davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-12-18
THE LEADER
Sentence is Pronounced or
Cherry Tree SwindIers.
Rev. T. Bright Must Pay $1,000 and Spend
Four Months in JaiI---Fines Imposed
on Others.
Especial to the News and Observer.

Especial to the News and Observer 4
Charlotte, N. c., Dec. 1.-THE famous
Amos Owens Cherry Tree swindling case
came to an end in Federal Court today
when Judge Boyd pronounced sentence
upon the several defendants. Vigorous
appeals was made by counsel for the de-
fense for further stay of proceedings
but Judge Boyd declined.
Rev. 7. Bright the main spirit
of the enterprise was fined $1,000
and sentenced to four months in
Rutherford Jail. His brother, DR.
Frank Bright, had his case con-
tinued until the May term owing to the
serious illness of his wife, and he was
released on $4,000 bond. c. d. Wilkie
was fined $1,000; Geer and Rollins Were
fined $500 each, and M c. Padgett was
sentenced to three months in Jail.
Moro than year ago the
Federal Court imposed unique
sentence on those swindlers. re-
quiring them to refund to their victims
$4,000, the estimated amount of their
transactions. Five thousand dollars OF
this has been paid into the court, but
the defendants could not raise the
balance, and hence the final punishment
All are prominent in Western NORTH
Carolina. Nearly all Of their victims
were women
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-12-18
record would have been broken. TIL
trial was official.
ONE OF TIE LOWRY BANDITS7
Police of Savannah Say Potter on Trial There
is Really Alex Hays.
Especial to News and Observer

-NCpSNlol " NEWS anu OUoGTNGTsJ
Wilmington, N. c., Dec. 17.-W. ]. Pot
ter and his son, Swayne, seventeen years
old, are principals in a sensational mur-
Ger trial now in progress at Savannah,
Ga. Interest attaches to the case in
North Carolina because it is said that the
elder Potter is none other than Alex
Hayes, a member of the notorious Lowry
gang of outlaws that terrorized Robe
son county people in this State in the
early seventies. The police in Savannah
say they have indisputable evidence to
that effect and that in the event of his
acuuittal upon the charge for which he is
now being tried, they will return him to
North Carolina to be tried for the mur-
der of William Page, at one time deputy
sheriff of Robson county.
The principal witness against Potter in
the trial now in progress says he was a
resident of Robson county at the time
{ f the killing of Page and remembers the
circumstances well. Page went to arrest
the man for running an illicit distillery
and was shot dead. Potter was subse-
quently in some way made able to break
Jail and he thereafter disappeared and
has not been heard of in Robson county
since that time, though it was known
that he made his way TO some point in
| Georgia. Potter denies that he ever was
| in North Carolina
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-12-18
Castro's Proposal Inadequate.
(By the Associated Press.)


Berlin, Dec. 17.-Germany considers
that President Castro's proposal to arbi-
trate is inadequate, unaccompanied as 1T
is with guarantees to pay if the arbitra-
tors decide against him, and reply in
that sense has been or will be sent
through Minister Bowen. Great Britain
will make similar answer. These state
ments are not made officially, but are
derived from an excellent source.
The Foreign Office here denies explicit
ly that the German squadron in Vene-
zuelan waters has orders to seize Mar
garita Island adding that no occupation
of the territory of Venezuela will occur.
The Foreign Office officials allege that
a systematic effort is apparently being
made to represent Germany as the pro-
pelling power in the coercion of Vene-
zuela and as being responsible for all the
harsh measures. For instance, they say,
the bombardment of the forts at Porto
Cabello is ascribed to German initiative,
whereas the Foreign Office officials say
without reservation that the lombard
ment was at the British commander S
suggestion, the Topaze being British
ship. The German commander partici-
pated in the firing as loyal ally.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-12-18
Pension Bill Passed.
(By the Associated Press.l

