davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-09-13
CHAPTER 90

The leading Death Head
guard Of Arbeitskommando
Made Kessel stand on a
mound Of earth and shout 100
times:
81 am . murderer"
Then Kessel was chased
around a wide circle Of guards.
In front of each guard he
stopped, lowering his pants.
Each guard gave Kessel three
strokes with his rubber club.
Following this. the chief of
the guards ordered the tor
tured man to run toward
Holland" Kessel was too bat
tered, too frightened to think.
He ran. Before he had run
so yards. an Elite Guard
raised his carbine and shot
the running man through the
back Of the head.
One morning In the second
week Of April the camp COM
mander's clerk shouted my
name. l sprang to attention.
Get ready to leave" I was
told. you're going to Ham,
burg for trial"
Tho hour Of the verdict II
ut hand" / told myself, and
was glad of il.
l was brought to the vast
courthouse prison on Ham,
burg's Sievekingsplatz. There
I was assigned to a cell on the
ground floor, on the Totem
reibe-"Dead Mems Row
which harbored the Cestapo's
candidates for death. The
walls Of the cell bore the
scribblings of men who had
been there before me. men
who now lay in their graves,
or in the dungeons. con-
demned to many years Of hard
labor.
I'VE never die" one in
scription read. and another:
I'VE are still the architects
OF the future. Red 'FRONT.'"
Dead Mems Row" was
closely guarded. Every few
minutes the eyes of a guard
appeared at the little spy hole
in my cell door. The cells on
the Totenreibe all bore the
sign: "Sachen herausnehmen.
Nachtlicht."
All night the electric lights
were left burning. Every eve
ming all my clothes were taken
away from me for the night.
So DEFENDANTS
The trial before the Special
Tribunal began the morning
after my arrival in Hamburg.
There were So in my party of
defendants. All of them. ex-
cept myself. were former
functionaries OF the Red Ma
rines of the Hamburg area.
accused OF many specific
courts of terrorism against
the storm troops and the Hit
Ter Youth.
We sat huddled on benches.
row on row, in the center Of
the large court room. A
Death Head guard sat be-
tween each pair OF prisoners.
To the left, in a separate
enclosure. were the lawyers
benches; one Nazi lawyer had
been appointed TO defend"
each group Of five prisoners.
To the right of us sat an
array of Nazi officials, some
in civilian clothes, the ma
Jority in gffttering uniforms.
Among them / recognized
Fiebelkorn, the supreme chief
OF the Hamburg storm troops,
Karl Kaufman. iHtler's spe-
cial commissar for the Ham,
burg district: Wilhelm Bohle.
the head of the Foreign
Division OF the Nazi Party.
and many others: Elite Guard
chieftains, Gestapo men.
police officers. representa-
tive of the Reichswehr, In
spector Radam and Hertha
Jens.
Behind us, the court room
was packed with the wives
of Nazi functionaries and the
relatives OF slain storm troop
ers.
Lining the walls, Elite
Guards stood shoulder TO
shoulder. all OF them heavily
armed. In front was the
judges bench. Above il hung
a portrait Of Adolf Hitler
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-09-13
On the Side
By E. v. During

I vas early taught to york
A Weu play
My life has been
One long happy holiday.
Full Of life full Of play,
dropped the worry the Udy
And God good to every day.
John d. Rockefeller Sr
I'm his long life Mr. Rockefeller ST. wrote only poem
The above is t.-EVD)
M GOING to get suit tomorrow. This Is still
event for Guess I'll get blue like to take
wife along when blue suit What don't like. though
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-09-13

