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About The Omaha morning bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 23, 1923)
Life of Contentment Led by Recluse in Iowa Hills Former Hoosier Barrister and Journalist, Once Co Worker of James Whitcomb Riley, Cummunes With Nature in Seclusion, Eking Out Living by Hunting—Is 70 and Still Plods On. BY KOBT. WORTHINGTON DAVIE. "Seventy years old! and as spry as can be," said Marsh. "Rather agrees with a fellah out here In this neck o’ the woods.” A neck o' the woods It was—a veritable forest, literally speaking, and the hermit plainly ex ADVERTISEMENT. WILL RADIUM AT LAST OPEN THE DOOR OF THE GREAT UNKNOWN? f If you are nick and want to Get Well and Keep Well, write for literature that tells How and Why this almost unknown and wonderful new element brings relief to so many sufferers from Constipation. Rheumatism, Sciatica, Gout, Neuritis, Neuralgia, Nervous Prostration, High Blood Pressure and diseases of the Stomach. Heart, Lungs, Liver, Kidneys, and other ailments. You wear Degnen’s Radio-Active Solar Pad day and night, receiving the Radio-Active Rays con tinuously into your system, causing a healthy circulation, overcoming sluggish ness. throwing off impurities and restor ing the tissues and nerves to a normal condition—and the next thing you know you are getting well. Sold on a test proposition. You are thoroughly satisfied it is helping you be fore the appliance is yours. Nothing to do but wear it. No trouble or expense, and the most wonderful fact about the appli- : ance is that it is sold soi reasonable that it is within the reach of all, rich and poor. No matter how bad your ailment, or how long standing, we will be pleased to have you try it at our risk. For full information write today—not tomorrow. Radium Appliance Co., 268 Bradbury Bldg., Los Angeles. Calif. hiblted its effects and Its associa tions. Between two hills, dense with the native shrubbery of Iowa's diminutive wilderness, a lane winds from a low but rolling level heavenward Into a grove and away to the north where a hermit's home Is built. It is sim ply If not crudely designed but con genially arranged, and invisible to the eye of a casual observer, since It reclines In the side of a hill, above which logs are laid, and these are im bedded beneath several feet of earth. "Warm and cozy and comfortable." quoth Marsh. “Close to earth and close to God.” He—Marsh Willis, a native of Indiana, former lawyer and genial philosopher, certainly seems to thrive in his secluded habitation, and lives a hundred years behind the times—but a thousand leagues beyond deception and Illusion. “Just huntin' for a squirrel; thought he disappeared off In this direction,” replied the recluse In response to a question. "Heard the dogs barking and took my gun and started out." He carried a long barreled shotgun which suggested much averse to kindliness and seemed to perturb the mind with thrilling visions of Ken tucky pioneer life, and bore distinct traces of usefulness and wear, while the stock revealed a number of notches to elucidate its record, per haps—gruesome. gallant and chival rous—and to Aark It as a faithful, trustworty, less than Inanimate friend of many, retaining the fiction of nu merous escapades and mysteries, but Uni of Omaha’s Musical Bandit Brigade -- ---—==========^^ Here’s the bandit brigade of the University of Omaha. All the girls In the picture, armed with nickel-plated savings banks and a disarming smile, ar<t members of the public school music class at the university, and have pledged them selves to raise $300 low aid a fund for the purpose of buying records and music. If you meet ’em on thn street, your only chance of escape is to dig up all the pennies out of the family wallet and deposit them In one or other of the traveling hanks. From left to right they are Lorlne SJeeter, Feme Shoup, Mildred Sln nett; Johanna Anderson, teacher; Mrs. Klla Woodward, Mar}’ Gorton and Kathleen Shaw. wearing the cold steel-llke appearance of the weapon It always was. "A mighty fine gun.” said Marsh, "and a mighty dependable pair of dogs. I’m Just breaking this fellah— a pup that I picked up In the hills a while back.” The canines came at his call, seeming to evidence some displeasure with the presence of a stranger; however the apparent ani mosity vanished with a reprimand from the master and perfect harmony prevailed. Through the low-hanging branches the hermit led the Way, leaving a trail of smoke which hesitated for a moment In the calm atmosphere and circled skyward by degrees to pene trat the foliage and fade In the other world of sunshine. "Here.” remarked Marsh, as the edge of a clearing was reached upon which Btumps were prominently scattered, ”1 eke out my living. Vege tables grow well since I chopped down the