davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1936-12-27
SON Of ROOSEVELT
REPORTED BETTER.
Visit of Fiancee Comedies
With Doctors Bulletin
Denying Setback"
., the Associated Press.


BOSTON, December 26.-The ar
rival of MiAs Ethel du Pont. fiancee
Of young Franklin d. Roosevelt, COIN
cided today with his physicians report
that the tall Harvard senior. son Of
the President, was 'convalescing per-
fectly."
Mrs. Roosevelt arrived yesterday
and left the exclusive Phillips House.
where her son lies i'll, smiling and ap-
parently in good spirits after 4 hur-
ried trip TO his bedside from the midst
Of Christmas activity in washington.
Today, with Miss du Pont. she spent
three hours with him and again, when
she left, smiled and appeared in cheer
full spirits.
DIR. George Loring Tobey. jr., young
Roosevelt's physician. announced his
patient had suffered no setback" and
scoffed at talk of q blood TRANSMISSION.
An authoritative source yesterday
asserted . sample Of Roosevelt's blood
had been drawn on to be tested for .
possible tranSfuStOn.
Today's bulletin read:
"Convalescing perfectly. no set
back. no possibility Of . TRANSMISSION. "
Mrs. Roosevelt called Miss du Pont 8
visit the most natural thing in the
world for her to do"
The pretty blond young heiress to
a share OF the Du Pont millions came
to Boston by train today from New
Jersey.
fiancee would say how long they
planned to stay In Boston. Mrs.
Roosevelt said she was satisfied her
son was showing steady improve
ment-"getting better every day."
While ofYicial duties held an anxious
father in Washington. he kept in
touch by telephone. He talked di-
rectly yesterday with Franklin.
Tonight Or. Tobey reiterated that
his atient, who has been At the hos
pital since before Thanksgiving With
sinus trouble complicated by . strep-
tococcus infection, was resting COM
fortably and that his condition was
satisfactory.
Miss du Pont returned to the hos
pitsl for . brief, second visit after
both she and Mrs. Roosevelt had posed
for photographers at the downtown
hotel at which both are staying.
Evening star., 1936-12-27
WIDENING RIGHTS
WILL Be SOUGHT
c. OF c. Group to Consider
Old Georgetown Road
Project.
By Q STAFF Correspondent Of Tn. Star.

BETHESDA, Md, December 26.-
Securing rights Of way for widening
Of Old Georgetown road will be the
first order Of business Of the Steering
Committee being organized by the
Chamber Of Commerce.
William Buckley. chairman OF the
delegation OF five from the chamber,
named to promote the widening and
improvement OF the road, welcomed
the announcement that the State
Roads Commission would widen the
road If the necessary right Of way
could be secured.
Now that the Roads Commission
recognizes the need for widening the
road our task is simplifed and 1t will
not be necessary to carry the matter
to the Legislature to get additional
funds" Buckley explained.
The committee will have a real
Job before it. however, to get all the
rights of way and straighten out the
legal questions involved. I feel sure
We have made progress and that we
can work out the details in time"
Property Owners Seen.
Buckley said he had talked with
several property owners along the road
and believed they would agree to
granting the necessary ground for a
60-foot right Of way. The road sur
face is 20 feet wide and in some
places is bordered by fences and trees
so closely that the clearance Is less
than a yard
The group named by the Bethesda
chamber will be augmented by rep
resentatives from the Old GEORGETOWN
Road Citizens Association, the Be-
thesda Fire Board, the Bethesda Ele-
mentary School Parent-Teacher ASso-
ciation and will include advisers from
the American Automobile Association
and the Keystone Automobile Club,
Buckley said.
Il have already asked the heads Of
the other groups interested to name
members to the Steering Committee
and will schedule q meeting early in
January to organize campaign to
contact every property owner along
the road with q view to securing the
right of way required.
To Eliminate Danger.
widening the road will be an i'm.
provement to the entire community
and will eliminate the dangerous con.
dition which has caused many &C.
cidents."
The offer to widen the road came
from Nathan L. Smith. chief engi-
neer for the Maryland Roads Com.
mission. after an inspection OF the
road Wednesday. The road would be
widened by adding a 10-foot shoulder
and ditch on both sides, and BY cut.
ting away the banks and other OBJ.
structions which cut down the motor
lists vision at curves and grades.
The shoulder also would provide suf-
ficient space for busses to load and
discharge passengers without tying
up trafic.
Evening star., 1936-12-27
GOD BABY
PL0TTERS IN JAIL.
Mrs. Nellie T. Muench Gets
1OYears in Hoax Begun
in August, 1885.
By the Associated Press.

