A llard/1 YrWiSli periodical Carta

WYTON AVENUE - CINCINNATI 20, 01110

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Ittra mon;

THE JEWS WHO GRACED THE SOUTH

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By ABRAHAM CAPLAN

(Copyright, 1924, Jewish Telegraphic Agency.)

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de Torquemada utilized in rooting out
In the early days of the American
the Jewish religion in Spain—these
Republic the South contained some of
Sephardic Jews found that life among
the most promising Jews in the west-
Br Chas. H.
Keerevis ►t, 1921.
ern world. They were largely of the knightly Christians was to lie pre-
ferred to associations with Jews of
Now I can understand why Atlanta, Ga., is the capital of the Invisible Sephardic community—Jews whose
an inferior type—as they regarded
Empire, and why in many other strange things find root there and flourish. ancestors lived in Spain and Portugal
the Jews who later came from Ger-
ecent issue of the American Mercury, that splendid new magazine before the days of the Inquisition and
In• r by H. L. Mencken and George Jean Nathan, I find this delicious numbered among them some of the many.
edited
The conclusion of the war between
morsel. Only Major Owen Hetesrs could discover it, and I am going to notable figures in post-Biblical Jew-
give him credit, though his name is not signed to it. It is written by the ish history. NO more brilliant chap- the states saw the Sephardic Jewish
communities
in the South on the de-
ter
may
be
found
in
Jewish
history
society editor of the Atlanta Journal-1 am laughing so hard as I quote it
than that which records the religious, cline. Even before the war, in some
that it is only with the greatest difficulty that I am able to type it:
spiritual and intellectual heights won instances as early as the beginning of
by the Spanish Jews before the days the nineteenth century, reforms in re-
"One of the most unique, as well as one of the most enjoyable
of Ferdinand and Isabella. The In- ligious observance and practice were ,
events ever given in Atlanta was the dinner at the Piedmont Driving
, quisition shattered the political and instituted, nut as in the case of the
Club at which Wilmer Moore, chairman of the board of deacons of
intellectual grandeur of the Spanish Reform Jew's of German antecedents
the North Avenue l'resbyterian Church, entertained in honor of the
il•ws, but it only sharpened their re- who modified their religious life and
pastor, Rev. Richard Orme Flinn. Invited to meet the pastor were
ligious ardor. Thousands of them philosophy of Judaism because they
the elders and deacons of the church, and in especial compliment to
' suffered the tortures which the relig- thought that rationalism demanded
these guests, the table was arranged with many little groups of
ious fanaticism of fifteen century changes in religious observances. The
Biblical figures. Adam and Eve, made of gum drops, were seated
Spain devised. Others lied to less Sephardic Jews, sad to say, were mak-
under a tiny apple tree, the bright red apples being represented by
turbulent countries. In 1492 the Jews ing a conscious bid for self-annihila-
cranberries, and the old serpent, made of raisins, was seen very near
them. Moses was shown, made of peanuts, in a grapefruit rind
were expelled from Spain and went in tion as Jews. To adopt forthwith a
every direction—to Holland and later faith other than Judaism was, to be
basket placed in the bulrushes with Pharaoh's daughter, a lollipop."
to England; to France and Italy, to sure, inglorious. But to lose gradu-
the Central European countries; to ally their spiritual identity in the
Long live the Fundamentalists!
northern Africa and the Levant; to course of several generations, during
The most important and influential attempt tq stamp out the menace of South America. In due course of time which little or no positive Jewish ef-
the Klan has been undertaken by, 40 promineht men in New York, headed the descendants of the Sephardic Jews fort was to be exerted, was regarded
by President Nicholas Murray Butler of Columbia University. They are found themselves prosperous and pub- with sombre equanimity. The Sep-
going to undertake the task through the unseating of Mayfield, the Texas lic-spirited citizens of the American hardic Jews of the South simply put
a stop to the continuity of Jewish loy-
lc World has a g reed to co-operate with this com- colonies—principally the southern col-
Senator. Ire
alty as a matter of self-defense, as
mates, and is soliciting funds for the work, which will be transmitted to onies.
