davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1936-12-26
HUSBAND IS SLA|N;'
WIFE BEING HELD.
Woman Said to Have Used
Pistol Bought to Pro-
tect Herself.

A pistol she bought three days ago
was used early today by Mrs. Frances
Moreno Kellison, IS. of 1911 Eleventh
street, to kill her husband, John H.
Kellison, Is, an unemployed truck
driver, according to Detective Sergt.
Walter S. Beck, of the homicide squad.
Mother of six children by previous
marriage, Mrs. Kellison, according to
the police report, said she purchased
the weapon from a colored man to
protect" herself against the abuse
to which she said she had been sub
jected in the four years she had lived
with her second husband.
Shortly after o'clock this morning,
Kellison, accompanied by two of his
wife's sons, Roy Gregory, 81, and
Louis. Is, of 1118 Tenth street,
returned from Baltimore. The sons
went to their home Mrs. Kellison
was standing at the corner of
Eleventh and N streets awaiting her
husband.
Shoots Him Four Times.
She walked up as her husband
crossed the street to their basement
home and asked where he had been.
Her story, as related by police, is that
he replied with an oath that 1t was
none of her business. and motioned
(see SHOOTING. Page A-s.)
Evening star., 1936-12-26
Last O'Leary
OfChicagoFire
Fame Is Dead
Al,oaysDeniedLegend
That COiU Started
COnfagratiOn.
By the Associated Press.

~ tiiS ASooSAakSo 1CSSs
CHICAGO, December 26.-Mrs
Catherine OLeary Ledwell, 70, last
member of the O'Leary family whose
COW some say started the Chicago fire.
died of heart disease last night at
her home.
Mrs. Ledwell always denied the leg
end that the OTeary COW kicked over
q lamp in their barn and touched of
the great blaze of 1871.
She declared they first learned Of
the fire at 8 o'clock when Denis Sui
Ivan, "the one-legged drayman from
next door," discovered 1t in the barn.
That's the first we knew Of the
fire." she always said. mo one had
been up. know mother didn't milk
the cow after o'clock"
Mrs. Ledwell theorized that young
bloods of the neighborhood, who
sometimes drank beer In the loft Of
the OIeary barn had left q cigar
butt knouldering In the hay.
Evening star., 1936-12-26
rs DEAD, 100 HURT
IN BLAST ON SHIP
Official Communique Tells oi
Disaster in Massaua, italian
Eritrea.
By the Associated PrelA

By the Associated Pre1A
ROME, December 26.-Twenty-siz
persons were killed and 100 injured
December 70, an Official communique
said today, In an explosion aboard the
steamship Cesare Battisti in the f1ar-
Dor Of Massaua, Italian Eritrea, on the
east coast Of Africa.
A fire resulting from the explosion
spread rapidly over the water front
and the port.
Twenty of those injured were re-
ported seriously hurt.
"A boiler exploded in the steamer
Cesare Battisti about 10 pm. Decem-
Der % in the Port Of Massaua," an
Official communique said.
The explosion tore the vessel open
amidship and the ship sank near the
dock. Twenty-six persons were killed
and 100 injured, Of whom 20 are in a
serious condition.
Identification OF the victims was
delayed because all documents aboard
the steamer were destroyed. The in.
jured were taken Immediately to Um-
berto Hospital In Massaua."
Evening star., 1936-12-26
FIVE ARE KILLED
IN yU[E TRAFFIC
Four Washingtonians and
Virginian Are
Victims.

