davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1937-10-23

cal and mental condition Of
eunuchS and their varieties will
mqueStionably lead to the
greater understanding Of the
harem system and Of its gradual
decay and fall, so largely caused
by the introduction and in
creasing influence Of this unpro-
ductive, sterile, unnatural and
altogether unwholeSome mem
ber of Society-the eunuch.
Most Of the writer's on the
subject wrote under noms de
plume, while, with the single ex-
ception of q book by a French
doctor, there appears to be no
modern work on the subject
whatsoever.
AS is often the case. the his
tory of the words connected with
the subject affords a certain
amount of information. There
is, however, difference of opin-
ion among scholars about the
derivation and meaning of the
best known word of all
"eunuch." 1t would seem that
the old derivation from the
Greek words for ''bed" and
'keep"-the word thus meaning
che who has charge Of the bed"
should still be adhered to.
The only AsSyrian connection
appears to be through the He
brew sariS, "eunuch," which is
a word borrowed from the As
syrian Sa resi-. meaning che who
does not beget." There are sev-
eral other words connected with
emaSculation that are informa-
tive, as they show that the con-
dition was brought about by a
form of barbaric surgery.
Methods seem to have been
similar in all countries, the only
differences being in the local
means employed to approximate
aseptic treatment. The mortal
ity is not great. although exag-
gerated figures have been given.
The Washington times., 1937-10-23

lowance, two robes Of finest silk,
clothes, and other things for
their needs throughout the year,
besides what is plentifuIly be-
slowed on them from other quar-
ters. They bear names Of
flowers, such as Hyacinth. Mar.
cissus, Rose and Carnation;
since they are in the service OF
women, they have names suit
able to virginity. whiteness and
fragrance"
The young eunuchS were also
entrusted with taking and re-
ceiving messages between the
sultan and his women, transact
ing business, visiting the mems
apartments, and many other
duties. But from the moment
they entered it they could never
leave the seraglio without Spe-
cial permission from the sui
tana, even though hidden to do
something by one of the lesser
wives. No white eunuchs were
allowed to visit their black
brethren under any circum-
stances.
The Washington times., 1937-10-23

occasion did arise he was sent to
Egypt.
Several kislar aghas, in fact
bought property in Egypt solely
with a view to retiring there
later and spending their last
days in oriental Splendor. No
objection was made by the sui
tan to these acquisitions, since
he himself was the heir Of the
kislar agha and knew that every
thing would come back to the
crown in time. A handsome
pension was given the honored
black on retirement.
When one thinks Of all this
dignity and importance it Is
hard to keep In mind that the
chief black eunuch was really
The Washington times., 1937-10-23

Just a crude, ignorant, and cor
rupted colored man-and that
the thrusting of such power into
his hands actually played a
large part in the decline Of the
Ottoman empire.
Next in Importance to the kis-
lar agha came the hazinedar
agha, or grand treasurer, who
generally succeeded him in Of
flee. To him was entrusted the
financial side of the harem, as
well as that of the halberdierS
(porterS).
Next was the bash-muSSahib, a
liaiSon officer between the sultan
and the kislar agha, and who
had eight or ten eunuchs under
him who were on duty in pairs
for the purpose Of carrying or
derS from the sultan to the mis-
treSs of the harem.
Other officers were the master
of the chamber, the chief gate
keeper of the apartments, his
assistant, and a whole set of
officers in the service of the
Sultan's mother if she were alive.
The Washington times., 1937-10-23

sultan's favorite was 500. though
fifty would probably be nearer
the truth.
AS to the training Of eunuchs,
It was Just as long and careful
as the training Of the janizarieS
(the sultan's military guards).
Here is what a keen observer
wrote of the black eunuchS' ap-
premiership in 1904:
"The boys are watched and
disciplined by the other youths
of the seraglio till at q certain
age they are ready for service.
They are then removed thence
and sent to the women and
placed under others in the serv-
ice of the Sultana (the number
one favorite), being under the
command Of their chief, the kis-
lar agha.
'They have a considerable al
The Washington times., 1937-10-23

create in the minds Of the VIC
Tins a feeling of terrible resent
ment, coupled with a mingled
feeling Of revenge and despair.
No wonder, then, that eunuchS
have been described as ill-tem-
pered, morose, childish, petu-
liant, revergeful, cruel, and ar
rogant; and, on the other hand,
as simple, credulous, harmless,
fawning, fond Of pleasure, and
very generous in their dealings.
This apparent contradiction
of characteristics would seem to
arise from the widely varying
effects the operation has on diff
ferent subjects.
The Washington times., 1937-10-23

