davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-31

headed tot of a girl as she ran into the
arms of Hugh Frazer. He smiled sadly and
spoke for a few moments to the little one.
A woman of about 40 years of age, with
tears in her eyes, met Collins. She was his
wife and was accompanied by her daughter
a not unattraetlve girl of probably 10 years
of age, who strongly resenbled her father
The party remained in Attorney Trotter's
office for some time. The door was closed
and Sheriff O'Brien stood on the outside.
The scene of distressed loved ones together
was undisturbed.
Nothing in Bessemer has created such
excitement in a long while as Monday
nights tragedy. ALI the morning before the
trial begun people linsd the sidewalks for a
block around the city hall and Jailor ALL
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-31
WITH A BANQUET
Newly Elected Officers of Birmingham Lodge
No. IS Will Be Installed

A large and enthusiastic meeting of Bir-
mingham lodge No. S. Knights of Pythias,
was held last night in it's castle hall in
Third avenue.
The most important business before the
lodge was the election of officers for the
ensuing term, which resulted as follows:
C. p. Beddow c. c.
w. s. Lopez, V. G.
w. K. Wilson, prelate.
w. Woof, M. of w.
w. e. Jordan, M at A.
H. e. Warner, M. of F.
H. w. Laird, K. of r. and 8.
J. M. Leigh, M. of e.
w. II. Leath, inner guard
]. H. Leath, outer guard.
II. E. Warner. member of the central re-
lief committee.
]. w. Webb, representative to the grand
lodge.
Trustees, E. P. Smith, C. P. Beddow, J..
Davidson.
The new officers will be installed at the
next meeting of the lodge on Thursday
night, when banquet will be spread in the
castle hall and general revival held.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-31
COLLTNS-FRAZIER
TRIAL TOMORROW
They We're AFraiSned Yesterday and Con-
tinuanC0 Granted.
DEFENSE WAS NOT READY
Much Feeling Over the Tragedy in BeSSG-
mer-D0tailS Discussed.
SAD STORY OF COLLINS'S FAMILY
One Daughter Led Astray, and Defense Will
Say This, With the Attempt to Lead
Another, Goaded the Old
Man on to Murder.

Tom Collins, charged with the murder of
j. L. Howell, in the city prison at Bes-
semer, on last Monday night, and Hugh
Frazer held as an accessory, will not be
given a preliminary hearing until Satur-
day morning. The case was called yes
terday before Justice Tillman and contn
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-31
ued at the instance of the attorneys for
the defense

ued at the instance of the attorneys for
the defense.
Justice of the Peace Tillman sat in the
court room in the building which serves
both as a city hall and place for holding
the Bessemer division of the circuit court.
other scenes have transpired in that court
room which made the preliminaries of a
murder trial seem all incongruous Cur
tains of cheap red and blue material roll
ed up and swung to rough cross pieces gave
a smacking of amateur theatricals which
have there been put on in days past.
The sentimental saw rollicking and
boisterous comedian making the lazy deni-
zens howl with laughter, stand where John
Collins stood, a man of hoary head, with
the odium of murder on his brow, a mo-
ment while he heaved a long-drawn sigh
and his hand trembled with lighted cigar.
When Collins sat down with eyes toward
the floor and few of the spectators cast
gances, just across the hall way in the
Jail where the fatal shot was fired and
young Howelrs life-blood ebbed away, the
companion came back CHASTITY and through
a film as it were, the spectators saw that
blue and red curtain rise the trial scene
of traditional tragedy with Tom Collins
stained with the blood of his felow-man
and Hugh Frazer accused of being an ac-
cessory, sitting apparently cold and stern
as the central figures.
The Court Room Was Packed
The hearing was set for 10 O'Clock. At
10: 80 the case was called and by solicitation
of the prosecution, 1t was continued until
H.
At 80 the court room was packed.
There was not vacant seat and carpen-
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-31
B. NJ. Allen, for the prosecution.
Plea For Continuance

Attorney Lpscomb, addressing "his
honor" said that the defense had made
earnest efforts to get ready for trial, but
had failed. He did not understand his wit
nesses. He explained that he meant by
this that he did not know what they would
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-31

ter's tressels and rough planks were
brought in to accommodate the audience,
which was composed of both whites and
negroes. Not word in jest was uttered
and the crowd waited with almost breath
less expectancy for the opening.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-31

come here and take 100000 out of the city
without paying any of 1t to the support OF
the city or state. He thought that the
merchants could Ill afford to pay per
cent tax on their business for this pur-
pose. ut would come out of the people"
he said, "and the hue and cry is that the
cost of living is already too high. The peo-
pie are crying cheaper gas, cheaper water,
cheaper groceries. cheaper rents, cheaper
everything"
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-31
Minister at Athens

