TAKES HIS THIRD LEAP

Being married three times in 1904 aeems to have been unusual enough to have been worth a news story. January 12, 1904 Urbana Courier-Herald.


Claude Titus Again Before the
Altar!

Has Been Kept Busy Getting Married Ever
Since He Was Twenty-One Years
Old.

The eyes of the Rev. Dr. W. A. Smith of the First Methodist church of Champaign opened wide as he came into his study yesterday afternoon and gazed upon a blushing, couple that hand In hand stood awaiting him. "Bless me," murmured the good divine as. he eyedv the shrinking figure of the groom, Claude Titus, whose 200 pounds of manly six-feet had shrunk until it scarcely towered above the pretty little woman whose dainty white hand kept a firm, hold on the first three fingers of his type works. "Bless me," again, ejaculated the Rev. Mr. Smith, "that man looks like he had never been married before."

"Oh, that is the way he looks every time he gets married," answered the bride-to-be as she sternly whispered to the groom-elect "Now stand up straight and look as pleasant as possible."

In a few minutes it was all over but the cigars and the groom heaved a sigh of relief as he pressed the customary envelope into the hands of the minister and led his blushing bride to the carriage that awaited them at the curb.

Mr. Titus enjoys the reputation of being one of the swiftest all around printers in the twin citiiss and holds down the position of night make-up man on The Courier. His matrimonial experience has been, wide and varied and he is still young. Still on the sunny side of thirty. Mrs. Jeanette Himmelbauer, the bride that he led to the altar yesterday afternoon is the third one to cast her bread upon the waters of the matrimonial sea with him.

Mr. Titus was interviewed by a representative of this paper last evening and consented to talk with the express understanding that he was not talking for publication.

"Marriage has been something of a failure with me up to the present time, but this is my third venturer and if there is any virtue In the third time I surely ought to break, away from my hoodoo. I've succeeded in getting married once every three years since I attained my majority and I'm getting a little tired of buying marriage licenses, besides its getting monotonous. The little lady who will now make me happy has once before tried the matrimonial stunt and with the varied experiences we both have had we ought to make a pretty good team. Have a cigar."

The friends of both the young people were greatly surprised at the wedding as there had been no intimation given out that there was any such thing doing. Mrs. Himmelbauer arrived from her former home at Terra Haute yesterday morning and after the ceremony notified her friends by wire of what had occurred. The young couple will make their home at 310 East University avenue, for the present

Last Chance to Get the Parker at $1 Below Standard Price

A fountain pen was an important piece of technology for the student of 1922.

TOMORROW'S CAR

A prediction made in 1936.

Automobiles of a few years hence will look like
this ."tear-drop"' test-car, according to George Leutwiler, engineer for
a St. Louis manufacturing company, who showed a talking picture of
the car last night before the local branch of the American Society of
Mechanical Engineers

Camel's Money-Back Offer still open to College Students

From an ad in the February 13, 1936 Daily Illini.

Black Crow Motor Cars

From Wikipedia.
Black Crow automobiles were manufactured from 1909-1911 by the Crow Motor Car Company in Elkhart, Indiana and sold by the Black Motor Company

Ad from Urbana Courier-Herald August 25, 1910.

TWO ACCIDENTS OCCUR

T. J. Somers of Somer Township Injured.

Thrown from Wagon and Collar Bone Broken and Shoulder Dislocated - Runaway on East Main Street.

T. J. Somer of Somer township received an injury yesterday that came near proving very serious if not fatal. As it is Mr. Somers is suffering from a broken bone and although it has been set and the patient appears to be doing nicely, the full extent of-his injuries cannot be fully determined. It is possible that he may have sustained internal Injuries that have not yet made themselves apparent. Mr. Somers was hauling a big load of rails on his farm and drlving a pair of horses to the wagon that were "feeling their oats." They preceded along in orderly fashion for a short-ways and then stopped suddenly. Mr. Somers was thrown to the ground violently and rendered unconscious. When he was picked up it was found that his collar bone was broken and his shoulder dislocated. A physician from this city was summoned, who set the broken bone and left the injured man in a comfortable condition.

Another accident that resulted less seriously was the runaway yesterday afternoon on Bast Main street in which Rufus and Tod Smith and their young sister figured. Just off the pavement on East Main street one of the shafts became loose. This frightened the horse, which began to run. The buggy was overturned into a ditch at the roadside, the three occupants thrown out and the vehicle reduced to splinters. None of those figuring in the accident sustained any injury.

FIND HAROLD SHAW'S B0DY - MURDERED FOR HIS AUTO

LARGE REWARD IS OFFERED FOR GUST PENMAN - SUSPECT

Mutilated Body Is Thrown Head Downward Into Hole Size of Half Barrel and Covered With Dirt — Pockets Rifled and Inside Out

AUTOMOBILE FOUND AT DANVILLE

Searching Party Goes Direct to Penman Farm and Makes Shocking Discovery In Less Than Two Hours — Deed Comitted In Lonely Wooded Pasture — Body Brought to Urbana

200.00 REWARD.
The above reward will be paid for the arrest and detention of one, Gust Penman, who is described as follows: "About 24 years old, weight 160 pounds, smooth face, 6 feet 2 inches in height , pop-eyed, hair short and kinky; when he left he was drlving a Mercer racing automobile painted yellow, with no fenders, side frame broken. He mailed a postcard. from Hamilton O., at about 8 pm on August 11, 1913.

This fellow murdered a young man by the name of Harold Shaw, of Urbana. III., August 9, 1913.

This car will have, an Illinois license.

See all garages in your city and find out if this car has been there. Wire this office at my expense any information you may learn.

GEO. W. DAVIS, Urbana.
Sheriff of Champaign County, Ill.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN SHAW MURDER CASE.
Gust Penman, murderer of Harold A. Shaw, was arrested Sunday night in Danville for running the automobile stolen from his victim without a front tire, and without a tail light, but was released upon telling a plausible story of an accident, and upon declaring that he was on his way to a garage for repairs.

The stolen automobile was found in Jones' garage at Danville, this morning, by a reporter for the Commercial-News, who notified the police. Without money with which to purchase a new tire to replace the one thrown, east of Danville, the murderer was forced to abandon the car. The machine was turned over to Deputy Sheriff A. M. Evans, who went to Danville immediately upon learning that it had been recovered. Penman tried to buy a tire in Urbana on Sunday morning, but without success.

Sunday night Penman drove up before the Illinois hotel in Danville, where he was arrested for the violation mentioned, in the foregoing, and, following his release, returned to the hotel, registred and spent the night. The Danville police believe the slayer is in that city now and have thrown out a dragnet that, in case their theory is correct, must surely result in his capture.

In the tool box of the automobile was found a machinist's hammer on which were red spots, thought to be blood. A chemist was analyzing them today.

Two bullets, found in the dead boy's head at 10 o'clock this morning, prove conclusively the manner in which he met his death, One was fired into the back of his head about an inch from the right ear, and, striking a thick part of the skull, flattened against the bone without entering the brain. The other fired at the center of the forehead, Penetrated the brain and was flattened against the back wall of the skull. This dispels the theory that he was killed with a hatchet, the skull fractures and cuts on his head evidently having been made with the spade when the body was forced into the hole. Shaw's watch, believed to have been stolen by Penman, was found today at J. R. Nelson's jewelry store, where it has been for repairs for three weeks. Mr. Nelson, noticed in one of the first of the Courier-Herald's extra morning editions that the watch was missing and hastened to report that he had the time piece.

Shaw Funeral Thursday.
Announcement has been made that the funeral of the late Harold Shaw will be held Thursday at 10am from the family residence, 609 West Green street. Rev. R. F. McDaniel of the First M. E. church will officiate. The surviving members of the famiily are the parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Shaw, a sister, Miss Hazel, and the grandmother, Mrs. Yearsley, who has been making her home with the family.

