davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-24
REUBEN F. LEE
Sheriff Of Bumcombe County and One Of the
Democ attic Standbys A Man Popular
With All Glasses and a
Vigilant Officer.
Vigilant Officer.

Reuben f. Lee is one of the most
efficient and therefore one of the most
popular sheriffs Buncombe county has
ever had and this is saying good deal
when the fact is recalled that Buncombe
has had some very much admired men
in the sheriff's office. He was born IN
Shelby, Cleveland county, North Caro-
lima October s, 1855. His father was
a planter of that county and died when
our subject was thirteen years old. his
father dead, the support OF the family,
a mother and two sisters devolved upon
young Lee This responsibility prevent
ed his obtaining as thorough an educa-
ton as he desired Not discouraged he
manfully went to work and succeeded in
all Of his undertakings. He lived upon
the farm until ten years ago. He was
deputy sheriff under John Rich in 1857
and in 1889 he moved to Asheville and
secured a clerkship which he held for
five years. In 1894 he was deputy tax
collector under ], III. Weaver and held
this position three years I'm the spring
of 1897 he VAS elected chief Of police
and served one year, the Legislature
abolishsng the office. The next year
he was elected captain Of police and IN
the fall Of 1898 was elected sheriff.
Sheriff Lee is a Democrat of the
ssIrue Blue" stripe and does as much for
the party as any other man in the
county
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-24
BROWN, NORTHuP 4 CO,
Jobbers and Dealers in Iron, Nails and Build.
ers' Hardware, Largest Concern Of
Its Kind in Western N, c.

The hardware trade forms one OF the
most important lines of trade IN any city
and Asheville is to be congratulated that
it has such a representative house Of the
kind, for it is one of the most extensive
establishments in the State. The store is
a large and commodious one, being 2Gx
$50 feet i'm size. 1t is filled with a
complete stock of hardware, such as
iron, nails and builders hardware. The
business was incepted in 1890 by the
present firm, Messrs. II. Il. and Il. ".
Brown have been in business in Ashe-
vile for nearly twenty years Mr..
Northup has been connected with the
firm for nine years. The firm are exclu-
sive agents for T. and #. Corbins hard
ware company, who are the recognized
leaders in the manufacture of builders
hardware. They are also exclusive
agents for other manufacturers. The
business of this admirably conducted es-
Establishment extends all over Buncombe
and adjoining counties.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-24

In 1899 he was made cashier of the
the Western Bank, and after the expira-
ton of two years was made cashier of
the Battery Park Bank.
Mr. Rankin has served Asheville as
mayor three terms. For twenty years
he was a member anu chairman of the
Board. He is the receiver of the Ashe-
vile Street Railway Company and is
considered one of Asheyille's foremost
citizens.
Prudence and mastery ability having
marked the course of the Battery Park
Bank, in the past, ample promise is
given for its future. The writer is glad
to be the medium to here tell for and
OF the BAN. as richly merited by 1.-THE
writer's voluntary tribute to the worth
of an estimable institution and an adj
mirable set of gentlemen. l know that
Asheville people, as a rule, will join any
smp.e but friendly closing words to the
Battery Park Bank-"May you live long
and prosper, for your prosperity is also
the prosperity of Asheville-the people
and the State"
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-24

where the display stock is car
ried. The house, besides supplying
the city trade, does an ex-
extensive iobbing business all over
Western North Carolina, and is the cy-
elusive agent for Tyson and Jones Bug
gy Company, Troy Works Buggy Com
pany, Studebaker Bros, Owensboro
Wagon Company and others. 4 full
line of medium and high grade harness
is also carried. Mr.. O. B. Wright is a
native if Illinois and came to North
Carolina three years ago. He considered
an establishment of this kind essential
to the progress and advancement of
Asheville and under his able manage
ment it is certainly widely advertising
the city and he will steadily hold and
increase its standing and Importance.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-24
A Prominent Member of the
Bar of Western North
Carolina and a Law
yer of Marked
Ability,
Appointed Solicitor Of the Criminal Court of
Buncombo County in March 1898. He
Has Made an Ewiable Re-
cord n The Position
cord in This Position.

