davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The age-herald., 1898-01-09
IS OURRANT DEAD ?
Queer Incidents Surrounding the Execution Was He 'Rairoaded" Through to
 Ills Parents Alive2

Is Durrant dead? He was alleged to have been hung at the California state prison on Friday, the Sth.
 Yet there are those who have grave doubts as to his death. Certainly the ''ex- ecution' took place in legal form, sur rounded by Illegal witnesses" but every one who has witnessed stage hanging and understands how it is done can readily see how easy it would be, with the con- nivance of the officers and physician, to impose upon the witnesses to the ''execu- tion" and the public at large.
 All the circumstances surrounding the last days of the prisoner and the actual "exe- cution'' were so suspiciousy novel as to create doubt in the minds of the public who take this view. In the first place, only a few days before the execution Durrant had completely collapsed yet when the day arrived, after the prisoner had arranged satisfactorily for the disposal of his body, he walked as carelessly to the gibbet as if he had been going to take a bath. The body was not to be looked upon after the execution, except by the physician, but turned over immediately to the friends of the cuprit.
 Money can do good many things. Only the other day shoe merchant in Cincinnati was being pushed to the wall by creditors. He had fine stock of shoes, but could not realize fast enough at retail to meet his obligations. So he hunted up the buyer of the Messrs. Drennen, proprietors3 of the great department stores of this city, and stated his position The buyer made an offer for large lot of picked goods and got them. On next Tuesday they will be thrown upon the market at the department stores at about half their real value. The Cincinnati merchant was closed the next day by his creditors, but it is said 'he came out all right"
 If the money of Durrant's friends saved him, 1t Is only another illustration of the power of the Almighty Dollar when yielded by experts.
The age-herald., 1898-01-09
STATUE WITH A WARDROBE. A
Figure of Nude Boy in Brussels Has Nine
 Different Suits.

From the Kansas City Journal.
 One of the most curious things In Brus- sells. a thing that must be characteristic to some extent of the temper of the peo- pie, Is the little manikin statue and foun- tain. It is a statue of naked boy, said to have been erected by nobleman whose lost son was found on this spot. But there is not the least excuse for the boys nak- edness, for he is weM supplied with cloth ing of many sorts, and is rich enough to buy more suits occasionally. Louis KY. decorated the statue with the Order of the Holy Ghost, possibly at a moment when another sort of spirit had possession of him. and 1t is the owner of nine handsome costumes belonging to different periods. On fete days the boy is gorgeously clad; sometimes in old French costumes, some- times in the uniform of the Guard Civ ique. All this Is funny enough. but not as curious as the rest. It is the fashion for wealthy maiden ladies of Brussels to fall in love with the statue and remember it handsomely in their wills. Through one such beQuest this petted boy is provided with valet at a salary of $40, and a short time ago another unwedded admirer left $200 for the completion and mainten- ance of his wardrobe.
The age-herald., 1898-01-09
A Bit of Enterprise To Be Commended.

There is but few things that Birming- ham is behind the procession in, and in great many she leads. We have before us 6 copy of Amzi Golden Companys beau- tiful Illustrated and descriptive seed cata- logue for 1898 It is, indeed, handsome catalogue of Il l hundred pages, bound in an elegant hunographed cover in seven colors. There fls not a single southern seed house whose catalogue approaches it in beauty, simplicity and thoroughness. This firm conducts the largest seed house in the south, their business extending all over the south and west where they have built up a large trade through their catalogues and salesmen. It will pay any one who is in terested to secure copy of their cata- lOeue
The age-herald., 1898-01-09
Newspaper Owned By a City.

