PAGE SIX ‘50 FAMILIES LIVE LIKE ABORIGINES ON RIVER ISLAND In Shadows of Skyscrapers | Of City, They Exist in Primitive Style. MEMPHIS.—With the rising of the | sun each morning Memphis’ sky- scrapers cast shadows over an is- land wilderness where 200 persons live like backwoods folk found in re- | mote sections of the Southland. Separated from the busy Memphis waterfront by the narrow Wolf river | and from Arkansas fish docks by the mighty Mississippi, Mud island— which 20 years ago did not exist— is the homeland of 50 families who live on farms where they can hear the noises of a big city and the whis- tles of steamboats plying the streams, On this thickly wooded island— little more than a stone’s throw from Memphis’ busiest corner—smoke curls from the chimneys of tiny, ramshackle cabins half hidden in the swaying willows. Dogs bark loudly and viciously at approaching stran- gers. Roosters crow and hens cackle. Pigs grunt in their back- yards while a wind made odorous ‘by the dirty, fetid father of waters wails through the trees. Rabbits in Underbrush. The quick rustle of startled rabbits is heard in the underbrush. Crows caw harshly as they wheel and glide over cornfields and rows of cotton. Mud island first appeared in Mem- phis’ harbor about 20 years ago and has grown until it now covers sev- eral hundred acres, forming an oval- shaped island which is more than a mile long and a mile across at its widest point. All the efforts of the United States army engineers to block formation of the island, which almost ruined Memphis’ fine harbor, were futile. Families on Mud island—it was called that for lack of a better name —live in houses mounted on big logs or empty oil drums. The drums and logs serve as floaters for the houses when high waters cover the island. Some live in houseboats—arks of the modern day—which rest on the ground when the stream is low and above the ground when the water reaches flood levels. Every house is anchored fast. To live in an un- floatable house on Mud island is un- thinkable, for almost every winter the water goes so high that even the tops of trees are covered. None Pay Taxes. Residents on the island pay no taxes of any -sort, and everyone owns his own home. Naturally, there are no modern conveniences, and the greatest problem is that of ob- taining drinking water. Almost all the inhabitants trap rain water in barrels, while others row across Wolf river to Memphis to get their supply. Most of the island’s dwellers are unemployed or part-time working riverfolk who are satisfied to be near the stream that holds some mysterious charm. They are con- tent to do perhaps one day’s work each month and to spend the rest of ‘their time tending their small crops, hunting in a veritable jungle whera wild life is abundant, or fishing in ever-productive coves around the is- land, The island, which belongs to Ten- nessee, has been considered for various purposes by state officials, among them the idea of constructing a convenient airport. But every plan advanced has been abandoned, for some day the whimsical Mississippi may take the island away as rapid- ly as he built it. Until that time {Mud islanders probably will live in peace. ‘Soldier Gets New Tongue, Now He Can Dine Again HELSINGFORS, FINLAND.—A remarkable operation has been per- formed by Professor Enkin, an emi- nent Russian surgeon, according to Soviet newspapers just received ‘here. While fighting against the Jap- janese on the Korean border last iyear, a Soviet colonel was struck by fragments of a han® grenade, which ‘destroyed three-quarters of his ‘tongue. Professor Enkin cut out the tongue of a dying and unconscious man and successfully grafted it to what {was left of the colonels tongue. Food ‘was given artificially for a month. Now, it is claimed, the colonel ‘can speak and eat without difficulty. Smashing Train Windows ; Is New Sport in Poland WARSAW, POLAND.—Smashing ithe windows of passing trains is Courteous Service LUNCHEONS all persons who transacted business in WHEN IN JOHNSTOWN CENTRAL CAFE BEER — WINES — LIQUORS JOHNSTOWN’S FINEST RESTAURANT 209 FRANKLIN STREET ASKS NOMINATION LR MEE J J. Lawrence Luther. Mr. Luther, of Ebensburg, last week announced that he is a candidate for the Democratic nomination for record- er of deeds. “I served as chief deputy recorder of deeds for seven years and five mon- ths,” Mr. Luther said. “While in that position I rendered faithful service as that office will agree. I feel that I am well qualified for the office by train- ing and experience and believe that if nominated, I will be elected.” MUNICIPALITIES GET LIQUOR LICENSE FEES Warren R. Roberts, state auditor general last week approved payment of $1,570,037.67, to 1217 municipalities. This sum represents retail beer and li- quor license fees collected from licen- sees in these municipalities for the six months’ period ended January 31, 1939. : Under the Pennsylvania Liquor Con- trol Act, and the Beverage License Law, every six months the state re- turns to each municipality the total of all license fees paid to the state by re- tail licensees in the particular munici- pality during that period. Cambria county