davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The age-herald., 1897-08-17
"GOLD STANDARD" MELONS.
Watermeons Which Look Like Pumpkins, but
 Are the Real Thlng

The latest of the "gold standard" pro- ducts is that of th@ gold standard water
 m lon. which bears that name. It is
 yellow, resembling very much in color
 that of an orange. The vine is also yell
 low and to those not familiar with the
 subject, would naturally suppose that
 both melon and vine wer- of the pumpkin
 family.
 One of these melons was exhibited in
 the city yesterday by w. S. Montgomery,
 a truck farmer, residing not far from
 the city. The sead of the "gold stand
 ard" melon were bought by John L. Par
 ker, a druggist of this city who saw
 them advertised about a year ago in an
 agricultural paper. MT. Parker bought
 the seed more on account of the novelty
 of the name than anything else. He
 afterwards gave some of the seed to MT. Montgomery for the purpose of testing them and see if they came up to the standard named in the advertisement The average weight of the "gold stand | ard" mslon is from six to eight pounds. | The rInd is very thin and the meat ex- ceedingly red and seeds very black. The first two melons taken off the farm of MT. Montgomery were respectively
 named Grover Cleveland and William Mckinley. "Grover Cleveland' was
 brought to this city Saturday and in the presence of a number of invited | guests all of whom were "gold stand- ard'' people, and mostly employed Sn l the postoffice, was cut open. The cere- mony incidsnt to the opening of the melon was very solemn, as many of those present were sure 1t was a pumpkin and | not a melon, and did not believe it to be i the latter until they saw what was lin 1 it." To their astonishment it proved | to be real melon just the same as the | old fashioned ones.
 William Mckinley will be looked | "in to- on the day that MT. Hughes takes possession of the postofice and at that tm+ another crowd of "gold standard" gentlemen will be present at the feast. all of whom it is expected will be very hungry.
The age-herald., 1897-08-17
The Next Grand Jury.

Y Active preparations are being made for the approaching term of tlse grand jury in the criminal court. The jurors have been drawn and will begin their inqufr- les into the cases tIha. may be drawn to their attention on September 9th. The yenire is as follows:
 T. H. Robbins. precinct '; J. J. STOW. precinct 27; w. s. Brown, preicinc f; 21; w A. Simmons, precinct 33; Isaac Price, pre- cfnct 34; Emil Lesser, precinct 37; Will liam Jenkins, precinct 36; w. L. Delaney, precinct 3; Amos Vines precinct g; J. M. Barber, precinct &; P. M. BanksiJon, pl--- cfnct 23; David Scott, precinct 25; Ed ward Brewer precinct 13; J. z. Hanson, precinct 2; Henry Loller prec.ndt 19; E.. J. Bfbb. precinct r; H. c. House pre- cinct 22; T. V. B. Moore, precinct 10; Jas. A. Kirk, precinct 33.
 There will be no grand jury organized in the cilcuit court in Be-semer during the term.
The age-herald., 1897-08-17

killed Tubbs on the Fifth avenue road. near Thirty-third street. It is averred that the accident was due to earelessness on the part of the driver.
 Th= accident occurred on July s, at which time two of the teams were racing out on the road and Tubbs attempted to cross the street. He was struck by one of the wagons and so badly injured that he died in a short time.
 Tn re was also filed another suit by Underwood Daughdrill vs. the Birming- ham Railway and Electric company. It is for s2,500 damages. The bill alleges that the plaintiff was standing at the East Lake station waiting to board an approaching train in line with many other passengers and that he was pushed against the calr by the rush of thos= be- hind him. It was a day when the park was crowded and large number of peo- pie were waiting to catch the same car. It occurred during the encampment of the Third r sgiment.
The age-herald., 1897-08-17
A CALERA BURGLAR CAUGHT.
Police Officers Make Find of the Stolen
 Watches.

Sunday afternoon Officers Perdue ar- rested William Baker, a negro on a charge of being wanted in Calera for grand larceny. It is said that Baker stole several fina gold watches from the dealers in that town. Deputy Sheriff J. IS. Randall, of Calera, came up to this city Sunday and Identified the negro. He took him back to Calera Sunday night but returned to Birmingham yesterday to try and find the watches. The negro gave the officers quite a long chase from Second avenue and Sevente snth street, thence to Fifth avenue and the same street before he was captured.
 Th@ officer caught him under a build. ing.
 When taken to the station and searched a ladies chain and mans watch was found on his person. The watch was valuable one and was identified by Mr.
 ndall It was afterwards ascertained .-lat Baker had exchanged fineer watch for the one that was found on his per- son. A case, with the works removed was found in a pawn shop by Deputy Randall and the works were found in another case. There is a watch at the headquarters that has not been iden- ti6ed. It is said that a negro from Ca lera came to this city and found Baker. after which he informed the police of- ficer.st, Et.l,+.f e-s
The age-herald., 1897-08-17
coNGREsSMEN AND SENATORS
Enroutc to the Funeral of Senator ]. z. George
 in Mississippi.

