davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-28
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sOr1E WAR "REMINISCENCES.

food or rest, where the guns of Stonewall
soon Numbered. Lee was being hard
pressed. From Virginia Heights we had
q fine view of Harpers Ferry. The
scene where the two great rivers, the
Potomac and Shenandoah, roll and tum-
Bile through the Blue Ridge mountain
was beautiful to look at. Mr.. jefferson
said, "ro see it was worth trip across
the Atlantic" We had. to fight to see it.
When we crossed the Potomac and en-
tered Maryland, General Lee matured his
plan of operation and issued his order Of
battle. The one addressedtto Gen D. II.
Hill was lost. and fell into the hands of
Mcclellan, disclosing to him the move
ments of our army. THIS battle of
Sharpsburg. one of the bloodest of the
war, was fought by the southern troops
against great odds. It was marked for
feats of valor. to which both armies may
point with military pride. But, to say
the Confederates were defeated and ront-
ed, when they remained on the battlefield
all of the next day, thinking the Federals
would again attack. is not the kind Of
history for future generations to read.
In my opinion Cen George b. McClel-
Ian was one of the very ablest, if not the
bestS general that commanded the Fed
eral armies. The seven days battle
around Richmond. and the battle Of
sharpsburg is sufficient proof of this as
sertion.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-28
Grover CLEVELAND a Live Wire,

1t is well known that preliminary
campaign is in active progress, hav-
ing for its object and mission the
fourth nomination of Grover Cleye-
land in 1904, but it is not generally
known that the cult is progressing in
Alabama as well as in other states.
1t is to be an aggressive campaign
here as elsewhere, as the following
lines from the Montgomery Advertiser
plainly show:
An we must tell the Age-Herald an
other thing while we are about 1t, that
this same "Grover Cleveland contingent
will never return to the party If II
must come on sufferanee and ask leave
of any one to vote the ticket. The men
who compose that contingent" are dem
ocrats who have never been anything
else and who do not not get their patent
of democracy from Chicago or Kansas
City. Neither are they making any apol-
ogies or asking favors from those who
came so near to wreclSing the party. The
Age-Herald will do well to study history
and stick to facts
There is no need of studying or
sticking to anything except the lines
we have quoted, for in these few lines
the platforms of the national demo
cratic party framed at Chicago in 1896
and at Kansas City in 1900 are spit
upon and reviled, and the declaration
is boldly made that the men who re
iected the two last platforms of the
party will come back to the party as
leaders, never as followers. They
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-28
Alabama at ST. Louis.

The Selma Times warmly and elo-
quently opposes an appropriation by
the legislature for the purpose of
having Alabama adequately represent
ed at the st. Louis exposition in 1904.
Ii declares that the effort is to en-
able three or four very elegant gen.
tlemen to go off on junketing tour"
1t goes on to say:
This. thing of making raids on the state
treasury for money to display our re-
sources at worlds fairs has, been going
on now for about a quarter of century
and if the agricultural section of Ala
bama has ever reaped one iota of good
from the money thus expended we are
not aware of it. Can any man point to
a single farmer who has been brought to
the black belt by these displays? Can
anybody name a single immigrant who
has located in any county adjoining
Dallas as result of these displays?
One would think that Dallas paid as
much taxes as jefferson, or Montgom-
cry or Mobile, when in fact Dallas is
comparatively a light weight in tax
paying times. Dallas grows and
handles a great deal of cotton, but it
is not strong in tax payments.
The richer counties of the state NO
doubt prefer to see the state as well
represented at st. Louis as Mississippi
or Tennessee will be. Jefferson Is
certainly in favor of an appropriate
appropriation by the state, believing
that the state could not make better
investment. The agricultural and
mineral resources of the state should
be made known, for both are to a
large extent undeyeloped, and out
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-28
ROBBERS SECURE $4,000.
Bank at Union, Mo-, Blown Open With
Nitro-Glycerine.

