davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The age-herald., 1899-07-07
LETTERS LEAVE
 BIRMINGHAM DAILY
This is an Increase of 30 Per Cent.
 Over the Past Year.

Over 40,000 letters are now handled daily by the Birmingham postofice. This is an increase of thirty per cent. over the num- Der handled last year.. and is considered one of the best evidences of the citys growth.
 Figuring on this basis, within three years Birmngham's population will be doubled It cannot be said however, that this large amount of mail includes that sent out from the suburban towns for really all of them have postoffices, and outside of the fact that they are required to report their money order business to the Birmingham office, they are entirely independent.
 To handle this enormous amount of let ters, three distributing clerks and two can- -cellers are required. Two of these clerks distribute the day mail and one handles that which comes at night. These letters are very rapidly distributed a cancelling machine being used to assist in the work. Up to this time the department has only allowed the Birmingham office a machine to cancel stamps and stamp the name of the sending office on the addressed side of the letter, the receiving postoffice mark having to be stamped on the back by hand. The business has increased so fast, however, during the last year that an other machine will be allowed.
 Two Million Annually
 The money ortel- business of the Bir- mingham postoffice amounts to about s2,- 000,000 annually. To appreciate the enorm- ity of this business, it is necessary to fig- ure out how much that amounts to in one day This would be s5,479 daily, or about $600 hour, as there are nine working
 hours day in the money order depart
 ment.
 This is about two and half times as
 much money order business as is done by the Chattanooga off1ce which is Birming- hams nearest competitor. Chattanooga handled more registered packages last year than Birmingham, but this can pc iments of soldiers were encamped there during that time, the soldiers sending their money and many presents to distant homes. No accurate figures could be gotten on the number of special delivery letters handled daily by the Birmingham office, but 1t is increasing rapidly. It is remark able that so many people do not understand the uses of special delivery stamps. These are merely intended for a speedy delivery of the letter, but hundreds of persons send money in special delivery letters thinking | that the ten-cent stamp nsures safety | This is not true. Money is safer in a reg | ular letter than in a1special delivery letter
The age-herald., 1899-07-07
SENATOR MORGAN
 AND THE GOVERNOR Will Be Asked to Speak on
 Board ot Trade Day. UNDERWOOD ALSO i. INVITED The Stores Will Be Closed Early and Fire Department and Public Ofd-
 cials Will Participate in
 Cr4rd Parade
UNDERWOOD ALSO i. INVITED

The Board of Trade Day celebration, which will take place on July 25, promises to be one of the most successful fetes ever held in the city, and will undoubtedly be- come a permanent attraction.
 A joint meeting of the suburban train and excursion committee and the retail trade committee of the Board of Trade was held yesterday afternoon in the office of Sec retary Ryan in the Chalifoux building to perfect arrangements for the celebration and to map out programme
 The meeting was called to order at 3:3O o'clock by Chairman Klotz with the fol- lowing members present: J. D. Collins, August Kirsch, Louis Saks, John w. ONeill, Joseph Loveman, John w. Ander- son. Marcus Wiel and William Rosenthil.
 The details of the celebration were dis cussed, and it was decided that the mer- chants be asked to close their stores at 4:9O o'clock D. m. in order that they might participate in the parade, which will take place at , D. m.
 The Invitation List
 Invitations will be extended to the mayor and board of aldermen, the police commits sion, the Commercial Club, the local mill tary the police and fire departments and other organizations to take part in the pa rade and to participate in the other festivi- ties.
 Invitations will also be extended to Sem ator Morgan, Governor Johnston and Con- gressman Underwood to deliver addresses upon subjects pertinent to the commercial interests of the city.
 While all arrangements are not complete the festivities will in all probability be held at East Lake, where races and other amusements will take place, followed by grand display of fireworks at night.
 The railroads have granted one-fare round-trip rate, good to return until the 26th, from any point within radius of one hundred miles, and it is expected that fully 15,000 people will attend the celebration.
The age-herald., 1899-07-07
BOY WAS GAI E l
Emptied Revolver at Thief in Water
 Melon Patch

