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About The Alliance herald. (Alliance, Box Butte County, Neb.) 1902-1922 | View Entire Issue (April 19, 1921)
HERALD. 2r Official Taper of Box Butte County TWICE A WEEK TUESDAY AN!) HttDAY Official Paper of the City of Allianct 'VOLUME XXVIII. (Eight Pages) ALLIANCE, BOX BUTTE COUNTY, NEBRASKA, TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 1921 NO. 41 1 YOUTH IS HELD CHARGED WITH BURNING BARN LLOYD A. WRIGHT HOUND OVER TO DISTRICT COURT '."Witnesses Testify They Saw Him Touch Match to Refuse Near Barn on McLean Ranch A youth giving his name as Lloyd -A. Wright and his residence at Arkan sas City, Kas., where his parents re side, was held for trial at the next term of district court following a pre liminary hearing before County Judge ' Tash Monday morning. Wright claims " to be nineteen years of age, although in appearance would lend color to the belief that he Is a few years older. ' He was arrested Sunday morning fol lowing the burning of a, barn on the J. M. McLean place, twenty miles "northeast of Alliance, by Mr. McLean and Glen D. Locke, renter of the ' place. This was the third time the barn " had caught fife in a week. At first .suspicion did not fall on Wright, who "was employed as a farm hand by Locke, but Mr. and Mrs. Locke both testified that they saw him apply a match to a pile of straw and refuse at -one side of the barn, county Attor- ney Basye prosecuted the complaint, -anti "Wright, was was not represented "by an attorney, conducted his own de- :.fnnse, later going on the stand in his own behalf. His appearance bond was placed at $l,00t) which he was not able to furnish. He is still in the county jail. During the past week, there have been three mysterious fires, all of them in widely separated parts of the coun- ty. The barn on the farm occupied by Locke was three times found to " be in flames. Sunday, night the barn on the Lew Hood ranch, thirty-five miles west of Alliance, burned to the ground, six horses being burned alive. Mr. Hood is not a smoker ami there vas no one at the ranch at the time the fire occurred. ' I here was no m- surance, and the place was a total ' loss. ' v . Last Tuesday the bam on the James J Evans place, near Berea, caught fire,? have boasted of haying. escaped in some mysterious manner, and was destroyed. .May Be I. W. W. Outbreak ' There are some grounds for belief that the epidemic of burned barns may "be due to I. W. W.'s. It is said that "Wright had in his possession, while , living with the Locke family, an I. W. j W. song book, and that he told of hav-1 incr "buddies" in various parts of the county. On the other hand, there has V. mm inflitv " 1 IiaKaAO ' JlctM utrcil nuiu an num. ntnvc- , to this part of the country at this time of the year as have put in an appear : tmee this spring, and it is possible tthat the sons of rest may have been careless with their campfires. The testimony at Monday morning's shearing brought out the fact that -Glen D. Locke has been a resident of ' Box Butte county for some years. Prior to the war he was employed by "Chester Ross. He enlisted at Alliance ' when the war broke out, served over-neas-with the Third division and wears a wound stripe on his uniform. On his return he again went to work for Jioss, but last fall married and rented the J. M. McLean farm. Four weeks ago Locke employed Wright as a farm ' 3iand. Last Tuesday a mysterious fire started in the barn on the place. Lock and his wife, assisted by "Wricrht. extinguished the blaze before jtt had gained any headway. The fire j was apparently of incendiary origin, sind Locke not only spoke of the mat ter to his landlord, but he and his wife and Wright, who had not been sus pected, arranged to watch the prem ises for the firebug, as it was feared that he might return. Wright's ac tions aroused suspicion, however, ac cording to Locke's testimony. . Saw the Fire Started Last Saturday night, Mr. and Mrs. Locke were awake until midnight, taking turns making the round of the place. Wright had gone out, and was ostensibly making an inspection of the premises. The Lockes, in the house, heard two revolver fchots fired, and ' Locke rushed out and fired a couple . of shots himself, in order to make Vright believe that he had seen some- trvincr to make a getaway. Both men then returned to the house. Locke tr,u Wright: "Jack, you'd better take unother look." After Wright had left, ' Locke and his wife extinguished the lio-Kta in the house to give the im pression that they had retired. The two of them slipped outdoors. They