davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21
DEsERTER ACCUSED OF MURDER.
Was Followed by Detective From Cal
 fornia to Missouri.

Norfolk, Va, December 2O.-After chase of 5000 miles. lasting from June un- til yesterday, Thomas J. Flake, alias Ed. Hall, was arrested here accused of being a deserter from the navy and murderer.
 Detective Ulysses Grant Bonner of St. Louis has been shadowing Blake since last June. He followed him from Cali there. While being brought east Blake managed to escape. He was followed by Bonner to Norfolk and a second arrest was made here last night, but Blake again escaped.
 He caught a train to Suffolk, and was picked up by a constable there as sus- picious character. Bonner refused to tell of the murder he charges Blake with hay ing committed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21
HIeHWAYMEN ARE BUSY.
Money and JeweIry Are Taken in Park
 ersbarg, w. Va.

Parkersburg. w. Va, December 20.- Burglars entered the county jail last night and stole a gold watch and chain, a lot of clothing and some money belong ing to Jailer Rush Stephens, and Jasper Frazer. They gained entrance by raising a window in the residence portion of the jail and passed several persons who were asleep in the corridors. The clothing in several rooms was rified, but only small amount of money was obtained.
 Highwaymen also held up and robbed J. B. Reager. a grocer, last night, forcing him at the point of a pistol to open his safe and cash drawer. After getting $10o they marched him to big refrigerator, put him inside and fastened the door. The burglars all escaped.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21
TWO MORE BODIES FOUND.
1t Is Now Known That Nine Students
 Perished at Nashville.

Nashville, December 2O.-Two more charred bodies were taken from the ruins of Rust dormitory of Walden University today The list of known dead now num- bers nine, and two students are yet unac- counted for. Several of those severely injured by the jumping from the burned building are in critical condition, but no further deaths have occurred.
 In number of prominent city churches today the pastors offered prayers for the injured, and called on their congregations for contributions for money and wearing apparel. Responses were literally made in every instance. In all the colored churches prayers were offered and collec- tions taken up.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21
ELklNS LAW A
 WISE MEASURE
Continued from First Pase)

Continued from First Page)
 -~~~~~~~s~-~~~~~~~-~ ~>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~>- to the freight service. The operating ex- penses of the roads totalized Sl, ,24S,520, 4S3. This aggregate is equivalent to an expend- iture of $6197 per mile, or of $62O more per mile than was shown In the complete returns for 1902. The net earnings thus shown for the year 1903 were $641 630,l96. Those of essentially the same lines for the year 1902 were $607, 1926. On the same mileage basis the net earnings averaged s169 more per mile for 1903 than for the previous year.
 The total net income of the roads in- cluded in this advanced report was S34,- 7Cg 435 This amount includes $93, 3,079.239 received as income from corporate in- vestments and miscellaneous sources. The aggregate of the deductions from in- come was s643, 456, 723 The principal items comprised in these deductions were in- terest on funded debt, rents of leased lines, permanent Improvements charged to Income taxes (which were $52,960 004), and dividends. The resulting surplus from operations was s91, ,162,712. The full re- port for 1902 showed a surplus of $94,S55,- 0Ss
 The dividends railroads declared dur ing the year enging June 30, 1903, by the railway companies for which returns appear III tHe preiliiiinafy le- port amounte to s59310,010. This sum exceeds that representing the dividends of corresponding lines for 1902 by $9, ,5S9, TOO. It should be understood that the preliminary report. being compfNd from the returns of operating companies only, does not include any statement or the dividends that are declared by those subsidiary companies which have leased their property to others for operation. The income of these companies is almost wholly derived from the rentals which they receive from their lessees and from which they make their own corporate ex- penditures including dividends. The les sor companies distributed as dividends among their stockholders in 1903 probably about $3b, 100000.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21
MORER IS DETERMINED.
Will Organize Colorado Miners if 1t
 Takes Him Year.