Five persons, four from washing
ton and one from nearby Virginia. were
killed and three others were critically
injured in automobile accidents in this
vicinity last night and early today.
The local victims were:
Miss Florence Recknor, 10, Of 1924
Belmont street.
James Daniels, so, Of 1902 jefferson
Davis highway. Arlington County, Va.
Miss Mary Crockett. about 80, 4527
South Dakota street northeast.
Garnett F. Luttrell. about IS, 1923
Fourth street northeast.
Frederick Mills, "A, Of SIG c street
northeast.
Mrs. Minnie Leighuser, 80, of 1908
Belmont road, died yesterday of inJu-
ries received in an automobile acci-
dent on Christmas eve. More than q
dozen persons were injured in other
crashes.
Killed in Collision.
Miss Recknor, Washington de-
partment store employe and graduate
of Powell Junior High School, was
almost instantly killed in head-on
crash on the Landover road at Chew
erly, Md, at las am. today. Mills
died about eight hours later in Casual
ty Hospital. Two companions were in
jured, one critically. Both were treated
at Casualty Hospital.
Miss Crockett died en- route to
hospital and Luttrel was killed in
stantly when their automobile left
the Richmond Washington highway
and rolled down q 25-foot embank-
ment four miles north of FrederickS-
burg, Va, shortly after midnight.
A third passenger. Joseph I. Glenn
ents. about "a. 3l2 S street northeast
was admitted to the hospital for treat
ment of a possible skull fracture and
internal injuries. The hospital report
ed his condition as serious.
Christmas presents the three were
believed carrying to relatives were
found in the smashed car, which
stopped in q shallow stream after
rolling over the embankment. A letter
from Fairport, Va, addressed to Miss
Crockett, indicated they were en- route
to that place.
State Officer Robert A. Sims. who
investigated the accident, said the
machine left the highway on a SHARP
curve. 1t was en- route south.
One Seriously Injured.
Seriously injured in the Landoyer
crash was Roland Steiner, %, of 1856
c street northeast, who suffered a
possible skull fracture, conclusion and
lacerations. Steiner, who was hauled
from the demolished automobile by
passing motorists, was still uncon-
scious this morning.
Also injured In the accident was
Lillian Reamy, 19, of 928 M street, who
suffered head and hand lacerations
Physicians said her condition was
fair"
Occupants of the other vehicle,
Louis Meyer. II, and Lynwood Meyer,
%. both of Cheverly. were also
treated at Casualty. Louis, suffering
possible skull fracture and lacera-
tions. was in "fair" condition this
Evening star., 1936-12-26
TWO KILLED LIFTING
BODY IN AMBULANCE
Pittsburgh Mayors Nephew Ar
rested After Crash Near
Winchester.
ereeiaI Dispatch to Tie Star.

BTectei D1kp&tCn 70 -1C quar-
WINCHESTER, Va. December 30
Fred M. Affieck. fire truck driver, and
Homer Hook, driver for transfer COM
pany, we're almost instantly killed early
today when struck by an automobile
police said was driven by Thomas D.
6cully, local lawyer, several miles north
of here. Hook and Affieck, police said,
had gone with an ambulance to bring
here the body Of Dewey Newlin. who
had been struck and killed by another
car.
State Police Inspector Raymond r.
Bayliss also was struck by the Scully
machine and slightly injured. Scully.
member Of q prominent family and
nephew of Mayor Cornelius Scully.
Pittsburgh. Pa, was released on bail
for hearing. Bayliss said they were
placing Newlin's body in the anbu-
lance when the Scully car bore down
upon them.
Evening star., 1936-12-26
FORMER FRENCH
LEADER is DEAD
Etienne Clementel, Veteran French
Political Leader, Served
With Clemenceau.
Er the Associated Press,

By the Associated Press.
RIOM, France, December 26.--
Etienne Clementel, former member Of
several French cabinets. died today.
He was 72 years old.
Clementel was veteran French
political leader who was minister of
labor In the Clemenceau cabinet of
1917 to 1920 and, later, minister OF
finance in the Herriot cabinet Of 1924
and 1925.
He played an important part In
inter-allied debt negotiations during
1924 and was formerly president of
the International Chamber of Com
merce, whose French section he
headed.
After retiring from the government
he was elected to the Senate. Clemen-
tel was regarded by French officials
as one Of the country's foremost au-
thorities on finance and economic
questions.
Evening star., 1936-12-26
GEN. CHANG BEGS
MERCY Of CHANG,
BACK IN NANK|NG
Willing to Accept Death, He
Informs Dictator in
Letter.
RELEASE OF LEADER
HAILED BY THR0NGS
Credit for Liberation Is Given to
Mime. Chiang-Martial-Law
Order Is Rescinded.
BY the Associated Press.

