davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1938-06-30

Snitkin began: There's small
inlet over there in the river, which
isn't over three feet deep, and the
fellow on the beat-Nelson, think 1t
was-saw this baby lying on the
bank, with his legs out of the wat
er, along about nine o'clock tonight.
So he called in and reported it right
away, and they sent over a buggy
from the local station. The Medi-
cal Examiner of the Bronx gave the
body the once-over, and it seems
the fellow didn't even die from
drowning. He was already dead
when he was dumped into the water
His head was Dashed in.
Well, the doc guessed the guy had
been dead twelve hours maybe
There's no telling how long he'd
been lying there in the inlet"
what about identification?" asked
Heath officiously.
ooh, there was plenty of identi-
fication, Sarge" Snitkin answered
t'The guy not only fit the descrip-
ton like a glove, but his clothes
and his pockets was full of identi-
fication. And there was fancy
pocket comb with his initials on
it"
"A pocket comb-eh?" Vance nod
ded, with satisfaction. Every in
>terestin', Markham. When a gentle
man carries pocket comb he would
certainly not add toilet comb to
his equipment. :. Forgive the inter-
ruption, Snitkin. Go ahead"
well, there was monograms on
damn-near everything else he had
in his pockets. According to the
boys at the local station, he was
either the Kaspar Renting we're
looking for, or he wasn't nobody"
Snitkin was dismissed and ten
minutes later Heath followed. When
we were alone Markham asked:
'cHow did you know Kaspar Kent
ing was dead when spoke to you
on the stairway yesterday morn
ing?"
"You f1atter me-" said Vance. 81
didn't really know. I merely sur
missed it-basin' my conclusion OF
the indications"
$50 that's your mood" snorted
Markham hopelessly. 'Pm telling
you, you outrageous fop, that this is
a damned serious situation-what
happened to Fleel tonight ought to
prove that"
Il know only too well, Markham
how serious the situation is" he said
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1938-06-30
STURGMLS NEWS

Several people of this commune
ty attended the baptizing at Rugby,
Va, Sunday.
Mrs. John Griffith has been visit
ing relatives and friends in Penn
sylvania for a few weeks.
Mr.. and Mrs. Joe Sexton visited
Mr.. and Mrs. Connie McNeill Sum
day afternoon.
Mrs. Bessie Kilby is taking treat
ment in Johns Hopkins hospital.
Mr.. and Mrs. Walter Griffith and
Robert and Helen and Lois Griffith
were dinner guests at Mr.. Virgil
Thompson's Sunday.
Miss Ruby Sullivan spent Satur-
day night with Jessie Brooks.
Mrs. Winnie Armstrong, of Pa, is
visiting her parents, Mr.. and Mrs.
George Sheets.
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1938-06-30

in a grave and curiously subdued
voice. "But there's really nothing
ives can do. We must wait-please
believe me. Our hands and feet are
tied. The most serious part of the
whole affair is that this is not kid
mapping case at all, in the conven-
tional sense. It goes deeper than
that. It's cold hlooded, diabolical
murder. But I can't quite see my
way yet to proving it. I'm far more
worried than you, Markham. The
whole thing is unspeakably horrible
There are subtle and abnormal ele-
ments mixed up in the situation
It's an abomnible affair, but as we
sit here tonight, / want to tell you
that don't know don't know.
I'm afraid to make move until we
learn more"
shall never forget the following
day. It will ever remain in my mem.
ory as one of the greatest horrors
of my life.
The day began conventionally
enough.
81 think we'll take spin down
to Markham's Office, Van," Vance
said There's nothing to do here
and there may be some news which
Markham naive1y regards as toe
trivial to telephone me about"
We arrived at Markham's office {
few minutes before ten o'clock.
"Glad you came, Vance" was
Markham's greeting.
"Ah!" Vance sat down lazily
"Any tidin's, glad or otherwise?"
"Well," said Markham in hard
practical VOICE, Kenyon Renting
was taken to the uptown morgue
this morning and he identified his
brothers body beyond doubt. AND
1 saw no need to put any other mem
bers of the family through the har-
rowing experience"
''Mrs. Kenting's room, as well as
the window-sill and the ladder, was
, gone over thoroughly for finger
prints"
"And none was found, Of course
except the Sergeant's and mine"
you're right" conceded Mark
ham. ''The person, or persons, must
have worn gloves"
"Assumin' there was person-ol
persons.
Cali right, all right" Markham
was beginning to be annoyed
you're so damned cryptic abou
everything, and so reticent, that
have no way Of knowing what
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1938-06-30
BROWNWOOD NEWS