(By the Associated Pressl
Washington, &c. 17.--The Senate To-Day
passed the Pension Appropriation bill
without discussion. 1t carries an appro-
priation of S139 SAT eco. An urgent de-
ficiency bill also was passed. The amount
carried by the bill is $1,140,4 400 and in
cludes an item of $500,000 to enable the
Secretary of Agriculture to stamp out
the foot and mouth disease. which has
become epidemic in the New England
States.
The Military bill was up for a short
time. Mr.. Bacon (Georgia), continuing
mis- remarks begun yesterday, in which
he attacked the constitutionality of the
provision for reserved force Of trained
men.
At o'clock Mr.. Kean (New Jersey)
called up the resolutions expressing the
regret of the Senate at the death of the
late Senator Sewell, Of New Jersey, and
feelingly spoke of the life and character
of the deceased. He was followed by
several other Senator'S and, as a further
mark of respect. an adjournment was
taken until Saturday. Among the speak
ers were Senators Daniel (Virginia) and
Morgan (Alabama).
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-12-18
. BALF0UR SAYS IT Is WAR.
And Neutrals are Not Consulted Under Such
Circumstances.
(By the Associated Press }

London, Dec. 17.-In the course of a
long statement in the House of Com
mons today Premier Balfour said there
was no such thing as pacific blockade. -
state of war actually existed with
Venezuela and an intimation of the block
ade would be shortly given to the Pow
ers. The Premier also said the opera
tions were reluctantly undertaken, not
to recover debts, but. after long and
patient delay, to recover compensation
for assaults on British subjects and the
seizure of British vessels.
Mr.. Healy, Irish Nationalist, asked if
the United States assented to a blockade
sells, Mr.. Balfour replied: "Neutrals are
not consulted when you are in a state of
war with third party"
rs war declared?" asked Mr. Healy.
The Premier replied: docs the hon
orable member suppose that without a
state of war you can take vessels and
have blockade?'
After reiterating Lord Lansdowne' s
brief statement in the House of Lords
yesterday, the Premier continued:
The blockade will be carried out by
Great Britain and Germany along differ
ent portions of the coast and though the
two fleets will have the same objects
they will not act as one force. We never
had any intention of landing troops in
Venezuela or of occupying territory even
temporarily. We do not think it desira-
bic on either military or other grounds.
All the conditions governing such a
blockade have been carefully considered
and will be published in due time for the
information of neutrals. The government
are most anxious that these operations,
the necessity for which we deeply regret
should be as little convenient to neutrals
as they can possibly be made. No diff
ference will be made between the yes
sells OF the various neutral powers.
think it is quite likely that the United
States will think that there cannot be
such thing as pacific blockade and
l. personally, take the same view. Evil
IDENTIFY blockade involves a state of
war"
Mr. Balfour concluded his statement
with saying he could make no announce
ment as to whether the offer or arbitra-
ton from Venezuela would be accepted
by Great Britain.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-12-18
THE COAL BARON's SIDE.
They Begin Presenting Testimony and Lively
Session Follows
(By the Associated Press.)

Scranton, Pa, Dec. 17.-The anthracite
coal operators opened their side of the
controversy with the mine workers to-
day before the Strike Commission, and
the attorneys who are on record before
the commission as representing the non
union men. who have been admitted to
the arbitration scheme, began calling
witnesses
The sessions today were probably the
liveliest yet held by the commission. At
the morning session the miners lawyers
challenged the fairness of certain wage
statements handed to the commission by
the Pennsylvania Coal Company, and,
in the afternoon, Lawyer Darrow had a
spirited discussion with Chairman Gray
as to whether or not the miners had a
right to know who is paying the lawyers
representing the non-union men before
the commission. Mr.. Darrow asserted
they were employed by the coal opera
sxors.
Preceding this, Simon p Wolverton,
counsel for the Reading Company, who
delivered the opening address on behalf
of all the large coal companies made the
point in his address that the recognition
of the union is not an issue before the
commission, which brought out pro-
test from Mr.. Darrow. The latter
claimed that if it were not, then the op-
orators should be forbidden from pre-
senting testimony that tended to show
, the union was responsible for al 1.-The al
legged violence committed during the
strike.
The alleged unfairness of the wage
statements came to the notice of the
commission as a result of it's inquiry into
the child labor question in this vicinity.
Several little girls testified on Monday
that they worked all night in a silk mill
in order to help their fathers along,
who were employed in the mines and re-
ceived poor pay. Yesterday, Everett
Warren who represents the Erie Com
pany which controls the Pennsylvania
Coal Company, in whose mines some of
these fathers worked, handed to the COM
mission a memorandum showing that one
father last year received 81, 400 for HIM
self and 1aborer and that the other
father received $1,000 for himself and
laborer. At the opening of the session
today, the miners placed the two parents
on the stand, and they swore that the
earnings mentioned were divided among
from four to six men.
This testimony surprised the commits
S.onerS.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-12-18
ORDERED TO AID BOWEN.
Torpedo BoatDestroyer Goes to Caracas to Serve
as Dispatch Boat.
(By the Associated ress.)

