davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1940-12-29

charts, books, etc. In the window
recesses were stands for the flowers
and plants which 1t was his delight
TO attend, and among his roses and
geraniums was suspended the cage
of his favorite mocking bird, which
he cherished with peculiar fondness,
not only for its melodious powers,
but for its uncommon intelligence
and affectionate disposition, of which
quality he gave surprising instances.
It was the constant companion of
his solitude and studio hours. When
ever he was alone, ne opened the
cage and let the bird fly about the
room. After fitting for while
from one object to another, it would
alight on the table and regale him
with its sweetest notes, or perch on
his shoulder and take its food from
his lips. Often when he retired to
his chamber, 1t would hop up the
stairs after him, and while he took
his siesta, would sit on his couch
and pour forth its melodiouS strains.
How he loved this bird! How
he loved his howersl He could not
live without something to love, and,
in the absence of his darling grand
children, his bird and his flowers
became objects of tender care"
First New Year Day.
Another interesting account OF
the festivities of President Jeffer-
sons first New Year Day in the
White House comes to us from DR..
Samuel Latham Mitchell, member
of Congress from New York. who,
in writing to his wife from Wash
ington under date Of January 4.
1902, said:
New Year Day was a time of
great parade in the city of WASH
ington. The weather, being fine,
gave everybody an opportunity OF
exhibiting. The great place of re-
sort was the Presidents Mansion.
There was no visiting, as at New
York, from house to house through
a whole circle of acquaintance or
of public men who keep open
houses, but everybody crowded to
Mr.. Jefferson's and after having
made their appearance there, re-
turned home.
"It was Saturday and that is COM
monty busy day with congressman.
They then must meet on their COM
mittees of business and consider the
subjects intrusted to them, that
after examination they may make
judicious reports to the body that
appoints them. Being engaged my
self that morning on the Commit
tee for Naval Affairs, I could not go
to the Presidents till after l o'clock.
The reading of voluminous papers
and the discussion of their merits
occupied all the earlier part Of the
day. However, late as it was, I
went to pay my respects and make
one Of the crowd on this occasion,
which occurs but once year.
Il rode from the Capitol and,
proceeding along Pennsylvania ave-
nue., met many gentlemen on their
return. In some of the carriages
ladies were to be seen, for the Sec
retaries of the Treasury. Navy,
State, ETC., with their families, had
sailed forth to pay their homage to
the Executive, and so had the for
eign Ministers.
Large Groups Attended.
Arriving late, I met a whole
troop of ladies and their attendant
gallants coming down the outside
stairs and going to their carriages.
On passing the great hall and en-
tering the withdrawing room, I
found still large party there. The
President was standing near the
middle of the room to salute and
converse with visitors. The male
part of them walked about or made
Evening star., 1940-12-29

could see nothing in store for him
but defeat.
Lincoln Greetings.
Naturally, 1t was a happy time for
Mr.. Lincoln, and he displayed in his
manner and his conversation his
keen satisfaction and qualification
as he and Mrs. Lincoln greeted the
callers who came to pay their re-
spects and to wish them a happy
New Year.
1t is said that the jam at the
White House upon this occasion
was terrific, and that one lady
reached the door in such q dilapi-
dated condition cher bonnet being
smashed and her shawl torn nearly
In twain, that she said she would
not 60 into the presence OF Mr..
Lincoln in that condition, ard she
inquired the nearest way out.
The diplomatic corps was fully
represented, and also the cabinet,
Secretaries Seward, Stanton, Welles,
Fesenden, Usher, Postmaster Gen.
eral Dennison and Attorney Gen.
eral Speed being present, all of
whom were accompanied by men,
bers of their families.
The Marine Band, under Scala,
was stationed in one of the ante
rooms, and discoursed excellent
music during the reception hours.
In order to prevent the handsome
carpets of the mansion from being
soiled by the mud and dirt brought
in by the crowd, canvas was spread
over them.
To Benjamin Ogle Tayloe is given
credit for originating the idea of
throwing open the doors of private
residences for the reception of visi-
tors on New Year Day. Mr.. Tayloe,
to whom the writer recently re-
ferred at length, was a gentleman
Evening star., 1940-12-29