tQur thev testified. Wright walk the barn, the moonlight show ' ing him plainly. They said they saw him strike a match and apply it to a nil nt refuse at the south side of the Wn. Mrs. Locke testified the saw . k flacVi rt the match They carried water and for the sec . ond time extinguished a blaze. Wright -tood near, they said, and did not help fTor tn sist them. Mrs. Locke became nervous and they left Wright alone at the house and went to Mc- I ean's, where they spent the night. Ahniit 9 a.m. Sunday, Charles an derwalker, living two miles away, saw smoke coming from the McLean barn and he and anotner came in an auiu mobile. When they arrived they found the barn ablaze and a portion of the roof fell in while they were f-ett'njr out of the car. A granary, to the south, was threatened, and they started pouring water on it. While they were doing; this, Wright came up to them. He carried a biff six-shooter. Vanderwalker told him: "That's a roor thing to fight fire with put it away and get a bucket." Vander walker testified Wright made no re sponse. McLean and Mr. and Mrs. Locke arrived almost immediately thereafter. McLean testified that he saw Wright run out of the house carrying the pistol. Story of the Defense Judge Tash informed Wright that since he was not represented by an attorney, he might ask proper ques tions of the witnesses. He asked Mr. find Mrs. Locke one question each, as to whether they had seen him light a match inside or outside of the barn. They both said they saw him outside. Judge Tash then told the defend ant that he might take the stand in his own behalf, but that he would sub ject himself to cross-examinafion if he did so. He took the stand and out lined his defense, which was that he was inside the barn at the time Mr. and Mrs. Locke saw him strike the match, and that he had done so, not to set the barn afire, but to see if anyone were concealed therein. Judge Tash held that the evidence was sufficient to show that there had been an attempt at arson, and further, that there was sufficient cause 'for a belief that Wright was guilty of the crime. While Locke was on the stand, Judge Tash asked him if there were j any possible motive that Wright could have for wishing to set the barn afire. Locke said he could think of J nothing save that during the first week Wright had worked for him, he (had once found .him leaving a six- horse team standing unhitched, and ! had cautioned him against doing it i again. Wright had paid no attention to him and he had har to call him down. for it. From conversations with the officers and with the Lockes, it developed that Wright has been in trouble with offi cers before. He is said to have once been arrested in Jopun, Mo., on a 'charge of rape, but the charge was dismissed when he married the com plainant, from whom he has since separated. He is said to have ad mitted being arrested many times, and from a court room in Bartlesville, Okla. Mrs. Locke declared, following the hearing, that Wright had said that "yeggs would get Locke" and that Thursday he had told her: "Better say your prayers tonight. They were much relieved to find that he had been unable to secure bail. The arrest was made by Sheriff Miller "and Deputy Miskimen, who were called following the fire Sunday fnf Ann T StflrA Vanflfll. Locke. Vander iiiui iiiuk. a.., ucaiif walker and others took charge of Wright and were bringing him to Al liance, when the sheriffs car ap proached. Wright jumped from the car and asked: "Is this the sheriff." On being informed that he had guessed correctly, he held up his hands and formally surrendered. Annual Spring Influx of Sons of Rest Crowds Side Door Pullmans It didn't really need a miraculous escape from a blizzard to convince trainmen operating on lines out of Alliance that spring is near so near that the hem of he rgarment can be touched, provided she- wears gar ments. For the past week or ten days there has been evidence of an other sort evidence as authentic as the bock beer signs the ones with the goats on 'em used to be in the damp days. The hoboes are coming, tra la, tra a. j.very train irom me easi is as nfested with them as an expedition ary soldier is with cooties. They ride the rods, or sit in state in the side- loor Pullmans. And this year, due perhaps to the unemployment prob lem in the east, they are coming in greater numbers than ever.. Accord ing to railway employes, there are as many as fifty and sixty beating their way on a single train, and hardly a train comes in that does not harbor a half dozen of them. , The hoboes are always a