This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
This newspaper page contains 19 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Ashton Gazette
Location
Ashton, Illinois, United States of America
Date
Dec 02, 1909
Page
3
The text notes a sharp 1908 increase in deaths by own action, with 21.8 per 100,000, higher than 1907 and 1904. It cites larger cities bearing higher rates, western and southern areas leading, and wealthier, educated groups most affected amid urban temptations and moral decline.
Judge Warren W. Foster urges sterilization to curb hereditary criminality citing statistics on drunk parents and mental illness. He promotes basectomy as a painless brief operation with no sexual impairment, legal in Indiana since 1907 with 800 performed. The Erie Railroad tests an automatic signal system with telephones, third rail brush, and in-cab instruments to stop trains in obstructions, inventor Frederick Lacroix reporting early success near New York.
Mrs. C. H. P. Belmont and the women allied with her in the equal franchise movement will open headquarters in several state capitals during the coming legislative sessions. Quarters have been secured at Albany and agents sent to Harrisburg Columbus and Springfield to conduct an active campaign for pro women laws.
Five men died in a mine fire at Nanticoke Pennsylvania. Yale University reports a drop of one hundred in enrollment. Graft Acklin of Toledo elected General Grand Master of Royal and Select Masons in Savannah. Joshua Strang of Indiana elected president of the Farmers National Congress in Raleigh. Three trainmen killed in a wreck of the Cincinnati Florida Limited at Letnerts Tennessee. Rear Admiral John Hubbard ordered to command the third squadron of the Pacific fleet replacing Rear Admiral Giles Harber.
The Department of Agriculture plans to warn farmers and prospective buyers about schemes that mislabeled land as prime farming ground. Rumors claim sand lands and undrained swamps are valuable, with frauds promising vast profits from hybrid plants and fruit tree slips. Officials say inquiries to state authorities can reveal the truth behind these schemes.
In Spokane police arrest street speakers from the Industrial Workers of the World as crowds form to speak on street corners. Jail counts rise with 200 prisoners as supporters claim brutal treatment and biased hearings. I W W sends reinforcements to sustain the protest.
At Atlantic City a labor union meeting quoted John Mitchell urging that people seek advancement without harming others. He faulted unionism for current conditions and argued shorter hours and higher pay draw workers away from the barroom, not urging violent competition.
Governor Deneen declared the Alexander County sheriff post vacant after the Froggy James lynching in Cairo. Sheriff Frank R. Davis sought reinstatement, arguing he acted to protect James amid mob violence and interstate disturbances. Davis described rail and roadblock tactics by armed crowds and feared retribution if Alexander is brought back to Cairo.
Eugene Cummings son of Beardstown division superintendent of the Chicago Burlington and Quin cy Railway died in a freight wreck at Beardstown while advancing through railroading grades. His father rushed to the scene on a special train after learning of the tragedy. The fast freight struck a switch engine hauling coal cars. The engineers leaped clear but Cummings was pinned between the tank and boiler and scalded by escaping steam.
A Rockford merchant delivered a death notice to Mrs Christina Larson for her sister Miss Anna Lundberg of Chicago. The supposed death turned out to be a case of typhoid fever illness and delirium. Lundberg arrived alive at her sister's home, and her condition remained serious but hopeful for recovery.
M B Williams of Chicago led six weeks of union services in Ke Wanee closing Sunday night. More than 550 converts reported with over 100 additional conversions in the final week despite poor weather. Three Sunday meetings filled the armory, seating 3 500. Also a jury in Henry County Court set aside the will of John Key amid a challenge claiming Looney was of unsound mind.
Dougherty, once Peoria school superintendent, agreed to a 27 500 settlement with the Peoria school trustees ending over 400 000 in shortages and releasing him from further obligations. He now serves an indefinite Joliet penitentiary sentence for embezzlement.
A three story Shawneetown elevator burned owned by Gales Brothers of Cincinnati. Stratford farmer Hiram E. Coffman died after a stroke in Dixon. Illinois G A R encampment dates set for Freeport next year. Paxton boy Paul Odell dies after three year illness. Frank Bunn, once Melvin resident, now oil and coal land investor valued at 14 million. Mother Mary Celine dies at St Marys Institute Quincy. Antioch post office robbed night of Monday. Williams Brothers store safe blown. about 35 dollars and stamps taken. Cherry mine disaster fund allotments and Red Cross payments arranged. Pullman Palace Car plant fire endangers lumber stock worth 500000 in dry kiln. Thebes train accident kills Harve Gear and John Berger. one man decapitated. Inquest planned for Swear’s wear injury. Frank Giroux dies at Wisconsin asylum. epilepsy survivor died two hours after parents arrived.
The State Board of Equalization reports Illinois full fair cash value at 5.83 billion dollars, up from 5.70 billion. Assessed value rises 71 percent this year to about 1.945 billion, largely from changing fractions used for assessment and the Busse bond bills. The board adopted the local valuations with no changes.
Reports read at the state convention of the Young Women's Christian Association of Illinois in Galesburg show the organization in flourishing condition. Twenty five student associations total 2280 members with the State University Association at 400 and Chicago University at 230. Springfield's group leads the state with 1800 members. A new Decatur building was noted and two county associations formed. Officers elected include President Mrs James Lyman Evanston and Treasurer Florence Denison Kewanee.
Professor Wilfred C. Wheeler of the University of Illinois in Champaign used a fatal poison to end his life. The chemistry expert, about 30, from Lawrence Kansas, walked to campus and drank the drug, leaving an empty vial beside his body. His wife Mrs Wheeler is prostrated and the man was described as extremely nervous, with domestic strains possibly triggering the act.
William H. Thompson a nearly ninety year old Rockton merchant and official is jailed on embezzlement charges of 4681 in school funds. Bondsman William H. Black swore out the warrant. Thompson waived preliminary examination and failed to post 5000 bail. His missing books and unexplained shortages were noted by authorities.
Over 600 educators attended the Illinois University Urbana high school conference. Professor C R Mann of the University of Chicago spoke on Science Teaching in High Schools and a reception followed in the Woman's Building. Sections on curriculum subjects met and physics teachers formed a permanent organization.
M. M. Mallary resigns as general superintendent of the Illinois State Reformatory in Pontiac after serving since 1901 under Governor Yates. He mails his resignation to Bishop Fallows, president of the board of managers, saying he wishes to pursue another line of work.
We want people to find what they are looking for at NewspaperArchive. We are confident that we have the newspapers that will increase the value of your family history or other historical research. With our 7-day free trial, you can view the documents you find for free.
People find the most success using advanced search. Try plugging in keywords, names, dates, and locations, and get matched with results from the entire collection of newspapers at NewspaperArchive!
You can also successfully find newspapers by these browse options. Explore our archives on your own!
Browse by location and discover newspapers from all across the world.
Browse by date and find publications for a specific day or era.
Browse old newspaper publications to find specific newspapers.