Denver, Colo, December 2O.-Chares V. ation of Miners, who was escorted to the train at Pueblo on Friday night and ordered to leave town. says he will re- turn to that city within aifew days and organize the employees at the Colorado Fuel and Iron company's steel plant, if 1t takes him a year to do it.
 He insists that there is no law that can compel him to remain out of Pueblo.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21
Policeman Is Killed.

Carlisle, H., December 20.--W. H. Wat kins, a policeman was shot and killed this afternoon by Texas Kid'', a negro whom he had placed under arrest. After shooting Watkins, the negro held up a couple in a buggy and with the rig made his escape. He was followed by mob but abandoned the vehicle and escaped. Watkins was one of the leading colored men in Cairo and the colored population is greatly worked up over the affair.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21
NO GENERAL REDUCTIONS.
Pennsylvania Steel Company Will Take
 Up Tonnage Question.

Harrisburg, Pa., December 20.-Hs H. Campbell, general manager of the Penn sylvania Steel company, said today that no general reduction in wages at the works at Steelton is now contemplated.
 In some of the mills there has been a great increase in tonnage in recent years and the company has taken the matter up with the men to make a readjustment of some of the rates. Propositions have been submitted to them as individuals and the company expects propositions submitted will be satisfactory.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21
FRAUD PRACTICED.
Assets of Bank of chickasaw Nation
 Are Worthless.

Ardmore, l. T., December 20.-The liabil- ities of the bank of the Chickasaw Na- ton. which failed recently were $79oO0, and the assets $167,000, according to a supplemental report just made public by Receiver Foster who says the assets are of little or no value.
 Receiver Foster intimates that fraud has been practiced in the operation of the banks affairs, and says that false entries have been made in the books. It also de- velops that prominent Indian officials, who were directors in the bank, are in- debted to 1t in the sum of sS0000. Presi- dent Kirby Purdom left the day follow ing the failure.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21
HANNA HAS SEVERE COLD.
Was Unable to Attend Meeting of the
 Civic Federation.

New York December 2o.-Senator Mar GUS Hanna who was too i'll to attend the banquet of the national executive commit tee of the civic federation last evening, was confined to his room at the Wal3orf= Astoria all day today.
 He is being attended by Dr. Calvin Adams, who said tonight that the senator had a severe cold which was in no way serious, but he had advised Mr. Hanna to remain within doors for the present.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21
Six Persons Asphyxiated.

San Francisco, December 20.-Six per- sons were asphyxiated by Illuminating gas last night and the coroner conclud- In most instances, a window was open in each room in which the gas was es- caping and the coroner called atten- tion to the fact that it is supposed fatal result cannot ensue where fresh air also penetrates.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21
IN DANGEROUS CONDITION.
Attempt to Float Liner Finland Is Not
 Successful

Flushing. Holland December 20-The Red Star line steamship Finland, which left Antwerp at noon Saturday for New York, and which later ran ashore near Nieuwenstuis. lies in dangerous posi- ton. The weather is foggy.
 The Finland has thousand passengers on board.
 The vessel was going at the rate of sixteen knots an hour when she ground ed An attempt was made at o'clock this afternoon to float her, but it was unsuccessful.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21
JOHN REDMOND PROTESTS.
Says Decision of Legal Officials at Dub.
 lin Castle Violate Pledges.

London, December 20.-John Redmond. speaking at Running. County Sligo, Ireland, today, strongly protested against decisions of the legal officials at Dublin castle, which he said prevented the proper operation of the Irish land act in congested districts by enabling land- lords to refuse the selling of grazing lands.
 He declared the decisions were gross violations of the government pledges and said that the Irish party would demand their amendment in the coming session of parliament.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21
SHOOTING AT A PARTY.
Old Feud Breaks Out in Paulding coun-
 ty, Georgia.

