davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The age-herald., 1900-04-26
BOY BALLOoNfsr DEAD
, the Philadelphia Times.

From the Philadelphia Times.
 After spending nearly all his lifetime in one of the most dangerous pursuits known, John Wise, artist and aeronaut, died Tues day, of stomach trouble at his home in Germantown. Wise was known as 'rhe Boy Balloonist." He came of a family Of aeronauts, three generations of which were making ascensions at the same time. John was the youngest person who ever made an ascension alone. He was a grandson of Prof. John Wise, the famous balloonist, who, after making hundreds of ascensions in every part of the United States, went up from St. Louis on September %, 1879, and was never heard from afterward The body of his companion, a banker named Burr, was found on the shores of Lake Michigan, near Bakers station, eleven days after the ascension. The widow of Prof. John Wise died in this city a few years ago.
 Charles Wise, father of John, was an equally famous aeronaut. He died in Jenlkintown on March 12, 1895 Young John was born in this city in 1864. When he was only year old, his mother made  in her arms. So far as is known, he is the only baby that ever went up in balloon.
 At the age of years John made an ascension in Indiantown, this state, alone. It was sight never before witnessed, and there were thousands of people gathered from all the country round to see the little fellow scarcely tall enough to look over the edge of the basket-leave the earth. If they had expected to see him cry or backdown at the last moment they were mistaken, for John knew no fear and took to ballooning as a duck takes to water
 In the intervals between his ascensions John attended school. He was graduated from the high school in this city, and also took course in the academy of fine arts. He had much natural ability as a painter, and was accounted by the professors the best pupil in the school.
 In the three years from 1876 to 1879 John made weekly ascensions with his father and grandfather from the old Centennial grounds, and after his grandfather's death he and his father made many ascensions from the Congress Hall grounds in Cape May.
 Johns retirement from the dangerous vo- his wife, who accepted his proposal on con- dition that he would give up ballooning. He then took up painting, and succeeded in making a good living and winning a reputation among local artists. His wife survives him. His mother is living in Jen- hntown.
The age-herald., 1900-04-26
THE ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ALABAMA
Senators by Popular Vote

Mir Quay has been refused seat by n narrow majority. The question involved was chiefly at least a legal one as to the meaning of the words in the constitution "during a recess" Senators voted, not on political or personal lines. but on their views as to the legal proposition. Thirty two senators think the words cover any period after the adjournment of legisla- ture, while thirty-three think the phrase applies only to an unexpected vacancy oc- curing between legislative sessions. There is room for doubt in the case.
 But there is no room for doubling what the best plan is in selecting senator's and in preventing both deals and deadlocks, poodle and pull That plan consists in the selection of senators by popular vote, which is fast becoming the rule in this section of the country. Under this plan John Tyler Morgan was named as his own successor, and Joseph W. Bailey was named in Texas as the successor of Senator Clifton These
 
 the past, namely, that the people are the safest repositories of power in this coun- try. In some way the man who cannot read finds out whom the best candidate is and his vote is cast for him. Direct popular action is the republics chief reliance and safety.
 Nor need any one wait for constitu- tional amendment or a federal constitu- tional convention. Such changes are well enough in their way, but no state should wait for them. state executive commit tee can order primaries by counties in which its party may express by direct votes its choice for senator. This vote can be consolidated at once as is done in South ed until the legislature meets as is the case in Alabama, Texas, Mississippi and Geor- gia. Either way gives the people chance to make selection, instead of the court house cliques. Fourteen thousand demo- crats in a single Alabama county recently voted for a senator, and certainly such an expression of public sentiment is better than clique rule, Who is prepared to say it is not? Certainly no one in the county in question.
The age-herald., 1900-04-26
Color Line m Cuba,