Chas. f. Webb, one of the leading
lawyers Of the Asheville bar was born
in Warrenton, this State, Nov. 4, 1866.
His ancestors have lived for long
time i'm Warren county, where his faith
er, a. s. Webb is now a prominent
planter The family has always been
an influential one, Col. Tom Webb at
one time being president of the Atlantic
and North Carolina Railroad. His
mother was Anabelle Moore daughter
of the Rev. Junius T. Moore, a very dis
tfnguiShed North Carolina minister of
the Methodist denomination.
Chas. A. Webb, after the customary
period in the common schools, attended
the famous Webb School Of Bellebuckle,
Tenn, for awhile and in the fall Of
1856 entered the North Carolina State
University, from which institution he
graduated in 1880 winning the Wylie
p. Mangum medal for oratory and
standing second in a class of twenty
three.
In 1889 Mr.. Webb went to Asheville
and accepted a position i'm the city
graded schools and taught two years.
In 1891 following his natural bent and
being thoroughly imbued with the idea
Of becoming a lawyer he took the sum
mer law course under the late DIR. Man
ming and Judge Shepherd at the State
University and on receiving his license
to practice in the fall of 1891 located
in Asheville. In 1892 partnership was
formed with IyhOs. A. Jones' the firm
being Jones and Webb which lasted for
one year from January, 1898 to Feb
ruary, 1898, he practiced alone but on
the latter date a partnership was formed
with Julius G. Martin which still con
tinues
In a biographical sketch Of this kind
much could be said about the man him
self In mental qualities he is direct
and practical. His methods have been
those of a keen observer and student
Of wide experience combined with ex-
tended reading and acute analysis. His
memory is remarkable, retaining an al
most ineXhaustible store of transac-
tons and information, and enabling him
to reproduce the details of remote events
with surprising accuracy and ease.
When occasion demands Mr.. Webb is
capable Of intense concentration: and
when some important point or abstruse
legal principle is to be brought out he
brings the matter to a heat so as to
shape it perfectly to the controlling con-
ditions A most striking characteristic
of his personality is his executive abili-
ty, the ability to influence, a mastery of
things and grasp of all the means by
which any thing is to be accomplished
He Inherited the traditions of the old
school and has applied them to the cir
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-24
HOUGH & ROBERTS
KimbaII oinaos, Pipe and Reed Organs Musl-
cal instruments of All Kinds, Re-
pairing Etc.
pairing Etc.

In the above firm, Asheville has a
music house that will compare fayorably
with the best found in much larger
cities. This firm started in to do the
business Of Asheville, and Western
North Carolina or at least their share OF
it and the first step made was 10 handle
only the best instruments and upon this
basis they have worked, their sales
have increased until NOW the Hough
and Roberts music house is looked upon
almost as a necessity. They handle the
celebrated Kimball Pianos, of which
they are exclusive agents and Pipe and
Reed organs and the best makes of all
kinds OF musical instruments. The trade
of the house extends all over Western
North Carolina A mail order depart
ment is sustained. The house has been
established four years and is ONE of the
most valuable in the State.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-24
AheviIIe's Popular Postmas-
ter, Who Has Given the
City One of the Best
Administrations
1t Has Ever
Had.
APPOINTED POST MASTER
In May 1896. Notable Improvements in All
the Departments. Brief Sketch of Major
Rollins Who Has Been Intimately
Connected With the Growth and
Development of the Old
North State.

Major w. w. Rollins, Asheyille's post
master and enthusiastically one of the
foremost citizens of Western North
Carolina. was born in Spartanburg. :.
G.. July 18th, 1888 His father L. j.
Rollins. was distinguished Baptist
minister of South Carolina who moved
from South Carolina to North Carolina
in 1886. settling in Macon county, but
after four years residence there moved
to Buncombe county His mother was
native of South Carolina. The subject
of our sketch was educated at Hoods
Academy. in Buncombe county, at the
Messy Creek, Tenn, Baptist College
and at Mars Hill in Madison county. lie
received a good general education which
was sufficient to prepare his mini TO
grappIe with the stern realities ana
grave problems that were to come UP
In his life. Major Rollins has deserved
and achieved the success which he has
attained in business, by ais untiring en-
ergy. unsnllicd integrity, purity Of life,
amdability and unselfshness, aud Il
kindness and a Hberality which are wor-
thy of admiration and imitation By al
II Ii difficult to 0veTestimate the 1nfiu-
encc for good Of an example such rs
his upon young men embarking IN BUSH
ness. lie served with distinction under
General Stoneman In the United States
army during the civil war. In 1865 he
settled In AsheyilIe and engaged in the
mercantile business which continued for
twelve years. III 1870 he was elected
President ~ the Western division Of the
Al. and N. q. Railroad. Beginning Mt
the bottom round he thoroughly IA
togliar4zed himself with the various de-
vaytmeuts VI railroad work step by step,
aud 10 successful and satisfactory was
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-24
Plumbing, Steam and Hot
Water Heating, Gas Fit
ting, Gas and Steam
Filters Supplies,
Gas and Electric
Fixtures.
ESTABLISHED FIFTEEN YEARS
The Largest Establishment Of Its Kind in the
State, Known All Over The Western
Part of the State, No Better
Enninned in the South.
Equipped in the South.