Mr.. and Mrs. Grady Fletcher and
little daughter Aline and Mr.. Fetch
er's mother, Maryan, his grandmoth-
or, Mrs. Elizabeth Church, all of
Idlewild, were dinner guests of Mr..
and Mrs. Gives Howell Sunday.
Rev. Fl. M. Winkler preached his
regular service Sunday and also
held the communion supper at Lib
erty Grove Baptist church near
Brentwood. k
The farmers in Brentwood COM
munity are busy setting out cab
bage.
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1938-06-30
Judge John Parker Makes A
Strong Plea For Democracy

dom of speech goes in the same way.
"Soon it is discovered that the
church is interfering with state pol
icy, and freedom of conscience goes.
Then a purge of those deemed enc
mics of the state because not in SYM
pathy with the rulers is deemed
necessary, and public trial goes with
the rest. 1t is not mere matter of
chance that there is not free speech,
a free press, or free pulpit in any
Of the totalitarian states of Europe,
and that in many Of them the adj
ministration of justice is a mere
mockery."
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1938-06-30
|E:sAI' kilDAIAP MURDER,IG1>
y g. ~ S. S. Van Dine .s,ss4,,

prompted that last remark of
yours"
/ Personally, I'd say you wouldn't
find them till you have located the
car in which Mrs. Renting was prob
ably driven away last night"
"What do you mean-what carr"
demanded Markham.
st Haven't the slightest idea," said
Vance laconically. 'But I hardly
think the lady walked out of sight.
:. And, by the by, Markham,
speakin' of cars, what enormous ar
ray of information did you marshal
about the green coupe that the ener-
getic Sergeant found so convenient
ly waiting for him in the transverse?
Doubtless stolen-eh, what?"
Markham nodded glumly.
eyes, Vance, that's just it. Be-
longs to a perfectly respectable spin
ster on upper West End Avenue.
"What, about Abe, the buddy OF
that chauffeur who drove us home
last night? I suppose Heath or some
of the Torquemadas in Centre Street
put the poor devil through the re-
quisite tortures?"
"You read too many trashy books,
Vance" Markham was indignant.
Heath talked to the driver Of the
number one cab at Headquarters
within an hour of the time he left
here last night. He merely corrob-
Grated what our chauffeur told US
namely, that he dropped the two
men who came out of the transverse
at the uptown entrance of the Lex
ington Avenue subway"
well, your information seems to
be typically thorough and typically
useless" said Vance. did any one
do a bit of checkin' up to ascertain
whether there were any unaccount-
editor semiprecious stones round
town."
"Good heavens, no! What have
your semiprecious stones to do with
case of kidnapping?"
my dear Markham!" protested
Vance. 81 have told you and I
thought, in my naive way, that it
had even been demonstrated to you
that this is not case of kidnap-
ping. Won't you even permit a
subtle killer to set the stage for
himself-to indulge in bit if spec
tacular decor, so to speak? That
collection of old Karl Kenting's gems
has a dashed lot to do with the case.
-"
"I'm not worried as much about
such vague factors in the case as
am about that attack on Fleel,
Markham interrupted.
ooh, that" Vance shrugged. "A
mere bit of technique. And the op'
orator of the sub-machine gun was
kind enough to miss his target. A:
told Fleel, he was very lucky"
| At this moment Markham's secre.
tary, coming swiftly through the
swinging leather door, interrupted
the conversation.
"Chief," he announced, there's
young fellow outside whose terribly
excited and insists on seeing you al
once. Says it's about the Renting
case. Gives his name as galloway.
ooh, send him in, by all means,
said Vance, before Markham hac
time to answer.
| Continued Next Week.
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1938-06-30