The blackened and swollen body of, Harold Shaw, victim of the most atrocious murder in Champaign county since the notable White and Cousins case in the late 70's, was found in a shallow grave six miles due south of Philo, shortly before 5 o'clock Tuesday evening, conclusive proof thus being established that Gust Penman, member ot a prominent Philo family, killed him for his automobile and to recover money he may have paid the boy for the car.

Planned Second Murder
The murder was premeditated with fiendish deliberation, and there is cause to believe that Penman planned a similar fate for William T. Shaw, 609 West Green street, father of the slain boy. On Sunday, the day following the murder. Penman called at the Shaw home and, upon being informed that Mr. Shaw was out, returned in the evening, at that time finding the latter at home. He claimed to Mr. Shaw that he had bought the machine from the son and that the latter had taken a train at Villa Grove on a pleasure trip, declaring that he had become dissatisfied with his bargain, he asked Mr. Shaw to refund the money, take him in the car to Philo and then bring the machine back. Considering the evidence in the murder of the junior Shaw, there is no doubt but that the murderer had planned to secure what money he could from his victim's father, kill him on the road to Philo and still have the automobile.

Robbed Victim's Body
It will never be known, unless from Penman's own lips, whether he paid Sbaw anything on the car, but it is reported that he gave the latter $700 and a note for the remainder of the price of the automobile. Every pocket in the dead boy's clothing had been rifled and some turned inside out. The body had been stripped of everything of value, including a gold watch that had belonged to his grandfather. A description of the murderer has been sent throughout the eastern states and it is believed that his, arrest is a question of but a few days.

Discovery of Body.
The body was discovered within two hours after a parly of searchers left Urbana at 3 o'clock, Tuesday afternoon, on one of the farms of the murderer's father, Robert Penman, at one of the wildest spots in Champaign county.

Ex-Sheriff J. M. Peters and Jesse M. Sadorus, deputy sheriff during Peters' administration, knew of this place and, upon obtaining evidence indicating that Penman had killed Shaw in that locality, led the searchers almost to the exact place where the body was buried.

The party went in automobiles, following the west road running north and south out of Philo, which, about five miles out, winds in and out of a strip of thick virgin timber. A short distance beyond this wooded road, the highway leads along cleared timber land, but across a pasture on the west is more timber and beyond that a thicket of sumac. It was in this wild spot that the murder was committed and the body buried. In the thicket, a quarter of a mile from the nearest house, that of George Shefer. Penman crushed the skull of the Urbana boy at about 6 o'clock Saturday evening, and between 3 and 4 o'clock the following morning, after having borrowed a spade from Jesse Wimmer, in Philo, under the pretext that he wanted to repair a fence that bis father's cattle had broken, returned in the dead boy 's automobile and buried the body. Then he returned home, spent Sunday dashing wildly through the streets Of Philo and Urbana in his victim's machine and was last seen at Homer between 9 and 10 o'clock Sunday night, when he and a stranger drove up to a confectionery and ordered refreshments, At that time Penman boasted that thy would be In Danville within forty-five minutes. He has been traced to Hamilton Ohio by a postal card mailed there Sunday night, addressed to himself and signed, "Harold," this being a ruse to allay suspicions arising from Shaw's disapperance.

Bloodstains Are Found
Evidence left on the scene of the tragedy tells as plainly as words the story of the murder and the steps taken to dispose of tho body. A large blood stain within a clearing in the shumac thicket about twelve paces from, where the grave was found shows where the murder was committed. Twenty paces south of this spot, in the clump of bushes are more bloodstains that the murderer attempted to obliterate with the spade, these showing where the body was concealed until buried, probably eight hours after tho murder. The blood soaked earth had been scooped up and, scattered some distance away. Near the spot where the remains had been hidden Penman had attempted to dig a grave, but, because of the hardness of the earth, had abandoned digging after going down about six inches, and had chosen a spot just outside the thicket, about twelve paces west of where he had made the first attempt.

Buried Victim Head Downward
There the body was discovered, head downward, in a round hole about three feet deep and four feet in diameter.

The find was made by Mark Henson, 706 West Elm street, this city, the last person, excepting the murderer, to see Shaw alive. It was Henson who went with Shaw to Philo to sell the car and who first became suspicious of Penman when the latter returned alone from a trial spin with Shaw. T. E. Saunders, manager of the Flat Iron store, was with Henson when the grave was found. Others were searching within a few yards of the spot when the young men's cries summoned them to the fresh mound. Emmett Yearsley, uncle of the dead boy, had just discovered the hole that the slayer had abandoned when the grave was found and the searchers knew they were on the right trail.

Ex-Deputy Sheriff Sadorus was the first to start digging and the party was not surprised upon striking a foot of the corpse about eight inches below the top of the mound.

The body evidently, had been thrown head-foremost into the hole and twisted to fit the small space. The automobile goggles worn by the victim when slain were still about his head. There were several wounds about the head and face that appeared to have been inflicted with a hatchet. One cut on the right temple made a clean cut in the flesh and chipped the bone, but did not penetrate the skull. Another on the left side of the head, shattered the skull but did not break the skin. The latter wound is believed to have been inflicted by a blow with the hammer side of a hatchet.

Remains Are Identified
The father of the boy was a member of the searching party and was within earshot when the body was unearthed. His grief was pitiable, and it was necessity to restrain him from rushing to the terrible figure lay . The body was in an advanced state of decomposition and the position in which it had lain had blackened and distorted the features until they were scarcely recognizable. Sadorus and Peters identified the body. "Is it my boy?" cried the distracted father, held at a distance by friends, and apparently hoping against hope that the corpse might be that of another. When the diggers answered in the affirmative Mr. Shaw fell to the ground and gave vent to his agony In a way that was heartrending to witness.

Violent grief soon gave way to a dazed condition that frequently follows when, the nervous system has been taxed to the limit of endurance. It was with a stange calm that the father rose and declared it his duty to break the news to his wife and console her in the darkest hour of their lives. He returned immediately to Urbana with Emmett 0. Yearsley, his brother-in-law, and Deputy Sheriff A. M. Evans.

Coroner Arrives on Scene
The body lay face downward, at the side of the grave, until the arrival of Coroner J.J. Hanmore and Undertaker E. H. Reinner, from this city, about 8 o'clock. By the light of lanterns, the remains were placed in an automobile truck while the large crowd, a majority from Urbana who bad come out in automobiles, stood in awed silence. It was a tragic scene as the coronor administered the oath to the jury, standing there in the leaden moonlight, grouped about the figure huddled beneath a white sheet beside the grave, The jury is composed of U. O. Martin, foreman; John H. Savage, J. M. Peters, B.C. Stephens, Fred L. Cannon and William B. Cole. The inquest was set for 2 o'clock this afternoon at the court house.

Young Shaw Enticed to Death
The place where the body was discovered is on the Robert Penman stock farm in Critenden township, two and one-half miles from the Douglas county line.

The presumption is that Shaw was enticed to the thicket under the pretext of looking at some horses. In reaching the place, Penman and his victim evidently left the road running north and south and turned west a short distance south of the place, reaching the pasture by circling around the farm and coming in from the west. The searching parties and those who afterwards went out in automobiles took a short cut by leaving the machines in the main road and cutting across a pasture and through the timber.

No one in the neighborhood saw the young men on the day of the murder

Penman Was Speed Maniac
Philo people say that Penman was a speed maniac. He is said to have often declared that an automobile could not be built fast enough for him. He owned a motorcycle and for some time had been trying to raise money to purchase Shaw's Mercer. The searching party who located the grave was composed of J. M. Sadorus, J. M. Peters, Emmett G, Yearsley, County Clerk Fred Tess, Deputy Sheriff A. M. Evans, J. Bennett of Homer, H. M. Cassldy, B. C. Stephens, Mark Henson, T. E. Saunders and several others.

