davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The age-herald., 1901-05-11
ConditIon of GrowInq Cotton.

The New York Commercial has gath cred replies from 360 localities touch ing the use of fertilizers, State crops, local acreage, and total crops. These figures are perhaps the best informa- tion obtainable at this early date in the story of the new crop.
 More fertilizers have been sold in every State, Mississippi alone ex- cepted. Alabama reports an increase in the use of it of Il per cent; Ar kansas, 6 per cent; Georgia, 10.S per cent; Louisiana, per cent; North Carolina, 11.7 per cent; South Caro- lima, S.7 per cent; and Tennessee, IS per cent; while Mississippi reports a decreased use to the extent of 2 per cent The average increase is about per cent, and this means more cot ton. No State reports a less acre age. Alabama reports an increase in this respect extending to 9.3 per cent; Arkansas. 5.9 per cent; Georgia, 8.5 per cent; Louisiana, 34 per cent; Mississippi, an acreage equal to that of last year; North Carolina, 10 per cent; South Carolina, 5.3 per cent; Tennessee, 19 per cent, and Texas, AIS per cent. Here is a gain in acre age of about 8 per cent. Acreage and the use of fertilizers seem to go to- gether.
 Each of the 360 correspondents was asked to estimate the size ot the total crop. We give these guesses by States:
The age-herald., 1901-05-11
Glory That Passed.

"Cahaba, the former capital of Ala bama, is not even a town now, being re- turned by the census as Precinct 16 in Dallas County" runs Washington dis patch to the New York Sun.
 Several years ago the town site was sold for taxes and was bought by negro for few hundred dollars.
 At ont time Cahaba was one of the most important places In Alabama, be- sides. the State capital. Its population was made up of rich planters and slave holders. Its situation Is at the confluence of the Cahaba and Alabama rivers, and 1t was not only a wealthy place. but also one of the most beautiful in the State.
 "The owners of plantations and the rich traders lived in baronial style, their houses being of the architecture of the South at that day with large halls and rooms, and verandas occupying almost as much space as the rooms themselves. Extensive grounds surrounded each and flowers bloomed in profusion, while mag nolias, oaks and cedars were found in abundance. Blooded horses neighed and pranced in and about the stables and cocks strutted In the barnyards.
 ''The capital had been moved before the Confedarcy was born, and when the war was over the few men who had any money left tried to start up business and put new life into the old place, but could not. A few years later even the county seat das transferred to Selma, and Ca haba was dead. Some wealthy men tore down their houses and had them rebuilt in Selma, and soon the few remaining houses were left tenantless."
The age-herald., 1901-05-11

yesterday was the thirty-eighth annlver- sary of the death of stonewall Jackson.
 At Chancellorsville. April B, 1883, as Charles s, Venable relates it, '.Having ridden far forward in pressing the fleeing foe, he was returning through the wooded region after dusk, when he and his staff were mistaken for Federal cavalry and fired on by his own troops. and the great leader was fatally wounded. He died on May 10, 1SeS and was buried in Lexing- ton."
 Jackson was a profoundly religious man, and the story goes that his dying words were: Let us pass over the river and rest in the shade of the trees" And there he rests.
The age-herald., 1901-05-11

ject the work of the literary bureau and of Mark Hanna. The latter has not yet shown his hand. but he has never been a friend of an isthmian canal. He very naturally seeks the side of the heaviest purses and largest campaign subscriptions, and where he goes the administration follows, some times, however, reluctantly. But even the administration and the trans. continental railroads cannot defeat the building in the long run of an inter oceanic canal. They may delay 1t. The revival of the Panama scheme is in fact an effort that looks to delay.
The age-herald., 1901-05-11
Remarkable Precautions Taken
 to Insure McKinley's Safety.