~ the Associated Press.
ST. LOUIS, December 26.-Four
convicted conspirators In the Gift of
God" baby case, including Mrs. Nellie
Upton Muench, went to jail today
the first time behind bars for any one
concerned in the sensational hoax
which started August II, 1885, with
the birth Of o son to Anna Ware, un-
wed servant girl.
Mrs. Muench, the key figure, and
her three co-defendants found guilty
Of an attempt to defraud by . Fed
eral court jury last Sunday. will spend
the week end in Jail pending action
Monday on appeal bonds. Federal
Judge George H. Moore sentenced
them to prison after overruling .
motion for . new trial. The SEN
tences:
Mrs. Muench. a, red haired sister
Of q Missouri Supreme Court Judge.
10 years and . fine of 5000. Mrs.
Muench claimed to have borne the
child later awarded Miss Ware by
court order.
Years for Husband.
DR.. Ludwig o. Muench, her hus-
band, 3 years and s.. 900 fine.
Wilfred Jones, attorney, who OBJ
tanned Miss Wares baby for Mrs.
Muench. 10 years.
Mrs. Helen Berroyer, friend Of Mrs,
Muench. who aided in the plot. S
years.
The four specifically were charged
with use of the mails to obtain money
from DR.. Marsh Pitzman, wealthy
middle-aged bachelor physician. by
falsely representing to him he was the
Iatner OF son claimed to have been
borne by Mrs. Muench.
Mrs. Muench. attired in q black
dress and q mink coat. made a fearful
plea to the court just before sentenc,
was passed.
Il took = baby, one that I thought
no one else in the world wanted bu,
me" she said. Il did tell DR.. Pitz-
man he was the father but there
never was q conspiracy to defraud him
OF any of his property or any Of hi.
money. His purse was always open to
me. as he has testified.
No Aim 10 Violate Law.
Il did it out of love, to hold him
I don't want innocent people to suf.
fer. My husband did not know the
facts until last Monday night. There
was never the slightest thought OF
slightest idea to violate any law In any
way whatsoever.
Please. may you and God be
merciful."
The others had nothing to say
when given the usual chance to speak
DIR. Muench appeared nervous.
The men were sentenced to Leaven-
worth, Kans., Federal penitentiary; the
women to . reformatory at Alderson,
w. Va.
As the four arrived for sentencing,
they were taken in custody and
searched for weapons. None was
found.
Jones and Mrs. Berroyer face
charges Of perjury in connection with
their testimony ut . habeas corpus
hearing.
Evening star., 1936-12-27
400 HOMES UNDER BAN
DUE TO SCARLET FEVER
~ the Associated Press.

~ tne A8eoclated preSe.
OWEGO, N. Y, December 10
The State Health Department quaran-
tined nearly 400 Owego homes to-
night in an effort to curb what DIR.
George M. Ramsey Of the department
described as very serious" epi.
demic Of scarlet fever.
DR.. Ramsey said more than TOO of
the villages 5000 residents had been
stricken with the disease. One death.
that Of Leon Frellensen. a., on Christ
mas eve, was attributed to the epi.
demic. he said.
The quarantine regulations will b.
effective for II days.
DIR. Ramsey said the source Of the
outbreak was distribution Of raw milk
He said he had found q dairyman
who had marketed his milk DESPITE
illness Of three members of his fam.
lily. Distribution Of the milk has
ceased.
Evening star., 1936-12-27
K. OF C. TO BE HOST
TO DISTRICT ORPHANS
Christmas Party Will Be Held at
National Theatsr Tuesday
Morning.

