davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1903-02-14
BRIDGES.

The only bridge that has come under my
inspection is the one now being constructed
across Bravs bayou on tho Telephone road.
rhe price for this bridge IS rather excessive
but IT is not TOO late now to remedy that.
The contractor claims that he has been
authorized by the county engineer to do
certain extra work In the way Of grading
fho approaches. ] have ordered this work
.ropped as / believe under his contract II
ihould bc done without amy extra cost. To
an Of his requests for omissions and
changes, have given him written notice
that | shall allow no changes Of any kind,
hut want everything done exactly as speci-
The contractor desires 10 omit from one
side and substitute therefor concrete footing
courses On the other side he wishes 10
shorten the cylinder for about I'VE rect ]
i'm opposed 10 any change IN the speclhca-
ions or plans and would recommend To the
county that they Insist upon the absolute
performance OF the contract as per plans
anil specifications.
/ wish to add in conclusion that the county
aptlcipates the expenditure Of large sum
II money on road construction and that II
mould be done IN q systematic and scieniihe
manner. lust the same as any private busl'
,css Is conducted. II yon want the best re-
.ults / strongly advise you TO follow me
tbove recommendations. l nave careIuAg
rnne into the multiplicity or details anu
nov that without tho help and organization
.trrein outlined ! can be az no service 10 you
Respectfully submitted 49,.
Superintendent Of County Roads
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1903-02-14
Emil
Upper
Halter 500 Main ST.
COURT ACCOMMODATIONS
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS sPEcU-
LATE ON COUST HOUSE NEEDS.
The Old Building Is Crowded TO tho
Limit and Officials Are at a Loss to
Know Where to House New Court

BY the recent passage OF an act Of the
legislature, creating a new district court
for Harris county, the need OF a new court
house Of sufficient size and dimensions TO
take care OF the business Of the county is
being discussed In many quarters
The commissioners are trying to feel their
way in the matter. aud although they see
the need either OF the construction OF a
new building, or else the building of an
addition Tea the old one. yet they have not
outlined any plan Of action and SO far have
only discussed the matter informally
The present county offices are badly
crowded There is va space iu the building
mat could he set aside to make room Tor
the newly created court. the top door
Is completely taken mp with the county
court and two district courts aud even as
II is now. none Of these courts has a sufn
Client amount Of room The crowded condl.
tion Of the other offices Is well known A
new building will soon become an actual
necessity
AS 10 what accommodations would he
needed In the event Of a new building bo
inglng constructed County Judge 7 Rlake
Dupree, when interrogated Yesterday said
that while the matter was as vet IN q state
Of embryo that some steps undoubtedly
would have 10 he taken to care for the new
court, as well rs to relieve the present con
geeted condition Of the various other count n
offices He did not see how the court
could possibly be accommodated no the
present building.
Commissioner lube went So far as 70 say
that steps would have 70 he taken imme.
diatcly Tor the construction NJ a new court
house, or else for the construction Of D
wing or addition TO tho old structure MT
Zube said that the commissioners had been
too busy with other mat tors recently, such
rs road construction. drainage. ditches and
bridges. to give their attention to new
court house project, but he felt that n
could not ne long delayed Nj Zuhe snId
that the whole matter Of improvement
would have to be submitted to vote " the
people, and unless some other means is
provided 10 meet the need Of more room.
that q special election would doubtless no
called nj an early date for the purpose Of
submitting the project 10 the voters ~
the county. Judge Dupree and Commission
or lube both said they could not see how
the present building could he made n servo
the business of the comfy when the new
civil district court Is added IN the list
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1903-02-14
CHARITY PLANS PROGRESSING.