The American flag has been car
ried to a height of 1885 feet and.
1923 feet, in the sea.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-10-19
A New Hoover

1t was a new Herbert Hoover who came to Connecticut Monday night to enthuSe the Republicans of this state and to alo their chances at the polls on November 8 The man who aScended the HarC1oro platform to speak to capacity auo!ence and also over the microphone to large unseen audience didn't have to come III the back door as he certainly would nave a few years ago. He was hailed on all sides. because the Republican Party III fine U. s. A. has definitely gone Hoover again. The good old Hoover magic that prevailed in the years from 1928 to l93z has returned.
 And with it all there is still the same promise that something is waiting TOT us around the corner. There IS stlll the sublime faith in himself that was ms undoing in 1882. Herbert Hoover never was able to catch up with the natlonal situation during his four years m tne many claim, that he was ill-advised and that higher-ups in the COP. party were really responsible for his inaction when what the country needed was good swift kick upwards.
 We noted, though, that he was pretty nearly agreed with many Democrats tnaG the major parties can't throw overheard members who are independent thinkers. That was Hoover cry Monday night. $. elect independent thinking men. Well, Democrats of Connecticut are prepared to do just that in November and members of other parties should realize that there is a courageous Democratic party in this state that is enthusiastically behind the Roosevelt administration, but reserves the right to think for itself and act ac- cordingly. If MT. Hoover wants inde- pendent thinkers, let him seek them in the Democratic ranks.
 Only one remark of the ex-president's grated on our representative nerves: Why should his term as president be referred to as the postwar depression era? Why blame 1t all on the war? Why not admit inability to cope with sit uation? Why not admit that the Repub- lican Party couldn't meet the situation that followed over-exploitation of the money markets of the nation? Why not face the facts and admit error? Then and only then can the appeal of MT. Hoover be regarded as genuine today. His advancement of the Republican cause here in Connecticut must suffer from past events of which no American is proud.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-10-19
Science and Social Good

The new Squibb Institute for Medical Research, recently opened at New Bruns- wick, N. J., will carry on chiefly pure research in the biological and medical sciences. The distinguished scientists gathered for the dedication of the 1nstl- tute talked much about the "untrameled search for truth" and put its practical application for human welfare up to society.
 "The history of science for 2,OOO years" said one speaker, proves conclusiveiy that no one can foretell or predict or plan the outcome of the untrammeled rowing of the human spirit, searching for truth and truth alone Whether these practlca! results shall be goor or i'll is no concern of those who have founded this institution. That is something that depends upon civilization"
 Yet one of the criticisms of modern civilization has long been that its science is far ahead of it's social adjustment, that too many of it's great discoveries and ln- ventions have been turned to selflsh ana destructive uses instead of human good. Perhaps scientists should pay more at- tention to the application of their own work. We need some sort of transformer device between the pure research labora- tory and the social laboratory outside which includes the school, the factory, the business office, the international con- ference room, and so on.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-10-19

It remained for Colonel Thomas Hewes, Democratic candidate for Lieutenant governor to turn a thorny Republican blast against the Cross administration into a boomerang recently. The Farm ington man was replying to some remarks that President James L. McConaughy of Wesleyan University made particularly in reference to Colonel Hewes previous statement that he would be full-time Lieutenant-G Governor if his services were desired by the governor Republicans didn't seem to like that and tossed and turned the remark in every conceivable manner. To all of which replied Colonel Hewes: "Times have changed since the adoption of the Constitution when the problems of the nation were comparative ly simple. It was not until 1880, I believe, when Governor Cross took office that chief executive normally devoted his full time to the affairs of state, but owing to the ravages of the depression occurring during the last Republican Administra- tion, the Governor has given himself entirely to the interest of Connecticut. It has been characteristic of the Republi- can leadership to be unresponsive to changing conditions. On the contrary the Democratic party has always been the first to recognize that new conditions require new remedies. ."
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-10-19
Too Many Teeth Pulled