though they feared that, with the ad-
the treasurer of the committee. It is said that the 100 per cent Americans
History does not know of more
in Texas have already spent $100,000 in their cee against Mayfield, and
Jews who , vent of non-Sephardic Jews from Cen-
tral and Eastern Europe, they would
now the rate of the nation is eked to come to their support in the interest Poignant sufferers than the J
under
in the year when Columbus
have an unhappy existence if Jews
Spanish and, as recent investigators
of truth and justice.
whom they looked upon as inferior
—
have shown, Jewish patronage opened
were to outnumber them.
Dr. Butler issues this significant statement, which should he read and up the new world, were expelled front
Theirs was not a happy fate. They
consideredeby those men who have foolishly permitted themselves to be , the Iberian peninsula. Cut off front
induced to join an order that has for its purpose the promotion of prejudice ' the main body of the Jewish people in found themselves unable to resist the
Central and Eastern Europe, the pressure of the German Jews, with
and hate:
Spanish Jews developed a self-con- whom they could not dwell in amity.
"My interest in combatting the Klan atonement arises from its
sciousness and an aloofness from non- Unlike the Sephardic Jews of New
Sephardic Jews tha thane been York and particularly of England,
lawlessness. The
forms of that lawlessness which surrounds us on every side and
marked since they came in contact who tenaciously adhere to their •x-
hich threatens the foundations of our government and our social
with them in England and in Amer- clusive ritual and fascinating cere-
order. The very professions sat the Klan, to say nothing of its acts,
' ie». At first the Sephardic communi- monialism, the Sephardic Jews of the
rantee
to
every
South indifferently allied themselves
W e, gua
ar
ilation
e n
violation of our fundamental la w.
i ties in America maintained their re-
ence and equality before
ligious life most loyally. But that with Reform synagogues or, as has
freedom of worshi p, freedom of c onsci
m
principles
was only for a while. The southern happened in so many instances, passed
the la w. The Klan denies and violates all three of these
01'01 physical
communities, more on than those of out of the Jewish fold altogether. In
c soc ial, economic, political and
and attempts to enfore
upon those whose race and religion it does
ents
.
the north, soon began to tear away New York and in London the leading
punishm
penaltie s and
front their ancient moorings. They figures in the Sephardic congrega-
not happen to like. It is fundamentally un-American and un-Chris-
tiara, and it must be stamped out at all costs and without delay."
whose reading of Hebrew was the tions are exemplars of Jewish culture
• — -
purest, whose religious ceremonials and loyalty. The learning and relig-
d to the editor of were ornate and redolent' of past ious fidelity of man like Moses Glister
There are two names signed to • short note add
ispense- and David S. Sassoon of London,
Dix who
and glories under the Moorish
the New York York Times that should command the respect of those
dignity and deli- and David de Solo Pool, II. Pereia
are interested in constructive relief in Eastern Europe. Henry k
Mendes and N. Taylor Phillips of New
Adele Lewisohn have signed the brief appeal, which I think should be fur- tion
in of
Spain,
cacy
social whose
) h aring arose from a
u
sense of ancestral martydom, fell York, are of the soundest kind. Men
they broadcasted to every Jewish community in this country. Among other
prey to a dissolving process that in like these have given tone to Jewish
things they say:
less than 200 years has left but a social and intellectual endeavors. Out
metnory of their glorious past. Dis- the Sephardic groups of the South—
"There is no worthier cause at present before the generous lieu-
tile of the United States than that promoted by the People's Relief— (tanning marital alliances with Jews or what remains of those communi-
than
85,000
Jew-
,
deriving front other than Spanish and ties—have nut found it possible either
the 'Ore—of America. It is designed to hell) more
Portuguese ancestry, these Jews to ally themselves with the large Jew-
ish children in the schools maintained by the society throughout
, found solace in a narrow social life ish efforts of recent years or to with-
Eastern Europe. More than 18,000 young men and women are learn-
bereft of Jewish suggestion or, as has stand the ravages of racial dilution.
ing trades, raw nutterials are being provided for artisans,.livestock,