Union. Mo-, December 27-The bank or
Union was burglarized between 1 and
o'clock this morning, tho vault being
blown open with nitro glycerine and
$4,000 the entire contents of the safe.
stolen. The robbers were two in number
and are believed to be professionals. They
ESCAPED A little after l o'clock a loud
explosion was heard and several shots
were fired around the public square Most
of the citizens who heard the noise sup
posed 1t was caused by some boys out
on a lark celebrating Christmas, and paid
no attention Oscar Busch a hardware
dealer. living across the street, realized
that the bank was being robbed but when
he went to the window to look out he
was covered by a revolver. He then kept
quiet Others in the vicinity of the bank
also were kept quiet by a display of re-
volvers. About two shots were fired to
terrorize venturesome persons. Notwith-
standing contrary reports Mr.. Busch
says that but two men left the bank af-
ter the robbery
The wreck was complete, the vault
door and the safe being completely de-
molished, as was the whole front and IN
was finished and the men left town by
walking to the east.
F. f. Reinhard, the president of the
bank, was very sick at his home and
was not told of the robbery. A. w. Hofr-
man, the cashier. was called after 1t was
all over. He estimates the loss at about
SIS 600. The bank carried $4,000 insurance
against burglary. There is no clue to the
robbers.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-28
Dried Fruit.

california operators are bullish on the
dried fruit situation said Morris ave-
nue. man. "They say that while the mar
ket is at a standstill for the moment as
it always is during the holidays, If
grower pressed his offerings for sale he
would have to accept the price under
quotations.
1.-THE general tone of the market is very
strong owing to the great demand for the
east and Europe. A general advance
throughout the whole list is expected after
the turn of the year.
''Those growers who have not yet solo
will reap big profits. Dealers and specu-
lators who have been buying during the
fall will also make good turn. This
expectation is general in San Francisco,
which imparts great strength to an al
ready firm market.
stocks of all kinds have run low, an6
no carry-over of any description is ant:c;-
pated. Prunes are reported the most ac-
tive fruit at present with brisy and
increasing demand"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-28
DEATH NOT AN EVIL.
Roman Catholic Doctrine Expounded
by Priest.

Rev. R. w. Wakeham in the Catholic
Homiletic Monthly.
First-The death of infants is no argu-
ment against the goodness of God.
l. Death is no greater evil at one period
of our existence than at another, in in
fancy of in youth, in the prime of life,
or in old age.
p Death, l. e., separation of soul from
body, Is not an evil at all-except in case
the soul is not prepared for 1t.
g. That separation means simply the ex-
tincton or suspension of the life of the
body until the day of resurrection, when
this corruptible must put on immortal
ity." q Corinthians, XIV. 53)
A. Our Divine Saviour tells us that even
when this separation of soul and body is
effected by violence it is not an evil;
"And 1 say to you, my friends, be not
afraid of them who kill the body. and
after that have no more that they can
do" duke xii, A.
Second-The death of infants is proof
of Gods special love for them What is
the unanimous craving of human beings?
To be well off. Where is a person better
off-on earth or in heaven? What shall
it profit a man if he gain the whole world,
and suffer the loss of his soul?" Mark
viii, 36.)
How is good fortune estimated in this
world? Some persons are born to all that
wealth and social position can give.
Others, by one means or another, succeed
sooner or later in rising to high position
in a very short tive. While the vast
majority by lifelong labor, succeed at
best in gaining only an honest living-and
that embittered frequently enough with
sickness, sorrow and suffering. Now
which of all these classes does the world
consider the most happy or the most en-
viable? Evidently those who possess from
their childhood all that they can desire
provided, of course, they make good use
of it. Is not the same true of children
infants who are taken into that house
in which There are many mansions?'
(John xvi, %
1t is of faith that the soul, by baptism,
Is made. "A child of God and heir to
the kingdom of heaven capable of see
ing God. face to face
1t is the will of God that a greater
number of souls reach heaven by going
through the trials, temptations and suf-
ferings of this life.
But what is He exempts some from this
ordeal? venerable old age is not that of
long time, nor counted by the number of
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-28
Concealed Weapons.

