davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-10-26
SAME OLD STORY
 OF EMPTY PISTOL
NEGRO PORTER ACCIDENTALLY KILLED BY A PRACTICAL JOKE AT ESSEMER-TRADE AND LA BoR ASSEMBLY MEETS.

Bessemer, october 25.-(Special) )-The same old story of an empty pistol dis charging with fatal results is the latest development of the accidental killing last night of George Morgan, porter for W. L. Rush & Co., the druggists, by George It seems that Morgan was much afraid of a pistol and had furnished the clerks and other young men much fun by his an- tics when confronted by a weapon. To make the amusement more complete the boys had a plan of blowing up a paper bag. slipping up behind the negro and bursting it, at the same time pointing pistol at him.
 It seems that the clerks had been play ing this joke on the negro with an old rusty pistol that had been in the store for a long time. No one supposed that it would even explode a cartridge and they never dreamed of it being loaded. MT. Bancroft picked. up the pistol to repeat the same old joke that was played dozen times a day. It is said that after the sack 
 negro turned around, that MT. Bancroft snapped the pistol twice at the negro the second time holding the gun close 10 his head. An explosion occurred the paii entering the negro's temple and killing him instantly.
 Mir. Bancroft, is a relative ot MT pusii and came to Bessemer few weeks "eehs
 o and has made many friends since ms residence in the city. lie grea.ls plores the accident. ,,,..,,,,r
 Coroner Parrish came out from Blrmihs- ham this afternoon and after careiol Investigation of the killing, deeloeo ,hae if was unnecessary to hold an lhaues'' 's the killing was an accident
 The Ressemer Trade and Labor assem- hly met in regular session this afternoon of o,clock with a large attendance. Ed S-aitoh and l.. C. Buel were elected 10 renresent the assembly at the general con- fare,ce which will be held in Birmingham on November l.
 Tho assembly decided to hold an open ing meeting at the city hall on NoNenlper 4 at 7.3O D. m. Several prominent speah- CTS will address the meeting OH .hae oe casion Among them will be- The Hon. Jesse Stallings and the Hon. ii. N' haii- dle. The subject to be discussed at .i'is meeting will be: "Organized Lapof Anu It's Advantages"
 Much excitement was caused Ill besse- mer this afternoon at live ociock py q fire heinz discovered over the store or Ahe Abronson on Second avenue. between Twentieth and Twenty-first streets. The fire department promptly responded to the call and arrived in time to extnguish the flames before any damage was done. Al, though the stock of goods in the store IS said to have been damaged by water.
 The Rev J. H. Mccoy. former editor ot the Alabama Christian Advocate, preach ed to a large congregation at the First Methodist church tonight
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-10-26
MADE
 Is FAIRLY GOOD Work on Vessels for Navy Has
 Been Handicapped
IS SEVEN VESSELS SHORT
Two Battleships and Five Cruisers Should Have Been Completed by This Time, But Were Delayed
 by Various Causes.

Washington, October 25.-Rear Admiral Bowls chief of the bureau of construc- tion and repair, in his annual report to the secretary of the navy, reviews at length the progress made by this govern ment in naval construction during that period
 It is shown that the following additions have been made to the effective force of the navy during the year:
 One battleship, four monitors, twelve torpedo boat destroyers, one torpedo boat, and several submarine torpedo boats.
 The list should have been increased by two battleships and five cruisers, the report states, but owing to strikes and other causes their completion was delay ed. The report states, that the rate of progress of vessels under construction at the present time presents some very encouraging indications for completion of many of the most important contracts, but considered as a whole, the progress made during the last fiscal year has been very unsatisfactory.
 Speaking of the battleshp Connecticut, which Is being built at a government yard and which is a sister ship of the Louisiana, being built by private com pany, the report says that although slightly behind the Louisiana, the pro- gress being made has been well up to the previous average of contract-built ships.
 It is stated that the bureaus work con- tinues to be embarrassed by lack of suf- ficient drydocl<s of capacity suited to the rnp g1cf of cruisers.
 Appended to the report is a complete list of all the vessels in the navy with elaborate data concerning them also summary which shows there are 252 ves- sels in the navy fit for service, 45 build ing and 23 unfit for sea service. Vessels fit for service, including those under re- pair, are as follows:
 First-class battleships, ten; second class battleships, one; armored cruisers, two; armored ram, one; single turret har" Dor defense monitors four; double turret monitors, six; protected cruisers, four teen; unprotected cruisers, three; gum boats, twelve; light draft gunboats, three; composite gunboats six; training ships (naval academy sheathed, one; special class lDolphin), Vesuvius, two; gunboats under 300 tons, twenty-one; torpedo boat destroyers, sixteen; steel torpedo boats, twenty-nine; submarine torpedo boats eight: wooden torpedo boats, one; iron cruising vessels, steam, five; wooden cruisers, five; converted ships, twenty three; colliers, sixteen supply ships and hospital ships, fourteen.
 The following under construction or au- thorized:
 First-class battleships, fourteen; armor- ed cruisers, eight protected cruisers, nine; gunboat for great lakes (not begun one composite gunboats, two; steel tor pedo boats, six; training ships two; train- ing brig, one; tugs, two.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-10-26

