davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1932-12-25
LITER SPENDS 4TH
YULET|DE IN PRISON
Michigan Man, Who Entered
as Youth in 1889, Hopes
for CIemency Yet.
By the Associated Press.

oy tne ASSOclateQ FreSa
JACKSON, Mich, December "a
Forty-three years, seven months and
fifteen days ago a youth Of % stood in
Circuit Court here and heard himself
sentenced to life Imprisonment for
matricide.
Life sentences in Michigan rarely
have meant just that; paroles and par
dons have cut the average down TO
less than Is years. But tomorrow
Robert Irving Latimer will spend his
forty-fourth Christmas in prison. his
oft-repeated plea for executive clem-
ency denied again by the retiring Gov-
ernor of Michigan.
Innocence Protested.
On January 1, the thirteenth Gov
ernOr since Latimer was imprisoned
will take office. There will be many
new problems before this new executive,
William A. Comstock. but one old issue
Is certain to be presented to him as it
has been to his predecessors during the
last four decades. 1t is: Shall Latimer
be freed?
The plea for freedom, accompa MED
always by Latimer's declaration that he
is innocent of the crime for which he
was convicted, has failed again and
again, the last time only few weeks
ago. But Latimer and his friends on
the outside" have persisted with quiet
determination.
Since the death last September OF
Jesse Pomeroy in Massachusetts,, Lati-
mer probably has spent more years be-
hind bars than any other man in the
United States.
When he was convicted in 1889, Lati-
mer had behind him brief career as a
man about town in Jackson and De-
troit, including episodes which un-
doubtedly were against him at his trial.
The State accused him of shooting
his mother, the widow of a Jackson
druggist. in order to inherit her fair
sized fortune. His denials to the con-
trary, the jury believed the circum-
stantial evidence against him.
Resentful al First.
For the first 10 years LatiIner was
a reSentful prisoner. once giving sleep
ing potion to two guards in an attempt
to escape. One of the guards died as
result, and for this Latimer often
has expressed deep regret.
Finally it dawned upon the then
young convict that Jackson prison
only a short distance from the home in
which his mother died-Would house
him for long time. He ceased to be
bitter and adapted himself TO prison
life. He began to read and study. To-
day he is well informed on many SUBJ
jects and is an expert on some-gardsn-
ing and salvage work. particularly.
He now is an important man in the
prison administration, being in charge
Of the salvage department to which all
discarded material and equipment is
sent.
Evening star., 1932-12-25
MIDNIGHT MASSES
ARE HELD IN ROME
Manger Relics Surrounded
by Yu|e ThrongS-Pope
in Priests Role.
By the Associated Press,

BY the Associated Press.
ROME, December "a. - Gathering
around the reputed relics Of the manger
In which the infant Jesus lay at Bethle-
hem, citizens of Rome celebrated Christ
mas eve with midnight masses and spe-
cial ceremonies.
Several thousand persons crowded
into the Church of ST. Mary Major to
pay their devotions before the five pieces
OF wood that church authorities say
were part of the original crib.
These were exposed in a silver case
faced with bas-reliefs and fanked by
statuettes. Those persons able to ap-
proach near enough reverently kissed
the case.
Under a ceiling enriched with the
hrst gold brought from the New World
mass.
A crib in which lay a wooden figure
OF the infant Jesus many centuries old
was the center of WorshiperS in the old
Church of Ara Coeli. looking down on
the capitol. The statuette came from
the Holy Land. On its head Is a crown
OF jewels.
Fair at Piazza Navona.
The famous toy fair of the Piazza
Navona remained open far into the
night, with throngS of people milling
about the booths, youths blowing horns
in the faces of girls as in carnival.
Other cities N Italy carried out many
peculiarly local but colorful traditions.
In Florence children hung up their
xstockings, not for Santa Claus. but for
the "Ceppo," little old hunchback.
whose beard touches his feet Luekily sisily
to carry huge sack of presents on his
back.
Shepherds at AlaSsio near Genoa
came down from the hills in sheepskin
and high boots. On their arms were
the eve lambs of their flock. which
they laid on the altar Of the village
church for the priests blessing at the
midnight mass.
Women of the Island of Del Giglio
off the coast of Tuscany, followed an
ancient custom in cooking dessert
monos and raisins. Neighbors went
from house to house to taste them.
Cedar in Greater Use.
The Christmas cedar tree is coming
into greater use in Italy, as the influ-
which Italy absorbed after the war has
made itself felt In the Gardena and
other valleys of this territory all the
families had Christmas trees, with
presents hanging from them.
A queer figure made his appearance
IN the streets of these little valley
towns tonight. This was the saltner
who wore furs and carried a headdress
of feathers similar to that of the Ameri-
can Indian.
He went from house to house. re-
warded the good children with gifts and
kind words. and punished the bad ones
with nd Fo1
cuts with switch
Italian Children will no sooner get
used to their presents tomorrow morn
ing than they will begin to look for
ward to the next gift day.
Unlike American children. they do
not have to wait another year. New
Year in Italy is the same as Christ
mas as an appropriate day for gifts
and Epiphany, January 6, is the same
as New Year.
POPE SAYS THREE MASSES.
Evening star., 1932-12-25
CATHEDRAL RITES
TO BE IMPRESSIVE
Christmas Services Planned in
Great Choir and Sanctuary for
First Time This Year.