Elsewhere in this mornings Age
Herald will be found an article from
the pen of Judge Samuel q. Greene.
discussing the various phases of the
pistol-toting problem. The article in
question invites discussion of this
yexed matter, as preparation for
action by the legislature next month.
The thoughtful reader will certain
ly feel when he reads Judge Greene's
article that at last the horse-sense of
the situation has been presented. The
article grows out of an experience
wide and comprehensive. 1t presents
therefore the practical rather than the
ideal bearings of the problem. Judge
Greene discusses actual conditions in
stead of academic features. He deals
with what is, not with what should or
may be at some future time. He would
legislate for the present, leaving the
unknown future to take care of itself.
The Age-Herald commends Judge
Greenes article to its readers, invit-
ing at the same time a discussion of
the problem, asking all who do dis
cuss it to waste no words in plati
tudes, but to go at once at the pith
and marrow of the SUBJECT, as Judge
Greene has done.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-28

mingham district are mudh pleased be-
cause of the fact that they handled more
Messengers during the past week than
they have ever handled during a holiday
season. without single accident to mar
the good work.
Birmingham is in the throes Of another
local political campaign. A mayor and
many members of the board of aldermen
are to be elected; and as usual the water
question is playing a conspicuous part in
the contest As matter of fact. we all
know that the city should own its own
water supply and operate its own water
works system. 1 have advocated NUM-
eipal ownership of the water works ever
since l have been a citizen of Birming-
ham. l do not believe however, that the
city has any right to condemn and take
the present water works plant without
paying full value for the same. If the
people who now own the water works
company make money out of it, the city
can do the same. Therefore, the city
should be fair in what it does and poll
tics should not be permitted to play any
part in the citys action in this matter.
The police force of Birmingham is to
be congratulated upon the good .order
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-28

finally the sharp report of the explosion
of the old gun rang out equal to the re-
port of a twenty pound parrot cannon.
As soon as the smoke had cleared away
l looked in front to see what had hap
pened. I saw the bunch of fodder lying
In the road, but no Yank Casting my
eye down the road ] could see little
clouds of dust rising all along Finally
spied the image of a man and horse as
they disappeared over the top of bill
about mile away. There l stood with
barred head and with my eye lashes and
brows snged off, listening to fast re-
eeding echoes as they sped over hill and
vale, caused by the explosion of the old
rifle Sic transit gloria mundi.
Knowing that a paroled Confederate
had few rights against a robber and thief
if he wore a blue coat l made my way
to a hill from which l could observe the
approach of the enemy and remained
there all day, but was never molested for
this, my last act of self-defense with
weapon in the war. This as far as
known. was the last gun fired at a Fed
eral soldier in Bib. my native county
as the above described cavalryman be-
longed to Wilson'S raiders. and they were
on the move to Selma, Ala.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-28
IN HOTEL LoBBIEs.
Business situation.

President ]. c. Maben of the sloss-Shef-
field Steel and Iron company returned
yesterday from New York, where he had
been for two weeks or more. He was
in business in the great metropolis for
a long time. and few men on Wall street
have the gift of keener insight into finan-
eial conditions than he. Mr.. Maben is not
exactly a bull on stocks. but he predicts
that the market will become very strong
before next spring. When he left New
York the feeling in business circles was
as optimistic as it was this time last
year.
Speaking of the large buildings going
up In New York, he said that since he
gave up his residence in that city last
spring to come to Birmingham, the i'm
provements there had been so marked he
hardly recognized some of the streets with
which he was formerly familiar. Mar
velous, he said, were the changes en-
Broad street, between Exchange Place
and Wall street. The white marble edi-
fees that had taken the place of the old
dingy buildings gave that part of New.
York much more cheerful aspect.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-28

