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About The evening news. (Roseburg, Douglas County, Or.) 1909-1920 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 7, 1917)
.VENING N THE WEATHER Member of Associated Press 4 Tonight and Saturday Fair. Highest temp, yesterday ..74 Lowest temp, last night ....G3 vol. vni. KOSKIiritU, UOUGLAS COUNTV, OREGON. FRIDAY, SKPTRMliKIl 7, 1917. No. 813 77 TfTTt SUMMONED NORTH BRITISH OFFICIAL Wm. Willett of This County is Wanted For Service In the Army. IS NATIVE OF ENGLAND Has Taken Out First Papers and De clared Intention of Ilocoiiilng Citizen of V. S. Two . Little Daughters. William Willett, for several years a resident of this city and county, has felt the far-reaching hand of the British government, in its search for resident subject8in the United. States, and last night left on a late train for Portland, where he will present himself before the British consul for examination as to his eligibility for service in his majes ' ty's army. For some weeks a correspondence has been carried on between the consulate and Mr. Willett regarding this matter, and in order to get the question settled the gentleman has gone nortn for a personal interview witlK the British official. Coming to this country from Eng land several years ago, Mr. 'Willett ha3 worked at various lines of in dustry In and around Roseburg, and for the past two years has been em ployed by Frank Calkins, kof Eden oower, working in the dairy there. Aibout two and a half years ago Mr. Willett lost his wife, and since that time has endeavored to properly care for his two little daughters, who have been keeping house for their father near the Calkins "place. The eldest of the daughters is probably twelve years' of age, and during their father's absence are staying with friends on Deer creek. Mr. Willett has taken out his first papers asking for citizenship In the United States but as insufficient time has elapsed since his first declaration of his in tention to become a citizen of this country, he has been unable to ob tain hlB second papers. The British consul insists that under the circum stances Mr. Willett . is amenable to British law and must therefore obey the mandate issued and return to England for enlistment in the army. All subjects of Great Brit tain between the ages of IS and 45 are Bubject to military service. Un der the circumstances, he being -the solo support of two dependent chil dren of tender years, Mr. Willett feels that there should be an exemp tion In his case. More than that, he feels that his declaration of inten tion of becoming a citizen of the United States should carry great influence with the consul. Ho will be gono until the early part of next week, and hopes to so arrange the Issues Involved that his children will not be deprived of his support and care. Mr. Willett stated that if the Brit ish government would assure him employment In any of the industries instead of sending him to the trenches, that he would not refuse to go to England and do all In his pow er along Industrial lines for the innd of his birth, but does not feel that he should be called upon to leave bis Mr. Kirk, inspector of the local federal building, several days ago received a card from his son, George, who is well known here, stating that he had arrived in France O. K. Mr. Kirk's son left here several months ago and was taken to New York and placed in the carpentering corps of the army. A short time later an overseas contingent was formed and he was placed in It, along with Bob Hargreaves, another local lad. Two boatloads left an At- lantlc port bound for France with these boys on board nnd according to the card receive! here the boys were placed on weparate boats, Hargreaves reaching France several days in advance of Kirk. These boys will be employed behind the lines in the work of repairing aeroplanes and other work of " like nature. They were both en- thuslastic about going to France and for that reason selected a branch of the service which was more liable to see sorvie-3 across the waters. Roseburg and Douglas county now have a number of representatives across the waters, with a few of the boys in the front line trenches. little daughters to the care of others, because they are entirely dependent upon his dally labor for support. The young man has many friends in this city and county, and is a nephew of Richard Willett, of the Douglas County Creamery. 