davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-31
STAGE FIREMAN
 TOO BADLY EXCITED

Herebrt Cawthorne, a member of inc company, said:
 T was in position to see the origin Of the fire and I feel positive that it was an electric calcium light that started the blaze. The calcium lights were being used to Illuminate the stage in the latter part or the second act when the song, "On the Pale Moonlight was being sung. l was standing behind a wing on the left side Of the stage when my attention was attracted by a peculiar sputtering of one of the calciums. Above the stage per. haps, 12 feet higher than the top of the curtain, exposed to the audience was swinging platform from which 12 calcium were operated. It appeared to me tha one of the calciums had f1ared up and tn. sparks ignited the lint on the curtain Instantly I turned my attention toward the stage and saw that the song was be- ing carried out and that many of the actors and actresses had not yet discover ed the blaze. Just then the fireman who is kept behind the scenes rushed up with some kind of a patent fire. extinguisher Instead of the stream from the apparatus striking the flames it went almost In the opposite direction. Up to this time the flames had not been in sight of the audi ence. While the stage fireman was work ing in an endeavor to use the chemicals the flames suddenly swooped down and out Eddie Foy shouted something about the asbestos curtain and the firemen attempt ed to use it and the stage hands ran to his assistance. The asbestos curtain re- fused to work. and the stage hands and players began to hurry from the theatre. In my opinion the stage fremen might have ayerted the whole affair 1T ne had not become so excited.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-31
CHICAGO FIRE
Continued from First Paee)

of time ensued the women were being pushed every instant into the alley, and by the time the bridge was connected but few remained to take advantage of it. However, about two dozen it is be- leved by MT. Elliott, made their way across this narrow cause-way.
 The members of the theatrical com pany being on the first floor, had com raratively little difficulty in reaching the street although their situation was for a moment critical. because of the speed with which the flames swept through the scen- cry in the flies and on the stage.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-31

seated. At that instant a woman in the rear Of the place screamed fire and the entire audience of women and children rose to their feet filled with an uncon- troiled terror. In an instant there was a roar as the people rushed madly from the impending danger.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-31
TRIED TO QUIET CROWD.
 BUT IT WAS NO USE

William H. Rear an usher in the first balcony, said tonight:
 My balcony was crowded and there were a number of people standing when the fire broke out. It all came so sud denly that I barely had time to open the fire exits before the auditorium was in flames. tried to quiet the crowd. but if was no use. The women screamed and the men fought to get to the doors. tramphng on women and children If they had kept their heads together, they could have got ont all right
 Mrs E A. Morgan was in the theatre with her sister, Marcella Warren, and her son, years old. The party was in the hrst balcony and when the first sparks were seen, arose to depart All of them had reached the first floor when the panic came ana the rush for the doors com meneed. Although they hastened as rapidly as possible, they were knocked down and sustained severe bruises. man seized the little boy by the hair in attempting to throw him from his hath and the little fellows scalp was almost torn fom his head
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-31
CHORUS GIRLS SHOWED
 GREAT PRESENCE OF MIND

"on the stage the chorus girls who had aroused my admiration because of their exhibition of presence of mind, turned to fee, but many of them were overcome be- , fore they could take a step Several of them fell to the floor and I saw the men in the cast and stage hands carry them on the stage. The upholsterng on the railing of our box was then on fire and we were compelled to brush fragments of the burning curtain from our clothes in order to prevent them catching fire Then there came great roar and great rush or alr and the flames shot out over the parquette of the theatre until 1t seemed to me as though they must reach the front walls of the building. There were but few men in the audience, but I saw sev- erai or them pulling and pushing women and children aside as they fought like maniacs to reach the exits I saw a. num- Der of little children trampled under foot and none arose. In the balcony the scene WAS beyond my power to describe This was big black crush of human beings each one apparently fighting everybody else The balcony was so steep that many fell before they had left the first four rows of seats. The exits to the fire es- capes were choked and those in the rear rushed with all the strength they pos sessed upon those who were nearer the doorway.
 As l started up the aisle man rushed against me and knocked me down. I was so stricken that I grew weak and sank into one of the orchestra chairs and af- ter that hardly remember anything In some way I reached the main entrance, where men were working against the doors and shattering the glass and panels in their attempts to afford larger space for the exit of the people, Many fell when they neared the door, whereas a few steps more would have brought them to fresh air. l must have been walking on p1os- trated bodies. All of our party escaped in about the same manner as I did, but all Of them suffered so terribly in the mat ter of clothing that the first thing they did was to rush to the stores to buy wraps to cover themselves"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-31
O OEN I EO
 ABOUT 900 PERSONS