Washington, d. c., Dec. 1.-THE fol-
lowing cablegram was sent today by tho
Navy Department to Admiral Dewey, in
command of the combined fleets, ad-
dressed to San Juan:
Send competent officer with dispatch
in torpedo boat destroyer or other yes-
sci to Caracas as assistant to American
Minister"
The following cablegram also was sent
to Commander Diehl, of the Marietta,
now lying at La Guaira:
Send Van Duzen Executive officer of
the Marietta) as assistant to the Ameri-
can Minister temporarily
The officer from Dewey's fleet will re-
lieve Lieutenant Commander Van Duzen,
who is only an hour distant from Cara
cas-, when he arrives upon the scene.
1t was stated at the Navy Department,
that one reason for sending the officers
to Caracas was the fact that Mr.. Bowen
is almost overwhelmed with the amount
OF work imposed upon him by his many
charges He has nearly all of the English
residents in Caracas domiciled in the
american Legation and is feeding them
from his own table. AS to the torpedo
boat destroyer, it is pointed out that it
VIII serve as dispatch boat to keep Mr..
Bowen in touch with the nearest cable
station to La Guaira which can be re-
lied upon to transmit messages to Wash
iDgton in case the La Guaira cable is cut
as an incident to the blockade.
NO further orders than that noted
above went forward to Dewey today but
Secretary Moody expects to have ready
by tomorrow his order for the distripu-
Continued on Page Five)
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-12-18
TO LABOR IN PRISON
Lawrence PuIIiam Sentenced
for Five Years.
An Appeal is Taken Which Will Garry the Case
to the Circuit Court at Rich
mond.

Especial to the News and Observer
Charlotte, N. c., Dec. 17-In the
Federal Court today Lawrence Pulliam,
ex-casher of the defunct First National
Bank of Asheville, who was charged
with embezzling $1,000 of the bank s
funds, was sentenced to five years at
hard labor in the Federal prison at At
lanta. Motion for a new trial was over
ruled, as were appeals for clemency.
An appeal was taken which will carry
the case to the Circuit Court of Appeals
at Richmond.
Pulliam was in court with his wife and
daughter when the sentence was pro-
nounced and he was Visibly affected, as
was his family.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-12-18
A YOUNG CARoLINIAN
ARRESTED IN NORFOLK.
Vance A. Montgomery a Young Man Of Will
mington Convicted Of Stealing an Over
coat From Pool Room.
Especial to News and Observer.)

Especial to News and Observer.)
Norfolk, Va, Dec. 17.-Vance A. Mont
gomery, young man 20 years old, who
recently came to this city from Will
mington, N. c.. was sentenced to four
months in jail yesterday by Police Jass
tice Taylor, charged with having stolen
an overcoat belonging to E. R. Hurst, of
No. 424 Poole street. The prisoner is a
refined, well dressed young man and his
general appearance is not in keeping
with the serious accusation preferred
against him and upon which he was found
guilty.
1t is said that the prisoner is con-
nected with the best people of Whining
ton. SO far as has been learned Mont
gomery has not informed his relatives OF
his trouble and the authorities have not
yet been communicated with in the young
mans behalf.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-12-18
Italy's Minister Leaves Caracas.
1Ru the Associated Press }