GIAS. 1+. JOSEPH--

s,
ir
a

at
ut

he
it

ry
ed

ize
ee
by

11W

lid
Jld
ten
iur
the
he
em

of

ast
in•.
ime
ng-
and
hat
lit-
?yes
^tie,
:rase
say,
time
• he
Jen-
ears
then
a ck,

seeds and tools are being distributed, and loans are being made—
all
all to help these poor people to place themselves in positions of inde-
pendence. The small sum of $2 will give a child the advantage of

the industrial school for a whole year,"

If you want to know something more of this work, write to Miss who recall
pride the
phil-
ers, with
statesmen
and poets,
men of
sci-
's"P h
Lewi•ohn or Mr. Dix, Grand Central Palace, Suite 1147, New York City.
$2
bill
or
several
of
them,
or
enclose
enee
in
whom
Spanish
Jewry
abound-
When you write, you might enclose ■
check for a substantial sum to enable many children to secure an indus• ed
when it enjoyed
the by
freedom
and
opportunity
accorded
the • liberal
•
Moorish kings, their disappearance
•
.
trial education.
gives rise to great sadness. N ere
The Life Association News, the official organ of the National Association not that they recalled former glories
of Underwriters, has suddenly awakened to a fact long known to us, that and later oppression, they would not
"News That Isn't Fit to Print" one will find in the Dearborn Independent. have been able to withstand the con-
It seems a Mr. Nash attacks the institutoin of life insurance, and running sequence, of dangerous wanderings.
true to "Independent" form, he indulges in "half-truths." Well, if there And yet iii the course of a century
is anything that Ford outfit is expert at, it is half-truths. The Insurance and a half these Jews of Sephardic
extraction are diluting their blood
Field, commenting on the article saw
with that of their non-Jewish neigh-
article
is
composed
of
such
a
tissue
of
uncomprehended
bors.
"The,
facts; with false deductions and absurd charges, that it couldn't be
In MOO Charleston, South Carolina,
patiently reviewed in the space of this whole paper. It is a hodge-
contained the largest Jewish center in
podge of insane balderdash, suspicion and slander."
America. But Charleston was not

will
Goal

score
nom;
s fly-
if he
ale's
I Jim
r one
time!
WC!
at he
Nimbi
cause
:isles,

ft the
Soon
heard
isper-
more;
: went
I was
room
r, but

ho the
waited
3 could
'home.

, $500
second
third

were:
h and
judges

rig the
to his
is play-
touched
mu have
be de-
ish the
y be a
!compe-

1 win a
ne true,
nie cer-
ras very
k's good
sizes.

WZ,Yn'D

been happening in ever'-increasing
in late years, in intermar-
riagt. with non-Jews. Bearers of
names that sound like music to Jews

Now our insurance friends at least will begin to appreciate why Ford destined to he the center of
American
was it to be one of
was obliged to hire bums to sell such a sheet on the street corners, as self- Jewish life, nor
respecting newsboys refused to handle it. And they will also begin to un- the great communities that now dot
derstand why Ford is obliged to force his agents to unload one of those the American Jewish communities for
Papers on every unsuspecting purchaser of a Ford car. The Jews have any length of time. For a while, how-
known what • poison-sheet the Dearborn Independent is. We are glad that ever, the South held the flower
others are beginning to find out about it. The insurance folk should do as of Jewish intelligence. Richmond,
Charleston, Savannah, in Jewish po-
we do, stop wasting perfectly good eyesight on such trash.
tentiality, vied with New York, l'hil-

This is rather interesting. I picked out in the middle of an interview adelphia and Providence. In all these
with David Warfield, written by Kenneth MacGowan in Collier's, the fol. cities the original Jewish settlers
were the Sephardic Jews whose an-
cest , rs lived in Portugal and Spain.
The cultunt) and social dignity in
"'It wasn't any deep, long-nourished racial pride that broug'n
. which they were bred, the native re-
me at last to Shylock,' N'arfield told me. 'It was just vanity. I have
fmement of character with which
always thought I could pla'y him as well as any other actor in Amer-
their splendid ancestry endowed them,
the world.'
ica, and better than 1 could play any part in the drama of
enabled them to adjust themselves
I took my mind's eye off the Jewish complex and looked about War-
easily to their new surroundings. The
field's apartment. Over in the corner of the room was a sliver cross.
The antique furniture was mainly ecclesiastical. I sat in a chair . courtly social traditions of colonial
life in the South were well understood
with the letters 1. II. S. (meaning Jesus), brocaded on its back. And
by these Jews. Despite memories of
. I recollected that the actor had won a Roman Catholic bride. Racial
the rack and the stake which Tomas
bigotry hardly fits in the picture."