against the background OF a
huge swastika flag.
There was q sudden COM
motion. All around US the
Nszis rose to their feet, their
arms outstretched in the Hit
Ter salute. The guards on the
prisoners benches prodded the
ribs Of their charges.
ION your feet, you muir
derers!"
We rose slowly. Through a
carved oaken side door three
judges filed In. They wore the
swastika insignia on their
black robes. They faced the
assembly. raised their arms
stiffly. and then sat down.
Not one of the prisoners had
given the Nazi salute.
The trial began.
Court attendants spread a
large accumulation of weapons
over two large tables. They
were the arms which had been
confiscated from the arsenal
OF the Red Marines. pistols
OF all makes and calibers, q
dozen service carbines, an
assortment of knives and
daggers. Is hand grenades and
two light army machine guns.
DEATH DEMAND
The trial dragged on for
weeks. Day after day we sat
on the prisoners benches. a
cadaverous crew of outcasts
surrounded by all the symbols
Of Hitler power.
The prosecuting attorney. a
tall, thin. pale-faced man
named Jauch, dominated the
hearings. His hatred for us
was undisguised. His eyes
flashed and his colorless lips
drew back in snarls as he de-
handed death, and nothing
but death.
Each day the Nazi press
blew into the same horn. The
headlines dubbed us the
choicest band of assassins"
that ever populated German
court room. Epithets like
"sadists." "Asiatic killers"
"bloodthirsty wire puliers,
"traitorous vermin," and
many others were hurled into
our faces day after day.
The witnesses, of course,
were nearly all Gestapo agents
and storm troopers. The
fathers and mothers OF the
slain Nazis made speeches
clamoring for the blood of the
slayers Of their sons.
Johnny Dettmer fought like
a Berserker.
'1f I had two guns In my
hands," ne declared on one
occasion, I'D be the Red
Judge at this trial, and the
accused would be you, the
Brown Pest"
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-09-13
NO GUILLOTINE

Formerly a guillotine had
beep used TO chop off heads,
but Hitler had discarded the
guillotine as a French inven-
ton. u,
The hand-ax had again conle
into its right. 1t had a handle
of polished wood, perhaps four
feet long. The AK was broad
and heavy. Its back was a
solid square of shining steel.
The headsman's aSSis tan {
placed ii into a rack of metal
and leather. a yard away
from the scaffold.
Prosecutor Jauch produced
papers from brief case. The
row of prisoners along the
wall seemed TO sway: but.
perhaps it was only my eyes
which swayed. The headsman
was ready now.
The first 10 be led from his
cell was Johnny Dettmer.
Marching between two guards,
he wore the striped convict
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-09-13

garb. He looked at the sky.
at the tree tops, and he swung
his legs as If he enjoyed the
morning saunter.
They brought him TO a halt
In front of the prosecutor.
Jauch mum bled, hardly
glancing up from his paper. /
saw then for the first time
that a clergyman was in the
assembly.
RAGE AND TERROR
The clergyman was a little
man in black. wearing the
swastika badge.
$50 to hell" Dettmer told
him In a loud voice.
Cries came from many cell
windows:
"Good-by, Johnnyw--'Long
live the revolution!-"Neider
NIT Hitlerw
Cries of rage and cries of
terror.
When the headsman's as
sistant seized Johnny Dettmer,
our comrade fought wildly.
He fought silently. with all
his strength. But his hands
were shackled on his back.
Guards tied his ankles to-
gether and strapped him in
upright position 10 a board.
The board was swung 10 a
horizontal position. Johnny's
head protruded over the edge
Of the board. Beneath the
head was q basket half full
of sawdust.
Farewell, job amy" I
thought. Don't fight any
moro. Please stop. Try to
die easily. You were . good
p fighter. Good by, Johnny,
good-by, good-by."
Most eyes were fearless.
They were wide open and dry
and staring.
Before / could realize what
was happening, the headsman
raised his ak over Comrade
Dettmer's head. He did not
strike. He simply let it fall
on Jehnny,s neck.
Then, with an easy motion,
he drew the blade toward
him. and stepped back.
Johnny Dettmer's head fell
into the basket.
THEN ANOTHER
For a second or two the
headless body twitched. Blood
ran into the sawdust. The
watchers were silent. The
headsman's assistant I'M
strapped the corpse and threw
it into one Of the basket
collins. Others washed the
board and swung it back again
to an upright position. The
clergyman mumbled a prayer.
The headsman picked up the
lifeless head and placed it
gently between the thighs of
the headiess body. Then four
guards carried the basket into
the basement of the prison
hospital.
The attendants had hardly
covered the blood with a new
layer of sawdust when the
next man was led out from
Dead Mems Row."
He was Herman Fischer,
short, taciturn, courageous
man, who. in the 1923 barri-
cade fighting in Hamburg, had
been the leader of the First
Red Hundred.
Fischer looked neither to
right nor left. He pushed the
clergyman aside and walked
straight up to the scaffold.
When the headsman raised the
ak. Fischer shrugged his
shoulders.
What a theaterw were his
last words.
ROARING TO DEATH
Fred w e hire berg, the
stoker. was the third. He
walked ahead of the guards,
singing in his ringing voice:
"Brueder. EUR Some. zur
Freiheit -" brothers toward
sunshine. toward freedom ;. }
Confronting the prosecutor,
he stopped his singing. AS
Doctor JaDch read out the
sentence. Fred Wehrenberg
roared into his face:
Long live the Soviet
Union! Long live Soviet Ger
many
He roared until the heads
mans steel cut through his
voice. In the row of watch
ing prisoners, two men had
collapsed. Guards dragged
them back to their cells. From
one of the barred little win
dows a high voice shouted
continuously:
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-09-13

