davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-19
ARTIFICIAL LIMBS OF YUCCA.

From the Los Angeles Express.
 A use has been found for the wood of the Mojave yucca, one of the most pecu- liar plants in the world, a species of vege- tation found nowhere in the universe save in the Mojave desert of California.
 Owing to the spongy texture of the wood, which renders it both light and elastic, it has been found adapted to the manufacture of artificial limbs. and fac tory has been started in this city for that purpose.
 The Majave yucca resembles in it's na- ture both the palm and the cactus. It attains a height of thirty to forty feet, and the trunk, often two or three feet In diameter supports half a dozen irregular branches. each tipped with a cluster of spine like leaves.
 The plant puts forth bud and flower In season, the latter of a dingy white color. The fruit. which is two or three inches in length, is pulpy and agreeable. resem- bling the date in flavor
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-19
Richmond on the James.

Richmond is the most important bank ing city of it's size in the south if not in the United States" said W. T. Pil. l1inson of Virginia, who is stopping at the Morris. Like all southern cities it was impoverished by the war, but in 1870 it began to accumulate capital and by 1880 many of it's citizens had become rich enough to invest large sums in other cities south and west Millions of Rich cities like Birmingham and Duluth It was estimated that fully 5000 GOO of Rich mond money was sunk in Duluth, St. Paul and Minneapolis between 1890 and 1893 But these losses did not phase the old town. The capitalists there were too strong to mind a little thing like un- profitable speculation.
 Richmond has been hit hard recently by the slumps in Wall street Millions were lost by the drop in Virginia Caro- lima Chemical and Seaboard Air Line. These two corporations wer great favor ties in Richmond and there were few peo- pie in that town who had not bought some of the stock of each concern The rich had been heavy buyers, while the men of small means had invested on small scale. But these losses will be for got in a year or less and by the time the be ready for investment.
 Richmond grows steadily but never rapidly. It is a beautiful city and Is more noted today for handsome monu- ments than even Baltimore, which has the sobriquet of the monumental city. It has Crawfords splendid group, with an equestrian statue of Washington as the central figure, the equestrian statue of Robert E. Lee. the heroic statue of Stone wall Jackson, a towering column dedi- cated to the private soldiers and sailors of the Confectionery, besides a dozen or more statues of local interest-all by eminent sculptors. But Richmond's most magnificent monument will be that in honor of Jefferson Davis. Its design has been accepted by the Jefferson Davis Monument association, and consists of a semi-circular colonnade, a tall column, surmounted by an allegorical figure typi- flying the south, and heroic statue of Jefferson Davis standing at the base of the column. Edward V. Valentine will be the sculptor of the Davis statue The corner stone of the monument will prob ably be laid next year. As it will be the last great monumental work commem- orating the lost cause the throng that will gather on the occasion of the corner stone laying will be the largest ever seen snnfh of tha Rnt
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-19
Transforming Railroad Men.

Several of the large railroad com panies have in operation a system of pensions for officers and employees re- tired for age or physical disability, and such system will in time be adopted by all the lines.
 At the annual meeting of stocbhod- CTS of the Atlantic Coast Line railway this week a resolution was adopted au- thorizing the directors to formulate and put into effect pension system on the usual basis of length of service. Since the railroads have come to be employers of large armies of men great attention is given to discipline and organization.
 The civil service idea prevails more now than ever. Faithful and intelli- gent service and the spirit of loyalty are appreciated by the directors and high officials of railroads, despite the adage that Corporations have no souls" Merit is rewarded and never was railroad employment so alluring to young men as it is today. Bright, en- ergetic employees are sure to rise, and the men of exceptional ability will not tail to attain high salared positions if they persevere.
 Thirty years ago the merit system was not much in vogue Officials and other well-paid servants of railroad companies obtained and held their po- sitions, as a rule, by reason of politi- gal pull or family influence. It is very different now Men are selected and promoted for whaC they can do. And this modern way is productive of excel-- lent results. It puts every man on his mettle and causes him to do his best.
 The pension system naturally goes with the merit system, and the two togethc- make an army of railroad workers singularly homogeneous and doubly effective. The action of the Atlantic Coast Line is as wise and economic as it is humane
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-19
Brandon Making Good Race.