first baseman. Turning to Y, he con-
tinued. "You may be running the
battalion, but he's running the game.
You'd better beat 1t before he puts
you out of it."
Faced with the possibility Of evic-
ton, the major slowly and reluc-
tantly ambled of. defeated. Worse
was to come. Next time up, he
struck out-or so the Umpire said.
Then he grounded out twice more,
when hits would have meant VIC
tory which, alas, went to the other
team.
Reviewed BY Umpire.
After the game, back In the coop,
the umpire, confined but content,
reviewed the glorious afternoon. He
would probably never get out. but
the game had been worth the
candle. No matter how thick gloom
might be, he could always dispel it
by recalling Maj. US face on the
four separate occasions when he had
called him out.
But fate Was kinder to him than,
perhaps. he had deserved. He had
indulged in accidental strategy of
the highest order. Players on the
opposing team made an informal
petition to Maj Y to be a sport and
reward his prisoner for having the
courage of his convictions. The
major, who had cooled off, laughed,
agreed with them and remitted the
rest of the sentence. He even made
a personal trip to the brig, so that
when the prisoner was released he
could at the same time jerk his
thumb and tell him he was out
and for Pete's sake to keep out in
the future.
Enough has been written to illus
trate what Is meant by minor mill
tary strategy. No set rules can be
laid down. except not to get caught
at it; each soldier will have to de.
velop his own tricks, to cover what
ever situations arise. Often he must
do 1t in the face of opposition, not
from the enemy. but from his own
command 1t is a field almost
unique, in that physical laziness is
not only not hindrance; 1t is actu-
ally an asset, to be guarded preci-
ously and protected by mental alert
ness. The draftee who is not physi-
cally lazy may even want to skip the
entire article-although the author
admits that he did not play quite
fair by waiting for the very end Of
+ to tell him 20.
Evening star., 1940-12-29

Lincoln, issued September a, 1862,
abolishing slavery throughout the
States, as will be recalled, went into
effect on January /. 1863, and two
years later Mr.. Lincoln gave his
last New Year Day reception on
January 2, 1865. 1t is possible there
are still living q few persons who
attended this memorable event. The
Civil War, which for nearly four
years had been going on, and In
which the blood of the best man
hood of America had been shed
that this Nation under God" might
have new birth Of freedom" was
growing to close.
In addition to this, the political
campaign had just closed and Lin
coin had been reelected by . plu-
Evening star., 1940-12-29
Bv Basil Gordon.

No army is worth a hoot without
strategy. This is so well understood
that whole libraries have been writ
ten on the subject, covering 1t from
every conceivable angle.
The word is derived from the
Greek "strategos," an army leader,
which indicates that it Is the gen.
erals duty to be strategic, and there
never was one yet who did not sue
ceed, at least partially, in being SO.
His location alone is sufficient proof
of that statement.
In the good old days the general
used to be right up in the front INES
hacking away with the rest OF the
bows at the enemy and setting them
a good example. If possible, ne
would engage in personal combat
with the opposing general, the out
come of the encounter often decld-
Ing the war. 1t was all very patriotic
but not too practical. 1t was grad
uaIly discovered that he could not
always think clearly after being bat
tered over the head with a war CLUB,
and it was an Internal nuisance to
have to interrupt his planning every
few minutes by snatching up shield
to prevent himself from being
speared like frog.
Then. too, he could not always tell
if everything was o. K. with the lett
flank. due to the difficulty OF getting
messengers to him while he was IN
a hot spot. He therefore moved
back to a more strategic location,
going farther and farther back as
the march of time produced more
and more powerful weapons with 9
greater and greater range, untll
along about 1914 it was practically
impossible to find general less
than Is miles from the rumpus or
less than so feet underground.
Colonels, being less strategic, are
ever so much closer to the unpleas-
antness and may often be seen sit
ting up on their launches at the
entrances to their burrows, shifting
gunpowder. Majors, still less tao
tical, prowl around in comparatively
easy range, quite close up, while
captains and neutenants, with more
limited strategical objectives, have
to spend some of their time lodging
bullets. Sergeants and corporals de-
vote most of their strategy to keep
ing watchfuI eyes on their own par
ticular groups, even If they have to
lend a hand occasionally with q
friendly bomb or bayonet. The pri-
Evening star., 1940-12-29