'UNHHAli AT GARDEN VALLFY. The funeral of the late J. E. Nash was held at the Garden Valley home. Kev. Davenport, of the M. E. church at Wilbur officiating, and was attended by many friends of the deceased. The body was brought to RoseburE by M. E. Ritter, local undertaker. who conducted the funeral, and It was shipped to Hawarden, Sioux county, Iowa, for burial. ASSED AST NIGHT A contingent consisting of troops A, B and -C from Portland and D from Pendleton, passed through here last nlgiu enroute to Camp Green, Charlotte, North Carolina, where they expect to spend the winter. The boys have been stationed at Clacka mas in training for the past month. They - expect to arrive at Charlotte some time the early ipart of the com ing -week. A stock train carrying the mascots, horses, etc., will, follow this train In a few days. The boys now have thirty two dogs with them and many other mascots. "Whiskey." little whito fox terrier seemed to be a general favorite. Several of the boys wth the troops are well known here, having formerly resided In this city. Dick Lnhey, Louie Himes, C. Bates and Bob Sheehy were all wel comed by their numerous friends. Among other notables on the tram were Tracy Lane, "cowboy poet," Jack Coleman, Scotch Comedian, Webster, noted dog trainer, Rattle snake Pete and Captain Caldwell, of D troop, champion horse rider. The boys' chief cry was "Look us! up in Berlin." The train consisted i of 14 cars, 16 omcers and 457 men. A great denl of merriment was caus ed by several young ladies who tried to bid each and every soldier a sep arate farewell. Several hundred people were at the station to see the troop train. DH Mrs O. C. Brown this afternoon gave demonstrations In carrot dry ing at the F. H. Churchill home on East Cass street and tho session was attended by a large throng of citizens who are interested in the work. Piir.- ctples of the vaMous Roseburg schools and L. P. Harrington, field worker of the state department, were present. Mrs. Brown is an able demonstrator, having held similar meetings in which the drying of dif-T ferent vegetables and fruits was in troduced. Tho splendid results ob tained by Mrs. lirown prove the economic value of the process and universal interest is maniiested among the housewives of the county. Prof. Harrington delivered an Inter esting address which was greatly en Joyed by those present. - SUII FILED AGAINST CITY OF ROSEBURG 'B. L. Giles and the Douglas Na tional Bank have filed suit in the cir cuit court against the city of Rose burg to teat the legality of sewer proceedings in Block A, Flint s addi tlon. Tho city is attempting to enforce a lien against property of the plain tiff's in payment for a sewed install ed on the property mentioned above, This the plaintiffs claim the city has no right to do, and has filed suit to restrain the defendants. ,1 BETTER PRICE (By Associated Press.) PORTLAND, Sept. 7. At a meet ing here of representative grain men and bankers from Oregon, Washington and Idaho. It was de cided to ask the president to auth orize the establishment of a primary wheat market in the northwest. Grain men claim that the govern ment's request that wheat deals be made at Chicago prices is a great dis advantage to Pacific coast stateB. be cause dealers here must absorb i thirty cent freight rate to Chicago under the present arrangement, no matter whether the wheat Is ship- ped there or not. Deals made at Chicago prices mean delivery at that city, DnnD IDA M D iuu uwiii i THROUGH I DAUGHTER TELLS F Girl Asks if Spmething Could Not be Done to Keep Father Out School. WIFE HAD LEFT HIM Operations at Nofog Were Well Known, liut It Was Hard to Believe Terrible Charges. The story of the wronging of his own daughter 'by H. J. Robinett was unearthed by a very prominent pub lic ofucial when the little girl her self came to him a short time ago, and complained that her father had been abusive to her, had sworn In her presence and had even cured her and asked if there was any way in which her father could be prevented rrom teaching the school In the dis trict where ho lived. The little girl no doubt thought that by getting her father out of the school, sho would be removed from the isolated districts and thereby be safe. The gentleman to whom she ap pealed, was suspicious from Ho lit tle girl's manner, and asked if she had told him all It sho had been abused other than she had told him, and with tears streaming down her face she told the story, and the mat ter was turned