About 10 o'clock Wednesday, night Harvey Ramseur, a 14-year-old boy, while in his watermelon patch at Elyton was shot at by thief whom the boy had discovered attempting to steal some of the crop. The little fellow had 3S-calibre revolver and returned the fire and kept shooting until the thief fled.
 The boy is son of H. M. Ramseur, as- sistant to Tax Commissioner Wetmore. MT. Ramseur has been working at night for the past week and Harvey was left in charge at home.
 The boy had a suspicion that some one had been visiting his watermelon and eanteloupe patch, which was about 4G0 yards from the house, and, putting pistol in his pocket he slipped away from home and went on a tour of investigation. Ar irving at the patch he discovered some one there with a lantern, walking among the vines Going close enough to see that the thief was white man, Harvey demanded what he was doing there. The man jerked out a revolver and replied "Tll show you what l am doing. Get out of here you lit tie rascal, and with that he fired at the boy, who had also drawn his revolver. As tho boy shot the light went out. but he does not know whether the bullet hit it or not. He then fired four more shots at the thief, who had started to run. At the sec- ond shot the man yelled" but the boy does not think he was hit.
The age-herald., 1899-07-07
IN BETTER SPIRITS
Madam Dreyfus Has Cheerful Conversa-
 tion With Her Husband

Rennes, France, July 6.-Madame Drey- fus, on leaving the prison today, appeared in much better spirits than yesterday. It was evident that her conversation with her ture.
 A large crowd had gathered in the hope of witnessing her arrival and departure, but the sendarmes cleared the streets ad- jaeent to the prison and the spectators caught only passing glimpse of her as she drove rapidly in a closed carriage to the residence of Madame Goddard. The latter left her house today and took up quarters temporarily at the residence of a relative in another part of the town, in order to allow the Dreyfus family full freedom in using her mansion.
The age-herald., 1899-07-07
HIGH WATER MARK OF 1885
Surpassed in Several Counties in South
 ePn Texas.
TIE RIVER IS FALLING RAPIDLY
Government and Private Boats Picking Up Stragglers Along Banks-One Hundred Thousand Rations
 Are Being Distributed

Galveston, Tex, July 6.-Never was a bet ter example given of the natural propensity for exaggeration than in collecting reports from the Brazos valley flood. Every year the Brazos and Colorado valleys suffer from inundatons. Some years the volume of wa ter is small. Up to the present flood the greatest destruction from the annual inun- dations was in 1885. This year the high water mark of 1885 was surpassed in Wash ington, Waller Austin, Fort Bend and Bra zoria counties, in southern Texas.
 The Brazos is falling rapidly in the cen- tral part of the state, the scene of last weeks floods. The flood reached the south ern part of the state Sunday night. The planters had ample warning, but many ne- groes remained in the Brazos valley, be- ieving the water would not rise higher than in 1885,
The age-herald., 1899-07-07
COlored People Caught

From 1,500 to 2000 colored people were caught in the valley in Austin, Waller and Fort Bend counties, and were forced to take to the trees and house tops An appeal was made to Houston for boats, but Houston had sent all boats available further up the riVer last week to Calvert and Bryan. Gov ernor Sayers, at the suggestion of Con- Sressman Hawley, appealed to the war de- partment for permission to send govern ment life-saving boats from Galveston. Permission was granted and special train left this afternoon for the flooded district carrying several government and a number of private boats.
 It Is believed that nearly all the people lodged in trees and on the house tops have been rescued, but the boats sent from Gall weston today will patrol the flooded district and make thorough search for stragglers A very good indication that the people have been rescued is the fact that a special re- lief party started out from Brookshire Tuesday night and patrolled the river all night but found no one to rescue So far as known but two lives have been lost in the lower Brazos flood.
 Ten Thousand Rations
 The war department has authorized Gov ernor Savers to distribute ten thousand
The age-herald., 1899-07-07

