop of celebrities who were UNI
known the year before. Broadway has
to do that, for the good and suficient
reason that the vast majority Of those
on whom it relied In the past are now
in HOLLYWOOD living on the succulent
fruit of the lotus.
Mr.. Beaton has cause to begrudge
them their ill-gotten gains; but he
should not permit his ire to blind him
to the evident fact that, since its IN
ception, the screen has depended to a
tremendous extent on the stage for its
supply Of brain power and brilliance.
fcoDsrisht. 1854 -
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-04
French Fashion Show.

IN the Metro Goodwin Mayer picture,
Those Three French Girls" at the
Rialto Theater, there is a lavish fashion
show number, with the smartest Of Fall
and Winter styles, designed by Rene
Hubert, a Partisan designer, and dis
played by six beautiful French girls.
The lines Of the dresses, their deco
rations and the colors used are all set
of by the skill and loneliness of the
models. Starting with a striking black
and-white dinner costume, the parade
is on. This dress, accompanied with a
large tulle hat which shows a silver
bandeau and chenille pompons, dis
closes a deep border of white fox fur
and silver trimming on cape collar.
Black and white is also used for an
afternoon costume, with accompany
ing toque and muff Turquoise and
black, an approved combination, forms
another afternoon suit, with large pirate
hat adding a dashing finish to the
cape-styled suit.
Three distinctly different evening
dresses are on display-one of tulle
and ruffles for the ingenue, one of white
crepe and silver bands for the sophisti-
cate and one of silver lace of Grecian
style for the lovely modern girl of 1880.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-04

TT is necessary to add the name of
1.-THE Royal Family of Broadway
to the list of best pictures of 1880.
Il It is one of those exceedingly rare
offerings which possess both grown
up wit and childish sentiment in
copious quantities. The wit and the
sentiment are equally legitimate and
equally telling. / doubt that there is
any one neutral enough to resist them.
Edna Ferber and George S. kaufman,
in writing THE Royal Family" and
Jed Harris, in producing it, contributed
riches to the theater. 1t stands as
probably the warmest, most glowing
comedy that has ever been born in
New York. There was every reason
to believe that its marvellous quality
could not be reproduced on the screen,
and there are times, early in the pic
ture, when it seems that 1.-The Royal
Family" has become a pale shadow of
its flesh-and-blood self. But the re-
production has been made with so much
skill that, as it proceeds, it gathers
Illusion and effect.
The characters in the Ferber-Kau
man play are generally described as
members of a certain well known
theatrical family" The rlmor seems
to have gone around that this family is
at least distantly related to the Barry
moreS. At any rate, both of the stars
OI Tie PICTURE SEEM 10 nave nearQ OF
it. Frederick March gives an uncanny
impersonation of John Barrymore; but
an impersonation, however uncanny
is not necessarily a Characterization,
and Mr.. MARGINS comical grimaces be-
come a bit tiresome after a while
Surely John Barrymore has more than
one gesture, more than one expression.
In an early scene Ina Claire displays
her great ability as a mimic in emulat-
ing the throat tones and the protracted
sibilants of Ethel Barrymore, but hav-
ing shown once that she can do it, she
wisely returns to her own character and
stays there. She is gracefully deft and,
when occasion demands, she is violently
powerful. She also knows how to wear
clothes.
In 1.-THE Royal Family" there are
three generations of CavendiShes-
Fanny, Julie and Gwen In the original
play. a fourth generation was added
in the shape of Gwen,s balsv. who was
held by her dying great-grandmnther
at the final curtain and dedicatetkto
the perpetuation of the fine old family
tradition.
The picture. however, omits this baby
possibly because the youthful Ina
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-04
Hope for the New Year
By w. H. Landvoigt.