NANKING, December 26.-Rebel-
lious Marshal Chang Hsueh-liang, as
serting his willingness to suffer
DEATH" threw himself tonight on the
mercy of his former captive at Sianfu,
Generalissimo Chang Kai-shek.
The leader of the military mutiny
which caused a grave governmental
crisis made known his intention in
letter addressed to the premier
shortly after his arrival in the cap
ital.
The letter said:
II am ready to suffer whatever you
and your government desire. Whether
it means death or not, I am here
and ready, for I realize my wicked
ness and my sin against you and the
nation"
Held in SO0ng's Residence.
Chang. 1t was disclosed, Is being
held under guard at the residence
of DR.. T. v. Soong. the generalissimo's
brother-in-law, who brought the
mutineer from Sianfu by plane this
afternoon.
Gen. Chang, meanwhile, returned
triumphantly to Marking to assume
control of his Nationalist government
after spending two weeks as Chang's
prisoner in interior Shensi Province
The government announced all Of
Chiang's ueutenants who were taken
prisoner with the generalissimo De-
cember IL had been released from
rebel quarters at Sianfu and were
en- route to Marking.
Credit for the dramatic solution to
the grim threat Of civil war was uni
versally accorded the generalissimo's
American-educated wife, the former
Mei-ling Soong. who'stood proudly at
his side as he took the tumultuous
salute OF the thousands who rushed to
hail their leaders freedom.
Wife Braved Captivity.
With her brother, DR.. Soong, the
intrepid Nine. Chang, unaided by
the Marking government, braved the
hardships of her husbands captivity
to negotiate directly with the rebel
marshal for his release.
Marshal Chang's whereabouts was
closely guarded secret.
The arrival of the rebellious military
leader in the capital was announced
by q government spokesman, who
said:
Information concerning the mar
shal has heretofore been banned. Now
however, We can say the marshal ar
rived in Marking at 2:30 pm. Q.30
am, T. S. To with DR.. Soong.
He will remain here pending a
settlement OF the issues concerning
him"
1t had been thought at first Mar
shall Chang was being brought to
Nanking aboard the giant American
made military plane as the generals
stmo's personal prisoner.
But when the transport settled
heavily to the ground at the military
(See CHINA, Page A-2)
Evening star., 1936-12-26
INDIANS MAY SHUN
CORONATION RITES
Resolution Of Boycott by
National Committee Is
Deemed Certain.
By the Associated Press,


BOMBAY, India, December 26.-
Adoption Of q resolution by the Indian
National Committee to boycott corona
ton ceremonies for George VI in
India was considered by well-informed
sources today to be virtually certain.
The resolution against the projected
durbar, a rite at which the new Brit
ish King would be proclaimed Emperor
of India, would implore Indians to
avoid ANY imperialistic celebrations
or functions connected with the cor
onation. as such festivities are meant
to tend to strengthen the hold of
British Imperialism or add to its pres
tige."
Drafted by leaders of the Congress
at Faizpur. it was scheduled for sub
mission before full committee today.
Constitution to Be Rejected.
The Congress also planned to re-
ject the new constitution for India
The Mahatma Gandhi. long a leader
in the movement for Indian freedom,
supported the boycott proposal, but 1t
was understood he wanted it known
the protest was not directed at the
new King personally.
tNo definite date has been set for
the durbar.
ct is generally expected, however, to
take place late In 1887, after the cor
onation scheduled for next May In
London)
There were strong indications the
Mahatma, emerging from more thar
a year Of political inactivity, would
take an active part in the Congress, a
political party convention Of about
zoe, 900 Nationalists.
Plans Village Exhibition.
A speech he made in opening a vii
lage industries exhibition at Faizpur
indicated he was planning a surprise
The Mahatma offered to wager he
could double the villagers income
without taking scrap Of material
from the cities and without using "a
single middleman."
We have not begun to show ou,
real hand yet" he declared. wait
some time and you will see it in full
Evening star., 1936-12-26
SIX ARE INJURED
IN FIRE Of HOME
Three Children and 82.Year.
Old Great. Grandfather
Among Hurt.