Orphans Of the Districts various
institutions will be entertained at q
Christmas party at $50 am. Tuesday
at the National Theater, under spon-
sorship Of the knights Of Columbus.
Boxing, gymnastics and singing and
dancing numbers will be staged by
the Boys Club of the Metropolitan
Police Department. Fortillo, the
clown, and the Knights Of Columbus
Boys Band also will participate in the
entertainment. 1t Is expected variety
entertainers from two downtown the
aters will perform. Christmas gifts
will be presented the children.
Transportation viii be furnished by
the Rotary Club and Capital Transit
Co. John NJ Connell Is chairman OF
arrangements.
Evening star., 1936-12-27
Washington
Wayside
Tales
Random Observations
Of Interesting Events
and Things.
TALKATTVE.


prisoner was pleading his
own case before Judge Edward
M. Curran in Police Court He
= was charged with drunken
ness. He was asked how many times
he had been arrested.
only for minor misdemeanors. your
honor" was the reply. Never any
thing serious
How many times?" the jurist in
sisted.
"Oh. they were all Just minor mis-
demeanors and I never got much
time"
IT I let you of this time. will you
keep out Of trouble?" the Judge asked.
"Yessir, judge; won't never come
back here no more. I amt never
been in serious trouble before" the
defendant replied as q grin spread
over his face with the prospect Of
getting Of.
Course. the grand jury investi-
gated me a couple of times. but /
beat the rap"
The man looked puzzled Is the
judge pronounced sentence of 90 DAYS
on the charge of drunkenness.
KEYS.
Standardization, at least that's
one ,Uord for it, does seem to re-
suit in some strange situations.
Take, for instance, those several
bungdlo0s In a roU. we mere told
about. The door keys of any one
OF them ,ofu open the doors in any
OF the Others There is quite
bit key-borrotoin1 back and
forth.
While it is Convenient in cases
OF emergency, each householder
feels insecure in the knowledge
that any OF the others could turn
key and Ddlk in. should the spirit
moue them.
PET.
TWAS the day before Christmas
(which makes this story a bit
late) and q little colored lad was
standing on Q car-loading platform
holding in his pudsy arms'a fat red
hen.
Is that Q PETE" one Of the more
curious observers of the phenomenon
asked.
Evening star., 1936-12-27

ington Hospital ~ John Nolan. IS. Of
31l @ street southeast.
According to police. the two men
were accosted at Eleventh and N
streets shortly after midnight BY Z
colored man, who leveled . gun and
demanded that they hand over their
money.
Believing the bandit WAS blufnng
with toy weapon. Nolan, police were
told, resisted. Stepping back. the
bandit fred one shot at Nolan and
shot at the man tentatively identified
~ O'Donnen.
The bandit then fed, without max
ing any further attempt 1t robbery.
The man shot In the chest died .
few minutes aftsr arrival ct Emer-
geney Hospital
Evening star., 1936-12-27
s'Peg Leg" White Buried.

DETROIT. December 16 R.-
Funeral services were held here today
for Isaac Peg Leg White, retired
Detroit policeman, who died in Cum
berland, Nd, last week while awaiting
transfer to Detroit to face charges
growing out Of Black Legion activities.
Six policemen, IN plain elothss. were
pallbeaxe9s.
Evening star., 1936-12-27
DRIVER. OF POLICE CAR
FORCED TO WALK BACK
Returns to Station to Report Auto
Cruiser Was Stolen Before
His EyeA
> the Associated Press.

oS the Associated Press.
PITTSBURGH, December 2s.-Po-
hce Lieut.. Albert Bruce of nearby
Churchill Borough walked home to-
day-to report the borough's cruiser
car stolen.
He said he stopped to investigate q
sedan parked along q highway, but
as he neared the parked car 1t sped
away. Bruce continued:
Il turned to run over to my car to
give chase, when saw q man behind
the wheel, who got the machine in
gear and stepped on the gas in q
hurry"
Bruce walked hack to headquarters
and learned his car had been wrecked
against tree and abandoned.
Evening star., 1936-12-27
HATS TROUBLE BISHOP
Doubts Women Should Have

