The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-12-01
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
AND ELSEWHERE

brilliant sunshine and the May-tlme mild
ness were in themselves sufficient to make
men and women thankful, even were they
forgetful of the good things given to them
during the twelvemonth that is done. The
spirit of the springtime surged upward as
a rose might burst from snow, and children
shouted in balmy world that seemed for
the hour to have been made to tighten yet
more their light hearts. There were strange
atmospheric conditions; a singular blend
ing of autumn, winter and spring that pro-
duced odd effects in lights and shades and
the little winds that stirred. 1t was the
day of Thanksgiving, a day accounted one
of joy, having more to do with sentiment
than with the dull round of business cares.
The softer emotions-not the sober, practi-
cal senses-were appealed to even 10y ma
ture itself. During most of the day the
streets were crowded, but there little
business transacted. Business was practi-
cay suspended The banks were closed,
as were most of the offices, and after noon
many of the down town stores closed their
doors to customers. There were two hours,
and more, after 1 o'clock when something
of the hush of Sunday rested upon the
town. Birmingham was eating its turkey
There was no concern about business.
Care had cast anchor in the harbor of
Dream" so to speak; and, as James Whit
comb Riley might further say, Birmingham
Jest lazed and loafed, and didn't want to
do nothin but nothn'."
The hearts of many persons were too
sore to give thanks. Great sorrows fell,
great trials beset all too sorely. Across the
continent, upon the Pacific coast, young
Alabama woman with three children, the
widow and orphans of an officer killed in
battle in the Philippines, were bowed in
grief, facing want that is almost destitu-
ton. Twenty years ago a young Alabam-
ian enlisted in the army, determined To
win rank that no opportunity was given
him to reach through the royal road that
leads through West Point. He succeeded,
and the other month was given his cap
tainey and ordered to the Philippines. He
fell there with his face to the foe, shot to
death by Filipino's rifle. Died like an
Alabamian. Above all things he died as
became an American soldier, where the
fight was thickest. Over yonder in far, fair
California his widow and little children
face want In the fulness of time the re-
public will grant them a small pension
small reward indeed for the service the
dead gave to his country. Meantime
meantime what? good and kind-hearted
citizen, s. S. Crlttenden, the Hood build
ing, Birmingham, has interested himself in
this most charitable matter, and Mr.. Crit
tenden will De glad to answer inquiries
from men-and women whose thoughts turn
to eharitys side.
Another Alabama officer who was slain in
the Philippines is to receive the last
tribute of his country in a soldiers burial
where soldiers sleep. Captain NJ. B. SAT-
fold. of the Thirteenth United States in
fantry was killed by the Filipinos in battle.
Yesterday his sister, Mrs. Richard l..
Brooks, of Birmingham, received Informal
ton from Congressman Underwood that
Captain Saffold's remains would be trans
ported home by order of the war depart
ment and buried with full military honors
in the National cemetery at Arlington.
Brave Saffold was native of Selma, the
son of a former justice of the Alabama su-
preme court. He obtained an appointment
to West Point and graduated with distinc-
ton in the class of 1879. Since then, down
to the time he was killed, he has remained
in the regular army, where he was remark
ably popular. He was assigned to duty in
the Philippines The rest of the martial
story is told.
1.-The friends of Senator Morgan through
out Alabama will feel grateful to Major j.
r. Grove, of Sheffield said one of the
most prominent democrats of the state last
night Major Grove was the first citizen
of Colbert county to declare himself a can
didate for the legislature. He was the first
democratic candidate for the legislature in
Alabama to declare himself to be in favor
of the reelection of Morgan to the senate.
When it became apparent that there was
danger of an anti-Morgan man being nomi-
mated in Colbert, Major Grove promptly
withdrew in favor of John E. Deloney, who
is to make the race as the Morgan candi-
date. Major Grove made a gallant record
as confederate soldier, and enjoys en-
yiable esteem as a private citizen. He is
one of the states best and truest citizens,
and is one of the truest and best of demo-
Gratis. 1t is just to say, too, that j. N.
Thompson, another candidate, also with
drew in favor of Mr.. Deloney, and, like
Major Grove he deserves the gratitude of
the friends of Senator Morgan wherever
found. The people will reward him"
Rev DR.. Thomas Armstrong, the retiring
pastor of the Methodist church at Elyton,
will leave in a week or two to take charge
of the Methodist church at Fayette, to
which he was assigned at the recent con-
ference in this city. Mrs. Armstrong is
now visiting her son at Decatur, and will
proceed shortly to visit her daughter Mrs.
Chappen Cory, at Montgomery. DR.. Arm
stronf and Mrs Armstrong are greatly es-
teemed by the people of Elyton, and their
departure is much regretted.
General Charles NJ. Shelley and Hon.
Robert ]. Lowe have returned from Mont
gomery.
Ignatius Pollak, the famous dry goods
merchant of Montgomery, was in Birmng-
ham yesterday. Mr.. Pollak spent the past