davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1938-03-10

street and gave the car the once
over. But everything seemed on the
up, and I didn't bother 'em. Pretty
soon the driver got in and the cou
pc drove away"
az say, officer" put in Vance
"were both occupants of the coupe
white menu"
Sure they was, sir"
"And couldn't there have been ;
third man in the coupe?" Vance
proceeded, "a smaller man, let Vi
say, whom you didn't see on hi
knees, and hidden from view, per
haps?"
"Gosh!" muttered Mclaughlin
''You think there was three men If
that carp"
Really, Mclaughlin, I dom
know" Vance drawled. 1T woulc
simply matters if we knew there
had been three men in the car.
crave a small pussy-footed fellow.
aBy the by, officer, did you, BY
any chance, stumble upon a ladder
during your nocturnal circuit II
these parts last night?
ST seen a ladder, if that's what
you mean," the man admitted. ST
was leanin' up against that maple
tree in the garden out here. ] no.
ticed it when it began to get light
But figured it was only being usec
to prune the tree, or something
There certainly wasn't any use in re-
portin' a ladder in gents yard
was there?"
ooh, no." Vance assured him in
differently. "Silly idea, going about
reportin' ladders-eh, what? . /.
That ladders still in the yard, off
Ger; only this morning it was restin
up against the house, under an oper
window"
Honest to God?" Mclaughlin
eyes grew bigger. Il hope it wa
OK. not to report it."
ooh, quite" Vance encouraged
him. ut wouldn't have done par
ticle of good, anyway.
Thanks awfully." He saunteret
to the sofa and sat down lazily
stretching his legs out before him
It was obvious he had no othe
questions to put to the officer.
Heather Strengthened up.
"That's all, Mclaughlin. Mucl
obliged for coming down. Go OF
home and hit the hay"
The officer saluted and turned.
A moment later the front doc
shut noisily after him. u
''What now, Mr.. Vance?" Heat
was again resting his weight agains
the desk.
ooh, much more, Sergeant,
! Vance yawned in answer. "Yo'
haven't the faintest idea of hov
much I'd really like to learn abou
a number of things. ;. -
"But see here, Vance," Interrupt
ted Markham, 81 first want to know
what you meant by that statemen
you made as we were coming dow
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1938-03-10

"Oh, my Markham deplored
Vance. Art thou mind-reader?'
Drop that" continued Markham
agrily. Either the kidnappers have
no intention of harming young Kent.
ing, or else-as Fleel suggests
Renting staged the whole affair and
kidnapped himself.
'sWhat l want to know, is why
you refused to offer any hope.p
Really, " know, Markham" he
said lightly, but with certain seri-
BUSINESS, you're a most admirable
character, but you're far too naive
for this INSCRIPTIONS world. Both
you and your legal friend, Fleel, are
quite wrong in your suggestions.
assure you, don't y know. that ]
am not sufficiently cruel to extend
false hopes to any one"
'What do you mean by that,
Vance?"
'sMy word, Markham! I can, mean
only one thing
Vance continued to gaze at the
District Attorney with sympathetic
affection and lowered his voice.
"The chappie, I fear, is already
dead"
Markham was stunned for mo-
ment, but he was, could see,
frankly skeptical.
"a q
that Vance?"
'Tut, tut, my dear fellow" Vance
returned lightly. 'This is neither
the place nor the time to discuss
the matter. I'll be quite willin' to
point out all the obvious evidence
to you later on. At the moment
am most anxious to hear what Nc
Laughlin has to say to the Sergeant
Let's descend and listen, what?"
Mclaughlin was just about to
speak to the Sergeant when he
heard us enter the drawing-room
Recognizing Markham, he saluted
respectfully. =
"McLaughlin," Heath began
J ''What time are you relieved from
your beat here?"
Regular time-eight o'clock"
where were you around si1
o'clock this morning?"
Doing my duty, sir" the Officer
assured Heath earnestly; walking
down the other side of the stree
opposite here, maxim my regular
rounds"
did you see anybody, or any
thing, that looked suspicious?"
did, at that Sergeant! Only
wouldn't say as how it was SUSPECT.
Gus at the time, although the idea
passed through my mind. But there
wasn't any cause to take action"
what was it, Mclaughlin"
''Well, Sergeant, coupe-it wa:
dirty green color-pulled up or
this side of the street along about
that time. There was two men ir
it, and one of the guys got out anc
opened the hood and took a look
at the engine. came across the
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1938-03-10
FATHERS PA NTS
WORN AT WEDDING