Among the most enterprising business
houses of Western North Carolina whose
extensive operations and we'll established
reputation entitle them to most favor
able consideration, we note with pleasure
the one above named. the character and
extent of whose business furnishes
fitting example of that class of houses
whose success is the best evidence that
can be offered of the claims of Ashe-
Vile to the consideration of the pur-
chasing public.
The house was established fifteen
years ago by Rich & Boyce and through
successive changes the firm became j.
r. Rich & Son. Two large stores are
used in the conduct of the business. The
store room and plumbing shop is 2Sx110
feet and the building used for storage
and steam and hot water heating as TX
75 feet.
The firm is not only prepared to do.
but are doing. adj kinds of work, such
as plumbing. steam and hot water heat
ing. gas fitting. etc. as they are as well
equipped for this work as any house in
the south. They also carry large and
complete stock of plumbers, gas and
steam filters supplies, gas and electric
fixtures. Numerous examples could be
cited of work recently done in Asheyille.
This firm a. the plumbing, gas and
steam fitting in the magnificent Dhrumor
building, ALSO for the Oaks Hotel and
other buildings too numerous to mention.
The house does the largest business of
any similar concern in Western North
Carolina. Mr.. J. r. Rich is one of the
founders of the business and his son, Mr..
7. l.. Rich, has been brought up prae-
tically in the business. They are men
of the highest standing and all business
satisfactory.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-24

Ask who J. ]. Mackey is and the an
swer will be, 1.-THE most popular man in
Buncombe county" His popularity is
confined to no class, 70 rit embraces all
classes. He is the idol of the Demo
Gratis and even his political opponents
in a heated canvass speak well Of him.
He is not liked for the enemies he has
made, for he has never made any. He
is the man that everybody wants to
meet and know, the man that carries
everything before him in an election,
while his political opponent, IN mo
ment of enthusiasm, exclaims, "Hurrah
for Mackeyw He was born in Mellow
ell county in 1915 and consequently has
seen a good deal of the world. His grand
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-24
11e!)

father came from Ireland more than one
hundred years ago and after stopping
in New York for a few months went
to portion of what is now Mcdowell
county and bought the property upon
which the family lives today Mr.. j. J.
Mackey oeing the principal owner. The
father of our sketch was Charles Mackey
and his mother, Mary Jane Jordan, both
Of Mcdowell county Our subject was
educated at Weaver College and enlisted
in the army in 1864, and served till the
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-24
R. M. WELLS, ESQ.
A Prominent Member Of the AsheyiIIe Bar and
Progressive and l. huentiaI Citizen.

One striking feature Of the profession
al life of Asheville is the large number
of young lawyers who have gained
prominence at the bar. Prominent
among these is Mr.. r. NJ. Wells, who
was born in Buncombe county in 1870.
His father is r. c. Wells, a prominent
planter and stock raiser of Buncombe
county. The family was originally from
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-24
w. III. WESTALL.
Dealer in Lumber, Laths, Shingles, Sash,
Doors, Blinds. Etc

This business was established by Mr..
Westall eleven years ago. The yards are
located at the freight depot, the
grounds being about two hundred feet
square. He deals in lumber, laths, shin
giles, sash, doors, blinds, mantels, mould
ings, glass CRATES, builders. hardware,
sash weights, cement, plaster. lime, hair
and building material generally He does
both wholesale and retail business and
It Is probably the largest business of its
kind in the State. The offices are at
Nos. 16 and Is Spruce street, IN large
and elegant new four-story brick strnc-
tllre.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-24
S. L. MCKEE.
Scientific Refracting optieian.

