davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-12-13

what he has. He was always fond of reading and acquired much knowledge in that way.
 In 1890 MT. Hall came to Montgomery with the Louisville and Nashville Rail- road. afterwards with the Southern Cot ton Oil Company. and has for the last years been with the Mutual Compress as engineer.
 He has always taken an active part in politics. although not an office seeker, He was a candidate for the constitutional convention from Montgomery county In 1901 and came very near being elected When the time came to select representa- lives he had rendered himself 50 popular that one of the places was accorded him by general consent, and was nominated and elected. and in the Legislature had his own ideas of things, and labored earn estly to incorporate them into laws. He introduced a bill making the Board of Revenue of Montgomery county elective, which was passed by the House, but af- terward reconsidered and lost. He en- deavors were to curtail the powers and prevent objectionable practices of jus- tices of the peace and constables. He fa- vored an inferior court for Montgomery, which would have. he thought. put an end to the justices practices. but he fail- ed in that also.
 He endeavored to pass an arbitration
The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-12-13

So successful in all he undertakes. Judge Thomas was graduated at Emory Col lege, Oxford, Ga, with the degree of A. B., and otherwise distinguished himself In his college career in. winning the essay medal. Dr. Aatticus G. Haygood, after wards Bishop of the M. E. Church, South, was President of the College at the time. He read law under Judge J. R. Dowdell at Lafayette and began the practice of his profession in 1888 in Chambers Coun- ty and was partner of the late Governor William J. Stanford at Lafayette until 1892, when he came to Montgomery and formed partnership with Hon.. Thomas H. Clark in the practice of the law, which lasted until MT. Clark went to Washington.
 When Governor Sanford came into the Chief Executive office, at the first oppor- tunity. knowing and realizing the fitness and capacity of his former partner and friend for judicial work. appointed him Associate Judge of the City Court of Montgomery and the results have proven the wisdom and accuracy of his judgment, tor no man on the bench in Alabama for the same length of time has made so en- viable and splendid a record. He has en-
The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-12-13
aen. W. wi. Brandon.


 General ". W. Brandon Is one of the mosk iovabie and popular of all the public men of Alabama. He Is true to his con- vtctions, true to his friends "as the needle fn the poie,- open hearted, generous to q fault, he makes ali his acquaintances his friends. Instead of writing more about my chief, whom I have learned to honor and to love. I will let others tell of him. The Birmingham News in recent article on Tuscaloosa says of Gen. erai iBrandon;
 ..Tuscaloosa Is proud to claim as it's own the young man whose picture ap- pears above, as General William w. Brandon Is one of the best known and most popular men in the whole State. It would be hard to find a Democrat any where who at his age has done more for his party, and whether the call be from the State at large or from his home county. he Is ever ready and prompt to respond.
 "As ta Legislator he won just esteem and commendation for his stand for edu- cation, although what education he has himself received has been due to his own energy and untiring effort. Tuscaloosa , was 1niways well represented when Gen aral Brandon looked after it's claims at theScapitol.
 ssThe whole State feels pride in and loves sthis loyal son of the Druid City, and the factsthat he has lately become a candidate for Probate Judge of his county, will be learned with deepest in- xerest by his many friends. There can. in fact, be little doubt that he will be elected, his friends say. for his life in his home town has been sufficient proof fo the people of Tuscaloosa County that ssWili'' Brandon, as his friends call him. cansbe depended upon at all times. and deserves. in some measure. reward for his life of party feaity. Starting out in Tuscaloosa at the immature age of 1s years, he has, by his energy, straight forwafdness and natural ability. won the confidence of his county and State."
 His Home Paper.
 The ,Tuscalosa Times-Gazette. his home paper says of him:
 ..Hs- entered politics with enthusiasm eharacteristic of the man. and in 1896 was elected to the Legislature and made his mark there. speedily becoming known as n hard worker and eloquent speaker.
 When the war with Spain came he led shis company. the Warrior Guards, to possible death with the same fearless ness and devotion to duty that were marks of the knights of old. His quail sties, for leadership we're SO marked that nr was speedily made major of the End Alabama regiment. one of the youngest mem to attain such position. He stood hy his boys through the trying summer of 1888 in a manner that endeared him to every man and he was said to be the adolrof his regiment.
 '.While away on duty he was second fixns elected to the Legislature by over wheEming numbers and was again one of the most brilliant and conspicuous figures on the floor of the House. He was made Adjhtant General by Governor Johnston
The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-12-13