Asked what he wanted drink party at the National
Press Club in Washington the Duke Of Kent said:
"a spot of gin ginger ale"
That's potent combination.
Crawford greatest strength character Of
Hollywood interests Of her Joan has
been successful struggles the weakness Of falling
love.
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-09-13

J. A. W., Detroit. Mich.--"At
what age is the menopause usu-
ally completed?
Answer--There Is a wide var.
iation in different women for on.
set and completion OF the men,
opause. In American women OF
former generations IL occurred
at an earlier age than at pres
ent. Healthy women OF today
usually do not enter the memo
pause until the forty-sixth to
forty-seventh year. In a consid-
cradle percentage not until the
fiftieth year. The duration 10
from six months TO three years.
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1941-02-20
NOTICE OF FILING ACCOUNTS
The State of Ohio, Morgan County,
In Probate Court

Whereas, accounts and vouchers
have been filed in the Office of this
Court by the Administrators or Ex-
ecutors of tho following deceased
persons, to-wit:
Raymond A. A. Stoneburner, ex-
ecutor of the estate of Rutha Stone
burner; Harry Cook, and the First
Trust and Savings Bank of Zanes-
vile, O., executors of the estate Of
Lee Humphrey; Alta White, admin
istratrix of the estate of w. J.
White; Caroline L. Weaver, admin
istratrix of the estate of George
Weaver; Carrie Smith Cooper, as ad-
ministrator of the estate of Sooy
Smith; Arley E. Johnson, as admin
istrator Of the estate of John J.
Johnson; Russell Richardson, as ex-
ecutor of the estate Of Emma j.
Richardson.
Notice is hereby given that said
accounts and vouchers are now on
file in the office Of said Court, being
suspended for confirmation, and per-
sons interested in said accounts or
any item thereof, may file written
exceptions thereto, at least five days
prior to the 3rd day Of March,
1941, when the same will be heard
and continued from day to day un-
til finally disposed of.
ARTHUR TORBERT,
6f3 Probate Judge.
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1941-02-20
Newton Ridge

Herbert Orwig and family, Zanes-
Vile, were callers at the Luther Nc
Kibben home Saturday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Henry Porter and
daughter DOtty were dinner guests
Sunday at the James Porter home;
also callers at the Melvin White
home.
Mary Newsom and Kate Henery
spent Thursday afternoon with Mary
Griest.
Mrs. Chester Johnson and son OF
MeConnelsvilJe spent several days
the past week with her mother, Mrs.
Mabel Newsom.
Mr., and Mrs. Charles Williams
md daughter Jillion, Mr.. and Mrs.
CARL Williams al.d son Stanley and
Ernestine Clifford of Pennsville spent
Sunday at the Walter Clifford home.
Mae Henery, Della Bowles, Betty
Spencer and Charles Teter are re-
covering from mumps.
Mrs. Luther McKibben spent Sun
day with her son Russell McKibben
and family, of Stockport.
Albert Henery and son Lewis
spent Sunday afternoon with his
parents, Mr.. and Mrs. j. r. Henery,
Ct .2oosterville.
John Weth erell and family spent
Sunday afternoon with Mrs. Eta
Mellor and son Lee.
Howard White and daughter Ber-
nice Porter spent Thursday in Zanes-
vile.
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1941-02-20
Arlington