Six persons, including three young
children and their 82-year-old great
grandfather, were injured early today
in a fire which virtually destroyed
their home at 1877 Wisconsin avenue
The flames broke out shortly after
2 o'clock. They forced five persons
to leap from second-story window
The great-grandfather was carried
down the rear steps by firemen.
The injured were Mrs. Catherine
Milstead, %; her mother, Mrs. Aurelia
Carroll, So; her grandfather, Henry
Harding, 80, and her three children
Ernestine and Christine, 10-year-olo
twins, and Gerald, 7.
All were slightly burned and bruised
They were admitted to Georgetown
University Hospital after being taker
there In police cars.
Mrs. Milstead said the heat anc
smoke awoke her as she slept in q
bed room adjoining the stairway.
II could see the flames shooting UP
the stirway, filling the hail." Mrs. Mil.
stead said. II was SO scared did not
know what to do, but my children and
ran instinctively for the window.
I'VE did not even try to put on any
thing-we just jumped!"
The children and Mrs. Carroll leaped
from the window and fell in the soft
dirt In front of their home. All were
bruised and slightly burned.
Firemen arrived in time to carry
the great-grandfather down a stairway
in the rear. The flames destroyed the
interior of the wooden dwelling.
Top Story Burned Away.
The fire burned away most OF the
top story of the building, but did moi
reach the room where a Christmas
tree had been set up in the center ol
heap of gifts.
A three-alarm fire at 3l49 Mount
Pleasant street yesterday morning
sent IT families fleeing from Their
apartments. The smoke frightened
the occupants of the building and
they ran to safety.
No one was badly injured, however
and the damage was small. john H
Bowser, 10, was bruised when he fel
from a fire escape. and his son-in.
law, w. B. Totten. was slightly
burned.
Evening star., 1936-12-26
WHEAT PRICES CLIMB
TO SEVEN-YEAR HIGH
Squirt of More Than 8 Cents Takes
December Deliveries to Around
Sl,42 Bushel.

BY the Associated Press.
CHICAGO, December 26.-Domestic
wheat prices shot upward almost
three cents a bushel to new seven
year highs today while markets in
other countries were closed in observ-
ance of Christmas week end holiday.
Rising more than three cents from
early low levels, Chicago wheat de-
liverable before the month ends scared
to around $1.42 q bushel. the highest
price paid for any wheat future here
since December, 1929. Wheat deliver
able in May sold around $l37 bushel.
1t was probably the most active post
Christmas session in recent years.
Traders said the world supply and
demand situation, with stocks low and
war talk persistent. was the back
ground Of the buying THAT found
o6erings b the market light.
Evening star., 1936-12-26
Another Prisoner Dies as Fire
Destroys Second Virginia Jail
YuIe Blaze Similar to Colonial Beach
Tragedy-Ten Others Meet Violent
Deaths on Holiday.

the Colonial Beach Jail fire q few
weeks ago.
Town Sergt. P. w. Amiss said the
man, here for some shopping Christ
mas eve, got drunk and was locked up
for safe keeping" without formal
charges lodged against him.
Amiss said he took matches from
Garrett, but left q cigar in his
pocket. The officer expressed the be-
lief the prisoner lighted the cigar
from other matches secreted on his
person and accidentally fired the
two-room Jail.
Amiss lived some distance away
and there was no resident jailer.
John Pendleton, living nearby, saw
(See PRISONER, Page A-8.)
Evening star., 1936-12-26
By the Associated Press.