These combined, seated about 900 per sons. The sale of seats had been good, but was not up to the capacity, and as far as can estimate the balconies contained tetween oi0 and 800 people. The top bal cony, where the cheapest seats were lo. cated, was the most crowded, and 1t is here that the crowd found most difficulty in struggling toward the exits'
 It was declared tonight by the manage. inert of the theatre that the fire was not caused by the grounding of an electric wire or any defect in the equipment of the theaTe. It started, they claim, by the bursting of the calcium light appa- ratus. The concussion vas so great that | it blew out the skylights over the stage and auditorium. This statement of the management is contradicted by many peo- pie who were I;s the theatre, and who de- clare that before the explosion occurred they saw flames in a narrow streak creap- ing along the wal near the upper part of the drop curtain
 William Zeller, the house fireman who was severely burned in trying to lower the asbestos curtain, describes the scene upon the stage and the cause of the fire as follows:
Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1903-11-20
The Truth Of the Matter.

Prof. ]. M. Walton returned from
Montpelier, Idaho, where he went a
Short time ago to teach school. He says
the Mormon and non Mormon conten-
tion In Idaho is bitter and it has grown
to such an extent that it is very difficult
for Mormons to get positions as school
teachers. After passing the examina-
tions and doing all that was required by
law and yet being practically turned
down. Mr.. Walton and ten other teach
ers-. .Mormons-recent brushed Mont
pelier dust from their feet and left the
city, and the state of Idaho, discusted
over the miserable political conditions
there. State Attorney John Bagley of
Idaho now has the matter of enquiring
into certain correspondence between
the superintendent of schools of Bear
Lake county and the state auperinten-
dent in relation to Mr.. Walton's appli-
Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1903-11-20

Garden City expects to be ship.
ping ore from several claims next
summer
At st. Charles gentleman from
Salt fake has bonded the Black
stone mine and he has force of
work there taking out ore. He ex-
poets to put in a concentration and
other machinery shortly, and az soon
as this is installed he will begin
shipping, having now on the dump
something like 900 tons of concen-
trating ore. This is lead carbonate
proposition, and for fiuxing, the ore
is said to have no equal in the Unit
ed States, being high grade and alb
solutely free from all s'base" miner
ais.
The Hummingbird mine above
Paris is not working at present, but
it islrumored that deal is on where
by this property will shortly be
developed on a big scale. This
mine has every indication Of becom-
ing one Of the greatest copper pro-
ducers in the west. The parties
who own this claim are wealthy and
why they haven't developed it be-
fore this is one of the enigmas of
the year.
The Montpelier company, operat
ing at Nounan, have done vast
amount Of work this year and they
now believe that the s'shipping day
is not far distant with them. Their
claims are looking better than ever
and the owners are confident tha
they are on the ere of opening big
producer. From all over the coun
ty comes the same cheering news
and if Bear Lake is not rated among
the big mining counties of the stat
before another year, it won't be from
lack of development work.
Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1903-11-20
WHIST CLUB.

The Whist Club met with Miss Hattie
Hughes on Tuesday evening, The
prizes were won by Misses Georgia
Cooper and Efie Smyers. The consola-
tions went to Miss Connie Mcintosh and
Mr. Havener.
At another table game of finch was
indulged in Miss Gertie Edwards carry
ing away the prize.
An elegant lunch was served during
the evening.
Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1903-11-20
Club Notes.
GEM OF THE MOUNTAIN.