Spade Furnishes First Clew.
Jesse Wimmer of Philo furnished the first clew to the murder by informing the officers that Penman had borrowed a spade from him at 3:15 o'clock Sunday morning. The implement, with fresh earth upon it, was found leaning against Wimmer's house at 7 o'clock the next morning. Then a forged postal card signed "Harold," written at Hamilton. O.. and addressed to Gust Penman, added more evidence of Penman's guilt. There is no doubt but that Penman wrote the message to delay a search for Shaw, and thus gave the officers a clew beginning at Hamilton. There is a report that Penman paid Shaw $700 and gave a note for the remainder of the price of the car, but this is not generally believed. Penman's brother declares that he never knew of Gust having more than $25 and that he heard he borrowed $10 from a Philo restaurant proprietor.

Was University Student
Harold Allen Shaw, the murdered boy, was born in this city July 10, 1893, and had lived here all his life. His parents Mr. and Mrs. William T. Shaw, are wealthy retired farmers and members of one of the county's oldest families. The young man finished a four year course at the Thornburn high school and last fall entered the College of Agriculture of the University of Illinois. He intended to resume his studies at the University in September. For several years the boy had been interested In motorcycles and automobiles and at the time of his death was a salesman for Charles Wiggins, agent for the Cadillac Auto. Co. Some time ago he was employed by the Illinois Moter Car Sales Co. of this city. Survivors are his parents and one sister, Miss Hazel, employed at the University of Illinois library.

Is Penman Insane?
Tho atrocity of the murder and Penman's subsequent acts have
given rise to tho belief among many that he is insane. The murder was fiendishly planned and fiendishly executed and the recklessness the slayer displayed in remaining near the scene of the tragedy is considered evidence that he is unbalanced mentally. Penman while In Urbana and Philo the day following the murder gave no sign of worry. While at the garage of the Urbana Auto. Co,, Sunday morning he seemed unusually light-hearted, boasting that he had raced Into Champaign with the Illinois Central limited. Robert Penman, the boy's father, is one of the wealthiest and most highly respected residents of tho county. His family are half crazed by his act, their grief being no less than that of the parents of his victim.

Bullet Wound Found
A small, clean-cut bullet hole was discovered this morning, almost in the center of the dead boy's forehead. It was evidently made by a weapon of 32-calibre. An hour afterward, a second bullet hole was found in the back of the head, leading to the discovery of two bullets. 1ate developments indicate that the cuts and skull fractures were made by the spade in pushing the body into tho hole.

Father Dreams of Murder
Shaw's father told Assistant State's Attorney Harold Roth that he had dreamed both Sunday and Monday nights that his son had been murdered by Penman. The second dream impressed him so greatly that he was confident of finding the body when the search began Tuesday afternoon. The Penman family owned a large motor car, which Gust Penman often drove. He also owned a motorcycle. Harold Shaw told, according to a friend, Mark Henson, that he feared Gust Penman, but could not tell why. Last Sunday Penman spent the day in the yellow rating car. He ran around the streets of Philo and vicinlty at a high.speed. His speedometer by night showed that he had ridden 300 miles.

Inquest Is Conducted
The coroner's inquest commenced at 2:20 o'clock this afternoon in the circuit court room. Attorney D. 0. Dobbins of the Champaign firm of Dobbins & Dobbins, was present In behalf of tho accused, having been retained by the latter's father. Assistant State's Attorney Roth represented the state. The tiling spade with which the grave was dug, still encrusted with earth, and young Shaw's blood soaked cap were tragic exhibits. Robert Penman, father of the slayer, was not present. He was in Missouri on business and started for home upon being notified of his son's act. He was due to arrive at Philo this afternoon.

Following is the testimony of witnesses:

Mark Henson — Lives at 700 West Elm street, Urbana; occupation, student. Knew Harold Shaw. Went with Mr. Shaw to Philo Saturday afternoon, leaving his home about 3 o'clock. Stopped at Wabash depot in Philo. Penman alighted from 5:30 train from east. He shook hands with us and seemed glad to see us. Drove to Penman's home. Penman staid in house 10 or 15 minutes. Came out with coat on but no hat. Suggested that, he and Harold take a short ride. Harold says "Skinney, you stay here till we come back." Sat on concrete walk in front of Penman's house more than an hour. At 8:15 Penman drove up in Shaw's car wlth a man whom I afterward learned to be Jesse Wimmer. Penman lighted the lights and asked me what time it was. We drove to Urbana and I treated Penman ane Wimmer at the Greeks. After we left Penman told me where to get an extra tlre at Shaw's house. We came back downtown and I left him at the Illinois Motor Car Sale Co.'s garage whither he went for a drink of water. Penman said Shaw told him to tell me to Inform his (Shaw's) folks that he had gone to Sullivan. Penman did not seem agitated and acted friendlier toward me than he ever did before. He wondered if Harold's father would compel him to give up the car, he having previously stated that he had purchased the machine and had taken Harold to Villa grove where the latter had boarded a train. He also stated that Shaw had expressed his intention of going north on a vacation, Tuesday afternoon we found the body, head downward in a hole four feet in diameter and about four feet deep, six miles south of Philo. I was able to Identify the remains.

Jesse WItnmer — Live in Philo, am a laborer; knew Shaw only by sight. Knew Gust Penman. Saturday morning Pentnan told me he had as good as bought Shaw's Mercer car for $650 or $750. Saw him again evening on Main street, Philo, when he went through town west, with Henson and Shaw In the Shaw's automobile. I next saw penman about 8 o'clock that evening when he asked me to go with him to Urbana to take Henson home, stating that Shaw had asked him to do so, I came to Urbana with them. The conversation mainly concerned the speed ot the car. He invited me to go to the Elgin races with him. Before we started he told me he had bought the car. I next saw him at 3:30 o'clock Sunday morning. He knocked at my door and I asked, "Who's there?" He replied, "It's Gust, Someone telephoned in that the stock had broken out, and I want it to dig postholes," I got up and got him the spade. I found it leaning against the house about 7 O'clock the next morning. At 8:30 Sunday morning Penman and I came to Urbana in the car to get some tires that he said we would find at Shaw's house. We came to Urbana by a round about way, through Tolono, He did not refer to Shaw except with reference to the tires. We went to Shaw 's house, but found no one at home. Then went to three garages In Urbana, Penman pricng tires at two of them, Did not notice anything unusual in his manner on either trip. Seemed to be perfectly sane. I asked him if he kopt the stock in after borrowing the spade, and ho replied, "I set ten posts." Saw him off and on all day Sunday running the car around Philo.

T. M. Peters of this city, the last witness, described the bullet wounds and cuts in Shaw's head and also told of the discovery of the body. Witness judged that the bullets were of 32 calibre. He Identified the flattened bullets as those taken from the victim's head.

The Coroner's Verdict
We, the jury, find that Harold Shaw came to his death from two gunshot wounds.

We, the jury, believe from the evidence that one Gust Penman fired the shots that kllled Harold Shaw.

We, the Jury, recommend that tho sheriff use every effort to apprehend said Gust Penman and that he be held without bond.

U. G. Martin, foreman,
J, M. Peters.
W. I, Cole,
John H. Savage,
Fred L. Cannon.
H. C. Stephens,

Chester Wilson of Sidney is said to have been the young man who rode with Penman to Danville.

This afternoon Deputy Sheriff Evans telephoned that he was on his way to Urbana with the auto.