Prestonsburg, Ky.-The custom OF
a bride wearing her mothers wed
ding gown was reversed in a mar
riage at Wheelwrtghs 80 miles
south of here.
Rev. ]. D. Payne who performed
the ceremony said today the bride
groom, A. T. Tackett, wore the
pants worn by his father at his wed
ding So years ago. Young Tackett
married Ethel Rogers.
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1938-03-10

Last year 100000 pounds of pea
nuts were made up into peanut but
ter. The total crop was 1885, 600, 900
pounds.
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1938-03-10

The navy department will spend
$8,O0O,OO0 for two new battleships
to be named the North Carolina and
the Washington.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-13

Court adjourned for the hour re- cess at l o'clock today, after seven veniremen had been questioned and disqualified. Two were eliminated by the court today, four by the defense and one by the state. Since the trial started, 27 were dismissed by the court, 48 by the defense and 38 by the state.
 Of the 25 who reported for ques- tioning this morning, only IS re- mained to report for the 2 o'clock session. This group will be aug mented by a new panel of 100 which was drawn Friday to report tomor- row.
 Questioned, Disqualified
 Those questioned and disqualified today were Howard B. Treat of Orange, by the defense; E. Seldom Clark of Guilford by the defense: Anthony Ifkovic, 3rd, of Branford, by the state; Charles Larom of New Haven, by the court; George M. Hough of Wallingford by the de- fense; Frank Plumb of Prospect by the defense; and Robert P. Burwell of Milford by the court.
 Six women were included among the 25 veniremen who reported to court this morning-all that remain ed of the original panel of 172 which was prepared for questioning at the outset of the trial
 Twenty-seven were scheduled to report, but one was excused for ill., ness and another because of q broken leg. Clifford Wallace of Prospect was excused for today and tomorrow when Clerk George H. Freeman reported that he was ill
 Continued on Page 3
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-13
Czech Explosion Is Only POp-Gun Blast to What
 Is Coming DOUBLE THRUST IS
 ABOUT TO DEVELOP Rome Aims at Britain, France; Berlin Looks
 Toward Russia
BY JOE ALEX MORRIS

BY JOE ALEX MORRIS
 Copyright. 1888, by United Press)
 Europe is beginning to run up a war fever again, fearing a double-barreled crisis early next year. The alarm sig nalS, already are out. The Ns.zi-Fascist partnership is suddenly expanding at both ends, and there are indica. tions that Premier Benitc Mussolini of Italy and Fuehrer Adolf Hitler of Germany are maneuvering into positions for a squeeze play to enlarge the victory Hitler won at Munich.
 In many ways, the advance build- up for Europe's 1899 explosion in- dicates that it may make the Czechoslovakian explosion look like a pop-gun blast.
 From the Rome end of the axis, the pressure IS directed at British and French dominance of the Medi- terranean.
 From the Berlin end, the thrust is eastward into the great Ukrain- Ian territory and Soviet Russia.
 Intentionally or by chance, the double thrust is developing in a manner to indicate that the demo- cratic powers may have their hands full in the west while the nations which would have been their allies if there had been war during the Czchoslovakian crisis, are being squeezed in the east.
 Two Fields Definite
 The two fields are now fairly def inited. One gives forebodmgs to Great Britain and France; the other
 fO~,k;,a,,al S.,a Dono Al
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-13
FRANCE, BRITAIN
 ARE PERTURBED
ltaly's Demands About Suez Canal, Hitler. After
 Menlel Are Disturbers

Paris, Dec. 13-CUP)-The SueS Canal company, controlled by France intends to reduce Its canal tolls by 4 l-6 percent effective December 15, 1t was learned today while French anxiety over Italian agitation for concessions from France con- tinued. The tolls will be reduced from six British Sflillings ton to five shihings nine pence. It was ex- plained here that the reuuction was a normal one, decided upon several months ago on the basis of the company's ability to provide. service, and had nothing to do with the Italian demands. The cost of Suez canal passage has been sore point with italy particularly since the Ethiopian war. France and Great Britain get the profits. Britain pays about half the tolls. Italy pays about IS per cent and France about IA percent.
 Uneasiness In France
 An inspired statement issued by the Radio News agency last night expressed growing uneasiness in
 (Continued on Page A
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-13
$2,OOO BLAZE ON
 WATERFOWL AVE.
Joseph Whitman Moody Home Gutted on First
 Floor This Morning