The Practical Working Of the Orasnizs-
ton 70 Be Started
With the Thanksgiving contribution as a
bnsis. the Board Of Organized Charities If
Houston expects to begin practical working
In short time
President T. W. House Of the board fuds
II impossible tn art as the head Of this
united Charities and Secretary MrcIntyra
will Issue cnll for meeting within thu
next few days. The present plans are IN
open down town office and place Evan.
gcist w. Wheeler IN charge. he having
had much practical experience In the work.
The organization at work, many needy
cases viii he provided for and the numernua
frauds driven from the city.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1903-02-14
FUTURE WORK

find upon examination total disregard
Tor the time limits aud forfeits stipulated in
me contracts. This system is very pcr.
nielous and is resulting in considerable loss
To Harris county At the RATE Of progress
which has characterized Mossrs. Him &.
Keys work in the past, they have a. mum.
bier Of contracts for The future which would
oc impossible under the most favorable con
diions for them to complete In the time
specified 1t is my desire to work no hard
ihips on the contractors but the interest
on this road fund amounts TO many thou
lands Of dollars annually and the county
should have the benefit Of this money as
rapidly as possible. These contractors have
accepted contracts and have given bonds
for the faithful performance of same when
they seemingly can not cover the work, nor
complete II in the time specified II prac-
IDEALLY amounts to an option on this work
insofar as time limit is concerned. would
recommend to the commissioners court that
these contractors hc ordered 10 proceed
with this work Mt once. and that they shall
demonstrate 10 the county that they have
sufficient appliances and equipment at their
command 10 carry forward this work with
sufficient dispatch 10 insure its completion
within the time limit The present system
perpetuates contracts by extending the time
limit. which is monfestly unjust tn the tax
payers. We are not only being denied the
use of the roads, hut are paving interest on
Al large fund lying idle I'm the treasury, The
work should be done or the contract for
fCited.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1903-02-14
GREGORY PROPERTY SOLD
COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO PASS
UPON ART LEAGUES GIFT.
School Board Opposed to the Uniform
Text Book Measure Now Pending Be
fore the State Legislature.

All the members OF the school board were
present at the meeting Of that body. held
Inst night. with the exception of Trustee
Votaw.
The report II the finance committee as to
the correctness Of the pay roll FOR the mouth
ending February 6, 1908 was received aud
approved. The amount Of this Indebtedness
for salaries for the period named is $12
1855. which will be paid out today by
Treasurer Settegast Of the board. the money
for the same having been advanced by the
city council.
Trustee Settegast, to whom the matter Of
dlsposlng Of the Gregory institute property
was referred reported that the best otfcr
he had received was S23Jo. which was 500
better than any previous hid, and he recon-
mcuded that this amount he accepted for
the same. ON motion Of Trustee Halverton
the bid. which was made by Mr. y. J..
Dodge ~ THIS city, was accepted, aud the
property was ordered sold This property
was decided to the city some years ago to be
used for the education NJ the negroes in
this city. The proceeds Of the sale will he
devoted to paying or n part Of the debt
incurred by the board Ia the purchase Of
the property located IN the First ward and
used for the purposes for which the Greg
DRY institute property was given In the city
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1903-02-14
THE FILTERS.

DR.. Parker reported upon the matter Of
the filters which were donated by enterpris
ing citizens Of Houston 10 the public
schools stating that ne had paid S326.50 and
that there remained due SAG, which he was
holding until the receipt Of the guarantee
by the company. All Of tho filters are
working splendidlv. the only complaint
being that the one in operation al the Fan.
min school is too small
a partial list Of The outstanding indebted
ness Of the school board was read aud ap.
proved There is IN the hands of The treas
urer Of the board. Mr. Scttcgast. SSSS3 IS.
and the bills approved last night aggregated
about that amount. These accounts WIN he
paid at once and IN cash. Most of the ac-
counts are of long standing
Trustee Halvcrton was appointed as a
member If the finance committee, to sue.
coed the late Captain Schneider
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1903-02-14
MN Sim Contract

There was a conference between City At
torney Stone and Contractor Lucas at the
city building yesterday afternoon IN which
the various clauses of the contract for the
construction Of the new market house and
city hall were discussed.
The details were agreed upon and the
articles viii he signed today. They require
a completion Of the building In accordance
with the plans and specifications, specify
that construction shall begin within thirty
DAYS after the contract Is signed and the
building is to be completed within twelve
months, barring unavoidable delays.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1903-02-14
REPAIR WORK


