davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-04
vIckseURe AGAIN A RIVER TOWN
From the Chicago Inter-ocean.

From the Chicago 1nter-Ocean.
 Vicksburg celebrated last week the completion of the canal that made 1t again river town. In 1863 General Grants army spent weeks in digging a canal across the peninsula formed by the Horseshoe bend in the Mississippi near Vicksburg to divert the river from the city. Thirteen years later the river diverted itself.
 The main channel in front of the city shifted to the west along a shorter line, an island formed where there had been deep water and where there had been a strong current along the bluff there was a bayou of currentess water.
 Steamboats that in the old time had plowed by the city's front or steamed up to It's landings now went on the west side of the island, and in high water went back up the bayou to vicksburg. In low water they did not go up at all and Vicksburg ceased to be a river town.
 The Mississippi river commission ere ated by congress in 1870 gave the stu- ation at Vicksburg immediate attention. but the recommendations of the commis- sion were not acted upon. In 1889, through failure of the river and harbor bill, no appropriation was made for the work, and for the next few years little progress was made
 The river commission in the meantime, had recommended the revettlng of the western bank to prevent the river going still further to the westward. It recom- mended also that a harbor in front of Vicksburg be dredged out and connected with the main channel by a canal extend ing northward to the mouth of the Yazoo.
 In 1896 congress appropriated sS6O,00O to carry out these Improvements. A deep-water channel was made in front, of the city, connected by canal with the river to the northward, and Vicksburg is again a dominant river town.
 The completion of the work which has cost 5000, 000 Is of importance not only to Vieksburg, but to the whole upper Mississippi country, particularly to Illi- nois and incidentally to Chicago which hopes. in good time, to have steamboat connection with Vicksburg and New Or leans.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-04
Germany and War.

All questions relating to the Vene. zuelan trouble have been or can be, it seems, easily arranged, except the one relating to preference among the cred itors of the little republic. Italy, Ger many and Great Britain insists that they are by reason of their energy, insistence and primary action entitled to consideration beyond other nations, and they are not willing to divide the 30 per cent of the customs of La Guayra and Puerto Cabello with the United States, France, Belgium, Hol- land, Denmark, Spain, Norway and Sweden. Here is hitch, indeed, and 1t is not known whether the three allies will agree to submit the problem of preference to The Hague tribunal, lifting at the same time the blockade.
 The United States is getting ready for war. There is activity in the ship yards and armories, and yet there will be no war. There will be much squab- bling among the diplomats, as there usually is, but in tho end a way to peace will be found.
 There is but one question of doubt in the case. and that relates to Ger many's real views as to the Monroe doc Urine. If she wishes to break it's force, this is her best opportunity, for she has succeeded in forming three naval powers into an alliance But France is aggrieved, because she is practically a judgment creditor, and the allies propose to leave her out In the cold. Russia has no claims, but if the affair assumes it's worst form France and the United States may have to fight Italy, Germany and Great Britain, and on account of the proximity of Amer ica the contest would be by no means one-sided. Germany's real intentions are, however, unknown, and the chances are that she does not desire a worldwide war, her chief ambition at present being wider trade.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-04
IN HOTEL LoBBIBS.
Too Much Fast Driving.

Tt is during such weather as this' said a pedestrian. that one is strongly impressed with the fact that there is too much fast driving on the main streets of Birmingham.
 As I started home late this evening a drayman dashed along Third avenue with his horses at full trot and as he crossed Nineteenth street, where the mud and water were at least two inches oeep' the horses spattered mud all over hali dozen people. who were either waiting 10 cross the street or waiting for car started home and as I crossed twenty first street on Fifth avenue carriage driver was coming down the pavement with his horses at full gallop
 After the theatre, when the crowd had all dispersed, I saw another carriage driver ganoping his horses on Second ave- nue.
 Tt Is true that Birmingham has wide streets and that a driver has more room and that there is less danger than in town where the streets are narrow, pul there is too much reckless driving en- tirely and something ought to be done to stop it."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-04
That smile we would aspire to, that sweet aspect of princes.
 king Henry Vlll-
Canal Treaty in the Senate.

