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 22 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
The Mobile Item
Location
Mobile, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Oct 17, 1914
Page
4
Editor James Keeley of the Chicago Herald inspires a nationwide campaign to mail Christmas gifts to children in war stricken regions. The plan envisions Santa Claus ships carrying toys shoes socks caps and other useful items funded by Americans in cities across the country.
The National Association for Study and Sion of Tuberculosis declares its annual week of campaigning with Tuberc Day on November 29. It plans to enlist thousands of churches colleges lodges in a simultaneous movement using sermons lectures motion exhibits and more to combat the dread disease with a nationwide circular describing the work and its aims.
Postal authorities implicate a gang in the Author's Association now in New York for using the mails to defraud. They allege profits totaling about 100000 over four years from selling deluxe editions with colored illustrations. Wealthy buyers, including some in comfortable circumstances, paid inflated prices that could have bought volumes at standard rates from reputable booksellers.
The article notes a new child labor law that will take effect January 1915 after ratification by voters and an official proclamation by the governor. It explains that laws typically become operative on executive approval and that the legislature sets a period for implementation.
Readers discuss a claimed comet visible near the Big Dipper, with some insisting it is present while others doubt the reports. The exchange notes skepticism about whether a celestial body could appear so close to a familiar star field.
An odd proverb suggests that whenever a war begins at 4am the devil enlarges hell to fit the consequence. The saying reflects wartime fears and metaphorical views of chaos spreading beyond initial bounds.
Florida citrus growers at a Tampa meeting raised 10000 to fund eradication of bread citrus canker. Workers report infected trees destroyed rapidly from 1000 in a week to about 50 now, with hope all discernable infested trees are gone. The fund supports ongoing protection of Florida’s citrus industry as orchards expand.
United States Public Health Service expresses elation over four apparent cures of leprosy in the Philippines using chaul moogra oil. Government hospital trials show immediate improvement and sometimes rapid results, though officials stop short of claiming a definitive cure. Leprosy's historical stigma and isolation of patients are noted alongside the potential for a permanent breakthrough.
The United States commissioner of education calls a conference of specialists in teacher training for vocational schools and leaders of state universities and normal schools. It will occur on Friday evening December 11 in the Richmond Business Men's Club as part of the 1914 annual convention in Richmond Virginia. Applications for program copies and admission cards should be sent to W. T. Bawden in Washington before December 1.
The Apalachicola Times, Milton Gazette, and Sanford Herald clash over Florida generosity with comments about buying a bale of cotton a ton of resin oranges lettuce celery and a Sanford home or hotel as a test of money stringency and civic spirit.
At the last meeting the Talladega city commission voted to reduce their monthly salaries from 75 to 50 dollars. This pay cut applies to the board members serving during the current term.
Philadelphia business leaders say the export crisis is safely passed and that surroundings influence the recovering patient. The Philadelphia foreign trade bureau notes a steady rise from August into September, with New York port exports climbing from 8.6 million to 20 million dollars, about 3 million above a year ago.
New York faces a dire debate over road building as election nears. Engineers criticize the bonds funded macadam system for lasting only about ten years, risking decades without usable roads. A New Jersey style board of engineers is proposed to reform maintenance and financing, while a separate city plan seeks a tenants and landlords commission to curb evictions amid a hard winter and bank failures affecting thousands.
A city-wide note claims a small financial district group meets daily at an undisclosed location to receive authentic war dispatches from allied forces. The alleged circle, not officially connected, is said to influence sentiment for the Allies and to predict wartime moves with surprising accuracy.
A witty digression on sports and public weariness cites John Masefield and a New York Tribune line. The text contrasts fandom with broader life, ending with a remark about sensible women and marriage, reflecting social commentary of the era.
The article recounts American women in Europe who have shifted from social duties to frontline relief, leading Red Cross and hospital efforts in cities like London Paris Vienna and Berlin. It highlights figures such as Countess Szechenyi Duchess of Marlborough and Mrs Astor and notes American aid at Neuilly Plymouth Meaux and Paris with hospitals nurses and sewing workshops aiding wounded soldiers.
Mobile grand jury recommends a more economical county tax system and equitable taxation. It urges local preference for Mobile labor and materials in court house renovations, tighter jury selection, and continued cooperation with officials to keep public affairs clear and efficient. Foreman James F. Maury notes 2,500 jury names enrolled and thanks staff for support.
Park City visitors Mr. and Mrs. A. T. Dalley stay at Bienville hotel. Claude Christy named notary public by Governor O Neale filed bond in probate court. Pinehurst businessman F B Prica visits Mobile. Mr. and Mrs. J M Griffin of Blodgett, Miss reside at Cawthon hotel. L A Swift of Adams Machinery travels to New Orleans to support uncle Dr. G E Gavin whose condition is very unfavorable.
Fair tonight and Sunday with little temperature change. Alabama and Mississippi both expect fair skies tonight and Sunday with no significant cooling or warming.
Washington letter notes the rivers and harbors appropriation was cut to 20 million and the army engineers given spending power, a shift politicians reluctantly accepted. It highlights Senate filibuster, pork barrel labels, and praise for engineers including Meade, Lee, Beauregard, Johnson, and McPherson.
Letter to the editor from Prichard Alabama dated Oct 16 urges planters in infested areas to unite and plant no cotton next year to starve the boll weevil, arguing the pest will lack sustenance. The writer signs W A Porter.
The Belgian Rattlesnake, an American gun by Col. Isaac Newton Lewis, is praised for its deadly rapid fire and field practicality. Despite offers to Germany and England, Lewis sold to Belgium where the weapon proved decisive in Liege and influenced modern warfare. It fires 500 rounds a minute, weighs little more than a single operator, and can be assembled in 30 seconds.
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.