davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-04-13

bridge, and be sure that no cadence is
observed in their march on the bridge.
When they have crossed the river they
will take the Murfreesboro pike to NILS
Creek and go into camp"
And under these orders the two brigades
bringing up the rear in this retreat were
the last to cross the river, much TO the
relief of the commander-in-chief. And
there was cause for anxiety, for Donelson
had fallen a few hours before and the
Yankee gunboats were expected at Nash
Vile at any hour.
For a few critical days the Seventh
Alabama was now detached from Woods
brigade. The brigade had scarcely passed
the suburbs of the city toward Its desig
mated camp when an oredr came detail
ing 1t for special service at Fort Zolli-
coffar, on the river three miles below
Nashville 1t was known that the
Seventh had been drilled in the use of
heavy ordnance at Pensacola, and heis,e
its selection for this important service.
Colonel Coltart, now changed about, pro-
ceeded with the regiment to the fort and
took charge of its guns. His instructions
were to engage the gunboats on their APP
proach, and hold them in check as long
as possible. The purpose of this order
was to delay the occupation of the city
by the Federals until the Confederate
supplies could be removed for some days
Colonel Coltart was In sole command Of
the Fort and its surroundings and re-
ceiyed no orders or communications from
any superior military authority. The ex-
posed position of his command seems to
have been forgotten He was rudely
awakened to this fact when late in the
evening of the fourth day, when unoffi-
cial but positive information came to him
that every soldier had left the city and the
paooIa Wera wild with pxcitenent He was
now confronted with grave responsibility.
There was no denying that the position
of his command was critical. Although
the Yankee fleet had not appeared it was
hourly expected and might run the
gauntlet of assault from the fort and cut
him off from the army. A true soldier, he
hesitated to leave his position without or
ders from his superiors in command. But
finally he wisely concluded that the alb
sence of orders was an oversight and ac-
cordingly evacuated the fort.
The regiment was now under march,
and reached Nashville about o'clock in
the evening. The city was a scene of ex-
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-04-13

letter This is done by the stylus pass
Ing over the metal strips and forming an
electrical connection, which is broken
for longer or shorter intervals necessary
to make letter by the intervening
spaces of wood between the metal strips.
A few weeks of practice on this instru-
ment and the novice knows the sound
of every letter, and it is only then mat
ter of practice to receive and transmit
in the usual manner. The sounder gives
him his opportunity to practice this and
IL he is ever in doubt as to his correct
ness he can verify his work by produce
Ing the letter with the stylus.
Telegraphers say 1t Is the most ingen-
ious as well as the simplest ARRANGE ment
they ever saw by means of which to
learn telegraphy. Railroad men who have
looked at 1t value it from another stand
point. One general manager of railway
says 1t will prove of great value in rail-
road work BY having one on every train.
in case of a wreck the conductor will be
enabled, by throwing a wire over the
telegraph wires along the road, to at
once communicate with the train dis
patcher of the division, telling where he
is. and the nature of the casualty The
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-04-13
NO PRAYERS FOR THIS CAT.

Susquehanna, Pa.-1he three members
of household at Red Rock are the aged
proprietor, his kousekeeper and the fami-
ly cat. Prayers are the rule each evening
and the cat fell into the habit Of regular
and punctual attendance. No other cares
that proverbially crowd a cats life were
allowed to interfere with this religious
duty. At the signal for prayers the cat
would even leave a mouse half caught, or
give doomed bird q longer lease OF
life, and decorously compose herself in
the lap of the housekeeper, with an air
of attention to the service that was
highly edifying At the final amen,
she went briskly about her business.
But IN an evil day there came kitten
that was deemed superfiuous. and the
sentence of death was pronounced upon
it. The head of the family undertook the
execution of the sentence and, unknown
to him, the old cat was a witness OF the
scene.
From that day the cat refused to at
tend the prayer service, and cannot be IN
duced to listen to the prayers on one VINO
had so shocked her sensibilities. Sne
faithfully performs all other duties as
before. and socially purrs for the family
on all secular occasions, but rightly draws
the line at family prayers.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-04-13

