davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Imperial Valley press., 1937-12-07
new SUPPORT
EXTEN DED IN
LIGHTING. DRIVE

A cooperative drive by the Wom-
ems Ten Thousand club, the Ell Gen.
tro Chamber of Commerce beauti-
fication committee and the Post
Press to make all of Ell Centro a
Christmas Tree Lane" won new
support Tuesday when new prizes
were announced in contest to
determine the best outdoor lighting
and decoration IN the city during
the Yule season.
The new prizes, to be awarded
after judging Is completed the week
before Christmas, came from Ed
Schiller of Arden Farms, Inc, who
added three 81 prizes-one in each
of three residential groups-to the
lists. A....z.
For the purpose of the contest,
Ell Centre homes will be divided in
to three classes. small. medium and
large. In each division at least
three prizes will be given for the
best lighting effects.
The prizes consist of three lovely
lamps, one to be given in each
division, and three prizes of SIS, one
for each division, as well as three
81 prizes now offered by Schiller.
The lamps are offered by r. P.
Moore of the Nevada California
Electric corporation, the S. prizes by
Bert Hamburger of Sears Roebuck
company, the NJ. O. King company
and Charles E. Sones of Sones Lum-
Der company.
The winners of first place will
choose between the lamp and the
SIS award.
All that is necessary to enter is
to decorate the yard and telephone
the Post-Press, giving the nature
of the lighting decorations and the
correct address. Names of en-
trants will be published from time
to time. Everyone whose yard has
already been decorated, and who
has notified these newspapers, is
considered to have entered. They
are eligible for prizes regardless of
whether they won one OF the 81
awards.
Imperial Valley press., 1937-12-07
Laws Hand Falls
Heavily on Four
Accused of Theft

The laws answer to an increas-
ing number of thefts and burglaries
in Ell Centro came Tuesday when
Jail sentences were imposed by Po-
lice Judge Lee Nuffer on four
prisoners charged with petty theft.
Stephen Zoller, % and George
Kline, 30, both of whom admitted
their status as ex-convicts were
sentenced to 80 days each in the
county jail because they were
caught in the act of siphoning gaso-
line from an automobile near Sew
enth street and Broadway Tuesday
morning. They were arrested by
Patrolman Roy Dupont.
George Harlan. 33, and James
O'Malley, "A, were sentenced to so
days each in the county jail for
petty theft. Harlan was accused of
stealing pair of hair clippers from
A. L. Nall and selling them in CAL
exico while O'Malley was charged
with theft of clothing from a resi-
denct in the 100 block on New
street.
Imperial Valley press., 1937-12-07
Two Blamed in Indians Death

WINTERHAVEN. Dec. Indian
tribal practices, racial characters
tics, and lack of curiosity on the
part of the persons involved today
added new mystery in the death of
Charles Anton in a drain ditch near
here Sunday morning.
A coroners jury met in Winter
haven late Monday. Wahtep Joe,
the last person believed to have seen
Anton alive. and Juan Wilson, an
other Indian, were held responsible
for the death of Anton. The verdict
declared Anton had been man
handled before his body was hurtled
from the railway trestle to the drain
ditch more than 81 feet below, The
jury also declared Anton was push
ed or thrown through the guard
rail along the footpath beside the
railway tracks.
Anton. Joe, and. Wilson are re-
lated, indian officials from the
Fort Yuma reservation said.
A torn leather jacket minus a
sleeve, a white shirt button, a
Imperial Valley press., 1937-12-07
NTRIES GAIN
IN CONTEST TO.
BEAUT|FY CITY.

