davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Montana farmer-stockman., 1956-07-01
aaasazgEsssaa - y s
The Big Hailstorm of 1918
By IRA MYERS

MY BROTHER and I were home
steaders in 1910 in the White Beaver
Basin in what was then a part of Sweet
Grass County but later became Still
water County Like most of the home
steaders, we had little money but lots
of faith and ambition.
The production of wheat from 1910
to 1916 had been fair, with only small
acreages seeded but increasing each
year as the farmers broke out more
land. We had some hail almost every
year-nothing serious, but still a men
ace-and farmers were clamoring for
a state hail insurance law. The legis-
lature finally did pass such a law and
E. K Bowman of Hardin See report
in this issue by Bowman, now chairman
Of State Board of Hail Insurance. was
selected to help with the administration
of the law. We farmers thought we had
really done something to get protection
from hail
In 1913 we had lots of rain and the
crops looked good, so good that several
of us farmers went together to buy
grain separator-mostly on time. The
grain was almost ready to cut. In fact
had cut half a day on Saturday.
Sunday we had company, my sister
and her family, for dinner and after
Montana farmer-stockman., 1956-07-01
Contour bitches Save Work
And Water in Irrigating
By LEE w. ADST, Yellowstone County,

ALL MY IRRIGATED land, except
for four acres or so, lies on a S to 8
per cent slope, that is, five to eight
feet of fall for each 100 feet. For many
years before came on the place it
had been farmed in row crops and
small grains and was badly eroded.
One field had to be harvested in nine
lands and the bitches ran in all direc-
tons to get the water onto the high
places.
Realizing that I did not know any,
thing about running bitches, l ap-.
pealed to the Soil Conservation Serv-
ice for assistance, which they were
quick to give.
The first step was survey to deter
mine the capabilities of the land and
the conservation measures needed to
protect it. This survey showed that
sugar beets should be grown only on
that level four acres. The rest of the
land should be put into legumes or
grass or some other close growing
crop.
Seeded to Hay Crop
So 1 seeded all my land to alfalfa
and red clover and the SCS technicians
came and laid out the bitches and
lo-JuIy l, 1856
Montana farmer-stockman., 1956-07-01

blanket over the window, but rain came
in anyhow.
When at last it stopped, we went
outside. Hailstones, bigger than hens
eggs, but not quite as big as baseballs,
lay in piles all over the ground. They
did not melt away for two or three
hours. l remember we children wanted
to freeze ice cream with the hailStones.
But somehow we didn't try. Perhaps the
feeling of disaster stopped us.
My parents were walking around,
looking at the flattened grain and won
dering if any of it would survive. We
followed them. Then we looked at the
sweet corn, which was utterly ruined,
flat on the ground, the lovely waving
leaves ripped into ribbons, and the
poppieS, which had all but disappeared.
The meaning of a complete crop failure
was clear to us then, looking at that
garden.
Cattle Killed
Later, the weekly paper carried news
about the BIG HAILSTORM. Cattle and
horses caught out in it had been killed
or injured. Crops had been almost de-
stroyed.
Still later, the hail insurance man
came around. With my father, he esti-
mated the per cent of damage. We kids
trailed along, listening.
1t would be pleasant to state that,
after the year of 1916, which started
out SO hopefully and ended so disas-
trously. we had good crop years. But
that was not the case.
1916 was followed by years in which
drouth, grasshoppers, red rust, black
rust and smut partly or wholly de-
Stroyed the crops. Farmers, merchants,
bankers went broke. Not till 1924 was
there again good crop.
Minor hailstorms did their share in
the seven years of disaster. But never
again did we have a hailstorm as spec
tacular as that of 1916. 1t remained
THE hailstorm.
Montana farmer-stockman., 1956-07-01
The Big Hailstorm of 1916
BY VERA LUND PRAAST