pleased. Military men are frequently
unreasonable, and it CALLED his soul
to have his fellow officers drop in
and ask him how his pet screwball
was getting along. Reluctantly he
called in doctor.
The doc was completely baffed.
The fact that he could use neither
of the standard Army remedies, G c
pills or iodine, threw him off his
stride, and he got nowhere with the
examination. All the patient would
say was that he enjoyed fishing
just as much as Izaak Walton ever
did, only he was much less easily
discouraged than Ike. The medico
wrote up an elaborate report Of the
mans condition, with a profusion
of technical terms, and gave it to
the captain, who frowned at the
document.
"Hmmml" he said. "Dementia
praecox, non compos mentis, hallu-
cinatory complex, schizophrenia-
what does all this gun really mean
doc? Can you give 1t to me in
words OF one syllable?"
II can," said the medico calmly
"The guy is nuts, skipper. You'd
better get rid of him; it might be
contagious.
Shortly afterward, the ardent fish
erman and not so ardent soldier,
having turned in his uniform and
equipment and donned civvies, pre-
pared to leave the camp. Before
doing so, he paraded all through It,
carrying his rod and line. Fastened
firmly to the pin was a document
testifying to his discharge from the
Army.
Il caught it at last, boys!" he
cried gleefully. "Aint 1t q pip?
Who's loony now?"
Minor Strategy.
For the benefit Of any who may
wish to follow the example Of this
ingenious private. it may be men,
toned that 1t won't work twice. The
Army needs men, and has now raised
it's standards of lunacy to almost un-
attainable heights. Even a soldier
who bites the captain in the leg
would probably make the guardhouse
instead of civilian life. Better not
try it; there are other more fer
tile if less spectacular fields in which
to exercise minor strategy.
As an example, in some camps
during World War I, soldiers were
required to turn out for morning
| inspection clean shaver before break
Evening star., 1940-12-29

couldn't find a general; when I saw
q general, 1t was just my luck to be
out of ink. On this glorious day I
had both. AL I can say is that 1t
seemed like good idea at the time
1t was, at any rate. a profitable
idea. Shell shock!" murmured the
medicos, whose minds were military
and unable to think Of anything
else responsible for such lese
majestic. After his discharge, he re-
ceived a shell shock bonus of SIS
month, and didn't get another
shock until 10 years later when the
Government got tired Of paying II
and shut it OF.
Sometimes strategy is accidental
and the user Of 1t builds wiser than
he knew. This was true in the case
of q private in the American Army
Of occupation in Germany in 1919.
Deep in Doghouse.
He was sort Of sub-private at
the time, being deep In the military
doghouse. He had just picked up a
30-day jolt in the guardhouse for
being absent without leave, and time
hung heavy on his hands. Through
the bars word percolated in to him
that there would be baseball game
between officers Of rival regiments
AS a sort of forlorn hope, he let it
become known-it was on his serv-
ice record anyhow-that he used to
be bush league umpire, and would
gladly take charge Of the game. His
offer was accepted, and he was re-
leased long enough for this purpose
Soon Maj. Y, the very same major
who had put him In the brig, stepped
up to the plate, and knocked a hot
grounder to the shortstop, who Jug
gled the pill and then shot 1t over
to first base Just about the time the
major arrived. The play was close, to
the spectators, but the umpire had
no trouble in making decision-not
against Maj. Y, at any rate. Two
hours hence he would be back In the
guardnouse, but now he was su-
preme. You're outl" he barked
Jerking a mean thumb.
The major squawked bitterly. He
appealed equally to the honor and
the eyesight of the umpire. It was
no dice. That individual was going
to Let no one rob him Of his golden
moment. Still the major fingered on
the bag, hopefully.
Listen, major" said the private
II said the major was out. Please
return to the bench, sir"
"'At'S telling himI" ehigpod the
Evening star., 1940-12-29

MIR. Jefferson was great lover OF
nature. and was especially fond OF
birds and flowers. During his occu-
pancy of the White House he fitted
one apartment, known as his cab
met, according to his own taste. Or
this, Mrs. Smith says:
TT was a specious room, In the
center was long table, with draw
ers on each side, in which were de-
posted not only articles appropriate
10 the place, but a set OF carpenters
TOOLS IN one and small garden 1mple-
ments in another, from the use OF
which he derived much amusement.
Around the walls. were maps, globes,
Evening star., 1940-12-29
nor Strategy Has Function in Ranks of Prvates