Entry list in the Ell Centre Cham
Der of Commerce and Post-Press
Beautificat ton drive continued to
pour in Tuesday as judges rushed
plans to visit all homes before the
end of the week.
Ten new entrants. received this
week. has sWelled the list to 1l2
and more Ell Centro residents are
expected as the drive progresses.
Fifteen homes were visited by
judges yesterday.
Those inspected were: Mrs. Alice
L. Clark, 847ia Brighton; Robert
Van Der Linden, 68l Orange Ave;
George Adams, 675 Orange street;
Mrs. F. D. Townsend. 573 Orange;
Miss E. Robertson, 331 Holt; A. E.
Prince, 337 Holt; Mrs. G.. H. Ven-
able 339 Holt: Q. w. Williams, 588
He'll; j. J. Merryman, 634 Hell;
George S. Thomas 642 He'll; Mrs.
Ethel Parent 593 He'll St.; Mrs.
c. w. Harrison Alb Hamilton; Mrs.
s. E. Mayfield, 4l9 Hamilton; Mrs.
]. B.. Christianson, 427 Hamilton;
Mrs Howard M. Clark, BATE Brigh-
ton.
Fame of the Identification drive
has spread to all corners of the
valley and many people are watch
ing the success of the city's cam
paign. Some residents of the other
valley cities are taking advantage
OF the suggestions offered in Ell
Centros drive, to beautify their
own homes.
Imperial Valley press., 1937-12-07

Yuma Saturday night, he testified,
and had shared a bottle of wine
near the trestle beneath which
Anton's lifeless body was found early
Sunday He denied that there had
been any trouble between them. He
said he left Anton on the trestle
because he was so drunk he refused
to go home.
Silent figures of Indians, at least
five of them, walked along the
trestle in the darkness early Sunday
morning on the way home from
Yuma and Winterhaven. Wahtep
Joe, it was testified, told each of
the men that Charles Anton was
under the trestle in a ditch, may
be dead" Only one man replied,
Juan Wilson. He told Wahtep Joe
that if he could believe his state
ment about Anton, he would have
him arrested"
None of the other Indians, they
testified, asked any questions, of
Wahtep Joe or looked under the
trestle. They all went home but
Imperial Valley press., 1937-12-07
TAX MONEY
POURING IN

Imperial county taxes for the
first installment of the 1937-l938
assessment became delinquent
Monday.
The staff at the assessor-collec-
tors office was SO busy accepting
payments over the counter all day
that there was no time to open
the mail containing checks sent
for payment of the assessment.
Totals will be available within
few days, Dan West, assessor
collector, said Tuesday.
Imperial Valley press., 1937-12-07
Kids Lose No Time in
Winning Light Prizes

her name used, will 60 in 81 checks
to " E. Fuller, 855 Ell Centro ave-
nue.; Jimmy Moore, 634 South Sew
enth street; Jimmy Nelson, 1926
Adams avenue; Jane Meagher, 832
He'll avenue; and Paul Haun, 704
Olive avenue.
But still the list grew-and the
Christmas Lighting Editor found
consolation in the fact that every
one with a lighted decoration in
his front yard will be eligible to
compete for prizes offered for the
best lighting display. These will be
judged the week before Christmas.
Besides the five winners of 81
awards for being first with their
displays, others who reported their
yards lighted included c. j. Ritz,
6Sl Olive; Jeanne Criss, sol South
Tenth: Juanita Rosenbaum, Com
mercial avenue just west of Ell Cen
tro; Mrs. c. M. Wilson. $50 Len
Rey; Bobbie Conn, l451 Olive;
Yvonne Wright, years old, $50 He'll;
Mrs. Norman c. Deaton, SCI Len
Rey; and NJ o. King, jr., COS Olive.
Meanwhile two little sisters, Mary
Willis McElroy, 10, and Peggy Anne
McElroy, s. thrilled by the fun they
had in decorating and lighting their
yard for Christmas at 444 Sandal
wood Drive, carried the Yuletide
spirit even further by announcing
that they will give the 81 check
they received to the Salvation Army.
Their mother, Mrs. w. F. McElroy,
was almost as pleased as the chill
dren were.
It want you to know" she said,
show much pleasure the children
are getting out of this. Not only my
children-but all of them in the
neighborhood. They're having the
time of their lives fixing up for
Christmas"
Not only that. They're giving Ell
Centro a Bright Christmas
Imperial Valley press., 1937-12-07