sl000O laundry; Sour Lake. s15000 oil com pany. $l0,000 oil company; Minneola, water works: Fort Worth, $2,50o,ooo gold mining company; Fl Paso, $1,0o0,00O mining com pany; Sedmour. s20.0o0 hardware com pany: Bastrop, $200.000 mining company Beaumon-, N0,00O oil company.
 irginia-Norfolk. s10o0OO lumber com pany, sl0.0O0 harness and supply company.
 West Virginia-Grantsville. $2OO000 land company; Parkersburg, s100,000 oil and gas company s50O,0O0 gas company; Philippi, $20,000 development company; Wheeling, s25.000 lumber company; s50000 ice and cold storage company; Diamond, $l0.000 coal company Charleston. s200.0O0 coal lands company sS0.OO0 oil company; Manning- ton, $i00,00O boiler and machine works Grafton. Sl00O0 coal company; Clarksburg, $50, 600 pottery
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-10-26
MAXIM GUN EXPLODES.
Negro Helper Instantly Killed and La
 borer Seriously Injured.

Washington, October 25-A six-pounder Maxim machine gun exploded at Indian Head proving ground today, killing, in stantly, Frank Pennie, negro helper, and seriously injuring Nelson Jackson, first class laborer, also colored.
 Several officers were close by but es- capped injury. An investigation will fol- low.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-10-26
REAL ESTATE. UNDERWRITERS REAL ESTATE & RENTAL CO.,.

UNDERWRITERS REAL ESTATE & RENTAL CO.,. A. D. Smith. President; w. N. Malone. First Vice President; e. L. Stickney, Second Vice President; Henry Hiden, Sec retary.
 FOR SALE. Four nice residences in Avondale; various sizes: all cheap; liberal terms. S-room residence; Sth avenue. north, near 1fth street; modern. 7-room modern home; Avenue J, near 17th street. south. 4-room cottage: modern: 11th street near Avenue H. very cheap. Lot 60x235. with Groom modern cottage on car line at Woodlawn; price is right Nice 7-room house: 18th street. south near Avenue c; see this and you will buy
 Corner 17th street and 14tn avenue, north; 7-room house; very large lot; liberal terms.
 FOR RENT. Office ground floor First National Bank building. storehouse; Avenue A, running back to tracks Good store on 1st avenue We have named only few of the prop- critics listed with us for sale or for rent. Come and see us; we will make 1t to Your interest. All kinds of insurance UNDERWRITERS REAL ESTATE 6
 RENTAL CO, Both phones SIS. aol7 1st Ave.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-10-26
A Beautiful Woman

In a handsome home, with pretty. we'll kept floors This is a picture for gods and men. We will see to the floor part of the combination. and tell you how to keep them attractive.
 JOHNSTON & WALTER PAINT CO, The Big Paint Store. 1923 Second Avenue.
 10-25-2t
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-10-26
Mrs. wlnsIow,s soc,hInu svrvp.

the best remedy for DIARRHOEA. Sold ~ druggists In every part of the world. Be sure and ask for "Mrs Winsiow . Soothing Syrup" and take no other Kind. Has been used for over FIFTY YEARS by MILLIONS of MOTHERS ros their CHILDREN WHILE TEETHlNG. with PERFECT SUCCESS IL SVOlHks ,nesCHILD. SOFTENS the GuMa AL LAYS all PAIN. CURES WlND SOLil,, and Is twenty-five cents a bottle
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-10-26
REAL ESTATE.
FOR SALE.

