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About The Falls City tribune. (Falls City, Neb.) 1904-191? | View Entire Issue (Feb. 10, 1911)
MILITARY HAZING CARRIED TO BRUTAL EXTREMES IN ARMY SCHOOLS The Most Dangerous Punishment Meted Out to Erring Freshmen Is "the Gantlet of Fire,” and the Most Repulsive Is "Bacon Swallowing.” Germany Is, of all countries, the oue In which the science of hazing in mil itary schools has attained the greatest development. The army plays in I lie fatherland's life n part the Importance of which can hardly he realized by an uutrareled American. Military service is compulsory, and in time of peace 600,000 men are kept armed, uniformed and drilled. To command that huge contingent 80,000 commissioned officers arc necessary. Inis large ofhcer corps has developed customs, ethics, even a morality, of its own. These customs and ethics are imitated at an early age by the boy who aspires to enjoy the veneration which German officers generally re ceive from the populace. Imitation in a young man usually means exag geration. and some of the little mil itary snobs are on their first <lay at school a joy to behold. ‘Very soon, however, tlie precocious stiffness is taken out of them. A harmless though repulsive form of hazing cadets- whose appetite verges on gluttony is called "bacon swallow ing." The plebes to be victimized are lined up on the grounds surrounded by a group of second year men. A slice of raw bacon is tied to a piece of string, and the plebe whose name is drawn first is made to swallow the unappetizing morsel. When the sick ening sensation of the twine tickling his throat threatens, to nauseate him the bacon is pulled out. The name of another unfortunate Is drawn, and lie is in turn obliged to swallow the ha c6n, the appearance of which tins not been improved by the first man's chewing. On it goes along the line to the next mail and up to the last one, and for days and days the sight ot bacon, a staple article in German cuisine, will, if it does not spoil the healthy youngsters’ appetites, at least remind them that undue haste in as similating food lacks refinement. After a l'cw hours spent in “frog's squat" the most dignified and snob bish plebes assume the good nature*] and perfectly chummy attitude which means that they have been tamed Swelled heads are quickly noted ami their owners made to sit on the (loot with their chins resting on their knees, and their ankles and wrists arc hound together. A solid stick passed under the knee joints and forcing the fore arm back prevents them from moving arms or legs, and they are, left there facing one another in an unnatural, cramped and ridiculous position. Ollier forms <•!' hazing are the stom ach dance, with or without obstacles; finding the keyhole, tossing in a blan ket and star gazing. In the stomach, dance the cadet is put flat on ids stomach on a high table and four tor mentors take him by the hands and feet and whirl him around on the table. In the case of serious offenses a few hard objects or "obstacles" are scattered over the table, making the ‘'nance" rather painful. Then comes finding the keyhole. The cadet stands in frmit of a locker and is blindfolded, lie has to feel for the keyhole with Ills I''on lias"!' Then an other cadet places his Imad between the locker and the finger, opens his mouth and Idles the linger till its own er howls Star gr.' ing const- ts in being made to watch the stars tit night through a coat sleeve held like a telescope by two cadets A third cadet then pours a glass of muddy water in at top of the sleeve. When a cadet is guilty of behavior unbecoming to a gentleman, disgraces his class by some breach of etiquette or commits some petty theft he is generally sentenced by the "holy vehm." or "court of honor." to the rod. The penalty ts applied ruthless ly. a gag being placed in the punished man's mouth to stifle his cries for help. Of all the forms of hazing the most brutal perhaps is the "gantlet of fire." The fresijman upon whom that punish ment is to lie visited is kept in a dark room astride a wooden chair, to which he is securely fastened. In the next room ids tormentors are twisting news papers into imitation torches, which at a given signal they light with matches. When the torches arc burning brightly they form themselves in two lines; another signal is sounded, tlie door of the dark room is thrown open, and the freshman is ordered to ride between the lines, while be is mercilessly lashed with flaming brands. However quickly lie may run the gantlet, by tlie time lie lias reached the end of the blazing pathway his Hair, bis eyebrows and lashes have been singed to the skin, his eyelids are seared and swollen, his lips blistered, his uniform hopelessly damaged. Basket Ball Our high school basket ball .boys lost Saturday night’s game to the j University Pi Phi team by a score of .'ll to 22. Both sides played a good game although it was considered a little rough. Our boys won the first half but they hfve been weak ened by the loss of a. couple of their best players but they played a cred itable game and made the Uni team work for what they got. David Reavis who last year played high school basket hall, is on the University team. We are sorry our boys lost but we still have confidence in them. PEOPLE