davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-06-14
GENERAL LEONARD WOOD
 DEFENDS HIS POSITION

"I was acting as trustee for Cuba. I simply used MT. Thurbers mailing list as the best means of distributing the liter ature on reciprocity and this was well known before the examination of Mir. Thurber before tAe Senate committee. In my opinion, the opposition to tariff reciprocity with Cuba has proceeded upon lines of misapprehension, |. took 1t upon myself to place the facts before the peo- pie of the United States as 1 saw them. There seemed to be no one else to under take the task What I did, I considered best for the industrial salvation of the island. The reason l took 1t up with MT. Thurber was that he represented 5000 thinking people in this country. I dealt with him simply as a bureau of informa- tion and through him l distributed the information l wanted to place before the American people. My post was identical with that of the trustee of an estate who finds 1t incumoent upon himself to refute claims upon the estate upon which he is called to administer. Any man would bo false to his trust who did not do all in his power to contest such claims and that Is all I did"
 General Wood and his staff were given a dinner at the Hotel Somerset this even ing by about forty of Boston's representa- tive citizens.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-06-14
INDEX TO TODAY'S PAPER
The Weather.

Alabama-Generaily fair Saturday and Sunday; light south winds.
 Page One. Alexander City Is destroyed by fire; loss is over $500000. Cuban question. General Wood explains his position in regard to using funds for Cuba. Major Waller returns from Philippines and talks about Samar. House passes the Irrigation bill Senate discusses Crozicr case.
 Page Two. Salvation Army will hold big meeting here. General Joe Wheeler welcomed in on- don.
 Page Three. General state news.
 Page Four. Editorial Comment. Gossip heard in local hotel Hobbies.
 Page Five. Seabcard hearing begins before ctsn- cellor Carmichael. Negro arrested charged with assaulting Mrs. Wells. Police Commission holds a meeting to try officers.
 Page Six. Social news of Birmingham.
 Page Seven. Local and foreign market reports.
 Page Eight. Baseball and general sporting n-ws. buns and Bradstxeets wasLiy rostew ef tsad1
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-06-14
HOUSE PASSES
 IRRIGATION BILL
MANY AMENDMENTS OFFERED, BUT ONLY ONE EXCEPT THOSE OFFERED BY COMMITTEE WAS ADOPTED.

Washington. June 1S.-The House to- day passed the irrigation bill by vote of 146 to 55 Many amendments were of fered but only one except those of- fered by the committee was adopted. It was of a minor character. The bill all ready has passed the Senate. The friends of the measure greeted the announce ment of its passage with a round of applause.
 The bill as passed creates reclamation fund from the sale of public lands in Arizona California, Colorado, Idaho Kansas. Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico. North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota. Utah, Washing ton and Wyoming, less the amount paid to local land offices and per cent due to the state under existing laws for edu- cational purposes The reclamation fund to he used for the construction and main- tenance of irrigation works in the states and territories enumerated. Provision Is made for the payment of the treasury of any deficiencies in the allowances to agri- cultural colleges to this disposition of public lands. The Secretary of the in- terior Is authorized to examine. survey and construct the irrigation works and report the cost thereof to Congress at each session.
 Section provides for the letting of contracts contemplated In the sections when the necessary funds are available in the reclamation fund for such sec ton. Section 5 provides that mo right to the use of water for land in private ownership shall be sold for a tract ex- ceeding 160 acres to any one land owner, and no such right shall permanently at tach until all payments therefor are made, and no such sales shall be made to any land owner unless he be an actual, bonatide resident on such land or oc- cupant thereof, residing in the neighbor- hood of said land"
 use the reclamation fund for the opera
 Section 6 authorizes the secretary to ton and maintenance of the irrigation works.
 Section requires state control over waters of non-navigable streams such as ere used fn irrasatton.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-06-14
FIRE STRICKEN CITY
 APPEALS FOR HELP

a:5' s;.s... Jun. ,.,.. business. portion tn. town Alexander City homes terrible fire this fire still badly Many left Restitution Not business hotel of kind left those left des had established find grateful hearts immediate help Make con buttons payable Coey president famine relief committee communications him. This by telephone to all telegraphic communications being cut off
 RUSSELL Banker and President Industrial Association
 JOSEPH c. MANNING Postmaster.
 T. s. CHRISTIAN, JR4 Merchant
 DR. A. COLBY, Physician and Chairman Committee
 RESPONSE.
 the following call issued of Directors Commercial Club
 the Commercial Club this answering especially member. B. F. RIDDEN, President
 DIRECTORS CALLED
 of Commercial Club has been Roden this o'clock, when the question of sending relief the sufferers at Alexander City will This meeting called yesterday afternoon mmed after The AgeHead received the first appeal for aid from the committee of citizens in the burned City.
 Is probable committee will be appointed @ to solicit % funds for supplies kinds Movement this direction would have asking relief coming only at very late hour in the afternoon
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-06-14
MAJ. WALLER LEFT SAMAR
 A ROWLING WILDERNESS
amous fcer of United States Marine Corps Arrives in Sa Francisco and Refers to Recent Courmartal in Sarcastic
 iones- avs He s About Through Fighting.

1Sywxz AN FRANCISCO. June 3.-Major Sz4zS L. W. T. Waller. United States Ezae1 Marine Corps. by far the most interesting parsonage to reach here on the transport Warren. which brought the battle-scarred remnant of the fighting Ninth infantry into port expressed em- phatic views on the matter of war in the Philippines.
 You can't stop the revolution in the Philippines unless you take the severest measures" said Major Waller in an in- terview. You would hate to sec your wounded and dead mutllated. l cannot describe the fearful condition in which we found the bodies of some of the men under my command. who were murdered by the 'nsurrectonists.
 T received both verbal and written or ders from General Jacob Smith to kill all insurrectos whe worec aught armed CT who refused to surrender.
 Never Questioned Orders.
 'It was the only thing that could be done. and I never questioned General Smiths orders, with one exception. This exception I refuse to state. A fair esti- mate of the number of natives killed by the men of my command would be four to five hundred. These were all killed in battle, with the exception of eleven car rios, insurrectos at heart, who were tried by court martial and shot.
 There was only one woman shot, and she was only slightly wounded. She hap
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-06-14
EPIDEMIC OF CHOLERA IN
 ISLANDS IS ALARMING

Washington June 13.-A rather alarm ing situation with regard to the epidemic of cholera in the Philippines is set out in a report rccev ed by Surgeon General Forwood from Lieutenant Colonel Heize- man. at present in charge of the medical department of the aimy in the islands. The appearance of the disease at Manila is attributed ir some quarters to vese- tables coming to the islands from infect ed Chinese ports and in others to the drinking of the Pasig river water ioul with the sewage of the city. Lieutenant Colonel Heizenan says large number of deaths is probable before the rains. The army, ne says Is much better pro- tected than the native population or than the civilian Americans in the islands because of the care which Is exercised In supplying good food and water
 In Manila alone a total of 27 cases with
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-06-14

pened to be in the breastworks of a fort my men were storming.
 T have fought in every country in the world except Australia" said Major Waller. but Samar-well. hell Is win ter resort compared to Samar."
 The major talkel huskily through a deep cold that he had contracted during the home voyage on the transport, but he was obvlously sincere. His dark eyes snapped and his nostrils twitched at the mention of the island that Gen. Jacob H. Smith ordered him to convert Into a bowling wilderness.
 Left 1t a Rowling Wilderness.
 T left Samar bowling wilderness They tried to make it that for us, but we made 1t a bowling wilderness foi them"
 Want any more of lt?" was asked.
 No. I'm getting to be an old man." His face relaxed. Pm in my fifties. Be- sides. they've surrendered and It's all over. It's always all over when they surrender in the Philippines" and a sar- castle smile curled under his military mustache.
 Have you anything to say. major, regarding your court martial on the charge of executing Samar natives with out trial? or was that charged?"
 '"The charge against me- he said. was murder Yes, one plain word-murder-- and as for having anything to say about the court martial. of course I have; objected to being court martialed; 1t was not done at my pleasure; I was not con- suited in the matter; l was simply court martialed.
 "l knew who caused that court martial; l know who brought 1t forward: 1 know who was at the back of 1t all, and Wash ington knows as much"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-06-14
FIRE HAD ITS START
 IN A SMALL FOUNDRY
Passengers Returning From Alexander City Tell of Town Being
 Swept Away.

MT. P. W. Boggin, a travelling salesman from Birmingham, was in Alexander City during the entire fire. He returned last night on the Central of Georgia train which was delayed at the station there for two hours and thirty mintes The rails were warped by the heat and the crossties and station house burned. In talking of the fire MT. Boggan said:
 Tt started in a little foundry which is in the rear of one of the buildings mid way of the block opposite the Alabama hotel. In a short time 1t spread until the entire block was in flames. The fire then pushed across the street and swept down the full block from Colin & San ders. near the court house, to ,..e depot The station caught and was burned, after which the flames whirled across the street into the hotel opposite and up the line towards the livery stables owned by Jack Nolen and others. The Bank of Alexan- der City was burned on that side and every building in sight.
 While the fire was sweeping down that part of the town 1t was tearing and swirling through the portion toward the Fuller Auditorium and across to the courthouse. All of the part of town near these buildings was burned, even to sev- eral dwellings, Dwellings on the other side of the town were also burned.
 ''The attempts to stop the flames were of no avail Not line of hose could be found in the city. Water was very scarce and the flames simply played with the fighters with a will which seemed like that of a cat when playing with a mouse. Every bit of effort only seemed to add to the elusiveness of the flames and finally all efforts were almost given up.
 Comparatively little insurance was carried on any of the buildings, and 1t is estimated the loss amounts to fully q, 1,50O.O0O. Nothing was saved Out of ali the stocks of merchandise and grooesiss
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-06-14
AMERICANS MEET
 THEIR MAJESTIES
FIFTH AND FINAL COURT OF SEA SON HELD AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE DURING HEAVY DOWN POUR OF RAIN.

London, June 13-King Edward and Queen Alexandra held the fifth and final court of the season at Buckingham Palace this evening. It was raining hard and cold wind was blowing and the weather was worse, if possible, than that which marked the four indictment nights of the previous courts. The scene inside of Buckingham Palace was particularly bril- liant however. as the Japanese and Kor- can embassies to the coronation of the king who have just arrived in England. and who attended the court. were quite as splendidly attired as were the Indian princes present.
 The royal party included the Princess Victoria and the Prince of Wales. All the members of the special mission from the United States to the coronation of King Edward were present, and the of ficers were all in their full dress uni forms. The Americans presented to theiI majesties in the diplomatic circle in. cluded Whiteaw Reid. the American en. voy to the coronation. and Mrs. Reid Mrs. Lawrence Townsend, wife of the minister of the United States to Bel
 
 son, representing respectively the Uni ted States army and navy at the coron ation of the king; Mir. and Mrs. J. Pier pont Morgan Jr., Edmund L. Bayliss and William Wetmore, secretary to tho special coronation embassy and Mrs Bayiiss, Commander w. S. Cowles for merly United States navy attachee London, and Mrs. Cowles, Lieut. F. H Watson son of Admiral aWtson Col Borup and Col John Riddle. who accom- panied General Wilson.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-06-14

c. A. Bailey. groceries and building $25O0, insured.
 John Irwin, saloon and building, 5000. insured.
 T. W. Pearson, saloon, 5000, insured.
 P. H. Sheffield, saloon, $3500 insured.
 w. J. Jones, building, $500 insured.
 Cotton & Cotton, groceries. 5000, insured Mrs. Emma Jackson, building. $120o, in- sured.
 E. M. Kelly, barber shop. ssoO in- sured
 H. L. Leon hardware, s4oOo, insured.
 Templeton 6 Harvins, market. s35O. in- sured.
 T. B. Turner, hardware, $1200, insured.
 H. J. Cameron. law office, $500, in- sured
 J. J. and S. P. Allen, dry goods and groceries, s10o0O; insured.
 J. W. Belyeu, building. $500; insured. J. H. Fuller. general store, livery busi- mess, opera house and dwelling $l5,WO; no insurance.
 Postoffice fixtures, $500.
 ". L. Waters, building, s4oOO; insured. Russell Bros, building. 5000; insured.
 Thomas Bros. dry goods, 5000; insured. T. J. Smith, broker. 5000; insured.
 Valuable law libraries of Attorneys P. O. Stevens H. J. Gillam and J. Wilson Nolan were destroyed.
 Not over $500 worth of goods was saved.
 Ingram & Belue. groceries, $500, in- sured.
 J. F. Thomas, groceries. 5000. insured. A. w. Argo, saloon, s4000. insured.
 Central of Georgia depot, s2500.
 Ten residences as follows: T. s. Chris tian. Jr., s700; T. W. Harris 5000; H. S. Thomas, 5000; T. S. Shaw, 5000; Mrs. Fannie Thomas. 5000; B. F. Collier, $500; M. E. Nolen, 5000; Mrs. Jessie Dixon, $1OO0 Methodist parsonage. 5000
 The First Methodist Church, valued at $500, and the Parker school. valued at s25O0.
 to be seen, and the town Is utterly with out public facilities such as postoffice. depot, etc. The town will be without food supply for a short period, although a carload of provisions from Smith Bros. of Sylacauga has reached the city, to- gether with a contribution of $50. Seen from the courthouse tower in Dadeville. the fire, seventeen miles distant, pre- scented a black. rolling mass of smoke covering the western heavens.
 Supplies have been ordered from neigh boring cities to reach there tomorrow.
 No one was seriously injured though several were slightly burned.
 The railroad company has established its telegraph lines under a tree, and ap- peals for help and for food are going out from the people.
 The tracks of the Central of Georgia are so badly warped that the passenger trains east and west tonight will have to transfer.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-06-14

2l5 deaths had occurred ur to April 15, the date of the report, with 1858 cases and 30a deaths outside the sity. In the provinces the disease attacked twenty-two different laces. IF tho Camarines at Nneva Ca- ceres, inc disease appeared and this has been the only point where the army has suffered, two oavalrymen and an Infan- tryma1 having the disease.
 The smallpox also has appeared and has be en more prevalent, it Is said, thls year than any except the first of Ameri- can occupation.
 Vigorous measures of prevention have been instituted to sttempt to check tn' sTI cad of cholera.
 The report on the health of the 5r1ny in general shows a slight decrease in the percentage of sick The rumber of the deaths has decreased by the number oi six.
 Dysentery has been the cause oi eighteen deaths since last report.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-06-14
Monument to Be Dedicated.

Columbus, O.. June 13.-At the annual memorial services to be held at the Con- federate cemetery at Camp Chase tomor- row a monument erected by Col. w. H. Knauss of this city to the Confederate dead, will be dedicated. Gen. J. B. Cor dor will accept the monument on behalf of the Confederate Veterans Association. The presentation speech will be made by Governor Nash. Flowers to be strewn up- on the graves have been received from more than score of southern cities.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-06-14
HOUSE cAusEs TROUBLE.
Vote to Strike Out Enaeting Clause c
 Philippine eiH.

Washington, June 1h.-fspeoial.)-T HoSuss committee on sno Philippines has voted to strike cut all after the eractine clause of tho Philippine Island oivii gov s,nEnsns bin. recently passed by the Sem ats. suossaeussag therefore the hill as Arawn ur by the House Republicans.
 The b1ii win be psssed in this form and thsn goss back to the Senate. where an
 S sTss.s.AsH
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-06-14

Boston, June 13.-Durlng his visit to this city yesterday, Gen. Leonard Wood, former governor general of Cuba express ed himself in no uncertain terms regard ing the alleged irregularity in the ex- penditure of Cuban government funds in the interest of reciprocity. He declared that, acting as trustee for the island, he has spent the money to good purposes and had done simply what any good ad- ministrator would do In like circum- stances.
 Commenting on President Roosevelt's special message to Congress on recip- rocity with Cuba, General Wood spoke of it in the highest terms.
 Of the situation in Cuba General Wood said:
 There Is nothing in connection with my administration of Cuban affairs that I wish to cover up. Talk of investigation is welcome, to me. Every expenditure that was made was free and above board.
 "So far as I can see there was noth- ing new brought out by the testimony of MT. Thurber. It perhaps accentuated a little the needs of Cuba as regards reciprocity with this country.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-06-14