Doubts Women Should Have
Heads Covered in Church.
ELY, England, December 26 R.-
The Bishop Of Ely doubts that st.
Paul was talking about present-day
hats when he wrote that all women
should be "veiled' when they enter
church.
The bishop feels that the women
must -wear-hats" rule is being carried
too far. On at least one occasion, ne
said, - girl to avoid rebuff, borrowed
her boy friends cap before entering
the church."
Evening star., 1936-12-27
ACTRESS DEFIES COURT
PROBING HER FINANCES
Grace Bradley Grilled in Breach
Of Contract Suit Brought
by Agent.


LOS ANGELES, December 2s.-
Grace Bradley, Aim actress who leaped
fence, boarded an airplane and ned
to Europe to escape 4 subpoena, was
questioned ut = court-ordered depoGi-
ton hearing today, but fatly refused
TO tell where she keeps her valuables.
Al Rosen. actors agent who y suing
her for Sls, 400. charging breach of
contract, wants to know, but the red
haired actress refused to answer, de-.
spite Z threat Of being cited for con-
tempt.
Miss Bradley reputedly inherited
$250,000 from her grandfather last
year. when her hank ACCOUNT was
attached for Rosen. II showed only
. 80 bAlaneos
Evening star., 1936-12-27
BAN LUTHER PICTURES
German Governor Orders Church
Symbols Out of Schools.

BERLIN, December 26 LP.-Cr,lci-
fixes and pictures Of Martin Luther
have been ordered taken from schools
In Oldenburg Province.
Gov. Carl Roever said the Nazi
party platform does not demand that
party symbols and pictures OF Reichs-
fuehrer Adolf Hitler be hung In
churches. and he therefore concludes
that church symbols should not b
hung m public schools.
Evening star., 1936-12-27
CITIZENS ATTACK COLLEGE
MenA Group 70 Seek Closing of Con
m0nwealth.

m0nwealth.
MENA, Ark. December rs (P).-A
Citizens Committee condemned the
teachings and practices" Of Com.
monwealth Labor College today and
the chairman OF the group said he
would seek its closure 'in q legal way"
Declining to elaborate, the chairman
Of the Citizens Committee. Rev. L. d.
Summers. pastor Of the First Baptist
Church, made public q resolution he
said had been signed by Sl4 residents
Of Polk tMena) County.
1t expressed regret that this COL
lege is in our midst" The college Is
located near Mena.
The resolution also took exception to
the action Of Miss Charlotte Mosko-
witz, secretary-treasurer Of Common
wealth. in calling upon the Civil Lib
critics Committee of the United States
Senate two weeks ago to investigate
conditions in Polk County. Miss Mos
kowitz expressed fear q recently pub
lished magazine article about Com
monwealth might prompt . violent
assault on the school.
Evening star., 1936-12-27
BILL TO DEMAND
TEACHERS OATH
Youthful Arkansas LegisIa-
tor Would Curb Communism
and Free Love.
B, the Associated Press.

JONESBORO. Ark. December 26.-
Twenty-two-year-old State Repre-
sentative Herman Horton said today
he was preparing . bill to prohibit
any one refusing to pledge allegiance
to the American nag from teaching in
an Arkansas school, and to define the
teaching of communism or free love
Is felonies.
Stating that he was not charging
any one with these things, Horton
said his bill was prompted by pub
lished criticism of Commonwealth
College, cooperative labor school at
Mena, Ark. and by personal inquiries
into the conduct Of the institution.
IF adverse conditions exist at Com
monwealth. the bill. if enacted, will
remedy them" he said. IF they do
not exist. the bill will not affect the
college"
The 1895 Arkansas Legislature con-
Quoted an investigation at Common
wealth. The Inquiry Committee re-
ported, however, that it found no evi-
dence Of any advocacy of violence.
Miss Charlotte Moskowitx, secre.
tary-treasurer Of Commonwealth, re.
Gently asked the Civil Liberties Com.
mittee Of the United States Senate to
investigate conditions in Polk County,
in which the school Is located, express
ing fear that q magazine article about
the college. published early this
month. might lead to violence
against 1t.
Evening star., 1936-12-27
TURKEY BESTS HUNTERS
Bird Freed by Boys Group Easily