•lowing statements

I

The splendid culture and religious
idealism that characterized the Sep-
hardic Jews of other days are grad-
ually vanishing. It is to he regretted
that the civic and economic oppor-
tunities accorded to the Sephardic
Jews by the people of the South
should have led to their spiritual un-
doing.
The South has reason to mourn the
gradual disappearance of the Sep-
hardic Jews, for they contributed il-
lustrious public servants and men of
deeds. Judah Truro and Judah P.
Benjamin are memorable figures in
the history of the southland. But
these were not the only Jews of the
Sephardic strain to whom the South
was beholden.. The Sephardic Jews
were among the aristocrats of history.
Their culture, moral intensity, and sos
cial elegance were the result of his-
toric Jewish processes reacted upon
by years of intellectual growth pre-
ceding the Inquisition and by the
martyrdom that followed. But in
their disintegration the South has lust
an asset of incalculable worth.
The South has had in its midst a
relatively small number of Jews. Liv-
ing anteing, a people whose character
expressed itself in warmth of hospi-
tality, the Sephardic .1c we were not
long in divesting themselves of their
heritage. Those whose names recall
Toledo, Cordova, Lisbon and Granada
and arouse colorful memories of Spain
during its golden period when Moorish
culture and liberal doctrines wrought
for the Iberian peninsula what the
Renaissance, did in Italy—the Jews
of Spanish and Portuguese descent
have almost passed from the scene in
the Southern States. Time has dealt
mercilessly with the scions of a great
historic Jewish group.

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1:1

Starting Monday, March Third

Our Fifth Semi-Annual lc
Sample Sale

/

There is no sale like this held elsewhere in De-
troit. Our Sample Sale brings thousands of the
most beautiful and exclusive gowns, wraps, coats
and suits from America's foremost importers amt
manufacturers.

Bona Fide Savings of 25% to 331=3(/)

Frank k Seder—Coats, Suits and Wraps on Fifth Floor—Dresses on Fourth Floor.