Damage estimated at more than $2,000 was caused by fire this morn ing at the home of Joseph Whitman Moody, 1349 Watertown avenue. Starting in the cellar. the blaze spread quickly to the first floor of the two-story dwelling, and the low CT part of the structure was a mass of flames when firemen arrived, More than $500 in cash was saved from the burning house.
 Acting Deputy Chief Stephen Bloomfield directed four companies of f1remen which responded to a telephone alarm at 7:46 a. m. Fire men, who were at the scene for two hours, managed to keep the fire from spreading after they arrived.
 Papers, Cloths Ignited
 Fire Marshal Den Lahey and his staff attributed the fire to Spon- taneous ignition of papers and cloths in the cellar. The fire was discov- cred by two sons, Whitman, 13, and Thomas, 8. while their parents were still ill bed.
 MT. Moody, well-known local automobile dealer, drove brand new sedan out from the cellar garage. Aided by neighbors he turned a garden hose on the flames until the arrival of flremen
 (Continued on Page A
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-13
PROTEST MADE
 OVER WPA SLASH
Many of $50 Laid Off Here Make Pleas Against
 Their Release

Protest over the dropping of $50 WPA workers from the rolls yester- day in Waterbury resulted today with many of those laid of besieging the office of The Democrat to pre- sent special pleas against the pre- holiday release from the relief work as it affects WPA workers through out the country.
 But the order came direct from Washington and Waterbury workers dropped from the rolls were consid- ering today protest similar to that of 200 Bridgeport WPA workers, laid of Thursday, who, last night, sent a telegram of protest to Harry L. Hop- kins, national administrator.
 The $50 Waterbury men, dropped from every project here and the state school work at Southbury, received a pay check Saturday, will receive pay checks for three days, Dec. T, 8. g, amounting to SIP each, on Dec. 24. But about 50 of the men already have applied to the welfare depart ment for reinstatement on relief rolls.
 No OfSicial List
 Part of the protest today was over alleged devising of Hist" of those who best could afford to be dropped from the rolls" This Hist" was pur- ported to have been sought by the local WPA ofice from the welfare department by Mrs. Mary Doyle Camp, acting superintendent, told The Democrat today that there has been no official list" of such content given to the WPA authorities.
 The Hist" in question, apparently was the result of an informal dis cussion of some welfare department employees with orficials of the WPA and the coming of names of about 200 men, the superintendent re- marked.
 Least Eligible Dropped
 William E. Kennedy, supervisor of WPA here, remarked yesterday that the men dropped from Waterbury and Southbury projects were those who were least eligible for the work and numbered some employees from all projects. The order from Vincent J. Sullivan, state administrator, is
 (Continued on Page A
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-13
TWO ARE KILLED
 THREE INJURED

Palmer, Mass, Dec. lS.-(UP)- Two men were killed and three others were injured critically early today when their sedan crashed into a parked truck.
 Harold Blanchard of Monson died instantly and John J. Nichols, 4, also of Monson, died enroute to a hos pital.
 Taken to Palmer hospital, only 300 yards from the scene, Willis Thorn of Winsted, Conn, William Kaschulak of Stafford Springs, Conn.,. and Eugene La Fond of Monson were reported in critical condition with multiple injuries.
 Police said the automobile ranl- med the rear of the truck. The truck driver apparently was not at the scene when the accident oc- curTeds
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-13
DODGERS, BEES
 TRADE PLAYERS
Buddy Hassett and Jimmy Outlaw for Ira Hutchin=
 son and Gene Moore

New York, Dec. 13 - CUP) - The Brooklyn Dodgers traded First Baseman Buddy Hassett and Out fielder Jimmy Outlaw to the Boston Bees today for Pitcher Ira Hutchin- son and Outfielder Gene Moore. I It was a straight player deal.
 Hassett, who played part of the time in the Brooklyn outfield last season. hit .292. The Bees plan to use Eim at first base. Outlaw hit .338 with Syracuse of the Interna- tional League last seoson.
 Moore's 1888 batting average was .270. Hutchinson won nine games and lost eight.
 The deal was made as the major leagues convened for their annual meeting with the dead ball and night baseball as two of the most important issues to be settled.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-13
Wife, Children Dead, His
 Christmas Was Spoiled