With accommodations available for
1000 persons, Christmas festival serv-
ices will be held in the Great Choir
and Sanctuary of Washington Cathe-
dral today for the first time in the his
tory Of the church. Right Rev. James
Edward Freeman. Bishop CT Washing
ton, will deliver the sermon at the serv-
ice. which Will begin at 1890 O'Clock.
The days sacred program at the
Cathedral will begin at 7:30 am. when
celebration of Holy Communion Will
take place in the Bethlehem Chapel Of
the Holy Nativity. This celebration will
be repeated at $50 o'clock
The Cathedra, Choir Of men and
boys. directed by Edgar Priest will sing
popular Christmas carols at the choral
evensong beginning a 4 pm.
A carol Upon the Solemn Midnight
Hour" written by Bishop Freeman and
set to music b. Stanley R. Avery, Will
be sung for the first time t-Gay.
Evening star., 1932-12-25
BY JAMES WALDO FAWCETT.

December rs Is the reputed anniver-
sary Of the birth Of Jesus OF Nazareth,
but the actual date Of His appearance
in the world Is unknown.
Scholars say that If, as the Scriptures
declare, He was born in the reign of
Herod, King of Judea, the time must
have been about or BIC. What
speculation.
But regardless of the authenticity Of
the occasion as the bona fide birthday
of Jesus, it Is celebrated as one of the
greatest festivals of the Protestant,
Greek and Catholic churches, and Is
honored by thousands who have no d.
rect affiliation with any communion. 1t
has been called 1.-The anniversary of the
most solemn event in all history-the
meeting of Heaven and earth In the
birth of the Goldman"
Essentially day of thanksgiving and
rejoicing. a day of hope and good cheer.
Christmas represents in its customs a
gathering together of festal Characters
tics which date back to hundreds, If not
thousands, of years before the coming
of the Savior.
Celebrated in Pagan Days.
The period of the Winter solstice has
been observed by mankind since prehlS-
toric times. 1t was celebrated in an
cient Egypt, in barbarian Northern Eu-
rope and in Pagan Greece and Rome
The holly and mistletoe OF modern
usage are a survival of the religious
theology of the Druids, the singing OF
Christmas carols corresponds TO the
singing of the songs of the Saturnalla,
and the Christmas banquet IS remlnls-
cent of feasts in homage to heathen
gods and goddesses OF antiquity Ihe
very idea of the Child-God, the central
theme of the Christmas festival, hlsto-
rians of religious doctrine affirm, was
pre-figured in the infant deities OF
India. Egypt and Greece. 1t appears 10
be an inborn instinct of mankind to pay
homage to the child as a symbol OF
innocence, purity. truth and love:
Important as Christmas Is, it Is I'M
possible to speak definitely about lts
origin. Only in general terms may 1t
be discussed. No one knows who nrst
celebrated it, or when, or where, or how.
The early Christians looked upon the
celebration of birthdays as heathenlsh,
and the natal day of Jesus Vas not ex-
cepted 1t was generations before any
one thought to investigate the actual
date of his nativity. Then, in 1885, ST.
John Chrysostom wrote that st. Cyrll,
at the request of Julius, bishop or pope
of Rome. 337-352 had made a strict in
ouiry in search Of the facts. Cyril. st.
John said, reported that the Western
churches always had held the date to
be December 25 But other communl-
ties of Christians disagreed. In many
Eastern churches January was &C
cepted. Other dates were March ~,
April 20. May 90 and September %. ST.
Clement declared that the matter was
yery uncertain"
Evening star., 1932-12-25