Caracas, Venezuela, Dec. H.-The
italian Minister left Caracas this morn
ing. At s O'Clock Minister Bowen went
to the Italian Legation in State car
riage, accompanied by Secretary Russell,
and took the Italian Minister. Signor de
Riva. and the Italian consul. Signor
Gazzurelli, and conducted them to the
railroad station. where they were met
by the leading Italian residents of this
city. Mr. Bowen then accompanied the
Minister to his car. shook hands with
him. and handed him papers and cigars
for his journey to La GLslra.
The Venezuelan newspapers still are ig-
norant of the fact that the Italian Min
lister presented an ultimatum to the
Venezuelan government yesterday az
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-12-18
Suing for Pilot Mountain.

Especial to the News and Observer.)
Winston Salem, n. c., Dec 17.-An
important case is being heard here before
Mr.. Lindsay Patterson as referee. 1t
involves eight or nine thousand acres of
land, in which Pilot Mountain is located.
Bowling Whitfield, of Georgia, and
others are suing c. NJ. Bernard, of Raj
eigh, and NJ D. Boyd, of Pinnacle, claim
ing that they are entitled to an interest
in the lands as well as the mountain.
Boyd claims that he bought the property
several years ego at a commissioner IS
sale.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-12-18
Accident Prevents Broken Record
(Bv the Associated Press J

Savannah, Ca. Dec. 17.-Oscar He'd
strom who, with his manager, Mr.. Hen
dee, came here for the purpose of at
tempting to lower the motorcycle record
for ten miles, went against the record at
the Coliseum this afternoon. He failed
to scale the first mile, but after that up
to and including the eighth he clipped
seconds from each. In the ninth, a tire
came off and Hedstrom was thrown
heavily, but not seriously injured. The
time for each mile was: lib 1-5; 2:2S
As 3:43 Is; 500 %; els is; 7:SS Is;
$50: 1906.
Except for the accident the ten mile
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-12-18
Loads aD NopG Gap0D6ma Daily es Circulation
at the railroad station and no hostile
demonstration. The city is quiet today.
Will Not Resist the Blockade.
(By the Associated Press. J

(by the Associated Press
Washington, Dec. 17.-There will be no
effort on the part of this government to
resist war blockade of the Venezuelan
coast as against merchantships Custom
requires that due notice shall be given
of the blockade, and that fact, taken in
connection with the declarations that
have been made in the British Parlia-
ment by the authorized representatives of
the British government, will. it is un-
derstood, be sufficient to justify all neu-
trail nations in the understanding that a
state of war does actually exist This
might. in the end, require the issue of a
proclamation Of neutrality by President
Roosevelt, but this, it is stated. would
not be timely now.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-12-18
Death Under the Wheels.

Especial to News and Observer)
Old Fort, n. c., Dec. 17-R. d. Evans
of Williamsport, Pennsylvania was acci-
dentally killed at Eberman, four miles be-
low here, this afternoon. While riding
on a lumber train connected with the
Murray Lumber Company's plant, he fell
to the track and the train passed over his
body The deceased was a young man,
nineteen years old, who was here for his
health. He had become quite a favorite
among our people, and his untimely death
has cast gloom over the community.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-12-18
Waterlogged and Abandoned
(By the Associated Press.)

New York, Dec. 17.-The steamer Alle-
gheny which arrived today from West
Indian ports, reported having passed, on
December IA, the schooner Maggie G.
Hart, from Jacksonville for New York,
and abandoned in a waterlogged condi-
tion. The foremast was standing, and the
mainmast broken at the deck and hanging
by gear from the foremast. The jib-
boom was broken and the fore-deck was
continually under water.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-12-18
BILL AFFECTING WILMINGTON.
Port Through Which Merchandise May be I'm.
ported for Transportation Without
Appraisement.
(By the Associated Press.)