Dresden owns a singular piece of prop erty. It is a morning newspaper, the Dresdener Anzeiger. This daily paper, upon the death of it's last proprietor, was willed to the city upon the condition that all profits arising therefrom should be spent upon the public parks This year a large playground of nearly eight acres was purchased from Prince George, the kings brother and heir apparent, and it will be ready for use next spring. The paper con- tinues to hold the respect of all citizens, for the trust has been ~A arried out in the broadest spirit, and the paper has never been employed to foster any school of opinions. ti.
The age-herald., 1898-01-09

Most of us dress to please other persons, and even then, 1t must be added, rarely succeed. The late Prof. Fawcett objected on principle to make himself uncomfort- able by dressing for dinner, but he had very charming way of disarmipg criticism and propitating his hostess. He had up- stairs, he would assure her, an excellene dress suit, for which he had paid high price, and if 1t would be any satisfaction to the company his secretary would bring 1t down and display it. But one has to be Prof. Fawcett to carry off such an idio- syncrasy as this. At many dinner parties the guests have been asked as much on account of their clothes as their wit-the man without wedding garment in the parable apparently had no compensating distinction of intellect.
 A good dinner story tells how Dean Stan- ley once arrived at table with one side of his collar Tapping in the air. During the meal his hostess asked him if he was aware of its condition, and if he would like any assistance in restifying it. "Oh, mo-" he replied, genially, '1t broke while was dressing. I don't mind. Do youf" These are the men one envies.
The age-herald., 1898-01-09
soIid Train off Bakinp Poydor.

There left Richmond on January 6 via the Southern Railway solid train consist ing of thirty-five carloads of baking pow der, from the Southern Manufacturing company, consigned to various southern points, The train is being run special and Is dropping cars off at various points en route. When it reaches Birmingham this morning there will still remain eighteen cars for distribution to New Orleans, Mem phis and Mississippi points. This is the largest shipment of baking powders ever made at one time. Each car bears a large sign extending the length of the car ad- vertising the goods, and showing destina- tion of same. Such an unusual train is being watched with great interest all along the line from Richmond. sss
The age-herald., 1898-01-09
Hanging n Bull.

From the Cornhill Magazine.
 About the year 1913 bull belonging to farmer of Noisy killed a man, whereupon Charles. Count of Valois, ordered it's arrest and trial, which took place accordingly, and the animal was condemned to be hanged. But the order of the Hospitallers claimed Jurisdiction over the village, and apepaled to the parliament against the judgment. The latter confirmed the verdict, but de- clared at the same time that the Count of Valois had no Jurisdiction over the terri tory of Noisy. The bull was hanged in due course. The council of Worms de- creed that, in a case where a child was stung to death by bees, the whole hive and it's contents must be burned
The age-herald., 1898-01-09

The waterway between the sea and the mineral district of the state is an indeh- nite quantity in many minds. All want 1t and expect to live to see 1t. But Col. Hor- ace Harding has been over every inch of the proposed waterway. He knows great deal concerning 1t, and from hls stock of information some points have been gleaned by an Age-Herald reporter.
 To begin with, says the Colonel, the waterway is much longer than an airline. or even the railroad line to Mobile. The distance by rail is 275 miles. and the water way shows these distances:
 x Miles Ship channel, gulf to Mobile. ............. 30 Mobile and Tombigbee rivers to Demop-
 OliS.. ...... m ..z3U Demopolis to Tuskaoosa. Warrior river..1SO Tuskaloosa to Locust Fork. ................ Al Up Locust Fork to K. C., M. & B.
 bridge. ........ ...................... 10
 Tota1... ... ...... ......... ...........452
 