TO ANYONE who can remember II.
the big hailstorm of 1916 in northeast
ern Montana will always remain the
hailStorm.
1t came in the middle of summer
when all the grain was green and tall
and waving like lakes in the soft west
winds. Farmers were looking forward
to the biggest crop in years, planning
to pay off debts and buy new equip
ment.
The garden was fine. My brother and
l were personally acquainted with everv
plant in it. The sweet corn was in the
silk, its ruffled leaves long and green
We could almost taste the delicate kerr
nels of the ears that were forming
There were onions. rutabagas. beets.
The poppies, red, white and lavender
were blooming. 1t was fine year.
So we thought.
One Hot Afternoon
linen, one hot afternoon, the skv in
the southwest assumed a shinomer;not
coppery color, which had never seen
Nor have I ever seen that color since
Clouds gathered. Wind, rain and hail
started. Livestock hit for the coulees
and the chickens for the shed
On the prairies, storms have a clean
sweep for hundreds of miles. Crash
after crash of thunder came. with
forked lightning all around the dark
sky. You wanted to look and YOU also
wanted to hide, but where could Won
hide from a storm that was everv-
where?
keep away from the windows, said
Mother. Don't go near those iron
beds"
Some people had lightning rods. and
SO were safe. But we didn't
Window Smashed
Inc haIlstones became bigger and
bigger. They smashed In the ton sash
OF the west window. They pitted tha
green paint on the outside of the bonse
also, as we found later. We b,no
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-09-02

known to many U.s. movegoers star of the japanese
films, "RaShomon' and Gate Of He'll She will be
better known and to larger audiences when she appears
in real Hollywood glamour role opposite Marion
Brando in The Teahouse Of The August Moon
England can boast of two relative newcomers who are
Holywood-bound. They are Kay Kendall, the girl with
the horn in "Genevieve and Diana Dors, the last
saucy little dame with genius for getting herself written
about She's the - that's right = who appeared at
a Royal Command performance in too much decoete
Her first US. movie: 81 Married A Woman"
The most fruitful source of fresh glamour at the pres
ent time, is Germany. Some of the stars real beau
ties Marianne Cook (sgned by Universal to appear in
-Four Girls In TOWN., Maria Schel, Lselotte Pulver
Ruth Leuwerik, Annemarie Duernger.
OF all the stars in this International gallery which is
the most beautiful? You'll get your chance to vote
pretty soon My own choice? A tough decision, but
I'll cast my ballot for lovely Lii Li-hwa. - The End
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-09-02

Most Of them aren't going to remain strangers very
long Hollywood talent scouts we're treading on my
heels everywhere | went. For example, the girl on
THIS WEEKS cover, Engrid Andree is up-and-coming
star in the up-and-coming German films. But was
sure over here had ever heard of her, only to
learn when | got home that she has been tagged by
United Artists for forthcoming Hollywood film.
You could have knocked me with feather,
too, when heard that Lii L-hwa, whom left in Hong
Kong was in this country signed up by Cecil B. de Mile
for a role in his forthcoming The Buccaneer."
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-09-02

How did De Mile ever find her? To reach the studio
where she works, one has to penetrate the teeming
refugee section of Kowoon, through winding, muddy
streets. What movie Miss Lii passes through her
way to work!
Never heard of Lii L-hwa before? WE'LL in Singapore,
Hong Kong, Bangkok and Formosa, to say nothing of
Rangoon and Djakarta, she is better known than
MariIyn Monroe or Grace Kelly.
A Swiss Charmer
Frances newest contribution to film glamour is dainty
Genevieve Page, soon to appear in THE Sken Affair"
with David Nven.
In Switzerland found Elisabeth Mueller, a tall
serious beauty. She will costar with Robert Taylor in
M-G-M's The Power And The Prize" Elisabeth was
signed on the basis of her picture magazine
like Ingrid Andree) which shows how fast Hollywood
hunts talent these days.
In Japan, the queen of them all is Machko Kyo -
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-11-04

CARNATIONS. David Ben urion,
now Premier of Israel, was then
general secretary of Histadrut,
and the two worked closely to-
gether
AS the years went on she
took on bigger and bigger jobs,
representing Histadrut at many
international conferences, and
serving as a delegate to many
Zionist world Congresses.
She had some narrow es-
capes with death. In 1948, with
the cannons booming in the
Israeli-Arab war, she disguised
herself as an Arab woman to
get through the lines for a
personal interview with crusty
old King Abdullah of Jordan
in his palace. She tried to work
out an agreement with him to
stop the war. Her eloquence
prevailed WIN King ADuullan,
but he had to renege on his.
agreement with her a few days
later, he told her regretfully,
because the rest of the Arab
world would not go along with
him.
She has been a member of
her nations delegation to the
United Nations, once holding
a special committee investi-
eating Palestine troubles en-
thralled with her eloquence.
She has spoken in Washing
ton many times. almost al
ways in support of bond drives.
and is expected here again
December 2. unless the present
crisis in her nation causes a
change in her plans.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-11-04

