davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-20
MT. Cleveland as Duck Hunter.

In the New York World of last Sun day appeared a signed article that il- lustrates the democracy of America, its freedom and common sense. It was written by our first citizen, Grover Cleveland and it relates, not to poli tics and politicians, but to ducks and duck hunting, ceverly and even de lightfnlly written When MT. Cleye- land discusses public questions his sentences are apt to be long and in yolyed, but when he discusses duck hunting he is breezy and enticing as fine morning on bay covered with flying ducks.
 Mr. Cleveland takes the position, or rather he works up to the position, that the duck hunter is born-not made, end then he proceeds with all the zeal and keen sense of a true sportsman to show that windward de- coys are preferable to those placed to leeward In fact, the hunter who uses vindward decoys is apt to get no shot at all, or worse still, to get his "eye wiped" which is the greatest disgrace that can befall him. Our first citizen steps to explain that hunter gets his "eve winedx x' x% when missing a fair shot "a companion knocks d0srn the bird. This is an almost unpardonable o.'ense.
 Mir Cleveland rambles on, as Isaac Walton in another field of sport did, to tell us about the cooking of wild duck. wild duck and a duck brought up in barnyard are two different birds, and MT. Cleveland says that if the former be cooked after the fashion prescribed for the domestic duck it will be ''so thoroughly diseredited in the eating that the recipient of the gift will come near suspecting a practical joke, and the doner will be guilty of waste"
 MT. Cleveland stands up stoutly for all game laws, and against the butch cry of birds He is no duck slaught erer, He knows what sport is, and his contempt for those who are simply ambitious of big bag is unmeasured,
 Every portion of the article is ex- cellent reading, and it establishes MT Cleveland's versatility, showing that if he had not devoted his best wears to the public service he might have won a high place among our writ CTS on lighter, pleasanter and more wholesome subjects. May our only ex-president live long to enjoy his favorite sport, and may his pen ever be ready to write as pleasant papers as the one published in the World news paper
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-20
ENTRIES ARE ANNOUNCED.
Tennessee Breeders' Association Meets
 to Arrange for Meeting.

Nashville, Tenn. December 19.-At a meeting of the executive committee of the Tennessee Breeders association today stakes for the Cumberland Park spring meeting April 21 to 30 inclusive, were an nounced. Five added money events are offered of which the Cumberland derby. one and one-eighth miles, $25O0 is the fea- ture The purses and handicaps will also be increased, the association hanging up in all $23, 900, an average of more than $25OO daily for the nine days. Entries will close January g, 1903 The list fol- lows:
 Cumberland derby, $25OO added, for g. year-olds. one and one-eighth mile.
 Citizens handicap. $500 added, for g. year-olds and upward, one mile.
 Great selling stakes, 5000 added, for g. year-olds and upward, one mile and sev- enty yards.
 Avondale stakes, $1OOo added, for 2-year olds, five furlongs.
 Belle Meade stakes, 5000 added, for g. year-olds dillies), four. and a half fur longs.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-20
NED BRACE TALKS ABOUT POLITICAL AFFAIRS
 AND OTHER FEATHERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

ign for lower prices and are now in posi- ton where they will either have to clos, down or lose money. Among the Englisl spinners the excitement is intense ana the British Cotton Growers association and the colonial office are making ever! effort to open up cotton plantations il Africa and the West Indies. In Englisl cotton spinning districts like Lancashire so many mills have closed down and SC many operatives are out of work that 1t has been necessary to open public soup kitchens to feed the people, The distress is indeed great in English and continental cotton spinning towns.
 So it would seem that what is good for the south is bad for other sections. On the other hand. the farmers of the south suffered intensely when in 1898 the average price of cotton was only about 512 centa pound. Almost every cotton. plantation in the southern states was mortgaged and the farmers were not able to pay their interest accounts. Now they are prospering and the cotton mill operator is suffering. Manufacturers claim that they cannot raise the price of cotton goods, which claim is of course an absufdity. They will either have to do it or close down The farmers are not going to sell their cotton for F cents if they can get B cents for it, and it begins to look like they will get in the neighborhood of 15 for that which they now have on hand. This year is indeed cotton planters year and it begins to look like Alabama will receive from twenty-five to thirty million dollars more this year for it's cotton crop than 1t received last. The state and every part of it is indeed thriving
 . ssszs
 l am glad to learn also that the demand for iron is increasing and that the price for the same is stiffening and inclined to- wards an upward tendency. Sc, regard less of the slumps in the stock market, Alabama and all parts of it, is enjoying an era of prosperity not equalled by any oth- CT state in the union.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-20

