davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The age-herald., 1897-12-26
EXPLOSION OF POWDER.
Between Thirty and Forty People Injured at
 Ashyle, N. C.

Asheville, N. C., Zee. 25.-A crowd of one hundred or more of men and boys were firing Christmas salute from an old can non on the outskirts of town today when can of thirty pounds of powder exploded in the thick of the crowd Thirty or forty persons were injured, but none. it Is be- leved fatally
 The cannon was fired several times, and then Joseph Finch, an employe on the Southern Railway company, picked up the powedr can and began to reload the can non. The gun had not been swabbed, and the moment the tiny stream of powder struck the heated metal there was a flash and the powder exploded with report that made the earth tremble. A moment later there was a scene that made sick the hearts of those watching from a nearby hill. In the smoke that arose from the explosion they saw human beings running blindly here and there over the hill, fall ing and rising only to fall again as they frantically rushed about, blinded and pow der burned, madly trying to extinguish their flaming clothing. Those who were unhurt ran to the aid of the unfortunate ones, smothering flaming garments or cut ting the clothing from their bodies. One man was blown or rolled completely down the high bluff two hundred feet, nearly to the river.
 People in the neighborhood ran to the scene and the work of giving assistance to the injured began. The hill was dotted with blackened, grooming figures, some of whom lay almost perfectly nude num- Der of the injured were able to walk from the scene while cots were provided and gentle hands placed the more seriously injured on them and conveyed them to an old residence near by, which was impro- vised into a hospital. Those injured worst are:
 Joseph Finch Edward Miller. John Ingle, Barton Means, Clarence Ledford, Vernon Sentell, Charles Earwood, Hay Eaton, Eu- gene Wynn, D. Bennett. Dexter Aldrich, John Powell, Henry Mcintyre, Buck Trivett, Del Bishop. B. l.. Gowam. G. Eaton. J. E. Hamilton. James Warren, Frank Pratter.
 Joseph Finch is among the more serous-
The age-herald., 1897-12-26
Accidentally Killed.

Charleston, S. C., Dec. 25.-Morris A. Lo- renzi, well known restaurant keeper of this city, was accidentally shot and in- stantly killed by an unknown negro this evening" Lorenzi was in his establishment when a negro came in and began talking to him. They were discussing duck shoot ing. The negro had a rifle in his hands. He raised it, saying, ''This is the way to kill ducks" The rifle went off, the ball crashing clear through the Italians head. In the confusion that followed the negro ran off and has not been heard of since.
The age-herald., 1897-12-26
RAILWAY ROBBERY SCHEME Prominent Citizens of BrookviIIe,
 Fla" Arrested.
DETECTIVES STILL AT WORK
And More Sensational Developments Are Ex- pected- Gang Similar to That Which
 Operated Near Dalton, Ga.

Atlanta, Ga, Dec. 25.-The officials of the Southern railway have unearthed what ap- pears to be another gigantic scheme of railway frieght robbery similar to that of the famous Bohanan gang of Dalton.
 H R. Carter, prominent citizen of Brookville, Fla, and F. Harrington. of the same place, were arrested there Friday on the charge of car robbery and brought to this city. The detectives are still working on the case, and 1t is probable other ar rests may follow.
 Carter formerly did business in Brent wood, Ga., small station on the South ern railway, where a box car on a side- track was used as depot. On the night of Aug. 2S, this car. containing large shipment of goods Carter had bought in Atlanta, was burned to the ground. It is charged that Carter and his assitants had fired the car themselves after having re- moved the goods. Carter then filed suit for s 300 damages.
 The railroad company suspected some thing wrong and asSented to the employ ment of Detective J. W. Connally. who worked up the cases against the Bohanan gang. He had portions of ashes from the car examined and found that no goods were in the car when it burned.
 Later, Carter moved to Florida, and opened an establishment in Hernando county The detective followed him and by getting in his good graces, secured a posi- ton clerk in Carter's store There he compared the goods received with the origd- nal invoices and Identified s2,OOO worth of the goods stolen from the car.
 Garter and Harrington's arrest followed.
The age-herald., 1897-12-26
CARD.
Business Announcement-The Firm of Seals Bros.
 to Continue.