the Negro with the childish
imagination Of the ignorant
Oriental. Consequently they be-
neve the widest stories, and
once an idea has entered their
minds, nothing can change it.
They adore what we cali fairy
stories and can listen to recita-
tions Of 1.-THE Thousand Nights
and a Night" and similar coIlec-
tions for an indefinite period.
They love children and ami.
mails, including chickens, sheep,
COWS and monkeys, but most Of
all cats, which they keep as pets
and treat with the utmost care
and attention.
AS regards normal feelings, it
is quite incorrect to imagine that
the operation removes all de-
sires Immediately.
Not only is the new eunuch
often attracted strongly to
women, but, strange as it may
seem, evokes affection in return,
and in the history of the harem
many marriages Of eunuchS have
taken place. In such cases, how
ever, the eunuch elves out" and
is usually drafted to one Of the
lesser palaces in the town.
That eunuchs often nurse their
grievances for years and take
their revenge, If opportunity Of
fers, is well known from the his
tory Of Hermotimus the Peda-
sian, "the most favored Of all
the eunuchs Of Xerxes."
According to Herodotus, he
was captured by an enemy and
sold to one Panionius, whose
business was to buy good looking
boys, operate on them, and sell
The Washington times., 1937-10-23
The GO-BetWeen

As a member of the privy
council, and in consultation
made appointments to vacant
posts both in the Seraglio and
outside. Anybody wishing to
gain a favor from the sultan.
even With the help Of the sui
tan's mother, would only be able
to do it through the kislar agha.
an enormously rich man and
rarely relinquished his post Of
his own accord. But when such
The Washington times., 1937-10-23
The Role of the Eunuchs
In the Seraglio Regime
Carefully Trained
To GuArd W0men

fled, he then persuaded the sons
to wreak vengeance in kind on
their father. Thus did Hermoti-
mus overtake PanioniuS.
OF course, the sultans Of Tur.
key generally were very careful
in picking their eunuchs-eSpe-
cially those who were to guard
their haremS. White eunuchs-
Georgians and Circassians-
were given jobs that would never
bring them into close touch with
the women.
But as regards the Negroes,
the highest prices were paid for
those who, besides being 100 per
cent eunuchS, possessed the ugli-
est and most revolving faces, it
being imagined Correctly or
not) that this was q further
guard against any profligacy on
the part Of the women.
The seraglio doctors not only
inspected the eunuchs on admis.
sion but examined them every
few years just to see that every
thing was in order.
But the days Of the eunuch are
over. With the passing Of the
harem in the .Mohammedan
world (same in Mecca itself) the
necessity for the eunuch has dis
appeared, and despite all ef.
forts in Turkey I met only two,
or possibly three, Of these
strange beings. I was told that
these were the last Of them.
They had been a necessary evil
where despotiSm and polygamy
held sway, but they now are q
thing Of the past and already
have returned in our minds to
the pages Of the Arabian Nights,
where alone theySeem rightly to
belong.
The Washington times., 1937-10-23
them as eunuchS at SardiS and
Ephesus for large sums.
FeGO Euvauchs Left

Hermotimus was one Of these
unfortunates. Long afterward
he CHANGED upon Panionius once
more and persuaded him to
move to Sardis with his wife and
children.
Having thus got his old enemy
into his power, Hermotimus up
braided him fer his horrible do
ings and forced him to perform
the same operation on his own
four sons. Not being yet salts
The Washington times., 1937-10-23

Thus appeared the kislar agha'
or chief black eunuch OF the
imperial seraglio palace in Con-
stantinople. curiously enough
his was a position Of high re-
sponsibility and power. He was
considered in the later days OF
the sultans to rank second only
to the sultan himself, and con-
siderably higher than any of the
white eunuchs.
Until about the beginning OF
the seventeenth century the
status of the white eunuchs had
been much more important than
that of the black, but so great
had been their greed and graft
and thievery that they were
little by little divested of their
authority. This was transferred
to the black eunuchs, who were
to a certain extent their rivals.
Especially in the case Of the
chief eunuch the loss was very
considerable, for it included not
only the high position of captain
of the girls but also the lucra-
tive post Of nazir. or inspector OF
the religious endowments Of the
imperial mosques, including
those of the holy cities Of Mecca
and Medina.
With time the power Of the
kislar agha grew. He became
commander Of the corps Of hal
berdiers, held the rank Of ''pasha
The Washington times., 1937-10-23
Carefully Trained

