Miscellany: Snake

In Delhi, India, a snake attempted to board a ferryboat, caused frightened passengers to dash to the other side, the boat to capsize, 50 persons to drown.

Lazy

In Tulsa, Okla., Negro George Tipton, held for the theft of a lawn mower, explained: “I didn’t steal it. I stumbled over it and was too lazy to walk around it —so I just pushed it away.”

Rush

In Uniontown, Pa., John Walchesky & family rushed from their house when lightning set it afire, rushed in again when a cloudburst put out the blaze, rushed out once more as a cyclone struck the building, wrecked it.

Fastest

In Eau Claire, Wis., when the Chicago & North Western’s mile-a-minute “400” flyer halted briefly, police found Floyd Newman clinging to the locomotive’s headlight. Remarked Floyd Newman: “It’s the fastest piece of iron I ever rode.”

Idaho

In Brockport, N. Y., Maxwell Breeze, 14, was drowned July 4 as he swam in the Erie Canal. Friends insisted that a cur (Airedale+wolfhound) named Idaho had climbed Breeze’s back, forced him under. Ten days later Daniel Houghton, 21, said Idaho had nearly drowned him in the same manner. Straightway he took the case to court, demanded Idaho’s death. A storm of controversy blew up & down the land. Dimes and quarters were sent for Idaho’s defense. Hired with the money, Harry Sessions, Rochester attorney, pleaded the dog’s youthful playfulness. As crowds cheered and Idaho snored peacefully in packed Town Hall, the judge handed down his verdict: Defendant must be tied up for 27 months. While Idaho’s footprint was sought by admirers far & wide, Father & Mother Breeze grumbled: “Pretty low.”

Sweeper

In Chicago, Walter Brown, held forlarceny, picked up a broom, swept busily past the guards, down the hall, out the door of the county jail to freedom.

Offense

In Ocean City, N. J. police decreed that flirting with a lifeguard “against his will” is a civil offense.

Smart

In Chicago, Tommy Cushman, 4, marched into a tavern, declared he was lost, had the bartender notify the police, waited until Policeman Thomas Mahoney drove by and took him home in the patrol wagon. Chuckled Policeman Mahoney: “He’s a smart boy. Tommy’s been after me for a week for a ride in the wagon, but I couldn’t do it on account of regulations.”