 By means of locks and dams in the up- per river, and by removing snags in the lower rivers. and by dredging in Mobile bay. it is proposed to have twenty-three feet of water up to Mobile, and six clear ACCl uboNO tiat Cily, up u lle tA S.t Hl oS B. bridge, so that tow boats and barges drawing that much water can go and come in all seasons of the year. Towards ac- complaining this task, the government has already expended s4,629,752 and just about that much more is needed to make the out lay up to date available and valuable. A great deal of work must yet be done in overcoming shoals between Demopolis and IuSkllOOSa. aDOVa TusIya if f. ter of dams and locks-slack- water naviga- tion.
 Consider, if you please, the rivers open, and tow boats puffing along with their clusters of clumsy coal barges-what will be the gain? Above Demopolis the river is narrow and the tows must be small. At Demopolis the barges can be put into larger tows, requiring, of course, more powerful tow boats. The distance from Mobile the mouth of Locust Fork is just about 400 miles-407 miles, to be exact. The distance from Pittsburg to Cincinnati is 300 miles, and four round trips are made month in coal-towing. It is certainly reasonable to assume that three round trips could be made each month on the Warrior waterway. The modern steel barge will carry at least 800 tons, and the normal Warrior tow will certainly be at least four barges. The monthly expense of tow boat should not exceed $1 200 To be safe, estimate it at $1 ,5OO. Three trips of 2,0O0 tons each make 5000 tons, at trans portation charge of $1,500 or 25 cents a ton!
 The cost of mining coal in this district ranges from 371a to 40 cents By adding 25 cents for outside expenses and manage ment, the total cost becomes 621a to 65 cents ton. Steam coal is delivered in the dis trict at 75 cents to $1 ton. At present Mobile dealers deliver run-of-the-mine coal to vessels at $1.8O to g per ton of 2OOO pounds. This is Birmingham coal, loaded up with railroad freight rates. Take from this selling price 70 cents, the saving in
The age-herald., 1898-01-09
SPEED OF THE HORSE.
A Claim Is Made That He Can Beat the Speed
 of the Antelope.

From the Chicago Times-Herald.
 A man on a horse is twice a man. He feels more secure, is braver Is in every way more formidable. European officers know this. In clearing the streets of Paris only cavalry are used. We call out the infantry of the militia and have to shoot people. In Europe they use the flat of a sword held by mounted man. No un- armed body of humanity will stand the impact of horses. They melt before the charge like snow It is the uncomfortable instinct to get out of the way, and to do it as soon as possible. Some day we will grow wiser on this side of the Atlantic Just now we have fifty infantry companies of militia to one of cavalry. Many of our militiamen are unable to pay for the keep of a horse, which is expensive, even if man does the currying and bedding with his own hands. Many others of them would not know what to do with horse if they had one. This is bad, but with the trolley and the bicycle crowding the steed of our fathers closer and closer to the wall there is not much chance that 1t will be bettered. Five hundred years from now, unless all signs fail, gray-headel college professors, with piano-leg calves and eigh- - extinct animal and reconstructing him for the benefit of students from piece of stife and front -ooth.
 I believe that the horse is the swiftest r,s imal in the world. One hears strange tales of the speed of the antelope, the white-tailed fawn, the springbok, the ele- phant, the jack-rabbit and the wolf. The fastest of these Is the American antelopel and i have never seen one that a good pony could not best. As fort the rabbit OF any kind of deer, the horse will simply run over him. Taking into consideration the fact that the horse generally carries more than 150 pounds of rider, saddle and gun, one gets an idea of how much .u- perior he is. A speedy pony will outrun greyhound. I have seen this tried. It is customary among men who use them to give the dogs all the law possible in order to avoid riding over them. In hunting with a brace of very good coursing hounds five years ago it was foucd that there were five ponies in the marty which would out foot the dogs. and one of them. grey of undoubted mustang ancestry. if given the bit would do his best to run over them and kill them. He did not like them. They belonged to his owner and he was jealous.
The age-herald., 1898-01-09

notable men cannot elevate. we see Ithe collected fruits of bossism in American politics. In the abler and fnore virile character of the house of representatives we may see the people more truthfully, the interpretation of the middleman. The decline of the senate has kept pace with the rise and progress of the boss.
The age-herald., 1898-01-09
Clothes.

From the Cornhill Magazine.
 have always liked the story of the old fellow, who at home dressed badly. because every one knew him. and badly hen he travelled because no one knew him. He was one of the few men who have had courage to dress to Slease themselves.
The age-herald., 1898-01-09

Everybody who can buy reads The Age-Herald. If you have anything t9 sell adver- tise it in Tie Age-Eerald.
The age-herald., 1898-01-09
The Latest.

son Turkish Baths. over Gelders restau- rant. 110 20th street. sss
 1-8-9-12
The age-herald., 1898-01-09
Hermitage.