benefits to the ex- tent of $49,583.34 by the distribution. Some of the nearby amounts returned are: Ashville, $300; Barnesboro, $1,600; Carrolltown, $850; Chest Springs, $150; Hastings, $1,550; Patton, $1,450; Portage $2,250; Spangler, $2.400; Clearfield Twp. $150; Dean Twp., $700; East Carroll, $300; Susquehanna, $600; and West Car- roll, $900. Laundering Ties. Before washing men's ties, baste carefully to prevent the lining or pad- ding from becoming lumpy. Remove the basting before ironing and the ties will look as when new. Rusty Screws. To remove a rusty screw, heat a poker or spike red hot and apply it to the head of the screw. When the screw has become hot it can be removed very easily. becoming the favorite “sport” of villages near here. The Central Railway administra: tion states that between May 10 and November 23 last year there were 320 cases of broken train windows in the region around Warsaw, and several instances of injuries to passengers. During the whole of 1938 the cases totaled 250. Most of the culprits are small boys, says the report, but adults are not above having their “fling” from time to time. Bad Riddance HAMPTON, IOWA.—It cost the Schwartz Apparel shop $250 to burn a basket of wastepaper. That much in currency and checks had fallen into the basket and went un- noticed by the janitor. 1939 Wall Paper Sample Book! Contains 60 Different Papers priced from 5¢ to 25¢ per Single Roll WRITE FOR YOUR FREE BOOK TODAY! We pay the postage om all orders. No charge for trimming, BUCK'S WALL PAPER & PAINT 334 Washington Street JOHNSTOWN, PENNA. STOP AT Finest Foods — DINNERS i razzed her about boys, and then her whole face would mantle with rebel- lious color, almost as though in uni- "er called ‘“Mary’’ by any one in that from every word as Sally assured her that she never went on any tame affairs. Miss White’s slow, regret- ful refusal brought a sting of color to Sally’s face as she made some sort of muttering retort that drained all the wild-rose blush from Miss White’s face and brought forth the only reply the office had ever known her to make under fire. It was sim- ply: “I’m afraid I'm not the kind of girl you're looking for for this party, Miss Travis!’ and it was just ex- actly like Sally Travis to pick up that phrase, misquote it and derive the priggish, prim defense slogan of every unloved, unsought girl: ‘Not that kind of girl!” Mary Jane. She was drawing a word picture of a prim, prudish, unlovely old maid and Don listened in amazement; surely she couldn’t mean that quiet, sober, refined little girl who worked in his department? Why, she seemed like a regular scout. But Don did not say that to Sally; he remained discreetly silent and let the much-made-up Miss Travis rave on. for some forgotten papers and stopped in amazement to see Mary Jane bent over a desk covered with papers. It was almost seven and she hadn’t gone home yet! He felt furious with the management for this oversight and paused to speak to the busily working girl. ner date so I agreed to finish these for her.” It was said with no ef- fort toward martyrdom or self-pity. all that work for you? Why I sent that through to her early this morn- ing!” he exclaimed. Don removed hat and coat and, against Miss White’s indignant protests, collected half the extra work and, plunging into it, finished it before 7:30, just as Mary Jane finished her half. for them to go out and find a lunch- room, and over the delicious fried chicken and waffles, became better acquainted. a warm, pink glow to Mary Jane's face, and her hair, simply knotted at the back of her head, seemed somehow so much more dignified and feminine than the sheared, clipped heads of the other office girls. And she wore a lacy collar and cuff set with her simple flannel dress and for the first time in his life, Don was struck with the loveli- ness of a truly feminine girl. He became animated, eager; did his best to be charming and interest- ing, and when he bade Miss White good night, after the movie they had later attended, he went home walking on air—elated over having discovered a girl who could fill the place his mother had filled in his life. Why, Miss White was a real little lady! ‘“Aren’t you afraid, Miss White, that Wilbur will think you that sort of girl?’’ asked Sally, the light of the tormenter in her eye as Sally prepared to go to lunch with Don. Don’s icy, even voice from the hall- way, ‘of any one mistaking Miss White for your type of girl, Miss Travis!” and Sally stared at him with furious, enraged eyes as he THE UNION PRESS.