GEM OF THE MOUNTAIN.
Gem Of the Mountain Club met with
Mrs Dufin.
Vice President Mrs. Gee presiding.
Answer to roll call with quotations.
Current Events was read by Mrs. Rose
The History Study was on The Royal
Province; led by Mrs. Gee; each mem
her discussed the most important points
of the lesson.
Mrs. Gee gave splendid review of
the book, To Have and To Hold.
Club will meet with Mrs. Gee Nov.
21st
Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1903-11-20
RUSHING WORK.
Supt. Shepherd has 100 Men at
Work on the New Round
House.

A visit to the new roundhouse
this week found upwards of 100 men
buslly at work on the new structure.
The bricklayers started in laying
brick on the south concrete wall on
Monday and all the bricklayers
about town who want work have
been employed. More will be put
to work as fast as they apply for
employment.
All the base concrete walls are
now III and the upper walls are
being built as fast as a big force of
men can mix and wheel the concrete
into the big false boxes built up to
shape the walls by. The big outside
semi-clrcle concrete wall is finished
and ''set," and 1t is now ready for
the brick layers.
Gravel is being hauled in by the
trainload and dumped into the SIX
foot fill where the new building sets
Work was also started on the
new 72-foot turntable this week
The outside circle rail will rest on a
concrete foundation, and the center
of the table will also be set on al
immense concrete block, placed OF
top of 23 piling driven in the
ground
Notwithstanding the inclemen
weather the work has been rushed
along on all parts of the structure
and good headway is being made
People are coming in from all tn,
surrounding country an. securin
positions on the job. The principa
drawback now is the lack OF timbe
for framing. All the inside worl
of this class could be done now j
the necessary material was here. 1
is expected to arrive any day an
when it does many moro carpenter
will be needed. AS it is big fore
of this class of mechanics are a
work.
! It is figured now that the rounG
house proper will be finished some
. time about the first of March.
Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1903-11-20
LOOKS ENCOURAGING
The Mines Of Bear Lake Report
Splendid Progress and
Bright Outlook for
the Week.

az AAHSo 80 WIG 0oPPOA OOA1 "AS
still being developed steadily and
the outlook for the week is most en-
couraging.
The 10O-foot tunnel on the Lucky
Boy, one of the Montpelier Copper
Co.'s properties, is being pushed
steadily along, and the indications
are looking more favorable with
each foot Of progress. There is
strong promise now that when the
present 100 feet is completed, there
will be enough money In the treas
ury for another 100 feet of work,
. and if so the drift will be pushed
right on along the vein. The direct
ors are feeling jubilant over the
prospects.
The drift in the bottom of the
Copper King shaft Is going right
ahead. 1t will take about eighty
feet of work to reach the lead and
something like 20 feet is already
done. The companys treasury Is IN
good shape, and the entire distance
will be driven before spring.
The Claire company have let a
contract for a 100 feet extension of
their tunnel on the Sunday claim
and work will begin at once. The
owners are confident that they will
have a shipping proposition before
spring opens and the indications
bear out their confidence.
ST Wilcox is steadily hammering
away on his prospect, and he claims
to have opened up an immense lead
carrying copper and gold. Several
others are interested with ST, and
they will continue work all winter.
Other prospects Are being develj
oped all along the belt and everyone
is feeling good over the outlook.
Over at Garden City Richardson
& Gray have opened up a splendid
looking vein of ore, carrying gold
and silver. They hope to have a
steam hoist and other machinery on
their property by spring, when Mr..
Richardson says they will be ready
to ship ore.
On the same lead George Smith
and }. f. O'Connor have sunk q
shaft, opening up fine showing ol
ore, carrying good values in gold
and copper. George expects to re
turn after Christmas and drive &
hundred foot tunnel on their claim
Several other parties, in the same
vicinity, have opened some fin'
looking leads, and great amoun
of work is being done in the way o.
development.
Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1903-11-20
cation to teach school in Montpelier,
and some lively developments may be
looked for.-Provo Demo rat


