Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 January 1911 — Page 2

Odd News From Big Cities

Stories of Strange Happening* in the Metropolitan Towns

Gotham Spends a Billion for Gifts

NEW tork.—That $1,000,600,000. or '».n amount equal to the annual exposes of the national government, seas been spent here this year to fill -Father Knickerbockers 5,000,000 Christmas stockings and those of relatives and friends of residents ip his domain is the estimate of experts who have carefully followed one of the most remarkable holiday, seasons in the history of the country? Reports from other parts of the country reflect similar conditions and indicate a holiday business of $lO,- 1 000,000,000 or more for the country at large. In spite of the alleged unsatisfactory business situation. Santa Claus has been patronized in a moat lavish manner this year. Even In this bllllon-dollar Christmas •outlay, however, the much-talked-of Increased cost of living has had a marked effect. Presents In the form •of luxuries are fewer than ever before, and such articles as automobiles, expensive jewelry and highpriced decorations generally have

Promoter’s Pulpit Talk Brings Coin

KANSAS CITY. Mo,—This city has always liked a “live wire" promoter, one who can go out and get money where money isn’t if necessary, but Ben Blanchard played the game too ’ strong. Fifty business men of This city who have invested $600,000 1a an Arizona copper mine on Blanchard’s seductive representations will be mighty glad to get back what they put In and will willingly sacrifice their hopes of gigantic profits. Once, In Kansas City, he was in church, a stranger, when the minister waa trying to raise enough money to send a missionary abroad: The •contributions came so slowly the minister was discouraged and about to give up when Ben Blanchard arose and with the seductive voice that charmed so many into buying his stock, asked how much it would require to put this missionary on the heathen firing line and keep her there for a year. With a weary voice the pastor named the amount.

Kansas Has Champion Fresh Air City

WINFIELD, Kan. —This town, which has been known for years as the Athens of southern Kansas, because of its colleges, is now adding a health laurel to Its crown. Winfield claims the distinction of haring more bath tubs and more sleeping porches than any other town in Kansas. In addition to its sleeping porches, 'Winfield has living tents. Those who cannot afford either sleep with their windows up. Winfield, which is credited with haring one of the best. If not the best, municipal waterworks systems in Kansas, officially encourages cleanliness by furnishing water for a sixroom bouse, including bath and sewer

Film Shows Kilgallen Kicking Count

C| HICAGO.— Persons who attend moving picture shows will soon have a chance to see the Chicago romance of Count de Beaufort thrown upon the screens of 6 and 10 cent moving picture theaters. The Count has posed for a picture story of his affair with the KilgaUen heiress of Chicago and says he is going to get $25,000 and royalties for the venture. The first scene shows the Count and Countess in the hotae-comlng act. Pa KilgaUen Is evidently surprised when his daughter bounces in with her prize. In the next scene the Count is shown as a working man—just to win the old man’s favor. He is switching cars and the foreman is evidently telling him if be doesn't like his Job be need not worry because he will be killed before he has bsd time to become really disgusted with It In the next scene the Count is

given way to articles of more general use. In a word, Santa Claus is becoming more of a business manager every year. i The stores and shops report this season that the greater part of the motley has been spent for useful articles such as wearing apparel, and a proportionately smaller amount for jewels, autoß ,high-prjced pictures and the like. Toys, as might be expected, account for an 1 ever increasing amount, while candies are a close second. Merchants In all parts of the country agree that the Christmas shopper, whatever the cause, is learning to spend his money to better purpose than formerly. Whatever other customs may change, there is one Christmas practice which goes on, apparently, forever. Santa Claus may come by reindeer-drawn sleigh, automobile or airship as modes of travel progress, but . the Christmas tree on which his packages are hung continues to increase in popularity. Thlß year, indeed, New York has set a new record In this respect, sines over 500,000 Christmas tress were imported to meet local demands. Figuring five members to the average family, this means that at least half the homes In the city had a tree this winter.