large and enthusiastic following, for those who know him best, know full we'll that he possesses all the requisite Quali- ties to make a great and popular Chief Executive. and his friends are reckoning upon this ability to get him to enter the race. As Governor of Alabama he would have an eye single to the welfare and glory of the State and make such suc- cess as he has made of his wonderful business.
 But I am speculating and digressing. l wish to speak briefly of some of the great things Mir. Vandiver has done for Montgomery. He realized the great value of the splendid water way over the Ala bama River to the Gulf and he was quick to see how that great stream could be utilized in getting fair and equitable rates on the railroads He started the movements to put regular steamers of the Peoples Line of Steamers. on the river and accomplished his purpose in that direction. this city having ever since en- 3oyed the benefits of this foresight and wisdom; he Is the President of the Mont gomery Light and Power Company, hav- ing been the originator of that organIza- ton. He saw what Montgomery needed
The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-12-13
Hon. Sydney .. Dowfe.

Hon. Sydney Johnston Bowie is a na- tive of Talladega County: is a graduate of the law department of the University of Alabama with the degree of B. of L. and at once entered the practice of the law. He began his political career in his home town of Talladega as town clerk and was then made an Alderman and was a mem- Der of the State Democratic Executive Committee of Alabama for six years and Chairman of the Democratic Executive Committee of Talladesa for four years. Mir. Bowie is a young man, having been 1 born after the war ended, but he Is q typical Southerner and true to the cause for which our fathers fought.
 Mir. Bowie won his first political spurs in the Morgan-Johnston campaign of 1900 and as member of the flying squadron. did some splendid and effective work that resulted in the reelection of the senior Senator. His native wit and attractive eratory and refreshing. earnestness. cap hlfed his audiences and carried conviction te many who wefe~b before batting and in doubt went with him down in Clarke and adjacent counties and with the first speech I was impressed with his power an force as campaigner and knew then 1 high political honors were In store for him in the future. He took the lead in the movement for the organization of the Morgan forces and was instrumental In calling the meeting at Birmingham where the campaign was organized which was so ably conducted and was 50 over whelmingly successful Tn the following election for Congressman the Democrats of the Fourth District. appreciating his worth. nominated him as their candidate for Congress and the people of the Dis- trict honored him by q unanimous ap- proval at the polls. He has made a splen- did record in Congress. serving on the most important Committee of Agriculture and other special committees. doing fine work on the floor of the House. He was a member of the Legislative Committee of the Commercial Club of Alabama in 1898, and assisted in the preparation and pas sage through the Legislature of e bill to provide for a convention to frame a new organic law. was made the Chairman of the Democratic Committee to urge and secure a vote for 1t in Calhoun County and the result shows how well he did his work. It is not saying too much nor is 1t more than the simple truth to add that no citizen out of the Constitutional Con- vention of 1901 exerted a more potent ir- fuence upon the action of that body than did the distinguished gentleman from Cal- houn. In the future events and history of the State Mr. Bowie must be reckoned as most important factor.
 Hon. Robert R. Poole.
 One of the most polished and elegant gentlemen in Alabama public life today is
The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-12-13