OF ALL NATIONS ARE BASE BALL LOVERS All Countries Have Heroes Of The Diamond For Fans To Rcot For In the United States base ball de serves its title of national game, not only because it has more devotees than any other outdoor amusement and not alone because this country perfected the sport nml brought it to its present form, blit also be cause it is ssentlally a game of no one race orr creed. In looking over the rosters of the big teams, while the Irish, derm an, French and Eng lish names predominate, still the patron mymies of the Indian, the Pole, the Italian, the Swede and the Cuban may he found there. This lias been so almost since the time that leagues were forrmed and base ball came into prominence, whic has increased with every playing sea son. In the early eighties Vincent Nava, a Cuban, was one of the first string catchers on the Providence team. Another Cuban will train witl a big league team this spring. In the eighties Sockalexis flushed like a comet across the major league horizon. This Indian left-fielder hat ted .331 for Cleveland in 1S97 and fielded like a whirlwind. lie and Pappaulau proved that the red man could profitably desert the warpath for the base hall path. The original Americans are represented In the major leagues today. Charles A. Bender, a Carlisle university man led the American league pitchers last year by winning twenty-three out of twenty-eight games for the Atli 1 tics. Zacli David Wheat, whose mother was the daughter of a Cherokee cheiftain, -was one of the finds of 1909, and will add strength to the Brooklyn team again this season. J. .1. Meyers, a full blooded Indian from Riverside, Cal., won many a contest of 1910 by his work with the war club and has proved himself as well a good catcherr for tiie Giants. The Poles cheerr for Harry Coval aski; the Italians for Edward J. Ab baticchio; the Swedes for Otis John son, and men from almost every Qtli er country find compatriots to en courage with advice and praise.Two National league teams are to have Japanese on their training squads thi spring. In the series of a contest, however, all nationalities merge and race prejudices are forgotten, as every fan remembers only that he is an American watching his favorite team play the game of games. The Peach Crcp It looks at this time as though there would not be much of a peach crop. Many fruit growers say the buds are dead. This is due to the severe cold in January, not the length of the cold spell 1 lit because of the sudden dropping in temperature to such a very low degree. The prun ing of orchards is receiving such at tention as was never given to this branch of farm work before. The farmers are r alizing that fruit, grow ing is on* of tin* most profitable bran dies of farm life and the care of their orchards is one of their chief thoughts just now. There are many expert primers at work through the country and more could lie used if they were available. Few counties exeell old Richardson in the fruit growing business. Death Of John P. Walker LANDMEN IN COURT MAN WITH ACTUAL PAPERS TELLS OF H 13 EXPERIENCE Alleged Schema cf Catttg Caroe* Exposed Through Contract In troduced for Government Omaha, Feb. 8—Furious legal war faie will be precipitated before the core lusion of the iar; J fraud ease now be ,.g heard befoie Judge T. C. Munger in United States district court. The prosecution yesterday established the fact that the West ern Land and Cattle corporation de signed to acquire hundreds of acres of Deuel county grazing lands thru the medium of so-called straw home steaders, yet the defense has out lined a clear and apparently sound plan of resistance. Benjamin M. Fox and George 10. Townsend of the Western Land and Cattle corporation and W. P. Miles, who represented the interests of the defendants during the land trans actions in question, do not pretend to deny that correspondence was exchanged in 1004 relative to home steading lands through persons they had interested, but they have pre pared to fight to the last ditch on the conspiracy charge. It is on this correspondence and other docu ments that the prosecution largely based its case. and in his home softened to beauty by a chivalrous and courteous re gard, Perhaps we did not know the esteem in which he held the man un til death came ruthlessly and sud denly and hurried him beyond the reach of praise." THE BIG DREDGE BOAT HAS BEEN OVER A YEAR OPEN ING 3 MILES OF CHANNEL With a New Set of Boilers Recently Installed It Is Making Very Satisfactory Progress The big ditcher is now rapidly moving down the bottoms of the low er N't maha towards Salem. Since the new boilers were installed there are fewer delays, and progress has been satisfactory and sure. The dredge lias nearly two miles of chan nel back of it. to the old river chan nel, and as a consequence has no difficulty in keeping a sufficient liea of water for working to best, advan tage. The open winter has also greatly favored the progress of the work. Nothing unlooked for interfering, the dredge should reach the head of the big ditch below Salem early in the spring. With another season coming on, the farmers in the bottoms will appre ciate the protection afforded, ■ by the opened ditch. The largest se curity cannot he realaled until the channel is opened its entire length and advantage