over to the proper authorities, with the result that warrant was" issued for Robinett's arrest September 2, his arrest tak ing place in Portland yesterday, his I suicide, the full details of which are given elsewhere in tins paper, laK- lng place shortly aiterwaru. It was learned this morning that Mrs. Robinett, who is very highly re spected by all who know her, had left her husband some time ago, staling that she had endured nil that she nossibly could. That Mrs. Robinett feared her husUand is snown ny a statement made to prominent people of this city a short time ago in which she said that she knew she was risking her own life in leaving her husband, as she felt sure he would kill her, but that sho was doing It for the sake of her family and was willing to take tho risk. It is the opinion of many who know Robinett best that if he had been allowed to come to this city alone, he would have taken the lives of his own fam ily and would then have taken hte own. The officers here are glad that the? case will not come to trial here, one officer stating this morning: "1 am glnd the case has gono before a higher tribunal. Robinett's son-in-law, W. R. War ner, has been grantej a power oi at torney, and will bury the body in Portland. The operations oi Robinett nt No- fog have been a common story for some time. He was in a position to manage everything himself, which he did to his own advantage financi ally. He had himself elected school clerk, teacher of tho school, road supervisor, and paid himself a fabu lous price for road work, l-to nau his wife elected school director and then took everything out of her hands: his son-in-law was also elect ed a director, it Is reported, without the son-in-law's knowledge or con sent, and when he was not even re siding-in the district, at tho time, but his name appeared on Robinett's contracts. In fact the man who met such a tragic ending was for a time "monarch of all he survcyeo, lie lng the only permanent resident ,r tho district.' Ho managed to keep tho school census un by inducing sohie man with a family to move Into the dis trict before time to take th; census. The county school superintendent had !een trying for some time to iret evidence to suppress the man hut so cleverly had he "eovered Ins tracks" that he had not bjen able ic do so. Prominent timber men had tried to get him for his operations, as lie was taxing thousands ot acres ; heir land for his own benefit, nut he was entirely too clever for them Once he was tiroultht before the grand jury of this county, but Rob inett, who had been admitted in the bar himself, had so condueted attaint that sufficient evidence for a true bill" could not be found. As stated before these operations were a common story, but many were unable to believe It posiibl Hint he could be guilty of tho h'ir rlblo charges for which ho was ar rested. The little girl's story and the taking nf his own life, however leave no doubt as to tho terrible truth. Mrs. Charles Itlre nnd daughter left this morning for their home In Myrtle Creek. While here Mrs. Rice received treatment at Dr. Rultor's I sanitarium. STORY TOO MANY TROOP TRAINS. Word was received from an authentic source today an nouncing the fact that within the next 60 days 377 troop trains from the various forts and training camps would be moved, all to pass through this city. Preparedness activities are unusually brisk and when the final test comes the Ger mans will undoubtedly find that the American soidierB are fully prepared and ablo to defend their country. Tho boyi are al ways sure of a rousing welcome from the enthusiastic throngs which gather at the Roseburg depot and in the future even greater- enthusiasm will bo shown. . IS Prof. Harrington of the State Department Will Meet 1 With Industrial Clubs. DOUGLAS IN THE LEAD Says Tills County Is One of Foremost In State In Club Work First ' to Take Up Dryilis Project. L. P. Harrington, field worker for industrial fairs, from the state de partment, is in this city and will spend some tine looking after Indus trial club work In tills county. "It will be my purpose while here," said Mr. Harrington, "to vlit all the clubs possible and to talk to every club boy and girl Individually, that I possibly can. It Is his plan to get evry boy and girl Interested in the food campaign, an through them he believes wonder ful results may be obtained. Prof. Harrington stulos that Douglas coun ty is one of tho foremost counties of Oregon