problem to the trainmen. In the days of full crews, it used to be possible to beat them off, but when they come in big bunches the average train crew is helpless. You can't blame the aver age railroader for not desiring to pick a quarrel when the odds are six to one against him. . Alliance wilf have more of these birds than is her just share, due to the fact that they prefer to hit the railroad centers. The pickings are poor here, however, and they do not stay long, as a rule. The Alliance and Box Butte county police, together with the co-operation of the Burlington spe cials. have managed so far to keep the "bo's moving onward,' but it will take the combined efforts of every law en forcing agency in the county to pre vent them outstaying their welcome. Born, to Mr. and Mrs. Noih Stein, man, a boy, Sunday, April l.th. CITY MANAGER , N. A, KEMMISH IS NOW ON THE JOB S TENDS FIRST DAY IN LOOKING OVER SITUATION Issues Statement Explaining His Ideas on Conducting the City Administration N. A". Kemmish, recently elected city manager, arrived in the city from York Monday morning, and put in a busy first day looking over the work in the various departments of the city's activity. Among the first business to greet him was a flood of applications for the position of city scavenger, the incumbent and several others putting in a bid for the work. Mr. Kemmiwh this morning issued the following statement, which will give Alliance citizens an idea of the way in which he expects to conduct his office: "Fellow Citizens: I spent a very strenuous week arranging my' busi ness affairs at York, so that I might arrive here Monday morning as planned. 1 "I realize you are all anxious to know the policies which we are to pursue. You know the members of our council and what they stand for. I think most of the citizens of Alli ance know I stand for a strictly effi cient business administration with special favors to none. IiCt us all pull and work harmoniously together for the common good. No doubt we will make some mistakes but if you think we are doing so, don't complain to your neighbor as he may think you nave some selfish motive in view. "It is your" privilege and duty to come in so that we can talk it over as nearly all cases of discord are oc casioned by misunderstandings. There is only one correct ' solution to any nrohlem. Let us trv to sret it the first time. This is not my city, or your citv, hut our citv. I am here to serve., been shown. you. I mav not always be able to "We realize that this .picture has please you or do just .what you think been shown here before, and each time should 'be done but if you have any it has caused more anil more disen occasion for complaint remember we tion among the races. We desire that are always glad to have your counsel this picture will not be shown here as all "we" ask"; is Justice and 8 fairfcgatrfi"' ; .. -, , ... deal for all. . ' Mayor Hampton, in his reply, states "I realize that m a city the size of that the counci ami city manager have ours we will always have people who no Ruthority. under existing ordi- honestly hold opposite views on ai important general, social and moral. questions. We cannot always have the other fellow think and do just as we- should like to have him do. The time has passed, however, when one can al-,no ways do just as ne pleases wunoui first consulting the wishes of other, We have old established customs and have made laws, rules, and regula tions to govern all of us. We occa sionally find those who think their personal liberty is being taken away if they cannot do as they please. To these 1 might say that if they wish to live in harmony among us they too, must comply with our laws and regu lations. "It is too early to make any an nouncement regarding our new organ ization. It is our policy to go cau tiously and make such changes as will be to the best interests of th ecity. "Through the papers each week we hope to tell you what our plans are and what we are doing to help make Alliance the best all around city in our state." ScottsbM Couple Married in Alliance By Judge Tash Monday Howard M. Tietsort and Miss Lottie E. Weaver, both of Scottsbluff, were married bv County Judge Tash yes terday. The groom gave his occupa tion as a laborer anil the woman that . of housekeeper. The bride's age was given as eighteen and that of the groom twenty-four. Judge Tash ques tioned the bride closely a to her age, but was finally convinced that she had attained the age limit. A few days ago, the judge received at letter from Mrs. M. N. Tietsort of Scottsbluff, who wrote to ask