FOR SALE. $1S00-Three beautiful lots, 150x160 feet; northeast corner of Tuscaloosa avenue and Owenton street; fronts on car line at Kennelworth; fine for improving. S2S50-7-room two-story house; lot 45x95 feet; 26th street. near 7th avenue; $1250 cash. balance easy. $6500-$25OO cash. balance I and 2 years; splendid corner. 50x19O feet; good 7-room 2-story house; also good Groom cottage; we'll located on 7th avenue. s200 per front foot for two business lots, 25x140 feet each 3rd avenue. near 18th street. ought soon to go to $500 per front foot.
 $S50-Easy terms. $500 house and $400 lot; one block of cars; North Highlands. $4000-Pretty South Highlands home; Humbolt avenue. near goth street.
 FOR RENT. 1O-room house; 22nd street, near Avenue G; $30
 broom house; West End; on car line; s15.
 SMITH 6 STlLLMAN.
 2004i5 First Avenue.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-10-26
Mrs. Mcintyre in Birmingham.

Mrs. M. Mcintyre of Nashville is at the Morris hotel, room 7S. Hairdressing and manicuring.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-10-26
NORTH BIRMINGHAM

S110000. elegant new cottage and lot, l50 rec from car line, fronts south. splendid bored well, soft water. Terms. s250.O0 cash. balance so5.oO per month. See this. L. M. GREEN & co.
 Seventh Avenue and Car Line. Both phones.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-10-26
MISCELLANY EoUS.

and watches. jewelry. silverware and clocks on small weekly or monthly pay ments; lowest prices; best quality; goods guaranteed; will call if desired. J. Lowinsohn. 1921 2nd avenue 7-l2-tf TAKE calomel for your liver if you like it, if not, take Phospho. Simply elegant in taste, odor and effect. Phospho at
 Parker's and Adams. 10-26-mon-1m
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-10-26
FOR SALE.

One CD block of property. 4oox3oo. ad- joining rolling mill. The ground lays nicely and is well located. Can be bought at bargain. Bell phone sS4
 BROWN BROS. 6 CO, Bell Phone 3S4 Woodward Building.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-10-26
FOR SALE.

$41oo-south Highlands home; half block of Avenue K; very neat and attractive: beautiful lawn. $5250-E Excellent Avenue K house; a bar gain. $700o-Large furnace-heated house: near Five Points. $1sO0-Neat cottage; 18th street, near Ave nue G. $275O-West End place; very attractive. $5500-Big bargain in an 11-acre tract: im- proved; only miles. $3o0o-New Groom cottage; Fountain Heights Special bargain in Magnolia Heights lot. $3150-75x15O; 2-story; Fulton station $1O0O-4 rooms; Woodlawn; 100 feet front. $550-New bricks; close in; rent ses monthly.
 FOR RENT. s65-14 rooms; Northside $S3 1-3-Corner 9th avenue and Fist street. $l15-Large new house; close in.
 MCDONNELL l. 6 CARTWRIGHT. Both phones 46. 220 North Fist St.
 FOR RENT. $25-An up-to-date broom cottage: in good condition. Avenue l, between 22nd and 23rd streets. $o5-The old Morrow place, corner Sth av- enue and 25th street. has just been re- modelled and is in good condition; has large rooms, halls, closets. bath, etc; also kitchen with servants room at- tached; an ideal location.
 FOR SALE. $42oO-An ideal and modern S-room home on South 14th street near 11th avenue; furnace heated; splendid lawn: $500 cash easy monthly payments on bal ance if desired splendid value $50 per foot-One or two very choice lots in Anderson Place Will build for one or two desirable parties Tn Anderson Place on terms to suit,
 THOMPSON REALITY CO.,,
 2O7 Title Guarantee Bldg.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-10-26

TWO gentlemen or couple can secure board, with home comforts, private family; references required Peoples phone 734. or call 2230 S+l ave. 10-14-tf EXCELLENT room and board can be had at 2102 Humboldt avenue; walking distance from city; one block from car line. Bell phone 300. 10-S-tf BOARDERS WANTED-The residence on
 northeast corner of Fifth ave. and
 Twenty-first street, north side, will be operated as an up-to-date boarding house beginning Nov. l. Terms reason able. Bell phone 1237. 10-25-7t
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-10-26
ANNOUNCEMEN
Ear Board of Revenue.