can be taken of the greatly increased velocity of the cur rent because of the unobstructed flow and the gain in fall because of the shorter distance covered. MISSOURI’S CAPITOL HOUSE AT JEFFERSON CITY BURNED Loss Was $1,000,000- -P*uilt In 1338 —Believed to Have Been Hit by Lightning. A fire supposed to have been start l’d by lightning about 7 o’clock Sun day night destroyed the Missouri Capitol building. Twisted irons that supported the roof hang from the blackened walls, a part of which have fallen. Much of the building was furnish ed in heavy hardwood, oak, cherry and mahogany. This made a terrific heat, upon which tlie water of the hose company seemed to have no ef fect. The building cost $600,000, but at that time material was much cheap er than now. The furniture was prac tically new and very costly. Ex pensive rugs and other property brings the loss up to a million to say nothing, about the valuable rec ords. Queen of Spain Refuses To Remain With King Alfonso Tile repeat'd attempts to recon cile Queen Victoria and King Alfonso have been unavailing. Victoria ad heres to her determination to go back to England. She has clearly demonstrated that she has no con fidence in Alfonso’s promise to be good. The only thing that now in terferes is the children. She can not take them from Spain, and as a faithful mother it is trying for her to part from them. Alfonso lias sown wild oats too long the time and har vest is rapidly approaching. Drew The Sofa Pillow Cheater McDowell held the lucky number that drew a sofa pillow raffled off last Saturday for a couple of town ladies. The pillow was made by a blind girl. It is of art can vas, embroideried in AmVrican Beauty roses and the work, though done by blind girl, was exceptionally good. | fhe pillow was finished with dark red cord. Chet was mighty fortu nate in winning it. Died At Humboldt Special from Verdon. John P. Walker was born January 7,1844 in White county,Kentucky and died February 3, 1911 at two p. m. of pneumonia, age 67 years and 27 days. He united with the Evangeli cal c hurch several years ago and has lived the life of a true Christian and was at good neighbor, always will ing and ready to lend a hand to those in need. The deceased leaves three sons besides a host of friends to mourn his loss. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Garries at the Evangelical church Sunday, Feb ruary 5, at. 11:00 a. m. The re mains were laid away in the Ver don cemetery beside those of his wife, who passed away in 1903. The bereaved ones have the sympathy of their many friends. Brethren Church Don't fail to attend the Revival Meetings at the Brethren church. The spirit is already doing His work. Come let us do ours. Two confessions last night. Subject to night, “The Holy Spirits Mission to The World.” Everyone is given a cordial welcome. Bring your friends. It is every dentist’s opinion that few people take good rare of their teeth, and the dentist must he right to be so numerous. K. L. OF S. ENTERTAIN FOR MEM BERS WHO ARE MOVING AWAY Mrs. Leitzke and Mrs. Kleber Were Presented With a Token Of Remembrance The Knights and Unlit s gave n surprise hist evening after their reg ular lodge session for Mr. and Mrs. Charles Leitzke and Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Kleber, the families of whom are leaving to make their homes in other titles. Mrs. Leitzke is pres ident of the local order. Mr, Leit zke, who was not attending lodge was sent for to set1 his wife home and not until he arrived was it known that, a social evening was to be enjoyed. A fine supper had been prepared and was served by the ladies. Mr. George Morris made a pleasing speech in which he ex pressed the regret of the order at losing these estimable members and presented to Mrs. Leitzke a beautiful silv< r bread plate and to Mrs. Kleber a silver by11< r . disb from llieir lodge friends. Everybody enjoyed the evening fully and the fes tivities continued until a late hour. Wm. Kleber and family left today for their now home in St. .loo and Mr. Leitzke will take Ids family lo (heir new home in Syracuse, N'. Y., next week. “BACK TO THE LAND." The writer lias lately run across two or three concrete instances of this “back (o the land" movement where it was painfully apparent that the ones taking the step should have rented a half acre near their old home ami worked it nights and mornings. This would have enabled them to determine whether there were in their makeup those qualities which would make it pin*11:'..> for them to hold permanently that rosy view of agriculture and hor ticulture that is pictured in the maga zines and which lias such a subtle fas cination for the man who is wearied with the smoke, the racket and strain of city life. If any one having this “hack to the land" hankering will painstakingly tend a half acre Of onions or other intensive crop, doing the hulk of the weeding, the cultivat ing and harvesting himself, and after doing this still looks upon the tilling of the soil with zest and favor, it. is fair to assume that he would succeed if lie engaged in such a work on a more ex tensive scale. There are backache, sheer weariness, gnawing hunger (a blessing) and often restless nights for the "man wit'll the hoe," and all who have in mind taking up such work should have these facts