for the out-of- town guests. It
viii also be q farewell party
for Mrs. Magee, who leaves for
South America the following
Friday.
To See Daughter on
Gen. Snyder will go to New
York with his daughter on
Tuesday. November 10. With
her children, Mary Margaret
and Jonathan, Mrs. Magee will
sail for Caracas, Venezuela, to
join her husband.
Saturday, November II, the
Walter Reed Dental Activi-
ties will give its first formal
dinner dance of the season
with the guidance Of the new
Social Committee.
Chairman for the affair is 1t.
John G.. Griffith. Dental off,
GERS and their wives have been
asked to gather in the Bam-
boo Room at the officers club
for a reception at Z o'clock.
Gen. Snyder will return from
New York in time to attend.
Tuesday, November 20, the
graduating dental advance
class will give a reception and
dinner preceding the gradua-
ton at the officers club, Wal
ter Reed Army Medical Center.
The reception is at $3.50.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-11-04

She taught sixth grade in
Milwaukee, then got into Ii
brary work there and in Chi
cago and New York.
It was during this period
that she discovered her gift of
eloquence, which she generally
exercised in the cause of Zion
ism.
Father SpellbOund
On one occasion her father,
hearing she was planning
to speak at a street-cor-
ner meeting, announced angrily
that he was going right out to
pull her off that soap box by
her hair" Instead, he stood
spellbound like everyone else,
and went home muttering,
What a tonguel What a
Spirit"
From her early teens the
young Coda had been a zest-
full, compelling worker for
ZioniSm. She promised to
marry Morris Myerson, a stu
dious, reserved Jewish intellec-
tual. only on condition that
he would go with her to the
Jewish homeland in Palestine.
The two went to Palestine in
1928. Life was hard there, and
the former teacher decided she
could be of more use raising
chickens on a collective farm
She still walks with the
heavy tread she acquired dur
ing those early years on the
farm.
At night, when her chickens
had gone to rooSt, she studied
Hebrew and Arabic and entered
vigorously into community af-
fairs. She became active in His
tadrut. the great Israeli Fed
Grafton of Labor, which is a
major employer as well as a
representative of workers and
one of the major influences in
Israeli life.
She had a large hand in
changing Histadrut from
strictly a trade union to an
al-round enterprise which in
time embraced dozens of or
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-11-04

to play for dancing, and an
Army band trio will play dur
ing the reception.
Mrs. Bernier, Mrs. Suyden-
|, ham, Mrs. Meder and Mrs.
Knapp will join their husbands
at the party and have a closer
view Of the portrait after the
unwilling and before it is hung
in its appointed place at the
Army Medical Center.
1t. Snyder. jr., will be here
for the party from his post at
Fort Lee, Va, and will join his
sister, Mrs. John j. Magee at
their fathers home for the
week end. Other relatives COM
ing for the party include Gen.
Snyder's sister and brothers
and sister-in-law-Mrs. Harold
c. Berry, Mr.. and Mrs. Carl
S. Snyder. and Mr.. Russell
Snyder, all Of Orrville, Ohio.
On Sunday, November IL,
Gen. Snyder and his sister,
who has been his official host
ess, will entertain at brunch
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-11-04
ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTER
Eloquent Mrs. Meir
Is in News Again
BY ISABELLE SHELTON

by ISABELLE ShELAON
A former Milwaukee school
teacher sits in the center of
the Middle East tinderbox as
Foreign Minister of Israel.
She is Mrs. Coda Meir
(Myerson until a few months
ago, when she adopted the
Hebrew form, one Of the two
women in history to serve as
foreign minister. The other
was Ana Pauker of Commu-
mist Romania, who was purged
IN 1852.
The 5S-year-old widowed
mother Of two children, Mrs.
Meir is the most influential
woman in the Middle East.
She is respected by friend and
foe for her directness and cool
fearlessness.
She's Eloquent
Hard driving, vigorous and
eloquent, she has been sue
cessful as labor organizer, dip
lomat, politician and Jewish
patriot.
Her accession to the foreign
ministry last June was widely
interpreted in the press as
marking a stiffening Of Israel's
policy of active defense"
against Arab infiltration at
tacks--a policy which came to
full fruition last Monday when
Israeli troops struck in force
against Egypt.
1srael'S first woman Foreign
Minister had had many "flrsts"
In her career.
In 1913. after Israel became
q nation, she was named the
new country's first minister to
the Soviet Union.
In 1949, she became the first
woman Cabinet member in the
government, when she was re-
called from Moscow to take
the post of Minister of Labor.
Born in Czarist Russia
Born Coda Marbovitz in
Kiev, Russia, in 1898, Mrs.
Meir was brought to this coun-
try at the age of eight when
her parents fled Czarist Rus
sia's pogroms.
(Staunchly anti Communist.
she suffered a new diSillusion-
ment with the Russians some
months after she went to Mos
COW as Israeli Minister. When
she arrived, masses of Russian
Jews had turned out to meet
her. But later, while she still
was in Moscow, the Russian
government clamped down on
Jewish cultural institutions,
seized many Jewish leaders,
and executed some of them.)
She grew up in Milwaukee,
where her father was a rail-
road carpenter and her mother
ran a small grocery store. The
family lived in two small rooms
behind the store, eking out an
Interpretations existence.
Schoolgirl friends remember
Coda, as a Vivid, beautiful"
read, always fighting for
the underdog." They also recall
her as "studious and brilliant"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-11-04
Parties Will Honor
Retiring General