It is plain that the important canal treaty is to be fully considered in the senate. It is a very important treaty, for under it's provisions we are to pay Colombia $10 000, ,000 down, and $250,- 900 a year for all time, or at least for 100 years. Nor is this alive are to expend on a sixlmile strip of leased land about $2O0,OOO,Oo0!
 One would naturally say that in a venture of such magnitude in cost and of such importance to the world at : large there should be due caution and criticism, and the senate, it is plain, proposes to look into the treaty very closely before ratifying it. No one can reasonably object to this.
 The chief objections no doubt lie against article 23, which limits our right to protect the canal after 1t is built. setting up sets of conditions that must first be met. These conditions were no doubt inserted in order to save the pride of Colombia, but nevoe- theless they may lead to great trouble in the future.
 The question of Notifications along the canal or at the two ports is also left debatabe by the treaty It is neither conceded nor denied Article 16 says the canal shall be neutral in perpetuity in conformity with the treaty with England of November IS, 1901 But that treaty is silent on the subject of Notifications along the ca nal, and the meaning of the neutraliza- tion clause, especially when the United States goes to war, becomes a matter of doubt.
 The treaty in short does not leave this country free to protect its prop erty against possible foes in Colombia, or against foes from without. Nor does it define the subject of fortifica- tions, or the uses of the canal when the United States is at war with some other nation. The right to erect forti- .fications along the canal should be made clear at any rate, and the senate will probably amend the treaty in other respects.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-04
The Flower Trade.

Birmingham, like all other cities, has a large flower trade" remarked a flor ist vest erday. This business is steadily expanding and few industries are more profitable than Horticulture A large per- centage of flowers sold come from Chi cago. It is estimated that fully $25'0OO goes from Birmingham to Chicago an nually for cut flowers and large amount of money goes to Springfield for plants. All these flowers and plants could be raised profitably in Jefferson county.
 Atlanta Is far ahead of us in this matter of Horticulture. Scarcely dollar goes away from Atlanta for flowers or plants
 Our soil and climate are well adapt ede to flowers and more capital should be invested in the propagation of them. ;
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-04
HoGc SEEKS BAILEY's SEAT.

Austin telegram to the Chicago Inter
 Ocean.
 Former Governor J. H. Hogg Is to be a candidate for United States senator against J. W. Bailey four years hence, according to statements of close personal and political friends of Hogg. The latter has been daily visitor to the floors of the senate and house in the Texas leg islature since the present session opened. and he Is credited with being at the head of a movement that is already being or- ganized among the members of the leg islature which has for it's object the ac- complishment of Bailey's defeat for the senate. In the contest fer speaker of the house, Pat Neff, who was supported by Hogg, defeated l.. s. Spluter, who was supported by Bailey. The result of this contest is taken to mean that Hogg's po- litical star is again in the ascendency. The personal and political enmity exist ing between Hogg and Bailey Is well known, and a contest between them for senator would be full of excitement.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-04
Railroad Changes.

q believe changes will be made soon in the operating departments of the Queen & Crescent and the Mobile x Ohio, but no one in Alabama, perhaps, knows what these changes will be-" said a traffic official yesterday. T read in one of the afternoon papers a rumor to the effect that W. J. Murphy, general manager of the Cincinnati Southern and sign that position on account of poor health, and accept division superintend- ency, and that he would be succeeded as general manager by J. A. Dodson, at present assistant to General Manager Ackert of the Southern. I do not credit this rumor. Certain. 1t Is, Mir. Murphy will not give up general managership for the position of a division superin- tendent. It may be that feeble health will cause him to give up railroad man. agement altogether or take some such office work as assistant to an executive official, but going from the general man. agers office to superintendents office would be like jumping from the frying pan Into the fire; or worse, if possible so far as nervous strain goes. A general manager has worry and bother enough, but a division superintendent in these days has to work with the energy of a blowing engine"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-04
FIRST RHODES SCHOLARSHIP.
Goes to Eugene H. Lehman, Private
 Tutor Here.
From the New York Sun.