Col. W. W. Brandon is making A lively race for probate judge down in old Tusca- loosa,' said a prominent citizen of that county last night. Both he and Judge Brown are young men and are very popu- lar strenuous campaign Is being waged and every inch of the ground will be closely contested. The candidates are making house to house canvass. On the whole the race is overshadowing all national and state politics in our county The closest political observers are of the opinion that Col. Brandon has shade of advantage over his opponent
 By the way, I understand that already several prominent military men in the state have their eyes on the adjutant gen eralship in case Colonel Brandon is elect ed. A popular officer of the national guards who lives in the governors home is being prominently mentioned for the place."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-19
We Have Good Eiremen.

Your Birmingham firemen certainly know how to fight fires" said Chief Joy. ner of the Atlanta fire department yes terday at the fire on Eighth avenue and Twenty-frst street. The men go into a fire and stay there no matter how hot the flames, and that Is one of the best qual- tiles of a good fireman.
 Just look at those fellows wonder stay ing in that building and fgthing that fire with the flames circling around them and possibly blisterng their hands. By stay ing where they are they have saved the adjoining building. Very frequently much property may be saved by firemen staying in building a minute or two longer than anyone would think they could
 "The pressure here seems to be bad. A stream of water to be effective should have force enough to tear the ordinary shingles from a roof. But I like to see men fight fire like those fellows are do- ing"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-19
IN HOTEL LoBBIES
Need Better Crossings.

"Its strange thing to me- said a travelling man who frequently visits Bir- mingham, that with the excellent side walks and paved streets in this city. that the crossings should be so neglected. l fully appreciate the fact that in propor- tion, the crossings are used more, but to my mind that is all the more reason why they should be more substantial. With the great progress that Birmingham is making 1t is a pity that this little item should have been overlooked. Wooden crossings are entirely out of date and in the majority of cities. granite or Belgium block is used. With winter just ahead, the present eonveniences for pedestrians to cross the streets are inadequate and in some cases in need of repair to pre- vent them from becoming a public men ace"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-19

exemption bill, discussed in letter in The Age-Herald yesterday, in very attractive and suggestive way, the cot ton mill question as it relates to this state, and what he wrote should have wide reading. He is an authority, and the facts and conditions which he points out cannot fail to produce good results.
 Alabama, as MT. Brown says, is in the heart C. the cotton-growing section of the south. "She has the fuel, the climate and all the raw material neces- sary, as well as railroads for Sandling the business, and with the proper en- couragement cotton mills will be To- cated all over the state, not only by home capital, but by foreign capital as well. The cooperative plan has passed the experimental station and proven to be one of the most profitable plans of building and operating cotton mills South Carolina has succeeded wonder fully on this line, and mills in Alabama have been started on the cooperative plan and proven to be valuable invest ments."
 Truly, Alabama is rich in her nat ural and developed resources; but the manufacture Of cotton in this section is yet in it's infancy. Before 1907 great strides will be made.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-19

"
 w official report. to refer to the army transport service as "A most costly luxury, !" says c. F. Humphrey, quarter master general of the army, .n his annual issued today. "As to it's costliness sub init actual figures and facts. l do not know in what respect the service can be looked upon as a luxury. unless reference is made to the excellence of the enlisted mems accommodations now provided on all of the army transports, then l favor the continuance of that luxury.
 "In my opinion, the transport service needs no defense whatever, and no ex- cuse is offered for 1t by the department charged with it's operation l, Tor one, do not claim that there is any fnexor- ble military necessity for it's continuance. but I submit that the service Is unques- tionably very valuable and economical military convenience"
 Much of the quartermaster generals report is devoted to discussion of the transport strvce. The duties that nave been performed through the service. with the relative costs of transportation by the government and by contract, are shown in the report The total difference in favor of transport service for year is placed at s2,24s. 439 in the report. In terisland transport service for the year cost s939.s06 in the Philippine archipelago, while the cost of transporting the same number of passengers and animals. and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-19
THE NEWLY WE'D.

By Winthrop Mackworth Praed. Now the right is duly done,
 Now the word is spoken, And the spell has made us one
 Which may ne'er be broken; Rest we dearest in our home,
 Roam we OCT the heather; We shall rest and we shall roam, Shall we not? together, From this hour the summer rose
 Sweeter breaths to charm us; From this hour the winter snows Lighter fall to harm us; Fair or foul-on land or sea
 Come he wind or weather, Best and worst. whateer they be,
 We shall share together. Death. who friend from friend can part. Brother rend from brother, Shall but link us, heart and heart, Closer to each other; We will call his anger play,
 Deem his dart a feather. When we meet him on our way
 Hand in hand together.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-19