By the Associated Press.
HOLLYWOOD, Calf December "a.
-Yuletide lights will twinkle in many
a movie stars home where the goose
hangs high tonight. but many stars who
live there can look back upon other
Christmases when there were no lights,
no festivity, no Joys.
Many who are hanging a sock In a
comfortable Hollywood home remember
dreary holidays spent on the road in
cheap hotels, walking the streets in
search Of work. or marooned, broke,
IN remote villages where theatrical
troups were stranded.
For Jack Oakie Christmas in 1927
was 'Washout." On vaudeville tour
of Canada a blizzard stranded him in
Montreal. and he didn't even hear from
hts mother. This Christmas is fine
mother is home with him.
Wallace Beery'S loneliest Christmas
was years ago. He was circus hand,
and-"the big boss went off to the tent
to eat his turkey leaving us fellows out
in the cold to celebrate by feeding the
elephants"
George OBrien, Give Brook and
John Boles place their poorest Christ
masses during the war.
Spent Day Expecting Raid.
Boles, on duty In Abbeyville. France,
spent a cherries Christmas eve expect
ing an air raid momentarily. OBrien,
stationed aboard a subchaser. ate a
slim holiday dinner not knowing from
one minute to the next whether 1t was
to be his last. Brook, wounded and in
a hospital near LIE Touquet, France.
waited in vain Tor mail, presents or
guests.
Kay Francis hopes she has to work
all day this Christmas. Her husband,
Kenneth Mckenna, is in New York at
work.
This will be Joel McCrea's toughest
Christmas. too. His father. who helped
celebrate every other Christmas. died
few weeks ago.
In Gavin Gordon's 1oneliest Christ
mas there was drama. He was playing
on the stage In Boston. awaiting his cue
on Christmas eve, when a telegram ar
rived A few minutes later he was on
the stage, reciting witty lines for a
tovial holiday audience-the telegram In
his pocket It conveyed the news of his
mothers death.
Evening star., 1932-12-25
EX.SLAVES IN TOUCHING SCENE
FUNNIN' ON 'NOTHER CI1RIS'MUS
De Folks Gruntin' Bout Hard Times Same as Hun'nad
Years Ago, Says One of Georgia Group.

wasn't the gay "coonjiggin' Of their
youth. The old bones couldn't stand
such punishment, but the Negroes shuf-
fled around q bit, clapped their hands
and "stomped" while the youngsters
danced a coonjig and cut some fancy
wing bucks.
They sang and hummed the old songs
of their childhood-"fo de wah" songs
they call them. These melodies are
their only heritage. The rhythm rolled
like the echoes of tom-toms on the
Kongo. But the words were about Cali
lee and Jordan and Jericho.
OF course, they sang Swing Low,
Sweet Chariot" It started spontaneous
ly. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot'-it was
soft and low now. The old men blinked
back their tears. Younger persons wept
openly Coming for to carry me home"
the volume swelled until it sounded
like surf waves. Swing Low'-softly
again. Coming" was sob-"for to
carry me home"
The song ended, "Oh, Lordy," chant
ed one, "let me die easy when I die"
They all knew the chariot Is waiting for
them Just beyond the horizon.
Evening star., 1932-12-25
EX.KAISER'S ILLNESS
DAMPENS FESTIVITIES
Usual Good Cheer Is Cut Short as
Former Ruler Goes to Bed With
Cold and rheumatism.