Mr.. and Mrs. Lewis Greer and
son Charles Galen. Mrs. Blanche
Greer and Miss Mary Barkhurst
visited Sunday with Mr.. and Mrs.
Emmett woodward.
Mrs. Ed Oglevee and son John
spent Sunday with Mr.. and Mrs.
John Anderson.
Mr.. and Mrs. ]. o. Miller and
children Esther, Wayne, Edsel and
Donald, Mr.. and Mrs. Dale Greer
and daughters Patty and Linda
took dinner Sunday with Mr.. and
Mrs. G. S. Lawrence. Mr.. and Mrs.
Cecil Lawrence, Mr.. and Mrs. Her
man Downing and children Betty,
Norma, Helen, Russell and Ronald,
MI. and Mrs. o. F. Flanders, Mr..
and Mrs. II. W. Wilson, Mrs. Dora
FLANDERS and Mrs. Fannie McGregor
were all visitors at the Lawrence
nome during the afternoon and ev-
ening.
Mrs. R. F. McCregor and dargh-
ter Beulah visited Sunday after
noon with Mr. and Mrs. G.. A. Rich
ey
Mr.. and Mrs. H. w. Wilson and
Mrs. Fannie McGregor took Sunday
dinner with Misses Dicie and Deb
bic Wilson.
Mr.. and Mrs. Fred Downing and
daughter Dorothy visited Sunday af-
ternoon at the McGregor home.
The Bristol township Christian
Endeavor will meet Sunday evening
Feb. 23, at the Mt. Zion church
with Charles Embree, as leader.
Quite a number of our commun-
ity are enjoying the conveniences OF
electricity, as most of this section
has been turned on within the last
week.
Will Bird, whose illness has beer
mentioned before, remains in ser.
ious condition.
The latest report from the c. S
Wilson family was that they were a
Ft Lauderdale, Fla, where they
had seen Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence
| Fmbree. They expected to go bacl
tc Lady Lake, Fla, to spend few
days with Mr.. and Mrs. Chester
Smith, and then start on westward
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1941-02-20
Morgan County

conference for not providing for his
family. They wouldn't have to de-
frock him, his salary, or lack OF i
would do that. Let's keep on writ
ing them Silas, and tell the facts
about the subject under discussion.
You are a better writer so you try
it first
Have the folks call and tell
me when you are to be buried, or
cremated.
Recently a friend wanted to give
us a hat which gave us an idea,
when we tried it on it slipped down
ever our ears. We had always
known he was much wiser than We
until then we did not know it
was on account OF the fact that he
has a bigger granary. Perhaps this
may not be interesting-or the
work of a correspondent, but we re-
member the first time we heard the
word pronounced granary, our cou-
sin did it and the teacher compli-
mented her. We had heard folks
talk about "grainery."
Mr.. and Mrs Albert Duff (Agnes
Cray have moved from the E. G.
Swallow Cunningham house to s.
E. Bones tenant house, near the
Cotton bridge.
Mrs. Carrie Ray, daughter Miss
Loisine and sons Samuel and Ken
ton were guests Of Harold Fuller
and family of Ringgold, Sunday
Other guests were Jesse Embree and
family, Pennsville.
John Glenn is out of M. & M.
high school entertaining the mumps.
Quite a bit of plowing is already
, done for spring planting and SOW
| ing.
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1941-02-20
SHERIFF'S SALE OF
REAL ESTATE
State Of Ohio, Morgan County,
Common Pleas Court
Gale Kuntz, Plaintiff