loss was light. Nor was any material
damage sustained by the Federals
But while the troops encamped around
Pensacola, were inactive and FESTIVE I'M
der the monotony of drills and the
routine duties of the camp there was
demand for active service In other parts
of the Confederacy In east Tennessee,
there were in defiance of all law civil or
military, organized parties engaged in
burning railroad bridges, harassing Cpn-
federate sympathizers and doing every
thing in their power to hinder and en-
barrass the Confederate cause. The OPP
erations of these desperate partsans In
interrupting railway transportation be-
tween Chattanooga and Bristol, became
so fragrant as to command the special at
tention of the war department at Rich
mond. General Bragg was therefore In
structed by the Secretary of War to dis
patch with the least possible delay one
of his best equipped regiments to Chatta-
nooga to look after and suppress these
annoying Interruptions.
The Seventh Regiment was selected for
this important duty. With the utmost
dispatch, it embarked on a special train
at Pensacola, and in due time arrived
at Chattanooga. Colonel Wood at once
grasped the situation. He detailed Of
ficers and men to guard and protect ev-
cry bridge and vulnerable point on the
railroad line between Chattanooga and
Knoxville The regiment was in charge
of this responsible duty until December.
when it was transferred to the army at
Bowling Green under the command Of
Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston. No attempt
was made to interfere with the railroad
by the stealthy enemy. while in charge
of this command which attests the eff
cheney of it's work
Very soon after the regiment arrived in
Chattanooga, Col. Wood sent detach-
ment of troops under Lieut-Col Coltart,
on an expedition of which there Is like
ly no tangible record. 1t was reported
to Col. Wood that one of the active TO-
mentors of dissension. and largely re-
sponsible for the acts of hostility In that
section against the Confederate cause,
was one VIM. Gift, living on the north
side of the Tennessee river some miles
above Chattanooga. On this information
Col. Wood called a sort of council of
war, in a room of the old Cantalifield
House of that city. Present in the city
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-04-13
BY WILLIAM TAYLOR

citement and confusion. Army stores and
goods of every description were being re-
moved or destroyed. and hundreds of cit
liens fleeing the city. A detail of men
armed with cleayers and sledge hammers
were cutting the anchors of the suspen-
sion bridge which after hours OF labor
parted and the whole structure fell with
heavy crash into the river. The regi-
ment remained in the city until morning.
moved out on the Murfreesboro pike, and
finally re1oined the brigade in camp many
miles down the pike.
No further events of Importance mark
ed the service of the regiment. With the
army, it moved by easy marches through
Murfreesboro, Shelbyville, Fayetteville,
Athens, Decatur, Tuscumbia, and the
Tennessee Valley, to Corinth, where 1t
went into camp in the latter days OF
March, 1862. It's period of enlistment was
ended, and it finally disbanded only few
days before the great battle of Shiloh,
which occurred on the 9Th of April, the
bulk of the men and officers of the line
repaired to their respective homes. where
in short time the majority re-enlisted or
raised new companies and were again In
the service. A lack of patriotism was In
no wise cause of their disarmament.
General Wood continued in the service
with rank of brigadier till the end OF the
Colonel. The war ended General Wood
made his home in Tuscaloosa, where he
resumed the practice of law which ne
continued till his death some years ago.
Colonel Coltart, at the end OF his ser.
vices, returned to Huntsville, his old
home, where he passed away few years
since.
The Seventh Alabama Regiment COM
prised in it's rank and file many young
men of bright promise. But without the
aid of a roster, after the lapse OF forty
years, no attempt will be made to name
and sketch their characters. And yet
there was one of that noble band,
whose memory deserves passing tribute
Captain John Coleman of Athens-Cap-
tain Coleman was cultured, scholarly ana
reflective! with trenchant wit, a genial
humor and exuberant fancy, he was al
WAYS a charming associate and gave
great promise of distinction. But alas, the
uncertainties of life! He fell at the front
of the battle of Murfreesboro, lamented
by all who knew him.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-04-13
SEVENTH ALABAMA REGIMENT