In Industrial club work, and that he considers Superintendent Brown and wlfo among the very best promoters of this work in the state. He further stated that so far as he knew this county was the first to take up the drying project, in con nection with tho work. This was taken up through the county super intendent's office nnd has been un der tho supervision of 'Mrs. O. C. Brown who has given much time and thoughtful preparation to the work. Heretofore attention has Ibecn paid to canning of fruits and vegetables, but through the demonstrations of Mrs. Brown drying 1b Bhown to be practicable and is a very economic way of preserving foods. Scientists have stated that the dried article is fully as nutritious aB the canned. Prof. Harrington is a noted work er in the Industrial club line, and will be a great help to the boys and girls engaged in club work, and his visit coming at the time when a great ood conservation drfvo is on Is of especial value. Mr. Harrington has recommended that demonstrations in home drying be given at the county fair, and there is no doubt but that the suggestion will bo carried out. A.L. A petition that Is being most llhcrnlly signed Is In clrcula- tlon asking that the county court appoint A. I.. Kltcliin county f i ii It Inspector 10 fill the vacancy caused by the resigna- tlon of the former county In- spector, Fred- Rtrang. -Mr. Kltcliin is the manager of tne Umpqua, Valley Fruit Union and has been prominently con nected with the fruit industry of this county for many yeais which makes him a very accept able candidate for the office of fnilt Inspector. A pelltlon has also been placed before the county court by John W. Dow ell, of this city, who also as pires to fill the vacancy, nnd ha numerous signers. The mntter of appointing a county fruit Inspector will not be tak- en up at the present session of the' county court, but will be dlBpoped of at a meeting rall- ert fur tho 17th of the present month, so County Judge Mars- ters stated this afternoon to ft N'cwb representative. E PLOT BROUGHT TO LIGHT Industrial Worker Documents Reveal Conspiracies Against The Government. HOLDING UP INDUSTRIES Plans Laid to Delay Work Burning of Crops and Timber Part of Effort Itlots 111 Ball Francisco. (By Associated Press.) WASHINGTON, Sept. 7. Report and disclosures inado to officials here in conenction with the seizure, Wodneadny, of Industrial Workers of the World documonts throui'iiout the country, Indicate that thoro lias exist ed for some time a natlon-wid-3 con spiracy to hamper the government In almost every conceivable way so as to provent the proper carrying on of the war. Opposition to the draft law, tho burning of crops, some of the so-called labor disturbances and other demonstrations war.) but a part of the attempt mado to curtail the production In war Indusniea. He ports at hand indicate that all of these activities were but parts of the same alleged conspiracy, whoso prima motive is thought to be ihnt of enp pllng tho govornment in every way possible outside of military and nav al operations. Tho grand Jury at Chicago has undertaken an Investi gation, and othor grand juries will also tnko up the work. Burning of wheat fields and attempts to Bet lire to Biiruce forests in the northwest are believed to bo anSlher phase nf this genoral conspiracy to hinder successful prosecution of the war. Nino Hurt 111 ItlotN. - SAN FRANCISCO. Sept. 7. In a violent riot hero today In connection with the street car employes strike, eleven men were badly beaten, and nlno ot them had to ho taken to htis pltals when the smoke of tho street battle-cleared away. Five of the riot ers, believed to bo ring-Ieadora in the disturbance, were arrested. Strike in Omaha.' OMAHA, Srtpt. 7. About throe thousand employes, which number comprises nearly half of tho working forces In the packing houses in South Omaha, are out on a strike In addition to the strikers refusing to work, over one thousand others aro enduring enforced Idleness by tho closing of various departments which are left short, handed by the walkout. The men are asking for a live-cent an hour Increase over the present wages recolvod. It Is un derstood tho companies aro offering half this amount as a comprommo. Young Frederick Chapman, Bon of W. F. Chapman, the druggist, suffer ed a badly burned, hand during the noon hour today.' Whllo playing with a number of youngstora on Main street near the tar melting machine which is being used by