trees.” Cabbage, tomatoes, tobacco and watermelon vines were thriving there. “No melons this year!” said Marsh with a smile—"Dumed resky critters Just can't leave an old man alone. But I’m here to obtain what's mine and I don't ask favors from anyone.” “Me bees do fairly well,” he con tinued as we approached a buzzing sound arising from a small barrel which he lifted from its position while the atomical being skirted about him in a friendly manner. "No gentler creatures ip existence,” he declared, and pointed out n number of hives in and beneath the trees. "My honey and vegetables and tobacco supply nearly everything that I require. Dur ing the winter trapping brings in a trifle, and there's lots of small game around these parts. I keep a few of my favorite books—sent the rest back to Indiana two years ago. When its cold and blustery I read considerable, and In this manner the winters pass rapidly." “Yes,” he added, replying to an in terrogation and chuckling softly, "I was born in Indiana and raised there. You've heard of Whit Riley—James Whitcomb Riley? Well. Whit and I were boyhood friends; we played to gether, bummed together and worked together. I recollect an Incident that happened while Whit and mj’self were pushing pens for the Oreencastle Banner. The editor was absent at the time, business was somewhat slow, and we got it into our heads that we could increase the circula tion. Finally we decided to offer prizes for the best sketches written by home folks concerning local scenes. Our scheme evoked much comment and several excellent sketches were produced. Strange as it might seem, we received more than two thousand new subscriptions, and I remember vividly Whit's broad smilo of satisfaction the morning af ter the contest closed.” Marsh Willis, according to his own words, was In the past connected with various publications of Indiana and Ohio. He has met and associated with celebrities who have come and gone, leaving marks which will for ever endure. His recollections are tinted with zest, and portray the I Mine labor is the big factor in the mine price per ton of coal. The average being from 70 to 72 per cent. There Are No Secrets Coal freight rates to Omaha run from 33V* to 41 per cent of the retail selling price per ton of coal. Talk with your retail coal dealer—ask him for the facts about his costs—he will gladly tell you any thing you may wish to know. There are no secrets. Seventy-two per cent of the price of a ton of coal at the mines goes to pay mine labor. There are but few exceptions in all the coal sold in Omaha where the freight per ton is not greater than the mine price of a ton of coal. Anthracite Coal from Pennsylvania costs $8.60 loaded in the freight cars at the mine. The freight on this car per ton is $8.95. In this case Pennsylvania Anthracite Coal laid down in Omaha costs more than 81 per cent of its Omaha selling price. Other coals are sold on similar margins by Omaha retailers, yet the retailer has to pay for handling of distribution, credits, selling expense and absorb the loss by shrinkage. Consider the narrowness of this margin, and consider, too, that the coal industry is not a twelve-month-per year business. THE ASSOCIATED RETAILERS of OMAHA spirit and enthusiasm of one who has lived for something higher than ma terialism. ‘'Opportunity has crossed and re crosscd my path," he said, and In the ensuing silence he seemed to intimate that he had not failed to appre ciate a single endowment or chance, but with the attitude that he pre ferred seclusion and an understand ing of life from the viewpoint of an Individualist. Marsh appears to be an Intellectual person, strange as the truth Is, and a direct contrast to the realm of his choosing. "I was admitted to the bar when 19 years of age," he added, "commenced my career as a lawyer, pleaded one case—a murder case as It happened. My plea consumed hut 5 minutes time, and the opposing at torney argued for more than a day. I have had many reasons to be grateful for that acquittal, and the man con cerned Is one of the finest citizens of our state. He has shown his grati tude by proving himself worthy of his freedom. Law did not appeal to me, and I sort of drifted away until I found myself here and went to work building my humble abode." Thus has he resided in tranquillity at times, although he has been dis turbed occasionally by the presence of mysterious strangers wlio^ come and disappear In the night, leaving trace* of their Intrusion*. But he aver* that solitude afford* content ment. The variable weirdness and In describable voices coining from out the Intense darkness are greeted with the placid unconcernment of natlvlsm. Close to the primeval he dwells; arti ficiality Is unknown to him; strong and straight he stands, his features hidden behind a heard of several sea sons. Unkempt hut natural. Marsh Willi* plods on, eking out his living from the hills, eking out his religion earth and sky. is mind is rich with the wealth of glorious reminiscences, exuberant with variegated memor.es, and he exists, he declares, without regret and In the midst of all his de sires. Housewives Can Less Fruit Each Year, Claim ^peelal J>f*patc-h to The Omaha Bee. Columbus, Neb,, Sept. 22.