Thus the total number Of
black eunuchs employed in the
harem at the time Of its greatest
development must have been
between 500 and 800. The wo-
men in the harem at this time
(around the year A. D. 1900
numbered 1900. One estimate
Of the number of eunuchs as
signed to guard the gate Of the
The Washington times., 1937-10-23
DeriOGtiOIl Of Term

And even the chief physician
had to walk, when In the har
rem, between Q double file Of
black eunuchs without seeing
the sight Of q woman-and the
extended hand Of the patient
was the most he was custom
arily permitted to inspect.
An appreciation Of the physi-
The Washington times., 1937-10-23

considerable. In fact, q large
discount for '1oSSes en- route"
was always allowed in the de-
hvered price of a eunuch.
The physical and mental eff
fects of emasculation naturally
vary according to the age at
which the operation is per-
formed. If the subject is a child
and if proper precautions are
The Washington times., 1937-10-23
Feu Fatalities

It is obvious, however. that
the number Of fatal cases among
young negroes at the mercy Of
unSkilled 'kniferS" would be
The Washington times., 1937-10-23

taken, the operation was found
to be not dangerous. But after
puberty both physical and
mental effects become a very
important factor. The constant
attendance upon women would
The Washington times., 1937-10-23
Secrets of the Harem1
Chief Black Eunuch Ranked
Next to the Sultan in POwer
By N. M. PENZER
By n M. PENZER
Copyright Chicago TribuneN News Syndicate 1nc
INSTALNIENT ".
z. News Syndicate. 1nc.)

md
attractive He coat OF scarlet
other fur
loaf worn a
The Washington times., 1937-10-23
FOreUOrd

haren of the most IoUely girls his agents could find
But how he going to guard II! S0nge
ne it uav seem this problem to the suGnS OF
Turkey fifteenth century rigorous AStGtc tribe ocH h0G
recently into great DeGth and poeT in EUROPE e 1S
mere then relaxing the first time They hGd JUST
beoun to of leisure and uruy Ana so SHt6
ohauned naturally sophisticated Byzantine Greeks
the former masters ConSGnttnopLe, for the GTo
The ansver Oas eunucs" eunuchs guard Uonen
subject Greeks.
In todays inGent of Mr. PensS story OF the hGrem e
meet the eunucs hGt these strange beings really re
really did.
The Washington times., 1937-10-23

Sultan Mohdmnsed II, of Turkey had
problem. In 1853 he had captured the
copeted city of ConStGntinopLe for his
people and later had established on his
ue,p.built cnpital and palace q luxurious
The Washington times., 1937-12-30

Thousands Do1os
and Less Than Hu Ognul Prices Together
AdvunogeouY Bought and offered the No M0
Phone Orders on items
Evening star., 1937-05-14
In the Hunt Country
Activities Among the Horse-Lovers of
Virginia and Maryland.

last day. Every seat will be taken to-
morrow, and there will be only stand
ing room In the club house, stands,
paddock and infield Preakness day
is a great experience, with thousands
Of people milling around, all so good
natured as they crane necks for 4
better view Of the races, eager to &C.
claim the winner the best horse OF
the year, War Admiral, winner Of
the Kentucky Derby last Saturday
has been on the grounds all week,
but so carefully is he guarded that
you have to have great pull" to get
anywhere near enough to get 4 good
look at him. Another horse that Il
having many visitors, especially those
from Virginia, where she was bred
and foaled, is Tedema, 4 bay filly by
Teddy Cinema. She has done every
thing that has been asked Of her ct
Pimlico. and much interest Is being
taken In . race in which she is run
ming this afternoon.
Evening star., 1937-05-14
BY NINA CARTER TABB.