GRAVE OF MISSING URBANA BOY SOUGHT NEAR VILLA GROVE

 Urbana Courier-Herald August 12, 1913

 Man With Whom He Went for Short Ride Returns With Car and Makes Unsatisfactory Explanation — Borrows Spade at 3:15 A. M. and Disappears. GUS PENMAN OF PHILO SUSPECTED Officers Start Widespread Search for Man Accused of Slaying Youth — Friend Who Accompanied Shaw Is Confident That Latter Was Slain — Message Branded as Forgery. 

Confident that Harold Shaw, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Shaw, 609 West Green street, was murdered for his automobile, between Philo and Villa Grove, the father for the past two days has scoured that part of the country in a vain hope that his fears were unfounded. Today, shaking like a man with the palsy, and with grief pitiful to witness, he charged Gust Penman of Philo with being his son's slayer and turned the case over to the sheriff. A crowd of men are searching the country between Philo and Villa Grove for a new made grave. The father has abandoned hope of ever seeing his son alive and is confident that the boy's body lies buried in some field. Penman, the suspect, has been missing since the night Shaw disappeared, after having been last seen in his company, when he (Penman) borrowed a spade from Newton Wimmer at 7 o'clock in the morning. He claimed he wanted to repair a fence where the cattle had broken through.  

Evidence of Murder 

Mark Henson, 706 West Elm street, this city, who accompanied Shaw to Philo, is of the same opinion as the latter's father, that Shaw was murdered and his body buried. Here is the evidence upon which he bases this belief: First, that Shaw has been missing since Saturday night when he never before has remained away over night without telling his parents of his plans. He was always considerate of their feelings and took especial pains to save them worry. Second, that Penman, who had gone on a short ride from Philo with Shaw, leaving Henson in town, returned with Shaw's machine, but without Shaw. Third, that Penman, at 3.15 the morning following Shaw's disappearance, borrowed a spade from a neighbor. Fourth, that he was seen in Villa Grove at midnight Saturday, after he had brought Henson to Urbana. This is considered significant, inasmuch as he claimed to have taken Shaw to Villa Grove in the afternoon. Fifth, that Penman, according to Henson and the father, is missing from Philo and no clue to his whereabouts can be obtained. Sixth, that a typewritten message written to Penman from Hamilton, O., and signed "Harold" is branded as a forgery by Shaw's father. The message stated that the writer was visiting friends in Hamilton, and would soon proceed north. Mr. Shaw declares that his son knew no one in that city and had never been there. Seventh, that a dispute over the Purchase of the car by Penman, before Shaw went to Philo together with Penman's mania for an automobiles may have furnished the motive for murder.  

Henson Tells Story 

W.T. Shaw the father, sat in the sheriff's office this afternoon, almost in a state of total collapse. He was unable to discuss the case at length and referred a Courier-Herald representative Mr. Henson, the last person, besides Penman who is known to seen Shaw. "Do you think Shaw was murdered?" Henson was asked. "I am sure of it," was the reply. He then told his story as follows: "Last Friday Gust Penman of. Philo, contracted for the purchase of Harold's Mercer car, but failed to come with the money on Saturday as he agreed. "Saturday afternoon at about 3 o'clock, Shaw and I drove the car to Philo. There we met Penman as he alighted from the 5:30 Wabash train from the east. We said very little about his failure to keep his agreement at that time and accompanied him to the home of his parents, with whom he lives. "Penman got out of the car and went into the house, remaining about fifteen minutes. He came out with his coat on but no hat. I wondered at this, as it was hot. "He said to Harold 'Let you and I go for a little ride. "I alighted and they started. This was about 6 o'clock in the evening. I grew tired of waiting, as, while there had been no understanding between Shaw and myself, I naturally thought the would return to bring me back to Urbana.  

Penman Returns Alone 

"At 8:15 Penman returned driving Shaw's car. He was alone. "To my query, he replied that he had bought the car and had paid cash for it and that they had driven to Villa Grove where Shaw had taken a northbound train , announcing his intention of taking a vacation. "I thought this very strange, as Shaw was without luggage, and anyway, it was entirely unlike him to leave that way. "Penman brought me home, arriving at 9 o'clock that night."  

No Clew at Villa Grove 

Henson and the distracted father spent Monday at Villa Grove without gaining a clew. The day station agent remembered having seen a young man whom he thought might have been Shaw, at the depot, but was not sure. Their inquiries make it appear that Penman, after bringing Henson to this city, returned to Villa Grove and it is in the vicinity of that village that the father expects to find the body. A druggist in Villa Grove states positively that he saw Penman in that village at midnight, Saturday.  

Was Postcard Forged? 

The postcard addressed to Penman, which Shaw's father declares was not written by his son. reads as follows: "Hamilton, O., Aug. 10, 1913.— Hello, Gussie: Am visiting friends here but am going east in a few days to spend the summer. Will let you know my address. Don't forget to send that money as soon as you see your father. —Harold. Even the signature is typewritten and the father declares that the message is a ruse to delay the search for his son. Penman, the accused, is twenty-four years old and a son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Penman, prominent residents of Philo. Harold Shaw is about the same age and is a member of one of this city's leading families. It is said that he mistrusted and, in a way, feared, Penman. Considering the facts, all who heard the story were compelled to credit the father's story. However, there is a faint hope that young Shaw may be alive. Stranger things have happened, and should the young man return, the situation will be most embarrassing for all concerned. But the boy's mysterious disappearance and the fact that he has not communicated with his parents, causes his friends to fear the worst. Penman was in Urbana Sunday and stopped at the Urbana Automobile Company's garage on North Race street. He was driving Shaw's car and told Manager Cannon of the automobile company, that he had purchased the machine. At 3 o'clock this afternoon four automobile loads of men left for Philo to search the fields between that village and Villa Grove. They were led by Deputy Sheriff A. M. Evans and Shaw's father. Penman is sought for on a charge of murder, the card from Hamilton. Ohio, believed to have been mailed by him, furnishing a clew that leads the search in that direction. Mark Henson this afternoon stated that Penmans' story that Shaw went on a vacation trip is absurd, as the latter was wearing an old blue, shirt and his automobile trousers, and had made no preparations whatever for leaving. He was even without a change of clothing.

Thrown from Wagon and Collar Bone Broken and Shoulder Dislocated - Runaway on East Main Street.

Urbana Courier-Herald January 12, 1904

T. J. Somer of Somer township received an injury yesterday that came near proving very serious if not fatal. As it is Mr. Somers is suffering from a broken bone and although it has been set and the patient appears to be doing nicely, the full extent of-his injuries cannot be fully determined. It is possible that he may have sustained internal Injuries that have not yet made themselves apparent. Mr. Somers was hauling a big load of rails on his farm and drlving a pair of horses to the wagon that were "feeling their oats." They preceded along in orderly fashion for a short-ways and then stopped suddenly. Mr. Somers was thrown to the ground violently and rendered unconscious. When he was picked up it was found that his collar bone was broken and his shoulder dislocated. A physician from this city was summoned, who set the broken bone and left the injured man in a comfortable condition.

Another accident that resulted less seriously was the runaway yesterday afternoon on Bast Main street in which Rufus and Tod Smith and their young sister figured. Just off the pavement on East Main street one of the shafts became loose. This frightened the horse, which began to run. The buggy was overturned into a ditch at the roadside, the three occupants thrown out and the vehicle reduced to splinters. None of those figuring in the accident sustained any injury.

MRS. RICKER DIES AFTER DRINKING CARBOLIC ACID

Drinking carbolic acid seems to have been a common way to suicide around the turn of the previous century. Newspapers of that time talk very openly about the causes of people's deaths, and death by suicide seem to be a topic that they gave much attention to. I think this story and the following one are good examples of the reporting at the time.