II He indications are that the new
W year will open with continuation
of prosperity in this country. The
stock market Is higher than it was be-
stock market is higher than it was be-
about it which would indicate higher
prices in the near future and continue
alton of handsome earnings on all good
properties.
It seems that the mushroom operations
in progress of organization have col
lapsed and that the water In many con-
Germs has been squeezed out.
Certainly Birmingham continues to en-
joy an era of prosperity the equal of
which has never been known in any city
in the southern states. The earnings of
the railroads are greater than they have
ever been. The iron and steel concerns
are making tremendous profits. Labor is
prosperous, satisfied and energetic. This
is evidenced by the fact that heretofore
the miners in this district have been in
the habit of taking weeks holiday at
Christmas time. This year the mines
were closed down but two days. Nearly
all the miners in the district were at work
yesterday, and every one will be at his
task tomorrow.
Managers of the railroads in the Biz
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-28
STATE BARGE OF KING.
Built 21a Years Ago and Completely
Restored Last Spring.

London Correspondence of the Baltimore
American.
King Edwards state barge is likely to
be a picturesque addition to the royal
glories of next summer. The ancient
craft, built 213 years ago and used by
many English kings and queens, was
completely restored last spring, and 1t
was expected that it soon would be seen
propelled by its richly clad "watermen,
passing up and down the Thames as often
as the barges of Elizabeth and Charles III
used to be. But the kings illness pre-
vented his taking any river trips, and even
if it had not the atrocious weather that
continued without hardly a pleasant day
during the entire summer probably would
have done so, however.
The king is determined to make up next
season for what he missed during the
past one-at least, so far as the water is
concerned The 100-year-old slip" at Vir-
ginia Water, the picturesque lake near
Windsor castle. has been renewed recent
", and it has been announced definitely
that his majesty will give several water
parties on the Thames itself. This, of
course, means the temperatures of the
ancient state barge in all its glory. The
craft is of oak. weighing two and one
half tons, and is 80 feet long and feet
wide in the center. She is ornamented
with a crown and the royal arms in gilt.
Her sides are red, with gold lining; her
inside of the same color, with cream
colored panels and gold beading. She is
rowed by crew of eight 'watermen,"
chosen from among the best oarsmen on
the river With the royal standard wav-
ing over her the barge should be re-
markably handsome craft.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-28
Mr.. IunstaIps Candidacy.

The selection of a speaker of the
next house of representatives in this
state is an important matter, and the
Age Herald feels sure it will be so re-
garded, and that every member of the
house will approach it in a judicial
frame of mind. 1t is regrettable that
any newspaper or any man should
inject bitterness and acrimony and
personal feeling into a contest that
calls for calm consideration and the
selection of the fittest man. Not one
word tending to stir up bitter feeling
In the democratic party has appeared
in these columns. or will appear.
The Age-Herald desires to see the
best equipped member of the legis-
lature placed in the speakers chair
The session is to be historic and far
reaching, and a man of frmness, force
and high character is needed as
speaker. Such man, it seems to us,
is to be found in Alfred NJ. Tunstall
His experience, and his earnestness,
and his admitted capacity for high
public duties, each and all point him
out as the man the state needs as
speaker in formative legislature.
8 There are other strong men in the
1egislature-perhaps fifty other men,
who would each make an acceptable
speaker, but not one of them can
muster, it seems to us, quite so many
qualifications for the place that Mr..
Tunstall can. He is fully permeated
with the spirit as well as the letter of
the new constitution, and he is for
that reason admirably qualified for tho
leadership and speakership in a house
that is to supplement that instrument
and to carry 1t into full effect. Per-
sonal feelings should not be permitted
to sway the legislature in so impor-
tant a matter. The Age-Herald con-
siders Alfred NJ Tunstall an excellent
nomination for the speakership, and
all it asks in the entire matter is cool
judicial action on the part of the
members of the house, freed from all
personal rancor and axe-grinding.
No finer body was ever assembled
in the state than the coming house
viii probably be. 1t is full of good
lawyers and men otherwise strong in
mental gndowments, but many law
yer aHd statesman is not good par
lian<ntarian. Mr. Tunstall is at home
IN the speakers chair, and he is at
the same time an excellent lawyer
and a public man of much experience.
The Age-Herald therefore supports
him for the high and honorable office
of speaker, and it confidently antiei-
pates that majority of his colleagues
will take a similar view of the mat
ter when they meet in Montgomery
next month.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-28