Constantinop3e, Dec. 3o.-Rifat Bey, for
merly at Washington. has been appointed
Turkish minister at Athens.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-31

bright was kept busy refusing admittance
to the curious who wanted to see where the
murder took place.
Mr.. Albright was the man who let Col
Inns and Frazer in the Jail Monday night.
de was standing net five feet away when
Collins fired the shot from a 3S-caliber
Smith and Wesson revolver that ended
HowelPs life. He described the incident as
occurring so quickly that he hardly knew
what had happened.
Nothing Against Howell
Not a man in Bessemer had a word to
say against j. L. Howell, and there is much
i'll feeling over the manner in which he was
killed.
According to the details related by those
familiar with all the conditions the story
of the Collins family preceding the tragedy
Monday night is a sad one.
1t involves the downfall of a daughter
and details horrifying to those who live Sc
cure from the diabolical acts of the world.
1t is said that the counsel for Collins will
make plea based on the condition of the
old mans mind brought on by what he had
passed through.
1t is said that pugillst accomplished the
ruin of his eldest daughter with aecompa-
nying details rendering the case more re-
voting. Then it is alleged that he was
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-31

told that an attempt was being made to
lead astray a younger daughter.
In this connection Frazer is coming in for
a deal of criticism 1t is claimed that
Frazer bore tales to the old man, goaded
him on to the rash act and then stood by
while 1t was enacted.
Almost every man in Bessemer ap-
preached on the subject hold, however, that
Howell was shot down in cold blood, with
out the least opportunity of defending him
self.
The following witnesses will be intro
duced at the trial Saturday for the state:
q. l.. Albright, A. L. Wilson, Hugh Frazer
VIII Seal, Will Salone, John Ray, Lana
Williams, Virgie Young, Ike Owens, Tom
Albright DR.. Frank Prince, o. c. Clay
borne, DR.. L. A Spencer, s. III. King, Henry
Moses, D. McCreary, John C. Ware, Dan
Houston and B. D. Parsons.
For the defense-Mrs. Ellen Collins, Miss
Nellie Collins, T. r. Morton, Jim Horne. H.
w. Finn, Hugh Frazer and Charles Nord-
man.
The Trip to Bessemer
1t was $3.50 o'clock yesterday morning
when Thomas Collins and Hugh Frazer
were taken from the county Jail in custody
of Sheriff O'Brien and Deputy Waldrop.
Several persons walking along the street
spoke to the men, who exchanged greetings
pleasantly and did not appear to be nervous.
Once while Sheriff O'Brien was not present
Collins asked to be allowed to get drink.
This was refused by Deputy Waldrop, but
when the sheriff came he gave his consent
and both persons took a strong drink of
whisky.
The dummy left Second avenue at S:45 and
the party returned on the dummy leaving
Bessemer at las.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-31
BELLEVUE LODGE
Elects officers Last Night for the Ensuing
Term.

Bellevue Lodge No. 49, Knights of Py-
thias, held fine meeting at its castle hall
on the North Highlands. and among other
business elected the following officers for
the ensuing term:
C. w. Bailey, c. G.
w. A. Reynolds. v. c.
W. w. Ellington. Prelate.
d. C. Cantelou, Master at Arms.
w. L. Gossett, w. of w.
p. T. Wagner Master of Exchequer.
J. NJ Griffin, M. of f.
Fl. c. Miller, X. of r. S.
]. T. Lyons, representative to the grand
lodge.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-31
A Sensational Story

1t is said not to be unlikely that other
crimes and possibly darker ones will be
traced to the door of officer Rollo. This
story is being talked about, and high Off
Gals are said not to deny 1t:
1t will be remembered that the Surprise
store, in Second avenue, was frequently
robbed about one year ago and the torch
was applied almost as many times. This
store is on officer Rollo's beat. 1t Is al
legged that one night the proprietor of the
establishment remained in the store to
watch for the robbers or the fire fiends. 1t
was about l o'clock when 1t is said he de-
cided to go home. 1t is claimed that he
had locked the doors, but remained quiet
for a few minutes, when it was opened by
officer Rollo.
The proprietor is credited with saying
that Rollo then claimed he found the door
unlocked and went in to see what was the
matter. 1t is alleged that there are other
similar instances which form quite strong
chain of evidence in this case.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-31
ROLLO AGAIN BOUND OVER
Charged With BurgIarizing The
Brown Crockery Go,
CASE NO. 3 COMES UP TODA(
Story Is Talked About Which Connects the
Officer With Darker Crimes-Not De-
MED by High Officials.