DIR. Mckee was born in Wilmington,
n. c., in 1866 He graduated from
the Spencer Optical College of New
York city, the largest and best equipped
school Of optics in the United States, IN
1895, and subsequently studied in Phlla-
delphia. He located in Asheyille Jan
nary, 1899. lis office is at No. 40
Patton avenue.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-24
RI 4 DIJNII.AiAI.

Mr.. Durham has had charge Of this
business since January ]. 1898. lie
manufactures high grade Biltmore Bicy-
cles and makes a specially Of repairing.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-24

close and subsequently, attended Weaver
College another year. Beginning in 1871
he was guardian Of the poor Of Bun
combe county for six years. In 1882 he
moved to Asheville and engaged in the
mercantile business until elected regis
ter of deeds in 1888 He was subse-
quently elected to this office four times
in succession. Was not nominated in
1896, but in 1898 was a candidate ana
again reelected.
low and member OF the Junior Order
of American Mechanics. He has
pleasant home in Asheville, an interest
ing family and is a member Of the Meth
odist church.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-07-11
TWO BURNED TO DEATH.
THE EXPLOSION OF A CAN OF TURPEN-
TINE SETS FIRE TO HE'S
TER-ST PAINT SHOP.

An EXPLOSION at o'clock yesterday afternoon Of
some paint material in the painters supplies ana
wallpaper shop in the two-story frame ouiione On
the northwest corner OF Forsyth and Hester sts'
resulted in the terrible burning OF the proprietor
Abraham Finkelstein and the pathetic death oil
his wife and son Isldor.
The building faces Hester-st. h1 the front is the
shoe store Of Liebowitz Brothers. whose stock was
badly damaged by FIRE The paint store runs
through the building with entrances both on FOR
syth and Hester SITS. the regular one beihg On
Forsyth-st The neighbors say that Mrs. Finkel-
stein was IN the store with her husband and niue
son when the explosion occurred. big can OF
turpentine that the man was using near the gas
stove exploded and despatched him with name
His wife seized him by the arm and dragged MIN
into the hall adjoining the store. Here 1t i sup
posed they became confused between the darkness
OF the hall and the smoke. and he happened 70 run
in the right direction and escaped through the
Hester-st entrance. His wife ran back TO the foot
of the stairs where the fremen' after the hIe
was out found her burned body and that OF her
boy. Isdor.
AS Flnkelstein fed from the building his clothes
shot UP a mass OF flames. Shrieking with agony
and blinded by the flames he ran hither and thither
in a crowd Of astonished peop.e who had gathered
in the street until he fell exhausted on the pave
ment Edward NJ. Happen. jr.. an inspector OF the
Sixth Division Second District. Of the Street
Cleaning Department. and few other persons ran
others Brought out mattress from No ll2 Hester
st Later Finkelsten taken to Gouverneur
Hospital
The entire house full OF smoke and flames
when Policeman Miller. OF the Eldridge-st station
sent in an alarm OF fire. He also sent calls Tor
two ambulances Policemen Miller Schelp and
Stella tried to get through the building, but they
were prevented from doing by the sunocatlng
fire and smoke The. police made a search OF the
neghborhood and found the other children or
Finkelstein They Esther. ten years old. who
goes out to work Jacob. twelve years old; Goldie
ten years old; Sarah. eight years DID, ana Bernard
six years old
The little jewelry shop Of H. Heller adjoining the
* h,,f.I cd
ia mes Smon's place next door at No: l23 Hester
st was damaged by fire A hasty estimate or the
damage done TO the stores and building places the
loss s. 900.
A man by the name Of Goldman. who saw the
fire start seized a syphon from saltwater stand
in front OF building and sQurted II on the fire
through the doorway but the effect was ridicu-
lousy unavailing.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-07-11
MUCH SUFFERING IN TEXAS.