and matters. He said; ''I find that the country as a whole is in a better condi- ton than 1t has been during the sixteen years of my experience on the road The farmers are in good shape. The negroes have plenty of money and the merchants are pleased with their trade and eollec- tions. In reference to politics 1t appears to me that German is practically the unanimous choice of the democrats. Grover Cleveland has many friends and warm admirers, but the opinion that he can't be nominated is prevalent every where"
 pr. W. W. Hutchins of Childerburg, was one of the St. Nicholas arrivals last night
 F. H. Manning, one of the teachers in the Deaf. Dumb and Blind institute at Talladega, is registered at the Metropol- itan.
 B. B. Hallomor of Mobile was one of the Morris late arrivals last night.
 
 Dr. J. E. Pearson of Sylacauga, is in the city.
 Milton Smith. editor of the Annlston Hot Blast is registered at the Hillman.
 
 S. j. Garrett of Montgomery, and R. Y. Rice of opelika, are at the Metropolitan.
 J. W. Weiss, the-well known wholesale liquor dealer of Mobile. is stopping at the Hillman. MT. Weiss is a veteran of the grip, Is one of the best known and popu- lar travelling men in the state. He said the people over the state have their barns filled with plenty. What products they sold brought them good prices. They are taking advantage of the first cold snap to kill hogs. In speaking of the fresh backbone, spare ribs and cracking bread Mir. Weiss waxed eloquence and caused the palates of hearers to dampen when speaking of the good things that accom- panied hog killing times
 Max Hagedorn who is connected with the Atlanta Paper company is stopping at the Hillman.
 Thomas D. Fry of Richmond, Nan IS in the city.
 W. E. Carlisle, a prominent cotton buyer of Opelika is in the city. MT. Carl isle acted as best man in the Carlisle Matthews wedding at Bessemer last even ing. In speaking of the condition of the metropolis of East Alabama, he said, Cotton is turning out shorter than was first expected in our section. Business, however, is good and the people are con tented Politics is beginning to warm up 
 w. J. Pilkington of Richmond, Va, was one of the Morris arrivals yesterday.
 F. Clark McAlpine, a prominent citi- zen of Anniston was one of the Hillmans arrivals last night.
 Dr. Mack Rogers left yesterday for Selma, where he goes to attend the meet ing of the Dallas County Medical asso- citation. Dr. Rogers will read a taper be- fore the assoclation today
 Chief Joyner of the Atlanta fire de. partment, was in the city yesterday as the guest of Chief Mu'lir He is enroute to Jackson, where he will inaugurate paid fire department. In the past that city has had nothing but a volunteer force, but recently money was appro- priated for a department and for the pay of the men. Chief Joyner leaves today for Jackson.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-19
Then and Now.

Statisticians, financiers and practical business men who have been through periods of industrial and commercial depression pretty well agree that, while hard times will recur every few years, as a result of oyerproduetion and the overinvestment of capital, these periods will not be of such long duration as formerly.
 The country grows rapidly in popu- lation. It increases steadily in wealth. It has branched out in it's foreign traffic. The country is undoubtedly in better shape now to weather a dull period than ever before in it's history.
 Right here at home the difference between ten years ago and today is most cheering. In the early days of Birmingham values were inflated and everybody overtraded. There was lit tie or no accumulated capital and when the panic came everybody suf- fered and nearly every one became seriously embarrassed. In 1896 the Birmingham district began to recover from the depression, and by 1898 busi- ness men had got well on their feet. Since 1898 Birmingham people have been accommodating capital Everybody has prospered.
 Real estate values have all the while been reaching higher levels, but at no time during the recent boom has there been anything like a boom market. Birmingham is more pro- gressive than ever. and yet it's experi- ence of ten and fifteen years ago has taught the people lessons in con servatism.
 There is hardly a man of energy and ordinary prudence in the Birmingham district who is without a bank account The situation here is indeed encour- aging, and if there is croaker here abouts The AgeHerald has not met him.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-19
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR.

From the New York Press.
 Sleeping cars make strange bedfellows
 Some men can spend money faster than they can marry it.
 Women don't deliberately set out to lie; they only plan not to tell the truth.
 A girl goes to a boarding school to learn to pretend that she has learned things.
 It makes a woman nervous to go shop ping with her husband for fear that he will get ashamed and make her buy some thing.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-19
Active Trade.