For the second time yesterday Officer
Rollo was bound over on a charge of bur-
glary and grand larceny. His bond was
fixed at $780,
This second case was that of the Brown
Crockery company, and this afternoon at
2 o'clock he will be arraigned on the charge
of burglary and grand larceny from the
store of the Estes Stove company in Sec
ond avenue.
Attorney Hugh Morrow represented the
state yesterday and ]. T. Meade the de-
PENDANT. The affidavit charging officer
Isollo with burglary and grand larceny al
leses that he secured some silver-plated
SPOONS to the value of $3.50 and six silver
plated knives and forks valued at 50.
BY George e. Brown, of the Brown
Crockery company, the state had the sill
verware identified. The witness said he
was positive, because he was the exclusive
dealer in Birmingham of that particular
brand. officer Rollo had stated that he
bought the ware, but this the witness de-
MED
w. L. 1ileS, d clelh III the same store'
testified that he did no. make suc1Fa sale
to officer Rollo
Officer Gray was put on the stand, and
testified that the silverware was presented
to his wife. Capt. Donaldson testified that
Rolo told he and others that he purchased
the silverware.
Attorney Meade submitted the cose with
out introducing witnesses and consumed
most of the afternoon in his plea. He
based his argument on the ground that no
proof was ever shown connecting Rollo
with the theft more than the fact that it
was found in his possession.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-31

1--WE make this offer to introduce the
I highest grade Carriage Paint manu-
factured. It's ready for use.
Remit postal note or express money
order.
The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1897-04-09

Milton Reizenstein, a graduate student OF
the Johns Hopkins University, OF BaltI-
more, has prepared a monograph "a a thesis
for a degree which he expects TO receive
next June. He has chosen TOR his subject
the history OF the B. * @. X. X. from it, in
ception on the night OF February l2th, 1927,
when . OF the leading business men Of Balti-
more met at the home of Philip l.. Thomas
and devised means whereby the trade of
Baltimore with the West could be restored.
Ii was at this meeting that the company was
organized which afterwards built the H.. a q.
X. X. Mr.. Reizensteln ; monograph takes
up the history OF the road from that night
until tracks were laid TO Wheeling. ". Va,
in 1853. The 10Th anniversary Of the Il. 4 u.
X. l.. Co. was February 18th. 1897.
The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1897-04-09
A MIp.srREAM wnINLPoOL.


'truftion 10 houses, barns, gins, fenc.
Ing. live stock. etc. Fortunately the
people of the delta had taken time 10y
the forclock. and had either secured
their horses and cattle in high lands
DIT driven them out of the foothills.
No efforts are being made to stop the
breaks they have gotten beyond hui
man c~cntrol-and the work in that di-
rection would b. fruitlcss. but every
possible energy Is directed toward the
preservation and strengthening of
miles and miles o. mushy banks still,
standing.
Capt. J. J. Evans. president Of the
state railroad commission. and Warden
NcLaurin. of the pe~nitcntiary. re-
turned asst night from Greenville, in
which vicinity they had been for a
week or more directing the labor of
$50 convicts in preventing the
breaks and overfiows. They report
that the state farms. IL in all. are now
under water or will be by Tomorrow
and that the extent of the disaster is
beyond all computation. SO far the
levees around Greenville have stood
the strain; no breaks are reported
within less than ten miles on either
side, and as the river. on Of
The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1897-04-09