For Board of Revenue.
 The Age-Herald is authorized to an- nounce John T.. Reed as a candidate for board of revenue, subject to action of democratic primary
 I hereby announce myself candidate for reelection to the Board of Revenue. subject to the action. of the Democratic party. J. K. P. LAIRD:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-10-26

will not only save pu distressing pain and valuable time. b will cost you less money. There is ala } satisfaction .n knowing that the very best possible treat ment is being given tc you by compe- tent physician who has Experience In such matters and is capable of curing you in the quickest and most perfect manner possible 1 have treated private diseases as a speciality for the past fifteen years in the city of Birmingham- and l am therefore known to a great many. Bur l. you are not acquainted with me. re- ,<r you, with permission. to First Na- tional bank. Alabama National bank. Jefferson County Savings bank and Steiner Bros. bankers. as to my responst- bility for my contracts. 1 cure many pa- tients by mail treatment Write Tor prlces and terms.
 l do not use large advertisements and false statements to attract patients which merit has failed to secure. If you fail to be cured by such methods. give me a call and get we'll
 Address or call at Rooms 1912 and 1014. new First National Bank building, corner Second avenue and Twentieth street. Take the elevator.
 Office Hours: s:3O a. m. to 5;s0 D. m Sunday. 10 q m to H m. .J
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-10-26
DR. Y. E. HOLLOWAY,
Physician and Surgeon.

Three-fourths of the persons who come to me to get cured of Syphilis, Gonorrhoea. Gleet. Structure. l. st Manhood and other private diseases have tried to get well by using oth- CT means. Why not come as soon as you find that you are afflicted? It
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-10-26
MONEY TO LEND.

MONEY furnished salaried people with out security; easy payments. Southern
 Discount Co. 302 Cnalifoux 4-l3-tf
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-10-26
HELP WANTED-MALE.'

WANTED-Four young men from IS to 22 years of age as news agents on rail- road; SIP cash and a full uniform, blue suit of clothes required; call quick. 1914 Morris avenue. 10-24-3t
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-10-26

WANTED-Steamftter for high pressure work. Materne Mfg. Co.,. 18th and Gra- tot streets. St. Louis, Mo. 3t-fri-sat-mon
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-10-26

The hose supporter model, with the deep skirt, fitting nine out of every ten women.
 It has the deep gusset for dropping the bust, giving the long slope from the shoulder over the bust considered cor rect style.
 Hose supporters of fancy frilled elastic webbing are at tached. Made of a splendid quality of Coutille, soft and durable.
 Sl00 per pair.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-10-26
eoARDERs WANTED.

HELPER WANTED-For sign painting.
 Hermitage. 18th street and 2nd avenue. Room f. 10-13-tf
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-10-26

WANTED-For U. S. army: able bodied unmarried men between ages of 2l and 35; citizens of United States of good character and temperate habits. who can speak, read and write Eng fish. For information apply to recruit ing officer. 71s North 20th st.. Birming- ham, Ala. 10-7-wed- ed-fr-mon-to-12-31 WANTED-A competent married man as foreman. to take full charge in harness shop. Address 506. care Age-Herald.
 il
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-10-26
FOR SALE
LOST.

LOST-Young Fox terrier head black and white. body white with dark spot hardly visible; name Rip Mark on col lar and 121S South 20th on lock. Reward for return to 121S South 20th street or room 53s 1st. National Bank Bldg
 10-24-3 3t
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-10-26
ONE GENT A WORD.

E. N. cullom. J. Il. Taylor. smith Cullom. President. Manager Sec. & Treaa
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-10-26

A. D. Smith. President: w. N. Malone. First Vice President; c. L. Stickney, Second Vice President; Henry Hiden, Sec
The Washington times., 1903-09-20