The Chief of the Army Den
tai Division, Mai. Gen. Oscar
P. Snyder. retires at the end
of the month. having served
more than 80 years in the
service.
Gen. Snyder and his sister,
Mrs. Grace S. Warnes, re-
turned on Wednesday from a
vacation in Ohio. In Column
bus Gen. Snyder attended the
40th reunion of his class at
Ohio State University.
At the moment, the Gen.
eral is not sure about his fu-
ture plans.
Retired Mai. Gen. and Mrs.
Walter Love gave a dinner for
Gen. Snyder and Mrs. Warnes
on Thursday. Yesterday Col.
and Mrs. Harold OFT gave a
dinner for them at their quar-
tiers at Fort George g. Meade.
Col. and Mrs. Robert Shira
will entertain at a buffet din
ner for Gen. Snyder and Mrs.
Warnes on Wednesday at the
officers club, Walter Reed
Army Medical Center. ST
Corps to BE Hosts
The Army Dental Corps will
honor their retiring chief on
Saturday at a reception and
formal dinner-dance. There
will be an unwilling Of a por-
trait of Gen. Snyder by Jess
Schlaaikjer.
Col. Joseph L. Bernier has
charge of arrangements for the
party. Assisting will be Col.
Henry r. Suydenham, Col.
Leland G. Meder and Capt.
Milton j. Knapp. X
Tiny Meeker's orchestra is
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-11-04

followed by dinner with the
exercises at $3.50. The guest
speaker will be the newly
elected president of the Amer
The Farmville herald and farmer-leader. (Farmville, Va.) 1934-1957, 1956-08-17
Shivers Reviews
Two Thirds Rule

Editors Note: Gov. Allan Shivers
OF Texas. states Fighter. makes
a case tor restoration of the two
thirds rule for nominating candi
dates for President and vice presi
dent at Democratic Party national
conventions
For the benefit of new voters, il
might be o good idea at this point
TO define that phrase What is the
tWo-third5 lpic
The tWo-thirdS rule. as lam dis
GUESSING 1t, means that it would
take tWo-thirdS vote in the Demo-
cratic national convention for nom
nation of the presidential and vice
presidential candidates. Not Just a
simple majority Not 81 per cent.
But Just over the edge of &c % per
cent
The very first convention of the
Democratic party adopted the two
thirds rule, and our party lived
and thrived under that rule fof l04
years: until 1886 when the con-
vention abandoned the two thirds
rule and decided to nominate candi-
dates on the basis Of simple ma
iority
OF Utmost Importance
The tWo-thirdS rule IN my opin-
ion. should never have been abro-
gated in the first place, and it is
q matter of utmost Importance to
the welfare Of the Democratic party
that the rule BE- restored at the up
coming convention this year.
Why
Because II is possible, as things
now stand, for an actual minority
81 the Democratic national conVen-
lion to name cur candidate for pres
ldent and our candidate for vice
president And that could happen
This could not only lose us the cleo
ton but brand us forever as boss
ridden party.
Another reason why the two
thirds rule should be restored is
this
The Farmville herald and farmer-leader. (Farmville, Va.) 1934-1957, 1956-08-17
Scottsville