Urbana Courier-Herald August 6, 1910
WIFE OF UNIVERSITY DEAN SUICIDES

Discovered By Nurse at Champaign Sanitarium While to Act of Taking Potion, But Efforts to Save are Unavailing — Nervous Affliction Responsible — Had Threatened to Commit Suicide.

Mrs. N. C. Ricker, wife of Dean Ricker, head of the college of architecture of the University of Illinois, and one of the oldest educators in Illinois, 612 West Green street, this city, committed suicide at S o'clock this morning by drinking carbolic acid at tho Battle Creek sanitarium in Champaign, where she had been receiving treatment for a nervous affection for the past two months.

Mrs. Ricker had often threatened suicide and had begged for something with which to end her life, but this was the first time she had made an attempt to kill herself. She swallowed at least an ounce of the acid before being discovered in the act of draining a vial by Miss Anna Balding, her nurse, and despite heroic efforts of a physician, died within ten minutes. A stomach pump was used, but the unfortunate woman had taken too great a quantity of the fluid to be relieved. She died in horrible agony.

Nurse Discovers Act
During her two-months course of treatment at the sanitarium Mrs. Ricker had shown marked improvement and only at times did she manifest symptoms of returning mental trouble.

She arose early this morning and after an invigorating walk with her nurse, returned to her room. She seemed unusually cheerful, and Miss Balding did not hesitate to leave her alone for a few minutes, while she returned the breakfast tray. Upon reentering the room the nurse was horrified at seeing Mrs Ricker with a vial to her lips. She caught the odor of carbolic acid and springing forward, snatched the bottle from the patient.

Interfered Too Late
Interference, however, came too late, as Mrs. Ricker had swallowed a large quantity of the fiery preparation. A physician was called as quickly as possible, and by the time he arrived Mrs. Ricker was writhing in agony, and was rapidly losing consciousness. The stomach pump was used, and a quantity of the acid was removed, but not before it had done its work and the sufferer died in exactly ten minutes after taking the poison. The coroner and her husband were notified and the body was removed to the family home.

Act Occasions Surprise
The suicide of Mrs. Ricker occasioned great surprise among her friends and acquaintances in the Twin Cities. Although she had suffered from a nervous disease for several years she always seemed to he in a most cheerful frame of mind with no signs of melancholia. Several years ago it was necessary, to administer a course of treatment, her trouble having affected her mind.

TWO MEN END DOMESTIC WOES

Urbana Courier-Herald April 30, 1912

ROBERT M'DANIELS AND H. O. STEPHENSON TAKE LIVES. FRANK HAYS' ATTEMPT FAILS

Stephenson Follows McDaniels' Example Immediately After Hearing of Act - Carbolic Acid Used — Ogden Man Takes Laudanum.

Domestic troubles caused Robert McDaniels and Harry Stephenson of Champaign to commit suicide by drinking carbolic acid, and ill health prompted Frank Hays of Ogden to make an attempt on his life by swallowing laudanum, Monday night. The first two died within a few minutes. Hays will live.

Physicians were working over McDaniels when Stephenson, whose wife had obtained a divorce decree and $20 a mouth alimony in the circuit court, that morning, heard that the man had taken carbolic acid. "Guess, I'll follow suit," he remarked, as he left a crowd of friends. They thought he was joking, but in a few minutes they heard that he had carried out his threat. He, too, died a horrible and agonizing death by the acid route. McDauiels was a carpenter, Stephenson an Illinois Central fireman, and Hays is retired, being an invalid.

McDaniels Ends His Life.
McDaniels, the first to take his life, swallowed a quantity of carbolic acid while near the White Line laundry Market and Second South streets, Champaign, following a quarrel with his wife in which he is alleged to have attacked and tried to choke her. It is reported that on Monday she she consulted an attorney in regard to bringing suit for divorce, During the winter, when there was little carpenter work to be found, Mrs. McDaniels worked at the laundry. Hearing that she was about to begin divorce proceedings, McDaniels on Monday afternoon begged her to drop the suit and return to live with him.

She refused, and her husband immediately set about to secure the acid with which to end his life.

Buys Acid at Drug Store.
Entering the Faulkner drug store, he asked if a diluted solution of carbolic acid was good for tired feet. The clerk responded that several other things were equally as good and he discussed a couple of them but stating that a friend had been cured by the acid, asked if the clerk would wrap up some acid. He did.

Then McDaniels started to his home and met his wife near the laundry. After a few words he turned and drank the acid, dying shortly afterward. An ambulance was called at 5:06 Monday night and the body was removed to the Swearingen & Stewart morgue.

Came From Indiana
McDaniels was about 35 years of age. He was born in Indiana and came here about six years ngo. He is said to be a temperate man and saved his money, buying a home at 106 Avondale avenue. Champaign. There he and his wife lived for several years, separating last fall. This place they still own.

At the first instance of trouble with his wife, McDaniels went to Springfield, where he followed his trade for a few weeks and later returned to take a job at the University, as carpenter. It seems that the wife is not entirely exonerated from all blame in the eyes of the people at least.

Union in Charge of Funeral
The Twin City carpenters union met Monday evening and appointed a committee to attend to funeral arrangements. This lodge will view the remains at the Swearingen & Stewart morgue this afternoon. The body will likely be shipped to Indiana for interment tomorrow,

Stephenson Takes His Life
Despondent because his twenty-year-old wife, whom he married when she was sixteen, had secured a divorce from him that morning, Harry O. Stephenson, a fireman on the Illinois Central railroad, committed suicide by drinking carbolic acid shortly after 5 o'clock, Monday evening, at his rooming house, 306 North Second street Champaign.

Stephenson had been despondent since separating from his wife, more than two months ago. A child was born to her a few weeks after the separation. The charge against him in the divorce suit was cruelty. Last week Stephenson got a job with Elroy Hackett on farm near Tuscola, but only worked a few days returning to his work on the railroad out of Champaign. He did not work Monday, but came to Urbana, and while at Amsbary's clothing store, bought a new outfit.

J. Frank Walker, clerk, who waited upon Stephenson, says he is satisfied that the latter had no thought of suicide while in the store. Walker was personally acquainted with the young man, and Stephenson laughed and joked with him, springing one joke which he said he had heard at the Illinois theater a few nights before.

Stephenson bought a suit of tailored clothes he had previously ordered, three pairs of socks and two neckties, he objected to paying more than twenty-live cents each for the ties, claiming that, he was a little short and had to economize.

Walker noticed that, at times during their conversation, Stephenson seemed to be laboring under a mental strain .

"What do you think," he told the clerk. "I shook hands with Y____ a while ago and he had one of Bessie's (his wife's) rings on his finger."

He was gloomy all day, and as soon as hearing news of McDaniels' committing suicide, went to his room and did likewise, using the same means.

The alarm was given and he was taken to the Burnham hospital where he died at 8:45.

The decedent was born on a farm 12 miles northwest of Tuscola and at the age of seventeen, married his wife, a year younger than he, at Tuscola. He worked for a while at Villa Grove, as fireman on the C.& E.I. and while there had an attack of brain fever, from which he is thought never to have fully recovered. He is survived by his wife, daughter, parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles K. Stephenson, and two brothers, Earnest, a school teacher living near Tuscola, and Ray, living iu Michigan, The decedent was twenty-one years old.

Ogden Man Tries Suicide.
Special to Courier-Herald. Ogden ILL., April 30,—Frank Hays of this village took a large dose of laudanum with suicidal intent, Monday night and for a time it appeared that his efforts toward self destruction would be successful . This afternoon, however, he was gradually improving and the attending physician states that he will recover. Ill-health was the motive for the deed, Mr. Hays having been ill for the past three years. He is a middle-aged man with a wife but no children.