upon in the voyages from that part OF
the coast.
Peanut culture in the South has grown
up since the civil war. The peanut was
grown on the old plantations by the
negroes for food, and Il sometimes
found It's way 10 the houses OF the
planters. roasted to a turn Of some wise
negro nanny OF the slave regime. AZ
ter the war. when industry was AT its
lowest ebb, the growing OF peanuts was
hit upon as a means OF profit. This wac
IN Westmoreland county especially. BE-
tween 1855 and 1870 the spread of the
culture OF peanuts as a crop was nhe-
nomenal. The Norfolk merchants bad
iound market for the nuts in New
York. Boston and other elites. and the
consumption OF peanuts has srea1ilv ad-
vaneed since that time. The indust-,,
and trade now in Virginia. North Caro-.
lima, Tennessee, Alabama. and Georgia
are OF large proportions. the annual ont
put being more than 1000 900 haas ana
the annual income 10 the growers being
about s12. 800. O0O
The peanut plant soon exhaus,s the
soil. and while there may be a Weld 10
100 bushels TO the acre. this soon dlmin-
ishes 10 twenty bushels. unless snactal
efforts are made 10 keep up the rich
ness OF the land. II has hannanad a.,
many places in the South that tboro
was no rotation Of crops. aud the Land
quickly became exhausted by growing
repeated crops Of peanuts on the same
heids' The soil of the peanut region
IN virginia and North Carolina has baan
nearly exhausted. and the best eroyers
have been giving attention 20 tho -
coVery or the land by the use ~ Co.
tilizers and the rotation of crons D..
many of the land owners are iisco,,rs,o,,
al the outlook, having killed ,ho -
that laid the golden egg.
Like all plants with a geoSrapbicai
range including half the countries ~
the globe. the peanut is grown IN nanv
different ways. varying from the ave-
tematic culture OF the Southern tarroo-
to the happy go-lucky way OF the Az
rlcan savage. who trusts mostly 70
Inotner nature to do his gardening for
nim- The chief effort of the latter is
directed to keeping off the ape ana
monkey who dispute with him for En-
possession of the fruit of the Jungle
soil
In the United States where the Gull
ture is carried on intelligentIy. a warm
SOIL OF deep loan is selected. in a eli
mate where there is sure to he ava
months without frost. 1t need not he
necessarily hot climate as tho
COOLERS" develop in the cool DAYS and
nights at the end Of the season, The
ground is plowed deeply, and thoroughly
broken up by narrowing. An under
dressing of phosphate is added. The
nuts are then planted in rows about
three feet apart. and the planting is
done in a trench about a foot deem
Planting time is about the middle OF
April, the vines appearing in about ten
days. Weeds are kept down, and the
soil stirred three or four times while
the vines are growing.
The Washington times., 1903-09-20

islands as the Minyak katjang, and in
some parts OF Africa as the monkey
nut" from the avidity shown by the
apes and monkeys in digging and eat
ing the nuts in their semi wild state
The ground pea. as It is called in North
Carolina and Virginia. grows upon a
struggling vine similar 20 the pea vine
The vine grows about two feet high.
and struggles over the ground within a
radius OF three feet from the stalk The
blossom is at the end OF a plon pedicle,
which about the time the flower drops
OF elongates toward the ground. and
pushes its way into the soil. where the
pod is formed. with from one to three
seeds therein. Should the spike not
reach the ground or the latter be too
hard. the pedicle withers and dies. Ow-
ing to this peculiarly OF the plant a
light sandy soil is best for growing
the peanut, and the farmers assist nature
by keeping the ground stirred, OF by
burying the vines at intervals go as TO
insure the grounding OF the pods"
One peculiar and interesting fact may
be mentioned in connection with the
the plant depends upon the existence
and activity OF certain bacteria. the Of
fee of which is to gather nitrogen from
the air. In order to obtain a greater
supply than could be gotten from the
soil Scattered over the roots Of the
plant are numerous warts" from the
size of a pin head TO that Of a pea.
Within these tubercles are myriads Of
minute organisms. which might be call
ed germs. They are busy creatures
gathering up nitrogen, partly from the
soil. but mostly from the air. and eIab-
Grating il for the life OF the plant. Nj
trogen is the most important food requir-
ed by the "goober," and II is obtained
through the service OF these millions
OF micro or ganisms which live and die
in the small tubercles mentioned. The
growth of the peanut plant. the potato
vine and the tomato plant. are illus
trations OF the wise use nature makes
OF germs, which in other fields and un-
der other conditions. are the chief pro-
moters OF disease and death.
Botanists are divided in opinion as TO
the nativity OF the peanut plant It is
now widely distributed over the world,
being grown as an article of food in the
United States, Africa, various parts Of
Asia, the Pacific Islands, and, In fact,
almost everywhere in tropical and semi
tropical climates. Botanists have tried
to trace the plant to China and Japan.
but IL has been found that Il was i'm
ported there in the seventeenth century.
Some have sought in vain for IL in
Africa. 1t grows wild only in Brazil. and
the weight of opinion is in favor of assign
ing its habitat to that country. The use
OF the peanut as food was first recorded
by Monardes, Spaniard. who saw the
Indians eating II in the Maranon Valley
in Brazil. NJ. Jaubert, French coIonist
in West Africa. first called the atten-
tion OF the world to the "pistache de
terre" as a valuable article Of COM
MERGE. II was bought in large quantities
by the slave traders to feed the negroes