tho city In repairing the various da'mnged as phalt pavement, Frederick, in a spirit of fun. placed his right hand under the spout of tho machine when two of his playmatos grasped him, one holding the squirming boy whllo tho othor turned on tho faucet, al lowing a large stream of tho boiling tar to ipour over tho hand and wrist i as a restm a piiiniui iiuiu wun nt- Inciea ana it win oe sevetui wi-ckh before tho injured membor has again recovcrod its usolulncss. Young Chapman states that tho boys were larger than he, making it an Impos sibility to esrnpo from their clutches, and because of the extreme pain Frederick was quite unable to appreciate their malicious act this afternoon. BELIEVED THE . SOLDIERS AFTER HIM Wednesday night, Night Officer Wilcox was notified to meet train No 16, and take charge of a man on the train who was thought to bo de mented. When Officer Wilcox nrrlv ed at the depot he found 8. P. Agent Garbe there alfio. and It was decided thai tho S. P. officer should take the train for Portland and look after the man, owing to the tact that he wan not violent at all, but was disturbing the passengers by talking, being un der tho hallucination that soldiers wore after htm. After the 8. P. agent boarded the ! train the man, who occupied an up per berth, remained quiet until short ly bofore reachiug Portland, when he began talking again, and was told by the officer that it would be neces sary for him to keep still. That the man was unbalanced is shown by some of the remarks made, for Instance, one Btatement he is re ported to have made to uittcer Uarbe waB that there was a fat short necked squarehead woman on the train and tltat people with square heads never had any Bense. SUIT TO COLLlXrr WAGES. A case has ibeen filed in the cir cuit court in which William Gross, of Oakland, seeks to secure IOIi. which he claims is due as wages from the estate ot Humphrey Kllbey. Tho claim was rejected February 16, by A. G. Young, administrator of the estate; on May 26 it was pre sented to the county court, and was disallowed by Judgo Mnrsters on June 26, and now on appeal has beon taken to tho circuit court. O. P. Co8how la attorney for too plaintiff and Rico & Orcutt are attorneys for the defendant. 1GE (By Associated Proas.) lilDItKlONHlSAD, Hng., Sept. T.j On arriving here today Lloyd George, premier of England, delivered a speeeli to tho people on being given the freedom of the city, and among oilier optimistic thlngfl said: "The allies engaged In waging thUs war should not be despondent over the loss of Kiga and the crisis in the eastern theatre of the conflict, but should look forward to luinsla with hope, because sho will surely recover hor lost ground and yet play a great er part in saving tho world from Prussian domination. Amorica has never known d of ear, and that great nation with her allies will triumph over her foe In this war." Tho New Idea Club, of Edenbower, met yestefday afternoon at the home of Mrs. Frank Calkins nnd tho n eel Ing was one of the most pleasant n well us beneficinl ever hold by tho organization. Since tho i-n'.ranco of the United States into l!e world war and the urgent call for assistance was sent out by the Red Cross the members ot tho New Idoa Club hnvo devotod '.holr earnest attention to articled Unit will be of use lu the groat stiugglo of right and democ racy. In the past the lighter things of life wore featured and the afternoons were, sptnl with personal nlli of work an.1 gay chat. 'loilay everv moment Is devotod to the making of Rod Cross articles Including dish towels, napkins, ipilluw cases, house wivos, handkeicniolB, splint pillows, bandages, etc. Pleasure Is complete ly forgotten and In Its stead relgnn usefulness. Several weeks ago a call was sent out from American bake for ulsli towels and kettle holderB and In their usual up-to-tlio-mlnuto manner tho New idoa club ineinberB respond ed and snipped almost liiimedie.toly 21 dish towels aud 81 kettle hold em. Tho necessary material for the articles bo far havo been presented by tho members. However, lu tho future when tho nocd for a larger amount Is necessary money will be taken from the club'B personal fund to pay expenses. Fxtra meetings will be called In tho future nnd tills llvo wlro group of estimable ladies will manufacture additional com forts lot the hoys. At tho session yesterday material for working ran out and a literary program of special merit Viis given by Mrs. Forsyth, Mrs. Porter nnd Miss Win-dwell and this feature ol tho afternoon was followed by Ihe serving of dainty refreshments. The attendance at Thursday's meeting was unusuiilly large. 