Mary Kuntz, ct al, Defendants
Case No. 6671
In pursuance of an Order Of Sale In
the above entitled action, will offer
for sale at public auction at the door
of the courthouse in McConnelsvflie,
Morgan County, Ohio, on Monday, the
10th day Of March, 1871, at 10 o'clock
A. NJ. the following described real es-
tate:
Situated in the. County Of Morgan.
State OF Ohio, and In the Township OF
Morgan, to-wit: Being part Of South
East quarter Of Section Two a.,
Town Eleven (11), Range Twelve (1z).
GAINESVILLE Land District Beginning at
South East corner of said Section Two
(2) Thence South Sc West Fifty and
$500 rods. Thence north IA East
Forty Eight and 48-100 rods. Thence
north Sc West Sixty-two and 85-10O
rods to place of beginning. Thence
North So West Thirty-two and 60-10O
rods to center Of Barnesville road.
Thence North 11h East Thirty and
25-1O0 rods. Thence South So East
Thirty-two and 60-100 rods Thence
South III West Thirty and 85-100
rods to place of beginning and con-
taining Six and twenty eight one
hundredth C 28-100) acres.
Said premises appraised at $4,000
and cannot be sold for less than two
thirds of that amount.
Terms of Sale: Cash.
RAY DOAK,
Sheriff of Morgan County, Ohio.
A. B. Mercer. Attorney 6f6
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1941-02-20
Unionville

Mr.. and Mrs. Frank Foster Of
this place have both been very i'll
from flu for the past ten days, how
ever they are somewhat improved
at this writing.
The subscribers Of the Lick Run
telephone line held their annual
meeting here at the local store last
Friday afternoon.
The Little Creek telephone own
ers held their annual meeting Fri
day night at the George Schimmel
home.
Miss Mary Wickersham of Upper
Sandusky spent Saturday and Sun
day here with her parents, Mr.. and
Mrs. J. H. Wickersham.
Miss Freda Foster of the aud
itor's office, McConnelsville, spent
Sunday here with her parents, Mr..
and Mrs F. E. Foster.
Ray and Jay Barnes, students at
the Reinersville high school, spent
over the week end at the Everett
Coyle home at Renrock, and attend
ed the basketball game at Reiners-
Vile, Friday and Saturday nights.
Ruth and Dale SimcoX of Dyes
Fork of Meigs creek, and students
at the Reinersville high school, have
been afflicted from spells of severe
coughing the past week, that may be
whooping cough, as they have been
exposed.
Mrs. Alice Murray left Tuesday
for Coshocton for visit with her
daughters. Mrs. Ross Murray and
family and Mrs. Arthur Sandel and
husband.
Mr.. and Mrs. Miles Bryan of near
Malta spent Sunday with their
dar ghter. Mrs. Claude Murray, and
family
The trustees of Emery church,
accompanied by their families, held
a business conference at the Her.
bert Dewitt home, Last Friday night.
Lunch was served.
The trustees resurfaced Walnut
street with gravel, last week.
Graham Clark spent a few days
last week in GAINESVILLE.
Mrs. Flora Perkins OF McConnels-
Vile, spent a few days recently here
with her daughter, Miss Dora Mel
son.
Andy Ponchak who injured his
leg six weeks ago by dropping a
board which he was carrying and
bas since been confined to his home,
is now able to return to the Reiners-
Vile high school this week. He is
member of the freshmen class.
Mrs. Sarah Reed, an, aged and
highly respected lady of the Hack
ney vicinity is reported very low
from complications incident to old
age.
Mr.. and Mrs. Graham Clark spent
Sunday evening at the VIM. Stegner
home.
Robert Stegner and Betty Barnes
are ill from heavy colds.
c.. A. Stegner was business Wis
itor in GAINESVILLE, last week.
Eleanor Barnes has been i'll for
several days from a heavy cold.
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1941-02-20
McKendree