BY the Associated Press.
DOORN, Holland, December "a
Illness of the former Kaiser robbed
Yuletide festivities at Castle Doom OF
their usual good cheer tonight.
Wilhelm, who has been suffering from
a stubborn cold and attacks of rheu-
matism, was confined to his room on
physicians orders.
Divine services traditionally conduct
ed in the afternoon therefore were can
celed and in the main hall Of the castle
Princess Hermione, the Kaiser's wife,
alone presided at the ceremony of dis
tr1buting gifts to the household staff
and to Dutch gendarmes stationed at
the castle.
All holiday invitations have been
withdrawn.
Evening star., 1932-12-25
Christ's Birth Date in Doubt
December IS Accepted Generally in Fifth Century.
Christmas Customs Are Survival of
Prehistoric Times.

mas observance until 1855. The resto-
ration brought back the old customs.
But in Massachusetts, from 1859 to 1851
taking part in any Christmas festival
incurred fine of five shillings for each
offense. In Virginia and the South In
general there was less harsh attitude
toward the day.
cent years the influence of the immi
grant population has been felt in
Christmas formulas, especially with re-
Spect to the Christmas tree with all It's
colorful decorations.
The custom Of sending Christmas
cards seem to have originated In Lon
don In 1846. Joseph Cundall made the
design, but Sir Henry Cole is credited
with having evolved the idea.
Evening star., 1932-12-25
U, S, MAN is ACCUSED
BY SWINDLED PASTOR
Paris Police Probe British Clergy
mans Claim About 10000 Pounds.
Gangland's Hand Seen.

BY the Associated Press.
PARIS, December 24-Police were
investigating tonight the complaint of
Rev R. P. Macauley of Liverpool that
he had been sWindled of 100000 by a
man who gave his name as Jay Rich
ard Allen of New York and who prom,
ised Mr.. Macauley to invest the sum in
q California mine.
Police, who went to the Paris ad-
dress the man had given Mr. Macauley
arrested William Portals, naturalized
American. who said his job was to for
ward mail to Allen. Portals told po-
licemen Allen sailed for New Y@k re-
Gently on the steamer Bremen.
Police said the man they sought was
known also as Alliston and that he was
connected with American gangsters
Portals was held for the infractjon
Of an expulsion order issued last June
Evening star., 1932-12-25
Christmas Tea Postponed.

GAITHERSBURG, December "a
Especially The Christmas card party
and tea to have been given in the fire.
mems hall here on Wednesday after
noon, under the auspices of the Wom-
ems Guild Of the Church of the As
cension, has been Indefinitely post
poned on account Of sickness, according
to an announcement by the committee
in cherSs ~
Evening star., 1932-12-25
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
ATLANTA, December PA handful
of former slaves, their dusky faces
creased with wrinkles and their eyes
glazed with the film of a hundred years,
gathered here at dusk today for little
Christmas funnin'.
Each Christmas eve they assemble at
the Holmes Institute to receive presents
and sing and dance and eat until their
weary old bodies plead for rest.
It's the only big day in their lives
these old folks who were human mer-
chandise and manned the plows Of the
cotton country while white men ha-
rangued and fought over their servitude.
"Hyah It's Chris'mus agin," said one
of the former slaves whose hair Is as
white and kinky as cotton in the bottom
lands, land de folks is a gruntin' bout
hard times. Dey been gruntin' .
hun'nad years-since wuz boy. And
deyIl keep a gruntin' as long as dey
think mo- bout gittin' than dey does
bout givin'."
They danced q lot today. It's their
natural way of expressing happiness. It
Evening star., 1932-12-25
Theater Gets Charter.

RICHMOND, Va, December "a (Spe-
ciaD.- "A charter of incorporation has
been issued to the Capitol Theater Cor
poration of Alexandria, authorizing it to
transact theatrical and amusement
business, with maximum capital limited
to $4,000. The following were listed as
officers: w. Harmon Reed, president;
E. G. Reed, vice president, and G. G..
Pierce, secretary.
Evening star., 1932-12-25
Vienna Masons Elect.

