davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-02
COMMITTED TIE DEED And Only Wanted Time in Which
 to Prepare for Death. LEE HARRIS GoNFEssEs
Names His Accomplice, Who Tells Another Tale of Pleas
 Merriweather's Death.

The mystery surrounding the Merri- weather murder has dissolved and his slay- CTS now rest in the county jail.
 Pleas Merriweather, negro merchant, with store in the northern part of the city, was robbed and murdered a short time ago, an account of which appeared in the AGE- HERALD at the time.
 For several days the officers searched in vain for tue murderers, but found no posi- tive clue.
 Last week Abe Mitchell, Jim Lewis and Lee Harris, all colored, were arrested and charged with the crime. The officers claimed to have strong evidence against them.
 Yesterday morning Coroner Dusen berry empaneled jury and began an investiga- tion. One of the witnesses before him in the forenoon was Abe Mitchell. Just what his statement was the coroner would not give out, but it is understood he made confession, duplicating Harris and Lewis.
 MITCHELL's STATEMENT. Mitchell claims that he and Lee Harris and Jim Lewis went to Merriweather's store together and that he watched while the other two killed and robbed the old man. He says he was forced to accompany the other two men and that he did not partici- pate l n the crime further than to stand guard tO give tue RIHrm SuOuiu auy Oue ap- proach while they accomplished their er rand.
 HARRIS TALKS.
 Shortly after Mitchell was returned to the jail Harris sent for Will Reaves, one of the jailers: When MT. Reaves went to his cell Harris said he was guilty, that he and Mitchell killed Merriweather and that Lewis had nothing whatever to do with it. Harris told Mr. Reaves that he and Mitchell met near the park at Twenty fourth street and Fourth avenue.
 DISCUSSED ROBBERY.
 They agreed to hold up and rob the first man that came along. They waited there for some time, but had no opportunity of holding up any one. No one passed that way alone, but all that passed that way went in twos and threes or more. They then moved down to Central park, and after waiting some little time concluded to abandon the idea of robbery in the streets. Pleas Merriweather's name was suggested, and together the two men went to his store. The robbery and murder followed. Merriweather was
 BEATEN TO DEATH with heavy stick and between S34 and S35 in cash taken from him.
 Harris said had 1t not been for Merri- weather recognizing Mitchell he would not have been killed. Merriweather did not know Harris.
 Harris says Lewis had nothing to do with the crime and should not be punished. Harris says his only request is that he be given time in which to prepare for death; that he is guilty and is willing to die for it.
 The coroner will continue his investiga- tion today,
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-02
ALABAMA COMMERCIAL AssoClA-
 TON

Birmingham is today the most honored city in the State.
 It is her privilege and her pride to enter tain the gentlemen representing the com mercial interests of the entire State. h this present time more than ever before the South nas come to realize that her limit less forces and undeveloped wealth must be utilized, and that her sturdy sons are the proper mediums to set the wheels a-turning. Recognizing the strength of union these gentlemen, representatives of the public spirit of Alabama's various towns, have met to deliberate upon the ways and means of furthering the welfare of the State. That no point of practical advantage will escape them is foregone conclusion. They are keen, active and alive to the demands of the age and che needs of their "home empire.'' Fully conversant with the laws of commerce which govern these modern days, they will be quick to see and seize upon every opportunity to aid in the development of Alabama, for It is development she needs that simply and solely. Development of latent wealth, whose presence makes her a very Aladdin's palace.
 Presuming upon her long service to the city, tbe AGE HERALD, Birmingham B oldest journalistic daughter, extends to these gentlemen a greeting that comes from the very heart of the Magic City. You are welcome, gentlemen; Birmingham but honois herself by showing you honor. To her you are heralds of the years of prosper ity and plenty now dawning upon her, and she greets you with sincerity and with gladness, knowing thst much of substan- ta good will come to her with you, since, like Hiawatha, ''you come so far to see us ''
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-02
DEATH RECORD.
SAMUEL. J, LEE,

CHARLESTON, $. C., April 1.--Samuef :. Lee, colored, who succeeded the notorious Franklin J. Moses as speaker of the house of representatives of this state in 1872, died suddenly here today of heart disease.
 Lee was born in Abbeville county and was ar ex slave of Gen. Samuel McGowan, the distinguished Con federate general, and was his body servant and served with him throughout the Confederate war, having been wounded. He managed to secure an education and when the reconstru ction period came moved to Edgefield county, the home of all tLe fin de siecle office, holders in this state, and was eiected to the general assembly, where he was chosen speaker when Frank Moses was elected governor.
 Lee was an able and experienced lawyer, and after the overthrow Of the reconstruc- tion government 10 1878 he escaped the fate of indictment that beiell most of the ofiice- hoiders of that period and settled in Charleston, where he secured something of "a practice and the respect and kood will of his white legal brethren. He was the only colored brigadier- general in the United States, having commandedsthe first brigade Of colored troops of this state after it was reorganizsd under the democratic adminis- tration for the state. He will be buried with military honors tomorrow.
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-02