This cold snap is welcomed by the clothiets,' said a First avenue merchant
 The short cool spell in October made our business hum, but this spell means the approach of real winter and the volume or retail clothing trade will be fifty per cent larger for the week ending next Sat urday than il was the preceding week"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-19
TRANSPORT SHIPS ARE
 NOT HIGHLY LUXURIOUS

the same amount of freight and mail un- der the prevailing rates of the Philip pines steamship companies, the report says would have been s1, ,027977.
 Recommends ton Is made that Honolulu be declared a regular port of call for all transports going to and returning from the Philippines
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-19

MA UNION town is having more roy IO al display just now than usual
 A-= and the populace is having a fine free show every day. The visit of King Victor Emanuel and Queen Helena to England is an interesting event for the two countries and one that affords op- portunities for profuse interchange of courtesies. When one consideres how long royalty has paraded the streets of the old town it is remarkable how en- thusiastical the people welcome each new display. Public taste for such pagentry seems never satisfied and the more they have the more they seem to want. How ever, it is significant that on the Kings birthday all the pomp and ceremony was eliminated, but on such momentous occa- sion as the visit of foreign sovereigns there seems to be no diminution in the lowing and scraping of high nobility.
 Admiral Evans is now on his way home bringing picturesque language along with him. Although the naval department has been sorely puzzled to know what to do, with the admiral for the vigorous manner in which he recently criticized the courts findings he has suffered no decline in pub lie favor and will be welcomed by his countrymen in America who believe in deeds more than words. Admiral Evans is by for the most interesting of the naval officers In addition he Is of proven abil- ity and courage Admiral Dewey is noted for his extreme neatness on board ship xuh Ia drair ig conspicuous by his vitality and the two make as fine specimens of sea fighters as the world can produce.
 Although sportsmen are reported to be making efforts to bring about mill be- tween Corbett and Fitzsimmons the for mer worthy says he has no idea of do- ing such a thing just at present. He has a contract of s75o a week until next May at a Brooklyn theatre, where he delivers little talk nightly to crowded houses and has no desire to get himself bruised for less money. The puglist states mod estly that Fitz is a fine fighter but he could lick him without half trying. How ever, he is not thinking very much about such matters at present. When the summer season begins he will be able to make $lO0O a week so he says At that time if the club management will assure him a suitable purse he may try his hand at walloping the Cornishman in San Francisco Thus we see the many benefits and advantages of being a prize fighter. Pugiism is the only profession in the world in which a man can make about as much money after he is failure as when he was In the heyday of his glory.
 According to report London Is seriously alarmed over the prevalence of brain faS among the upper classes. If the shafts of comic papers are to be given credence things must indeed be in a bad way when the nobility is afflicted with such a complaint. It will be remembered that the docks are not credited with having any surplus thought tanks and a well developed case of flag is liable to bring on serious complications. However a major ity of the nobility are congratulating themselves that they are probably ex- empt from an attack. When one comes to think of the matter we are discovering number of original complaints just now
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-19
About Persons.

Charles J. Wood Jr,, of New Yoork was one of the Hillmans arrivals last night.
 A. A. Chabbe of Nashville, a popular conductor of the Louisville and Nashville railroad, is spending two or three days at the Metropolitan.
 w. E. Pitts of Montgomery is registered at the Morris.
 John Nuttatt. superintendent of the In- dian Head cotton mills at Cordova. is stopping at the Metropolitan
 Ernest Lacy of Jasper, the popular en- crossing clerk of the last house of repre- sentatives. accompanied by Mrs Lacy, are at the Morris
 w. H. Brooks of Columbus, Miss, a representative of the Peters Shoe com pany of St. Louis. is stopping at the Hillman. MT Hudson travels all over the south and is well informed on men
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-19
Disliked Liking What He Disliked.

From the Pennsylvania Punch Bowl. mage, and, what's more, I'm glad I do not like spinnage fer if l liked spinnage I'd be atin' it all the time, and I'd hate to have to ate anything I disliked so much as 1 dislike sninnnCe"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-19

The Columbus (Ga.) Enquirer-Sun's 5 annual trade edition of sixty pages would reflect credit on a city of 100, 900 population Its stories of Columbus growth and marvellous advantages as a manufacturing center are well writ ten and well displayed, and altogether the paper is both unique and metro politan Columbus, with great cotton mills, is on the Chattahoochee and prominent hydraulic engineers have given it the sobriquet of "The Lowell of the South"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-19

It is rumored that new train from Montgomery to Birmingham will soon be inaugurated so that residents of the former town may do their shopping in the southern metropolis.