—Grocers here announce that the average housewife cans less fruit from year to year, saying that It Is especially true of preserves. There has been probably 50 per cent less fruit canned in Columbus than previous year*, if sales on fruits are any indication. Dealers declare that women no longer like to stand over hot stove* in the summertime and that the greatest amount of canning is now being done in the fall instead of sum mer. The price of sugar during the Hummer months is also blamed for the reduction In canning. Railroad faro In Germany are to bo Increased by JOO per cent for first 1 and second class passengers and by 250 per cent for third and fourth class accommodations. t ADVERTISEMENT. PFOR 1^1 Humphreys’ “Seventy-seven’1 is for Grip, Influenza and for all kinds of Colds. To get best results take a dose at the first Sneeze or Shiver. If you wait till your bones begin to ache, it may take longer. Medical Book mailed free. Price, 30c and fl.00, at Dru* Store*, or . «nt on remittance #r C. O. D. Parcel • Post Humphr y*’ Homeo. Medicine Com pany. 156 Wr am Street, New York. Monday’s Sales of Silks and Velvets Featuring the Wanted Colorings and W eaves in the Textures in Demand for the Fall Season Canton Crepes Value* to $4.00 All color*, eitra beairy •Ilk quality, 40 Inches wide, specially priced, Silk Duvetyne $050 Values to $4-50 For suits, dresses, wraps In black, navy brown, specially priced, $3.50. Silk Crepes $3 65 Values to $5.00 Extra quality In black and all colors, special ly priced, $3.65. Chiffon Velvets $4Mand$7= Two remarkable grades In black and colors, soft finish, rich and lustrous. Replenish Your Bedding Needs in Monday’s Sale Cotton Batts Cheese Cloth Covered Comfort ilia cotton (72x90) weight 4 lbs. each. Biggest value* seen In rears, this sale, each— $1.98 Whit* Wool Filled Blanket* Large double bed Blankets, edges bound with fine pon gee. blue or pink borders, the best *7.50 values for this sale only, pair, $5.00 bed Spreads ; The large size r (84x96), this la the best grade Crochet weave ($4.00 value). Seldom seen at this low sale price— $3.19 * Furniture Savings for Monday $185 Genuine Walnut Dining Room Suite 8 Pieces $138.50 Queen Anne period designs. The Buf fet measures 60 inches and has drawer lined for silver. Table is 45 inches wide and ex tends 72 inches. Chairs are uphol stered in high grade tapestry; priced— $138.50 fc i iwiiinnii $200 3-Piece Tapestry an^ Velour Living Room Suite $112.50 Consist of Davenport, Rocker and Chair; all the three pieces have loose, spring-filled cush- Cl 10 Cf| ion seats, priced. «Pll£.iJU $195 Cane Davenport Suite $137.50 The D a v e n port opens into a double width bed when open; gives you an extra bedroom. Up holstered in high grade velours; only a few left at, the suite— $137.50 Saleb of Floor Coverings And Shades for Monday Window Shades Perfect quality Window Shades on warranted spriug rollers, green and tans, ape- |>A clal. each eJxJi* Axminster Rugs High grade seamed and seamless Ax minster Rugs, 9x12 site In wide range of patterns, values to $57.50, Door Mats 14x24 Cocoa Door Mats, heavy qual ity, special »7Q at. each.. I U Stair Carpets Heavy velvet Stair Carpets In blue* and tans nnd green and tans. $2 25 val ue at, <t> i »WQ yard.. «*) 1 • 4 Linoleum ir foot wide heavy Linoleum In large selection of put terns In blue, brown and mixed colors, ape qo clal. yard, JOC Monday Shoe Sales Grover Shoes Soft Shoes for Tender Feet Ladles' Grover, black kid. band turn Oxford, rub i ber heel, $7.50 I I?!” $5.95 Grot ft'i woK Dr<*?» Oxford, bro»:i kid $0.90 Black kid $8.90 Black ktd Gnncr 2-strap hand turn Tump, mill! ary r.1: $5.45 Stetson Shoes for Men or Women, S9.90 Hayden’s Old-Tyme Comfort Oxfords 1-Strap and 2-Strap Pumps These shoes are nude especially for llayden Ilros. under our own construction. We positive!) guarantee more wear out of these Comfort Shoes than any other shoe made for d*0 OCJ the prlee. Monday . Sites complete It to KE, 2 to 9 v ^ v Not these —— ) this lor COMFORT __ Hardw’re and House Furnish ings SI 00 varne Nal! Hammer, adie eye, bell face, sre aqc Monday. v/«Jv $1 50 Value Hatch et, black forge steel, ei>eclal for 90c $1.7* Value Herd Saw, 261ucfc, high grade, erecl.il for jst. si-19 $7 75 Value Family Scale, weight 14 lbs. areclal for Mon <fcO OC day.. Oal • $1.75 Value “Fit*, an" Eiectr.o Iron, cords 6 fu nlsh all attachments, »ery »l>e, ial for Mon iil'.. $1.19 Basement.