VIENNA. Va. December "a (SpeciaD.
Concord Lodge. No. 307, A F A NJ.
has elected the following officers:
WOrshipful master F. G. King: senior
warden. John Ruff: junior warden. B.
H. Martin: treasurer. E. T. Bennett;
secretary, J. F. Oertel: senior deacon.
Colin Hamilton; junior deacon. Merl
Moreland; senior steward, Charles
Burner; junior steward, W. C. Lynde;
chaplain, A. w. Harkness.
Evening star., 1932-12-25
WILL FETE STUDENTS
Glen Echo-Cabin John Park Group
to Give Festival January 5.

BY a STAFF Correspondent Of The Star.
CABIN JOHN, Md, December "a
The annual Christmas entertainment
which Is to be given for students of the
Glen Echo-Cabin John Park School by
six organizations of this community
has been set for Thursday, January 5.
Organizations arranging for. the en-.
tertainment are the Junior Order OF
United American Mechanics, the Ladies
Aid of Shaler Church, Cabin John Park
Volunteer Fire Department and its
Ladies Auxiliary, Daughters OF Amer
lea and Eermon Church.
Evening star., 1932-12-25
GET RIFLE H0N0RS
'pecial Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
WINCHESTER, Va, December "a
Two Winchester men, Sergts. Glenn w
Seabright and j. P. Blount. members
of Company 1, 116th Infantry, Vir-
ginia National Guard, were among the
eight Virginia riflemen to qualify for
the Presidents Hundred" in 1882, the
National Rifle Association has an
nounced, following tabulation Of scores
fired by competitors in the various
regional championship shoots recently
held
Evening star., 1932-12-25
Will Give Book Review.

Mrs. Herman Hollander will review
Van Wyck Brooks Life Of Emerson"
at meeting of the Camille Lyon Study
Group Tuesday at 10:45 am. at the
Jewish Community Center.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-03-25
WOOD HOPES FOR
CONTINUED LUCK
ON SUB-PAR SHOTS

Pinehurst, N. c., March 25--
(UP)-Craig Wood, sturdy blonde
professional from the Hollywood
Golf club, Deal, N. j., hoped to-day
that the brides and eagles would
stay with him as he teed off on tho
second and final SO holes of the
$3.50 north and south open golf
championship, leading a field of
101 competitors.
Ten brides and one eagle yester-
day enabled him to garner 1873,
with two par-shattering rounds of
SO each, for the opening 36 holes
over the difficult No. Q course of
the Pinehurst Country club. His
1913 gave him a two-stroke advan-
tage over his nearest competitor,
youthful Paul Runyan sof White
Plains, N. Y, who totaled a lao
for second place.
Slick Work
Runyan negotiated the course
with a 81 for the morning round,
four under par and the lowest for
the day, but carded 70 in the
afternoon.
Trailing Runyan, just two
strokes behind were the veteran
Walter Hagen of Detroit and Joe
Kirkwood Of New York, tied for
third with 142 each. Four lumin-
aries were evened up at 143: Harry
Cooper of Chicago; Johnny Golden,
Norton, Conn; Johnny Farrell,
New York; and John Kinder, 1r-
vington, N. J.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-03-25
PADDY MULLINS,
DEAN OF PILOTS
DIED AT BROOKLYN
Manager of Harry Wills,
George Courtney and
GunbOat Smith Sue
cumbs to Heart Disease
Once Called Dempsey
Liar"
BY JACK CUDDY
United Press staff CORRESPONDENT.