There are more whites than blacks in Cuba according to the new census; but Diario de la Marina of Havana thinks the blacks are keeping pace with the whites in spite of immigration. It thinks immigra tion should be promoted on the largest possible scale in order to avert the Afri- canization of the island.
 The Diario is also inclined to doubt the census figures. It believes the line has not been drawn as it is in the United mixture of negro blood is classed a negro; in Cuba on the other hand half white passes as all white. While" it adds the tolerance of blacks here is greater than in the United States, the colored clements have the same shame of their race, and object to being called black or brown or being classed as negroes or mulattoes. A petition signed by a large number of negroes has just been presented to Senor Tamayo, secretary of state, asking that a law be passed prohibiting the descriptive words, black or brown, being applied to Cuban citizens in warrants issued by the police courts, and forbidding their use in newspaper reports. The petitioners also ask that the newspapers be prohibited from making in anyway reference to the African origin of any one. They hold that these terms perpetuate race antagonsms, nnd they declare that, as the negroes have proved their worth, they want to be called Cuban citizens only"
 These facts and opinions go to show that Cuba has the race issue in all its Ameri- can vigor, and probably will have it in- definitely. On account of the nature of the census it is absolutely impossible to say how many persons in Cuba have negro blood in their veins or how many whites are free from such blood. It was perhaps impossible to take the census on American lines, because the enumerators were Cu- bans and Cuban answers naturally con- formed to Cuban ideas and customs. Thousands of persons were no doubt classed in the new census as whites who would be classed In this country as blacks.
The age-herald., 1900-04-26
Ecumenical Council of Missionaries

The missionaries of all Protestant Chris tendon, or their representatives, are hold ing conference in New York. This confer ence is not a business or legislative body; it does not propose to inaugurate any scheme of propagandism; it is simply and solely a meeting for the interchange of ideas, the predomina ting idea to be con- solidation of effort with view to more efficient action hereafter.
 Small as the number of converts some times Is, it cannot be denied that mission ary efforts have done much in spreading a higher civilization--have done much for humanity and morals. The changes thus wrought pave the way for the acceptance later on of Christianity Men are first in- duced to lead better lives, and then they or their children reason back to the cause of the change, and the Christian church holds the ground. Hawaii is today an in- long run by missionaries. There are many such cases.
 From Europe and America 12,64G mission aries are kept in the field, not including natives, at an annual cost of $5,560,693. The number of their converts is 15S5,12i These figures are taken from the American board almanac for 1900; and if to these figures were added the vast forces that Rome maintains in China and elsewhere, it would be seen that Cbristendom literally keeps in the field an army of actual mis- sionarics, not including natives, about 2O,- COG strong. Such Q gigantic and widespread effort must necessarily produce results of deep and enduring importance.
 The field is however broad one, for in round proportions Christianity at present command the support of only third of the world-about 500 millions out of 150o millions. But the 800 millions represent the highest intell!gences and most masterful forces of the world, and the prospect is indeed good that they will win over on the long run the other two-thrds, who are chiefly Mohs:.,niedans. Brahmins, and Con- fucians. Asia is the stronghold of the non- Christians, but between Russia in the north and the missionaries in the south a century of hard work and earnest effort will be apt to change the face of affairs.
 Missionaries from all lands have met in New York to consider the situation. They hope to point the way to united action and more efficient work. They may ask for
The age-herald., 1900-04-26
Steel and Wire Tactics.

| The big battle between the bulls and
 bears in the iron and steel market goes on
 with varying incidents and changes.
 The American Steel and Wire company maintains its ground and it will probably be able to announce great reduction in its stock of finished goods. But as 1t is great purchaser of raw material-particu- larly of billets-it is difficult to see how it can open it's closed mills unless 1t can buy billets cheaper than the makers of them are at present inclined to sell them. The Federal Steel company and the pig iron makers say they will make no concessions from present prices, and this means that Nr. Gates company will not be able to
The age-herald., 1900-04-26
RATHER EMBARRASSiNG

From the Selma Times.
 Governor Johnston did carry one county in the primary, Morgan, by vote of 51 majority. Of all the counties in the state, it alone should have gone for the senator. The name that it bears, if nothing else, should have caused it to fall into line for our distinguished senior senator. The Times is little curious to know what effect that county going for Johnston is going to have on Senator Fathers candidacy for presi- dent of the senate. He lives in Morgan, you know. It looks a little like it was going to put our friend Rather at disadvantage.
The age-herald., 1900-04-26
Heavy Rains Still Fall ng