"HOUSANDS Of Maryland and
Virginia horse lovers were at
Pimlico yesterday for the tenth
a annual running of the Billy
Barton steeplechase. But it took a
horse from old Philadelphia to come
down and finish in the most sensa-
tional and surprising way. Argonaut,
owned by W. J. Strawbridge, trained
and wonderfully ridden by Morris
Dixon, can a beautiful and thrilling
race, finishing two and one-half
lengths in front of j. c. Brady's
Grooming Water. with Soldiers Fate,
the favorite, third. Quick Verdict,
Briar Blue and Dark Forest also ran.
The six entries were led to the post
by the veteran Billy Barton, that
grand old Maryland horse owned by
Howard Bruce, that was sent to Eng
land and finished second In the
Grand National in 1928 and for whom
the steeplechase is named. Billy Bar
ton doesn't run any races nov, as he
is retired out on Mr.. Bruce's Mary
land farm, but he has won every i'm
portant steeplechase in this country.
He looked on at the race yesterday
from the infield and stood nodding
his head and snorting as though he
understood perfectly the honor that
was being done him and as though
he would like to get in the race. Billy
Barton has led the parade to the post
each year the race has been run. He
was great hunter in his day, and the
steeplechase named for him is for
hunters holding certificates from the
National Steeplechase and Hunt As
ation, or those eligible for the
same.
Open only to amateur riders, this
race offers 81, 900 purse. The rider
OF the winner receives Z trophy.
Agonaut. an aged gray gelding. by
Tetratema-Golden Corn. paid $l77o
to win. Mr.. Strawbridge was there
to re his horse run and, judging from
the number OF Philadelphians who
came down with him to see the race
the winning OF 1t by Argonaut was no
eurprise to them. They bet on him
largely, but never tip did they give
out beforehand. From their pleased
faces and knowing smiles afterward,
they knew and had erea' faith in
their horse. Any way. it was a grand
and exciting race, even if most OF the
winning bets were taken back up
North.
THE Billy Barton, q $4,000 race
until 1882, has become the most
important steeplechase that Is run at
Pimlico and always draws big crowd.
Previous winners are: 1928, Oracle,
owned by ]. Fred Adams, ridden by
j. Park; 1929, Land Boy, owned by
A. F. Goodwin; rider. J. V. H. Davis;
1880, Nicias; owner, Mrs. W. c.
Hunneman; rider. David Odell: 1881,
Annapolis; owner, Mrs. T. H. Somer-
vile (now Mrs. Randolph Scott
rider. the late Noel La!ne: 1882,
Tercus; owner, Mrs. Somerville; rider,
Carroll Bassett; 1888, Battleship;
owner, Mrs. Somerville; rider, Car
roll Bassett; 1884, Our Friend; owner,
Mrs. Vernon Reed; rider, Noel Laing;
1885, Wild Son; owner. Mrs. Somer-
vile; rider; Carroll Bassett; 1886, Sir
Gareth, owned by Mrs. Vernon Reed;
rider. Noel Laing.
The crowds at Pimlico this week are
increasing each day as the Spring
meeting draws to close Every one is
talking OF and speculating on the
Preakness, to be run on Saturday, the
Evening star., 1937-05-14
CAR INSPECTION PLAN
is IND0RSED BY ROPER

Compulsory mechanical inspection
OF motor vehicles in the District won
the Endorsement today Of Secretary
OF Commerce Roper in a letter to
Senator Lonergan, Democrat, OF Con-
necticut. Lonergan Is sponsoring one
OF two pending bills on the subject.
Roper described such inspection as
the cheapest form OF insurance and
said every community should have 1t.
He cited statistics showing that In
some States mechanical inspection
has shown as high at 10 per cent Of
the cars involved In accidents have
faulty equipment.
Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1937-10-22
FATAL RESULTS
in MARYLAND
OF AUTO TRAFFIC
Thirty-Six Deaths Occurred In
September '37; This Years
Record, Fifty-Five

The total number Of fatal accidents
for the state of Maryland for the
first nine months of 1887 has increas-
ed to twenty-five per cent over the
corresponding period of 1886. There
was also an increase of nineteen deaths
or fifty-three per cent for the month
of September over the same month of
1886; SO deaths occurring in Septem-
Der 1886; 55 this year. Of these,
twenty-five were pedestrians, seven
teen were passengers, and thirteen
were drivers. Most of these deaths
occurred in rural sections, as five
deaths occurred in Baltimore City, and
fifty deaths occurred in the counties.
Walter R. Rudy, Commissioner, COM
ments on road fatalities, as follows:
"a tabulated statement of Mary
land fatalities has been going out for
some months. The records of the
COMMISSIONER of Motor Vehicles indi-
cate that there is usually an increase
in these fatalities. The September
figures represent an increase of more
than 80 per cent and I am satisfied
that the time has come when some
concerted action must be taken if we
are to put stop to the ever-mounting
toll of fatalities. Obviously, with the
facilities at hand, we are unable to do
this. If we are to cope with this sit
uation in an intelligent manner we
must make thorough research with
respect to all contributing causes and
with the aid of trained specialists
make complete analyses and study of
every accident with its particular rela-
ton to weather conditions, traffic,
time of day, etc. Once the actual
cause is definitely known and the
method of correction tried and proved,
we will then have yardstick which
our construction engineers can incor-
porate in all future construction or re-
construction. In addition to this, we
will have substantiating facts which
will picture the specific benefits that
adequate patrolling, better education
al efforts, and other safety facilities
can bring. This is not problem that
should be left entirely to the govern
mental officials. It is q matter for
Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1937-10-22
LESSON-SERMON in
CHURCHES OF CHRIST