md this work 50 the contractors claim,
10 nave exhausted the appropriation made
for II, hut inasmuch as no duly signed an
tract Is Of record presume that " has
never been signed. can not, theretoro.
advise you whether the work was to he
done as whole at stipulated price or
"nether Y was so much per unit Of work
performed In either event IL ia n iaS,t
question. and one mon which vro,1tS 80
HuNlse YOU As a matter Of husipess /
would recommend that no further osfin,a. 90
- ~ ais }wed on this work until the contrac-
roads a copy OF their Contract ond r,neci.
nCHuonS and statement Of what VOL
.uey nave done and what estin ties thev
i've neen PAID. / have ordered suspeu.
sion OF this work until we arrive M snrne
dennite conclusion.
wish to say In this connection that this
system or road repairs Is wrong curnher.
Ueast ana can not hut result In great
NaSle 10 the county. The measurement
ot material taken on cars unless done nv
very competent and experienced man fl
~. aS accurate as desired and then ques-
b5a'ed IN roadway Is horne by the comfy .
, le results had thus far under this system
sss"w eltner q waste Of money. great deal
W ,Ieakage or a glaring error In the drst
tsIlInaIed costs Of the rcplirs
on the Harrisburg road the oon+r, ,+or~
.lhln 10 nave used all the material con.
Itmplated for 4 80 miles Of repairs On
about 20 miles completed work. car moi
accept This without Investigation. sim
IYlar conditions prevail upon the Honston
lelEhts boulevard and other roads which
We NV nave under contract for repairs
would recommend for this class Of re-
pairs that the county organize road re-
PHI ehng the same SIS the section gang on
rallIoad work. purchase the material neces-
SarN Tor repairs and DO this work under IN
dlrecuon OF competent foreman. an abont
one mar the present alleged cost as sa+
forth by the contra ctors 10 80
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1903-02-14
ART LEAGUES GIFT

Several communications from officers Of
tho Houston Public School Art League were
read TO the board These communications
referred ia the fact that that organization
has purchased statue Of Venus de Milo
to be placed in the houston High school
and expressed n desire to know what action
the board would take In the matter Of re
ceiving the gift There was some discussion
as to the propriety Of exhibiting such work
of art In the public schools aud commit
tee consisting OF DIT Parker and Messrs
Iaverton aud Settegast was appointed TO
view the statue and investigate the matter,
reporting TO the board at its next regular
meeting,
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1903-02-14
Madn Anav MIih Pur,-

Detectives Smith and lee are holding
Ida Foster, coloGed. for tho alleged bold
theft NJ purse from one Of the lady clerks
employed n the store Of the ne Merritt shoe
company shortly after the noon hour yea.
terd0y.
'rhe purse is said n have been snatchet
from o pile Of shoes while the clerk wn
waiting on the Foster woman. negro
porter employed at ne MERITS recognized
the woman AS che left the store. and the
officers had little trouble In locating her.
The purse Itself is missing. but the money,
81 50. was secured bv the detectives and
restored n it's rightful owner
Tho detectives swore ont IN affidavit
against the Foster woman IN Justice Mat
thdNs' court, charging theft aud the case
WIN doubtless be heard today. The pris-
oner asserts that she has a husband IN
Galveston
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1903-02-14
Y. M. c. a. Matters.

The program at the association building
tonight viii be; First, baseball from to Q
o'clock; second. baths to $50 O'Clock;
third, lunch and some interesting things to
talk about
Tomorrow the Sunday club will meet aud
will be addressed by the president Of the
club. Mr.. j. c. Hutcheson. Jr All men
are invited to attend this meeting There
VIII be an opportunity given to the young
men attending 10 join the club after learn
Ing the purposes Of the club The boys
gospel meeting league VIII meet at o'clock.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1903-02-14

We heard a man say the other morning
that the abbreylation for February Feb. =
means Freeze every body, aud that man
looked frozen IN his ulster. i was appa
rent that he needed the kind of warmth
that stays. the warmth that reaches from
mead to foot, all over the body. We could
have told him from personal knowledge that
Hoods Sarsaparilla gives permanent
warmth II iuvlgorates the blood and speeds
It along through artery and vein, and really
ms men aud women. boys aud girls, to en-
ioy cold weather and resist the attacks Of
disease 1t gives the right kind OF warmth,
stimulates and strengthens at the same
time. and all It's benehts are lasting. There
may be u suggestion In this for you.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1903-02-14
THE MATERrAr,

The quantity and quality IT the material
entering into these contracts have been
changed several times. until there is con.
siderable latitude allowed the contractors
MS to what he shall use Samples have
been submitted nv Messrs Hipp & Key and
Sndorman, Dolson & Co. Of which have
male a mechanical analysis and shall re
qnire all future work Ia come 10 ME
STANDARD 'uio
The shell now being used is not FIRST.
class road material, but under good con.
Sfrurti"n nov and subsequent maintenance
fairly good results may be anticipated
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1903-02-14
ROAD ROLLERS.