Jack Goes on a Spree

Urbana Courier-Herald August 1, 1906

Golden Baboon Then Engages in a Fight

Since "Jack," the golden baboon belonging to Col. Shewalter, was taken from the window at the bowling alley in Urbana and removed to the shooting gallery and penny arcade now conducted by Ool. Shewalter in Champaign, Urbana has not heard much ot the famous monk or his pranks and capers. It may be said, however, for the benefit of Jack's friends, that he is having an excellent time in the tent at Champaign, but sends a greeting to all his old chums over here and says he's coming back some day. Tuesday night some one gave the monk a bottle of beer. Now. If there's anything Jack likes better than beer, it's more beer. He is seldom permitted, however, to drink a whole bottle and when he had disposed of such an unusual quantity Tuesday night, he was as tight as the proverbial tick. The baboon went through a series of acrobatic stunts, which attracted an enormous crowd around the cage and finally succeeded in getting in a scrap with the pet fox. Jack grabbed ihe fox, by the leg, but the fox retaliated by snapping a piece out of the monk's arm. This ended the battle and Jack retired to a corner where he slept off his jag. This morning he had a headache and has signified his intention of signing the pledge

One Leg; Blind in Both Eyes

June 25, 1904

But He Knew How to Get Some Drink Shortly After Arrival In Peoria

Peoria Journal: Fred Sherman has returned to Peoria, and he celebrated the event by getting so drunk the police were compelled to send him to the station for safe keeping. There is nothing particularly interesting in the fact that a man should get drunk in Peoria, but there are peculiar circumstances in this case. Sherman is blind as a bat, and has but one leg. He had two until about a year ago, when he got drunk and trying to find his way home one night, came in contact, with a Monroe street car. His leg was cut off, and, after it had healed he went to Chicago, where he remained until a few days ago.

When the chief released him this morning he said he could find his way to his sister's home in East Peoria without assistance, and declared that he could go all about Chicago without help of any kind.

When the chief asked him if Uo was not ashamed to get drunk in his condition, he replied that none except those who were blind knew how he suffered. His affliction he said, was enough to drive any man to drink, and wishing the chief 'good day' he headed down Fulton street on his way to East Peoria.

Lew Sarett's 'Many, Many Moons' is Month's Best Seller At Co-Op

Daily Illini May 2, 1920. Lew Sarrett was a popular English professor at the University of Illinois in 1920. He moved on to Northwestern over the protests of his students in 1920.

"'Many, Many Moons', the book poems by Lew Sarett, which has recently been published is our best seller this month," said Mr. Frank D. Garland, manager of the book department, of the Co-Op. "We have sold over 200 copies already and the book's popularity is increasing".

"Books about Lincoln always sell well, too," continued Mr. Garland. "Just now he is having quite a vogue. A short story by Ida Tarbell called "In Lincoln's Chair" has just come out. The play, "Abraham Lincoln", by John Drinkwater, is one of our popular looks.

"Since the Devereaux Players have been here, a demand has come for "Arms and the Man" by Bernard Shaw," he went on.

Can't Pronounce French
"A curious thing about the students of foreign languages, especially the students of French, is that they seldom, if ever, ask for the book they want for their classes by its French title. They hesitate and mispronounce it, or else side-step it altogether and ask for ,'that book for that French so-and-so," remarked Mr. Garland.

"Socialism books are in demand, also. I think it is because people want to find out what socialism really is, rather than that there are many would be Bolsheviks among us. Speaking of socialism, a recent cartoon by McCutcheon pictured a room in a farmhouse as having a book case full of books! Now, who ever saw a farmhouse with a big library? There are few books in the average farm and those usually total a Bible and a Sears-Roebuck catalog, and sometimes not even the Bible.

Literature From Russia
"It is surprising how few people know that there is a Russian literature. But it is coming into prominence of late. Volumes of Oriental poetry, especially Chinese poetry, are being read more than formerly.

"No," said Mr. Garland, 'we are not ordering heavily just now. We have large orders in for books to be shipped here in the fall, but spring is here, and the combination of a fire and a pipe and a book is losing its hold, although reading of a sort goes on all summer.

Police hunt for Purse Grabbers

Urbana Courier-Herald July 3, 1911

Three Women Robbed on the Streets Saturday Night

Drunk Steals Rig and Has Smash-up - Bunk McCormick Creates Disturbances and Increases His Debt

The Urbana police department has had a hard work-out since Saturday afternoon, cases demanding their attention including the robbery of three women by purse snatchers, a runaway in which a drunk and a stolen rig figured, a late call to the home of Bunk McCormick to suppress said Bunk, and a plain drunk.

At 9:30 o'clock, Saturday night, Mrs. Mitchell, residing at 508 West Oregon street, reported that two young men had snatched her purse at the corner of North and Illinois streets, and a few minutes later Misses Bessie Egy and Effie Dunlap reported a similar experience at the corner of Mathews avenue and Oregon street. Mrs. Mitchell does not know the amount of her loss, which was small. The purse carried by Miss Dunlap contained $5. When held up Mrs. Mitchell was accompanied by her daughter and misses Nettie Lovey and Tina Roberts.

Stolen Rig Is Wrecked
Frank Mitchell and George Seely, the former intoxicated, "borrowed" a horse and buggy belonging to Elmer Johnson, which had been left in front of the Oldham building on North Race street, at 11 o'clock Saturday night. They had proceeded but a short, distance when the horse ran away and collided with a rig belonging to a Mr. Flatt, wrecking both buggies. Mitchell was arrested on a charge of intoxication, and this morning was fined $3 and costs, which amount he paid. The young men agreed to stand the damages and this morning took both buggies to Champaign to have them repaired.

Bunk's Debt Grows
Mrs. "Bunk" McCormick of North Lincoln avenue called up police headquarters at 3 o'clock Sunday morning and said that "Bunk" was acting "something scandalous." The latter, already in debt $14.60 fine money, was brought to headquarters by Officers Creiger and McClark, and was booked on a charge of intoxication. This morning he declared that he was not drunk, but that he would plead guilty as the easiest way out of his trouble. "Bunk" nearly dropped dead when Magistrate Snyder fined him the minimum - $3 and costs. He has paid about $500 in fines for intoxication in Urbana and Champaign within, the past year, and his bank account is beginning to feel the strain.

Black Cannot Pay
Robert Black, arrested at 4 o'clock Saturday afternoon by Officer Lindstrum, pleaded guilty to a charge of intoxication. He had no money with which to liquidate a fine of $3 and costs and was locked up.

Sixteen Arrests in June.
Chief of Police Jeffers' report for June shows sixteen arrests, with $32 assessed in fines and $22 paid, an excellent record when compared with those the past few years.

Vandals Bombards Elm Street Homes With "Hen Fruit"

Urbana Courier-Herald March 17, 1908

Of all the contemptible, low down, scurrilous tricks that have found their, way to the ears of the police the worst was played in Urbana Sunday night.

One or more unknown persons loaded up with eggs and visited portions of West Elm street, where they bombarded numerous residences with the hen fruit. The eggs were thrown at doors and windows and the appearance of several houses this morning was anything but beautiful.

It seems Impossible that such a thing could have been done by full grown men and it is believed that the trick was the work of mischievous boys. If they can be discovered it will go hard with them.

What is worse some of the eggs were none too fresh and from the number thrown it would indicate that the vandals had about a bushel of them.

Lockhart Denounces The Dance

Lockhart appears to have been a popular speaker while in Champaign Urbana during the winter of 1930. February 19, 1930 Urbana Courier-Herald.