12 members it ml three visitors being present to ad.l their lilt In tho worthy duties. The truo American women aro ri- spending to their country's call with slncero patriotism and on the day of victory when tho roll call for worth while helpful citizens Is given, wi aro sure to find on- tho pages tht names of tho New Idea club mom hers. A brother of tho lute H. J. Rob inett was in the rlty today from hip home southeast of the city, adjoin ing Miller's addition. He hart Just learned of the suicide ot his brother and tho charges that had been pie rerjed against him, nil of whleh wes a coinpleto surprise to him. He stated he was In conversation with tho daughter of tho deceased only n few days ago and nothing was said by her nt tliltt time that would lead anv one to b-Mieve that any wrong had been committed by the father or the young lady, and recent develop ments were a great shock to the brother. Officers Killed and Several Wounded by German Raiders. REVIEWS U. S. TROOPS French Provident Personally Ui-cknom Army Lauds Wllson Ofllecr Thought Ho Said "tilvo 'Km Hell." Ad- (Uy Associated Press.) 1X)ND0N, Sept. 7. An American hospital situated In a coast village and occupied 'by contingents ot troops from unrvard and St. Louis, was mado tho object ot attack, yes terday, by German airmen. One of ficer of the United StateB army med ical corps was killed and two others sevorcly wounded, according to a tel egram from a Reuter'it correspond ent. Two other men of tho rank and II lo were also killed and 16 re ported wounded, ot these five were Americans. , "Glvo 'Km Hell." AMERICAN TRAINING CAMP IN FRANCIS, Sept. 7. Wearing Brit lsh trench helmots, and looking very grim and war like, Unttod States troops passed In review before Presi dent Polncaro, yesterday. Tho French president nddressed the men, and said that it was the anniversary ot tho hattlo of the Marno ' and also birthday anniversary of the great Frenchman, LaFayetto. Ho said that It was with great emotion that he witnossed the parade of Americans, and felt that France and the Unitod States wore constantly drawing clos er and closer together in this war. President Poincare ended hlB Bpeech with the words, "Long live Presi dent WilBon." Tho troops cheered tliis romark nnd were entliusiaatle in their demonstration. A little later a non-commissioned officer was ask ed by Bonie ono what Poincare Bald. Somewhat puzzled for exact words the officer reflectively scratched hia head for a moment and then replied: "I yon't exactly know, but I think ho said 'Glvo 'om hell'." This tlmo tho boys did cheer with all fhe pent up force In their lusty throats, sig nifying that when the crucial time cornea they will endeavor to show their enemies what war really is. IN THE CITY H. S. Smith, manager of the Med ford Sun was In Roseburg last ev ening looking nfter business matters and consulting with Attornoy E. B. Hermann, Mr. Smith reports busi ness at Modford quite brisk and things generally looking very good. The production of fruit in tho Rogue river vnlloy will avorage up very well considering tho dryness of the season nnd tho farmors ot that vicin ity aro ihusy preparing to harvest their crops. FRUIT AND VEGETABLES F. Schmidt, who has charge 4 of the county exhibits for the state fair at Halem and the land products flhow to ho held at Portland, is anxious that tho 4 local exhibit be ono of the best Hint, has ever been on displny. Witli this end in vlow he wants to get the co-operation of evory fruit growerB In tho county that they may assist in making a allowing that will keep old Douglas county on the map as an excellent fruit center. Mr. Schmidt Is now arranging the exhibit and Is anxious to get as good nnd line assortment. cnpeclnlly of fruits, that it Is possible for him to secure. Any t one, no matter whore In the county, who has fruit suitable to exhibit Is asked to get ln touch with Mr. Schmidt, who can be found by telephoning 404. Ho will call and get the produce, simply let him know you have It. It will he a great help to- ward completing the exhibit for tho stato fair which will be held within the next two weeks. It in importnnt that he gets tho exhibit perfected nB early aB possllile and nil farmers a' urged to advise him at once what they have on hand and he will call for the produce.