Marietta, Ga, December 20.-Two men fatally wounded, and two less seriously injured, is the outcome or shooting affray in a remote section of Pauldng county, Friday evening, the particulars of which have just reached here through the physician who was called to attend the injured.
 Clarence Cantrill, and his brother, Will liam Cantrill, attended a party at the home of John Brooks, farmer. They met there two brothers, William and George Shipp, against whom they had had a bitter feeling for some time.
 During the evening" this enmty was aroused, and sixteen shots were fired, resulting in the fatal shooting of Clar- ence Cantrill and William Shipp. The others of the duel received only slight flesh wounds.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21
Dead Bodies Founl In Mine.

Houghton, Mich, December 2O.-A party of miners reached the surface from the old workings of the Grand Portage section of the Isle Royale mine this evening, hay ing been down four hours, and report finding the bodies of Charles Peterson, aged 42, and his son. Alex, aged 2l, and John Gregorvich. where they had been overcome by gas while fleeing from the fire in the shaft of the mine. 9
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21
MUST GET THE MINES.
Chang Vi, on Failure, Will Be Further
 Punished.

Tien Tsin December 20.-The reason for the degradation of Chang Vi, direc- tor of northern railways, and the taking from him of all his honors, as cabled yes- terday, is that in 1900 he sold the valua- bic mines at Kai Ping
 Chang Vi has been given two months grace during which he is expected to again bring the mines under Chinese control Should he fail to do this fur ther punishment awaits him.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21
LEPRoSY NOT INHERlTED.~
Sister AIbina Says Children Do Not
 Take 1t From Parents.

St. Louis, Mo-, December 20.-After having spent the past ten years caring for the children of the lepers of the Ha- waiisn Islands, Sister Albina of the Fran ciscan Order who was formerly Miss Miriam s. Luder of St. Louis, has arrived here on visit to her parents
 Sister Albina said that the common be- lief that children of lepers inherit the disease is erroneous.
 'We take the children when they are 3 days old," she said, "and we never have had a case where leprosy has developed in after years. The children mostly all come from the island of Molokai where the leper colony Is located"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21
MORE TERRITORY WANTED.
Canada Would Unite With Newfound-
 land and Buy Greenland.

Ottawa, December 20.--The government has under consideration the question of uniting Newfoundland with Canada, and also the purchase of Greenland from Dem mark This is the result of the Alaskan boundary decision which was so unsatis- factory to Canada. f
 While Canada and Newfoundland can en- ter upon negotiations as to union, 1t will be necessary for the Dominion to nego- tiate through the imperial authorities with Denmark for the purchase of Green land. So far no official news can be had.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21
KILLED OVER CRAP GAME.
White Man Shoots Negro and is Struck
 Dead Before Victim Succumbs.

Chattanooga December 20.-Indefnite news has reached here of double kill ing which occurred last night at White side, Tenn. A white man and a negro were gambling when dispute arose. The negro grabbed poker and rushed at the white man, who fired into the negros s breast
 Fatally wounded, the negro then struck the white man on the head, killing him. While the names of the parties cannot be learned the facts are believed absolutely correct
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21
Schooner Ashore,

Beaufort, N. C., December 20.-The schooner Raymond T. Maull has gone ashore on the Carolina coast at place called Wreck Point, near Cape Lookout Cove. The vessel is laden with coal and crew from Cape Lookout has started to the assistance of the crew. Additional assistance has been wired for and 1t Is thought if the weather permits, the schooner may be saved. There has been no loss of life so far.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21
FIRE AT BALTIMORE.
Late Estimates Place the Total Loss
 at $6o,o0o. l.

Baltimore, Md, December 21.-The plant of the McShane company, manufacturers of plumbers supplies Is on fire. A dozen engines are throwing streams of water on the flames, but have not yet succeeded in getting the fire under control at Ills a. m. The loss will be heavy.
 @ a. m.) The fire was under control at this hour. The officials estimate the loss at $60000. It is feared the watch man, Andrew Burns, 65 years of age, lost his life
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21
HAFF COMMITS SUICIDE.
Suspended superintendent of Foreign
 Mails in New York Ends His Life.