Passing out of Kentucky into Tennes-
see awakened no pleasant reflections in
the mind of General Breckenridge. 1t
was the privilege of the writer to be rid
ing by the side of the General when APP
preaching the state boundary. On pass
ing the line with deep feeling he turned
to those about him and said: Here we
leave the soil of Kentucky with only
about 5000 soldiers, when the state ought
to have $4,000 men now under arms"
And this brings us to reflect how condi-
tons deemed Of no vital Importance at the
time. may change the whole course OF
human events. Had Maryland Kentucky
and Missouri seeded promptly with the
South Atlantic and Gulf States there can
be no doubt, whether for good or evil,
there would have been wrought great
changes in the political map of North
America.
The night before reaching Nashville
Woods and Breckenridges brigades en-
camped six or eight miles from Nash
vile. The advance columns had all
passed to the South of the Cumberland
the evening before. Early the following
morning the two brigades were In mo-
ton on the turnpike to Nashville BotE
commanders were at loss for want OF or
ders about crossing the river, and as TO
what disposition they should make or
their commands after reaching the city.
A staff officer was sent forward to obtain
the desired information. who fastened
forward in search of General Johnstons
headquarters which he found at Edge
field, on The north bank of the Cumber-
land opposite Nashville. The General
was quartered in a small cottage ana
seemed to be alone and was evidently on
the watch through his window for mes
sengers from the rear. For when the OIL
Ger turned toward his quarters he left
his room came to the front porch, met
him and began an anxious inquiry about
the troops in the rear. He was informed
that the two brigades had encamped only
a few miles distant. that they were early
in motion and within an hour would
doubtless make their appearance. The
General expressed much satisfaction at
this information, and then gave the OFF,
Ger the following explicit orders:
Instruct your commander that all ord
nance wagon trains and vehicles must
cross on the railroad bridge, which has
been foored for that purpose. The in
fantry must cross on the suspension
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-04-13

and entertainments. We want the peo-
PIE to be happy and contented. l started
the movement in Trenton because 1t is
near the center of the United States and
because it is in the country. From here
we expect to spread"
Vrooman says there Is plenty of money
in sight to float his novel sociological
scheme. He says he has received many
pledges from his wealthy friends interest
ed in the social movement These pledges
have come from different parts of the
country, including New York and Chica-
go. Vrooman's investments about Tren-
ton up to the present time amount to
$135,000. He has bought a 2000-acre farm
adjoining the town. On this farm he will
grow material to supply the canning fac
tory owned by the citizens and Ruskin
College. At another plant AK handles are
made, and the citizens OF Trenton sup
piled about $4,000 of the $1,000 worth of
stock Vrooman has offered to buy the
plants outright for 60 cents on the dol
lar cash.
The head of this unique movement re-
puoiates both philanthropy and charity
in connection with his plan. I'VE simply
believe that the interests OF the people
whole" he says
Residents of Trenton are not so posi-
tive that Vrooman's scheme is practicable
and they are not particularly pleased be-
cause he selected Missouri as a favorite
location in which to launch this new
movement. They brand his schemes as
visionary and likely to go up in smoke.
But still they are excited, and business
men are not especially sanguine.
Meantime, the ''Coops' continue to buy
out stores and reinforce thei. foundation.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-04-13

one corner of each accurately squared.
The corners had been taken on, true
quarter circle channel made to within
Is or Is inches of one end, so as to give
practically a solid breech. These sections
had now been rounded off and tapered
after the form of the common field gun,
and Joined together; strong iron bands
had now been shrunk on 1t at Intervals OF
every few inches. and thus completed, 1t
was mounted on a pair Of cart wheels.
The gun had a callbre of about inches,
and with suitable ammunition. FOR Few
rounds at short range 1t would nave
proven a formidable weapon. Brief1y rest
ing after the fruitless expedition the COM
mand returned to the river boarded the
little steamer and In the evening was
again In camp.
In December came an order ordering the
regiment to Bowling Green. where II was
conveyed by rail, and where Colonel
Wood reported to Gen. A. s. Johnston.
The experience of the regiment at Bowling
Green was comparatively uneventfui ana
the time from December till February
was marked only by the incidents COM
mon to the soldier in camp But the ap-
proach of February brought important
changes and the demand for action Inc
battle of Mill Creek and the loss or
Zollicoffer had weakened that part of the
line. Buell. was pressing on from LOUIS
VILE with an army largely superior TO
Johnston's, while Grant with the aid Oh
a fleet of gunboats was flankins the Con-
federate position by his operations on
Forts Donelson and Tighman. 1t was
plain that Bowling Green was no longer
tenable.
Early in February, 1862, the evacuation
Of Bowling Green was begun. Meantime,
however, Colonel Wood had been pro-
NOTED to a brigadier generalship and was
now commanding a brigade composing
his old regiment, an Arkansas regiment
and one or two battalons while Lieuten-
ant Colonel Cottant succeeded to the
colonelcy of the regiment. The army was
now on the retrograde movement toward
Nashville. When in motion General
Hindman had been charged with the task
Of destroying the railroad bridge across
Green River. This accomplished his COM
mand was transported by rail to Nash
Vile. Woods brigade and Gen. John c.
Breckenridge's splendid brigade of Ken
tuckians now had the post of honor In
the rear of the marching columns,
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-04-13

conductor need not know anything abous
telegraphy to transmit a message slowly
but with perfect accuracy.
Mr. Armstrong began work on his IN
vention six months ago. Years ago hd
was telegrapher, but he abandoned this
work for photography. and was estab-
lished in business at Belasco, Texas when
the great Galveston hurricane came along
The town was forty-five miles south OF
Galveston and was swept out of exist
ence. Mr.. Armstrong was ruined, and
counted himself lucky to escape with his
life He went back to his old business
and set his wits to work in devising
method of learning telegraphy without
a teacher. His invention is the result.
Armstrong has also invented paper
berry box This consists of two simple
strips of paper. placed together in such
a manner as to be as firm as the ordin-
airy wooden box A concern in Indiana
has taken up this latter invention. and
Is turning out $500 boxes an hour in its
factory with one machine The only Sec
ret about the box is In the manner in
which the two pieces of paper composing
1t are folded. and this, once seen, child
could duplicate
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-04-13

which is hitting the high places along
a road marked with signboard, ITO
Los Angeles"
Teddy's face wears a look of wild de-
termination: his pistol holster f1aunts
out behind and his sombrero flaps reck-
lessly.
The Terrors are now having an en-
velope made for the invitation. 1t will
be a fiat box, made of polished Califor-
MIA woods and bound with silver. AS soon
as 1t is completed 1t will be forwarded
to Washington, to Senators Bard and
Perkins, with a request that they pre-
sent 1t to the President.
If the President accepts the invitation
the First Lady need have no nervous APP
prehensions He will not be lynched, nor
will he be in danger of being lassoed or
shot The Terrors are not as wicked as
they sound.
The Terrors were organized during the
Mckinley Roosevelt campaign of 1900.
They dress in cowboy costumes, with big
sombrero and blue shirts and they march
armed with gigantic revolvers. They go
campaigning with a whoop and a howl.
Their war slogan is the Hi Hi" of the
cattlemen to the moving stock.
Their political debut was made in fly
ing trip through southern California on
route famous as the kite Shaped Track"
ihOy "Shl udoHiuB Hiduly tuIOusu lhS
citrus belt a special train, shooting
up the country like COW punchers on
teaE. In each of the small towns along
the road the train would come to halt
amid roar of small arm firing. and the
inhabitants would tumble out in time to
hear a f1ve-minute speech from the back
platform; the the train would go plung-
ing on.
The funny part of it is that the Ter
rors" are made up of the solid" men
of the community.
There are a good many million dollars
represented whenever the busters"
start out One of the most desperate and
wild of the busters is a dear little law
yer, as mild and sunny as a morning In
May. He looks like pirate when he
gets into the war paint but his wife
comes down to the station to see that his
neck handkerchief is tied warmly about
his throat and to beg him to be careful
and shut his eyes when he shoots that
awful pistol Now. IL that isn't pretty
tough ON a man who Is trying to be bad!
Another bold character Is a careful,
precise, and dignified railroad man. Go
into his office 200 days Of the year. and
he VIII fix you with stony. electric glare
and beg to ''cut 1t short" and that Is
after you have run the gauntlet of the
stenographers and secretaries. But when
the CLUSTERS are out he decorates him
self with piece of light artillery and
| a Comanche Indian would stink of
| ashamed to hear him yell.
But whe; the Terrors 20 down the
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-04-13
~How Everybody May Telegraph
+ From the Chicago 1nter-ocean.

From the Chicago Inter-Ocean.
Marts. Armstrong station agent on the
Gulf Colorado & Santa Fe road at Ken
ny, Texas, has invented an appliance by
which any person may send a Geographic
message without knowing anything about
telegraphy. The apparatus is intended
primarily for use in educating people
to be telegraphers, and with it they can
without a teacher master the secret or
dots and dashes that go to make up each
letter of the alphabet according to the
Morse system.
The outfit, which can be carried in the
hand, consists of a sounder key, such
as is used in all Geographic work,
small dry battery, a transmitter, stylus,
and the wires that connect the various
parts It Is the transmitter that is the
wonderful hing about the whole apparat-
U.S. This Is simply piece of wood about
twelve inches long and eight wide. Elk
tending along one side of the board are
all the letters of the alphabet followed
by the numerals to 0, and the punctua-
ton characters. Under each one of these
characters there is a little hole or de-
preston in the wood Below these holes
again there is a geometrical pattern
formed by strips of metal set into the
wood, with q minute groove leading from
each character through the metal strips
and the wood that at intervals breaks
their continuity.
The stylus, which looks like an ordinary
pencil, and all the other parts of the ap-
paratus are connected with the battery
by wires The novice sets the apparatus
on a table before him and takes the sly
lus in his hand. Inserting Its point IN
the groove running from the the letter
he wishes to make he draws 1t toward
him. AS it moves the sounder clicks the
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-04-13

Is Trenton to be "co-operated?'
This question is being passed from lip
to lip by the 5000 persons comprising the
population Of the Missouri town bearing
that name. Walter Vrooman, a disciple
of Ruskin, and his associates composing
the membership of the Western Co-opera-
tive Association, is strongly of the opin-
ion that Trenton is to be "cooperated'
ION a broad scale. Business men and
residents of the town are not sure that
he isn't right, for he certainly has made
@ strong start IN this direction.
Trenton Is the home of Ruskin Col
ieee, which has been going along in
Quiet educational way without exciting
anything more than passing comment
But now it is different Walter Vrooman
and his associates, who have been dubbed
the s-Coops" by Missourians, recently
swooped down on the unpretentious VII
laee and announced in an unconcerned
wav that they were there to do all the
business in the town. Already they have
bought three grocery stores. hardware
ana drug store, and have leased another
big building for a department store. They
paid cash for everything and incidentally
deposited $500, 900 in the three banks OF
the town, with the assurance thaI tnere
was a million more coming.
That is why 1t looks to the people OF
Trenton as though the town is to be
scooperated." The "Coops'' are giving
free entertainments in the Trenton Thea
ter and in many other ways are opening
the eyes of residents. Still Mr.. Vrooman
says 1t is but a beginning.
1--WE have started a movement here
that will spread over the entire United
States in five years." he declares. I'VE
are simply putting humanity into busi-
uess giving profits to those who make
them possible-the people who buy. The
managers and employees are paid goou
salaries We are trying to buy out the
business men of Trenton in order to OPP
crate their stores on the cooperative
plan We pay a man Just what his stock
is worth, but never give up anything for
good will. Good will belongs to the peo-
pIe and not to the merchant.
.sI may say also that we are in politics
from the start Within two years we will
make every legislator and member of
congress pledge himself that as rule of
procedure every measure on which he
will ballot will have to be subject to a
vote of the people on per cent petition.
THE initiative and referendum will undo
1be corruption of legislative bodies
THE most cons picuous signs In Trenton
today are large white banners announc-
ING in black letters, Bought by the Co
lucrative store" and it begins to look as
~ most Of the residents of the town are
20 be made stockholders in the various
business enterprises. Merchants are at
. Ioss when asked to foretell the results,
ana the whole town is considerably
brought up over Mr.. Vrooman's co-opera-
tive scheme.
at is our purpose to give the old mef
chants OF the town a chance" he says.
awe make them an offer on their stocks
md make them managers when they sell;
-