From the New York Sun.
 Eugene Heitler Lehman, private tu- tor of 416 West One Hundred and Eighteenth street. has learned officially from friends in Yale that Cecil Rhodes scholarship in Oxford University has been given to him. He Is the first Amer ican to receive scholarship.
 MT. Lehman was born in Pueblo, Col. His father was the late Moritz Lehman, wholesale dealer in leaf tobacco of that town. Young Lehman was graduated from the Centenial High school of Pu- eblo in 1S9S He then attended the Col orado University. and won the Griffin gold medal, In his freshman year. for oratory. He was graduated from Yale last June. During the course he was one of five who won the Ten Eycks prize for oratory, and belonged to the debating team of Yale. He won the William Townsend prize for writing the best es- say and also the DeForest medal for de- livering the best oration at the com mencement, on 'Zionism.' He also re- ceived honorable mention in the John Addison Porter prize for American his tory.
 MT. Lehman has been taking a post graduate course at Columbia in Philoso- phy, which he gave up two weeks ago to do private tutoring. He is 22 years old. He said yesterday that Governor Orman of Colorado had written to him that his scholarship percentages were the highest of all the applications for the course at Oxford.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-04
RoAp SESSION. RUINoUs.

From the Daily America.
 There is every promise of the early re- turn to town of nearly all those promi- nent In the theatrical world. The season on the road has been something fearful for the companies. although the booking agencies and the local houses have made money. Four and five good attractions have been crowded each week into towns capable of supporting one show each week. I suppose the bookers figure that more money will be spent on four good shows than on one. so their percentage is larger. So also is that of the house manager, but the four road companies, which are compelled to split up what should go to one, are forced to the wall. The policy Is certainly a short-sighted one
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-04

ward. Where the sand was very loose tho going was difficult. the wheels occasion- ally churning sand without progressing. and making it necessary for the "gypsies'' to get out and give friendly push This iault will be removed by the use of broad CT tires.
 Hill-climbing experiments were made in Cairo, and wagon carrying freight equal to three tons covered the great citadel hill In fourteen minutes without a stop The representatives of the ministry and the army were well satisfied with the general efficiency of the wagon for transporting troops, and a report is being made upon it by Miralar Peake Bey c. M. c.
 Trials were also made of a desert trans port wagon for camel, horse, mule or motor traction.
 The Arab population was amazed at the two machines blowing the desert, and named them "the big and little devils"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-04
CYCLING OFFICERS ELECTED.
c. BIoemecke of Newark Made Presi-
 dent of Racing Association.

New York, February 3.-The National Cycling association today elected the fol- lowing officers:
 President-C. Cloemecke, Newark.
 ce-Presidents-F. R. Wendel-Schaef- CT, Providence, and P. T. Powers.
 Secretary-R. A. VanDyke.
 Board of Control-A. G. Batchelder of New York; R. F. Kelsey. ] oston; N. E. Furgoson, Buffalo; c. R. Klosterman, Baltimore; Harry Hartley, Jacksonville; John N. Scharp, Salt Lake City; c. N. Carpenter. San Francisco, and Owen Kimble to represent the American Rac- ing Cycling union.
 Board of Appeal-Abbott Bossett, chair man, Boston; M. L.. Bridgeman, New York; Horace o. Fogcl Philadelphia; S. A. Miles, Chicago; Albert Mott Balti- more A. F. Batehelder will act as treas urer.
 By resolution promoters and track owners who failed to live up to the terms of the franchises granted at the last an nual meeting will have franchises de- clared void. A resolution passed urging a rule for pacing machines.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-04
TO THE SONNET.