An agonizing death in the burning
Dil!wyn Jail early Christmas morn
ing claimed John Edd Garrett, So,
colored, as one Of IL Virginians whose
lives reached tragic ends as their fel-
lowmen feasted with good cheer.
Automobile accidents took seven
lives, on person was crushed be-
tween two trains, a Lynchburg court
reporter was burned to death, colored
man was fatally shot and a Newport
News boy was smothered by a land
slide while playing in cave.
Cremation of the Buckingham
County colored man, lone prisoner in
the frame town jail, duplicated almost
exactly the death Of John Coates in
Evening star., 1936-12-26
Settlement Must Include
HitIer's Promise to Join
Arms Curb and Keep VOL
unteers Out of Spain.
MUST ALSO RENOUNCE
ALL EUROPEAN CLAIMS
Britain Is Reported to Have
Joined in Demand That Reich
Join in General Disarmament
Agreement-Situation Not Held
Alarming" by Officials.
BACKGROUND

BACKGROUND
Shortly after outbreak OF Spanish
- ciril Ddr last July n European
nations Joined in neutrality pact.
pled1inp to keep hands of Com
nunist-Fascist struggle. Russia
later accused Italy, Germany and
Portugal OF aiding Fascist rebels.
Allegations tDere denied and in
return Russia iDas accused OF
assisting Socialists. Russia denied
the charge.
1t has since been disclosed that
Russian, Italian and German
soldiers haue engaged in Spanish
conflict. A tew days ago France
Ddrned Germany to cease inter
pentton. precipitating present
crisis.
PARIS, December 26 R.-France
Is willing to give Germany back her
former colonies in return for "a full
and lasting settlement" of European
worries as to the Third Reich's future
path, officials of the foreign Office said
today.
Such a settlement must include
Reichsfuehrer Adolf Hitler,s promise
to participate in controlled disarma-
ment, as well as his stoppage of
volunteer German enlistments In
Spain, they said.
Hitler must also renounce territorial
claims within Europe and agree to re-
turn to economic collaboration with the
world, it was stated.
On the other hand. the officials
said. II Hitler desires the colonies only
to make Germany stronger In a war
like way, "he will have to take them
from France by force"
The colonies now under French
mandate from the League OF Nations
which would be concerned in such q
deal are Togoland and the Cameroons
They have a combined area in Africa
Of 188,321 square miles and. officials
declared. are paying propositions. y
Togo Is rich in the raw materials
Germany needs-iron, rubber. dye
woods. CAMERON produces timber
ALk0 abo 10 CSHCLAdh1
suitable for the raising of live stock
Britain Joins Demand.
Both France and Great Britain, au-
!. thoritative sources said. have Joined
in the demand that Germany enter 9
general disarmament agreement, a.
well as stop the flow Of fighters II
Spain. II she is to get economic help.
This became known after it was dis
closed Great Britain and France has
begun the outline of a program to Civ,
the Third Reich access to European
raw material markets as a projected
reward for refusing to send militar.
assistance to Spanish Fascists.
The further condition for such eco
nomic help will be q German pledg
to curb the Reich's arm-making race
informed persons stated.
At the same time, qualified govern
ment spokesmen let it be known tina
France and Great Britain have no in
tention Of backing down on their de
mand for guarantees by Adolf Hitle
against the sending Of either regula
troops or volunteer civilians to Spain
The two democracies have been il
accord on all moves to date in tn
crisis brought about by Gen. Francisc'
Frances plea for $4,000 Germa.
troops. the spokesmen said.
They are agreed it is necessary t
Evening star., 1936-12-26
Slayer of -Four
Pays With Life
In IndiunaChuir
Former Farm HANDY
Man ShOtps No
RemOrse.
BY the Associated Press.