__ 11 ■ \ 1 11• VII. Nk ik stla NINk V allIC AIL

"W6.. 1 ■ 101106.1 ■ 116. ■

W. E. TAYLOR ADDRESSES
FARM SCHOOL STUDENTS

The. students at the National Farm
Schad, faculty and members of the
board, had a rare treat on Thursday,
, Inn. 25, when Dr. W. E. Taylor of Mo-
line, Ill., head of the soil culture de-
partment of Deere & Company, and
As I said, all this is very interesting.
owner and manager of some 34 farms,
I have before me • copy of the Zeta Beta Tau Quarterly, published by
visited the school and spoke on "The
By RABBI LEO JUNG
the alumni committee of the Supreme Council of the Zeta Beta Tau Fra-
Romance of the Soil." Dr. Taylor's ad-
ity,
I
understand,
is
one
of
THE
Jewish
fraternities
in
dress, blended with a fine sense of
lei oily, which fraternity,
(Editor's Note:—Responding to a request made by the Jewish Tele- humor, was exceedingly illuminating
the colleges. You will observe that I have emphasized "the." This par-
ticular issue we sent to me because it contains an article entitled "Why I graphic Agency upon the arrival in this country of Rabbi Moses Mordecai and instructive. Ile had his subject
Hate Jews," written by one Cyrus McGinn Mulqueen. Then I find this Epstein, Rabbi Leo Jung has submitted the following statement on the aims well in hand, telling of some of the
elements which go toward crop pro-
followed by an article entitled "Well, Z. B. T., Men Are Different," written and purposes of Agudath Israel.)
by s Jew. Well, all I have to say is that any group of presumably educated
duction, and held his entire audience
The Palestine office has already ac- to the end.
The presence in this country of that
Jew. who permit the publication of such an article a the one entitled "Why
I iiate Jews" surely must be different. They are so different that they great Agudath leader, Rabbi Moses quired large tracts of land for the es-
Dr. Taylor's visit coincided with
should be decorated by the "Order of the Dumbbell." Of all the insulting Mordecai Epstein, the head of the fa- tablishment of model colonies. It has flag-raising exercises held at the
Irish, of all the moss-back, moth-eaten stock objections to Jews used by mous academy at Slabodka affords a established and maintains a girls' school on that day. Following an old
an anti-Semitic ignoramus, not one has been omitted by the brilliant Mul- gestd opportunity for complying with school in Palestine, two Chalutzim custom that, when the apex of a build-
queen. And only second to the puerile balderdash of the frank Christian your request for a statement about the hostels in Jaffa and Jerusalem. The ing is reached, the country's flag is
critic, see some of the pro-Semitic article of the other shining literary lights aims and achievements of the Agu- second l'alelstine commission of the raised, and the event made the occa-
Agudath headed by the Rabbi of Ger,
of the Zeta Beta Tau. Well, I most pause long enough to remark that it dath Israel.
sion for a celebration and treat to the
The Agudath Israel, the world union who is accompanied by a group of workmen. This practice was carried
take., more than • college course or • membership in • mwish-Greek "(rat"
to become educated. I feel like giving this "fret" yell: "Raw! Raw! Raw! of orthodox Jewry, was established for previous land purchases and to extend out, the highest point of construction
Wow! Wow! Wow! Zeta Beta Tsui I nominate my office boy as • reader the purpose of working out the salva- wealthy business men and experts has on the Ulman dormitories, now being
tion of the Jew in accordance with his just left for Palestine to consolidate erected at the school, having been
of manuscripts for publication in the Zeta Beta Tau Quarterly.
coltmization work to the Agudath.
religious principles and ideals.
reached on that day.
The Agudath Israel is the joint cre- The Agudath hank with a capital of
That picture of Sargent's, "The Synagogue," hanging in the Boston
The building committee acted as
Pohlic Library, threatens to create as much trouble as King Tot's tomb. ation of eastern and western Euro- 100,000 pounds, recently established,
bests to the workmen, household of
There has been for a long time • heated controversy over this painting be- pean payment with the express and is to aid this work.
the
school and special guests, who in-
Agudath appeals to the Jewish peo-
cause the Jews resented the implication of the dying of Judaism that is unqualified endorsement by the over-
cluded Messrs. Hughes and Foulkrod,
Apparently represented therein. At least that is as near as I can recollect whelming majority of its rabbinical ple all over the globe to support its
it at this moment. The tempest grew so great that finally the Massachusetts leaders. Its efforts have been three- three funds: The Koren Hatorah the builders, and the architects,
which is the only organized systemat- Messrs. Sauer and Silverman.
Legislature directed the removal of the painting, recognizing that • painting fold:
Mr. Herbert D. Allman, chairman
To recover for the Torah its histor- ic Jewish agency for the promotion of
in • public library should not be of such character as to reflect upon the
religion of any people. It was ordered that the State Department of Edu• ical position as the heart of our peo- Jewish schooling; the Keren Hayishub of the building committee, made an
cation should use the painting for educational purposes in teaching art or ple, the standard by which our efforts devoted to the upbuilding of Palestine address, outlining the work so far