The Southern from Washington. which arrived in Birmingham last night at 1o:10 bore a portion of the senatorial and en- gressionat committee which will attend the funeral of the late Senator J. z. George, of Mississippi. A special of two coaehss, a Pullman and day coach, was made up here and sent speeding on it's way toward Carrollton, by way of Winona over the Southern.
 The special was in charge of Travs1ing Passenger Agent A. A. Berry, of Atlanta. On board were Assistant Sergeant of the House Jonas, Representative Money, of Mississippi, Senator Pettus and Con- gressman Underwood, of Alabama, who got on board here. Congressman Bank head will join the party. and Representa- tives Fox and Private John Allen, of Mis- sissippi, will join them at West Point. Senators Bate and Hurley, of Tennessee, are expected to board the special at Winona.
 The special car pulled out of Washing ton Sunday night at 10:45, and there being no senators and representatives in Wash ingten, it was difficult to get the commit tee appointed by Vice-Pregident Hobal t together on such short notice
The age-herald., 1897-08-17
4 -YEAR-OLD GIRL Who Was Modest and Refined
 In Court SENT TO THE MERCY HOME An Accompce of the Alley Boys Behind the Bars-Bob Garland Institutes Habeas
 Corpus Proceedings.

Yesterdays session of the inferior crlm- inal court was marked by an unusual oc- eurrence. The last case on the docket was one against Alice Sanders, a 16-year old white girl for aggravated disorderly conduct. She is not bad looking girl and does not possess that look of dissipa- tion that is common among the women who find their way to the prison bar Az though she is not an attractive girl there is an appearance of modesty that seemed On this account it was deemed best to try and save the girl from a fate worse than death if possible, and it was sug- gested that she be sent to the Mercy was no fine assessed in her case. An effort will be made to reform her.
 Griffin Skinner, cruelty to animals; s. Skinner is one of the dog catchers and has not been any too careful with the way in which he handled the dumb brutes that happened to fall into his hands,
 E. J. Johnston, white man, assault and battery on Sam Curry; $5.
 J. B. Matthews, embezzlement of $2.50 from Sid Sims, and larceny of a gold watch from s. l.. Sims; continued until the 18th. -.'afs
 Annie Perry, assault and battery on Jim Robertson and violation of section 569 of the city code; $10.
 John Glenn, burglary and grand lar eeny; bound over to the grand jury under bond of $500. Glenn is supposed to be the companion in crime of Ed Johnson, the negro who was caught in the act of burglarizing the jewelry store of P. H. Linnehan.
The age-herald., 1897-08-17
DEATH OF JAMES SHANNON.
One of the Best Known Furnacemen Died at
 Efsley Sunday Evening.

James Shannon, one of the best known furnacemen in Birmingham died Sunday night in Ensley City. He had been in the furnace business for more than twen- ty years and, from a low place, rose to the highest. He was furnaceman at the large Ensley furnaces. The imme- diate cause of his death was typhoid fever. He was about 55 years old.
 He was a native of Ireland and came to this country early in life. He had been in the Birmingham district. for over twenty years and had gained the confidence of his superior officers as well as the esteem of the public. For a number of years he was in charge of the lOxmore furnaces. He leaves a large family. his wife having died some years ago. Those left behind to mourn his death ars a married daughter, Mrs. Lee, of this city; John, Misses Annie, Kate and Bessie, and three younger children.
 The funeral will be held from the Church of the Advent this morning at 10 o'clock with interment in Oak Hill cemetery. A special train over the Ensley dummy line will bring the re- mains into the city at about o'clock.
The age-herald., 1897-08-17

by congress. Representative Underwood stated that this was not mentioned. but that the secretary of the navy had in- strueted the ordnance board to investi- gate this. Mr. Shook advised that the analysis of Birmingham steeel be com pared with the specifications furnished the government by the Carnegie people.
 Chairman Rhodes thought the commit tee should go to Washington and invite the ordnance board here. In case the board visits Birmingham Col Rhodes was made committee of one on enter tainment.
 The committee tlpsn adjourned to be called together again when instructions from the ordnance board are received.
The age-herald., 1897-08-17