Miss Page Tapscott and Mrs viii
liam l.. Davidson entertained re-
Gently at a miscellaneous shower
for Miss Betty Heath, Of Esmont,
who will be married August "a to
Roland Edward Weise,9 of jackson
vile, Fla About 20 guests were
present on the lawn at Miss Tap
scott 6 home.
Mrs. f. c. Kent visited her SON
/ in-laW and daughter. Mr. and Mrs.
! M L. Carter, while Mr. Kent was
in Charlottesville. They have re-
turned TO their home in Orange.
/ Mr.. and Mrs. Fred Holt n d
children, Peggy and Freddie, of
Madison. Ind, visited Mr.. and Mrs.
NJ l. Carter for a few days this
week.
Mr. and Mrs Ralph Onks, of
johnson City, Tenn. visited friends
in town last week
MIS-. Gertrude Moore and daugh-
ter Dame. of Fairfax. spent the
week end with Miss Arbutus Dlehl.
Miss Dreamer Coleman visited
Mrs Gertrude Moore in Fairfax
for several days
Mr. and Mrs II. H. Parr and Mr..
ana Mrs Sherman Parr spent the
week END with Mr. and Mrs. G. S.
Pagr in Newport News.
Mrs. James F. Beach, of Wash
ington, D c., and her niece. Do
rinda Thompson, of Providence, R.
L. are visiting Mr.. and Mrs. Camp
bell Holt, Mr. Beach is expected TO
spend the week end here.
The Rev and Mrs Randolph Har-
risen and son, Of Norfolk, will ar
rive this week end to spend the
son while Rev Harrison conducts
week with Nh and Mrs T A ALI
the revival at the ScottSville Pres
byterian Church from SUN d
tn ough Friday
The Farmville herald and farmer-leader. (Farmville, Va.) 1934-1957, 1956-08-17

Northern cities which are bottomed
on organized minority pr eS u I e
groups. ethnic, and other self-inter-
est voting blocs. To this was added
continuing build-up of political
labor bosses.
1t was this new element in Demo
cratic party politics along with the
abrogatlon OF the tWo-thirds rule
which in 1910 made possible the
breaking of the tWo-term tradition
established by George Washington
and endorsed and followed by
Thomas Jefferson and Andr e W
Jackson.
l firmly believe that retention Of
the tWo-thirds rule would have pre-
vented these developments and 9TH
ers which have sprung from them
| also firmly believe that a restora-
ton of the tWo-thirds rule will undo
much of the great harm that has
been done to our party and our
country
What can you do about it? You
can do plenty You can begin agi-
tation now-in precinct meetings.
in county conventions and if you
car get there. in state conventions
You can talk up the tWo-thirds rule
You can, finally. send to the Demo
cratic national convention of 1856 a
host Of delegates who will restore
the two-thirds rule for the nominal
tons for President and vice presi-
Gent
The Farmville herald and farmer-leader. (Farmville, Va.) 1934-1957, 1956-08-17
Oak Forest

WAYNE B Anderson and two
friends. Of Richmond. visited Mi
and Mrs, f. B Anderson, Thurs
d,.y afternoon.
Mrs W S. Anderson spent Fri
day before last with Mr.. and Mrs
J. A Jenkins They visited Carl
Meinhard's new home and several
cid homes during the afternoon
The Farmville herald and farmer-leader. (Farmville, Va.) 1934-1957, 1956-08-17
CURIOSITY CATCHES THIEF

Tacoma Wash.-A man, who had
p eViously robbed grocery store
returned to the store and bought a
package of coughdrops lust to see
if the proprietor would recognize
him He did and the man George
Emery Morisette, Y. was turned
over TO the police
The Farmville herald and farmer-leader. (Farmville, Va.) 1934-1957, 1956-08-17

AS things now stand. We have
lodgcd terrific power in the big
city political machines in such cities
as New York. Chicago. Detroit.
Boston, Philadelphia. Cleveland and
Baltimore. In the meantime, the
influence OF the smaller states has
been steadily Whitfield away
Would Go FAR
Restoration of the two-thirds rule
would go far toward reversing this
undemocratic, un-JefferSCnian and
dangerous trend
The ultimate argument against
the tWo-thirds rule is the one that
is whispered about in hotel CORR
dorsan the one that is mentioned
only in tire privacy of the head
quarters of the big city machines
The ultimate argument for the
majority rule and against the two
thirds ruic is the ambition of the
big city machine politicians. The
big city mahcine has ambition on
its side-but We have facts. princi-
pies and tradition on our side.
So we come to the core of the
natter-the fact that In the alb
sence of the tWo-thirds rule. we are
IL constant danger of a minority
choice for President and vice pres-
dent-dictated by big city political
machines
Easily Happen
How easily it could happen A
combination OF several Of the large
states populations wise voting as a
unit and casting huge bIocs Of votes
for one candidate could smother the
wishes OF the majority OF the con
Venticn delegates
Tlie death throcs of the t W O.
thirds rule began iii the convention
Of 1882 and eliminated III the CON
,entlon Of 1886. That is when it hap
pened and. i'll a sense, we wonder
why.
The New Deal high command was
busy building a new party conferred
around the party machines III big
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-09-25
SIS
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Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-09-25

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