New York, Dec. 1S - <CUP) = Hans Forst, 33-year-old Brooklyn carpenter, returned to his modest home yesterday evening to find 8 policeman standing at the entrance. Whats the matter?" the carpen- ter asked.
 ":Your wife and kids", the police man said. They're gone. Gas" 4
 Forst rushed inside and found the bodies of his 26-year-old wife, Mar garet, and his sons, Walter, 3, and Arnold IT months, laid out on a bed. He ripped away the sheet which covered them and felt their cheeks. s
 They're still warnl,'' he shouted, cant you do sonething?"
 Police in, the little room, where signs of Christmas were visible. told him that there was nothing left to do. They explained that his wife ap- parently had been taking a nap. the youngest child clasped In her arms. Walter, infected by the pre- holiday excitement which had stirred his
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-13
Beliefs Of Jurymen To Weigh Considerably In Acceptance, Rejection
One Man Who PrOfessed Being Roman Catholic Went Down; No More
 Jurors Chosen at Noon
By JOSEPH P. DONAHUE Democrat Staff Writer)

Religious affiliations of prospective jurors in the Waterbury conspiracy case trial the principal trends of questioning today by defense counsel as the ton of the Ku Klux Klan and the Roman Catholic church brought out the startling fact that religious beliefs of venreman will have important bearing on the qualification or disqualification as jurors ln the trial
 No New Jurors at Noon
 No new jurors, other than the six selected during the past two weeks of the trial were accepted today the ninth session of questioning prospects
 Venremen asked this morning whether the fact that several defendants Roman Catholics would nflu their vercs whether they belonged to society purporting to minimize the influence of any religion or antagonizing that sect
 Catholic Quickly Dropped
 One man was disqualified by the state immediately after admitting that he is member of the Roman Catho lie Church. Another asked if he any of his friends had been affiliated with the Ku Klux Klan. Do you belong to any organization that has its purpose the antagonSm of any class religion? another asked.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-13

parents to do their Christmas shop ping early, had remained awake.
 The position of the jet handles on the kitchen range indicated, police said, that he had toddled into the cralnped little room and amused himself by turning the shiny knobs Four were, open. Neighbors had smelled gas and called the police.
 ForSt refused to be consoled.
 we had made all our plans for Christmas" he said.
 The police finally went away and left him alone.
 At 1 a.. m. today two patrolmen in radio car saw a man lying on the ground at the corner of Seventh avenue and 60th street, few steps from the Forst home at 6018 Sev- enth avenue. They took the man to Kings County hospital. It was Forst. He said he had swallowed poison. There's no need of living now, after what happened yesterday" he said. physicians said, however, that he nrObabl7 would live.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-13
GEORGE BURNS TO
 ACT AS WITNESS
Radio Comedian Took Plea of Guilty Yesterday on
 Smuggling Charge
BY ROBERT MUSEL United Press Staff Correspondent


 New York, December 13. = (UP) - The United States attorneys of- flee disclosed today that a federal grand jury was still taking evidence of purported smuggling by movie stars, and that others in addition to the comedian, George Burns, might be indicted.
 Katherine Hepburn, Jack Benny, Jack Pearl and Wallace Ford; Ralph Hitz, hotel operator, and Joseph MoSkowitz, 20the Century Fox Films executive, have appeared before the grand jury. Presumably they were questioned about their knowledge of Albert N. Chaperau, principal defendant in the case, who alleged ly Smuggled in jewelry and finery from Paris and disposed of them at bargain prices to select clientele.
 Burns Pleaded Guilty
 Burns, admittedly, was one of these. He pleaded guilty yesterday to nine counts contained in two indictments. He had been charged with buying from Chaperau two diamond-studded bracelets and a ring worth $4,885. He bought them for Oracle Allen, his wife and part ner in the celebrated team of Burns and Allen.
 Continued on Page 9
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-13
KEMP PRESENTS OWN WITNESSES.
State Rests at Noon in Its Acknowledgment
 Is First Witness