self. She seems to be very simple-mind- ed and is giving the officers considera- ble trouble. The only name she has been able to give is that of Maggie, which she tells by the one syllable Mag"
 She left the Southern train yesterday morning in the railway station and seemed to be greatly surprised that no one met her. She continued to look around and finally went into the ladies waiting room, where she sat all day. She seemed unable to tell anything about herself but presented letted addressd ito the chief of police which was signed by "A Friend" The letter stated that the girl was on her way to Wordell and ask ed the chief to see that she was sent on her way The letter was dated at Car diff, this state and seemed to have been written yesterday.
 About o'clock last night the girl was moved to police headquarters by Captain Wright the railway station watchman, where she remained until about 10 o'clock and was seen by an Age-Heraid reporter. She sat in the chiefs office and amused herself by looking at the peo7 ple passing through the alley. She had several apples which the officers had given her.
 All efforts to have her talk proved un- availing for some time, but finally she said her name was Mag" and that she lived with her father, whom she called "Pa." As to where she had been and where she was going she seemed to have mo knowledge. When asked her age she said that she was "ten," although she looks older than that by several years.
 She is a fair looking girl with an at- tractive face, but was continually laugh ang in a half-witted way. Her hands gave evidence of having done considera- ble household work, and she said she had been used to doing the work at home. When pressed to give her fathers name she gave her peculiar laugh and pro- nounced the one word, Dan" All eff forts to get further information proved fruitless as he seemed determined not to talk or she was unable to do so. With her other infirmities she seemed afflicted with an impeachment in her speech.
 AS to who she is or why she was sent in the strange manner that she was is causing the officers considerable worry and they do not know what to do with har. At a late hour last night she was Taken to the Mercy Home by Officer Me- Cullom. Chief Mcdonald had made ar arrangements with the matron of the home Ito take care of the homeless waif until something could be learned about her. She submitted to the removal in the same nnmindful way that she seemed to accept every change in possibly the most event. ful day in her short history
 She was dressed in blue and white gingham dress, tan belt and slippers, and hat that was somewhat aged and the worse for wear. Her face and hands were clean and pretty dimple was visi- ble in her left cheek. All in all she was mot an unattractive little girl and she aroused the sympathy of every one with whom she came in contact.
The age-herald., 1897-08-17
County Jail.

The entries on the blotter of the county jail are as follows for the past thirty six hours:
 Clint Hathaway, two cases of grand larceny, brought in by Deputy Sheriff w. I. Love, from Rockford. It is alleged that Hathaway is an accomplice of the Alley boys who were arrested some time ago for stealing cows and selling their hides. The Alleys were bound over to the grand jury on four charges under an aggregate bond of $1,200 An appli- cation for a habeas corpus was denied one of them a short time ago.
 John Glenn, burglary and grand lar ceny, was brought up from the inferior criminal court by Deputy Tom Jones. He is the alleged pal of Ed Johnson, who was caught robbing Linnehans .jewelry store a few nights ago.
 Jessie James, alias Townley, a young colored girl, was brought in by Deputy J. R. Carroll from the Bessemer divi- sion of the circuit court on a charge of adultery.
 Will Johnson was arrested and brought in by Deputy Robert Hillhouse on a charge of grand larceny.
The age-herald., 1897-08-17
Early Morning Row

A well-known young man named John around the depot Sunday morning. He became involved in a quar- o'clock. He became involved in a quar- rel with negro named Curry and, it Is said, struck him in the eye, at the same time applying severe epithets. The ne- gro ran and Johnson pursued him down Twentieth street. He met Officer oldham and excitedly offered him s1O to catch the negro, as he wanted to kill him. The negro found Officers Kirkley and Rollo near Third avenue and filed a charge of assault and battery against Johnson, who was under the influence of liquor. Johnson admitted that he tried to catch the negro for the purpose of>beating him, but denied having struck him. He was put under bond.
The age-herald., 1897-08-17
Danced aft Hawkins' Springs.

IA large number of young people went out to Hawkins Spring, on the Bessemer and Birmingham railroad, Saturday n ght and were joined there by number from Besssmer, and most enjoyable time was had tripping the light fantastic until a late hour. The music was good, the weather all that could be desired, and al came away pleased with their trip. flaw kins' Spring is becoming quite favorite place for dances.
The age-herald., 1897-08-17
Still in Jail.