"You ask me what is wrong about the modern dance," said Dr. Lockhart, evangelist, speaking last night at University Place Church of Christ, "and I will tell you in language you can understand. The thing that is wrong about the modern dance is not the life and it is not the music, nor is it even the way they dress in the modern dance though the dance in the past eight years has greatly affected the style of women's dressing for now in the close embraces of the modern dance there must be no wearing apparel that will impede the perfect blending of the bodies, but the thing that is wrong is the intimacy that is not only permitted by the modern dance between the sexes but is practically demanded. Mother, you will find that the old rule of the dancing master that the dancers shall keep their bodies six inches apart has long ago been discarded and now in the tango, fox trot, camel trot and two-step, bunny hug, grizzly bear, turkey trot, angle worm wiggle, Salome glide, cheek to cheek, telephone booth and tag dances, Charleston and black bottom, you can not get a piece of tissue paper between their bodies and it takes more than the stopping of the music oftimes to pry them apart from the entrancing embrace.'Yes sir, that is what is wrong with the modern dance.

"It cultivates intimacy, it breaks down modesty, it murders purity, it develops brazenness, it exalts the physical and dethrones the spiritual, if opens the temptations to youth at a- time when every safeguard to the sanctity of the body should be given to our boys and girls.

"I was going down the streets of my home city one night recently and passed one of our municipal dance halls. You see,we are so solicitous in our big cities for the small town and country boys and girls who come into the city and we are so anxious that they should feel at home that our society club women have undertaken under the sanction of our city government to chaperon properly the love making in these places where we want our young people to meet. Oh wonderful philanthropic maker of homes! Well, I was going past one of these places and looked up and saw them wiggling and warbling. They- were not dancing—there was no gliding or rythmic, motion, no grace and beauty of action. They were just folded in one another's arms am1 standing in a small space about three feet square - wiggling and wabbljng. I guess this must have been a 'telephone booth dance'. Well, an old drunk happened along just then, all loaded up with bootleg whisky and as he looked up at tihis scene. he hiccoughed and said, 'Say, mister, (hic, hic) that is where they start (hic) to hell' ain't it?' I said, 'I think you are about right mister.' "

"But you say to me, 'I never allow my son or daughter to go to one of these "public dances.' Oh, you don't, don't you? Well, what do you allow"! Oh, just a private dance in our own home. All right, my friend, travel with me a little while tonight. Your daughter and son leave the home that encourages the private dance and they go away to college. Your daughter joins a sorority and your son a fraternity; And of course the frat dances arc the very highest type of dances, and of course they are propeily chaperoned by some college ma or college pa elected for that purpose. The frat dances are only allowed at stated intervals, but young America decides that one or two nights a week are not sufficient, so modern young America puts up an up-to-the-minute dancing party and charters the wayside inn for the night, and it is two or three or four o'clock in the morning when your son and daughter return to the city.

"Now listen to me and I will show you the steps. It is first the home dance, then the private dance at the club, then, the sorority-fraternity dance, then the wayside, inn dance, and .then the public dance hall , and then it is a ruined unchaste life and a broken home and a broken heart and hell. And often it is hell before they get to the public dance.


"I want to' tell you that there it no more comparison between the modern dance and tho old fashioned dances of tho early days than there is between a Methodist prayer lnootinj and tho wildost night of a cowboy carnival. The thing that gets me that some good old sister or grandma in the church that does not know any moro about tho modern dance than a Duroc Jersey hog ltnows nbout conducting a revival meeting, to come to me, who has threo children right at tho social age and say, 'Now do not be too hard on the children, and don't keep them out of good society, for times have changod you know.' Yes grandmother, times have changed, but morality nnd decency and purity and honor have not changed and I am under just as much obligation to guide my young people safely through as you are to save your boy and girl.

"I tell you that the dance us it is practiced today is doing more to undermine tho purity and chastity of our youth and creating more dlvorce oases than any influence that is at work in our moderb complex social llfe! I would not fight this thing so hard if it were merely the mature men and women who must go up against this baleful Influence, but it ls being Inveighed into our high schools and grade schools under the guise of the social hour all over the land. And it is forcing a situation that must be met by an aroused public conscience, let us give our children a chance to grow up and develop and gain poise before we throw them together in such intimate contact an the modern dance demands.

The Florence Crlttenden home in a recent published statement brlngs out tho fact that the unfortunate gils that find thelr way there have in recent years been little glrls from 12 to 16 years of age and the average age has fallen from 21 yours ten years age; to 16 now. A recent questionare sent to similar homes all over the country reveals the startling fact that nine out of ten of the fallen girls in these homes have been frequent attendants of the dance and attribute their downfall in a large measure to its pernicious influence. Of 500,000 fallen women, 375,000 of them testify that the beginning of their life of shame can be attributed to the dance. And for every fallen woman there is at least one fallen man.

"We must drive the modern dance out of our Christian homes, out of churches, out of our public schools and Christian colleges."

Some Thoughts On Spooning

United Press April 21, 1923

Detroit, April 21 —(U. P.)— "Now when I was a girl———

"Tut, tut, mother dear, things are different now."

So speaks the girl of today when her mother attempts to lecture her on the question of spooning, according to opinions of Detroit's loading social workers.

Those workers admit the prevalence of spooning today, and attribute it to the girl's fear "of becoming unpopular. Spoon and the world spoons wllh you. Refuse and you're left alone. This might easily be declared the flapper's philosophy, after hearing stories told by the social workers.

"Spooning is more prevalent today than over before," Dr. Mary Thompson Stevens, lecturer on social hygiene, declared.

"My advice to girls when they are in doubt", she said , "is to adopt "hands off" as their slogan, and to be repeated whenever occasion demands. Spooning is dangerous. For years I have tried to impress this fact upon girls, but the modern girls lake advice less than in the past. Girls tell me when they receive invitations to dances today they know if they accept they must be willing to spoon. Young men expect it and the girl has not the moral stamina to refuse. I have known girls who refused to go to such parties because they were still old fashioned to disapprove of spooning, but they are in the minority."

"Women are living in the first stage of freedom," said Miss Lorena Smith, superintendent of the juvenile division of tho police department, "and spooning is a natural reaction. The idea, once an unwritten law, that a girl must not kiss a young man until she is engaged to him has become obsolete."

"Spooning among young people is a problem we will always have to deal with," declared Miss Clair Sanders, head of tho Juvenile Detention home. "I do not believe that it is alarmingly serious today in relation to what it has been in the past. Mushy relations sometimes do lead to harm, and other times do not, depending upon the girl and the boy concerned."

How To Witness a Mirage

Urbana Courier-Herald August 1, 1906

Professor Dripp of the University Tells Courier-Herald Readers How.

DESERT OR PLAINS ARE FAR FROM NECESSARY

West Illinois Street is Recommended as a Suitable Location.

During the second semester of the University year just closed the members of a class in advanced Optics undertook, with a fair degree of success, to reproduce a mirage in the Physics laboratory. This phenomenon, as we are told In the physical geographies, is to be seen quite frequently in desert lands and on the plains when the sun is shining brightly. As we recall It gives the traveler the impression that a body of water lies ahead.

It is not necessary to go to the desert or even to the great plains of this country to witness a mirage, nor is it advised to reproduce it In the laboratory, for most every town the size of Urbana affords one or more places where it may be observed as real and true to life as that seen by any traveler, though possibly not on so large a scale. Any paved street that is perfectly level for four or five blocks will answer. But to view it with ease there should be a depression in the street of sufficient depth that the observer's eye is just in line with or sights the lever portion. In order that the mirage may be seen to the best advantage the sun must shine brigthly and there should be no wind. The phenomenon is not confined to midsummer, it may be seen quite as well in both the spring and fall, in fact it has been noticed a number of times during the freezing weather providing the weather conditions are right.

The street that probably is best adapted for viewing the mirage Is West Illinois street, says Charles T. Dripp, assistant professor of physics at the University of Illinois. If the observer will repair to the intersection of Busey avenue and Illinois street on any day between ten a.m. and three p.m. when the sun is shining brightly and there is not too much air stirring and look west toward the University he will observe apparently a small expanse of water stretching across the street about midway between his position and the campus. Pedestrians and vehicles passing on Mathews avenue will have inverted images clearly visible in this phantom lake.