On Jan. 1; my brother. MT. Robt. L.. Seals, will be associated with me in busi- ness. and we will compose the firm of Seals Bros
 A new stock of pianos and organs is ar irving daily, and we are prepared to take care of all trade.
 We will commence the new year with hearts full of gratitude for the patronage the people have given us in days gone by. and we will live up to the principles of fair dealing with our customers in the fu- ture ,as we know that we have done in the past.
 As exclusive dealers in pianos and organs. we are the pioneers in Birmingham. We planted our colors in this city nearly six teen years ago. and here we expect to stay. Weknow nothing of any other line of busi- ness: we love ours.
 Being the first dealers to commence busl- ness in this city we had our choice of in- struments to sell, and we have selected those which please us most. We know our manufacturers personally. we know their honesty of purpose. their financial respon- s,sibility which is the basis of a guarantee, and thousands of customers throughout the state will testify to the artistic merits of pianos and organs bought from Seals Bros
 We are proud of the confidence the public seems to place in our judgment of musical Instruments and feel that no greater com pliment could be paid us than evidenced by our ten days sale. when more than ninety fine instruments were sold, and most all of them pianos.
 The number of pianos sold In that length of time is without a parallel in the southern states. We have made a record, and thank a discriminating public most sincerely. CLAUDE SEALS.
The age-herald., 1897-12-26
RUMORS UNTRUE.
Sylvester ScoyeI Has Not Been Killed by the
 Insurgents.

Havana. via Key West. Dec. 25-Rumors which have been circulated here that Syl- vester Scovel, a New York newspaper cor respondent. had been hanged by the in- surgents, are untrue.
 It is reported that he and Senor Rafael Madrigal, the American consul at Sancti Spirtus. were the bearers of an important dispatch from President Mckinley to Pres ident Masseo and Gen. Gomez.
 Generally speaking, the condition of the concentrates is as pitiful as it was during the administration in the island of Weyler, despite Captain-General Blanco's relief de- crees. A relief fund of $l0O,OO0 will hardly give the sufferers 20 cents each. La Lucha demands that the amounts expended by municipal authorities for the relief of the destitute inhabitants be published.
The age-herald., 1897-12-26
FOUND HIM GUILTY.
Ben DeLemos Convicted of Committing Pension
 Frauds.
Special to The Age-Herald.

Montgomery, Dec. 25.-A jury in the federal court today. after fifteen hours deliberation brought in a verdict of guilty in one of the cases of United States against Ben DeLemos, charged with fraudulenty obtaining pension money from the government. MT. De Lemos, who is a prominent republican and a well-to- do citi- zen of Lowndes county, was alleged to have frauduently certified to a negro be- ing entitled to a pension and after having secured the pension money as agent having withheld from the negro and having appro- priated to his own use.
 The jury found him guilty, but De Lemos' attorneys, Chas. A. Whitten, of Haysville, and Judge John Winter, of this city, appealed the case. They are confi- dent of having the verdict reversed.
The age-herald., 1897-12-26
NO FAITH CURE
They Cure Stomach Troubles and Indigestion Anyway, Whether You Have Faith ir Them or Not.

They Cure Stomach Troubles and Indigestion
 Anyway, Whether You Have Faith in
 Them or Not. All physicians agree that the element of faith has great deal to do in the cure of disease.
 Firm belief and confidence in a family physician or the same confidence and faith in a patent medicine, have produced re- markable cures in all ages.
 This Is especially true in nervous troubles and no field offers prolific harvest for the quack and charlatan as the dis eases arising from a weak or rundown nervous system.
 Nevertheless, the most common of all diseases indigestion and stomach troubles, which in turn cause nervous diseases, heart troubles, consumption and loss or flesh, requires something besides faith to cure.
 Mere faith will not digest your food for you will not give you an appetite, will not increase your flesh and strengthen your nerves and heart but Stuarts Dyspepsia | Tablets will do these things, because they are composed of the elements of diges- tion, they contain the juices, acids and pep tones necessary to the digestion and as- similation of all wholesome food. Stuart's Dyspepsia Tablets will digest
 food if placed in jar or bottle in water | heated to 9S degrees, and they will do 1t much more effectively when taken into the stomach after meals, whether you have | faith that they will or not They invigorate the stomach, make pure | blood and strong nerves, in the only way
 that nature can do it, and that Is, from plenty of wholesome food well digested. | It is not what we eat but what we digest | that does good. l Stuart's Dyspepsia Tablets are sold by druggists at 50 cents for full sized pack | age.
 | Little book on cause and cure of stomach | troubles mailed free by addressing Stuart | Co.,. Marshall, Mich. | 12-22-24-26&wkly.
The age-herald., 1897-12-26
Deaths at Christmas Trees.