“Only that much?”, asked Ben. “Why, if that is all that’s worrying you come here and get the money « 1 believe 1 have that much In my pocket and If I haven’t I’ll give you a check for the balance.” “Will the kind brother please come forward,” asked the pastor, while the congregation struggled to get a glimpse of the man with the money Innate modesty kept Blanchard from going forward until three pillars of the church came to his seat and escorted him to the pulpit. There he made an eloquent speech on the happiness it gave him to be able to send a missionary among the heathen, not neglecting to tell his audience how easy it was for him to do this because providence had been kind enough to put him In possession of a copper mine in Arizona rich enough to send missionaries to the furthermost ends of the earth and keep them there till all the heathen had seen the light It was a notable effort, delivered with convincing simplicity and before the congregation was through with Blanchard he had sold SB,OOO of stock. The expense to Blanchard of sending the missionary was SI,BOO, so that the day’s work showed a good balance in his favor. This was the beginning of the Blanchard mining boom,

connections and for less than a dollar a month. Sleeping porches in Winfield are now' the rule rather than the exception. When a new house 1b erected a sleeping porch is provided for as a matter of course. M. W. Friedenburg, president of the state board of pharmacy, is preparing to outdo all the others in sleeping porches. He will construct a big sleeping porch extending around three sides of hiß residence. The porch will have have guest rooms, divided by screens. Several citizens last summer started a new departure in outdoor living. A small house, half canvas and half screening, wlthgpanvas roof and floor, is erected on the lawn and the members of the family spend much of their time there. Instead of in the house. Winfield is becoming known as a fresh-air town as well as a center of learning, and isn't certain of which it is proudest.

shown presenting a fountain pen to I*a. Pa tells the Count that the pen is of no use to him because he has writer's cramp from signing checks and the banks won’t accpflt his rubber stamp signature. Pa changes the subject and hopes the Count will find it convenient to get out before It becomes necessary to fill his coat tails full of boots. Of course, the Count doesn't pose as one of the brightest men in the world, but he Is bright enough to catch the drift of Pa’s remarks and drift away. Then a long line of insistent creditors is Bhown outside the Count’s door and here Is where his bulldog gets into the picture, by jumping out among the creditors, whereupon they disperse In confusion. The scene at the hospital, where the Countess was taken when injured, shows the Count trying to "butt in,’’ disguised as a Red Cross attendant. Ilia nemesis. Pa KilgaUen. ever an the Job. it there and disperses the Count The last scene shows the Count literally rolling in wealth and two men with shovels such as are used by la» borers ib Pa Kilgallen’s steel mills are keeping the Count from b ling buried by a flood of gold.

A MYSTERY OF THE GREAT LAKES

ROMANCE, tragedy, heroic sacrifice and mystery make up the story of the “Pere Marquette," the great ferry boat which sank with its load of human freight in the middle of Lake Michigan on the morning of September 9, 1910. News dispatches of the days Immediately following the disaster depicted the romance, tragedy and heroism. Rut the mystery is deeper today than it was on the morning the accident occurred. Marine history chronicles no other case of this character. Ships have gone to sea never again to be heard of, and the mystery of yrbat became of them has not been dispelled. Other ships have sunk or been destroyed by fire or otherwise, but always, even though the survivors numbered only a mere handful, there have been satisfactory explanations of the cause that brought about the disaster. Twenty-seven of her crew, Including the captain and other officers, went down with the Pere Marquette, while 52 others of crew and passengers were saved by the timely arrival of ferry boat No. 17 of the Pere Marquette line. . . .. But the amazing fact is that not one of the survivors could tell what happened to the stricken vessel. And despite the time that has elapsed and the exhaustive investigations carried on by the owners of the vessel and by the government authorities, the myßtery still exists. What really did happen to the Pere Marquette? What caused the great lake leviathan, under headway for three hours or more after she was first damaged, to suddenly stop in her course, poise for a brief moment and then drop, stern foremost, like a leaden weight to the bottom of the lake? Did the -pere Marquette strike a submerged wreck? Did her great cargo of loaded freight cars shift? Was some of her crew drunk? Was an anarchistic maniac aboard? Had the vessel a vital defect in her construction, and if so are others of the Pere Marquette class constantly facing a similar danger? These and dozens of like questions are now being asked daily by every man connected with the shipping of the Great Lakes. And the theories advanced in response to the queries are as numerous as the questioners. It is the one unsolved mystery of traffic on our inland seas.