By Giosue Carducci. From Dante's lips the sonnet scared dis
 vine
 On angels wings through azure air and
 gold; On Petrarch's twas the speech of hearts
 that pine,
 A stream from heaven in murmurins
 verse outrolled- The Mantuan nectar and the venusine. To Tiber granted by the Muse of old, Torquato gave; dart a fiery sign, Alfert hurled 'gainst the tyrant's hold. Tho nightingale in Ugo's sweetest lays Beneath the Ionian cypress made it ring. Acanthus- blossomed, OCT his native bays, And I, not sixth. but last. as joy I bring, Tears. perfume. wrath. and art, in lonely
 days Its fame recall. as to the tombs sing,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-04
About Persons

W. T. Sanders of Athens is at the Hill man.
 President John W. Abercrombie of Uni- versity is stopping at the Morris.
 l.. A. Gloeckner of Dallas, Tex, Is at the Metropolitan.
 w. R. Rodgers of Indianapc lis Is reg istered at the Hillman.
 F. P. Amerine, Thomas Davidson. W. T. Robertson and J. T. McClarken of Montgomery are stopping at the Morris.
 Ike Friedman of Tuscaloosa is at the Metropolitan.
 John Costello of Cincinnati IS register ed at the Morris.
 Thomas H. Bulger of Dadeville is at the Metropolitan.
 John T. Ashcroft of Florence is stop ping at the Metropolitan.
 H. l.. Badham returned yesterday from Washington, where he attended the ban- quet of the Gridiron club Saturday night.
 Douglas H. Gordon and Charles H. Grosty of Baltimore. who arrived here Monday, left yesterday.
 c. s. Hayden, superintendent of the construction department of the Tennes- see Central. is in the city.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-04
STORY OF HEROINE WHO
 FIGURED IN TRAIN WRECK

the one important thing? Then she spet back to the wreck. marshaled the dazet survivors and bade them carry the deat and wounded into her home.
 Tear up these carpets for stretchersia she cried, and her floors were stripped.
 Tear up those sheets and this tabi, linen for bandages!
 Take the blankets and wrap the wound. ed. We cannot help the dead, poor souls but lay them here!"
 The pretty home that she had mad. was transformed into a morgue and hos pita1; all the results of her careful house. wifery and her household pride were un. grudgingly given up to the uses of an operating room, while she worked over the moaning victims, looking LID as each new, pitiful form was carried in, dread. ing to recognize in 1t her husband.
 She had no time for her private wos and private fear; the stranger dead and suffering claimed her. As it happened. her husband had missed his train, and came to her safe and sound on the next. so she was spared the supreme test of her heroism
 Much of what there was of order in the first work of rescue was due to Mrs. Harksen. She directed the men who ral. lied to the work and herself faced the flames and aided in dragging some out of torment. Dead and dying were all about her. The floors of her home were stained with blood and the groans of those in misery filled her ears. No bat tle-field could furnish parallel to the strain and anguish of that time Tn. dead exceeded the capacity of her rooms: she directed the removal of the bodies to make room for those stin alive, and to these she ministered all through the night.
 Out of the darkness came the wretches who saw in the calamity only a chance to rob the dead and dying. The hour nerved this woman. who hardly knew what pistol was, to find her husbands revolver and faced the vultures. She drove them from the dead outside. and. while she did, other fiends invaded her house and snatched her humble treas- ures. She drove them away In turn. ard was prepared to kill if they did not go.
 Hats off to Mrs Harksen! Honor to a heroinei
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-04
ACROSS THE DESERT BY MOTOR.
Trip Successfully Made By Egypt's
 Government.
From the London Express.

From the London Express.
 The Egyptian government, seconded by the British motorist, enthusiasts on the Cairo staff. has successfully completed series of experiments in desert travelling by motor.
 A desert motor wagon conveying half company. consisting of forty soldiers at Abbassieh, spun down the Suez road. ne gotiating the rough passage in fine style. On getting into the desert the real trial began.
 running was made. The wagon was fitted with tires having broad fianges, which gripped well and drove the machione on-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-04
From the New York American.