one man, Rafael Cleveland. He
testified that he went to jefferson
Miguel, chief of police of the Indian
reservation.
Miguel said ON the witness stand
that he searched the ditch under
the trestle but could find no one
Mark Hills. another Indian, iden-
titled the dead man Sunday morn
ing
Physicians testified that an au-
topsy revealed he did not drown.
A ruptured liver and broken ribs
indicated the cause of death, they
said.
Anton's body was found face
down in two feet of water in the
ditch with his legs deeply mired in
the mud. A passerby discovered the
body and summoned immigration
officials at Yuma.
Wahtep Joe was arrested near
the trestle Sunday morning. He
told officers he was looking for his
hat" He wore a hat at the time,
however.
Imperial Valley press., 1937-12-07
BOARD STUDIES
IS BIDS UPON
POW Err LINES
IL States Represented in
Offers on District
- prOCram
-posTpREss PHOTO -ENGRAvrN

History was made Tues
day in the board room of the
Imperial Irrigation district,
when agents of 35 cOmpa-
nies, representing IL states,
presented their proposals for ma
terials, supplies and equipment to
build the districts 600 miles of
rural lines, destined to carry to
farm homes the conveniences of
electricity. Total for the nine items
in the bids, as shown in a COM
posite of the offers, aggregates
100000.
Bidders came from New York,
from California; from Washing
ton state, from Texas and Louisia-
ma. Imperial Valley was represent
ed by proposal from Brawley
firm.
w. w. Goodson, district secre-
tary, began his task of reading the
bids soon after 10 am, when Pres
ident Evan T. Hewes called the
district board to orcer and an
nounced the chair would entertain
a motion to suspend the regular
order of business and proceed with
opening proposals for the nine
items of the Rural Electrification
project.
First bid opened was from the
Line Material company, South Mil
waukee, Wis. This firm bid on
Item 3, hardware, $3l,45O73; item
four, insulators, $l360575; item
5a anchors. $3.453. 10; item 8, trans
formers, 500 3,095.70. No sales taxes
were included in any items except
transformers
Then Goodson opened the offer
of Standard Transformers, COM
pany bidding on :he one item it
manufacturers, 1400 transformers
at $82, 1886 80 and continued through
the morning session of the board,
as interested members of the au-
dience scribbled notes of competi-
tors figures.
No bid opened this morning COW
cred all the nine items, but a
composite made UP of several pro-
posals will indicate possible costs:
Item 1000 poles, 1859;
Item two, 10000 cross arms, ST.
Continued on Page 2: Col. a
Imperial Valley press., 1937-12-07
Lost in Maze of Mine
Passages, Man Takes 'One
Chance in Milli0n,' Wins

PINCKNEYVIILE UP)-Lawrence 49, lost in
old Briar Hill mine for
escape
the surface.
thirsty and but walked steadily
home.
excited
rushed him
Edgar NeWsOm the old said
G, Hill
stumbled crmblng shaft.
IdOnt Newsom said.
Lee went into the Sunday morning alone He had not
from
Newsom said Lees miraculous
"There wasn't a thousand him finding his
lieved he could.
Imperial Valley press., 1937-12-07

jacket sleeve found on Anton'5
body, and one footprint constituted
the evidence.
The jacket, water soaked in front
but dry on the back, was found on
the ditch bank near the body. The
missing sleeve was on the right arm
of the dead man. The one foot
print found in the earth atop the
trestle is considered a valuable bit
of evidence. Thus far officials have
been unable to determine how
Anton's jacket sleeve was pulled off.
Imperial county and Indian Off
cials turned the case over to the
federal bureau of investigation. No
complaints have been signed as yet.
Herbert Osborne, federal bureau
representative. attended the inquest
and is scheduled to continue in
vestigations.
Wahtep Joe, large Indian with
the emotionleSs features of his race,
presented his testimony through an
interpreter. Patrick Miguel. He and
Anton had been drunk together in
Imperial Valley press., 1937-12-07

dollars In property damage, rellaple
sources estimated today.
United States interests have suf-
fered a representative share in the
losses with Is American firms re-
porting property damage aggregat-
ing more than $l,000,000.
One of the outstanding instances
of American losses in property of
the American Baptist Foreign Mis-
sionary society in Chapel which was
largely destroyed in the fierce fight
ing in that sector. The property
was valued at $500,000.
The most reliable available neu-
trail data places military killed and
wounded at 100000, of which $685.
900 were Chinese. The greatest toll
was in the Shanghai area and in
the drive on Nanking.
Imperial Valley press., 1937-12-07
Changes in School
Boundaries Pass