rushing by. With dlsarranging of passen- ger schedules, there Is something of a demeralizatien in the coming and going of the Presidents train Yet there is not a railroad in the country that will net gladly accept the responsibility and enjoy the honor of having the President pass over it's route. As soon as q trip Is sug- gested there Is rivalry between the reads for the selection, and upon the face of the successful general. passenger agent there ia happy smile. Who bears all the expense of the jeurney7 E,isre are no tickets, of course, and no contributions to the coffers of the Pullman Company, and the legend, Meals S1' does not ap- pear upon the menu cards in the dining room. Who pays for 1t all? Everybody I know has asked me that question
 .eThe railroad over which the train passes haul it for nothing. That disposes of the transportation question. The Pull man Company furnishes the outfit, just as many cars as the President wants for the accommodation of his party, and of the finest. That settles the sleeping prob lem. Each railroad stocks the dining car for the meals that are served as the train moves over its route, so that insures plen- ty to eat"
The age-herald., 1901-05-11
SUIT FILED TO RECOVER
 ON AN ELECTION WAGER

Thomas E. Brown, who is unknown In East St. Louis, yesterday commenced suit against Frank B. Bowman, the rich est man in East St. Louis, and the son of the late John B. Bowman, for the sum of S1S,0o John o. Marshall of St. Louis is the attorney for the plaintiff, and the suit will come up at the Au- gust term of the City Court. The insti- tuition of the suit has created great con- sternation among the politicians and bus mess men of St. Louis.
 The suit grows out of an election bet which was made last fall just before the election During the heat of the cam paign the friends of w. A. Rodenberg of East St. Louis thought that he would be elected in district which was Dem ocratic, and so informed their friends. The matter came to the ears of num- Der of Democratic leaders and the friends in East St. Louis bantered each other for a big bet on the election. wager was arranged. MT. Bowman, being one of the richest men in Southern Illinois, was asked to contribute. The money on that side was put up at the office of Judge
 
 Frank B. Bowman. though it is said to have been a general fund, raised with several contributions. On the other side, it Is also explained that similar fund was raised, with a number of persons in- terested one or more persons having as small an interest as $5, with c. M. For man acting as agent or representative of the contributors to the Republican fund. On the day after the election, the Demo- crats having won the wager, MT. Bow ron is said to have cashed a check for s12, 900. This was looked upon as closing the incident The losers ''took their med icine," and the matter was supposed to have been dropped.
 There Is a law on the statute books of Illinois intended for the prevention of election betting or for the punishment of men who gamble on elections. Under It's provisions the loser of an election wager, if he makes a clear case, can recover
 A
The age-herald., 1901-05-11
Old St. Stephens.

Another one of Alabama's four former capitals was referred to In yesterdays 8 Age-Herald in the personal intelligence that Judge B. s. Porter of St. Stephens was in Birmingham.
 According to Picketts History of Ala bama (Owen's edition, 1900, page 509) St. Stephens twas laid off in town iots," in 1907, and a road was cut from thence to the city of Natchez.n Pickett's first reference to St. Stephens Is: "Lieutenant McLeary had marched across the coun- try, from Natchez, and taken possession of Fort St. Stephens, when the Spanish garrison marched out and dropped down below Ellicott's line, May 5, 17ss" Owens Pickett page t6D.
 Again-and this Is of interest to Ala bamians just now, in view of the ap- preaching (and sixth) constitutional con- vention of the State-in 1s17 according to Pickett (Owen's, page 6lD 'the terri tory east of the new State of Mississippi, Congress erected into a territorial gov ernment, giving 1t the name of Alabama, from the great river which drained its centre Opon tno TIT sI oi sahiNdeioh oi eiiiS new Alabama territoriaD government, seven counties only-Mobile, Baldwin, Washington, Clarke. Limestone. Madi- son and Lauderdale-were formed within our limits, and they enjoyed. the legisla- tive and judicial powers which they pos- sessed before the division, and the of- ficers retained their places. The seat of government was temporarily fixed at St. Stephens"
 "The first Territorial Legislature con- .vened at St. Stephens the 18th of Janu- ary, 1s1s."
The age-herald., 1901-05-11
SuavdAN1 the PresldeNt' s SvaAN
Washington Telegram te Bosten Tran

