The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-21
GOSSIP OF THE STREET
AND HOTEL LOBBIES

shN0 ~ - ~ CtLO
A number of gentlemen were together
few days ago talking about the different
dastardly murders. The subject was
brought up by a gentleman who had just
read an account of the assassination of
William ferris, the noted English actor.
These murderers are nearly always
more or less demented," said one. "A
close study Of the previous lives of many
of them reveals a streak of something that
resembles insanity. There was Booth, the
murderer of Lincoln. He was no exception
to the rule. 1 knew Booth and was with
him many times before the commission Of
his crime. 1 remember once Booth and a
party of friends, with myself included.
were dining at a hotel in Washington.
Everyone was gay. Drinks were being
disposed of one after another in rapid sue
cession. If the demeanor of the gentlemen
could be called into question no one had
serious thought. Suddenly Booths ex-
preston changed. With equal sudden-
ness he said: Let us pray He was the
first to kneel. He began repeating the
Lords prayer and he had gone over but
a few lines when the crowd began repeat
ing the words after him. No one could
imagine what prompted the actors sin-
guIar mood. When the prayer was ended
the conversation resumed and Booth was
as lively as before This only goes to IL
lustrate the strange fancies that can take
possession of some minds"
ibid you ever know Cal Wagner" ask
ed R. L. Carstockton, who was once a
citizen of Alabama, but now of Baltimore.
as he sat in the rotunda of the Florence.
"Wagner was a great character. He Is
the father of minstrelsy in my mind and
is away ahead of them ALL Many years
ago When Alabamians were having a hard
time keeping the negroes in check Wag-
ner and his company came south. They
were booked to play in Montgomery, and
by law the negroes could sit anywhere
in the opera house they desired. When
the curtain went up Wagner saw that the
African element had taken charge of the
first floor. He asked them politely to
move and occupy the place prepared for
them. Not one stirred. Wagner surveyed
them for a moment He turned and went
into one of the wings. Returning he held
big pistol in each hand. Pointing them to
the evidence he commanded an exit. The
negroes looked angry, but they obeyed.
Wagner had to get out of the state IN a
special car.
"Birmingham's cattle trade is assuming
proportions" said a gentleman at the
Florence yesterday. ESPECIALLY is this
so in North Alabama. Car load after car
load of fat cattle has been shipped out
of that section to Kansas City, Mo. Not
long ago a gentleman shipped some cattle
to Kansas City. He expended very little
in fattening them, and in Kansas City
they brought $27 per head. The freight was
81 EACH and he made profit of $40, not
an insignificant sum This is getting to
be one of Alabama's sources of revenue.
Representative Bankhead was in the city
Yesterday en- route to Fayette, where ne
will spend the holidays. He came as far
as Atlanta with Representatives Stallings,
Clayton and Brewer, who will also spend
the vacation in Alabama. While away
from Washington Mr. Bankhead will at
tend the rivers and harbors convention at
Tuscaloosa. Mr.. Bankhead said that the
question of the armor plate plant would
come up after the vacation. He said that
Representative Underwood, who has been
ill for some days, was fast improving.
Speaking of Secretary Cages financial bill,
Mr. Bankhead said he did not believe that
it would ever be reported, unless the demo-
Gratis on the committee did so in order to
get the measure before the house, and
then effect it's defeat.
.Cuba will be discussed in the house."
continued Mr.. Bankhead, "but no action
whatever will be taken unless it is in the
form of a joint resolution.
1.-THE Hawaiian question will come up,
but 1 don't think the annexation treaty
will be ratified. Personally, l am unalter-
ably opposed to it,
Mayor F. M Height, T. W. Coleman,
Jr., w. H. Constantine and ]. j. Willette,
of Admission, were in the city yesterday.
They were here to attend a suit against
the city of Admission on trial in the Unit
ed States court.
The Florence hotel has passed from un-
der the management of Mr.. Jemison. 1t
is now in the hands of J. P. Mudd, and
William A. Walker
The property is bem in proved end the
hotel will still flourish on an improved
basis. The parlor has been repapered and
fitted and other changes will follow.
F. B. Merrill a member of the legislature
from Barbour county, was in the city
yesterday.
Dr. ]. B. Hawthorne who has been in the
city for several days attending the Baptist
state convention left yesterday for his
home in Nashville. DR.. w. G. Cleveland.
the president of the convention, also left
yesterday for Columbiana-
A CHRISTMAS STORY.