Two petitions for the change of
boundaries between the Heber and
Jasper school districts and the
Jasper and Verde school districts
were presented to the board of su-
pervisors by C. B. Collins, super
intendent of schools, and passed.
The south east part of the He
ber district was added to the Jas
per district. A mutual exchange
OF territory was made between the
Jasper and Verde districts to make
the boundary follow the tract line.
At the next meeting of the
board to be held Monday, Dec. 20,
petition for change of boun-
Diary between Heber and Acacia
districts will be taken up.
Imperial Valley press., 1937-12-07

Ell Centro is going to have a
bright ChristmaS-and the young
sters are doing as much as the
adults to make it so.
1t was just two hours and %
minutes after the Imperial Valley
Press was on the street Monday
night that SIS in additional prizes
for Christmas lighting displays in
residential yards had been claim
ed-and still the telephone calls
came in to tell of new electric dis
plays. They were still coming
Tuesday.
The latest $5 In prizes. offered by
a woman who said she didn't want
Imperial Valley press., 1937-12-07
TRANSFERS
TOCONVENE

Teamsters local union No. 1898
will meet in Ell Centro Thursday
night for the first time under the
recently won charter.
The meeting will be held at the
Labor Temple at o'clock.
Officials Of the organization are
Dick Deeder, of Winterhaven, pres
ident; Walter Mckenzie of Yuma.
president; George Kildow of
FL Centre, secretary treasurer; How
ard Coston of Yuma. recording
secretary; and three trustees, Ed
Grafton and Roy Smalling, both
OF Ell Centre, and E. Sherman.
Yuma.
Imperial Valley press., 1937-12-07
SLEE'S
MOTHER DIES

Mrs. Arminda Slee, Sc. mother of
Louis Slee of Ell Centre and Will
lis Slee of Brawley, died at the
family home at Hampton, Iowa
Monday night.
Hers sons planned to join an
other son, Walter, of San Diego
for the juorney home Tuesday
night. The date of the funeral has
not been set as yet. Mrs. Slee is
survived by her husband, Robert
Slee; the three sons in California;
and a daughter. Mrs. Vivian Heyer
OF Estherville, Iowa.
Imperial Valley press., 1937-12-07
HOPE GIVEN UP
FOR ACTION ON
F. RS PROGRAM
Congress Concentrates
On Farm Bill; All
Others Lost

WASHINGTON, Dec. Z.
(UP) Congressional lead
ers abandoned hope for three
of the four bills of President
Roosevelt's special session
program today and concentrated
their efforts to enact his farm bill
despite increasing opposition.
In the house. Speaker william
B. Bankhead, D., Ala, hoped to
reverse a test vote that removed
wheat marketing quotas from the
farm bill preventing complete re-
lection of the compulsory quota
phases of the measure and bring
1t to a vote Wednesday. Other vet
eran congressman, however, expect
ed delay at least until Thursday.
In the senate, Majority Leader
Alben w. Barkley, D., KY, appear
ed unable to get final vote until
the end of the week. Foes of the
measure threatened to revise il
drastically or send it back to the
agriculture committee for rewrit-
ing.
Even with the best of luck ir
both houses, the, administration
strategists cannot get the two con-
trasting bills to a senate-houst
conference for adjustment Of diff
ferences until next week.
1t was generally believed tina
final action on the farm measure
could be obtained before the enc
OF the session. But an unexpected
opposition maneuver or growth oi
the movement for recommital oi
the bill, particularly in the senate
might prevent final action until
regular session in January
Imperial Valley press., 1937-12-07
TAX CLAIMS.
0 n MELLON
SUSTAI N { D
Late Treasurer of
i. S. AbSOlved
OF Fraud