years. A spotless life is old age. His
soul pleased God; therefore he fastened
to bring him out of iniquities" Owls,
iv, s, 9, 14)
What more pleasing to God than the
spotless soul just regenerated in the wa
tiers Of baptism?
Conclusion,-With mucn reason, there
fore, does Holy Mother Church make a
joyful commemoration of her Holy lnno-
cents-her Infant Saints-her first fruits
to God and to the Lamb" With much rea-
son does she say of them, These We're
purchased" etc
Joy and consolation for parents whose
children have been taken to heaven IN
youth or in infancy. Let them bless God,
and treasure up in their hearts the low
ing words of our Divine Saviour: Suffer
the little children to come unto me, dnd
forbid them not; for of such is the king
dom of God" mark X, 14)
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-28

a fodder stack, that the negroes living on
the farm had made and left standing in
the field when they pulled the fodder off
the corn stalks.
The cavalryman, without even saluting
me- but utterly ignoring my presence,
commenced to help himself to what fod-
der he wanted. Having secured all, or as
much as he could tie UP with his tie
rein and carry away, he mounted his
horse, drew the fodder up on his back
and started out to the gap he had left
open.
At this period of his enforced hospital
ity, my war blood had gotten boiling hot
so I arose hurriedly from my chair,
leaped inside the house, reached up to
rack and took down an old flint and steel
rifle that l had left loaded when en-
listed for the war. | then sprang back to
the front porch. just as he came out of
the gap and was starting down the road
to his camp a few miles away, and
raised the gun to my shoulder, took good
aim and pulled the trigger.
The flint struck fire, but the powder
in the pan of the gun flashed up cloud
of smoke into my face and eyes, but
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-28
NED BRACE TALKS ABOUT PROSPERITY AT
HOME AND OUTLOOK in COUNTRY=AT=LARGE

maintained on the streets of the city dur
ing the holiday festivities. Il was very
different from what occurred last year
Speaking about Birmingham. exeaya-
tion for the foundation of the new
twelve-story office building. to be known
as the First National Sank building. is
to begin this week The building will be
completed within year and will be one
of the handsomest structures of the kind
in the south.
I am also told that a very large and
handsome hotel. the building alone to
cost over half million dollars, is to be
constructed in the very near future. Some
prominent Birmingham people are work.
ing on the matter at present and I am
told that an offer has been made to sub
scribe for per cent bonds representing
one-half of the total cost of the building
and lot
This would indicate that those who
have money to invest have complete con-
fdence in the future growth and con-
tinued prosperity of Birmingham. Ger
tainly all birmingham people have,
among whom may be counted.
Z,o.AG. .
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-28
Signboard Designs.

Said an artist who reads Hyde's Weekly
Art News: The jury appointed to award
the prizes in the competition for sign
board designs in Paris has Just completed
its labors The first prize of 200ofr. was
awarded to NJ Willette; the second prize
of 2000fr was divided between NM.
Truchet and Any. Willette's design was
for shop on the Quai Yoltaire, where
prayer books are sold. 1t represents the
parchment cover of a medieval choris-
ters book, with the image of the Virgin
and Child in the centre. 1t will swing
almost opposite the house in which Vol
talre breathed his last The sign design
ed by Truchet was "Au Fin Gourmet
showing white geese that have just come
up to a copper stewpan.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-28

side capital and enterprise are needed
IN the process Of development. To say
that this would enure to the benefit
Of the mineral and manufacturing sec
tons Of the state alone, is a mistake.
One section Of the state cannot be
benefited without benefting all, for
Alabama is very homogeneous and
compact and closely knit together.
Dallas viii at any rate get back in
benefits the money 1t viii pay if $780,
900 should be appropriated by the
state. It's part of the sum named
would not much exceed thousand
dollars.