Bird Freed by Boys Group Easily
Eludes Pursuers.
WHEELING. w. Va, December Is
@.-A group Of disgruntled Y. N.
c. A. boys came back from . hunt
In the hills, convinced that the man
who first called the wild turkey willy"
knew what he was talking about.
A turkey had been loosed by ON
cials, the lad capturing 1t to keep it.
They climbed mountains, trees and
rocks, keeping the turkey In sight.
After walking miles. they finally lost
sight q tie pg1Ut aA EaGG
Evening star., 1936-12-27
Texas Editor Dies.

PAMPA, Tex, December 26 tR.-
Joe M. Smith. 80. first editor and
owner Of the Pampa News. now
the Pampa Daily News. died here
yesterday.
Evening star., 1936-12-27


day and I'm taking this one with me
wherever ! 60"
CYNIC.
The S-year -old SON OF the family
,Catched admiriuglu as fue trains,
ti0o street cars, siDitch lights and
oil the other cppurtenances OF q
railroad operated perfectly in the
toy community built by a neighbor.
Everything Das complete, epen to
an electrical shopei, which loaded
trucks Nth sand.
After matching the display for
about 10 minutes, this S-yedr-old
asked Donderinolv:'
Why don't the dirplanes take
OFF, pointing to tUo planes in
miniature hangar.
=
FERTILITY.
IN FLORIDA they tell you some fam
tastic tales about the remarkabl
climate and the unusual fertility OF
the soil.
One Of the guides who escorted
Senator King and other members OF
Congress on the Sugar Cane Spe-
cial' through the sugar plantations in
the Everglades. pointed out that the
soil which they call muck is so fer.
tile that truck farmers in the Sec
tion have to wear goggles when they
plant corn
Evening star., 1936-12-27
OVERDONE.


OVERDONE.
T oUISE NOONAN MILLER tells
the story Of junior drama re-
porter local lad-who became sort
Of famous in the theater world on
the basis Of single review.
He was the only representative of
his craft who could get away for the
moment to preview picture. At
the time, he was not so well known,
but they were glad to have him. At
least he was one person the exhibitor
could introduce Is being from the cor
rect profession as far as the pic
lures owner was concerned.
The picture house people were far
from happy the next day. however.
The young man wrote 70 eulogistically
Of the film that the price was raised
to . point which the theater could
not pay.
The picture. incidentally. never has
been shown in Washington: q case
Of review being 80 overdone as to
defeat It's own purpose.
= 4 y 4
EXPERT.
II you Uill forgive the absence Of
Names, we cdn tell you about q
WGshtngtonian Who Is 0iDen to en-
phdsis and evaporation when he 10
in his cups.
He iD0s In one OF the prouder
restaurants the other night ,ohen
the Dditress brought the last dish
OF vegetables.
What's that" he asked IN
louder poice than usually is en-
ployed IN the place.
Asparagus" said the Waitress.
"HotD asuch?" asked the man.
Thirty fue cents"
"Listen," said the man, II %
marketing Nth ny ioits euery Sat.
urday. I'm an authority on a..
pard1us. For that much money
they giue more Of It than you can
lift"
Evening star., 1936-12-27
Readers Guide
News Summary
The Sunday Star, Dec. ~. 1885.
PART ONE.
Main NetDs Section.