Washington Telegram te Boston Tran
 script.
 In a letter received here this morning member of the Presidential party writesi "It Is not alone the train that Is interest ing. but the precautions taken for the Presidents safety are in themselves a study. It is no wonder that railroad men say that 1t is safer to be on the Presi- dent train than to be at home. They know that if anything should happen 10 this train the whole country would 'n- stantiy know it and visit it's condemnation upon the unhappy road. Consequently, as the special train has hurried southward a pilot engine has kept ahead to give warn ing of misplaced switch or loosened raiL Every agent along the route has received instructions to personally see that the switches are in position and his track clear All the bridges have been inspected, all freight trains have been given ample time to leave the main track unobstruct- ed for the passage of the Presidents spe- cial. When night comes men are sta tioned beside the switch lights until the Presidents train has safely passed And each man, standing at his post of duty, will give sigh of relief as the train goes
The age-herald., 1901-05-11
POLL TAXES AND VOTING.

From the Houston Post
 The Birmingham Age-Herald sees in a ''poll-tax qualification" a possible solu tion of the problem of regulating the ne- gro vote in Alabama. Whether the new constitutional convention in Alabama will adopt this plan or a more compre- hensive and drastic law to eliminate the black vote remains to be seen.
 The 'poll-tax qualification means that a voter must have his poll-tax receipt be- fore he can exercise the right of suffrage. But in the states that have lately adopted it decided improvement has been intro duced in order to prevent politicians, or candidates, or their understrikers, from furnishing voters with these certificates. The receipt must have been obtained from six months, in some cases, to two years, In others, before the election at which the holder proposes to vote. The most ambitious and generous office seek CT will rarely risk putting out a large sum of money months. or a year or two before an election to pay the poll tax of men who can be bought to vote. There are too many risks to take. The voter
 
 election. Many of those for whom receipts would ordinarily be provided are but birds of passage anyway, and the specu- lation a year in advance on their votes would be an extremely reckless one.
 But when the poll-tax payment Is re- quired long in advance of elections 1t is a question if that is not about the best and the least complicated and most ra- tional way yet devised for getting rid of the ignorant, vicious and floating vote
 As the Age-Herald says, there is noth- ing plutocratic in demanding that voter shall be at least 8 poll-tax payer. "A poll tax Is the minimum of support of a supporters of the state and not to the drones."
 This qutstion especially affects cities, where elections are commonly carried by the vicious, floating or purchasable vote. There Is not a state in the union, cer- tainly not one in the south. where a quail ification of this kind ought not to be on the statute books. With an educational and poll-tax qualification combined, any, where in this country, governments of all descriptions would be immeasurably, im- proved. And the states will all have to come to such reform sooner or later.
 An additional reason for compelling the payment of poll taxes by some new method is the fact that in this and most of the other states these taxes go to the support of the public schools.
The age-herald., 1901-05-11
It Is a Far Cry.

It is far cry from the Spanish occupa- ton of Alabama to these piping times of Mckinley, with his new burdens of vast Spanish possessions in the far seas. Like wise it Is far from old William Wyatt Bibb. AIabama's first Governor. in the ancient Spanish fortress, piously named St. Stephens. to this heydey of Alabama s greatness under William J. Sanford, in the noble city of Montgomery, by the great river which gives the State its name
 Great old Governor Bibb dwelt in Coo sada. in Fillmore County, eight miles north of Montgomery, on the way to Birming- ham, and there he sleeps the last sleep that came of well-spent life. There his old mansion still stands. his noble park with it's lofty primeval oaks. and even the tree-covered dam of his fish-pond. Won- derfully interesting 1t is to one who loves best the best traditions of his own peo- ple-the southerners-frst of the world!
The age-herald., 1901-05-11
Northern Pacific's Second Panic.