Most of the mumps victims are
improved.
Mr.. and Mrs. Forest Parmiter
who have been very sick with
mumps, are better and Mrs. Ger
trude Lawrence the nurse in charge
has returned to her home in .McCon-
nelsville. Mrs. Helen Crisman and
Miss Beulah Lighthizer are among
the recent victims.
Mr. and Mrs. Roy White and fam
lily visited Sunday with Mr.. and
Mrs. C. 0. White.
The Neelyville Telephone associa-
ton held their annual meeting
Monday, Feb. II, for the purpose of
collecting the annual switch fees.
Mrs. Sarah White visited Sunday
with Mr.. and Mrs. Homer Tavenner
and family.
Mr.. and Mrs. Alvin Parmiter en-
tertained with o'clock dinner
Friday, Feb. IA, in honor OF Will
liam Parmiter's birthday Those
present were the guest of honor,
William Parmiter, and wife, Mrs.
Frances Smith and son Richard,
Mrs. Ella Parmiter and grandson
Dewey Parmiter and the host and
hostess and two sons.
Callers at the Forest Parmiter
home Sunday were Mrs Sadie Lyons
and daughter Edna, Mr.. and Mrs
Harry Ham and sons Donald and
Burdette, all Of this vicinity; Mr..
and Mrs. Clyde White and Mr.. and
Mrs. H. D. Dickson, all Of zanes-
Vile.
Mrs. Bertha Parmiter spent Sun
day with her daughter, Mrs. Helen
Crisman.
Mrs. Ella Parmiter has been
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1941-02-20

Be it ordained by the Council of the
Village of McConnelsville, Morgan
County, Ohio:
Section One: That it is necessary
to issue and sell Twenty-Five Thou
sand Five Hundred Dollars ($22, 100000
Of bonds for the purpose of enabling
said village to participate in the Fed
eraI Aid Program of the United States
Government and to pay the villages
share of the cost of improving por-
tions of the following streets in said
village in conjunction with the w. p.
A.: Bell, Mcconnell Avenue, Thirteen
tn, Eighth, Second, Third, Fourth,
Dale, Union, Twelfth, School, Tenth,
Fourteenth. Maple, and that anticipa-
tory notes shall not be issued in an
ticipation of the issuance of such
bonds.
Section Two: That said bonds shall
be dated approximately the first day
of March, 1941, and shall bear inter-
est at not to exceed three CD per
centum, per annum, payable semi-an-
nual]y, on the first days of March and
September of each year until the
principal sum is paid, provided, how
ever, that if said bonds are sold bear
ing a different rate Of interest than
hereinbefore specified, such bonds
shall bear such rate of interest as
may be provided for in the Resolu-
tion of council approving the award
thereof Said bonds shall mature as
follows: (the first maturity being de-
ferred period of five yearS):
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1941-02-20
Wesley Chapel

A number of Dorothy Dugan'1
sohoolmates spent Sunday evening
with her.
We suggest if you have not had
the mumps and want them you had
better come to this community.
Those that have taken them since l
wrote last, are Donald Cordray,
Bobby and Joan Miller, Freda and
Maxine Roberts, Dorothy Dugan,
and Eugene FuffInan. A large
number have them in the Saltwater
vicinity.
Tuesday morning was the coldest
morning this winter.
Harry Sullivan who had the flu
Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1941-02-20
Rillv Griest Is on the sick list.

Billy Griest Is on the sick list
Mary Newsom is caring for Mrs.
Eva Jeffers, of Malta.
Galen White or East Windsor
spent the week end with his grand
parents, Mr.. and Mrs. Howard
White.
Mr.. and Mrs. J. Harry Henery
and daughter Hilda were in Zanes-
vile, Saturday.
Emmett Wright of Rosseau spent
Friday evening at the Walter Gift
ford home Harry Clifford returned
home with him and spent the week
end
Mr.. and Mrs. Edgar Roberts of
Warren spent Wednesday and
Thursday with her parents, Mr.. and
Mrs. Emmett Newton.
Mrs. c. w. Thompson entertained
with a dinner Friday, Feb. IA, in
honor Of Mrs. Wesley Henery and
Mr.. Thompson's birthdays. Those
present were Mr.. and Mrs. Wesley
Hanery Miss Emma Storer, Mr..
Thompson, and hostess.