Yates strategy consists in trying to
keep himself in one piece by any
honorable means.
Private May Pinch Hit.
In the American Army, at least,
even the private is taught strategy.
If the corporal gets knocked off in
combat, he should be able to pinch
hit for him, and step into the SER
geants shoes if he, too, stops one. He
is not required to learn the generals
duties, however, as there is supposed
to be a limit to casualties.
The most important strategy of
privates is not impaired by official
instruction. If ingenious, they de-
velop their own minor tactics to
smooth over the rough spots and
make life more uncomfortable. The
fnesse employed is often worthy of
the late lamented Machiaveli, mae
stro of the intricate. Old man Mac
himself would have learned a trick
or two if he could have enlisted to-
day. He would have loved the classic
tale of an INSCRIPTIONS 1917 draftee
- fortunately not typical - who
solved his own particular military
problem.
At every leisure moment-and
there are many, even in the Army
he would sit on stool in front Of
his tent, with a rod, line and bent
pin, and fish patiently in bucket
of water, undeterred by the fact that
there was no bait on the pin and
no fish in the bucket. Every now
and then he would lift the pin, gaze
at it sadly, and replace it, murmur-
ing mot yeti" When asked what
he hoped to catch. he remarked,
"You never can tell"
He became the talk of the camp.
From all over 1t, soldiers used to
wander over to Simple Simon and
watch his silly performance. His
officers could do nothing with him;
he respectfully called their attention
to the fact that there was nothing in
Army regulations to prevent him
from fishing when he had the time,
and nothing in the Constitution to
prevent him from doing it in a
bucket All attempts to dissuade
him failed. He still thought he
could catch something!
UnwelcOme Fame.
His captain pondered the situa-
ton. Unquestionably this obstinate
private was making a name for him.
self and bringing fame to the entire
company-it was the most talked-of
one In eamp-but he was not
Evening star., 1940-12-29

rality of 4o7.342 popular votes, and
with all the electoral votes except 81.
But the war President was in sus-
pense for quite a while, and until
the votes were counted he was not
Evening star., 1940-12-29

sure Of his reelection by any means
certain he would not be, as many Of
the most conservative and astute
politicians of the day for 4 while
Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1940-07-20

There's no distinction between
professional rOde0 cowboys" and
cowboys from the ranches-except
the boys who ride the rodeo circuit
are better. This comment was pro
vOked from one Of the former by
statements credited TO @DOc' Par
dee In Prescott, Ariz, who said the
Prescott show was giving the con-
tests back to the cowboys"
There's no difference between tur-
ties and other cowboys, except maybe
the turtles are better" said one Of the
riders. Most of them are so much
better they've been able to buy ranch
eS and run 'em on what they make
talxtn' a chance on their necks rodeo-
ing;
"They organized the turtles to see
they got square breaks from the people
who were putting on shows and to pro-
tect show managers.
lit used 10 be a show would put
UP $500 prize money in bronc riding
and the entrance fees would be double
that. We were riding against our own
money all the time and we fixed that.
I'VE cleaned out the deadbeats that
used to beat hotel bills and give any
body black eye that wore boots.
Another thing the turtles really
protect the amateurs from competition
from a lot of boys that have been
rodeoing for years. They keep their
boys out of amateur contests and let
the local boys win the money instead
Of an old hand at rodeo pitching (bronc
riding) taking the entrance money
from the home guard.
CAS- for Prescott's rules for protect
ing livestock, they're no different than
rules of the Rodeo Association Of
America
Most Of the r. A. A. rules protect
the cattle. Most places there's a pen
atty for pulling down calf by the
horse In the roping. ALI shows have
similar rules for protecting cattle In
the steer roping.
There's a penalty of disqualification
for 10 seconds for breaking steers
horn in bulldogging. And a 10-second
penalty In logging just about means
disqualification"
Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1940-07-20
Leo Cremer and Knute Rockne
Notre Dame Bench Warmers