as there more chances to have the money stolen when it passes through so many hands.
 Receives Fifty-EIght Mails
 The Birmingham postoffice receives fifty eight mails daily and has to handle the pos- tai funds for 1000 smaller offices.
 Until one looks through a first-class office and examines its workings they can only have a faint idea of the scientific way in which the business is handled Fourteen clerks required to do the work. and though they are worked hard a. mistake very seldom occurs These clerks not only have to be able to read any kind of writing but are required to have a thorough geo. graphical knowledge. After the mail is properly distributed seventeen carriers de- liver it to the various business houses and residences. Since Dr. Hughes went into office the number of deliveries has been in- creased to four daily to the business part of the city and two to the resident portion. The hotels are allowed six deliveries every day.
 Within few weeks the Birmingham of- flee will place boxes on all the street cars so that letters can be mailed anywhere in the city and taken up down town. This system has been adopted in only one city in the United States-Hartford, Command has proved quite successful. Dr. Hughes went to work some time ago to get these boxes, and owing to the increasing business of his office the department finally con- sented to allow them They have already been ordered and will arrive here within ten days.
 Thirteen Other Birminp baus
 The clerks say they are put to considera ble inconvenience some times on account of letters being sent here which are intended for other Birminghams. Throughout the United States there are thirteen Birnins- hams but as this is the most important of all, hundreds of letters intended for the other places are sent here.
 The work of distributing has been con- siderably lessened since typewriters came to be commonly used, but they still have to solve some knotty problems in the mat ter of addresses. If they were to. try to figure out the name of the town for which the letter is intended in some instances l they would never succeed. One of the clerks said yesterday that when a word | cannot be made out by the letters they take | one or two sylables and see what it sounds | like, and by that method get at the name. | For instance, illiterate persons have a | great deal of trouble with the word "Ish- | kooda," and spell it in various ways such 1 as "Skuta," "Coody," etc. By saying the l wtrd over two or three times the puzzled l clerk soon discovers that Ishkooda is the l word intended and sends the letter on it's ] way. s4
The age-herald., 1899-07-07
Major Clay is Dead

Selma, July -(Special.)-Major J. B. Clay, an old and honored citizen of Selma, died at his home in this city this after noon. Several weeks ago Major Clay suf- fered from an aeaplsetic stroke; but 1t Was tarasamed that he had almost entirely re- covered from its effects. In the end it was fatal. Death came suddenly.
The age-herald., 1899-07-07
Conductor Instantly killed

Chattanooga, Tenn, July GA construc tion train on the Cincinnati Southern rail- way struck two cows near Hxon station this morning and was ditched. The con- duetor, J. W. Leis, of this city, was thrown from the rear car and instantly killed. His body was horribly mangled, the head being severed. Lewis leaves a wife and five small children. The only other person in- Jured was a negro brakeman, who may die.
The age-herald., 1899-07-07
sampson VIII Not Get Pay

Washington, July 6.-The acting co
 troller of the treasury today rendered a Y cision that Rear Admiral w. T. Sam ( is not entitled to pay from August 10, ls when he was commissioned by the Ire dent. to March last. The compt Fol holds that the advancement. in nv nb,
The age-herald., 1899-07-07

Chicago, July 6.-Presidents and execu- tive officers of the Central Freight asso- citation roads gathered here in force today to discuss ways and means for improving the present demoralized freight rate sit uation. It was agreed that rates should be restored.
The age-herald., 1899-07-07
WHEN OTHERS
 FAIL CONSULT

Men suffering from Sexual Weakness Gonorrhoea, Gleet, Structure Syphilis, etc., I offer certainty of cure. My charges are within the reach of all.
 refer you with permission to First Ma tlonal Bank, Alabama National Bank, Jef- ferson County Savings Bank and Steiner Brothers, bankers, as to my responsibility for my contracts. cure many patients by mail treatment. Write for prices and terms. Address Dr. Y. F. Holloway, Watts Bldg, Third Ave. and Twentieth St., Birming- ham, Ala.
The age-herald., 1899-07-07
Making Things Match