Here was a great modern vessel, newly examined by the federal inspectors, only a few hours out on her first trip after leaving the inspection docks, protected by every method, human and mechanical, known to navi-gation—-and not on the vast ocean, but on a land-locked lake. A relief boat was in sight before the Pere Marquette went down and followed in her wake for half an hour or more in response to her distress signals, was within fifty yards of her when she sank, and picked up the survivors. Fallowing the disaster an investigation so searching that it fairly grilled the survivors with questions was instituted by boards of inquiry which had every authority to summon witnesses and cross-examine, and which was supplied with the best expert advice and assistance. And yet—the mystery of what happened is as dark and unresponsive today as the 520 feet of blue water which covers the wreck of the Pere Marquette and the bodies of its heroic crew. A few minutes before midnight on September 8 the huge steel car ferry left her slip at Ludington, Mich., and started across to' Milwaukee with a cargo of 29 loaded freight cars and a number of passengers. That day two United States government inspectors had gone over her from stem to stern and pronounced her one of the most seaworthy vessels on the lakes. She-had been built

only a few years before. During the summer she had been In the excursion service out of Chicago. This was her first trip after being returned to the ferry service. Shortly after three o’clock on the morning of September 9 Captain Pete Kilty was called and told that there was something wrong. He arose at once to investigate. Less than, an hour later passengers were startled from their sleep by rappings on their doors and the voice of the cabin boy shouting, as his feet pattered on to the next cabin: “Hie captain says for everybody to get up!" Seymour B. Cochrans, general manager of the Chicago Navigation company, was one of the passengers. Upon being called by the cabin boy he at once wakened the wireless operator and instructed -him to get in .touch with land or with other steamers. For an hour the wireless searched the lake, but could get no answer. Finally word reached Ludington and ferry boats No. 6 and No. 20 started in search of the distressed vessel. No. 17 of the Pere Marquette service, en route from Milwaukee to Ludington, came within sight of the crippled No. 18, however, and In response to her distress flags offered assistance. In the meantime everybody on board had gotten up. Captain Kilty was on deck and many of the passengers talked with him. All of the crew was aroused and put to work. And yet, with all of this opportunity, none of the members of the crew who were saved, nor any of the passengers, learned what was the matter with the vessel. Theories of the Disaster. Here are some of the theories as to what happened to the Pere Marquette: Loaded freight cars, being run overboard, through the open rear, jammed on the “fantail” at the stern. Portholes, opened by an insane man, and bulkhead blown out, admitted water to engine room, flooding ship. __ Dynamite thrown into the boilers by maniac or brought aboard in coal and accidentally shoveled in by stokers. Water entering “flicker” compartment through open portholes burst ljulkheads and sank the vessel. Struck by a submerged wreck. Deck scuttles near the stern washed off and after compartment flooded. Sea cock allowed to remain open in after compartment. Stern plates loosened while vessel was in its slip taking on freight cars. Bottom pierced by floating log. Carelessness of members of crew who may have been drinking.

Numerous other theories are advanced by persons familiar with lake traffic, but none of them explain satisfactorily just what happened to the Pere Marquette. As the vessel went down many of the passengers and crew leaped into the water from the fore part, while others were swept off. So abrupt was the descent that the waves threrw a lifeboat which had put off from the ferry boat No. 17 back against that vessel’s side and crushed it. Ferry boats Nos. 6 and 20 from Ludington and the tug A. A. C. Tessler, which had come out from Milwaukee, and another tug from Sheboygan, Wis., towing the Sheboygan life-saving crew, came onto the scene after the vessel sank, but in time to assist in picking up the survivors. These facts indicate the suddenness with which the collapse came. The vessel gave a great lunge, the stern stg>t downward and the prow up, then the Pere Marquette disappeared. Most of the crew were still working below, trying to repair whatever damage then existed, and they went down with the boat Captain Kilty, on deck, followed the traditions of the seas and rests at the bottom of Lake Michigan his vessel, and thus all who know what did happem if any of them really,did know, a watery grave.

Interior of the Ship.

WHY SHE WAS PLEASED.

“Do you mean to tell me that you actually overcame that ancient antipathy of yours for Mrs. Muggsby and called on her this afternoon?” said his wife’s husband. "That’s about the size of It.” replied her husband’s wife. , “And she was glad, to see you?” “There isn’t any doubt about it” “Why do you think that? 1 ’ “Well, I had on that old dress I’ve worn three seasons and a hat that is entitled to a prominent place in some museum for antiquities, while she had on a new gown just, from Paris. Oh, yes. I’m sure she was tickled to death, figuratively speaking. When I called."

Mostly Hall.

A New Yorker bought one of those fine old colonial places down in Virginia, principally on information from friends. When he went down to see his mandon he was much impressed by the great pillars, the spacious porch and, particularly, the great hall running from the front to the back of the house. He inspected the place and came back to New York. “What shall -you name it?” he was asked. “I think,” he replied, "I shall call It Mostly Hall.”—Philadelphia Saturday Evening Post.

No Latitude.