Leave orders for Hermitage, the sign writer, at the Delmonico restaurant or Tho Age-Herald.
The age-herald., 1898-01-09
TO CURE A COLD IN ONE DAY

Take Laxative Promo Quinine Tablets. All druggists refund the money if 1t fails to cure. 25c. 9-23-91s.
The age-herald., 1898-01-09

No other preparation equals Hoods Sars- aparilla for purifying the blood and ressor- ing health.
The age-herald., 1898-01-09
THE CHARM OF II TRACTS
Fascination of Washington to a
 Great Many Congressman.
MOST LIKE LEGISLATIVE LIFE
Striking Instance of the Contrary in the Person of Judge Granger. Who Felt That the Two
 Years of His Career Were Lost

Special Correspondence of the Age-Herald.
 Washington, Jan. 8,-Is there a fascina- tion about the life of a congressman? Most people fancy there is. Whether there is or is not the congressman alone can de- termine. Certain it is, that one term does not always beget desire for second term. A striking instance of this was the con- gressional career of Miles Toby Granger. In his native state of Connecticut he had been judge of the supreme court-a judge who had carved his name among those of the most distinguished jurists of the state. He presided at the celebrated Malley trial, and bore a striking resemblance to Gen. U. s. Grant. There was nothing super ficial about him. He was as solid in in- tellect as in texture and practice of the law. In conversation, as on the bench, he was never frivolous nor did he ever waste a word. No more adjectives or adverbs were used than was necessary to convey an idea And withal, he was one of the most lovable of men, because he was obliging and attended strictly to his own business. The house of representatives, however, had no charm for him. Day after day he sat well back in his seat, twiddling his thumbs and listening to discussion. His regard for the proprieties of the house forbade his using the pen while it was in session. He uttered no complaint when importuned by constituents to run through the depart ments. Nor did an avalanche of pension cases dismay him. He listened to the in- terminable flow of words in debate, at first with attention then with weariness, but he never retired to the cloakroom. He seemed to be anchored to his seat, and to take the proceedings of the house as a pun ishment in the discharge of a duty. At the end of his term he said he felt as though he had lost two years of his life. He was so dissatisfied that 1t would prob ably have taken yoke of oxen and log ging chain to drag him back to the capi- tol.
The age-herald., 1898-01-09

of a stove
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-12-04
BUILDING NEW FOUNDRY.
Birmingham Machine Company Adding
to Its -operty.

The Birmingham Machine and Foundry
company at East Birmingham Is preparing
to build a new foundry to their plant,
which will be the most complete in the
south. The building will be 1oOx2OO feet in
size, and viii adjoin the companys ma
chine shops ON the east. The present ma
chine shops of the company will not be
torn down, but will be used for different
kinds of castings than those that are now
made in it.
The contract for erecting the building has
been let to the Southern Bridge works of
Avondale, and the work will begin at once.
The building is to be fire-proef being made
entirely of iron and brick 1t will be
equipped on the interior with electric cranes
such as are used by the Howard Harrison
Pipe works at Bessemer, which, by the
way, is not foundry proper. There will
be a number of other of the most modern
foundry appliances. such as are had by no
other foundry In the south
The company will continue turning ont
its sugar machinery and the largest sized
engines, of which it makes a specially Ths
new foundry will enable the company to
make a larger number OF castings a day.
and thus turn out their work much faster.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-12-04
THE GRIDIRON CLUB.
Notable Dinner Given to Distinguished
Guests.