From the Chicago Record.
 ''The prisoner claims he has a mania for Kidnapping
 Then let him be tried by a jury for a mania for life sentences.
The age-herald., 1899-07-07
PRIVATE
 DISEASES

Any physician send- ing me a case of Syphilis that I do not cure to his entire sat- isfaction in from 20 to 40 days, it will cost him nothing. I do not attempt to cure all diseases that af- fiict the human fami- ly, but confine my study and practice to the treatment of pri- 1.ota dispa sos only.
The age-herald., 1899-07-07

under section 1,506 does not create a cancy from the time when the pres decides to recommend such advances nor is any vacancy created prior< date when the senate concurs in dents commentators.
The age-herald., 1899-07-07

sent to the consecration of Rev. Joseph M Francis, bishop of Indiana, and Rev. Arthur L. Williams, bishop co-adjutor of Nebraska.
The age-herald., 1899-07-07

Chicago, July 6.-Directors of the Ameri can Steel Hoop company today declare, the first quarterly dividend of 1A per cent
The age-herald., 1899-07-07

A DAYLIGHT TRIP TO CINCINN
 Leave Birmingham 5:55 a. m., via A bama Great Southern railroad arrive Cil. cinnati same evening at 7:3o. Beautiful scenery and service unsurpass-t ed. 5-4-tf.
The age-herald., 1899-07-07

London, July 6-The liberal party gained two parliamentary seats today in the Rye elections held in the 'double-barrelled' constituency of Oldham, to fill the dual vacancy created by the death last month of Robert Ashcroft, conservative, and the subsequent resignation of his conservative colleague, James Francis Oswald, who has been appointed by the chancellor of the exchequer, Sir Michael Hicks-Beach, to be steward and bailiff of the manor of North stead.
 Pittsburg, Pa, July 6.-The strikes Of the Amalgamated Association men at Spang Chalfent and company's mills at Aetna and the Moorehead plant at Sharpsburg have been broken, the men taking their old po- SitionS. e
The age-herald., 1899-07-07
TICKS FROM THE WIRE.

Asheville, N C., July 6-The eighth an- nual convention of the Southern Grocers association, the largest and most enthusi- asic in the history of the organization, was called to order at Battery Fork hotel this morning by President D. E. Leigh, Jr., ot Richmond, Va.
 Columbus, O., July GA meeting began here today having for its object the for nation of a state league of democratic clubs. The gathering will be addressed to- morrow by w. J. Bryan.
 Indianapolis, Ind, July 6.-The national G. Hildreth, St. Louis, president; Irene Harwood, Kansas City, secretary, and c. M. Hulett, Cleveland, treasurer A L. Evans, Chattanooga, and J. R. ShackeI- ford, Nashville, are among the trustees elected.
 Chicago. July 6.-The western stove man. ufacturers met here today and advanced prices per cent.
 San Francisco, July 6.-An earthquake shock was felt throughout the state this evening. No damage is reported.
 Niopiio' oNiS "' SopieS oA i'd l uScd, Havana newspaper, arriving here in todays hmail, announces that the will of the late H. B. Plant bequeaths S500,000 to General Fitzhugh Lee and $50,000 to General Maximo Gomez.
 Miami, Fla, July GA British tramp steamer of 4,OOO tons from Liverpool to Key West in ballast went on the rocks twenty-five miles south of Miami this morning at day light. The weather being favorable hopes are entertained of getting her off early tomorrow morning. Mobile, July 6-The standing committee of the Episcopal diocese of Alabama, in session here, tonight gave canonical con-
The age-herald., 1899-07-07

San Francisco, July 6.-An earthquake shock was felt throughout the state this evening. No damage is reported.
The age-herald., 1899-07-07

Chicago, July 6.-The western stove man. ufacturers met here today and advanced prices per cent.
The age-herald., 1899-07-07

as there are more chances to have the money stolen when it passes through so many hands.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1899-12-07
COUNTED BY MACHINERY.
Facts About Each Person Will he
Tabulated for the Census
by Electricity.