It is right to remove infected te- h, says pr. Russell L. Haden, chief of the medical division of the Cleveland Clinic Founda- ton, but there is too much tooth pulling.
 "When the x-ray is negative" that is, showing no positive evidence of infection, he insists, "other things should be studied before the tooth is extracted The con- dition and age of the patient should be considered.
 s.Nutrition is a big part of the manage ment of. a patient. Some people cannot wear plates or use them. They should not be left to gum it for the rest of their lives unless there is serious necessity for removing their teeth"
 The doctor is presumably right about it. But 1t is surprising how many people seem willing to part unnecessarily with the masticating tools nature gave them, ir order to install nice, shiny, symmetri- cal set Of store teeth.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-10-19

I does not picture local distribution accurately. Therefore 1t is unwise economy to reduce arbitrarily the number of teachers.
 It is only since 1920 that teach ers' salaries have been placed on scale commensurate with the dignity of the teaching profession. Until 25 years ago, teachers were required to teach for extremely low wages. Re- quirements for entering the teach ing profession are constantly being raised and now 1t is necessary that a candidate for a position have a college degree after four years of training. Teachers are encouraged to take additional, courses at con- siderable personal expense and they have taken these courses in very large numbers in order to equip | themselves better for their life work. If salaries were to be drastically reduced as Griffenhagen & Asso- ciate suggest, the result might well be that the morale of teachers would be seriously lowered. The purchas- ing power of a large body of citi- zens would be drastically limited with the resultant heavy loss to tradesmen in our city.
 The department of education, through the cooperation of the board of education with Dr. Condon, has steadily lowered costs of educa- ton in Waterbury and more than $200,0 have been saved during the past five years without seriously af- fecting the education of Waterbury children. If this same method Is followed, additional large savings can be effected.
 The city of Waterbury is faced with a deficit of approximately $50Q,000 during the next year. Grif- fenhagen & Associates recommend savings amounting to more than $2s0,000 in the department of edu- cation alone. Thus, 1t would appear that this department would be call- ed on to save more than 50 per cent of the expected deficit.
 As yet, the complete reports for the other city departments have not been made available to the public and the question arises whether savings correspondingly large will be recommended for those departments. The efficiency of the department of education has always been maintain ed at a high standard and we be- lieve that this efficiency would be seriously impaired if the proposed recommendation were to be put into effect by the board of finance. THE WATERBURY PRINCIPALS
 ASSOCIATION.
 THE WATERBURY, TEACHERS ASSOCIATION.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-10-19
Selected Poem
CAPE COD GARDEN

Marguerite Janvrn Adams in the Christian
 Science Monitor) Flowers flourish primly on New Engladn sol- In rows not scrambling over wall and stone. Theirs is a hard:hood which comes of toll Even seed can share, whose roots have grown More thrifty in allegiance to this ground Close to the intermittent breakers sound. To south and west things have casual way Of blossoming, of doing what they please; No fence can hold them wilfully they stray Into forbidden crannies there to tease The hand that reaches-running on so far. Who knows where fields begin, whose friends they
 areI
 But when need such comfort as the sight Of dooryard snugness and simplicity Give me Cape Cod garden and the bright, Long lines of hollyhocks that gaze to sea Beside salt-box cottage! Years ago Ancestral planting taught them how to growl
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-10-19
SimpIi6cation Urged

In view of the increasing interest shown by the general public in public welfare, 1t is to the best interests of the state to con- slider seriously the proposals contained in plan for recognizing the State Well fare Department One of the most per- tinent of the suggestions furnished Gov ernor Wilbur L. Cross by the private in- veStigating agency is the need of creating the office of Public Welfare CommiS- sioner in law. Most of us thought that this already had been done, but the i1l- veStigators report that it exists mostly in name only.
 There are number of good recom- mendationS made, most of them designed not merely to save money for the state, but, from our way of looking at it, to create efficiency in the administration of welfare throughout the entire state In view of the demands made today on local state, and federal governments for aid it is essential that the State Welfare Department be equipped to meet the sit- uation as it arises If the suggestions made can be carried out it does seem as if the effort should be made
 A further incentive, we think, is the more or less tacit approval of the pro- posed plan by the Legislative Council, according to a statement of it's executive secretary, Frederick Scott of Plymouth. Once real approval has been given by this group and state officials, the plan may be put into effect, ar it is not necessary to have the General Assembly approve the coordination idea Establishment of the department and commissioner, how ever might well require legislative action, if we are to believe the report which says they exist not properly legally defined.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-10-19
In New York
BY GEORGE ROSS