The smash came promptly and full. It was all that had been predicted, and something besides. It was what is called unprecedented" Like the rise in fictitious values 1t was record breaker in the smashing of such values.
 Community of interest" did it. Two interests that could not commune fell to quarrelling over a bone-the Bur lington system. The Hartman syndi- cate and the Northern Pacific were arrayed against the Morgan-Hill peo- pie representing the other Pacific lines. The control of the Burlington by the ratification of the Northern Pacific stockholders was the point of issue, and no one knows at this writing which one has won.
 This much, however, is known-the "community of interest" line of busi. ness has precipitated panic in Wall street and tumbled down values. A point was reached in consolidation where strong opposition was encoun- tered. All went we'll when no opposi- ton appeared, but when strong oppo- nents came into view community of interest" went to the wall Consolida- tion of this sort and of all sorts has received a check, and the effort now will be to hold together what has been joined, rather than to join together any more interests. Consolidation has in other words been called Vff There will be little more of 1t at present, for it's watered securiteis can no longer be marketed.
 Capital, too, will now seek legitimate enterprises. It will leave Wall street, and go into mining, industrial and even agricultural enterprises. Taking the country as an entity no harm will result to it from the smash in Wall street, but much good. The smash was inevitable, and if Burlington" had not precipitated it some other scheme of a like nature would have done so. It was compelled" to come. It hurts no enduring and valuable interest. It will stop no mills, no furnaces. Railroads will be built rather than combined. Some think more rival lines will now be built, because community of inter- est" is now eliminated, and consolida- tion no longer feasible. At any rate every valuable and desirable interest will go along unharmed by the crazy antics of Wall street, and the due pro | portion of things will once more be-. come apparent. Normality and sanity are on top again, and the Gates and l neenes will again be forgotten. This panic has it's lessons, as all panics have, but there is little need or repeat ing it. All we need do is to keep on hoeing cotton and making iron, and keep away from all tickers
The age-herald., 1901-05-11
HARRISON ON HONESTY.
From the May Success.

From the May SUCCESS.
 'I have been taught that honor was first of all things in this world; that 1t was the foundation of everything. from a mans character to his tombstone. have been told that, if man lives a strictly honest life he will be led by un- seen hands to the goal he strives to gain. and that, even if he should make no goal of recognition in his life. fate will bless him with a happiness that Is greater than all riches. It seems to me that it would be an easy thing for a man to say, T am going to be honest" even if he is not, and the live up to that doctrine. People may doubt his sincerity, at first. but the time will come when they will see that he meant to do all that he agreed to do, and he will receive their absolute trust and confidence. and his life, instead of being ruffied with abuse and disrespect, will be even and peaceful"
The age-herald., 1901-05-11
Panama Schemes Auain.

Between Congresses the interna- tional railroads are conducting a lit erary bureau, and that bureau is actively engaged in presenting the claims of the Panama canal to consid- eration. This activity is promoted by the fact that the Colombian govern ment has consented to any sale of the Panama canal to the United States and the Panama people offer to have the price of the canal settled by ap. praisers, each side picking one man. and the two appraisers selecting a third. These changes have brought the Panama scheme before the people. and the international railroads ara using it for the purposes of delay and destruction. They are printing great deal of matter in the magazines which are open to paid-for matter.
 The forthcoming, report of the Walker commission, now nearly ready. will be exhaustive and conclusive to all unprejudiced minds. This com. mission commands the confidence of all fair-minded men, and it's conclu- sions will make or break the Panama scheme. If the Walker commission pronounce the Panama route impracti- cable and the Nicaragua route practi- cable, there will be no dissent from the conclusion except in circles that are beyond facts and figures.
 The Panama route is at present urged by the railroad combine, be. cause its acceptance would prevent the building of rival canal by France. One canal, they say. is enough. The truth is, they are trying to complicate and confuse the situation. They want delay. They hope no interoceanic ca. nal will be built. They are trying to defeat the report of the Walker com. mission, the nature of which is already known to them.
 When the Walker report Is before the country these schemers can quick ly be exposed, even if the administra- tion be in league with them, as is more than suspected. Senator Morgan's faith in the Nicaragua route is un- diminished. and the people will listen to Alabapa's grand old man and re-
The age-herald., 1901-05-11
IN HOTEL HOBBIES
 AND ELSEWHERE