For some strange reason Harris county is
required in the specifications to furnish the
contractors with rollers. This, however, is
contradicted by another section in the
specification which states that the contrac.
tor shall he required IN furnish all tools
and appliances AS a matter of business II
would he well for the contractor To furnish
his own rollers, besides there are several
requirements I'm the specifications which, II
insisted upon. would cost the contractor
considerable money and not result In any
good to the county. such, for instance. as
sprinkling the road before rolling. A
mutnal concession could be made here with
attendant advantages.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1903-02-14
BALLS AND PARTIES.

A very successful masquerade and valen-
tine ball was given at Bryan hall last
evening by San Jacinto hive No p Ladies'
OF the Niaccabees. The hall was crowded
and the maskers, IN all sorts of costumes,
| enjoyed the music Of the Herb & Lewis
orchestra.
An elaborate luncheon was served at II
o'clock.
The committees were as follows:
Floor Committee. Eler. j. NJ Key,
! Wemet =. A Sellers, J B, Marmion,
Arrangement Committce.--Mrs. H. F.
Cohen Mrs. Charles Hanson. Mrs Ruth
erford. Mrs Lowe.
Invitation Committee Mrs c. c. Chsnd.
Ter Mrs Wolf. Mrs n F Cohen
The following were awarded prizes
Mrs r. c. Rutherford. best lady's COS
tune, handsome silver cracker Jar, by Hart
sturgis, II. a. Wazham. eentlcman's
costume. elegant rocker, by Greenberg
Bros. Mrs. a. J. Miller, best character COS
tune, beautiful fan. by L. Lechenger; J.
NJ Quinn, most comic costume, handsome
rug, by Albert Chmene.
One Of the most elaborate of the Valentine
celebrations was the fancy dress party at
Light Guard armory given by the Oran NJ
Roberts chapter, United Daughters of the
Confederacy. The great hall was decorated
in the bars Of red and white and suspended
from the ceiling to the chandeliers were
dainty valentines If every size, style and
Color, Al taDleS ice CfNHm ana cake were
served and candies and valentines were
sold ut booths. There was an abundance
Of splendid music and dancing was enjoyed
until a late hour
The most charming feature was the
chldrens Valentine party given during the
afternoon. The little tots were in fancy
costumes and enjoyed the frolic provided
by the ladies Of the chapter.
The F. q. $. c. cLuh Of Flysian school
gave Valentine party at the home Of
Miss Bessie Engle 800 Elysian street
The club had fine time. Each person
drew his or her valentine, occasioning no
end Of amusement After music and games
refreshments were served.
Those present: Mr.. u. n. Hutchinson.
teacher Mamie Haskell. Maggie Benson
Fay Thompson. Florence Willard, Ola Cock
rell, Maud Sheffield, Jeanette Fleigson,
Glare McNally, Dedie Middleton. Lillian
whitley, HildR Hnval, Bessie Engle,
Ienora EuCe Rue Enge. Messrs Edward
Murphy, sam Hilliu, Louise Mcqueen.
In the chapel OF shearn church last night
the Young Ladies' Auxiliary Of Shearn Ep.
worth League entertained at a Valentine
party. Tho occasion was free from Formal
ty and those in attendance enjoyed an ex
cellent entertainment.
At Saengcrbund hall crowd Of young
people assembled under the chaperonage Of
Mr. aud Mrs Bert Smith and enjoyed an
informal dance until the carly hours OF
Valentine day.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1903-02-14
St Valentine is past,
Begin the woodbirds to couple now.