bills before that body and won that repu- tation which easily secured him the nom ination for Auditor by the Executive Committee in the midst of his Senatorial service. His friends are already speaking of him as fine material for Governor and they feel confident that if he should con- sent to run he would be a most formid- able candidate and if successful make an eminently successful Chief Executive.
 Hon. Samuel L. Brewer.
 Hon. Samuel L. Brewer of Tuskegee ia a native of that noted educational town and has won his success by his own exer- tions and persistent efforts. He was student at the famous Park High School and there laid the foundation for his, fu- ture work. He learned the printers trade while boy but preferred professional life and studied law at odd times being admitted while very young scarcely be- yond the legal age and after short prac- tice was elected by the Legislature Soiic- itor- of the Fifth Judicial Circuit. where he has done his duty faithfully and tefii- ciently as such. as is shown by the rec ords the State in his reports to the Audi tor. He taught school for short time in
The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-12-13

law. but was disappointed. 1t dying on the House calendar; he introduced the Sum- day baseball bill in the House. both of which were endorsed by the executive
 board of the American Federation of La- bor. and this last bill was passed. He
 opposed the anti-boycott bill because he thought 1t unjust to labor; he introduced Dill to compel railroads to vestibule their cars for protection of conductors and mo- tormen, claiming 1t to be the duty of em- ployes to provide for the comfort of their employees; he also introduced a bill to give clerks lien on the goods of em- ployers to provide for the comfort of their
 also. He voted against the general reve- nue bill and opposed all bills raising sala- rtes and extending the terms of officers.
 He stood by the Confederate veterans on every proposition to aid them, and was always with the farmers in the House.
 MT. Hall is proud of his record in the Legislature and will stand by it in the future.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-12-13

forced the laws against evil-doers with a firm and positive hand tempering justice with mercy in all deserving cases and having the guilty and vicious to under stand that they would be punished in ac- cordance with the enormlty of their crime and their just deserts. His charges to the grand juries have oeen all straight forward, able and learned and have re- ceived favorable and extended comment from the press of the country, Some of the papers making such comment being The Brooklyn Eagle Baltimore Sun, The New York Outlook, Elmira (N. Y.) Ga- zette and Free Press. Salt Lake City Tri- bune. Rochester Chronicle, Sioux City Qa) Tribune, Louisville Courier-Journal
 Atlanta Constitution. Macon Telegraph
 Columbus Enquirer-Sun, Houston Post, Dallas News. Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Religious Telescope, Dayton, O.. and all the leadinR atata nanars. and attracted
The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-12-13

portuned to stand for public office and
 had he yielded he might have long since
 gone to Congress. or held any State of-
 flee. He has been often mentioned for
 Governor and in 1900 when Governor sam
 ford took off the prize he was fayorably
 mentioned and some of his near friends
 know that had he entered tiie race it' is not probable that he and Governor sam
 ford would have opposed each other. but he resisted the tempter. preferring 10 stick to his business. In later years NIT. Van- diver is taking more leisure. Is more of a
 student of political economy, takes more interest in public affairs. and 1t has often intimated of late that his friends might Induce him in the near future to stand for Governor. If he should do so, 1t need not be said here that he would have a
The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-12-13

versity. and began the practice of law at Greensboro in lsS6, two years thereafter being made Secretary to the Supreme Court and in 1894 the Reporter of the de- cisions of that body. He has led busy, active life in the Capital City. being at the head of the Montgomery Library As- sociation. since 1900; Director in the Commercial and Industrial Association and one of the leading members of that organization; steward in the Methodist Church; he leads wherever he is and is broad. progressive and up to date in all his ideas. He Is a worker in all that he undertakes and 1t is said of him that he Is the only Reporter who has ever been able to keep ahead of the decisions of the Supreme Court; that he has actually done and the opinions rendered by the Court have been reported up to date Mir.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-12-13

and undertook to provide it; a cheap and
 equitable rate for light and, power and he achieved it, his concern licking up all competition and instead of taking tbe
 benefits of a monopoly he has seen that rates for lights and power have been just and reasonable and they will easily out, distance all competition, ,The concern over which he now presidest t,has unlimited capital and capacity and Its .4heVitable benefits to the city are bslhg properly ap- preciated by her citizens; he is the vice. president of Alabama Chemical Company, another vast enterprise that will do great things for the agricultural classes in Ala bama yet; his name is conspicuous on the. of several other leading bust ness enterprises and everywhere his valuable and wise counsel is eagerly sought after. -'--'
 The story of his life, is an open book. His home life is a model one and in the midst
The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-12-13