chaSers. He has no interest in
education, religion, uplift or their
general effect upon the body
polite. You might talk yourself
blue in the face on the error of
his ways, but he will never be
impressed as long as the lines
form at the box Office and the
''long green" pours into his money
drawers. The inquiry may arise,
Is the manager alone at fault if
things are not as they should be-?
Is the general public really inter
eSted in efforts to purify the
theater? No matter what may be
offered, or how, the public takes
what it likes and leaves what it
doesn't. The natural effect of this
is easily deducible. If the public
storms the theater and pays its
money to see plays that are off,
keel to the Strait-laced the
manager is going to present that
kind. The grocer will supply onions
if his trade demands them, and
those who like oranges may go
elsewhere to satisfy their wants.
Opinions of the individual count
for little or nothing in the matter.
1t is the general public alone that
must bear the responsibility if it's
theater be desecrated; it alone
can make it what it should be.
\ %c*
A FACT outstanding, regardless
of what may be the report or
the opinion of booking offices, is
that Washington will generously
patronize good plays. And that
means plays of intelligence, that
reflect something in the way of
originality and are we'll per-
formed, plays of sparkling di-
alogue, plays that present one or
more fine characterizationS, that
deal with new ideas, or with old
and sterling ideas presented in a
new and interesting way, and
always plays that are attractively
and artistically presented. Many
a play Of poor quality in other
respects has achieved a fine
record for attendance in Wash
ington merely for the excellence
OF the performance. The art of
the actor is always entertaining,
always has its appeal, even though
the material furnished for it's
display be but mediocre. 1t is the
art of the theater which appeals
to the masses. Tastes vary much
as do appetites. People go to
the theater to be entertained,
and by what pleaSeS them most.
They are interested in and in
fluenced very little, if at all, by
the opinion of others. If their
taste betokens spiritual disorder
it is for religious influence and
authority to correct it, not for a
reporter with a typewriter. Even
the policeman cannot reach an
infection durable only by the
remedies for the soul. This
poor, old world is staggering on
and on just as it has been doing
for centuries, one minute with an
outburst of repentance and self
abasement, to be followed in the
next with a fling that would
shame the orgies of Belshazzar.
Nothing has happened to phySi-
cally deter it. 1t is willing to take
a chance that nothing ever will.
This spirit, it may be confessed,
doesn't lead far in the promising
lane Of progress. But even at
that there are still many who
contend that we have gone on
ward and upward a bit, though
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-04
YOUTH is getting its chance in the
talkies of todayl

YOUTH is getting its chance in the
talkies of todayi
At first, the talkies turned from the
old line players toward the stage stars.
Now the trend is toward youngsters
who prove by voice and camera tests
that they have what takers are thought
to need.
Just glance at the list Of youthful
players who are getting breaks" in cur
rent productions at the Radio Pictures
studio is interesting.
The studio, which in past years never
carried more than three young stock
players under contract, now has IL girls
and several juveniles.
A single production has three of the
stock girls in important roles. Private
Secretary" is using Roberta Gale, Velma
Valentine and Katya Serina in support
OF the principals, Mary Aston, Robert
Ames and Ricardo Cortez. In the same
production Noel Francis and Kitty
Kelly, although from the New York mu-
steal stage, qualify in the matter of
youth.
In Ladies for Hire" which George
Archainbaud, another friend of youth
fui players, Is directing, John barrow
is leading man. He is one of Radios
youngest juvenile leads and q relative
newcomer. a
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-04
Wanted to Make EN- Laugh

Gus SHY, one Of the expert fun
makers of the musical comedy
stage, the young man who created the
roles of the bewildered foot ball subSti-
tute in Good News" and the f1irtatious
bondservant in New Moon," is now
under contract with Metro oldwyn-
Mayer film company.
But Schwab & Mandel found that the
role of the motion picture comic in
their new musical show, "AmericaS
Sweetheart" would fit Shy like a glove,
and they Immediately got busy. The
result is that the film company has re-
leased Gus Shy to Schwab & Mandel
until next September so that the accom-
plished laugh producer may appear in
the new musical comedy when it opens
at the National Theater. Monday, jan
uary &c, prior to its Broadway premiere