The early Christian fathers had hard
tlue getting the Roman people to abandon
their h"ltheu festivities, aud TO this end
they Invested all such obserlgnces of undue
eolemuty. retaining ali the social aspects
aud nssocl9tng them with some person or
thing pertaining to the church. They re-
placed the Lupcrcaia with It. Valentine $
Day thus retaining the date Of the ancient
festival and connecting IT with Christianity
through a great saint. who suffered mar
tvrdom in the Third century. He was first
beaten with clubs and then heheaded while
o priest Of Rome. where his remains now
rest In the church IF st Praxeedes, and
this ancient excellent man never either
directly or indirectly. bore any relation
whatever 10 the observance and ceremonies
peculiar 10 the dav devoted TO him, and It
seems very strange that bis name should
be applied To sweethcarts. and TO the writ
ten. printed and painted amatorv addresses
which they annually exchange on the 14th
Of February. as well as the highly colored.
comical and satircal wood cut, accompanied
by a few lies Of doggerel printed beneath
Long since the theory that IL was on &c.
count Of st. Valentines love and charity
that the day was named for him has been
exploded
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1903-02-14
Pav schooI 1eachers Today

Treasurer J. ]. Settegast OF the school
board gives notice that he will have the
pay Of all teachers and janitors Of the sew
eral school buildings ready for distribution
this afternoon at O'Clock Payment is 10
be made from the High school building.
commencing al and continuing until ali
have been paid
The money, $4,000, was received from
the city yesterday.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1903-02-14

court It was found that there were twenty
distinct counts OF mlsdcmeanor theft, ten
against each prisoner. There ia as vet no
formal charge of burglary entered against
either prisoner. and the limit Of misde.
mennor theft IS hut two years imprisSu-
ment Justice Matthews held them to an
swer 10 tho criminal court in In sIrn Of
SiOo IN each case
The detectives VIII keen up the sweat.
ing process on both prisoners IN the hope
NJ securing and restoring TO the rightful
owners every article that has been stolen.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1903-02-14
SAINT VALENTINES DAY
Many Happy Gatherings in Obsery
aDce of The Festival
A HISTORY OF TIE DAYS ORIGIN
The orsn NJ. Roberts Chapter and the
Ladies' Of the Msooabees Gave Enter
tainments--Hsppy Assemblies.

Many a heart has grown Younger during
the past ten days by reason of the gor-
Geous displays OF valentines IN the shop
windows, recalling the DAYS when. az a
barefoot hoy with a chilblain and keen
desire To 20 barefoot once more or as a
timld lass with two tightly braided pig
tails hanging down her back. an exchange
Of thumb marked envelopes containing a
ecrawl;
Sure as the vine grows round the stump,
You are my darling sugar lump"
occasioned a thrill never to be experienced
again.
The interchange Of dainty love tokens and
some harsher expressions Of luminosity con
veyed by means Of the ugly valentine
will prevail throughout the land today
Tho mail carrier and the clerks at the
Houston postofhce were overwhelmed yes
terday with the rush of valentines and
their work will he doubled today by the
observers Of this dav of Saint Valentine.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1903-02-14
Justioe Court Cloaed.

On account Of the continued illness Of
Justice Marmion there were no cases heard
in his court yesterday Judge Marmion
was taken with a chill Thursday while
conducting tho affairs Of his court and con-
veyed TO hts home In buggy. His illness
Is not considered serious however.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1903-02-14
"PEcks BAD BOY"
The Play Was Presented to a Packed
House Last Niqht.

II the merit OF play IS to be Judged
by the applause It creates, then Peek 5
Bad Boy deserves the palm FOR the din
was deafening at times last night at,the
Sweeney & Coombs opera house
In spite Of the rain the house was packed
and the "sQnding room only" sign was
displayed early. There We're two reasons
for this, the one being the low prices
charged for admission. the other the fact
that audiences In Houston and elsewhere
like 70 20 10 The theater to be amused
10 laugh away everyday worries, aud q
play with the title "Peck's Bad Boy. a
character known hy young and old from
Maine to California, Is sure to draw good
house. as II did last night.
A. 20 fhp morit Of the play n e usll
70 GAy thai V wa a Eeod 6a0T faF the