An Irish school inspector was examining a class in geography. He had propounded a question regarding longitude and received a correct answer from a lad undergoing the ordeal. “And now," he said, “what is latitude?" After a brief Bllenee a bright youngster with a merry twinkle In his eye, said: “Please, sir, we have no latitude in Ireland. Father says the British government won’t allow us any.” —London Scraps. ‘

Seems Probable.

“Senator,” ventured the reporter, “as you look back over the campaign, now that you can view it in perspective, does it not seem to you that there was —er —something lacking In the general management of it?” “It does, young man.” “Well, what was !t, may I ask?” “Votes!" thundered the eminent statesman.

Poor Father.

Miss Millions—George, you’ll have to ask father. George—l don’t like to. Your father always reminds me of eating lobster. Miss Millions—What do you mean by that? George—He’s too rich and bound to disagree with me.

WHAT WOULD STOP HER.

Mrs. A. G. Tator—lf the women would just rise up,’assert their rights, .march to the polls and demand to vote, I’d like to know what would stop them. Mr. A. G. Tator — A mouse.

Still Unanswered.

We are advised to live and learn. But why, alas! Oh, why Do people seldom learn to live TUI Just before they die?

Bargain Cigars Also?

He—l hear that your husband has taken to smoking again. I thought you Insisted that he should give it up? She—Yes, sq I did; but I found such a pretty smoking jacket at a bargain aale.—M. A. P.

The Wrong Title.

”I*ve called my new song •Failing Dew.’" “Then, my son. It will never be popular. It la too strongly suggestive of household bills and commercial Botes.”

Effect of Habit.

“I should think farmers would make the best kind of Wall street financiers." r "Why so " "Because it would come natural to them to water their stock."

Hi s Specialty.

The One —You say your friend is an eminent scientist. Has he discovered any new truths? The Other —Oh, no; but he has originated quite a number of new er-

Very Quick.

"Would you touch tainted money?" "If I could' find anybody who had it I could touch."

SMILES

I have hoped, I have planned. I have etriven. To the will I have added the deed; The beet that waa in me I’ve given, 1 have prayed, but the gods would not heed. ' V ’ 3 ■ 1 I have dared and reached only disaster. I have battled and broken my lance: I ash bruised by a pitiless master That r the weak and the timid eaO Chance. I am old. tam bent, I am cheated Of all that Youth urged me to win; But name me not with the defeated. r Tomorrow, again. I begin.

Boozem Gude —Now, the annual beer output 1b— Gulpem Downe —It ain’t the output that’s worrying me; it’s the Intake.

This thing of heaping coals of Are On an enemy’s head must stop, Unless coal quits getting higher. And prices take a drop.

A Boston gentleman was showing a west African, who is interested in missionary work, a number of photographs. “What is this?” asked the visitor, gazing in wonder at one of them. “Oh, that’s a snapshot taken during a football scrimmage at the Stadium.” “But has your church no missionaries to send among these people?” was the quick rejoinder.

Lawyer—Now, what did you and the defendant talk about? Witness —Oi t’ink about fifteen minutes. Lawyer—No, no! I mean what did you talk over? Witness —We talked over the tillphone.

Howard—Did you telephone Mrs. Howard that I would be detained at the office until midnight? Office Boy—Yes, sir. “And what did she say?" “Said she didn’t blame you—she had made an engagement to go to the theater tonight, herself.”—Smart Set.

“I should think,” said the Picture on the Wall to the Clock, “that you ought to be preparing for your end.” “Look here, Smarty,” replied the Clock, with striking scorn, “don’t "don’t you give me that old gag about my hours beipg numbered.”

..“Why does he hate you so?*’ “I offered to do him a favor once." “What was the favor?” “He said he wished he was dead and I offered to. give him a bottle of poison and then guard the door until he had accomplished his desire.”

“Jones lost a hundred at poker last night.” “Oh, well, even a misfortune like that has its bright side.” “I’d like to know where the bright side to that is?” “I won it”

"What’s dat dorg good for?" "Why, nuthln’! He's got a pedW gree.” •

He deems the world s dreary placr And all the future black; There never waa so sad a case Of liver but of whack. ,

UNSUBDUED.

HIS WORRY.

Beginning of the End.

From Africa’s Burning Strand.

Incorrigible.

Two Can Play at That Game.

Heading Off Remarks.

A Friend in Need.

The Optimist.

HIS WORTH.

A Diagnosis.

All That Kind.

"Is there a scrap of Information about that fight?” "I should aay so! U was all scrap." 1 j . i