Washington, December 3-The Gridiron
club tonight gave a most notable dinner.
entertaining distinguished guests from the
United States, Europe and other parts of
the world. In the company were the presi-
dent, vice-president, members of the cabi-
net, the ministers of Costa Rica, the pre-
mier of Canada, the entire joint high Amer
ican-Canadian commission, General Garcia,
the most prominent officers of the army and
navy, senators, representatives and many
other distinguished men. More than LOO
people were assembled in the beautifully
decorated dining hall of the Arlington hotel.
The dinner was in a measure conducted on
lines of compliment and honor to men who
distinguished themselves by both land and
sea in the late war. Oyations were given
to the president, Admiral Schley and Gen
eral Shafter when they rose to speak. AL
though the dinner was upon the lines In
dicated, wit and burlesque were cleverly
sipterspersed with the patriotic sentiments,
so that at all times the guests were never
allowed to get away from the Gridiron
method of conducting a dinner.
Remarks were made by the president,
vice-president, the president of Costa RIGA,
Lord Herschell, Sir Wiifred Laurier Sec
rotary Hay, Secretary Long, Postmaster
General Emory Smith, Admiral Schley,
General Shafter General Garcia, Captain
Sigsbee, Senator Lodge and others.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-12-04
.EFFRONTERY OF
FRENCH COMPANY
Representatives Sent to Washington to
Block Legislation.
FORMER SENATOR MILLER
DlSCIOSeS the Scheme to Prevent ApprO-
priation for Nicaragua Canal.
BY SIMPLE EXERCISE OF CHEEK
The Panama Company Hopes to Keep
Congress from Giving Money to
Construct the Waterway
Under American Control.

New York, December 3.-Ex-Senator War
ner Miller, who was formerly at the head
of the Nicaraguan canal commission, in
public statement today touching the fact
that representatives of Panama Canal COM
pany are reported to have gone to WASH
ington, supposedly to oppose the building of
the Nicaraguan canal, said he looked upon
it as IAN astounding piece of effrontery
on the part of the French company
Mr.. Miller then said: 1.-The American peo-
pie will have no canal under any auspices
save their own, that of their own govern
ment, and if the Panama canal is ever
built it must be surrendered to the control
of the American government"
Mr. Miller reviews the organization of the
old Panama Canal company, its work in
the United States to block the Nicaraguan
scheme, and the formation of new Pana-
ma Canal company for the purpose Of
keeping alive the concessions from Colom-
bia.
Continuing, he said:
Now, when there seems to be great
probability OF the United States govern
ment aiding the Nicaragua canal enterprise,
the new Panama company appears upon
the scene to procure or prevent legislation,
not with a large amount of money, but by
the simple exercise of cheek. They are un-
dertaking to fool the American people with
the proposition that Panama is the proper
place TO build a high-level canal and locks,
which DeLesseps and the congress in Paris
declared not feasible in Nicaragua. Presi-
dent EIulin claims to have solved the here
tofore unsolvable problems in connection
with the Panama route
Conflicting Statements
"The Culeba pass has been found, accord
ing to his statement, perfectly easy of ex-
ecution. But commission of French en-
gineers, sent over by the French govern
ment, soon after the failure of the cid COM
pany made most yoluminous report which
| have recently examined and | do not find
anywhere in it that the commission has
ever said that the route is feasible. They
all say that If certain possible contingencies
did not happen the canal might be con-
stfucted for something like 81 100, 900. This
Mr.. Hulin had whitfield down to $l0Q, 900 900. .
Mr.. Miller then enters into an analysis
from an engineers point of view of the diff
ficulties to be overcome in the construction
of a Panama canal and concludes:
"In support of the claims of Mr.. Hulin
and his assistants, we have only their
statements. They admit openly that they
have come here, not seeking aid, but for
the avowed purpose of persuading our gov
eminent or congress to do nothing in favor
of the Nicaragua canal. They know very
well that the moment it is decided by the
American people through its government
that the Nicaraguan canal shall be built,
they can no longer procure money from
the confiding people of France to be wasted
in an impracticable scheme"
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-12-04
CURE A COLD IN A DAY

CURE "A GOLD In "A DAY
Take Laxative Bromo Quinine Tablets. All
druggists refund the money If it fails to
cure. Csc. The genuine has L. B. O.. on
each tablet. 9-1-Sm