-COURIER. ‘What Kind of A Girl By MARY ARMSTRONG (Released by Associated Newspapers WNU Service.) « UCH a plain little wren she was that it seemed a pity for the girls to tease her so much. She was small and meek and her hair was straight and ash blonde and the only time her face had any color in it was when one of the office girls son with the blazing thoughts she controlled so well. Sally Travis was the worst hec- tor of all. Sally, who had not one beau but a dozen at a time, to stop and hector poor mousy little Mary Jane White, who somehow was nev- vast office, but simply prim, proper “Miss White.” Miss White didn’t go to lunch tilt last; she was forever finishing up some extra work for some one so that some one might ‘“make” a luncheon date, and about three nights a week she worked over- time at night so that somebody might get ~vay early for pleasure or wkat And today she had looked wis: .lly after Sally as she ran lilting to meet Don for lunch. Wistfully, because suddenly little Miss White was weary and very tired of being the office goat. Because men who had loved Sally were rarely inclined to notice sober, sedate, mousy little girls . even on the rebound. For Sally invariably ‘let them out” as the saying goes, as soon as a more eli- gible man appeared on the horizon! Once, long ago, Sally had in a wild burst of generosity invited Miss White to go on a party with a crowd of her friends and at first it al- most seemed as though Miss White were going’ to accept; she looked so happy she seemed almost pretty. Then Sally had said with character- istic michievousness: ‘Of course, this isn’t a tame affair, Miss White! We dress and dance and, uh, you know!” and Miss White looked her levelly in the eyes and said: “I sup- pose you mean it’s a petting party, Miss Travis?’ and sarcasm dripped Sally was telling Don, now, about Two nights later Don came back ‘Oh, yes, Miss Travis had a din- “Look here, did Miss Travis leave It seemed natural enough, then, The soft, shaded table light cast ‘“There’s no danger,” challenged Just Arrived! Thursdey, July 6, 1939. JOHNSTOWN Too Late for Us to Obtain A Cut A Large Shipment of New 8 Cu. Ft. COLDSPOTS All Porcelain, Inside and Out, at the Unheard of LOW PRICE of $149.50 THINK OF IT—ALMOST one-third less than you'd expect to pay for an Electric Refrigerator like this. De Luxe in every fea- ture, it includes such features as the famous Rotorite Unit, Foodex Rustproof Shelves, Interior Light, 3 inches of Coldex insulation, 9-Point Cold control and a dozen other superior features found on- ly in Coldspot. It’s easy to own, too. $5.00 Down Payment delivers to your kitchen, the balance in easy, budget fitting payments. Its an electric refrigerator you'll be proud to own, its sparkling stream lined appearance an accent of beauty to your kitchen, its extra ca- pacity a real convenience. Don’t niiss seeing this new COLD SPOT, DIAL 51-274 For Evening Appointments INDIANA CAMBRIA SPORTSMEN SAY CAMBRIA IN NEED Members of the Cambria County Sportsmen’s Association will ask the Pennsylvania Fish Commission to ap- point a fish warden for Cambria coun- The association, at a meeting last Thursday night in the court house at wi Ebensburg voted to send delegates to | of the organization that a 30-day sea- | nection with the outing. Competition Harrisburg to request that a fish war- | Son be enacted for rabbits, squirrel will be staged for hounds, bird dogs, den be appointed to supervise Cambria | and ring necks. The sportsmen also | collies and pets. Ribbons will be aw so the daylight suing ox raccoon, During the meeting the organization , advanced plans for the annual picnic A FISH WARDEN | Pennsylvania Federation of Sports- and field day to be staged Sunday, | Cambria. { Delegates to the meeting of the men’s Clubs and the Pennsylvania , July 23 at the Ebensburg Fair Grounds, Game Commission to be held next | John U. McFadden, president, an- month in Harrisburg, were instructed nounced that contests will be held in to inform the commission that the | skeet, trap and rifle shooting, horse- county association recommended the shoe pitching and fly and bait casting. extension of the possession bag limit | Prizes will be awarded to winners in from two to three days. each contest. They also will recommend in behalf A dog show also will be held in con- favor the bag limit of ruffed grouse ' garded for first, second and third places. Members pointed out that the pres- | to be set at 2 per day and 12 per sea- Final arrangements for the affair ent fish warden, Lincoln Lender, Bell- | son, and for grouse 4 a day and 20 a | will be completed at a meeting to be wood, has an excellent record and that | season. i his work in Cambria county has been very satisfactory, but they pointed out | the present bag limit of 10 coons re- | Radium, costing approximately $70,- his territory is too large. Lender super- | mained in effect. They opposed the ' 000 a gram, is the most costly metal in vises thre counties, Blair, Indiana and , trapping of coon in the county and al- | existence. held on Thursday evening, July 20. Sportsmen also recommended that | ——————ent i — Sq95 calmly took Mary Jane's arm and went softly down the hall} wir siti: i $$ rf Nox roe own $2 42 $2 ff fx f* f° Hf ££ Ho & What you “slip” on at day start... tells just bow youll fool. Tonight These slips, lovely to look at, § lovelier still to wear, give you i that "lift" that makes a day & better, an evening gayer. Form fitting, four-gore, they come for every length, every size. ar7os LAROSATIN 3 SLIPS far of Bemberg rayon and silk, look well, wear well and laugh at the laundry. The American Institute of Laundering gave them their seal of approval. FANNIE C. WETZEL CARROLLTOWN, PA. And
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers