Monday, Dec. 24, 1923
In Fresno, Margaret Irving Seabury, actress, and William Seabury, her actor husband, announced that they intend to marry "in every State in the Union." Said she: "If either of us ever wants to get a divorce, we will have to go to court in every State before either of us can marry again."
The Pathfinder, a reputable weekly published in Washington, announced the birth in Pennsylvania of a baby, having "no spine, no ribs, no hip bones. . . . The lower part of the body tapers to an end that has the appearance of a hand or foot, web-like in formation."
In Winnipeg, one Stanley Carlson equipped himself with a cowhide suit covered with spikes an inch long, announced his intention of departing soon for Port Arthur to slay wolves by clouting them on the head with an axe while they nibble at his armor.
In New Orleans, a State health officer received a letter from Surgeon General Hugh S. Cumming of the U. S. Public Health Service, offering to provide a glass cage in which to incarcerate George Beaurepaire, Negro inmate of the National Leprosarium at Carville, La., while he was being tried in Criminal Court for murder.
In Bordeaux, it was announced that the late Joseph Leon Vasquez, a citizen of that city, had inserted the following clause in his will: "Make sure that I am really dead by having my head cut off in the presence of all my heirs." M. Vasquez's request was carried out faithfully. After the decapitation the head was again sewn to the body and placed in the coffin.
The New York Tribune, a reliable newspaper, announced that Catherine Jones, aged 13, was "star end" of the Harris School football team of Harrisburg, Pa., during the past season. She is the "only high school girl in her city who plays football."
In Moscow, Ivan Yashinkin, wealthy peasant, after living harmonisusly with his wife for more than 50 years, kilted her "because she refused to cook him an omelet."
At Lovere, Italy, a ten-months old baby, with sunken eyes, too weak to cry, was found by soldiers floating in its cradle down the river Oglio.
The soldiers took the child to their barracks, placed it under the care of a physician. Each man of the garrison made a gift to the orphaned child; later, at the christening, the baby was baptized "Little Moses of the Bulrushes."
In France, M. Cassagrain, horticulturist, wrote to a lady member of a distinguished family of Turin accusing
Italian officers and soldiers of cowardice. Bruno Gemelli, Italian War hero and recipient of the gold medal for military valor, telegraphed him to consider himself slapped in the face, challenged him to a duel on the field of honor. M. Cassagrain, who failed to get any sting out of the hypothetical slap, telegraphed back that his wife was responsible for the derogatory statements about the Italian Army, begged to be excused.
The Baker's Weekly, a trade paper, published an advertisement of the folding shipping boxes and trays of A. Backus, Jr., & Sons. "When you think of baskets, think of Backus," ran the slogan. Doubtless the "idea" was inspired by the famed writing-paper slogan: "When you think of writing, think of Whiting."
In Paris, some weeks ago, Madame Silvain, famed tragedienne, was acting in a Greek drama, with the sword of Damocles suspended not by a hair but by a cord over her head. Malicious colleagues cut the cord. The sword fell--so did Mme. Silvain's left ear. Last week she was awarded $2,000 damages.