Astologer Raphael's prophecies for this day. Saturday, May Il, 1soii
 "Avoid your superlors, and women, for this is an unfortunate day.
 Thou wilt have troublesome year. and thy affairs will go wrong and thy business fail, this being thy birthday thou wilt be annoyed by letters and young people and wilt travel or change thy abode;in thy family circle thou wilt have sickness or disappointment"
 Persons who love one another should avoid each other this day, for the con ditions are most unhappy for love and for friendship. Evil tempers will be aroused and grave results follow"
 "A child born on this day will possess sharp faculties but will be singularly un- fortuiate in life."
The age-herald., 1901-05-11

from the winner three times the amount of his loss, provided he brings suit inside of six months. It is asserted by all those concerned in the wager referred to that no one of them ever for a minute thought of bringing suit for the recovery of the money bet and lost. The law, however, contains provision that If the losing principal in any such wager does not bring suit inside of six months, any citi- zen may bring suit in the name of the county and himself and recover three times the amount lost, half of the none going to the county and half to the pei son bringing the suit. It seems that 'Ml Thomas B. Brown" whoever he may be brings his suit under this provision of tn, law.
 So far as could be learned yesterday no man of standing in East St. Louis knows Thomas E. Brown, and as the policy of the law is to protect citizens of the State, it is claimed that the outsider who simply sues as an informer will have a hard time to collect the amount for which he sues. A number of the best people in tho city were seen about the matter last night MT. Forman, who has by reference been connected with the matter, is one of the leading citizens of East St. Louis. He says he has nothing whatever to do with the suit and has no idea who is con- cerned in 1t.
 F. B. Bowman, the defendant in the case, laughs at the filing of the suit. He says that he will protect himself, and also protect every Republican who Is sued in the case He does not believe that there is Republican in East St. Louis who would sue for the amount lost on an election bet. Jerry J. Kane, the deputy sheriff, also wants it understood that the leaders of the Democracy entertain no feelings of animosity or resentment against the Republicans on account of the suit.
 At the first opportunity a. motion will be made for a. cost bond in the case, which will cause the identity of the plaintiff to be revealed.
 see de white folks carriages wid signs on de nosses out for us. Why de Repub- licans don't send out de carriages for us when dey want us to vote? Oar wus no money in it no how. Den you know Ellick Little and the jedge was over dar about dem steps ov de court house. De negro in Alabama no business to vote no how, case dey git in jail voten for Democrats and Republicans don't pay the de negro any more case the Democrats always restin dem if dey don't vote dar ticket, and Republicans won't pay dem out all de times, you know, when dey git'in jail" The reasons given were accepted as con- elusive.
The age-herald., 1901-05-11
How Far Away!

Owens Pickett says (page 635) that. "the second session of the Legislature of the Territory of Alabama convened at St. Stephens in the fall of 1878. John w. Walker was speaker of the House and James Titus president of the Legislative Council Among other acts. two new counties were formed-St. Clair, with the courts to be held at the house of Alexan- der Brown, and Autauga, with courts to be held at Jackson's Mills, on Autauga Creek"
 How far away that sounds = how far away it is! Where is old Alexander Brown of St. Clair, whose private residence was made a courthouse? Where his descen- dants? The owner of the Jacksons Mills of two and eighty years ago is now well represented by Col. Fred M. Jackson of Birmingham, whose charming wife is the daughter of a Jerseyman who long after wards settled in Autauga, the late. Major Cory, whose descendants are distin- guished in the State.
The age-herald., 1901-05-11
The Porte's Reply Forwarded.

Constantinople, May 10.-The German Austrian, French and British ambassa dors have promptly sent to their govern ments the Porte's reply to their repre- sentations on the subject of the Turkisl seizure of the foreign mails. owing t the offensive allegations that the foreigl post offices facilitated smuggling.
 Pending a settlement of the questioI embassy couricrs are taking the Euro pean mails to and from the Bulgaria. frontier
The age-herald., 1901-05-11
COAL GAS TO BE SOLD AT CENTS

From the New York World.
 London-Dr Ludwig Mond, of the great chemical manufacturing firm of Bruner, Mond & Co.,, Norwich Cheshire, has dis covered new coal gas, which. although useless as an illuminant. will be enor- mously valuable for heating and power purposes. It can be sent through ordi- nary gas mains. and costs only cents per 1000 cubic feet, as compared with 60 cents for ordinary gas. There is private bill now before Parliament for power to supply the gas. which all the leading chemical experts declare will bring about a revolution in steel manufactures and greatly reduce the cost of electrical sup plies.