New York, Dec 25.-Deaths around the Christmas tree have been the feature of the day. Three have been reported Will liam Gottzyer and Mrs. John Rice, both of this city, dropped dead last midnight while trimming Christmas trees for the children. Thomas, son of MT. and Mrs. Albert Field of Newport, N. J., pulled lighted tree over on himself tonight and was burned to death, i' -HF
The age-herald., 1897-12-26
Lowered His Record.

Milwaukee, Wis. Dec. 25.--At the expo sition building indoor track today Walter c. Sanger lowered his own worlds half mIle unpaced bicycle record of one minute fiat riding the distance in 59 3-5 seconds On the same track Edward Aldridge, of this city, broke the worlds record for twenty miles unpaced, his time being one hour, four minutes and twenty-eight sec- onfls. The previous record for this dis tance was one hour, five minutes and thir- ty seconds.
The age-herald., 1897-12-26
Shot in a Fight,

Knoxville, Tenn, Dec. 25.-Thonlas Bow CTS, well known in sporting circles over this state, was shot in a fight last night from which he died today The fight oc- cured in front of a bawdy house and a dozen men participated. Several arrests were made, but it was learned tonight that the man who killed Bowers was Charles Kitchen, who made his escape
The age-herald., 1897-12-26
Dangerously Wounded.

Montgomery, Ala. Dec. 25.-A special from Talladega, Ala, says: A difficulty oc- cured here th'7 afternoon between B. c. Holmes and w. W. Vann, in which the latter was dangerously wounded by pistol shot in the stomach. Yam fired two shots at Holmes before the latter could draw his pistol. The difficulty was caused by fight between their 12-year-old sons
The age-herald., 1897-12-26
OUT ON A STRIKE.
Miners of the Dayton Coal and Iron Company
 Quit Work.

Chattanooga, Tenn, Dec. 25.-Between 300 and 400 miners in three of the four mines of the Dayton Coal and Iron company are out on a strike, as a result of the failure of the operators to modify their schedule of prices for mining coal containing shale, which is 10 cents lower than pure coal. Both the miners and the operators have so far refused all overtures looking to a conference. It is stated tonight that the
The age-herald., 1897-12-26
Bids Wanted For Removal of
 Garbage.

Office of Police and Sanitation Committee,
 Birmingham, Ala, Dec 4, 1897. Until January 10 sealed bids will be re- ceived by the Committee on Police and Sanitation for the removal of garbage from the city of Birmingham for a period be- ginning February 1, 1898, and ending June 31, 1899. Specifications made known upon application to the undersigned. The com mittee reserves the right to reject any and all bids.
 W. J. PEARCE, Chairman Committee of Police and Sanita- tion. 12-25-tf
The age-herald., 1897-12-26
Receiver Appointed.

Hamilton. O., Dec. 25.--In the case of William Mosler and others vs. the Herring Hall-Marvin company. in which " s. Sid don was appointed receiver of the com pany's safe works, defendants have filed a petition for the removal of the case to the United States court. The court set the hearing of the motion to remove for Tues day. Applications have also been made in the federal courts of New Jersey, Ken lucky and Missouri
The age-herald., 1897-12-26
The Statement Denied

Philadelphia. Dec. 25.-The statement made at Milwaukee by A. c. Kraenslein the fast hurdler that the University of Pennsyl- vania track team would visit England next summer to compete in dual games with Cambridge university is denied by Frank B. Ellis, chairman of the University of Pennsylvania track committee.
The age-herald., 1897-12-26
Drank Carbolie Acid

New York, Dec. Policeman F. Dale, member of one of the oldest and best families of the stSte" and partner of fire insurance firm, committed suicide at his home in fashionable apartment house in Grammercy square tonight by swallowing carbolic acid.
The age-herald., 1897-12-26
Rail old Collision.

Paris. Dec. 25.-Two passenger trains came into collision at Leipage du Roussil- lion, in the Department of Isore, during 6 dense fog last night. Capt. Blouet of the cruiser Foudre, of the French Medlter- ranean squadron; Capt. Lota, an instructor at the military school at St. Cyr, and M. Mathieu. naval engineer were killed and fifteen other persons were injured.
The age-herald., 1897-12-26
Transfer of'Property

West Superior, Wis, Dec. 25-Prepara- tions have been begun for the transfer of the property of the West Superior Iron and Steel company of this city to the Gen. tral Trust company of New York, who hold against it mortgage of s1.73OOOOO A judg- ment was taken against the steel company in the circuit court of this county year ago and the property will be sold on Feb- ruary to satisfy the mortgage by James R. Hile referee,
The age-herald., 1897-12-26
The Alabama Home
 Building pp Loan Association
CapiaI S foCk $2,OOO,OOO.