if a license had been issued to her son to marry Miss Weaver. At that time, no license had been issued, lhe Scottsbluff woman did not enter any objections, and from her letter Judge lash could not discern whether she objected to the match, or whether she was actuated by the w. k. woman s curiosity. Branch Agency for Sewing Machine to Locate in Alliance E. K. Hayes of Cheyenne, Wyo., who has been assistant manager of the Singer sewing machine agency at that place, will be manager of a branch agency which has been established at Alliance at 103 Box Butte avenue, in the same building with Ted Fielding's cleaning establishment. New and old sewing machines will be sold, and a specialty shop will be established in connection with the agency. OBJECTION MADE TO SHOWING FILM IN LOCAL MOVIE COLORKD PEOPLE PETITION MAYOR HAMPTON Ask Him to Use Authority to Keep "Birth of a Nation" Out of the City A delegation of colored citizens of Alliance waited upon Mayor R. M. Hampton Saturday afternoon aTid presented him a petition, signed by eighty-five colored men and women, asking the mayor to use his influence in preventing the showing of the pic ture, "The Birth of a Nation," at the Imperial theater. . Th picture was advertised for Monday. The colored people gave as their reason for opposing the showing of the film the fact that it has been re sponsible in the past between the white and the blacks, race riots in some Instances resulting, and that they feared its effect in this city. The picture has been shown in Alliance on other Occasions, and the colored peo ple have felt that it has caused sowe trouble each time. Their petition to Mayor Hampton follows: "To the Honorable Mayor of Alli ance, Neb.: "Wc, the colored citizens of Alli ance, -Neb., protest against the show ing of the motion picture known as "The Birth of a Nation," for the rea son that wherever this picture Is shown it has caused more or less trouble between whites annd blacks on apcount of its misleading characters. "The display has been barred from numerous cities and towns on this ac count, and has caused race riots in more than one instance; therefore, we ask that you use your authority to prevent this display, thereby perhaps avoiding the same trouble that other cities have experienced where it has nanceSi to suppress the picture, and that jf they took tnis ptep wjthout autn0i jty thev would undoubtedly meet ...ith mnnRj.jn in the courts. Mr. Hanipton as0 p0jnts out that there is race antagonism in Alliance and fV,nt .u-,.- ,. nttle mounds for the v.,:. that. th- showinir of the film would have a bad effect. He also called attention to the good points of the "Hirth of a Nation." His letter follows: "Alliance. Neb.. April IS. 1921. Mr. G. E. Slaughter, and all Parties. Dear Sirs: Relative to petition hand ed me Saturday evening, we referred this to the city attorney, and he ad vises that the city manager and coun cil would have only such authority as would be delegated to thenr by the ordinances of the city, and as a ques tion of this character had never been raised before there was no ordinance touching upon a subject of this char acter. Anv attempt by otliciais on a subject of this kind unless they had full authority of law would meet wun onposition bv actions in court, and would nrobablv be defeated. "However, regardless of their authority to act in such caseo, we do not look upon the matters as your people would see it, as indicated by your petition. If we were living in a community where there was prejudice existing betwen the two races and where the feeling w as intense it would seem in such a case that it would be inadvisable for such an entertainment, as the people might misconstrue the Ipssun which we believe is intended to be taught by such a picture. There is no dimension between the two races in our city, and besides it seems to us that there is a lesson' in the picture which should be beneficial Co all. We think that it would be a misconstruc tion of the facts to believe that it is intended against your race especially. The subject goes back to a time when your race, had been recently released from slavery, and at a time wnen your people had never had an oppor tunity to gain an education for them selves, and it pictures what they termed the Carpet Bagger, or a politi cian with an evil mind exercising his influence with an uneducated people for which you were not to blame, and shows the results of an attempted gov ernment guided by evil influences and misguided individuals. It shows the necessity on the part of our govern ment as a whole of