the attention and received the endorse msnt and admiration of thinking people everywhere
 Judge Thomas is director of the Y. M. c. A.. member of ths Executive Com mittee of the state Sunday School Asso- ciation. . member of the Court Street Methodist Church. and one of the lay del- egates to the annual Alabama Conference of the M. B. Church. South, now in ses- sion In Pensacola. and one of the leading and most highly respected citizens of Montgomery. z
 Judge Thomas has made such splendid record as judge that 1t is more than probable that the first opportunity that offere that he will be promoted and go up to the highest place in the Judiciary of the State. He is a young man. only s7 years of age and has before him the prim- ise of . long life of honor and useful ness.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-12-13
Hon. T. l. sowell.

Thomas Lamar Sowell of Jasper. Walk CT County, was born February 24. 1858, in Claiborne. Monroe County. and Is the son of William Calvin Sowell, who now re- sides at Monroeville and wife. Isabelle Roberts. The parents of W. c. Sowell are James Lawrence Sowell. and wife Mary Hunley. natives of Lancaster District South Carolina. but early settlers in Mon- roe County, and the parents of Mrs. Sow ell are Thomas Lamar Roberts of E 'ge- field District. South Carolina, and wife Catherine McColl, both of whom lived In Monroe County. MT. Sowell was educated at the common schools. In January. l8Is. he was admitted to the bar. and from 1881 to 1887 was Register in Chancery of Mon roe County. In 1887 he moved to Walk r County In 1892 he was Representative in the General Assembly from Walker Coun- ty. from 1895 to 1900 Solicitor for Walker County. in 1898 elected State Senator. in August, 1900, was elected State Auditor
 and in November. 1ao2 he was reelected.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-12-13

CT of extensive interests in Dallas and has large property here and Is one of the leading men of the State.
 Mir. Smith has been an active party worker since growing to manhood and in the Black Belt has been In the front rank for white supremacy and the rule of the white people. He has not only given his advice, his time and liberaily of his means. but he has done the work himself which has freed his county and his State and those who know him best know that he is at all times ready to answer any call that his people or his county may make upon him. Patriotic. public spirited, generous, and true, he yet has promising future before him.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-12-13

the Commissioner of Agriculture and In- dustries, Hon. Robert Ransom Poole. The first recollection have of Mir. Poole as @ political factor, runs back to 1892 in the Kolb-Jones campaign over in Marengo. He was for Kolb. Being a farmer, and a leading Allianceman, 1t was natural that he should be, and I well remember how his influence was feared in the County. He did good work for his convictions il that campaign and made himself respected by his friends and feared by his enemies He was a pupil of the great educator Dr. Henry Tutwiler and there laid the foun- dation for the valuable fund of common sense and sound judgment which has stood him in such good stead since an( has made him so successful in all he has undertaken. He was also a student of Howard College at Marion. but did not graduate fin 1898 he was elected a mem Der of the House of Representatives and did splendid service in that body as 2 member of the Committee on Agriculture and other committees, and was-a leader on the floor; he made hiIaself so pop liar that in the canvass of 1900 be was easily a winner as the candidate for Commission CT of Agriculture sweeping all before him. He was reelected in 1902 for four years. In the ofice of Commissioner Of Agriculture and Industries. MT. Poole's practical knowledge of farming, acquired In his own experience and successes ir MarengO County has made him very val uable to the farmers and he has beer most energetic and attentive to their in terests. He is now engaged in organiz Ing farmers clubs all over the State which anybody can join and in which hC hopes by free and open discussion to aio and advance the work of agriculture in the State.
 He is broad and liberal in his views; progressive and advancing fin his ideas and during his incumbency of the position he holds he has done much to invite the attention of capital and of immigrants to Alabama and the result of his labors will speak for itself.
 MT. Poole has taken pride in expelling and eliminating all semblance of politics from the conduct and policy of his de- partment and it can now be said that 1t Is under his administration being conducted for the original purpose for which 1t was organized and that the department is do- Ing more real good for the cause of ag"i- culture in the State today than ever be- { fore in all It's history.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-12-13