MICHIGAN CITY. Ind. December
ga flip OF an electric chair switch
at Indiana State prison early today
abruptly finished the bloody career Of
Harry Singer, IS. farm handyman
who had confessed four gruesome
murders.
With no show of remorse or emo
ton the cynical slayer slumped into
eternity at 1874 am. Central stand
ard time) after q Christmas day spent
in grumbling, playing checkers and
eating o fried chicken dinner.
The last mile" walk from death
row" was uneventful. When sum-
moned, Singer shrugged his shoulders
and stared bisnkly ahead to the last
chair In which he would sit. At
1907 am. he squirmed and twitched
as the current coursed through his
body. Taken out of the chair at
1913 am. he was pronounced dead
q minute later.
Singer died without friends. No
(See SLAYER. Page A.2.l
Evening star., 1936-12-26
STATE DEFENSE COURT
EXTENDED BY IL DUCE
Five More Years Added to Exist
ence Of Tribunal First
Created in 1926.

BY the Associated Press.
ROME, December 26.-The life Of
the special tribunal for defense of the
state was extended a second time by
Official decree today.
The order, published in the official
Gazette, added five more years to the
courts existence, first established in
1928 after an attempt to aSsassinate
Premier Mussolini at Bologna.
The first extension came in 1881
after the tribunals initial five-year
period had expired. The court hears
cases of conspiracy attempts against
the Italian Premier or King Victor
Emmanuel.
Evening star., 1936-12-26
Roosevelt Returns
To Office to Work
Despite Holiday

While the thousands Of Gov
ernment workers were enjoying
another holiday today, President
Roosevelt went to his ofiice for
half q day OF work.
He conferred briefly with r.
Walton Moore, acting Secretary
OF State, and John II. Fahey,
chairman of the Home Loan
Bank Board.
Evening star., 1936-12-26
Mother of Eight
Badly Burned II,
|Turpentihe Blast
Explosion Destroys
Christmas Tree in
Maryland Home.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

opeclaI DispalCn 70 IHt Star.
LEONARDTOWN, Md. December
26.-The eight children of Mrs. Ed
ward Owen spent a cherries Christ
mas day as physicians fought to save
their mothers life at the hospital
here. Even their Christmas tree had
been destroyed by the flames which
brought her near death and badly
burned their father.
Mr.. and Mrs. Owen were burned
Christmas eve when mixture of lard
and turpentine exploded at their home
(See EXPLOSION, Page A-8.)
Evening star., 1936-12-26
PLANT RUNNING AGAIN
Kelsey-Hayes Firm Operates After
Settlement Of Strike.

DETROIT, December 26 (P.-De-
troit plants Of the Kelsey-Hayes Co.,
where . strike was settled Wednesday
night, resumed operations in part to-
day. Lester r. Downie, treasurer, said
full operations would begin Monday.
The company manufactures auto
mobile parts. Several motorcar man.
ufacturers. including the Ford Motor
Co.. were forced to curtail production
because OF parts shortages brought
about by the strike.
Evening star., 1936-12-26
Summary of Today's Star

NATIONAL.
Professor who disappeared after con-
ference here is suicide. Page Al
National leaders begin preparations
for Congress opening. Page Al
FOREIGN.
Indian National Committee Is expected
to boycott coronation. Page Al
Chang Kai-shek returns to Nanking
hailed by thousands. Page Al
Germany may be offered return Of
colonies to keep peace. Page Al
Pope Plus hopes to pronounce Easter
benediction. Page AS
WASHINGTON AND VICINITY.
Parents of eight burned in blast at
Maryland home. Page Al
persons killed in holiday trafic mis-
haps in this vicinity. Page Al
Six persons injured in early-morning
fire on Wisconsin ave. Page Al
Man shot by wife, then left dying, po-
lice are told. Page Al
Another Virginia prisoner dies in Jail
blase. page Al
Evening star., 1936-12-26

(See TRAFFIC, Page A-3.)
Evening star., 1936-12-26

(See WAR. Page A-2.)
Evening star., 1936-12-26
WEATHER.

90. D. weather bureau ForecaWJ
Fair and slightly warmer; lowest tenn
perature about 50 degrees tonight; to-
morrow mostly cloudy. with mild tenn
perature Temperatures-Highest 50. at
3:45 pm. yesterday; lowest. "a. at 7:l5
am. today. Full report on page AS.
Evening star., 1936-12-26

(See SLAYER, Page A.2.l