Houston, April 25.-Heavy rains fell again last night throughout central Texas, and the situation has become one of much gravity as far as to get into the fields. The corn crop is now half ruined and a few more days of wet weather will cause a failure of the crop. Cotton planting is already three weeks late, and will not be under good headway for another. week. There is a scarcity of seed and littie-re- planting can be done If the first stand is not good one. Some sections are visited by heavy hail storms which have done much damage to fruit trees and grain.
The age-herald., 1900-04-26
How He Dealt With Cowards

In appearance he was handsome and pre- possessing, looking a born leader of men. Like Napoleon, he, was always distin- suished by the plainness of his uniform. He had a queer habit of always, even in battle, carrying a pencil behind his ear butt-end foremost He was taciturn, grave abrupt and disdainful of forms and eti- quette. He hated all foreigners, especially Germans, Russians and English As Tor war correspondents, he entertained the ut- most detestation of them, whence the deeds of his army were never chronieled as they should have been. He had a strange method of dealing with cowards--he would send for them and publicly box their ears. When really angry his rage was terrible.
 After the sortie and the surrender he was seen to be weeping tears of rage and shame He was, it may be, little touched by the Czar Alexander IL, who came up to him and said:
 q congratulate you upon your superb defense; it is one of the finest feats of mill itary history"
 And that is the judgment of posterity.
The age-herald., 1900-04-26
BARONESS BURDErTE-CoUTTs

From the Chicago Tribune.
 London, April 21.-Today the millionaire philanthropist, Baroness Bardetts- -Coutts, celebrated his eighty-sixth birthday.
 It is now nineteen years since the baron ess took for a helpmate the present Mr. Burdette-Coutts, who was William Leh- mar Burdette-Coutts, who was William Lehman Ashmead Bartlett some time her private secretary.
 She was then 67 and he g, but in the in tervening years he has aged relatively far more than she. He has $2O0, GOO year set- tied on him.
The age-herald., 1900-04-26
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR

From the New York Press.
 The Lord knows we all wabble some.
 
 The greatest foes to happiness are mar riage and rheumatism.
 When a woman's son disappoints her, she always insists that he takes after his father.
 Until a girl gets over the idea that -.iss is sacred she always kisses the way she says her prayers-with her eyes shut.
 A woman Keeping up appearances" In society reminds you most of a man think ing he is fooling people by combing his hair over the bald spot.
 The first year man kisses his wife whenever he comes in; the second year he kisses her whenever he goes out; after that he kisses her whenever she makes him.
The age-herald., 1900-04-26
HOW THE noERs INTERMARRY

From the London Mail.
 A list of a portion of the prisoners of General Cronje's army has just been is sued at>Cape Town. A perusal of it proves the close relationship existing among nearly all the Boers For instance, there are no fewer than twenty-seven of the coetzee family, mostly hailing from Pot chefstroom; the De Beers number sixteen, the Bothas, twenty-five; the Krugers, twenty; the Cronjes only five; the Pre- torius, twenty-one; the Van Wyks, sixteen. Very few English names occur in the list, but the following are noticeable: Ayres, Clarke, Dunn, Porter, Berry, Green, Holmes. Hunter four O'Kellys, Page and Wheeler.
The age-herald., 1900-04-26
MILLIONS WILL NOT WIN IT

From the St. Louis Republic.
 If the people true to themselves all the millions at the disposal of Hanna and the trusts will not win the campaign of 1900 for MT. Mckinley The voter at the polls holds the deciding power in this great contest He should cast an American vote against the party of trustism, of inn perialism, of militarism and of toryism. His duty to his country demands this. His own safety depends upon 1t.
The age-herald., 1900-04-26
HIGHLAND LADDIE

A. II. Rowntree. - "Why dost not come back to me,
 Highland laddie in thy plaidie?' Moans the moor-wind to the sea,
 Highland laddie, my dear laddie?" Brighter are the Afric skies,
 Warmer burning, fiercer yearning, There contented ere he lies Never more to thee returning" But does not the heather call,
 Highland laddie, my dear laddie? Home and friends and sweetheart all
 Call thee back again, dear ladder" "Dearer is the veldt to him.
 Naught tho miles, his comrades number, Scotland, home, the past are dim,
 All he cares for now is slumber." Still the mooriand means in vain.
 Highland laddie in thy plaidie, Why dost not come home again,
 Highland laddie, my dear laddie2'
The age-herald., 1900-04-26
TAKING DOWN THE BARS