the old partially dug trench from the Panama Canal company for S40,OOO'O 900, and give out contracts for beginning work on the canal, using these contracts and his appointive power for political purposes in the next campaign, before we know what we are to get, and wheth- CT our titles wifi hold the property for which these tremendous sums are to be expended. MT. Roosevelt is evidently using the Panama canal matter for po- liticaI effect; and even the republican senators cannot deaden their consciences to such outrageous acts on the part of the President of such great nation as this
 President Roosevelt has so complicated the canal. question that it appears at present that actual work on the con- struction of a canal will not be begun in year or more
 All the world is in a wild state of ex- citement over cotton. The government report says the crop will be less than 10,OO00OO. Since this report was issued. the price of cotton has been soaring skyward- Yesterday the price went up to 13 cents per pound on the New Or leans market, and predictions are freely made that 1t will soon go to 15 cents or more.
 The farmers of Alabama and all the other southern cotton states are prosper ing more than they have in twenty years Indeed the price of cotton has not been so high in two decades. A large pro- ducer of cotton who owns a big planta- ton in Mississippi made the prediction to me yesterday that cotton would con- tinue to go up. I expressed doubt. He promptly said, 'I will bet you $50O that the price goes to 15 cents a pound before it recedes to | cents and if you will bet me ten to one, l will bet you it goes to r cents before it declines to H."
 This man sold some of his cotton at 10 cents early in the season. He is now holding it for b cents or more and seems perfectly sure that he will get it.
 In the meantime. the spinners are in a great state of excitement. Many of the mills have held back in purchasing, wait
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-20
PANAMA TREATY ARRIVES.
M. Bunau-Varlla Opens the Iron Box
 and Shows the Papers.

Washington, December 19.-M Bunau- Varilla, the minister from Panama, at noon today opened the iron box contain ing the ratified canal treaty in the pres ence of several Washington newspaper men and M. Arosamana, the secretary of the legation The box contained in ad- dition to the treaty duly ratified by the junta the official decree of the govern ment announcing the ratification of the instrument.
 The treaty was carefully wrapped in the American and Panama flags, testi- monials, as the minister expressed it. of the moral ratification of the treaty.
 The exchange copy of the treaty was to arrive by the next steamer from Panama.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-20
ENAToR MARK HANNA has

C ENATOR MARK HANNA has NN decided not to accept Reelection " to the chairmapship of the re publican national committee. His prin- cipal reason for retiring is that he does not believe Roosevelt can be reelected, , and he thinks things have gone so far that Roosevelt is sure to be the nominee
 Again Senator Hanna has am intense attack of presidential fever He is not aspiring to the nomination this time but wants it four years hence, and he pro- poses to put himself in line for it at that time. Senator Hanna is 6s years old He is yet strong and vigorous and he tells his friends that he will be as young at 70 as he is today
 
 Republican as well as democratic sen- ators in Washington are jealous of the power that President Roosevelt has as- sumed in the Panama canal matter. They claim that MT. Roosevelt has prac- tically assumed to declar1 war with Co., lombia without the consent or co-opera- ton of congress.
 Undoubtedly President Roosevelt's en- thusiasm and warlil1e spirit has led him to assume powers not accorded him un- der the constitution. He is so eager to have a renomination and all election that he is apparently assuming to go ahead at gallop and acquire property for the United States government by force rather than right.
 While practically every American citi- zen wants an isthmian canal, whether it be Panama or Nicaragua, they are apparently opposed to acquiring Panama by force if they can get Nicaragua by lawful methods.
 The senate,as indicated by the speeches of Senators Hoar, Morgan. German and others, reserves unto itself the privileges allotted to it under the constitution to be part of the treaty making power of this government. And 1t begins to appear that the senate is by no means in humor to approve of the arbitrary acts of our cratic President. The demo- crats are certainly in no humor to al- low the President to go ahead and buy circles of New York, having been re- elected president of the democratic club of Columbia college and Is now consider ed one of Mayor-eleet McClellan's prin- cipal aids and advisers.
 The Hon. w. B. Reynolds of Montevallo is spending Sunday at the Hillman.
 w. M Huey of Battelle is registered at the St. Nicholas
 Col. ". A. McGee of Memphis is at the Florence.
 Col. E. II. Graves of Eufaula. colonel of the Third regiment Alabama National Guard, is spending Sunday at the Morris. II. K Hawkins of Washington was one of the Metropolitan's arrivals last night.
 