WASHINGTON, Dec. Z.
(UP)-The board of tax ap-
peals today upheld a portion
of the federal governments
claims for back taxes against
the late Andrew w. Mellon but
absolved him OF fraud.
All Is members of the board ac-
quiesced in the opinion that no
fraud was committed by the late
Pittsburgh capitalist.
Seven of the is judges however,
dissented on most of the remain
ing issues.
The government had sought to
collect $3,O75.lO3 in 1881 income
taxes and penalties from the for
mer secretary OF the treasury, who
died last September. The board
did not specify the exact amount
of Melons liability but ruled that
final settlement should be nego-
tiated between attorneys for the
government and Melons estate on
the basis of the boards findings
OF fact.
The boards opinion covered the
10 salient points in the case.
The board found that Melons
donation of five paintings by old
masters of the A. w. Mellon edu-
cation and charitable trust was a
valid completed gift"
Mellon claimed a deduction of
So DAT sos for this Gift
THE petitioner did not file a
false and fraudulent return with
the purpose of evading taxes" the
opinion said in connection with
this transaction.
mo part of the deficiency, if
any, resulting from the computa-
ton consequent hereon, is due to
fraud with intent to evade taxes"
Imperial Valley press., 1937-12-07

SHANGHAI, Dec. 7. (UP)
Through a trail of fire
and smoke the Japanese ar
mics fought their way past
the suburbs of Marking and
arrived tonight at the north and
west gates of the capital.
While the Japanese forces mass
ed against the ancient walls Gen.
eralissimo Chang Kai-Shek fled
by airplane, indicating that organ
lied resistance was near an end
and the fall of the capital was
imminent.
Chinese troops were drawing
steadily into the city, leaving only
rear guard detachments to hold
up temporarily the Japanese in
what appeared to be a futile last
stand.
AS the Chinese retreated through
the gates Of the capital they ap-
piled the torch to everything In
their path in an effort to throw
up barrier of fire.
Reliable reports said that the
japanese forces were executing a
thanking movement in order to
bring two columns to the north
and west gates simultaneously,
thus cutting off the Chinese re-
treat to Pukow.
They hoped to prevent any es-
cape across the river to the Pu-
kow Tientsin railway line.
General Chang, supreme COM
mander of China's, disintegrating
armies, was reported to have left
Marking at am, accompanied
by his wife.
Imperial Valley press., 1937-12-07
Agent Awaits Trial
On EmbeZZleme-lt

YUMA, Ariz., Dec. 7. UP)-Lee
w. Drake. suspended agent of the
state tax commissions sales tax
division, today awaited trial in
superior court on two charges of
embezzling money from two Mexi-
can grocers here.
Imperial Valley press., 1937-12-07
Housewife Sends
Letter to Editor

A housewife who objects to
palo verde trimmings left i'm the
street i'm front of her home is
the first to answer the request
Of the POst-Press, made at the
suggestion of Mayor Roy Wom-
ack, for letters to the editor about
civic and city problems.
Her letter is reprinted today on
the editorial page.
These letters must be signed
although the writer's name may
be withheld in special instances
and must contain constructive
criticisms or suggestions. not
mere TRADES or discussion of
personalities. The Post Press will
welcome other letters.
Imperial Valley press., 1937-12-07
so KILLED IN
PLANE RAID

BARCELONA, Dec. 7. CUP)-At
least so persons were killed and
100 wounded today in rebel air
raid on Barcelona.
Ten bombers dropped their bomb
leads into the main squares and
wide streets.
Imperial Valley press., 1937-12-07
TOday's Short Story