in view before taking the step. Then, again, usidc from ones willingness to do hard work, there is sometimes painfully lack ing what may be termed adaptability or knack. This was shown in one of the instances referred to above, where a due young fellow was just crazy over the orchard business when the fact was that at the end of t*wo months' apprenticeship In* couldn't harness a team and get the breeching on the right end to save his gizzard, ife sim ply lacked the ability to “catch on" and in a short time re-entered the banking business, which lie left in his “movement to the land." We would not by any word discourage any rend ers of these notes who long to have a "home on the land.” hut would only utter such word of caution as will cause them to have their eyes wide open when they take the step. There is hard work, yet competence, health and contentment, for those who till the soil. There should be more folks engaged in It. PRETTY HOME WEDDING WEDDING AT THE HOME OF THE BRIDE IN THIS CITY Miss Bertha Zorn and John Bucholz Were Uunited In Marriage February 7, 1911 At the home of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Zorn on North Morton Street, last evening, February 7, occurred the marriage of their youngest, daugh ter, Miss Bertha to John Buchholz, the marriage service being read by Rev. R. Cooper Bailey of the Pres byterian church. There were about forty guests present to witness the ceremony. The house was tasefully decorated, the fire place being bank ed with potted plants, palms and ferns. Here the bridal party took their places, Miss Anna Fraunfelder of Verdon and Frank Bucholz, brother of the groom attending Miss Zorn and Mr. Buchholz. After tin; ceremony congratulations were offered and later a bountiful wedding supper was served. Mr. and Mrs. Buchholz left for St.JJoe for a short wedding trip and about the first of March will move to the Buchholz farm north of town. A regular army soldier's idea of the militia will give you a pretty fair notion of supreme contempt, but for the real thing in that line you have to get a cowboy’s opinion of a shoepherder. i A number of years ago it was a * very common thing to see a man with a flower pinned on his coat by his wife. Where is he now. The wives and flowers are still here. A NEW GRAFT INCUBATING. By J. O. Shroyer, Humboldt, Nebraska, Tin re is a strong sentiment to ward throwing the read money of our state Into a common fund for the building of reads, also throwing the i ounty road funds Into a single ac count and having state engineers <»' ,ounty enginee rs plan for the expend * lures id’ tile funds. They complain thnf under the pres to :q ; loin, we are wasting our money and not getting good roads. This may be the truth in some cases and in others (a good many too.) it Is certain that we do get as much out ot the money expended, as we do in other lines of public work. We believe that a certain percent of the funds must go toward fixing u especially bad places of roads that limy exi t and also to build expensive bridges that are for the benefit of the whole section, but most, of the money origin to bo used directly on tlie roads of the lands where it Is raised. Of what benefit to tin people of a score of counties, will a state read be from Omaha to Den ver. Of what benefit to two thirds of til county would a road be, that crossed that county. We will find a dozen men in every county waiting for the chance to get contracts. These men will cure a bout as much for the general wel fare as an old hen does for a spring hat. All they will want Is a chance* at the funds. We may waste some money under the present plan, but it belongs to the people who are right on tin ground to see it. wasted or used prop erly if they so desire. Several years ago we spent a lot ol money hiring an expert, road build er to go over tin1 state and toll us bow to make the cheapest and mo: t practical roads out of the* material right on the spot. They were roads that did not require expensive nm chinory and expensive engineers to build. Simply build a grade with a good machine and then drag through the year with a split, log drag. This work could be done witli the fore e already found in every com munity, it, is rapidly executed and makes good roads. Now we have about one mile out of every twenty five worked to a "mited extent Dy this method. Every stroke of work lias paid and every one says that the drag is all right. Hut in many sections the authoi itic's refused to recognize this plan. They would not build drags, nor pay a farmer for building bis own drag and using it. Wherever it was demo right, the thing lias been a decided success. Now some of the people want to get a more expensive system. They want to centralize tin* work and build HOME good roads. We believe that if our legislators who profess to be in Lincoln, work ing for the general good, desire to do as a real favor, they will enact a law that will allow and compel the local authorities to pay reasonably every farmer dragging liis own roads. In this way each man could af ford to drag the roads passing his farm. If any farmer refused to do this work or was so situated that, he could not get to it, it should be made profitable enough to Induce some one of his neighbors to do it. Let us use the system we have paid the experts