Money to lend on our new sinking fund plan, by which borrowers mortgage is can celled in seventy-two months at definite low rate of interest. This association can point with satisfaction to the great number of people it has aided to secure homes in stead of having to pay rent all of their lives; also the vast number of it's mem- bers who have been encouraged to save up a considerable sum by paying in s6, s15 or s3O per month. This association. has suf- ficient capital to lend all desirable borrow CTS. Now is a good time to join the conn., pany. For loans or stock, apply to
 W. V. M ROBERTSON.
 General Manager. 2OO9 First Ave. 11-14-sun-wed.
The age-herald., 1897-12-26
ONE DAYS RECORD
 OF CHRISTMAS FUN"

ly hurt, his nose and mouth are torn out of all shape and he is probably blinded.
 Clarence Ledford who stood near the cannon when the powder ignited was thrown more than fifty feet His clothing was torn and burned entirely off and part of the skin on the forehead burned loose Charles Earwood and John Ingle are also seriously hurt and several others probably will lose their sight or be disfgured for fa
The age-herald., 1897-12-26
L. 4. ". Racing Board

Nsw York, Dec. 25.-The League of American Wheelmen racing board was in session all day, having under con- sideration the shortness of the track on which the recent six day race was held at Madison Square Garden. Testimony was taken but the decision of the commi ttes was not given out.
The age-herald., 1897-12-26
Again AnOat.

Delaware Breakwater, Dec. 25-The steamship James A Carney. from Mobile for New York, which went ashore on the beach opposite the marine hospital Thurs day night foated this morning, apparently intact. She proceeded to New York.
The age-herald., 1897-12-26
Germany Declines.

Berlin, Dee. 25.-It is announced that the German government declines to yield to the demands of the United States made during the reciprocity negotiations for re- duced duties on American animal products
The age-herald., 1897-12-26
SALE OF A WIFE.
Jefferson Parks Thought Si0 Too Much to Pay
 For a Woman.

Alton, H.. Dec. 25.-Mack Clayton and Jefferson Parks fought a duel to the death at the latters home this evening over a woman. Clayton used pistol and Parks a knife. Both will die.
 Two years ago Parks ran away with Clayton's wife. The men quarreled about this for a year. and Parks finally compro- missed their differences by paying Clay ton $l0 A quarrel over the sale of Clay toms wife caused today's killing.
The age-herald., 1897-12-26
McG,eun Rests Mckenzie.

Zanesville O., Dec. 25.-Kid McGlenn of St. Louis won the fight here today against George Mckenzie of Australia by a solar plexus blow in the sixth round. It was feared that Mckenzie was fatally injured, but he is all right tonight.
The age-herald., 1897-12-26

men at the other mine will so out Monday and that several of the other mines along the Cincinnati Southern will be affected The number of men interested in the pres ent strike is between 600 and 7O0
The age-herald., 1897-12-26

with autonomy to the insurgents in that province have been hanged in conformity with the decree of Gen. Gomez.
The age-herald., 1897-12-26
DROPPED DEAD.
E'ma Hodges Dies While On His Way to See
 His Fiance.
Speoial to The Age-Herald.


 Ashville, Dec. 25.-Elma Hodges, a sterling young man formerly of this place but now merchant of Birmingham, arrived here this morning to be married to one of Ash ville's most prominent young ladies. While he was walking down the street on his way to her home he fell dead from heart failure.
The age-herald., 1897-12-26

MT. Hodges is well known young man of this city and was connected with the firm of Hodges & Brooks who conducted a gen. eral merchandise business at 2217 Avenue A. He was about 26 years of age and has lived in Birmingham for number of years, coming here from AShville.
The age-herald., 1897-12-26

Peace Commissioners Hanged.
 Havana, Dec. 25.-Reports from Pinar del Rio to the authorities here say two com- missioners who were sent to propose peace
The age-herald., 1897-12-26
MEYER-MARX GO. WHOLESALE LIQUORS. And Agents for ANHEUSER-BUSCH BREWING ASSOCIATION.
 Complete Stock of WhiSkieS and Wines on Hand.