probation After Death" will be the
subject of the Lesson-Sermon in all
Churches of Christ, Scientist, on Sun
day, October "a.
The Golden Text will be from Matt.
24:1S-"He that shall endure unto the
end, the same shall be saved"
Among the citations comprising the
Lesson-Sermon will be the following
from the Bible-Psa. 24:5--"Who shall
ascend unto the hill of the Lord? or
who shall stand in his holy placer"
The Lesson-Sermon also will include
passages from the Christian Science
textbook, Science and Health with
Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Bak-
er Eddy, among which is the following
on page 486-"Earth's preparatory
school must be improved to the ut
most"
Services: Sunday, II a. M, Odd Eel
lows Hall, Pocomoke.
Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1937-10-22

undertaken to define a chick" town
and a progressive town. The former
is one which does not want by-passes;
the latter can't get too many. All /
can say, it is hard to combat a state
ment like that when it comes from
such a source. People living in Bal
timore ought to know what hick town
is. Don't misunderstood me, like
the place; sorry can't get there more
frequently, but the word Chick" is not
a mysterious term to Baltimoreans:
they've heard it more than once and
cussed it several times.
Why, it's been good while ago, but
it's fact that when the Pennsylvania
Railroad was planning a re-allocation
OF their line so as to side-track Balti-
more, the people were up in arms
about it, and finally succeeded in get
ting the present Union Station where
it is. Of course, that only goes to
prove what the "Sun" said: click
towns don't want any by-passes." If
Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1937-10-22

LOOKS TO BE AN
IMPOSSIBILITY
So Many Have Neglected To APP
ply That It Seems Difficult
To Finish The Job

The Commissioner of Motor We
hicles sends out the following informa-
ton concerning re-registration:
According to Senate Bill No. Chap
ter II, of the Special Session, General
Assembly of 1897, re-registration of
operators article No. Sc, Section 1854
Gall Motor Vehicle Operators are re-
quired to re-register, providing you
secured your original operators IL
cense prior to January LIST, 1887. On
and after January LIST, 1888, all licen-
ses issued prior to January LIST 1887,
shall be Null and Void.
Statistics concerning the re-regis-
tration are as follows: Approximate
number of operators to re-register,
450, 900; Total number of applications
received to date, 159 1915; total number
of motor vehicle operators that have
failed to make application to date,
29O,625. Exactly two-thirds of the
time allowed by law has passed and
over two-thirds of the motor vehicle
operators have failed to re-register.
Unless the motor vehicle operators
of Maryland send in their applications
Immediately, it will be a physical i'm
possibility for this office to handle the
balance of 290,625 yet to be re-regis-
tered by December 81, 1887! and if the
application is not in the mail by mid
night December 81, 1897, the applicant
will have to take a new test and be
re-examined, the cost of which will
be $3.50 instead of the $1.OO fee which
is the cost of re-registering under this
act.
Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1937-10-22

each and every individual in this State
By giving highway safety your per-
sonal concern, not only will you be
protecting your own life and property
but you will be assisting us in reduc-
ing the general toll of highway acct
dents.
"The attitude of the people up to
this time has been one of casual in
difference, disregarding entirely a
matter that should be of grave con-
Germ to everybody. It is difficult for
me to understand how the people of
the State can disregard their own SAT-
ETY. when you know from past fatality
statements that each month fifty or
sixty human beings will be slaughter
ed like so many cattle.
Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1937-10-22

Mrs. c. c. Hall has returned to her
home in this city after receiving treat
ment in the Norfolk General Hospital
the past several weeks. Friends here
will be glad to know she has respond
ed to treatment and that her condition
is much improved.
Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1937-10-22
SEAVIEW CASINO WILL
STAGE A GALA NIGHT

A gala affair is being planned for
the Seaview Casino, in Chincoteague,
Virginia, the night of November LIST.
This is an old time masquerade Barn
Dance" which will be staged at the
Casino from until a late hour and
will be well worth seeing and partici-
pating in.
The manager is making only nomi
nal charge so that everybody can at
tend and hear the old time fiddling.
A cash prize will be presented the
best costumed couple.
The Seaview Casino is a popular
place, up-to-date, and always ready to
book good entertainment.