Lee Nuffer, Norman Deaton, Neal
Gavin and Wallace McClelland
have a bridge club all their own.
When one loses, he puts the losses
into common fund, and when the
four have $40 in the fund, they
entertain their wives at dinner.
There was 5000 cents in the fund
the other day. The 80 cents was
all Wallace McClelland had con-
tributed, on account of he is a
pretty fair bridge player. Then
Wallace's brother visited him, and
he had to send a substitute to the
bridge game. Henry Swanson took
his place, he was, however, merely
holding the cards. Wallace was
still the banker.
Next day Lee, Norman and Neal
had satisfied grins, and Henry
wanted to get out pack of cards
and show Wallace just how every
play went. Something was, very
evidently, wrong! 1t finally came
out. Wallace, with Henry holding
the cards, had lost 1920.
The county clerk still maintains
it's all too pat, coming out $40
even that way, but he cannot prove
conspiracy so he'll probably do the
only thing he can do-pay.
And the Mesdames Nuffer, Dea-
ton. Gavin and McClelland will
be taken out to dinner!
Words of Wisdom
Said Mark Rose recently, rebuk-
ing fellow irrigation district di-
rector for sticking his chin out in
an argument:
1.-THE only thing worse than a
woman who wants to argue is a
man who'll argue with her"
Setting The Example
Charlie Halliday, the deputy dis
trict attorney, went TO the farm
bureau meeting at Brawley the
other day, parked his car in a
two-hour parking zone, and stayed
the more than two hours the meet
ing lasted. Result: traffic ticket.
Charlie had parked, he AYERS, two
minutes over the limit. What was
he going to do?
Why, I'll pay" said he, land
set a good example"
Button, Button
Biggest piece of evidence-big-
gest in Importance, that is-at an
inquest at Winterhaven Monday
was a small white button from the
shirt of the deceased, found near
the body. Deputy Sheriff Johnny
CrouSen was in charge of the but
ton.
do you have the button?" asked
Deputy D. A. Ralph French, when
the item was mentioned.
Yes" said Johnny, and dug
down into pocket
1t wasn't there. 1t wasn't in the
other pocket, either. 1t wasn't in
any OF the others, in fact. john
ny got out his pocketbook, and
with pencil poked carefully
around in the dark places for 1t.
while the jury, the witnesses. the
coroner and half a hundred stolid
Indians looked on. Still no button.
Johnny left the witness stand, and
soon was seen on hands and knees
in the back of the room, looking
for the elusive button. Where he
found it nobody knows, but soon
Johnny approached French, thumb
and forefinger clamped tightly to-
gether, and between them was
the button!
Johnny still denies that he snip
ped it off of his own shirt.
o
Embarrassing Moment
These things happen now and
then. Harry Burton, of the Nevada
California Electric corporation, was
busily engaged extolling the vir-
tues of his company's service to an
El Centre photographer when the
power blinked off Monday night
Leading The Way
Outstanding Christmas lighting
effect in Holtville, since this thing
is receiving so much attention late
ly, is the huge tree in the Walter
F.. Weydell home at SIT Cedar
avenue.
OI
Imperial Valley press., 1937-12-07
CHINA'S DEFEkSES CRUMBLE
HALF MILLION IN
LIVES EXACTED
BYWAR INC
Copyright, 1887, by United Press

SHANGHAI( Dec. Z. (UP)-The four-month-o1d war
China has nearly onehalf million casualties among
combatans thousands of killed and wounded among civil
ians incaculable trade losses and than billion
Imperial Valley press., 1937-12-07
TO REACH
Ell CENTRIC SAT-!

morning! Watch this newspaper
tomorrow, because by then we
should have all the information.
Let's Give Santa a Big Reception!
Imperial Valley press., 1937-12-07
NANKINC IN
FLAMES AS
FOES { N TX R
Chang Kai-Shek in
Flight; Capital
Fall Near
BULLETIN

SHANGHAI, Dec. Z. tUP)-Gen-
eralissimo Chang Kai-Shek was
reported here tonight to be ready
to negotiate peace with Japan II
the terms are reasonable.
Imperial Valley press., 1937-12-07

Butter: Los Angeles 81; But
terfat, Imperial Valley, fob. ranch
grade A Al; manufacturing milk
40; route gathered cream 36izc
L. A. Hay; U. s. No 5000
S21.00. No. 2 leafy s19O0-s19.50. No.
2 S17.50-S18.00.
Minneapolis Flax; Dec, s1.96
Imperial Valley press., 1937-12-07

Leading The Way
Outstanding Christmas lighting
effect in Holtville, since this thing
is receiving so much attention late
ly, is the huge tree in the Walter
F.. Weydell home at 577 Cedar
avenue.
Imperial Valley press., 1937-12-07

Embarrassing Moment
These things happen now and
then. Harry Burton, of the Nevada
California Electric corporation, was
busily engaged extolling the vir-
tues of his company's service to an
El Centre photographer when the
power blinked off Monday night.