Dealers will find it to their interest to con- ult us before placing their Holiday orders, We duplicate any bill from foreign houses 11-21-eod-1m
The San Francisco call., 1897-03-14

Mexico about the year 11So. for from that
time or soon after their history seems to
have been intervoven with that OF the
Toltecs, a race OF people who seem to have
left records of history before the Aztecs
began to make evidence of theirs, although
the latter are declared by archBologists to
have antedated the ToItecs in point OF
residence in Mexico.
Owing to the indenEiteness which has
enshrouded the origin of this remarkable
people there has been any amount of dis
cussion and controversy among scientists
learned III archaeology as to the origin of
the Aztecs. While the belief previously
stated, that this race had Its birth in Asia,
was widely cherished there were many
who differed from the statement that it
was Immediately from Asia that the Az
tees came who settled Mexico. These sci
entists held that no matter where this
people came from in the first place they
had previously to entering the borders of
Mexico found residence in other portions
Of the North American continent.
Some declared the Aztecs found their
way to America from Japan. 1t certainly
is true that every year at least one Japa-
nese junk drifts from point close 10 the
shores of Japan to the California coast.
Instances of this sort have been known
where the Japanese fishermen who COM
posed the crew of the junk when she
started on her voyage have lived to tell
their strange experience. Therefore sci
ence has held that in some such manner
as this the original North American Aztecs
reached these. shores. No one has at
tempted to explain how they managed to
extend their wanderings according to
what several archaeological discoveries
have indicated. but there seems to be
scattered evidence, brought to light at
rare intervals. OF the residence in various
portions OF the country Of m mbers OF the
Aztec race in fairly good numbers.
All this has, of course, been very largely
theory, because the authenticity OF the
evidence referring to the Aziecs has been
frequently denied. At last, however,
there seems to be something tangible in
this Iowa discovery. That mere work.
man should be able to counterfeit the
Aztec characters and all that goes with
them is, of course, an impossipility. The
peculiar formation of the characters re-
ferred to shows, as Professor Moorehead
states, that they were not the product of
the skilled hand OF a scholar of any tribe
of the red Indians. Only thu Aztec him.
self or some one of modern days well
learned in the Aztec hieroelyphics could
have prepared the birch-bark manuscript.
The San Francisco call., 1897-03-14

Then again, the line in the process of be-
ing fired from the mortar ana the cbafing
it receives in the rigging OF wreck would
be apt to ignite the phosphorus. Phos-
phorus takes fire at few degrees above
the temperature of the hum an body. and
it would only be the natural result OF the
friction cansed by paying out the cable
rapidly to make the line ignite.
"Well, worked along this line for
long while, but finally managed TO make
a com biration of chemicals with phos-
phorus which l believe has entirely
solved the problem. The exact figure at
which the solution of phosphorus the
line is coated with will ignite is ia deg,
while the temperature of the body is 81
deg. Sumner /. Kim ball. general super
intendent of the United States Life-saving
Service, has been making thorough test
of my invention. He is not quite ready
yet to give the result OF his inyestiga ations,
but I am not feeling a all nervous because
of anticipating that my invention will not
be recommended to the Government for
adoption"
Persons who have never lived along the
coast or in the vicinity of the shores OF the
0'Sos A]oASo Ahoy Aihd ~ AoAS ~ A~"NASS
the full measure OF importance with which
Mr.. Plass' invention is burdened. The
lifeline is really the most important and
principal aid to life-saving Of which the
Government service can boast. More than
75 per cent of persons rescued from wrecks
are saved primarily if not directly through
the lifeline.
The mortar from which the lifeline Is
shot is OF bronze, with smooth TWO and
half inch bore, weighs with its car
riage 1856 pounds and carries shot weigh
ing seventeen pounds. This proiectile is
solid, elongated cylinder, fourteen and
half inches in length. Into the base
of this is screwed an eyebolt for receiving
the shotline, the bolt projecting suffi-
GENTLY beyond the muzzle of the gun TO
protect the line from being burned off in
firing. When the gun is fred the weight
and inertia OF the line cause the projectile
to reverse.
In discharging the gun any charge may
be used up to the maximum of six ounces.
There are three sizes OF lifelines in use
by the Government Life-saving Service.
range of 695 yards has been obtained
with the large line under favorable cir
cumstances, although it is not strong
enough to sustain the hauling of what is
called a whip line, or the lines which gives
the victims of storm and wreck immediate
aid and support in getting ashore.
It is estimated that the luminous life
line of NJ. Plass will be visible with as
much distinctness as if the light were
emitted from 56candle power electric
bulb. In that way, unless the storm was
too dense, the line would be visible Its en-
tire length from shore to wreck and the
watchers on the beach could tell just what
progress toward safety was being made by
those whose lives they were striving to