New York December 2o.-Alexander Half, the suspended superintendent of foreign mails in the New York postoffice, who was to have been brought to trial before the federal court this week for robbing the mails, killed himself tonight by shooting.
 Half had been moody for many weeks, the approaching trial weighing on him.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21
1000 MINERS ON STRIKE.
Proposition of Operators to Decrease
 Pay Cause of Trouble.

Cumberland, Md. December @.-One thousand miners employed in the mines of Tunnelton. Howzeville and Atlantic, West Va, are on; strike.
 The prospects of the operators to re- duce pay 10 cents a ton for mining coal. Is the cause of the tie-up Of the coal mine xs3
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21
News of Lost Vessel.

New York December 20.-News of the loss at Delaware Breakwater late in Mo- vember of the two-masted schooner Ira Bliss, plying from Port Jefferson, l.. l.. was received here today from Dieppe. France. where the French oil tank bark Quevilly, Captain Cousin, which left Mar GUS Hook, Pa, November 24, arrived on Friday with Captain Edward of the Bliss, and his crew, who had been rescued from the schooner before she was abandoned at sea-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21
Another centenarian Dead.

Pensacola, Fla, December 20.-Henri- etta Mitchell. colored centenarian, died here today at the advanced age of 1o2 years and months. The old woman was born in September, 1901, and resided for many years in Alabama, afterwards com ing to Pensacola.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21
Coal Companies Quit Work.

,wilkesbarre, Pa, December N.-The Lehigh Valley Coal company and the Lehigh and Wilkesbarre Coal company announced suspension of work from December 24 to January 4. and it is likely that this move will be followed by other companies
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21
HEAVY GALE IS BLOWING.
Much Damage Done in PortIand,s Me-,
 By Breaking of Glass.

Portland Me. December CA terrific southwest gale has prevailed along the coast today, reaching a velocity or nrty miles an hour outside the harbor-
 The gale did much damage in the city' breaking plate glass windows and de- ranging the electric light, system
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21
Killed Wife and Himself.

Chicago, December 20.-While crazed with liquor today Fred Plfguradt ma chinist, shot and killed his wife and then committed suicide Mrs. Plfguradt was lying sick with her six-weeks-old baby at the time The child was uninjured.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21
Steamer Amur Is Safe.

Victoria. B. C.. December 20.-Advices have been received by the Canadian Pa cifc railroad officials here which indicate over due from Skaguay, is safe, though she probably has had some accident to her engines which caused her to make slow progress. A report was received to- day from Ketican that she arrived there on Wednesday last two days late. The Amur left Skaguay on December 12 with 55 passengers
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21
Steel Works Resume.

Pueblo. Coo December 20.-The Min neaqua steel works, property of the Col orado Fuel and Iron company which was closed down some time ago as a result of the coal strike. will resume operations tomorrow
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21
Stabs His Brother.

Omaha, Neb., December 20.-Isaac Chambers tonight stabbed to death his brother Joseph, as the result of a quarrel which began in. south Omaha saloon. Both men were half breed Indians.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21
Reported Agreement Denied.

London. December 2l.-The Daily Malrs Tokio correspondent says that the Kore- an foreign office denies the reported agreement to employ Russian officers in the Korean army.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21
Fire Causes Big Loss.

rGeorgetown, O., December 20.-Fire to- day caused a loss of sl00000 to cne stores of J. w. Wirthlin, Hoppel Brothers and Wm. H. Hannon and the Millenson & Caffee.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21
Minneapolis Sighted.

New York, December 20.--The steamer Minneapolis from London is reported by wireless telegraph off Nantucket light ship at 1:50 a. m today.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21
PERSONAL.
POPULAR COMEDY COMPANY.