the aoce sufferers Was published hero
Sunday. The supplies. which were
shipped on the Belle Of Memphis VIII
be very welcome, and the local papers
are unanimous in praising the liberal
itv Of ~. Louis toward the stricken
pcoplc Of the lower Mississippi valley
The supplies are TO be distri buted
among the destitute OF all the neigh
boring places. and are sent TO Memphis
a the most central and bestequil ped
distributing point.
osccola and Marianne. Ark, are said
70 be in the direst need.
lnnumerablc refugees from the back
woods are gradually gaining the river
front. and unless rescued promptly, Will
perish from exposure and want.
The news that the rivers Of the north
are still rising has caused greattrepida-
tion here and further south. aud many
who have kept up their courage thus
far are weakening and travelling
for high ground. The long reach
between Memphis and Cairo. although
not suffering as badly financially
from the food as lower down. presents
more physical suffering and danger %
life than the flooded plantations be
tween here aud Greenyille. and tho
weather is far less propitiouS.
Snow. rain. frost and fog have ON
bined with the flood 10 complete the
most awful disaster which has visited
this district since the war. II is a blow
that the combined generosity Of the
people of the United States will be re-
CURED TO alleviate.
The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1897-04-09

four breaks above. has fallen nearly
two feet in front Of the city. there is
good chance that she will escape the
awful calamity that has been so
strongly threatened for a week.
News here this morning was that
Greenville was five feet under water,
owing to the break above, but private
advices received later in the Gay say the
town is still high and dry. Ira tiic on
the Yazoo * Mississippi Valley. a part
IF the Illinois Contra system. has been
suspended above Nick>hnrg. and there
is no telling when a train Will be able
to get all the way through again.
News from all points along the river,
Vicksburg, Natchez and other places.
is that the breaks above reduce the
-olune Of water in the main channel.
The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1897-04-09
MARCH AND APRIL
Are the Most Disagrecnbie Months nj
the Year I'm the North.

In the South. they are the p~leasantest ans
most agreeable. The trees and shrubs pa
forth their buds and flowers; early veg
ctablcs and fruits are ready for eating, an,
in fact all nature seems 70 have awakened
from its winter sleep. The Louisville 4
Nashville Railroad Company reaches TIA.
Garden Spots of the South. and will on IN,
first and third Tuesdays OF March and Apri
sell round-trip tickets 10 all principal point,
in Tennessee. Alabama, and West Florida
at about half rates. Write for advertiser!
matter and particulars OF excursions to {
L. Atmore. General Passenger Agent, Louis
Vile. Nv. or Geo. b. Horncr, ID. Il. A., St
Louis. Mo.
The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1897-04-09

district, know that the conditions can
he no worse from higher water. Al
ready they have suffered all the ills
that ruined crops, drowned cattle and
MONIES destroyed can bring, and the
horrors that confront those who have
had the hardihood to remain. are those
OF disease without the means or facili-
ties TO combat it, or death without the
attention or mitigating conditions that
can alleviate pain, or comfort the loved
ones left behind.
The prevalence of disease. resultant
from exposure TO the floods and un.
favorable elements. is appalling. OF
nearly 100 men. women and children
rescued by one expedition. "a were suf-
fcring with acute attack OF chills and
fever. three had pneumonia and two
were very low with plcuri>y. One OF
these is known to have died AZ Cairo
and the number of mortalities will fan
surpass the drownings aud other casu
elitics of the Hood.
The letter from Secretary George H.
Morgan. Of ~. Louis. announcing tina,
supplies from there werc On their wa,
~ Memphis for distribution among
The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1897-04-09
THE TRINITY RIVER FULL.
y forty-Foot Rise and Advancing u Foss
an Hour.


DALLAS. Tex. March 29.-An eror-
nous body of water Is flowing past
Dallas tonight. Trinity river has
risen to fully forty feet and is rising
now at the rate of a foot an hour, al
though no rain has fallen since this
morning. The overflow is doing vast
damage to farm property all along the
banks.
John Gist and Miss Ruby Smith were
drowned IN a branch OF the Trinity
near Era. in Cook county, yesterday
evening. The body of Miss Smith was
found to-day. Her father is an alder
mar OF Gainesville. Tex.
Railroad managers estimate the dam
age To property Of various lines in
Texas at not less than S500,000. M
trains can go south before tomorrow
on the Santa Fe, the Central, or the
Missouri. Kansas * Texas. Things
are being patched up 50 as to send
trains northward and eastward to-
night. The general property loss in
Texas from the storm j. estimated at
from 81. 500, 900 to So, 900, 900.
The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1897-04-09
The situation Worse Than Ever Before.