to explain to us and which a few liberal people have dem onstrated, was a success. Tax the farmer good and strong and other people as well, then per mit us to work out a goodly share of this tax in dragging our neighbor hood roads. I)o not compel the farmer to do it, but make it as profitable as pos sible for him to do it. and have it done under systematic methods. If every mile of road in Nebraska was worked under this system, there would only lie isolated stretches where any other work would he need ed. If you need a county engineer at all, it would tie to build perma nent bridges and we think that this can be done withou such an officer and centralizing all the funds. Lot us have a road law that will enable us to use the known and | tried plans and keep most, of the i money right in the neighborhood that | pays it out. If we must have a county engineer, let >is have the funds kept in the local district and used there the I same as wo now ra'se and use the school funds. There is plenty of money piled up in funds for the grafter now, with . out piling up a few millions each year for a new set of grafters. AFORMER RESIDENT RECARDING ONE OF OUR FORMEF TOWNSMEN The Paris (Mo.) Mercury and Ap peal Speak In Highest Terms of W. H. H. Meyers In spt aklrig of tIh late \\ . If. H. Moyers, our former townsman, tho Pn ris (Mu.) Mercury and Appeal which come to our office speaks In highest terms of him and show very clearly the esteem in which he was held in that town . Among other things the following may be sited. After mentioning the circumstances of liia death the Mercury mentions the honors conferred upon him hy tho local M. W. A. lodge, two of whom wore detailed to accompany the body to Dec's Sununet, where the offi i era from all over the state of Mis souri met tlii' funeral courtage, and floral emblems were also sent. Further “No circumstance could alter the good humor of the man for any lenogtli of time or make it less apparent. With these an«l a fine courtliness of personal manner and a home distinguished for its kindly, and at all times unostentati ous hospitality, he ingratiated him* self into the life of the community to which lie came an unaccredited stranger and in time became one of its indispensable fixtures. There was an intimate and kindly spirit in all that he did. a perfect freedom from the too common vulgarity that, dis plays itself in pride of purse, and a. ( hlvalry and a cleanliness In thought and speech that observed any minor defects ho may have had. There were elements of undoubted strength in tin' man, too. In the hurly-burly of life ho was able to give and take, and lo his cm rgy and hisfnlth is un doubtedly due to Hie proportions lo which Woodcraft, with all its in estimable service, lias attained in this section of Missouri. Ilis life was a useful one in a public senso, From The Appeal “And the world Is better tha tthis man lived. Where ever he spoke his voice was lifted in behalf of temperance, fraternity and good citizenship. Wherever ho lived lie practiced Hie vlrtuis he proclaimed, Prote< tlou for depend ant families was the ambition of his life, and today, if the widows anil orphans of men whom he influenced to apply for insurance in the frater nity he served (ould each pay a tribute of gratitude to bis memory, the result would be a monument more impressive to his friends and more inspiring to ids family than any si aft of marble or granite that could he erected at his grave. Al though frequently misunderstood, of ti a criticised and seldom paid such appreciations as he deserved, every body really loved him and recogniz ed Ills worth as a citizen. He will he missed by all who came in touch with him Resolutions Win n ns. in the death of Clans man I W. Fulls tend. Falls City Cas tile No. “.‘i of Royal Highlanders, has lost a worthy member, therefore be it Resolved That in the death of Clansman Fallstead, this Castle has lost a loyal member and his family I - loved one whose loss is irrepalr able, and be it further Resolved, That the charter of this Castle he draped for a period of sixty days, that a copy of these- res olutions be spread upon the minutes of this Castle, that a copy be given to the family of the decease-d, and that, a copy be sent to each of the city papers for publication. W K KNIGHT, F. BRECHT, ELIZABETH FIREBACGH, K • Committee. Brethren Church The revival services at tbe Breth ren Church are increasing in interest each evening. There have been accessions every service since the meetings began, and the prospect is hopeful for many more. With the help of two instruments and the new songs, the people are finding the song service to be a most inspir ing part of the meetings. I^ast night there was a good atteendance and all were well paid for coming, as the Holy Spirit was with us in old time power. Tonight the pastor will preach on "The demands of The Kingdom." The public is cordially invited to 'attend these services each evening. On next Sunday, February 13'h, there will hi- the following services at the Baptist church. Sunday School at*9:4a a. m.. Preaching ser vices at 11:00 a. m. Preaching ser Limoln. Also preaching at 7:30 p. ni. unless notice is given to the contrary. Many women are spoiled before marriage, blit few after. “I'm full of ideas hut havn't much money.”—Charles Grimm.