New York, Oct. 19 - A stirred audience of usually blase irst- nighters sat rooted to their seats for IS minutes after the curtain went down on the premiere of Abe Lin. coin in Illinois, clapping and shouting with an ardor that welled LID from the heart. This reporter never has witnessed a demonstra- ton like 1t in playhouse.
 The audience clamored so long and loud for a curtain speech from Raymond Massey, who por- trays Lincoln, that he finally re- covered enough voice to whisper to the front rows that he had nothing to say, for the author was the only man entitled to speak. But Robert E. Sherwood, who towers not only in actual height, but in his craft, high in the drama world, did not appear. He was close by, though close enough to hear, and perhaps be embarrassed by an ovation that must have few precedents in the New York thea ter.
 For "Abe Lincoln in Illinois" is an evening we shall be proud to recall long after thousands of op- ening nights have lived and died. Catalogue all the Lincolnian plays, biographies and other verbiages ever written and no doubt they would stretch from here back to the Civil War. But 1t seems to us, in our limited knowledge and experience, that nowhere does the Great Eman- cipator emerge so lifelike, so human, so tragic and so near his fellow Americans as he does on the stage of the Plymouth Theater where MT. Sherwood and MT. Massey have re- surrected him.
 This is not the story of Lin- coin in the White House, but the story of the gaunt and melan- choly immortal from his postmas- ter days in New Salem up to that grim dusk when he bade farewell to his friends in Springfield before assuming his onerous duties as President of the United States.
 This is the story of his heart breaking poverty, of the shadow that overcast the rest of his life after Ann Rutledge died. of his last ing unhappiness with the insatiably ambitious Mary Todd, of his invol- untary progress as politician, of his simple manner of speech that won every debate, with Stephen Douglas or with any orator equally adroit. of his indomitable courage in the face of every possible disaster that should have stopped the course his life was taking long earlier, were he truly not a man of destiny.
 "Abe Lincoln in Illinois was brought forth. as other plays soon will be brought forth. by the Play wrights Producing Company of which Playwright Sherwood is one of five members. The other four are also top-notchers in the theatrical world - Elmer Rice, Maxwell Anderson, Sidney How ard and s. N. Behrman. Since "Abe Lincoln in Illinois" is their first contribution to Broadway, no one denies that the Playwrights Producing Company Is the most important thing that has happen ed on Broadway since the folnd- ling of the Theater Gni'A s
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-10-19

Some of the committees set up within the newly-created State Rehabilitation Committee are indeed worthy of all the support that can be given them in their endeavors throughout the storm-wrecked areas ofsConnecticut. We notice one group will be concerned with providing means of repairing churches, cemeteries, village greens, and historical landmarks that may have suffered from the hurri- cane. There is also group to consider rebuilding beaches, seawalls, jetties, and similar shore property" We have also one committee to study replacement of trees, elimination of fire hazard, and salvage of marketable logs. All are worthwhile enterprises and should be encouraged
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-10-19
Current Comment

It is extremely difficult, with the best will in the world, to render unto Caesar what is Caesars - but no more.
 Joseph P. Kennedy. American
 ambassador to Great Britain. Every time went back the jobs paid better wages.
 -Egerton K. Hayden, of Chi
 cago. expressing qualification
 at the prospect of being con-
 mitted to Leavenworth Peni-
 tentiary for the fifth time. Let us be just we have fewer reasons to hate each other than to admire each other reciprocally.
 Adolf Hitler, quoted on Fran co- German relations.
 AA
 What can you do when an Indian says he was born during the years of the big snow"
 Earl M. Nouns, welfare director of Colorado, on the difiiculties of determining eligibility for old age pensions. x