educating our neonle. which is a necessary step if we maintain a iust and righteous gov ernmi nt Since that time your people have had an opportunity and such a thintr could not happen at this age It is irally teaching a lesson indirectly, and if w estop to consider, tne same mischievous influences are working all over the country at this time, and it is not with the black people either. In the stata of North Dakota a very destructive influent m at work and thev are attempting to organize in different ftates. It is specifically known as socialism, and which will end in nothing but disaster. This comes about by agitators and mis i k ,,rd education. "Trusting that your people will see these matters as I have expressed them, 1 beg to remain, "Yours verv trulv, "It. M. HAMPTON, Mayor." Our Ney City Manager Talks at Meeting of Chamber of Commerce N. A. Kemmish, recently chosen city manager of Alliance, arrived in the city Monday morning, and before he had time to dust off his new desk in the city hall found himself invited to attend a luncheon of the umber of commerce and was called upan for an impromptu speech. He told the busi ness men that he had decided that there would he neither the plaving of favorites or the playing of politics in his administration of the ritv'a nirni,- and that he intended to see that every citizen got a square deal. The cham ber or commerce and the city admin istration, he said, could co-operate to advantage in buildinir un the ritv. nn.l he would always be willing to meet me ousiness men hair-way and ex pected to be able to call upon them for assistance when he heeded it 1 he other speaker was F. C. Prince. principal of the Alliance high school, who spoke on the Subject of "High School Athletics." He told of the re cent ruling of high schools engaged in athletics that no student would be permitted to represent a higTi school who had not been a student for at least a year prior to his athletic ac tivity. This, he said, prevented the building of a strong team for the pur- ro.e or winning games and augment ing the box receipts. Both of these were to be desired, he admitted, but declared that the present aim of high school athletics is to build up the stu dent physically, rather than to win games. During the last two years, the high school gymnasium has bien opened evenings and alter school hours for the accommodation of students who desire to use the equipment, Mr. Prince said, and large numbers of them have availed themselves of the privilege. The present limited equip ment and accommodations will not ad mit of regular gymnasium classes for the entire school, but the school au thorities hope to be able to extend the work in physical education when the new high school building is completed. Among the athletic achievements, Mr. Prince cited the interclass field meet, which is to take place on Fri day of this week. It is planned later to hold a field meet in which high schools in western Nebraska will participate. Lineup of Teachers in Alliance Schools For the Coming Year All acceptances and resignations of teachers in the Alliance schools have been handed in to the board and dis close that twenty-six out of the thiity ejght are remaining. Those in the high school to stay are: F. C. Prince, prin cipal; Helen White, history; BerthA Braddock, English; Hazel Snethen, mathematics; Anna Steckelberg, do- mestic science. Those in the h!gh school who resigned are: Gaylord Chase, manual training; F. N. Cun ningham, science; Miss Kena Keith, Latin; Miss Hazel Bishop, commer cial; Mrs. J. D. Emerick, normal train ing. Miss Ida Clark, penmanship sup ervisor, will remain. Miss Anna Booth, music supervisor, has resigned. In Central school, the following will be here next year: Miss Blanche Wilson, principal; Miss Maude Wilcox, eighth grade; Miss Jeannette McConnell, sixth grade; Mrs. Alva Kase, fourth grade; Miss Madge Graham and Ruby Eloe, third gra le; Miss Emma Davis and Miss Eva Crocker, second grade; Miss Vera Spencer and Miss Cleila Batie, hist grade; jh s i.au.a i nn n am m - . - garten; Miss Ihelma Wesley, assist - t 1 . ! I , , . . . nannea in resignations; ;uss .v. North, seventh grade; Mrs. Verity Reeder, sixth grade and Mrs l.api Moore, fifth grade. At the Emerson school, the follow ing are to stay: Miss Lucille McNicholls, principal; Mrs. Devonne Price, sixth grade; Mrs. Nettie Donovan, fifth grade; Miss Katheiine Jennett, fourth grade; Miss Inis Jennings fourth grade; Miss Izola Worley, first grade; Mrs. Elizabeth Cornu, kindergarten. Those resigning are Miss t.sther Johnson, eighth grade; Mrs. Hazel