Bridgeport, Conn, Dec. 13-(UP) The prosecution rested its case at noon today against G. Leroy Kemp, former highway department ap- praiser accused of illegal fee-split- ting in the $25, 100000 Merritt Park way land sales.
 The defense immediately presen- ted it's first witness.
 The state, through testimony of two real estate brokers who were indicted with the land agent, en- deavored to show that Kemp had given advance information as to the route of the Parkway and in eX- change had split commissions re- sulting from at least 50 sales.
 Principal prosecution witnesses were Thomas N. Cooke, Greenwich, and Samuel H. Sliberman, Stamford, both real estate brakers and under indictment on conspiracy charges
 Paid Kemp Shares
 Both testified they had paid Kemp shares of their commissions, usually in cash. Only Cooke was able to furnish ledger accounts showing records of several payments before, he testified, Kemp asked that he receive his portion in cash.
 Silberman was the final states witness and before the defense of- fered his testimony, reiterated what he had told superior court Judge Frank P. McEvoy and jury last wek concerning the numerous trans actions in which he was alleged to have engaged with the appraiser.
 Taking the stand for the defense was Warren M. Cramer, a state highway department engineer.
 The questioning was routine after he identified himself as being asso- ciated with the department during the time the parkway negotiations were being made.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-13
Aldermen Are Divided Over 1889 Budget Plan
After Public Hearing Tonight They May Decide on Something-There Have Been Some
 Unofficial Agreements

Waterbury's Board of Aldermen stood united today in disagreement over some phases or the 1889 bud- get outline as approved by the Board of Finance. They were divided, however, as to just what changes the individual members will seek after conclusion of the public hear ing tonight, possibly tomorrow night, as well, or even further gatherings in the aldermanic chamber for discussion but not debate" of the budget which calls for 35-mill tax rate, appropriation of $7,178,000.
 The fire department is expected to get a new truck instead of two booster pumps; some of the alder men will oppose continuance of the 10 per cent salary cut taken by city employees to underwrite emergency costs of welfare during the year; there will be demands made by one and another of. the aldermen for consideration of various depart mentS in which they are interested
 Result of Meeting
 These are some of the unofficial agreements" resulting from the meeting last night which saw a four-hour consideration of the bud get. So far as political lines are concerned, there can be no steam rollering" through of factional plans it appeared today. A Republican alderman, Burton H. Walker, will not vote for the fire department budget as it stands and reported agreement was made last night whereby the department will get a new truck, at estimated cost of $17,- 900, instead ot the two booster pumps, listed at the same total in the budget appropriation in the de- partment.
 At the same time, it was learned today that the firemen will present petition for return of the salary cut at tonight's meeting. What ef- feet this may have on the tentative agreement for a change in purchase of apparatus could not be determin- ed today.
 The firemen are reported to have cooperative sanction of the police and school teachers in demanding return of the cut.
 Cut Return In Budget
 Consideration of return of the cut is provided in the budget by the Board of Finance, however, and the $180, ,O00 item, marked for relief purposes only" is more than half of the $34O,000 budget item repre- senting the 10 per cent cut for city employees next year. The Board ot Finance discussed return of the pay cut at its budget deliberation and the $180,000 can be used for either a five per cent return, or return oi 10 per cent for half of the year in the event conditions in Waterbury improve to the point whereit defi- nitely is determined. that the sum will not be required for welfare dis burSement.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-13
BUS DRIVER IS
 WELL REWARDED

New Haven, Conn.,, Dec. 13 - (U. P9 = John G. Battick is an accom- modating bus driver who found it paid to "step on it" so . nervous passenger could make 8 train con- nection.
 The bus arrived two minutes ahead of time and the passenger pressed a bill into his hand with @ murmur of thanks as he dashed in- to the station.
 Battick said he was "habbergast- ed" when he found it was $100.
 All hope" he said today, is that the guy doesn't show up and spoil things for me-"
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-13

representative of the company'S s Canadian and English agents.
 The complaint, filed by Assist ant U. s. Attorney Irving H. Kauf- man on the order of Gregory F. Noonan, chief of the Department of Justices criminal division in Wash ington, marked the entrance of the federal government into the scan- dal investigation started by the New York state attorney general.
 The complaint was signed by Hec- tor J. Wood, investigator for the Federal Securities and Exchange Commission, and charged one overt act. It said that on December 3 1888, Vernard Brooklyn manager for W. w. Smith and Company of Montreal, deposited in the Hamilton branch of the Chase National Bank in Brooklyn a check for $15,000 drawn on the account of Manning and Company with the Royal Bank of Canada in Montreal.
 Manning and Company has been described as a "non-existent" bank ing firm which purportedly acted as fiscal agent for the lO5-year -old drug company's crude drug depart- ment. Assistant States Attorney General Joseph F. Ruggieri now is in Canada seeking information about the firm as well as about half a dozen drug warehouses, which he described as absolutely phoney."
 The warrants issued by Cotter were turned over to Kaufman who,