Washington, d. c., Dec. 1.-THE Sen
ate today passed bills authorizing Robert
A. Chapman, of Alabama, to use the
waters of the Coosa river in Alabama for
the purpose of generating electricity; to
make Wilmington, N. c., a port through
which merchandise may be imported for
transportation without appraisement.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-12-18

The New York police have arrested
Gustave Kersten, his wife and his sister,
Margaret Kersten, and removed to Belle
vue Hospital six young women found in
house occupied by the Kerstens. Physi-
clans reported that three of the women
had become mothers and the other three
were suffering from threatened abortion.
The Kersten women are held pending an
investigation and Kersten is charged
with aiding and abetting in criminal
abortion.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-12-18
The People Ask Castro That
Bowen be Given Full
Powers.
READY TO YIELD TO FORCE
Balfour Declares State of War Exists--.0ur
Vessels Will be Treated as Those of
Other Neutra!s- This Government
viii Not Resist the
Blockade.
(By the Associated Press.)

CARACAS, DEC. 17.-INDICATIONS
HERE ARE THAT VENEZUELA
WILL YIELD TO THE DEMANDS OF
THE ALLIES
THE LEADING CITIZENS OF CAR
ACAS HAVE ADDRESSED A JOINT
NOTE TO PRESIDENT CASTRO
ASKING HIM TO GIVE FULL POW
ERS TO UNITED STATES MINISTER
BOWEN TO EFFECT A TERMINA-
TION OF THE PRESENT Diff
GUILTY.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-12-18
Reciprocity TrsatySent to Senate.
(By the Associated Press. }

Washington, d. c., Dec. 1.-THE Presi-
dent sent to the Senate today the recip-
rocity treaty recently negotiated between
the United States and Cuba. The treaty
was received by the Senate in executive
session and was referred to the Commit
tee on Foreign Relations without being
read.
1t is stated that the treaty does not
concern the disposition of the Isle of
Pines.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-12-18
Former Congressman Dead.
(By the Associated Press }

Bristol, Tenn, Dec. 17.-Col Abraham
Faulkerson, former Congressman from the
Ninth Virginia district, died at his home
today, aged 20. He was colonel in the
Confederate army and organized the first
company of Confederate infantry to go
from Eastern Tennessee
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-12-18
NO FAv0Rs SHOWN OUR SHIPS.
Formal Notification of the Blockade May be
Issued To-day.
(By the Associated Press. !

Berlin, Dec. ia formal notification
of the blockade of the Venezuelan coast
by the war vessels of the allied powers
is likely to be issued tomorrow. = 1t is
understood that ships of the United
States will be on precisely the same basis
as those of other nations.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-12-18
Italian Cruiser Ordered to the Scene

(By the Associated Press.)
Rome, Dec. 1.-THE italian cruiser
Agordat has been ordered to proceed to
Venezuela.
The Lamar register., 1902-01-15

reports from every part of the empire
indicate tnat extraordinary demands
are being made on the poor funds and
private agencies for the relief Of the
destitute. Several large, new charita-
BILE societies have been organized in
Berlin, and three or four times more
than the usual holiday contributions
to the poor have been distributed. Yet
the distress seems scarcely touched.
The municipal councils of Cologne,
Stuttgart, Leipsic, Berlin and other
cities are discussing the question of
municipal aid. without reaching any
thing definite. The provincial govern
ment of Weisbaden has determined to
distribute relief from the provincial
treasury.
One amelioration of the labor situa
tion upon which both trades unions
and employers have agreed is the dis
misal of foreign laborers, many thou
sands of whom-CZechs, Poles, Italians
and Russians-obtained work in Ger
many during the boom period The
government approves of the dismissal
of these men and of giving preference
to Germans. The manager of the great
Laura lIou NoIhS, III oiitsid, III ulS-
charging eight hundred foreign work
men. said the authorities had advised
taking this step. Other great estab
Hshments have taken the same course,
Nd the government of Anhalt has dis
charged and expelled from the duchy
all foreign laborers on the government
establishments. Expulsions of unem-
ployed foreigners by the local authori-
ties have occurred in other parts of
Germany.
The census of the unemployed in
Berlin shows that 5S,073 persons are
out of work there. The Socialists, in
interpellating the municipal govern
ment on the subject this week, said
the number would be $4,000 higher af-
ter the Christmas work was over. The
burgomaster said be believes this esti-
mate was excessive.