15 Apr 1916
Page 1
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 30 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
The Mobile Item
Location
Mobile, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Apr 15, 1916
Page
1
Report describes a clash near Parral with scenes of confrontation. No casualties or official statements provided. Local observers note tense standoff as authorities monitor the area.
San Antonio April 15 reports show impatience at Funston HQ over Pershing silence on Parral fighting. Funston urged Pershing to expedite report on Parral incident and Carranza operations, noting Carranza troops hinder cooperation. Officers say Carranza forces outnumber US troops, yet Villa moves through their lines when pursued.
Washington dispatches from El Paso cite unconfirmed reports of a second clash with Mexican troops at Parral. General Funston reports no contact with General Pershing for three days and urges faster reporting. Baker notes talks on Villa pursuit and possible withdrawal of American troops, with diplomacy to discuss Carranza’s proposal while continuing the hunt for Villa.
Officials expressed grave concern for the safety of the American line of communication in Columbus New Mexico. The base prepared to maintain the line with motor trucks filled with rations ready at headquarters and the telegraph station ordered to stay open through the night.
Members of the Mobile Music Lovers Association and others advance a campaign to secure the $1,000 guarantee fund for two New York Philharmonic Orchestra concerts on May 9. The drive continues through Monday as ticket pledges rise, with four solo artists planned and ticket prices set across matinee and evening shows. Subscriptions are taken by Mrs. Hans Curiel at 992 Bell or by post to box 72, City Bank Building room 826.
In Mobile’s Tenth Ward a bantam named Betty, famed as Bantam extraordinary, has produced her first egg a fully formed regular egg with shell white and yolk. Owner Andre Tenth Ward celebrates the milestone as the prized bird adds to local county pride in Leghorns and Brahmas.
Recorder D H Edington announces harsher penalties for speeders and reckless drivers in the city. He cites excessive speeding at crossings and between areas and vows to enforce the maximum punishment to protect pedestrians.
The funeral of John L. Locke Mobile real estate man and auto accident victim was held in Georgiana Ala Saturday afternoon. The body lay in state Friday as Mrs Locke and three children joined relatives for the tribute.
A charge of violating the city traffic ordinance against George Fearn Jr. was dismissed by the recorder Saturday morning. Patrolman LeGear alleged the car passed a standing street car while passengers boarded, but the case was found to be a mistake.
Edward Zellas of the Southern Reducing Company drove into a ditch on Monterey street between Government and Dauphin Friday at 6 o'clock, escaped unharmed. A second crash involved a car owned by J F McGowm driven by Melvin Johnson a negro hitting M Thomas of 155 Monroe street injuring him slightly. Johnson was arrested Saturday for reckless driving. Illinois Club to Meet. Members will hold an important session at the Battle House at 9 o'clock tonight. all tourists may attend.
Crowds in the city Friday afternoon welcomed the Gulls first win with The Item baseball extra. The issue settled disputes over an error or hit, clarified the numbers of errors hits and strike-outs, and showcased Barney Sheridan’s distinctive opening battle description. The success promises the extra as a regular feature like in other cities on the circuit.
Secretary Lansing pressed ahead with a statement of the American case on submarine warfare to be sent to Berlin. The note would articulate the U S position to date, avoid an ultimatum wording, and serve as the administration's final word if needed. A report from Queenstown said the Aberdeen bark Inverlyon was sunk by a submarine after a 15 minute warning. two Americans in a lifeboat were saved.
The Berlin foreign office fears a rupture with the United States as Chancellor meets the American ambassador and Austro Hungarian minister Count von Burland. Berlin sends lengthy instructions to Ambassador von Bernstorff in Washington while officials seek to avert conflict amid sharp US criticism. Survivors of the British ship Englishman recount the torpedoing by a German submarine on March 24 and the sinking after life boats had departed.
Dispatches from Rotterdam report the Dutch government will ask the German government to help determine the origin of bronze fragments found on the Holland Westerdam steamship Tubantia.
Bahamans and Central American natives are immigrating to the United States through this district. T. W. Kirk, inspector in charge of the federal immigration service for the Southern district, notes most arrivals pass through Tampa and Key West during a routine inspection trip.
Senate met at 11 a.m. and resumed debate on the army reorganization bill with an amendment requiring National Guard soldiers to pledge allegiance to both the president and the state. House met at 11 a.m. and continued discussion of the agricultural appropriation bill.
Abba Temple Mobile Shriners will initiate a record class of candidates at the Scottish Rite Cathedral with a street parade at 5 PM and a luncheon before the 7 PM ceremony. Officials list names from the 1916 Shrine divan as attendees, and Shriners from Mobile and surrounding counties will participate.
Bashinsky & Company of Troy through G. Hails Janney bought 2,206 bales of cotton from the N. J. Bell estate via Mutual Warehouse Company at just under 12 cents a pound. The purchase, not officially announced, aims at munitions production for European powers, with weighing and shipment to begin early next week.
London reports the British steamer Shenandoah of 2660 tons was sunk by a mine. The captain and part of the crew have landed. two men are missing.
A Saturday fire reported between Charleston and Augi streets in Warren damaged Gibbin's Flakery. Occupants safely evacuated though a cat was noted near the scene and a sparks issue prompted the alert. box 34.
In the Guerrero battle near Pershing's Camp at the front in Mexico on April 10, Seventh Cavalry troopers recaptured a pack mule nicknamed Villa's drug store. The mule carried quinine capsules antiseptics bandages and a supply of coffee deemed vital for the campaign.
Report says Mobile exporters ship large numbers of enslaved people to be used as pontoons for the French government. Two schooners arrived to carry slaves to Martinique. The British schooner St Maurice and the Evelyn load staves for Martinique at local docks.
Dispatches report continued heavy artillery along the Verdun front with no German infantry assaults. Artillery focused between Malancourt wood and Hill 204 while Corbeaux wood area also saw vigorous bombardment. Austro Italian action included Italian positions captured near Mrzlivih and gains near Sperone with Austrian withdrawal from a defensive line. A Hague dispatch notes U S dissatisfaction over the Sussex note and German officials signaling openness to easing tensions with the United States.
London editors from The Economist and The Nation, leaning toward compromise, view Premier Asquith’s speech as easing peace talks. The Economist warns six more months of war threaten insolvency and revolutions, while The Nation rejects revenge and division and notes renewed diplomatic dialogue between Britain and Germany.
Garland county grand jurors with a deputy sheriff raided two taverns in Hot Springs and seized beer and whisky. No suspects found in the establishments. They also raided a building opposite the courthouse, arresting a man believed to be the proprietor as they adjourned from the session.
Mobile area expected showers tonight and Sunday. Washington weather service reports likely light, variable winds for Alabama and Mississippi through the period with scattered showers.
In Mobile, Joseph Espalla Jr and A B Lyons of the County Board of Equalization face widespread disapproval over appointing election officers for the upcoming primary. Lyons says authorities must follow laws and avoid bias, while Espalla rejects using tax power to influence the process.
New York city clergy and congregations are urged by the National Special Aid Society to observe Sunday April 16 as a day of prayer for divine guidance for the nation at this crisis in world history. The call stresses unity across creeds and seeks collective spiritual support.
In New York on April 15 negotiations for a fresh French credit operation are well under way. Octave Homberg, financial representative of the French government in the United States, issued the statement announcing progress.
The First Edition and the City Edition of The Item cost two cents each. Boys selling on the street carry coppers to provide correct change. Do not pay more than two cents for either edition.
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.