FOREIGN.
Pope's paralysis reported worse, many
prelates abandcn hope. Page Al
Chang win urge leniency be shown TO
repentant Chang. Page Al
France willing to exchange Germany's
colonies for peace. Page Al
Mrs. Simpson forsives critics of Ed
ward. friend says. Page Al
New Cuban president promises honesty
in administration. Page Al
NATIONAL.
Battle over relief appropriation is
foreseen. Page Az
Antagonistic views held on neutrality
legislation Page Al
Wreckase Of plane found by trapper III
Idaho mountains. Page Al
WASHINGTON AND VICINITY.
Infant dies of burns after matches set
crib afire. Page Al
TRANSMISSION volunteers asked for child
burned in fire. Page B-1
Hearing scheduled on Sunday liquor
sale legislation. Page B-1
Coroner's jury to hear evidence in
husband shooting. Page B.l
D. c. fiscal report to 60 to President
this week. Page B.1
Cremation of prisoner in Dillwyn Jall
found accidental. Page B-2
Holiday death toll rises to 23 in Vir.
ginia. Page B-3
Colored ex-convict shot down in gun
battle with policeman. Page B.I
SPORTS.
Nationals schedule 28 games in grape
fruit circuit. Page b.
Georgia Tech upsets California, 1877,
in gridiron battle. Page b.
Washington and Pitt both anxious for
first Rose Bowl win. Page B-S
Golf, tennis. base ball. racing. fight-
ing, other sports reviewed
pavas Ro-1AIu
Evening star., 1936-12-27
Robbery

CONTINUED From First page.)
Evening star., 1936-12-27

THE prisoner was pleading his
l own case before Judge Edward
M. Curran in Police Court. He
u was charged with drunken
Imperial Valley press., 1936-12-27
By Virginia Mum Finch

1T WAS called the House of Mystery!
| Strange unnatural things happened there
intrigue tragedy, death! But strangest OF all
was the power of the old Negro woman VINO
lived in the house From this eerie dwelling at
1861 Octavia Street in San Francisco, the
shreWd and crafty Negress whom the world
knew as Nanny Pleasant, ruled not only the
Thomas Bell family for whom she ostenslpiy
worked but half the politicians in the State OF
California Even a governor came under ner
strange power-a power that she. carried with
her to her grave.
Intrigue coupled with mystery from time i'm
memorial has captured the attention of people
There is an elusive fascination about whomso-
ever or whatsoever is shrouded in the CLOAK OF
the unknown. Suspense is exciting-the more
suspense and the longer 1t is sustained the more
exciting That's why the story of Nanny Pleas
ant is still told today. Nanny is long since
dead, but the strange tales of mystery and scan
dal connected with her, walk like ghosts in the
minds of the curious. Those who have heard
her story are still in suspense-kept guessing
at her secrets which were the source OF her
amazing power
The story of Nanny begins 80 years ago,
at the time when the often-heard rumors that
gold had been discovered in California became
fact and untold thousands seeking fortune
flowed like endless streams into the West.
In the eventful year of 1848 there arrived
in San Francisco a young woman, Mary Ellen
Pleasant-quick Witted, shreWd ana alert--Wno
was destined to become notorously we'll
known character, not only in the gold rush days
but throughout the remainder of the nineteenth
century She was the Nanny Pleasant who
became one of the Vests most colorful figures
"a forceful woman to whom power far super
seeded wealth in importance. Both power and
wealth came to her through her ability to find
out things about the great and the near great
and to keep their secrets. Her story is one OF
unfathomabe intrigue, packed full of amazing
Incidents each favored with its mystery, its
suspense and it's battling denouement.
Born at Boston, in August 1914, Mary Ellen
williams was the illegitimate child of free
Louisiana Negress and Cherokee Indian. She
was dark skinned, but mainly, her features were
dominated by her Indian blood, having the
prominent cheek bones a high-bridged nose
and well-formed lips. Her eyes, however, were
astonishing! One was blue and the other brown!
Her childhood was most unhappy and wretched.
She begged on the streets. She forced to
commit petty crimes and live mostly by her
wits In her twentieth year, Lady Luck smiled
on her. and she met and married well-to-do
free Cuban Negro named Alexander Smith. At
the time of his death in 1874, his estate totalled
S45O00 which he left to Mary Ellen with the
stipulation that some of this money be used
toward furthering the Abolition Movement
which was then sweeping the country.
Two years after his death, Mary Ellen