MR. T. c. DELEoN of Mobile was the avant courier of the delegates to the con- vention of Commercial Clubs. Some two weeks ago Mr. DeLeon wrote to the AaE- HERALD asking for information as to plan for getting up the Alabama exhibit, and was informed through these columns that the matter would be decided at the conference of clubs on April 2. Although MT. DeLeon learned of this meeting at the eleventh hour, he instantly made ready to come, and thus puts to the blush those who heard of the meeting some time ago, but have not come. Verify, he shall have his reward. Mir. DeLeon has for years been closely identified with the commercial growth of Alabama. With his facile pen he has aided and encouraged this develop ment, and he does not weary of well-doing. He allows himself to indulge in the lighter vein of writing at times, and with emi- nent success, as his parody on the 'Quick or the Dead'' testfes. MT. DeLeon IS the James Lane Allen of Alabama.
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-02

tion. A grand piano is conspicuous. The house is so constructed that all the rooms can be thrown together for dance. That house was built by an Episcopalian. There is house that combines all the diff ferent styles of architecture ever known, and some never known. It has a sugges- tion of the Queen Anne, the Gothic, the Romanesque, the Renaissance, the an- tique, the modern and the whatnot. All rules of construction are thrown to the winds. It is pirate, a free booter, rebel. It presents gay appearance, but is evidently top. heavy, and could not withstand heavy wind. The foundations seem to be laid on top of the ground. There is no fence and cattle are in the yard. The house stands off by itself. The steps gre rotten. The house was built by non- believer.
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-02
PROTECT THE CIrY,s CREDIT.

The City Council meets again tonight for the purpose of taking action upon the reso- lution offered by Alderman Kettig at the last meeting looking to the protection of the cty's credit abroad. The plan pro- posed by MT. Kettig seems to be the only solution of the problem, and it is earnestly hoped that it will be adopted.
 Municipal credit is great boon, not only to the municipality, but to the citizens thereof. Up to this time Birming- ham has promptly met every obligation, and to default now would prove a se- rious draw back to our every interest. The necessity for the issuance of 'scrip" for current expenses Is to be deplored, but it is nothing more than every city in the South has done iu the past. It IS said that New Orleans has had her warrants floating for two years at time, but she protected her interest coupons, and today her credit is very high. Charleston and Savannah have done likewise, but there was no default in the interest account.
 The position taken by Mr. Kettig is em- inently correct. Birmingham has a great future-a future, however, which depends largely upon her good faith and credit. Let us not weaken our municipality by asking our creditors to bear our own burdens. Let the Mayor and Aldermen of Birmingham, to whom the people have entrusted their interests, show their capacity for protect ing these interests, and ever bear in mind that they are especially entrusted with the care of our municipal credit at home and abroad
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-02
"HELL IN A HOME"

THE SUBJECT OF DIR. WEARS SERMON AT
 THE CUMBERLAND CHURCH LAST NIGHT.
 A series of services were begun at the Cum berland Presbyterian church, corner Fifth avenue and Eighteenth street, last night. The pastor, Rev. R. D. Wear. conducted the services, preaching from the subject, "Hell in a Home, or the Devil After Man.''
 The preacher told of the many tempta- tions set before man by satan and of the great promises made. He said the devil offers fame, honor, riches, power.
 During his pastorate at the Cnmb erla nd Presbyterian church MT. Wear has done good work for the Master he serves, and his congregation is steadily growing. His sermons are always strong and his lan- guage elegant and forcible. Last nights sermon dealt with the subject in manner that was impressive and effective.
 The services will be continued nightly throughout this and next week.
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-02
WILL MEET TODAY.

The annual meeting of the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad company will be held at Tracy City, Tenn, today. The only business to be transacted is the elec- ton of fficers and directors, and it is un : derstood that the old board will be re- elected, as they have no opposition. :.
 Messrs. Truman H. Aldrich aud David Roberts leit last night Tor Tracy City 10 attend the meeting. Mir. De DeBardelenen was called 10 Montgomery to attend his brother, who was snot near that city last Saturday, and couid not go 10 ,te meeting. |.
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-02

NoT very long since Governor McKin- ley was inclined to free silver. He didn't say with Ailison,that if President he would sign any bill Congress sent him, butlhe did ccquette with the free silver men. But ne has come down South and he has found that ihe sound mouey sentiment prevails.
 He has therefore tackled, and his recent ut- terauces leave no doubt as to his sound ness on the money question. ? !
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-02
ADDITIONAL PULLMAN SERVICE VIA SOUTHERN RAILWAY co.