 Berry P. Foster of Wilmington, Del, is spending Sunday at the St. Nicholas.
 c. l.. Neely of Attalla, and J. E. Ed wards of Ozark, are spending Sunday at the Florence.
 B. G. Galloway and B. R. Henderson of Memphis, were among the Hillman's ar rivals last night.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-20
SUCCESS.

From the Washington Star A man there was who failed in life, And he awoke to find A Hull in all the stir and strife,
 For he was left behind And friends, though some were stanch
 and true, Seemed of sudden strangely few. s Another hurried on so fast
 That none could match his pace; He toiied until he found at last The farthest, topmost place; And when he sought for rest and cheer He sighed, Tn sooth. tis lonely here" And he who did from day to day q His duty as he could, Found comradeship along the way.
 And life was sweet and good. Though sometimes touched by envy grim, He knew not how these envied him.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-20
MERCHANTS HAVE RECOURSE.
Supreme Court of Alabama Renders
 Important Decision.

Montgomery, December 19-In deciding the case of J. c. Haas x Co. against the Citizens bank of Dyersburg this after noon, the supreme court rendered an opinion which is of the greatest interest to the business interests of Alabama. The decision was to the effect that the bank which had bought a draft and bill of lading for goods shipped a merchant was responsible to the latter for shortage or defects in the goods.
 The merchants of this state have here tofore had no recourse in recovering their losses after payment of their drafts and finding their goods short in weight or defective in quality
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-20
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR.

From the New York Press
 Most men either work too hard at their play or play too hard at their work.
 It takes widow who dyes her hair to help an innocent man suspect girl who bleaches hers.
 A girl gets as sick over her first beau as a boy over his first cigar; after that they come easy to each.
 As soon as a woman gets a thing that is the fashion she wants it to go out of fashion so she can get something else.
 It almost scares g mother to think how smart her son would be if he did not nave some of the blood of his father s family in his veins.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-20
Breaks Southern Record.

Joseph J. Smith, Jr., an operator em- ployed at the local office of the Postal record in the south for receiving mes sages. He made his record last Wednes- day afternoon when he received 22O mes sages in two hours and ten minutes. The messages came in over the Chicago wire and averaged fifteen words each. It is claimed by the friends of Operator Smith this record beats the best made at the recent telegraph tournament held in Phil adelpha.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-20
Fire in DemopoIis.

Demopolis, December 19.-(SpeciaL)- machine shop of the Alabama Portland Cement company of this place were totally destroyed by fire, entailing a loss of about $4000 to the company, which was fully covered by insurance. Owing to the peculiar situation of this place the Demopolis fire company could not get there and lend any assistance but by heroic work on the part of the company's employees the main building and other parts of the cement plant were saved. The origin of the fire is unknown.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-20
The Iron I.larket.

While southern pig iron has not reached S1O for No. ? foundry, it can be stated almost with authority that no Ala bama iron will be sold below that figure after the new year. No manufacturer seems to have any doubt whatever about S1O iron. 'The chances are the price will be sl1 before spring, said a manu- faeturer of conservative views at the IIillman last night.
 One of the best informed men in the iron trade is S. II. Whitaker of Cincin- nati He is in Birmingham and on yester- day to group of iron producers he said: q can't understand why Birmingham has been selling pig at prices prevailing recently. Instead of S9.5O for No. foun- dry, $l0.25 would easily let the product into the northern market"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-20
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WILL DREYFUs WIN?
Rumor Has It That the French Officer
 Will Be Reinstated.