GOVERNOR sAYREs DOES NOT UNDERSTAND
EFFORT TO BEILTTLE THE FLOOD DAMAGE
Austin Tex July 1O-Governor sayres ana d
CORPS Of assistants have spent the entire DAY WORK
ing in behalf Of food sufferers up and down 'he
Brazos River bottoms. Reports from the strlcheh
district to-day are to the effect that WINE the
waters are rapidly recedng. the condition OF the
food sufferers is improving little. The Governor
received official reports from Nelasco the southern
most point that everything was in fairly good con-
dition there. with % feet Of water prevailing he
has received n telegram from the citizens OF
Hearne. stating that they had fought alone as long
as they could and would have TO ask pubic
aid that all the property in that section has oeen
laid waste they starving and homeless ana
needed money food and clothing Their wants VIII
be supplied at
County Judge Bell at Belleville telegrapned that
there were twelve hundred sufferers In the coun-
ties along Mills Creek and ten hundred In the creek
bottom in absolute need From numerous other
portions Of the flooded districts similar reports
came pouring in
Governor Sayres stated to-day that the effort on
the part of some to belittle the damage attendant
upon this food actuated by motives that ne
could understand; n in his long resi-
dence in Texas he had seen worse calam-
ity befa its people and that from reports he had
at his disposal he led 10 believe that the
amount OF suffering would be extremely great.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-07-11
s. WELLS PHILLIPS.

Greenport. Long Island July lN-s. Wells
Phillips a prominent Long Island newspaper man,
will be buried tomorrow afternoon. The funeral
will be held at his home. In Main-st this village
He died Saturday. Three weeks before his
death Mr. Phillips wrote a long article for a news
paper and It is thought that the energy thus ex-
pended hastened his death. he had been in falling
health for several months
He born in Sag Harbor on February l. BZ9-
He was the son OF Samuel Phillips, who was the
founder OF The Republican Waterman" weekly
paper Of this village. which was established in Sag
Harbor in 1926 In 1874 The Waterman" plant
was moved to Greenport. where The Waterman
has come from the presses regularly every Satur-
day morning since. Mr.. Phillips when thirteen
years old entered his fathers printing ONCE. He
remained there until 1856 when his father retired
and he assumed full control OF the paper FOR two
years when II was sold 10 the present owner and
proprietor, Henry A. Reeve
the First National Bank OF Greenport; ana wa:
one of the organizers and the first president OF tht
Peoples National Bank. also OF this village ~
was the secretary and treasurer OF the SUMO,
County Harmonic Society which was dsbanded u
1872 For thirty-fve years he was the organlst anc
chorster OF the Presbyterian church OF this village
In 1851 he married Miss Helen Case, daughter OF
Captain Nathanal Case, who sailed the nrst Wnal
ing ship 70 leave Greenport.
Mr. Phl9s was a Democrat Of the Jenersonlar
tvne He leaves a widow. sister, Mrs. William o
P6cers of New Orleans La, and a married son
Frank 7. y. Phillips. OF Greenport
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-07-11
CHARLES MALI DEAD.

Charles Mall, for forty-two years Belgian ConSu'
in New-York died at his home NO, 30 VINO" s.
prooklvn. Yesterday morning at 10 o'clock MS
death was the result OF pneumonia, from whcn ne
suffered only short time. Mr.. Mall was born IN
Verviers Belgium in 1873 and came 10 me UH.'eu
States in 1874 to join his elder brother VINO had III
1901 founded the house OF Henry ". T. Mall CO.
,n,norters At the time OF MS death he was senior
partner in the firm. He had lived IN brooA.y" -.
fortv-Ave years He appointed Consul IN 3d.
after the death OF his elder brother. he was uec-
Grated with the cross OF chevaler Of the order
~ IaonoId. and later with the cross Of an ohhcer
- ~ order On May 3, 1892 the occasion being
the twenty-hfth anniversary Of his service as con
sul he was honored with the civic medal OF the
srs e Class He was appointed honorary Consul on
December 80 1898. his age then causing ms rsuIte o
ment from active duty. He was president OF e ene
Relctan Benevolent Society and honorary pres
de19 ~ the Belgian Mutual Beneht soclety-
T'Irnion Beige-one OF the Oldest members OF ne
Ebanher OF Commerce director for years IN the
Sn-rosn- A merican Insurance Company, ana a
nnen1ber of the Reform. Civic and Tuxedo CLUBS;
NJ Mali was charitable and liberal, OF quiet dis
nosition snd greatly liked. The funeral VII De
held tomorrow morning at 10 o CLOCK AZ the OhuIch
~ 81 Charles Borromeo. In Sidney Place.