Beginning Sunday, January 27 instant, Southern Railway company will operate Pullman sleeping cars between Birming- hem and Ninona, Mics, on trains 50 and 51. Passengers going west will be admit ted to sleerers at Birmingham at g D. ID. and passene gers arriving at Birmingham will te allowed 10 ienain in Item until a. ID. 1-31-tf
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-02
The c. s. Govt Reports show Royal Baking Powder superior fo aH others.
ANIMAL INTELLIGENCE

A farmer on Red mountain near Lake. view saw his pet cat making frantic leaps and uttering wild cries. He went out in the woods to the cat and found it engaged in battle with rattlesnake. The cat would strike at it with his paw and the snake would strike back with his fangs. He killed the snake and found it had five rattles and a button. This same farmer saw his dog bring in young rabbit one day and put it in the bed with her pups. A short time afterward he went there ex- pscting to find the rabbit dead, but it was quietly drawing sustenance from the same maternal source with the pups. Some bad boys on the Highlands tied barrel hoop to cow's tail. The COW rau believing around the commons and every time she swung her tail the hoop struck her on the back. She was badly frightened. Other COWS gathered to her assistance. Two of them stood behind her and put their horns in the hoop and pulled 1t of.
 Life is shorthand art is long. The art of
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-02
GOOD NEWS.
PITTsBURG. Pa, April 1. or0e w Prnnd RIrmin cham Ala.

bITTSBURG, fa., ApTll |, . George w. Brand, Birmingham, Ala:
 Scale settled at old rates; continue work.
 Nj. M. GARLAND. The telegram above quoted was received by Mir. George w. Brand, president edge of Amalgamated Iron and Steel Workers, yesterday afternoon. The employees of the mill are to be congratulated upon the suc- cessful termination of the dispute between the operators and operatives in the Mahon- ing and Shenango valleys, as upon that settlement depended the closing or contin- uation of operations at the Birmingham Rolling Mill for an indefinite period. The owners of the plant, and in fact every man, woman and child in the city, can be con- graduated also, as strikes are to be feared by all and are invariably productive of harm to those concerned. The men hold they were justified in refusing the terms offered them, as they claim the contract was being violated in demanding the re- duction instanter, when the contract speci- fled sixty days' notice should be given by the party making the demand.
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-02

THE Chattanooga Tradesman has doubts as to whether any good effects will flow from the visit of the Massachusetts Iegis. laiive committee to the South. The com. mittee did not take the time to give cotton manufacturing in the South thorough in. vestigation, and did not visit the Southern cities where the largest and best cotton mills are found. The Tradesman repro- duces the editorial of the AGE HERALD in which the point was made that the com mittee had found no objection to the South which could not be removed, and had sighted those advantages which are natural and cannot be transferred. If the Massa- chusetts mill men really desire to learn the irne situation in the South thcy should send down an expert cotton man, just as the English iron makers sent Mir. Head, an expert iron master, to the Birmingham dis trict. The report of an expert is free from all political influences. and thus is more valuable than the report of a legislative committee.
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-02

Es-The present management of the A GE>-1 E k A LD has no claim against advertisers or SubSGrib- Under decree of court accounts up to that date have been sold end transferred, hence cancelled as between the debtor and this DaDer
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-02
THE WEATHER.

WARRINGTON, April 1.-Forecast Of weather for the succeeding twenty four hours: Showers; cooler; westerly 10 north = westerly winds.
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-02

IT is quality, not quantity, of money that most concerns the people. The cir culating medium is like the blood in a mans veins-it must be good. If a mans blood is not pure the doctor bleeds him. Bad money is like poison in the, biood--it ia deadly
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-02
COLD WEATHER.