Mobile and as teacher showed eharac- teristic capacity and aptitude. and he would have been, no doubt, successful in that undertaking, but as before stated preferred the law.
 Mir. Brewer does not desire to continue in his present position, but has announced to his friends his purpose to contest be- fore the Supreme Court Judges. to be elected next year for the position of clerk of that tribunal. That he would make an excellent officer there can be no one to doubt and he will have nattering support for the achievement of his. ambition. He does everything thoroughly and well that he undertakes and should he be chosen as Clerk he would undoubtedly discharge it's duties most acceptably to all concerned.
 Hon. J. c. Smith. z. - =
 Hon. J. Craig Smith halls from Dallas County. although he is now being claimed as citizen of Montgomery. He first came into prominence in politics as clerk In the State Treasurer's ofice with his father. who was appointed to the posi- ton by Governor ONeal in 1888. Mir. Smith attended the village schools at Orrville, Dallas County. and attended both the State University and Vanderbilt at Nashville. He was a member of the Legislature of 1S9O-91 and 1ss6-T and in 1892 was elected State Treasurer. and again in 1900 and 1902 the last time for four years and when, he, completes sHhls present term he will have been Treasurer of the State for ten years.' and In the discharge of the duties has followed the example set by his illustrtous father of honesty and faithfulness. He iS e plant @ssa4
The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-12-13

He Is Democrat and, e Methodist. ! On
 January n. iso<s Mr. -sowsli ,wAs marrieA to Margaret B., daughter of John B. sI,oi. lar and wife. Harriet E. Taylor of Jasper. | In the Senate Mr. sowellsmade recerd
 for care and painstakins in paseing all
The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-12-13
J. H. Rankhaad. IF.

Hon. John H. Bankhead, Jr., of Walker, is not candidate for any office. but is so welded to his chosen profession, the law, which he is practicing with much sud cess at his adopted home. at Jasper, Walker county. and makes much sacri- flee to serve his people and State in the Legislature. he Is readily recognized and
The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-12-13

of his wife and children he ia the loving husband, indulgent father and devoted friend and in the meridian and zenith of his usefulness 1t Is the prayer of all who knew him that he may yet be spared many years to do so much for his city and his State.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-12-13
Hon. Thos. J. Hall.

Hon, Thomas J. Hall Is one of the representatives from Montgomery county in the present Legislature. and comes from that class of people who have had to work their own way in the world. and who are earning their bread by the sweat of their brow" In his legislative career he tried to represent all the peo- pie and his record will show how we'll he succeeded. He is a native of Autau- ga county and his first experience as a
 bread winner was in the cotton mill at PrattsVille' working for awhile and at tending the public school at odd times, where he acquired that foundation which has been the means of his achieving
The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-12-13
Hon. Phares Coleman.

Hon, Phares Coleman. now of this city Is one of the brainiest and most brilliant of the young native Alabamians of the day. His father before him was of the best old families of South Carolina and the son has inherited qualities which are so essential in making the successful man. He began his education in the pri- vate schools of Greensboro. took an A. B. at the Southern University and IL. B. in tho law department of tho Stata uni-
The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-12-13
Hon Wi. H. Thomas.

Hon w. H. ThOmaB.
 Judge William H. Thomas of Montgom- cry is a native of Chambers County. near Gold Hiil. He is a son of Hon. W. C.. Thomas. who was a member of the Ala bama House of Representatives in 1880 when the writer was first elected Clerk. and 1t was there came to know his many splendid qualities; he Is member of the present Legislature and 1t was from him the son inherited much that has made him