 H The thriving town of Alex E~ ander City lies tonight in smouldering ruins.
 Not business house, bank or livery stable is left standing.
 Forty-seven business houses, three banks, the court house, two hotels, one foundry and machine shop, Methodist Church, depot and ten dwelling houses were completely destroyed by fire, which broke out at 1 o'clock this afternoon in Robinsons foundry and machine shop, and, famed by stiff wind, by 3 o'clock had spread over the entire business portion of the city. Beginning on the southeast side,- 1t leaped from house to house, crossed the railroad, consuming two carloads of wagons and buggies standing on the Central of Georgia Railroad track, and, maddened by the violent wind, licked up lock after block until 1t finally died out for lack of material to consume.
 half million dollars is a low esti- mate of the loss. and one-ffth is the estimated insurance carried. The following Is list of the heaviset losers:
 Qv disc, $30,00O; partly insured J. E. Walker, general merchandise, s3OOOO; partly insured,
 Coley & Sandlin, general merchandise, $25 600; partly insured
 L. W. Johnson. general merchandise, $2O0O0; partly insured.
 F. P. Duncan. general merchandise s2O0OO; partly insured.
 W. M. Welch & Co.,, general merchant disc, $2o,OoO F. M. Douglas & Co., gen. eral merchandise. s1O,OOO; partly insured Goteigh Bros. & Co.,, dry goods, s10,- GOO; partly insured.
 L. B. Coley, durgs. s2,0OO; partly in- sured.
 J. L. Thornton, hardware, $1O,O00; A. L. Moon & Co.,, s1O,O0o; partly insured. Alexander City Bank $soOO; partly in- sured.
 Citizens Bank, s5oOO; partly insured. s. P. Adams, $15,000; partly insured J. R. Watkins. drugs. sSooo; partly in- sured.
 Thomas Brothers, s5oo0; partly insured. Alabama hotel sSOOo; partly insured. Polk House 5000; partly insured.
  $1O,00O; partly insured.
 M. F. Walker, dry goods and livery sta ble, $l5,0o0, partly insured
 Barton & Allen, groceries, $35O0, part ly insured.
 c. w. Battle, dry goods and notions, $5O00. partly insured.
 Mrs. Jessie Dickson, millinery, s25OO, partly insured
 G. A. sorrell. law office, 5000, partly insured.
 Dr. B. M. o'Huse, dentist. $500 partly insured.
 S. J. Nolen. bank building and stock, s15.OOO. partly insured.
 Farmers Alliance and Warehouse Com pany, S3000 partly insured.
 IIud ,rson & Dean, grocers, $15oO0, part ly insured.
 Mrs. Mamie Watley, millinery, 5000, no insurance.
 H. W. Pearson. dry goods, s1O,0Oo, partly insured.
 Thornton & Watkins, mems furnishings. s1000O. partly insured
 G. W. Sealey dry goods and groceries, 5000, partly injured.
 Max and Sam Adams. dry goods and groceries, sSO0O. partly insured Sam Adams, four business houses. s75OO, partly insured.
 c. R. segrcst, barber shop $500, partly insured
 Polk Hotel, $500. partly insured. Dr. j. A. Goggans hotel building, s4ooo. partly insured.
 Western Union Telegraph Company. s960.
 T s. Christian. book store and build- ,nr. s12c00. partly insured.
 Nrs. Jenny Pope, millinery. s15oO no in- eurance.
 Outlook Publishing Co.,, s16Oo partly in- sured.
 I. H. Robinson, two-story building, y4O00 insured
 ]. w. Wilder. building. s25oo insured.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-06-14
HOUSE COMMITTEE WILL
 NOT RETIRE CAPT. ROBSON

Washington, June 13.-The house com mittee on naval affairs today decided to postpone until next session the bill for the retirement of Naval Constructor Rich mond Pearson Hobson, on account of de- fective eyesight. The report states that only the gravest reasons would justify special legislation of this kind and that
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-06-14

with further rest and care Constructor Hobson might so far recover as to rem der the service to the navy for which he Is so well fitted
 The bill retiring Capt John Russell Bartlett, who organized the mosquito fleet in the Spanlsh-American war as rear admiral without the pay of that rank was favorably reported.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-06-14
Strikers losinq Ground.

Huntington, W. Va. June 13.-The strils- CTS along the Norfolk and Western are losing ground rapidly. At Algoma In- dian Ridge and Coopers probably 1000 miners who had been out on strike since Monday, returned to work today against the pleadings of the agitators.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-06-14
Psvm.ssIon ts Erect Dam.

washinstoa, June a-(spsotal)-Th senate oommittss on oomm~os has sa- vorabiy reported the bill introd~csd by Representative Richardson granting tho consent of congress to ". P. Thompson and associates to ereot dan end con Struot . power sAasses Rt xHssDA Neq6A Ainhama. .
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-06-14

not more than 5000 worth of stuff was saved if that much, even"
 Others returning to Birmingham on the same train tell similar stories of the fire. Conductor Wilmot of the Central of Geor- gia train, said that few people had enough food left for breakfast, and great destitu- tion would prevail unless supplies were quickly sent.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-06-14
SOME FACTS ABOUT
 ALEXANDER CITY

. Alexander City is town of .. about 1900 inhabitants.
 . Was considered one of the most
 . prosperous towrs in State. . Had electric tights and a tele-
 . phone system.
 . Was preparing to install water .. works.
 . Was largest tcwn in Tallanoosa
 . county, though Dadeville Is the
 . county seat.
 . Had a court house which was a . branch of the county court house . at Dadeville.
 . Principal support of the town is
 ~ agriculture. although several man
 . ufacturing plants have recently
 . been in operation.
 & Had a blow and handle factory,
 . machine shops. foundry, cotton
 . mills, cottcp oil mills and other H small industries. e Is situated on the Central of Geor-
 > gia 47 miles from Columbus, Ga., . and s3 miles from Birmingham.