Wards coal yard is prepared to furnish you with Carbon Hill or Galloway coal on short notice. Buy your coal from them once end you will have reason to become @ regular customer. Supply of stove and kidding wood on hand. Telephone 4S7.
 11-29 tf
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-02
COMMENCING APRIL i. 1895,

Southern railway trains Nos. 76 and v to and from Selma, Ala, will arrive aud de. part from he union passenger station, baggage che cked at The uepot. Train Tor Selma 6eparts 6:4oa. ni.; tram from Selma arrives 655 n.
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-02

DURING the warm wave of the latter part of last week the thermometer in Montana and other Northwestern points reg istered nearly 90 degrees. This was warmer than in the South. It is somewhat remarkable fact that spring approaches from the West as well as from the South. The farmers of Montana begin blowing month before those in Southern Michigan.
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-02

THE Cincinnati Tribune says ''lhe South has been lying supine since the war.'' The Tribune certainly has not read up on the wonderful development of the South in cotton manufacturing, iron making, coal mining, eic.
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-02

THE conference of representative men of the State in Birmingham today is an event Of great importance. It may mark the beginning of a wonderful era of develop. ment. They are thrice welcome to the hospitality of the city. It is meet and proper that such gathering should be held in Birmingham the center of the State and the storm center of industrial develop ment.
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-02
YEsTERpAY's TEMpERATURE.

As especially recorded hourly for the AGE HERALD on the standard thernome- ter at Hughes drug store, corner Nine- teenth street and second avenue. The fig ures given are in all instances for tempera- lure recorded in the shade and on a uorth- ern sheltered exposure:
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-02

IMPROVEMENTS TO BE MADE.-The, glass for the windows of St. Paul's Catho :. lie church arrived yesterday and the work of putting them in will begin today. The beautiful new altar will arrive today and will be placed in position for next Sunday Palm Sunday-and the other altars are ex- pected for Easter.
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-02
LOCAL LACONlCS
Gathered, Noted and Condensed bJ Age Herald Reporters-General
 Resume of Happenings. j

A PHEASANT ANNOUNCEMENT The an . nouncement of the engagement of Mir. Max Stern of Harpersville, Mss, and Miss Ger trude Wertheimer of thls city has been made public, and they are receiving the congratu lations of th cir friends.
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-02

To WED THIS MoRNING.-Thi monning at 10:30 o'clock Dr. k. N. H. Harsh of CasLillion Springs, Tenn., will marry Miss Lula. HuCs3n. The ceremony will take place Ut the IL sidence of Mrs. H. Wyatt, South Highlands, after which the bride and groom will take Louisville and Nash- vile No. for Nashville.
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-02

AN interesting feature of the Baltimore Sun is it's column headed "Lving Ques- tions.' This column is filled with edito. rial comment on the living questions of the day from tue leading papers. The Sun frequently extracts from che AGE HERALD, and in the last three issues has done us the honor 10 reproduce editorial comment, thus showing that the AGE HERALD is fully alive to the living questions of the day,
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-02

DR. PARKHURsT says that the matter of morality is nine-tenths of all the questions agitating society and state. This is a true remark. The subject of morals has entered almost every great question. There was slavery, which the Northern people made not only question of morals, but of re- ligion. There is the tariff-certainly a moral question, for protective tariff robs one class of people to enrich another. There is the question of an honest dollar largely matter of morals. The govern ment could not be guilty of a more im- moral act than 10 foist on the people dol lar which would buy only one-half the commodities its face value called for. If Dr. Parkhurst and other ministers should turn the thunder of the pulpit loose on the dishonest dollar they would do a great deal of good.
Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-02
UNCONVENTIONAL ARCHITECTURE

UNCONVENTIONAL ARCHITECTURE.
 "While strollipg on the Highlands Sun
 day afternoon, said a genial gentleman, "I thought I could tell the religious belief of the householders by the architecture of their houses. There is great, big house, with such wide veranda around 1t you can't tell whether you are in the house or out doors; on every side of the house are doors and steps, so that it can'be entered from any point; there are curves to be seen in the cornioes, and dormer windows cover tue roof, so that the owner can be on the constant lookout for newcomers. There is a big back porch that you can stand on and keep out of the rain without entering the house and selling the carpet with your muddy shoes. The house is painted in diff fereut colors. It was certainly made to hold large family and still leave room for strangers. No dogs are around the yard and the big doors are open at all times. The doors are ail either double doors or sliding doors. That house was certainly built by Meth odist. Then there is an- other house with sleeper steps and smaller porch. The lines of architecture are un- broken by dormer windows or gingerbread work. Thers are straight lines all over it.. Not curve is tD be seen. The house is painted a solid dark color. Everything about it is solid and enduring. That house was built by Presbyterian. Then there is & fancy-looking little cottage up on hilltop. The roof is steep and is GU: of close to tbe caves, so that it does not shade the neigh boring house. The front porch has flowers ,t ovar if and vines nlinrinr to the pfllars
 The flowers are not the common field flower, but each is q rare specimen of it's species. Tho front door :s closed, but opens easily to the right person. The in side is elegantly furnished, and satis ii ss the esthetic taste. Every room has heulooms handed down from generation 10 genera.