politeness in showing me the Utah
County Democrat, which contains an
article rejecting upon me, and your
kindness in offering me space in your
columns for reply, are both appreciate
ed. assure you.
do not think that public officials
should rush into print to answer every
accusation, so have never said any
thing heretofore, but this article Is very
misleading and deserves censure
The saying that "The Mormon and
non Mormon contention in Idaho. is
very bitter can hardly be said to be
true in this, (Bear Lake County, The
County superintendent is non ormon,
but was elected by the Mormons who
out-nnmber the non Mormons in the
ratio of ten to one in the County. The
ewo members of the examining board,
viz. John H. Miles and Jacob Slori,
were both stanch Mormons, and were
appointed by the County Superinten-
dent.
| The article further says that, Mr..
Walton. After passing the examina-
tions and doing all that was required
b law was practically turned down
and that he and ten other teachers,
Mormons, brushed Montpelier dust
from their feet and left the State of
Idaho"
To begin with Mr. Walton did not
''pass" the examinations, but instead,
failed utterly in arithmetic solving but
three problem correct out of ten given,
and the Idaho law requires that go per
cent shall be the passing grade for even
a third grade certificate. These pro-
blems were prepared by the State Supt.
and State Board of Education and all
applicants were given the same lists of
questions. and at this examination four
teen applicants presented themselves
and but four were successful. two Nor
mon and two non Mormons.
Regarding the ten Mormon teachers,
who left the state,' know of no such
condition of affairs. At least seven of
the ten, and who failed, are still in the
county, are every one willing, and in
tend 70 try again. as they have every
confidence in the County Superinten-
dent tnat he will treat them right.
The Paris Post is the County Official
organ and is Mormon newspaper: 1T
is also the Stake paper, and it has never
yet, given the Supt, word of blame,
for anything official, but rather, the
owner and manager has praised him,
for his conduct of the Office financially
and otherwise. The correspondence
between the County Superintendent,
and State Supe rintendent, which is be-
: ing, now investigated by the State At
: torney, Mr.. John A. Bagley, will deye-
q lop nothing to Mr.. Walton's credit, as
: many Of his papers written at the ex-
. animation were sent, by the County
' Superintendent. to the State Superin.
d tendent, and failed to receive any tamp
: of approval from her or the State Board
! of Education, which State Board has
/ Mr.. Bagley as one of its members.
3 Again thanking you, Mr.. Editor, ]
> am yours truly
4 M. +. WHITMAN.
r Co. supt.
I
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-12-12
THE NATIONAL FARMERS CONGRESS.

We agree with several Of our contem-
poraries that the National Farmers Con-
gress is making a mistake in considering
questions OF purely political nature At
the Macon meeting the writer was sec
rotary to the committee on resolutions,
and was successful in squelching every
topic of the sort. If the Congress is to
farmers, end hopes to be of advantage
to agriculture, it must avoid questions
that concern men merely as citizens, and
not especially as farmers. Otherwise it
will drift into a partisan organizati ton
as one or the other of the political parties
gain majority in its councils, and then
its usefulness as a farmers organiza-
tlon is at an end. In the early history
of the Congress we were impressed with
the notion that it was an association of
men seeking political influence and ad-
vancement. More recently 1t seemed to
have gotten into better hands, and to be
capable of doing good work for the farm,
as was hown at Sioux Fails by its down
ing the efforts In behalf of the Cleo
fraud. But if the Congress continues to
discuss such matters as ship subsidy, the
admission of Oklahoma, election OF Sem
ators by the people and kindred matters,
it will soon become a refuge for ak
grinding politicians, and farmers will do
well TO avoid it in company with the
so-called National Live Stock Association
of the Wetsern packers.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-12-12
Chewing Disfranchisement Rag.
(By the Associated Press.)