for which large contributions have done on this modern, fireproof struc-
the history of art. But for some unknown reason the painting has not been and results are to be measured, the
removed, although it was so ordered in 1922. So some persons apparently I source whence we derive the solution come from Europe, and the Juedische ture, "made possible by that good
have become impatient, with the result that an attempt has been made to of our problems; to emphasize its au- Ilifswerk, the activities of which I and philanthropic woman, the late
Rosetta M. Ulman, of Williamsport,
disfigure this mural decoration. Such vandalism should not be permitted, thorny in all Jewish endeavors, both have referred to above.
In Palestine as in Goluth, Agudath l'a , through the vision of her execu-
regartile. of outraged feelings. But the remedy lies in more common sense in Goluth and in Palestine; to relieve
has
done
and
means
to
do
construc-
tor,
Mr. Abraham Erlanger of New
political,
financial
and
educational
suf-
and in the decent consideration of the sensibilities of others.
tering and, to build up a Jewish Pal- tive work. It has no fighting tendency York." Ile then thanked the work.
-
memorial prize in Talmud, The Re- _ tine.
but it views with grave concern the men on the job for their "faithful
bekah Kohut prize in social service
The achievements of the Agudath prevailing desecration of Jewish Law work in good weather and bad, to
and the Alexander Kohut memorial Israel have been marked. The first in the Holy Land. To counteract this make this noble pile grow on quickly
publication fund of the Institute press. Knessioh, 1923, a great demonstration irreligious spirit, the Agudath has em- and so beautifully."
of the Torah-true will of our people barked upon a most energetic effort to
Mr. Erlanger, who was also among
NEW YORK.— (.I. T. A.) — Dr.
has proved of tremendous inspiration- raise large sums for the immediate es- the guests, was called upon for a few
George Alexander Kohut celebrated BERNARD FLEXNER ON
WAY TO PARIS FOR J. D. C. at value to Jewry all over the globe. tablishment of orthodox colonies so remarks, and impressed upon the stu-
his fiftieth birthday, Feb. 12. Dr. Ko-
The establishment of the Rabbinic that the many thousands of faithful dents of the school the noble character
hut has established in Vienna and
PARIS. — (J. T. A.) — Bernard Assembly has supplied the central au- Jews who are yearning for the holy of their benefactress, the late Miss
Berlin foundations bearing the name
of his father, Alexander Kohut. He Flexner will arrive here in a few days thorny for all questions of Jewish land may speedily be settled there for L'Iman, the donor of the building.
sne?„,crr,eiattyedt the ifcr rihdeag
from New York, in order to conclude, I,aw. The 'Juedische Ilifswerk' has their own happiness and for the re- Other addresses were made by Mr.
tiao‘ne
Grant Wright of Philadelphia, a mem•
oaf large nn behalf of the Joint Distribution contributed materially to the allevia- generation of Palestine.
part
her of the board of trustees, who
of his father's library. For many Comniittee, an agreement with the I. lion of suffering through to orphan-
Years s he was helpful in the work of ('. A. by which the reconstruction ages, asylums, hospitals and innumer-
Let a man be yielding like the reed acted as host to Dr. Taylor; and by
in
the
wind,
not
hard
and
unbending
work
for
the
.1.
I).
C.
and
the
I.
C.
A.
able
meal
societies
ranging
from
prig-
Mr. Ilsrry B. Hirsh, the acting presi-
the Jewish Theologica
l Seminary, and
like the cedar; let him he the first to dent of the school.
since its founding, he has been inter- have been going on for some time, and oners of war relief, to immigrants'
restrain his tongue in a dispute, the
it
is
expected
that
Mr.
Flexner
will'
aid.
The
Keren
Ilatorah
has
been
ested in the work of the Jewish In-
first also to forgive and forget what
stitute of Religion which has been the settle the final details, and that the , supplying Jewish training to cldse on
—as sn•lien hastily and in anger.—
Dignity does not consist in a a lk
recipient of many benefactions from agreement will become effective within' to 200,900 children in eastern and cen-
The Tabu A.
dress.—The Talmud.
' teal Europe.
him including the Alexander Kohut two or three weeks.

THE AIMS OF AGUDATH ISRAEL

KOHUT CELEBRATES
FIFTIETH BIRTHDAY

V

another ReasonWhy

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On All Roads

The cushions on Buick open cars are supported
on doub'e-deck springs. The upper springs,
light and easy acting, smooth out slight road
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curled hair between springs and French plaited
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When better automobiles are built

Buick, will build them

6

1,11-111-1h7

BUICK MOTOR COMPANY — DETROIT BRANCH

GENERAL MOTORS BUILDING

Owen & Graham Co.

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Harley Buick Co.

Bemb-Rohinson Co.

444 East Jefferso• Av.

Louie Rose Buick Co.

3762 CAS • A..

11893 Woodward Ave., High-
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Pfent & Decker

Siegel-Zeckendorf Co.

8740 Mack Ave.

4234 Woodward Ave.

Telott• Buick Co.

8911 Grand Riese

West Side Buick Ce,..

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•