Yesterday afternoon an applfca tton for release on haibeas corpus proceedings was made by Bob Garland before Judge M T. Porter. Ga,land was in jail for abus- i've language on a warrant cut of a jus eice court. The question involved was the same as decided by Judge Sharpe some time ago, in which 1e held that a justice could not bind prisoner over on a warrant recurnable to the criminal court. At Isle hour last night Garland was still in jail.
The age-herald., 1897-08-17
A Broken Knee.

About noon yesterday Jud Gaston, a negro switchman, employed on the Lou's- ville and Nashville railroad, met with a very serious accident at the crossing on Eighteenth street. As is customary with old railroad men, he stood in the center of ahe track in frorl, of an ap- preaching engine, in oAdsr 10 step on the front running board. As he att mp.ed 10 step upon the board his knee was struck by projection and broken.
The age-herald., 1897-08-17
Finishing Department Resumed

Thirteen hundred men are now at work at the plant of the Birmingham rolling mills. Two guide mills the bar mill and the old sheet mill were started yester- day morning. The steel made by the basic open hearth furnace is being used and the results are satisfactory. The pudding department of the rolling mills at Gate City was put in operation yes- terday and before the end of the week the finishing department will resume
The age-herald., 1897-08-17
Fell From a Car.

George Grain. a regro, was severely bruised by failing from a box car on Eighteenth s,rset sly the railroad crossing. Pe is a swjtchman, ard was on top of the .ar at ending b his lu4i,s. A hand-hold to which he was clinging gave way and he fell to the ground. Warmers -Smiley's ambulance was carled and removed him to tha Wisonl & Brown infirmary, where it was found that he was badly bruised, btu. otherwise uninjursd.
The age-herald., 1897-08-17
will Go to Nashvilla

Rev. J. M. Watson. who has been pas tor of the First Christian church in this city for two years past. hos announced his intention of going to Nashville to accept a position on the Gospel Messen- ger an organ of the Christian church. MT. Watson has made an enviable repu- tation in Birmingham and his congre- g'ation will regret his departure. His successor has not yet been selected.
The age-herald., 1897-08-17
The Corporation Tax.

The county has decided to return it's share of the compensation tax, as Judge Brickell, of the supreme ccu.-, has de- c,ded that the law pgesed by the last leg isia ature is uncorE.1 1.utional SIS far as the county is concerned. All persons who have takeri out licsnsas under that act are requeited .oi return same to the pro- bate cou.t for the rebate due according to Judge Brickecls rulrg.
The age-herald., 1897-08-17
TWO DAMAGE SUITS.
Administrator Pinkard Against C. M. BurkhaI- .et ter-Suing the Electric Railway.

In the city court yesterday there was filed a suit by Andrew Pinkard, admin istrator of the estate of John Tubbs, vs. C.. M. Burkhalter & Co.,, for S2O,000 dam ages. It is alleged that a driver in the employ of the defendants ran over and
The age-herald., 1897-08-17
Behind the Ears.

Deputy Sheriff w. l. Love brought in Clint Hsltkaw1y from Roc,sford whera h. had been captured early yesterday morn ing and locked him up in the county jail He is the alleged pal of the Allen boys, who are in jail on the charge of sealing cows. Hathaway was captured several days ago. Two charges of grand larceny were placed opposite Hathaway's name on the register
The age-herald., 1897-08-17
A New President.

Division No. ?, Ancient Order of Hiber- nlars, held an important meeting Sunday afternoon. President B. B. Martin, who has held that position for quite while, rendered his resignation. He intends 10 leave the city probably going to Kansas City, MT J. J. Curran, the market clerk, was elected to succeed him.
The age-herald., 1897-08-17
Real Estate Transfers.

Deeds to the following realty trans actions were filed for record in the pro- bate court yesterday:
 Tom Stobert to J. D. Monroe, east half of lot 1, black 13, according to the survey of the southeast quarter of the south west quarter of section 20 township IF, south of range 8, west; $179. 5+et'
 James D. Monroe to Tom Stobert, the above property; 179.
 D. M. Tutwiler and wife to James Findley and wife, one-half acre in east half of southeast quarter of section 22, township 16, range 4, west; S330. '7
 Thomas P. Gere to P. A. Orton, sheriff's deed to lots g and 10, black BOT, and lot Il, block TIT, Bessemer; $1,O67.
The age-herald., 1897-08-17
Marriage Licenses

Only two permits to wed were grant ed out of the probate court yesterday and they were to M A. Teens and Miss Han
 ey, and Arlie Barber totA1iss Weesie Lee.
The age-herald., 1897-08-17
THE CITY.
The Correct pnte.