From the Brooklyn Eagle.
 Little by little, the pew-holders in Meth odism are winning their way over the min isters The laity are showing that they do dance, do play cards and do go to the theaters and the conferences are one by one "lifting the ban" After all the sheep have wriggled out of the field from under the fence, the formality of taking down the bars is always an impressive exhibition of ineffective industry.
The age-herald., 1900-04-26
Overwhelmed by Numbers

The Russians were once more enormous ly reinforced. and slowly closed in round the town, though they could not as yet invest it. On September ', under the Czar's own eyes, the Turkish works were furious ly bombarded; the bombardment proceed ed all the subsequent days until the 11th when fresh efforts to storm the position began After two days hard fighting these were repulsed with awful loss by the quick and accurate fire of the Turkish infantry.
 After this terrible defeat the Russian army sat down and invested the town. It held out till December 19, 1877, when the whole garrison made a desperate attempt to cut it's way out, but was overwhelmed by numbers and captured Thus ended the ever-memorable defense of Plevna. Among the wounded was Osman himself; he was hit by shell splinter in his leg.
The age-herald., 1900-04-26
NUMEROUS MORGAN MEN

From the Montgomery Journal.
 The Morgan men seem to be divided in their choice for governor. Hon. J. V. Smith is the manager of the Sanford boom, Hon. Frank White, chairman of the Morgan campaign committee lis manager of the Shelley boom Hon. Alfred Tunstall is in charge of the Waller boom, and MT. Albert Steinhart is looking after Con- gressman Stallings boom. These gentle men were all enthusiastic Morgan men.
The age-herald., 1900-04-26
JEErERsoN ON APrOlNrING KINsMl N
Letter to George Jefferson, soon after his inauguration.

inauguration.
 Washington, March 27, 1901.
 Dear Sir-I have to acknowledge the re- ceipt of yours of March 4, and to express to you the delight with which found the just, disinterested and honorable point of view in which you saw the position it cov- cred. The resolution you probably ap- proved had long been formed in my mind. The public will never be made to believe that an appointment of a relative is made on the ground of merit alone. uninfluenced by family views; nor can they ever see with appreciation offices, tho disposal of which they entrust to their presidents for public purposes, divided out as family property. MT. Adams degraded himself infinitely by his conduct on ts.:s subject, as General Washington had done himself the greatest honor. With two such exam ples to proceed by. should be douoly in- excusable to err. It is true that this places the relations of the president in a worse situation than If he were a stranger, but the public good, which cannot be affected if it's confidence be lost, requires this sacrifice. Perhaps, too. it is compensated by sharing in the public esteem. l could not be satified till I assured you of the increased esteem with which this transac- tion fills me for you. Accept my affcc- tionate expressions of it.
The age-herald., 1900-04-26

more money, but at the same time they will endeavor to make every dollar received go further by reducing administrative ex- penses. The machinery of mission work will receive in New York careful consider ation.
The age-herald., 1900-04-26

John w. Gates will have to manufacture his own vindication, and yet he probably told the truth when he said his company could not market it's productions at ab- normal prices.
The age-herald., 1900-04-26
TERRIBLE TURKS TROUBLE

From the Philadelphia Times.
 Turks are great believers in predestina- ton, and if that money is owed and not paid there will be trouble sure as fate.
The age-herald., 1900-04-26

Let Bankhead succeed Pettus. says the Tuscaloosa Sun. and Brandon will succeed Bankhead. This is very pretty pro- gramme and the only obstacle it encoun- ters is the fact that General Pettus will be his own successor, and don't you forget
The age-herald., 1900-04-26
NO CELLAR DOOR FOR HIM

From the New York Mail and Express.
 It is perfectly certain since Judge Willett spoke before the Brooklyn Democratic club that he will never be allowed to slide down MT. Bryan's cellar door.
The age-herald., 1900-04-26

The Chicago Tribune thinks there will be less bumptious confidence in the next attempt to pull the senatorial chair out from under the Hon. John T. Morgan.
The age-herald., 1900-04-26

Sunday elections in Cuba have been abol- ished The island has been promised in- dependence, but in the meanwhile it must do as Anglo -SaXons do.
The age-herald., 1900-04-26