Our first census, made in 1895, showed
the population of the United States to
be 100000, and the count cost Uncle
Sam, who was comparatively poor then,
one cent for each person. 1t is esti-
mated that the twelfth census, to be
made in June, 1900, will show that our
people number 100000, and that the
item of clerk hire, in the census bureau
alone, will exceed $5,000,000. Although
the work of enumeration will be com
pleted by the LIST of July, it will prob
ably be two or even three months later
before the last of the schedules are
received at the census office; for not
only must they all be examined by the
supervisors, but in many cases they will
probably require revision because of
some error or informality The actual
counting of the people will not be done
until the schedules are turned into the
census office. The enumerators simply
gather the facts, and the office force in
Washington does the counting and the
compiling, which is done by electricity.
In 100 days all the facts relating to 49,
600, 900 people will be tabulated-Clif-
ford Howard. in Ladies' Home Journal
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1899-12-07
AGURI0US6hSE
\ ATWOOD seminary was fashion
BY Itta Allen Fel1ner.

LAKEWOOD seminary was a fashion
able boarding school for young
ladies. 1t was delightfully."- situated in
the suburbs of a small city, and was
near neighbor to the medical college,
AT the beginning of this story the fac
ulty of lakewood was giving little re-
ception to the elder pupils, and few
guests were present, among them
Charles Sanford, senior in the medical
school.
The school year was drawing to
close, and it was we'll for Charlie that he
was safely through his examinations,
for he was past all studying for the
present. The fact was he was dead in
love. The object of his ardent atfec-
ton was Miss Lucy Long, one of the
very young and very pretty teachers in
lakewood.
No one attempted 20 blame Charlie
in the least for being in that serious
condition, for Lucy was charming
girl who was not only beautiful but
so sweet and lovable that she was adj
mired by everyone, although 1t was
well known that she was very poor.
As both her parents had died when
she was mere baby she had been left
to the care of a wealthy uncle, who,
some 10 years previous to the opening
of this story, had placed her in lakewood
seminary while she was only wee girl.
Her uncle was her sole guardian, and
he was to have paid her expenses and
look after her; but he had suddenly
and very mysteriously disappeared
soon after Lucy had entered the school,
and no trace of him had ever been
found.
For long time the teachers in the
school had kept Lucy as swell parlor
boarder, expecting her uncle to return
and pay for it, but as year after year
went by and no news of him could be
obtained, they allowed Lucy to remain
and continue her studies; and being an
extremely clever girl she was able al
20 to teach in the school, thus trying
to repay them for their kindness tC
he;s
At this reception Lucy was every.
where an object of pride and admira
ton, and somehow before he left the
seminary Charlie Sanford managed tC
see a good deal of her and secure hel
promise to take a drive with him in the
park the following day. The drive was
a brilliant success. Charlie declared Il
her his great love and she listened t.
him. Charlie was poor and had worked
his own way through college. and Lucy
was even poorer, and although they
contemplated marriage and wed eacl
other dearly, they saw that it mus
necessarily be a long way off. But DIR
Charlie had great ambitions, and h.
proposed to seek for a place to locat
and to begin to practice Immediately
DR. Charlie was very young for & prac
ticing physician, so they both agreed
thar he had better locate at first in
country village, where doctors were no
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1899-12-07
Effects of War on Game.

heard two South African sportsmen
discussing the other day the possible eff
fects a campaign spread over large
area might have on the dwindling big
game of that region. The conclusion
they arrived at was that the game had
already receded beyond the possible
sphere of influence of such operations
At the same time war has before now
had strange and far-reaching effects
on the distribution of local fauna, as.
for instance. when the cannonading in
1S70-1 drove great bustards across the
seas and into our eastern countries in
numbers unprecedented since that mag
nificent bird forsook this island for
good and all many years ago.-Londor
Leader