 In the announcement of the opening of the Howard college last Sunday the date was given as Sept. 1. when it should have been the 21st. Prof. F. NJ. Roof, the chairman of the faculty, is very busy answering correspondence, as to the ap- preaching term and says that the out look for a successful year is very bright.
The age-herald., 1897-08-17
HOTEL ARRIVALS.
At the Florence

R. P. Prowell, Tuscaloosa, Ala; R. H. Wright, Mobile, Ala. F. P. Blake, Jasper, Ala; R. P. Crockett, Nashville; J. S. Doyle, Knoxville, Tenn; T. H. Tutwller, AGamsvi.ae, Ala. ;C J. Frank, New Plea s. ar,t, Ala; Wm. Johnson, Cincinnati, O.. {; A. w. Stanley. Chattanooga, Tenn; Ed Ransom, Chattanooga; F. G. Clark, Cin- cinna.i, Ohio; G. tx. Gould, Memphis, Tenn; J. D. Rigg, Selma, Ala; Jas. J. Banks city; J. c. Robinson, North Caro- lira; F.. J. Patton. A,taanta; w. F. EpIs. Memphis. Tenh.; 1T. L. ChEdress. Chat stauooga, Tenn; Mrs. M. A. Banks. Att lanta. Ga.; A. E. Herring. Atlanta, Ga. J. T. Jones, Atlanta, Ga; P. O. OByrne, ely; A. J. Hausard. Chattanooga, Tenn. Jno. s. Going, city; Vim. Hunt, city; W. A. Rainey. Atbarta. Ga; A. M. Hale, Chicago, Ill.,; ID. F. Hoover, Atlanta, Ga. i; J. E. Tate. Chicago, Ill.; Sterling A. Wood. Montgomery, Ala; Peter McGee, Kansas City, Mo.; w. D. Clayton, Col lege, Texas.
The age-herald., 1897-08-17
PREPARING FOR DEATH.
The Convicted Trio of Decatur Rapists Making
 Ready for the Gallows.

The three negroes Rosa Buford, Lewis Thompson and Walter Neville, who are under sentence of death at Decatur and who are confined in the county jail in this city for safe keeping, are preparing temselves for death They spend many hours of the day in prayer and with the exception of Neville are resigned to their fate. Neville has had his case appealed to the supreme court and hopes for a new trial.
 Rosa Buford told an Age-Herald re- porter last night that she would take no appeal but would die on the scaffold al- though she was innocent. She denies any complicity in the crime and says that she was in Nashville at the time of the crime. Her story is one that cannot be printed, but she says she was arrested because she had fallen out with the father of the little girl.
 She says that the house in which the Lawtons resided had four rooms and that hers was next to that of MT. Lawton. The little girl was favorite Of hers and the eldest daughter. She says that she does not know anything about the crime nor does she know if the two men are guilty. She says that when she mounts the scaffold she will die at peace with the world and her Maker, and that she will still persist in her innocence. The two negro men in jail for the same | crime refuse to talk. The death watch | has not been placed over them as the | sheriff has been waiting for the twenty | days allowed for a notice of an appeal l to be filed to expire. When that time elapses the death watch will be placed over the trio and not be removed until they take up their last journey to, De- catur where they will be executed.
The age-herald., 1897-08-17

Fred Billheimer, of Columbus, Ohio, is visiting his brother, c. M. Billhsimer.
The age-herald., 1897-08-17

MT J Friedman left Sunday for New York He will be gone about six weeks.
The age-herald., 1897-08-17

Dr. T. M. Allen has returned from a pleasure trip through Virginia.
The age-herald., 1897-08-17

Claude Phillips and Ed Patton left Sun- day night for Rhinehart Tex.
The age-herald., 1897-08-17

Lawrence Lowe, of El Reno, Oklaho- ma, is visiting the family of his uncle, Dr. R. M. Russell
The age-herald., 1897-08-17

Mr. and Mrs. A. s. VanDegrift have returned from a trip to California and other western states.
The age-herald., 1897-08-17
All Three Have Appealed.

Decatur, Ala. Aug. l6--tSpeciaD-- Judge Mathews, attorney for Rosa Bu- ford the negress who was recently con- yicted of conspiracy in the criminal as- sault case of Nellie Lawton, today filed notice of appeal This puts all three cases before the supreme court. The att tornsy simply went upon the record and filed no bill of exceptions as was done in the cases of the two boys. Lewis Thompson and Walter Neville. '7