Paris, December 19.-The Dreyfus com mission reassembles next Wednesday to senior member of the commission, and one of the directors of the ministry of justice. It is expected that a decision is possible at the end of next week. In the meantime sensational news has a claim to foreshadow the. decision and tke subsequent reinstatement of Dreyfus.
 The Patrie says he will be made a col onel of artillery and appointed cheva- Her of the legion of honor. These reports are not taken seriously and are consid- cred to be merely expressive of the belief that the chances favor Dreyfus.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-20
NeIIens Hired Them.

/ Knoxville. Tenn, December 1s.--A spe- cial to the Sentinel from Middlesboro. Ky, says:
 Charles Nellens, who is charged with killing Alice Lamb in Middlesboro sev- eral weeks ago, has been captured in North Carolina. Will Nelens and Phil Haynes, who are in the Pineville, Ky, jail under charge, have confessed and state that Charles Nellens hired them to do the killing. They also connect him with the Wentz disappearance stating he aided in the abduction of Wentz.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-20
SENATOR DIETRICH IN COURT.
Refuses to Answer to Charge of Con-
 spiracy and Bribery.

Omaha, Neb., December 19.-Senator Charles H. Deitrich, accompanied by Gen. John Cowin, his attorney, appeared before Judge Munger in the United States cir cult court today On the indictment charging his with profiting by leasing a postoffice building to the government, Senator Deitrich pleaded not guilty, and to that charging him with conspiracy and bribery, he refused to plead.
 In the latter counts. in which he is charged jointly with Postmaster Jacob Fisher of Hastings with conspiracy and bribery in connection with Fishers ap- pointment, General Cowin informed the court that the defendant would attack the suffciency of the indictment
 Trial on the conspiracy and bribery in- dictments was set for January 1.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-20
Three Killed By Explosion.

vicksburg, Miss. December 19.-Thomas Griffin. a wealthy planter of Franklin parish. Louisiana, and two negroes Mor- ris Jones and Ed Black, were instantly killed by A boiler explosion in Griffins gin early this morning. Several other negroes were injured, two of whom are expected to die. MT. Griffin was one of the most prominent men of his section. He was 60 years of age.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-20
"Washing Their Lives Away"

The new Chicago crusade against bathing applies alike to hot and cold baths. The hot bath induces pneu- monia by the suddenness of the change in temperature, and the cold bath is too strong a tonic for anybody
 The subject was brought up before a Chicago medical society by Dr. J. D. Robertson, who holds that any bath removes the scurf or false" skin. thereby bringing the blood to the sur face, thus depriving the internal or gans of nourisbment, and, by establish ing conditions of heat and moisture. encouraging the growth of bacteria. A brother doctor present proposed a monthly bath as a compromise, but Dr. Robertson, it is plain, will accept noth- Ing short of the annual bath that New Jersey farmers take at the shore
 It is plain that Dr, Robertson has a rery large following-it is plain to the sense of smell in every car, and even Dn the sidewalks. He need have no fear in that respect. The great un- washed are numerous. But if baths are to be forbidden, certainly there should be a law prescribing frequent changes of raiment, especially of un- dergarments. If, as the anti-bathers say, nature by honest precipitation washes the skin, it is certainly but just to others to change daily. if not hourly.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-20
THE REPORTER WAS RIGHT.

From the Kansas City Star.
 Without regard to whether Governor Bailey was right when he expressed the belief that there is no great harm in social game of poker, he should be given credit for repudatng all 'denials' of It. He says the reporter quoted him correct lts
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-20
IN HOTEL LoBBIES
Railroad Traffic.

"'fhe Southern railways traffic shows little or no falling off" said Vice Presi- dent N. W. Finley who spent yesterday in Birmingham.
 q expect to see business keep up all winter If the Alabama furnaces con- tinue 10 turn out iron, the railroads en- tering this district will certainly have a heavy traffic"
 A prominent iron maker who heard MT. Finley's remarks, said. laughingly: Don't worry about the Alabama fur naces. They will produce iron right along and a plenty of it. The fact is MT. Finley, the Birmingham district will be making iron just as long as the Southern railway continues to do busi- ness i'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-20
At War With Colombia.