From the New York American.
 E ENCEFORTH on the roll of B1H American heroines the name of
 Mrs. Emma Harksen will stand out. Grace Darling or Florence Night ingale did not display greater humanity presence of mind and self-sacrihce than did this modest housewife at the train wreck at Westfeld. N. S
 Though confronted with an appalling horror. and fearing that ner own hus- band was among the dead or dying in her duty as she saw it.
 Amid scenes and in a crisis at which men fainted this inexperienced woman remained competent, resourcefui and ef- fective. She telephoned for the fire de- partments, ambulances and doctors, aid- ed in saving the maimed and pinioned in the burning wreck, tended the wounded and laid out the dead. She ordered the dismantling of her pretty home for the sake of humanity, and reserved nothing from the work of mercy.
 At the pistols point she drove off the ghouls who were plundering the dead, and she stayed to her self-appointed task as long as a woman's hand could help. She showed herself a woman in a mill Hon..
 From the yard of her home by the trackside she was watching for the com ing of the eastern express, on which her husband was accustomed to return from his business in New York wife-like, she waited there nightly that he might wave her greeting as the train passed to the station beyond.
 She saw the train slow down with a smoking axle and then she saw the Phila- delphia limited rushing upon it. She had lived by the trackside long enough to ap- preciate the full horror of the disaster that was to come.
 Instead of fainting the brave woman seized an axe, smashed through the fence as quicker way to the tracks; then go- ing around. and while the horrible crash of the collision of the trains was still deafening her, ran to a telephone and called for the nearest fire department, police, doctors and ambulances.
 What other woman or man without training for emergencies would have done
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-04
STATE NEWS ITEMS.

Sheffield Reaper: Mobile must be a city of activity and no ialeness. because the Item says "the water works
 
 Gadsden Times-News: The bridge over Clear creek, beyond Attalla. will soon be complete. The bridge, proper is finish ed, but the county is building splendid approaches on either side of the creek and some time yet will be needed to make the job complete.
 Florence Times; A young lady appli- cant for school out west was asked the question: What Is your position upon whipping children?" and her reply was: My usual position is on chair. with the child held firmly on my knees. face downward" She got the school
 
 The hot contest for the postoffce at Florence which has beel waging with more or less interest for the hst few months, has been ended by the po,tmas- ter general and the President recom- mending Dr. James T. Pitts for the posi- ton. There were five applicants for the office.
 
 Gen. A. R. Chaffee and five members of his staff arrived in Mobile Saturday from New Orleans to inspect Fort Mor- gan and Fort Gaines, which are two of the military posts included in his route. This is his first inspection of the south ern posts since commanding the eastern department.
 Talladega News Reporter: It would be a great mistake not to have Alabama properly represented at the worlds fair at St. Louis; and the representation de- pends on the funds appropriated. Wheth- CT 1t be in connection with the Gulf states or at lone hand, let the state be represented at St. Louis.
 Tuscaloosa Times Gazette: Mrs. Green wood Ligon of Mobile, the osteopath, who has stirred the animals up in great shape at Montgomery, Is Colonial Dame, D. A. R. and all the other things and If the legislators do not look out they will have all those august and exceedingly swell bodies arrayed against them. And then their name will be Dennis.
 In answer to a call on Friday for gathering of the citizens of Gadsden and vicinity in the interest of organized labor a large number of citizens assembled in Elks' hall J. c. Elder was made chair man and presided over the meeting. D. P. Goodhue was made secretary. Sew eral prominent men spoke of the impor- tance of organized labor and of the un- ion when conducted for the right pur- pose.
 Talladega News-Reporter: bill has been introduced to almost make the is- suing or using of free pass" hang ing offense in Alabama. Good. But wno ever has a free" pass? The newspapers are credited for having them by the deck. but the fact of it is they usually nav double price for those they cannot use. and are refused those they might use.
 If is said that six deaths have occurred at the Calhoun county aims house at Jacksonville within the last few weeks, and the fact has given rise to much talk. Tn most cases the people who go there ara invalids and should have a diet suit ab,e to their condition. The present rate at which the keeper contracted to feed them will not justify any but the plain est food, it is said, and hence the pres- ent condition of things.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-04
confirmations by the Senate.

Washington, February 3.-Confrma. tions by the senate: John E. semple, as. sistant commissioner of the general land office; Levi s. Wilcox. consul at Han kau. China, to be consul general at that place.
 ostmasters-Mississippi F. Fairley, Mount Olive; J. W. Lockhart. Durant. Oklahoma-G. s. Walker. Bridgeport; P. c. Hughes. Burch; G. w. Sherman, Okeene; J. H. Ashbury, Lexington; J R. Tate Blackwell.