United Press staff Correspondent.
New York, March 25.-(UP)-
Pady Mullins, shrewd, silent Irish
man who rose from the welter of
Bowery slums to become one of the
worlds best known boxing man
ayers. is dead.
The silent one" who opened his
mouth on a memora BILE occasion to
call Jack Dempsey a liar, died yes
terday of heart disease at his home
in Brooklyn. He was 20.
Pilot of Champs.
During his long career, the
stocky, unassuming Mullins with
gray mustache and colorful brogue
had three world champions under
his wing, but it was as manager
for Harry Wills, so-called "black
panther" that he gained the most
publicity.
In behalf of the negro heavy
weight, Mullins persistently chal-
lenged the ten champion, Jack
Dempsey, to fight. And after
Dempsey had lost his title to Gene
Tunney. he shifted his barrage of
challenges to the new champion.
Although Wills never was given
an opportunity to meet either
Dempsey or Tunney, his managers
propaganda created the widespread
impression that both were afraid
of him.
Paddy Got Hot.
Mullins once accosted Dempsey
at o meeting of the boxing commits
sion and accused the champion of
having run out on n bout in Chi
cago. Dempsey protested that he
was accused falsely.
!, Whereupon Mullins shouted.
you're a liar and you know it."
He invited Dempsey down stairs to
fight 1t out, but Jack smilingly de-
clined to mix 1t with the gray
haired veteran.
Among the boxers guided to
by Mullins were
Mike O'Dowd, middleweight cham
pion; Pete LatZo, welterweight
and Mike McTigue
light heavyweight champion. He
also managed other we'll known
boxers: George Courtney, middle
weight; Phil McGraw and Tommy
% Brien, lightweights and Gunboat
heavyweight.
From Erin.
Born in Ireland, his parents
brought him to this country when
he was four. He soon was selling
newspapers on the Bowery, and
later opened II saloon there. He
became interested in the three
major sports of the day: cock
fighting, dog fighting and prize
fighting.
As boxing grew in popularity
NIu1lins abandoned his other actiyi-
tieu and accumulated stable of
fighters.
Mullins was proud of the title
silent one" because most other
boxing managers were talkative to
u fault.
While running the Bowery saloon
he is said TO have hired, as one
sof his singing walters, lad named
'Izzy BALM. who later became the
popular composer, Irving Berlin.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-03-25
.NAUCY Y MERMEN
LOSE TO HARTFORD

Naugatuck. March 25-The Hart
! ford YMCA swimming team nosed
: out Naugatuck swimmers by a
single point last night. 3S to 81.
The summary:
220 yd free-Won by Leedy, IL;
2. Sullivan n; 3, Weinstein, II. Time
2:28 as.
40 yd free-Won by Bender
n; 2, Griggs. N; 3, Harger. Fl. Time
10 As.
100 yd free-Won by Leedy. II;
Cheplick. N; 8, Zezrackas, n.
I, Time 1:13.
! 100 yd breast-Won by Barlow.
FL; 2 Squires. n; 3, Wallack, II.
Time 1:17.
100 yd medley relay-Won by
Hartford. Time Ill AS.
100 yd relay a man)-Won by
Naugatuck. Sullivan, Griggs. Bau-
kas, Bender. Time 1913 3-5.
Diving-Won by Barlow, H; 2
Sullivan, N.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-03-25

two more and Moore was rumored
to be one Of those two but Horns
by Is said to have opposed this
move. Hornsby wants more time
to decide on him. As the situation
stands now, Moore Is likely to be
sent back but subject to immediate
call.
Those who know Johnny Moore
refuse to believe he is the type OF
athlete who would prefer to play
In the minors when he had a
chance to show in the majors. even
IL 1t were only as a sub.
Los Angeles writer's and fans
rave about Johnny. He was given
an ovation every time he got into
the exhibitions here. They would
give a lot to have him back. After
all, It's all up to Johnny himself.
If he can outplay Taylor and Gu
dat, he'll stick with the Cubs. He
hit .366 out here last year. Moore's
friends here and in Chicago and
back home in Connecticut know
as much about it as Hornsby HIM
self. they're saying in Los AM
geles. That Is to say. Hornsby
himself doesn't know yet whether
he'll keep him or not. It's likely
he will stick with the Cubs until
June. anyway. By that time, he
may win his job.
One thing is sure. however. II 1t
were q question OF keeping Moore
or letting him 70 for keeps. Horns
by would have no hesitancy in
keeping him as his fifth outhelder.
Moore has a big league future. the
Giants say.