Just as the administration had dis patched General Elliott to Panama to take the field at the head of the ma rines, Senator Morgan arose in his place in the senate to demand by what authority the President had declared war against Colombia, a republic with which we had always maintained friendly relations.
 Every act of this government at the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-20
LAND LINES ARE CUT.
General Pimental Has Raised Force Against San Domingan Government.

San Domingo, Santo Domingo, Thurs day, December 17.-News from the inte- rior is unobtainable here. The land lines have been cut.
 General Pimentel has raised a force against the provincial government at Haina, near this city. The situation is becoming complicated and the presence of warships is desirable. Arrests are be- ing made and many persons have left the city to join the rebels. The city is otherwise quiet. The provincial govern ment is taking all precautions possible.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-20
BIG RAILROAD CASE.
B. F. Mcdonald and 2s Other Lien
 Holders File VoIuminous Bill.

Lexington December l9.-B. F. McDon- aid and twenty eight other lien holders fled in the circuit court today a yolumin- ous bill in equity against the Blue Grass Consolidated Traction company, praying for the appointment of a receiver and the sale of all franchises, rights of way and other assets. The Consolidated company is capitalized at $7,O00O00.
 Interurban roads have already been, built to Georgetown and Paris, Ky, and it was the intention of the Consolidated company to spread a network of rail- ways throughout the Blue Grass region.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-20
Charles H. Green.

The Hon. Charles IT. Greer, editor of the Marion Standard, is stopping at the Metropolitan
 "The people down in Perry are in fine shape he said. "The farmers received a good price for their cotton and not withstandng the crop is half off, they have more money in the bank than they have had in years" In speaking of pol itics, MT. Greer said The people in Per ry have been ready for the primary ever since last September. All announcements were in at that date. What we are wait ing on is decision from the state com mittee. as the people want uniformity as to the date, before setting the time for our primary"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-20
Col. George Green Dying.

Mexico City. December l9.-Gol George Green of the Mexican army, who has been in this country fifty years taking part in the war against French invaders, is dying He is 6S years of age. He was born in St. Johns, N. B.. and is of En- glish percentage. He was-the first pioneer to cross the plains to California. During his illness he has had the care of able surgeons, President Diaz thoughtfully giving him the best of attention.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-20
Somewhat BaIIed Up.

Sylacauga Progress: The old Gaut buarry has been leased by form Of monthly Capitalist, and this fine marble will be put upon the Market in large quantities output. of this quary is the fine marble in the south and a ready sail will be found for every pound Of stone taken from a then-wishes the News operation embo-i success.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-20
DoNNELLY HAS DISAPPEARED.
Prominent Firm of Cotton Brokers
 Cess so the Wall.

Ardmore, I. T.. December 19.-S. F. Don nelly X Co.,, cotton brokers with offices at Gainesville, Texas, Oklahoma City, Okla, and Pauls Valley and Ardmore. l. T., suspended today The companys total indebtedness will. it is said, prove very heavy. Local cotton spectators are said to have been caught for probably $2o'o00
 The firm has a membership in the New Orleans cotton exchange, and the Chi cago board of trade. S. F. Donnelly has disappeared.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-20
George, You Are Caught.

Coosa Valleyan: George Leath. elee- trician who has been in Pell City for the Alabama Supply company has changed his notion about the town and now wants to stay indefinitely. There must be a lady in the case.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-20
Write-ups Are Appreciated.

Coosa valleyan: H. A. Cornett and Joe Harmon killed sixteen ducks in two days last week. We had the pleasure of eating supper at the Cornett house Monday night. Wild duck was served and enjoyed to a high degree.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-20
Plain Talk to Subscribers.

Conecuh Record If our subscribers will bear with us for another week or two we will give them more local news. but just now the merchants have the right of way. If you want to know where to trade, read the Record
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-20
Somebody Was Hurt.

Demopois Express. In the social col umn last week of the write-up of Rose mary" it was made to read "an excel lent fort for his bachelor rival, when 1t should have been foil"