4 The four horsemen of Notre Dame
and the toughest string Of buckinc
/ horses In the rodeo world were oncf
merely glints IN the eyes of q friends
pair Of aspirants for gridiron honors
some 80 years ago.
When the poWerhouse Of Notre
Dame football might move onto the
playing field that year, the friendly
pair was assigned the task Of warm
ing a bench.
One Of the bench warmers was the
late Knute Rockne, immortal mentor
of the gridiron, who devoted his full
energies to the elimination Of that
early CLINT in his eye.
His bench buddy was a strapping
square Jawed, muscular fellow by the
name Of Leo Cremer, of Montana, who
of the CLINT in his eye at the vests
most widely advertised rodeos.
After being graduated from Notre
Dame with a law degree, Leo Cremer
headed west rather than inclose him
self in the confines Of law office.
Death-dealing broncs, tough-skinned
Brahma bulls and other rodeo material
were the last thing to be associated
with the practice of law.
Starting with a small tract Of land
in central Montana, Cremer today has
one of the largest spreads in the state
and the most explosive string Of broncs
ever assembled
To Cremer goes the credit for revo-
lutionizing the rodeo business. Previ-
Gus to his entry into the corraled
arena, small, why horses were con-
sidered to be the best buckers. Crener
conducted bucking experiments through
the aid of his ranchhands and startled
the rodeo industry by bringing forth
husky broncs, formerly considered the
plow-plug type. Cowhands had only to
glue themselves to the hurricane decks
of the hulking critters once to realize
that this business of rodeo was be-
coming one Of the toughest sports In
the world.
The rodeo impressario travels hun
dreds of miles following the close of
his rodeo circuit each winter to select
new blood for his bucking stock from
the tops of the smaller rodeo strings
over the west.
Today he has what he considers to
be the best aggregation of buckers in
the west, and furthermore he says that
he will more than prove his promise
from the time the first chute gate
Is swung open to the final ride during
the show.
Cremer's stock was at the recent
Butte rodeo and will be at the North
Montana State fair at Great Falls, !
Aug. 5 to 10, inclusive.
Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1940-07-20

Presidential approval was given
% WPA projects totaIing an aukhO-
rtxation Of 81 500, 84S during June,
4 State WPA Administrator Joseph
j Z. Parker has announced. This
! brings the number Of approved
| projects for the last SIX months
/ period TO a total Of 10S projects
entaiIing an authorization Of $4,-
958,4IS.
Two projects of the June approyals
were statewide programs. One carried
an allotment Of $118,867 to eliminate
unSanitaTy devices by the construction
OF sanitary privieS IN order to i'm
prove community sanitation In rural
areas where sewer systems are inn
practicable. The project Is sponsored
by the Montana state board of health.
The other project sponsored by the
state department of public welfare al
located $780, 1893 to maintain and on
crate sewing rooms
Other approvals by counties are as
follows:
Beaverhead-Im Improve streets and al
leys in Dillon, $50 ,065.
Blaine and Phillips Construct and
improve roads and streets on the Fort
Belknap Indian reservation, $13,2I6.
Carbon-Complete school gymnasium
81 Edgar, $3,3T1, construct and inn
prove county roads, $138, $50: improve
high school building and grounds at
Red Lodge, $1.O08.
Carter Construct a telephone line
from Chalk Buttes to Ekalaka, 1881.
Cascade - Construct and improve
water mains at Belt, s., 062.
Fallon-Improve county roads, $4e,-
Fergus Improve Lewistown water
system, 1881.
Gallatin-Improve parks and boule-
wards IN B0zeman, $15O18.
Lewis and Clark-Construc facilities
for the Montana national guard. 1891
Mineral-Improve school buildings
and grounds throughout the county,
SIS, 753.
Missoula- streets and
alleys in MiSsoula, $42.249.
MuSSelshen - Improve ROUNDUP
streets and alleys, $28,713.
Powell-ConStruct gymnasium and
improve high school buildings and
grounds at Deer Lodge, S44.24O.
Silver Bow-Assist In conducting a
mineral survey for the Montana School
Of Mines, $11 1892.
Toole- Construct park IN Shelby,
$40, 70S.
Yellowstone Construct hangar
school building near Billings, S7,6SA:
enlarge Montana game farm near BIZ
lings, $6,887; install sewer system I'm
Improvement district No. 48 near Bill
lings, 1926.
Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1940-07-20
Missouri RiUer Voyage
Her HONEYMOON in 1868

Mrs. Louisa WeIborn Thompson, who
died recently, came to Montana In 1868
as q bride, her honeymoon being the
voyage on the Missouri river to Fort
Benton.
Mrs. Thompson was born IN Darling
ton, Montgomery county, Ind, March
4, 1851. During her early childhood
the Civil war was fought Her father
was a cannoneer In the Union army.
On Feb IS, 1868, she was united In
marriage to Charles Wesley Thompson.
The young couple made the trip up
the Missouri river by flatbOat to the
Montana territory.
From Helena, Mr.. and AArs. Thomp-
son went TO Jefferson City for q time
and In 1887 moved to Three Forks and
lived ON o farm there for over 40 years
To this union three children were
born. OF them only Homer Thompson
OF Three Forks Is surviving. Mr..
Thompson died Sept. g, 1919.