The observation is easily made, either on foot, in a carriage or on a wheel. The exact position that the observer must take is readily found by trial; for instance, a person six feet tall will find his line of sight correct when he is standing at tht corner of the intersection of the two streets. To any one who has never seen a mirage, this one on Illinois street will prove interesting and novel.

A Self Sharpening Lawn Mower

An ad from 1913.

Pupil Beats Teacher

The teacher did live. The student appears to have avoided legal consequences by leaving the area. January 9, 1905 in the Urbana Courier-Herald.


Fisher Excited Over Attack on E. Knott by Claude Hinton.

Prof. Hickman, principal of Fisher schools, J.L. Hinton, W. W. Vance and many others from Fisher were before the grand jury to tell what they knew of an alleged attack by Claude Hinton upon a grammar room teacher, E. Knott, which occurred on the street of Fisher last Wednesday evening.

According to the story told some difference arose in the school and young Hinton took his books and leaving the school room threatened the teacher. As the latter came from school in the evening. Hinton, he said, made good his threat, with high school boys and residents as witnesses, but none interfered to stop what may yet prove serious, for the teacher has been unconscious a good part ot the time with his head packed in ice. When he was knocked down Hinton, it is alleged, kicked his head and beat him so shamefully he may die. Mr. Knott is spoken of as an excellent Instructor, but rather too mild and gentle for brutal pupils.

Driver Misses Turn Takes Short Cut on Urbana Golf Course

May 1, 1935 from the Urbana Courier-Herald

They're turning the fairways at the Urbana country club into a race track. Traveling north on Broadway at an increasing rate of speed, an automobile carrying a party of four Saturday night came io the turn with the driver unaware of its existence. He veered to the right, the car leaped a two foot ditch and continuing on between two telephone poles stationed so closely together a truck could not get through. The car broke off a guy wire leading to the pole, bounded on across No. 5 fairway and was brought to a halt in front of the club house. "No use taking the long way around." spoke the driver as he and the other shaken but, uninjured occupants stepped out of the car.

Saw Matrimonial "Ad"

January 9, 1904 from the Urbana Courier-Herald

Fair Urbana Girl May Wed Suitor From Chicago

With an advertisement in a matrimonial paper for a foundation, Cupid is building a dainty little romance here in Urbana, with Miss Norma Johnson a pretty, petite waitress in a local restaurant, and a wealthy resident of Chicago by the name of Clark as the principals.

Patrons of the restaurant who have ordered innumerable ham sandwiches and as many cups of coffee just to be waited on by the young woman fear that their favorite waitress will soon be missing unless some local swain enters the field and bests Clark in a contest for her affections. For Miss Johnson, it is stated by her friends in the restaurant, recently answered an advertisement in a "matrimonial" paper. Sunday an answer came in the person of Olark, who came from Chicago and met his fair correspondent. A carriage ride and other attentions made It appear that Cupid had worked rapidly although the Chicago suitor has streaks of gray in his beard and is many years older than his prospective fiancee.

Was Run Down By Speeding Auto

Maybe an early version of Superman was seen in Urbana? From the August 9, 1909 Courier-Herald.

Machine Backs Off Unknown's Body and Victim Runs to Catch a Street Car — Miraculous Escape.

A large Overland touring car, speeding around the corner of Main and Race streets at 7:30 o'clock Saturday night, struck a man, knocked him down and rolled upon his body. While a large crowd stood horrified, the machine backed off its victim and sped on its way before anyone could take its number, and the man scampered for an outgoing street car as fast as his legs could carry him. Apparently he was uninjured. Neither the name of the man who had the narrow escape, nor the names of the parties in the auto could be learned. Among those who witnessed the accident were Edwin Phillips, Clyde Thomas, Edward Snyder, Officer Jeffers and many others.

Quite the daintiest, nattiest and best dancing act in ages

In 1912 the Orpheum circuit was probably the largest of the vaudeville circuits, hence many old theaters are named Orpheum. The one spoken of here still exists and is now a children's museum in downtown Champaign IL. The review is from the March 29, 1912 issue of the Urbana Courier-Herald.

Ireland and His Dancing Girls

Quite the daintiest, nattiest and best dancing act in ages is that of Fred Ireland and his dainty dancing girls, headliners on the new Orpheum bill.

These five girls are really, truly, honestly, good-looking, and their five changes of costume are all spick-and-span and pictorially striking. There are five songs, "Broadway," "Noma," "Encore." "My Own Collean," and "The Mooney, Spooney Glide," One of the host Irish numbers seen here is "My Own Colleen," These girls can really jig. Mr. Ireland Is assisted also by Miss Noma Catto and P. W. Miles. Not a good idea to miss out on this dainty act.

Fitch Cooper, the "musical rube," is one big hit — he "worked" twenty minutes yesterday before they let him off. Cooper, you remember, is the man who extracts music from a saw. His violin Is nothing to brag about, either. Cooper is a big success. He Imitates trains, hands and other noises. Any bill with Cooper on it is a success. Miller and Mack dance neatly and Mennettlo and Bettel have a fair acrobatic act, A mighty good bill. For Monday an announced feature a act of the "Seven Aviator Girls ," which is sure to take the town.

Back when smoking was safe

Fritzi Scheff was once an opera star. Her career was fading when she made this ad for Lucky Strike in 1927.

Attempt to Chlorform Champaign Family

A very strange story from the April 10, 1904 issue of the Urbana Courier-Herald. I am much reminded of the story of the Mad Gasser of Mattoon . I do not know if this incident caused as much panic, however I hope to follow up with more information in future posts.

Picknell Home Filled With
Deadly Fumes.

PLOT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL

Quantities of Drug Thrown in Cold Air Shaft With Expectation that Fumes Would Penetrate Register.

What is believed to have been an attempt to chloroform an entire family and rob the home at their ease, was discovered yesterday morning, when Harry Picknell, 308 South Neil street, awoke from his nights' rest drowsy and unrefreshed. He lifted his head from bis pillow and almost immediately sunk back into a semi-stupor. A few minutes of this, however, convinced him that something was wrong and in spite of his inclination to sleep longer He arose and opened the door leading from his sleeping room to the hall. As he did so a strong smell of chloroform greeted his nostrils and he became thoroughly alarmed. He descended the stairs and with every step the odor became stronger until he reached his basement, where he was almost overpowered by the fumes of the deadly drug.

Keeping himself from its influence as best he could, Mr. Picknell opened all the doors and windows of the house and then proceeded to investigate the solution of the problem. A cold alr shaft connected with the furnace has opening on the outside of the house and it was quickly evident that evil-minded persons had thrown large quantities of the drugs into this shaft with the idea that the fumes would penetrate to the sleeping apartments of the occupants through the registers. This would have been the case and might possibly have resulted In the death of members of the family, had it not been for the fact that all the registers leading into the sleeping rooms were tightly closed. In spite of this fact the fumes faintly penetrated into the rooms through the closed doors and caused each member of the family to sink into a light stupor.

When Mr. Pieknell had discovered the source of the chloroform and arrived at the conclusion that the deed was the work of burglars, he made a thorough search of the house to see if the marauders had succeeded in their purpose. Nothing of value is missing and it is probable that the light fingered gentry were frightened away before they succeeded in breaking into the house by fence in the neighborhood of the Picknell house had caught fire during the night and although the flames were quickly extinguished, the police made frequent trips to the place to see that the hot embers showed no further indications of bursting into flame. It is believed that this frequent presence of Champaign guardians of the law kept the Picknell home from being burglarized.