MT. Quays lack of a vote was as con dozen would have been. He is now up against the Pennsylvania voters them selves
The age-herald., 1900-04-26
B1RMINGHAM's CYCLE THIEVES

From the Dundee Courier.
 Cycle thieves have been very busy In Birmingham of late, and it is computed that one bicycle a day is stolen in the streets of that city.
The age-herald., 1900-04-26

Cuba. He came home and organized the Thirty-third volunteers, which he now commands in Luzon."
The age-herald., 1900-04-26

Senator Pettus is growing younger every day. He has taken up golf and recrea- tion, and is becoming skillful in the game that statesmen affect.
The age-herald., 1900-04-26

Queen Iil is about to leave the main- land with a fixed resolve never to return to it. It is feared this resolution will yet slip a cog or two
The age-herald., 1900-04-26

Cuba is to hold municipal elections on Saturday, June 16, and they will be the first real elections ever held on the isl and.
The age-herald., 1900-04-26

Kentucky has elected two sets of dele gates to the Philadelphia convention. She sees double, and acts up to what she sees
The age-herald., 1900-04-26

A blue pencil did excellent work when it cut down Senator Hoars recent Philip pine speech from eleven hours to about three.
The age-herald., 1900-04-26
Terrorized the Russians

He started on July 15 upon seven days forced march to Plevna, where he had de- ci6ed to fight. The heat was intense the dust choking and at times the troops had to march all through the night to reach their destination in time. They were snort of food and forage, and the country was desolate but the object was accomplished Plevna was seized just in time, and the great Turkish general set to work to make his dispositions for Its defense. Immedi- ately upon his arrival he was attacked by the Russians under Schilder-Schuldner, on July 20 The Russians in enormous masses threw themselves upon the Turks, who had hurriedly occupied the hills to the north east of the town. They were received with a murderous fire from the Martini-Peabody rifles of the Turks, and after about four hours firece fighting were completely re- pulsed, leaving no less than 5000 killed and wounded upon the ground, and retreating in great confusion.
 Both armies were heavily reinforced, and a system of earthworks was thrown up around Plevna to defend the town. On. July 30 and 31, in the famous two days battle the Russians under Krudener and Schankowski again attacked. The fighting covered immense area, and was marked by the most desperate determination on either side. but in the end the Russians were repulsed with losses not far short of 10000 The terror caused by Osman's suc- cess in the Russian army may be seen from this message of the Grand Duke Nico- las, the Russian commander-in-chief ad- dressed to the Prince of Roumania:
 Come to our help; cross the Danube where you like, how you like, under what conditions you like, but come quickly to our aid. The Turks are annihilating us. The Christian cause is lost"
The age-herald., 1900-04-26

In order to get good seats at the May festival it is necessary to buy season tick cts, the sooner the better the seats.
The age-herald., 1900-04-26
SHORT STORIES.
 OF THE DAY
His Ability Proved Upon the Field

Osman Pasha, the lion of Plevna, whose death occurred recently, was born at To- kat, in Asia Minor, in 1857, and was, con- sequently, 6s years of age, says the Lon- don Daily Mail. He entered the Turkish cavalry when a mere boy, and sub lieutenant fought in the Turkish contingent in the Crimea, under Omar Pasha. Here he distinguished himself so much that he was promoted lieutenant for his gallantry. He made the campaign against the Druses in 1S6O became captain, fought in the Cretan war of 1867, and in the Yemen cam paigns of 1871 and 1872, having risen by this time to the rank of colonel.
 Tn 1876, as lieutenant general, he was in command of the Turkish army then op. erating in Servia, and won two great bat. ties at Veliki-1gwor and Saitshar For this success he was at once created field marshal. When the Russo-Turkish war began in the Spring of 1877 he was ap- pointed to the command of 5000 Turkish troops in Widdn. He was the ablest the most armired, and most trusted officer in the Turkish army, and quickly proved his competence upon the field of battle.
The age-herald., 1900-04-26

Senator Hanna may be as well as he says he is, but he is not a bit weller than MT. Bryan, who is camping on his trail
The age-herald., 1900-04-26

Senator Tom Platt has been delegated to select a New York running mate. and he is trying to draft Teddy
The age-herald., 1900-04-26

No babies or cigars are named Petit grew"