hhe >ttuAtton worse IMAM Ever before.
HELENA, Ark, March 2a.-The situa-
'tsoa here to-day is worse than ever be-
Gnre- The river rose 81 inches during
tine last "a hours and a stiff gale has
hss-z blowing. almost without n mo-
rscut's cessation since eight o'clock last
might
Mayor Fritzen issued a proclamation
dtsls morning reciting the dangerous
<rpodition of things and calling upon
ga able bodied men and boys to secure
srades and put themselves under
the commandcr-in-chief of the
iecce The proclamation met with
hearty and prompt response. and
nj this moment 500 or 600 men are
working on the levees while many
z~c on the hill filing a long line of
wagons with dirt To be conveyed 20 the
~eakest points. The levces are in
rvsei condition considering the long
The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1897-04-09

Sr. Louis. March 30.-Dr. Frankcn-
field, the weather observer here. says.
after making al exhaustive study Of
the situation
There is positively no danger OF a
Hood here at present. and there will not
he unless both the upper Mississippi
and Missouri food at the same time.
The Missouri right now has lots OF
room for more water. The upper Mis-.
sissippi is rising slowly, but can not
send down enough water To affect IT.
Louis | do not anticipate trouble
here
The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1897-04-09

| phis to Vicksburg give food readings
varying IL to 3 feet above any
| previously-rccorded readings. The
J feeling everywhere is one of great
uneasiness, and all state lcvee
boards are battling against rising
floods regardless of cost. As
yet no widely-sprcad damages have
been reported, though several breaks
in the levee about Greenville on both
banks have occurred. The levees are
severely strained at all points. The
commission will give all possible aid
The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1897-04-09
Ing the lcvecs. None are reported broke
in this immediate section.
Water Rushing Over the Lcvces tato tbs
streets of New Or;s las.

NEw ORLEANS, March So.-At Q a. m.
the Mississippi broke over the leyee az
the head Vaudeville street in the lower
district: ais 1t Hospital street direct
IN in front of the celebrated French
Market Building. The wafer is rush
ing into the streets. but so far IS not TO
any eNt,nt dangerous TO property.
From Algiers on the right bank
there is a cry for help to strengthen
the levees. which were seriously weak
ened by the high water and the severe
northwest wind during the night
The river rose here seven-tenths Of a
foot during the past "a hours. tits now
e~ight-tcnths Of IA foot above the 10
foot mark, which is the danger line.
The unusual rise has occasioned much
alarm
The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1897-04-09
a GLOOMY PROSPECT.

The Condition OF Affairs In the Ns-sissirp
Valley Grows Constantly More Exciting
aud d ~ Probable. that the Worst Has
Not Vet tsc.n Experienced NJ frrtnes
Efforts Made 10 stop IA breaks
JACKSON. Miss. March 3i.-The con
dition OF affairs in the Mississippi val-
ley grows daily more exciting. and IL is
probable the worst has o been ex-
perienced. one or two more big
breaks, one OF them 1000 feet wide. oc-
CURED in Bolivcr county last night and
the waters from that joining forces
with three other streams are now rush
ing towards the south. carrying de-
The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1897-04-09

OFFICIAL STATEMENT.

River. Gauges From Memphis tn vicIsbnrs
1i-s to 3 Feet Above Previous Records.
WASHINGTON. March 3p.-Gen. Will
son, chief Of army engineers, receiveda
telegram from Col. Gillespie, president
OF the Mississip river commission,
dated Nieksbnrg, sunday, as follows:
Gauges along the river from Mem
The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1897-04-09
SENT BACK TO JAPAN.
Hawaiian Government Asserts Its Right
tn Reject Undesirable Immigrants.

HONOLULU, March 2~3.-(>pecial cor
respondcncc.) Trouble over the at
tempted landing Of 61c japanese immi-
grants from the steamship Shinshiu
Maru has been ended by the dc, ~,arture
of That steamer. on the 2th inst. talk.
ing back 3i3 passengers. who had been
found by the Hawaiian authorities
not entitled to landing. The feeling
against the japanese. however. is con
stantly increasing AMI seriou, trouble
h likely 10 scur at any tina
The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1897-04-09

yesterday, bua there are no fears of =
food.
The heavy snow has been going Off
SO gradually that fears OF a heavy food
have about subsidized. except in one or
two localities where gorges or other
local conditions brought about floods.
The gradual melting Of the snow is
causing much moisture to sink into the
ground. promising well for the crop
season.