Harsh, seventh grade and Mrs. Wilma Carlson, second grade. At a recent meeting of the board, it was decided to adhere to me salary schedule which was adopted , last spring. That means that the teachers in the high school who remain will receive $100 increase; those in the grades who remain will receive $75 increase; and the principals and super visors will receive $100 increase, if isy remain. Only two-thirds of the vacancies have been filled, but, while good teachers are still scarce, a num ber of applications have been received, and less trouble in getting teachers is anticipated than was experienced last year. .Herald Want Ads ltf a word. COMMISSIONERS AGREE TO GIVE MONEY FOR FAIR PROVIDED THE FARMERS IIAVH COMPLETE CHARGE Organization Meeting is Called fet 1 P. M. Saturday at the Court House Following permission received front, the state authorities by George M. Carey, secretary of the Alliance cham bcr of commerce, for the commission ers of BoxTiutte county to appropriate funds for a county fair this year, de spite the" fact that no levy was mad for the purpose, the commisshmers, at their meeting last week, decided to appropriate the requisite money from other funds. This was done, it is announced, witH the understanding that the fair will be entirely under the control of tha agriculturists of the county. The com missioncrs insist that it shall be un der the management of farmers and that they have complete charge. Thia will be done if the farmers can get together on the proposition. L. E. Bliss, William Neuman and Lester Beal, who have been working on the proposition for the past two weeks, have announced a meeting tot those interested in a county fair at th court house at 1 p. m. Saturday. . It will be necessary for twenty or thirty, farmers and stockmen to get behind the fair jf it is to be a success, and after Saturday's meeting definite ar rangements will be made. Some .weeks ago I. E. Bliss and D. E. Purintoa got interested in a fair for Bo Butte county, but at that time it was believed it would be impossible to get funds, and the matter was allowed to drop Alliance Hotel Cafe Announces Big Drop in Prices for Meals It is now possible to get a square. . meal in Alliance for thirty-five cents. Restaurant prices are back to the reir -ular pre-war basis. J. M. Miller of the Alliance hotel is leading the way, and it won't be long until others fow low the lead Pie may never drop. back to the nickle-a-sliver rate, but the price of practically every other item, on the menu has been cut to the bone. Mr. Miller this week announces re ductions on meals in the Alliance hotel cafe, which amount to from 25 to SO per cent on nearly all items. In som cases the reduction is- as high as CO per cent. The chief reduction is on the price of regular meals, which ar now 35, cents. Coffee, iced tea and . milk are now selling at 5 cents a throw. Sandwich prices are lower, and it will no longer be necessary to mort gage the old homestead to buy a steak that can be cut without calling for ft handaxe. All egg dishes have hit tha toboggan, and spuds may be had in any one of a dozen styles at the rates that obtained before the war proflteera started prices to skyrocketing. In other cities of this size, the drop came a month or so ago. Over in the Platte valley towns, restaurant prices have been reduced to a considerable extent Mr. Miller takes the first bit step in bringing them down in Alli ance. Joe Price Has His , Application In to the State Board for Parole Among the thirty-six application which Came before the state pardon, board at its meeting on Wednesday of lat week was that of Joe Price, , , , t t th state penitentiary , - t riehruarv 20. He was sent up from one to seven years. Price admitted to tno , ... . . , Mre, tlrn. .uln o ha TheVen wVZ i J" " . r anl Sidnev. Neb. The Price case was reviewed by th board, which to date has not yet an nounced its decision. Baer-Alter Company Will Open Shoe Shop Some Time Next Week The Baer-Alter company will opea its exclusive thoe shop in the quar ters recently fitted up for it in the Alliance National Bank building coma time next week. H. B. Alter, formerly with the Horace Bogue store, returned the first of the week from a two weeks' trip to eastern markets, during, which he made extensive purchases in, Chicago, Cincinnati and other places. The new store will deal exclusively in shoes, and will offer a wide selec tion for all members of the family, THE WEATHER ! Fair tonight and warmer west por tion Wednesday. Probably increasing cloudiness, becoming unsettled bt night.