New York, Dec. 10.-Suppresslon of ne
gro votes and the penalty therefor, were
the subject of resolution adopted by the
Union League club of this city tonight.
In the first of the series of resolutions,
which were offered by former United
States Senator Warner Miller, the gov
eminent fthe United States was asked
to instruct district attorneys to prosecute
those responsible for suppressing the votes
of persons enfranchised by the fourteenth
and fifteenth amendments of the Constr
tuition, and in subsequent resolutions Con-
gress was called upon to reduce the ap-
portionment in the House of Represent
tives of States in which there was such
suppression of legal votes
Washington, Dec. 10.-The sub,commit-
tee of National Afro-American counsel to-
day decided to hold the next meeting OF
the Council at st. Louis, September 4,
1904, and appointed a committee of five
to appear before the platform committee
of the next national Republican conven-
ton to urge that it take vigorous action
in reference to the practical denial in
number of States of suffrage to the ne
gro.
Among those present were Bishop Wal
ter T. Thomas Fortune, Cyrus Field
Adams. William A. Pledger. of Georgia,
Walter l.. Cohen. of Louisiana, and John
G. Dancy. of North Carolina.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-12-12

The Maryland Life Insurance company
of Baltimore has been successfully con
Quoting conservative business for thirty
eight years
It's payments to policy holders amount
to s4,0O060 and every claim has been
promptly settled without delay or htiga'
ton.
It's investments are of the highest grade
The Company does not buy or own specu-
lative or doubtful securities OF any kind.
The Company will establish District
Agencies in North Carolina and each
District Agent viii receive the full com
pensation usually paid to State agents
For particulars write Home offlee; Apph'
cations are invited from reliable men
No previous experience in business re-
quired.
The Company will employ on salary
reliable man who can furnish satisfactory
references as to his character, energy and
business ability. and who can demonstrate
that he can successfully perform the
work "a Superintendent for the State OF
North Carolina. No attention paid to ap-
plications unless accompanied by refer
ences. Address Maryland Life Insurance
Comnanv of Baltimore. and 10 South
streets. Baltimore, Md.
11-24-tues sun Wks.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-12-12
No Writ Granted.

Captain R. B. Glenn, of Winston, and
Judge Crisp, of New York, who were
here to apply for a writ of habeas corpus
for the Winston manager OF the Spcrry
s. Hutchinson Green Trading Stamp Com
pany, who because he refused to pay a
fine imposed on him in Winston tor doing
business without paying the city tax CT
50 coo a year, is under arrest.
An agreed case had been determined
upon but Judge P d. Walker, OF the
Supreme. court, found some error in the
matter and declined to consider 1t. The
attorneys have gone home and will pre-
pare new papers in the case.
The Retail Grocers' Association of Win
ston asked that the city make a license
tax OF $4,000 and this was done. The
Green Stamp peorle held it to be excess
sive and refused to pay fine Of $40
was put on Manager Beeson, who after
the writ of habeGs corpus was agreed on
came to Raleigh with Deputy Sheriff I
L. Farrow The legal fight will continue
in changed form.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-12-12
NOW WHAT is A RECESS?
Query for the .Barnacles." TilIMan
wants TO Know, You Know"
(By the Associated Press.)

Washington, Dec. 11-Senator Tillman
today introduced a resolution directing
the Committee on the judiciary TO make
inquiry into the question of what consti-
tutes recess appointments by the Presi-
dent. The resolution bears upon the
claim that the pending nominations of
General Wood and otherP similarly situat-
ed are recess appointments. The pre-
amble quotes portions of the Constitution
of the United States bearing on the sub
iect and continues as follows:
Whereas, 1t is known that certain Of
ficers appointed during the recess of Con
gress from March 4th last, to November
8, and whose appointments were not con
firmed bv the Senate are now in posses
sion of and exercising the powers and
functions of said offices; be it
Resolved, That the Judiciary Commit
tee of the Senate be- and it is hereby au-
thorized and instructed to report to the
Senate:
First. What constitutes a recess of
the Senate, and what are the powers and
limitations OF the executive in making
appointments in such cases.
Second What legislation is necessary
o prevent the holding of an office by
any person whose commissions tissue or
are held by executive exercise of unlaw
'ul authority if any there be-