George II. Evans, who Is suffering from is still in a critical condition
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21

Try Piso's Cure for asthma. It often relieves at once. All druggists. 25c.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21

Take Laxative Promo Quinine TabletA All druggists refund the money if 1t fails to cure. E. w. Groves signature Ia on each box. Sc.
The Washington times., 1903-01-20
ANTI-SALOON LEAGUE
ELECTS IT'S OFFICERS

The Anti-saloon League of the District
of Columbia installed the following Off
GERS last night in the W. c. T. T. build
ing in Sixth Street:
President. James / Erwin, first vice
president. Owen P. KeIlar; second vice
president. Mrs. Clinton Smith; third vice
president, Abram L. Swartwout. chap
lain, the Rev. Dr.. Walter H Brooks;
secretary. Andrew W Garfield; financial
secretary, Robert Z. Harvey; doorkeep-
CT, Daniel K. Sargent; attorney, Albert
E Shoemaker.
Before the installation the reports of
various committees on the work of the
past year were read and accepted after
which Wesley Chapel Methodist Episco-
Pal Church vas admitted into the league.
The league, through Secretary Garfield
then presented to President Erwin, a pic
ture Of the Seventh National Anti-SaIoon
Convention, which met here last year
The Washington times., 1903-01-20
MILLIONS OF RODENTS
OVERRUN WASHINGTON
Despite Reputed Cleanliness Capital City Is Infected With
d Large Number of Rats

notwithstanding the fact that Wash
ington is said TO be the cIeanest city
on the American continent. q census of
rats would show that the National Capt
tai has about as many Of these pests
as any sister city.
II is said that the conditions here
are peculiarly adapted to the preser-
walton Of rodents. and there are mer-
chants around the Center Market who
are willing 10 make AFFIDAVIT that there
are rats IN that vicinity fully twenty
years old, and which have escaped and
thwarted every known effort 10 extermi-
nate them. AS is known, the rat prob
ably has more ut-and-Out enemies than
any other animal on earth It's persecu-
tors, animate and inanlmate, come IN the
form Of poison. traps, cats. dogs. birds.
feTT<C5, and men. Some or all Of these
agencies are at work constantly. and
yet the Washington rat thrives. wakes
fat and raises a large family. Rats
are repulsive at best. and nearly every
body is afraid Of them. especially the
great gray fellows which seem TO have
taken possession Of some parts Of the
city. These monster rodents put UP a
bold fight when cornered, and they are
shaTp-toothed, keen eyed creatures. The
rat Is by nature q true gamin-sharo.
cunning. and, when necessity requires.
bold and fearless. fighting men and dogs
alike There Is no question but that
the Norway. or wharf rat-the big gray
one-drove off and killed the small black
rat which was common throughout the
United States two decades ago.
When a rat is attacked he viii first
make a break to scamper out of the way
OF his eaany, but If he sees that success
ful retreat is out of the question. then
he boldly and dehantly tries to put up
a winning fight for freedom and liberty.
Rats have been known to attack human
beings IN many instances where they
were not first assaulted Large rats
are often rendered bold through force
Of numbers and hungry through enforced
abstinence And, too, the large gray rat
is CannibaI: the male rat will not hes
itate when hungry to make a meal of
his young This, however, he never
does without first having a battle with
the mother rat, who always fights for
her babies It is only the male rat
which IS given to cannibaIism. a Louis
lana Avenue commission man says that
about the fercest battle he ever witness
ed between animals was a few weeks
ago when he say an old gray rat kill
a young one. The mother interfered,
and for fifteen minutes the two rodents
engaged in a combat which for ferocity
would rival almost anything even seen
in the arena 4 large crowd of men and
boys gathered around the fighting rats,
but their presence did not stop the bat
The Washington times., 1903-01-20
ALLEGED "PEEPING TOM"
4 PROMINENT PASTOR
Rome Clergyman Arrested on Complaint
Of Two Sisters

UTICA, Jan. 20.-The Rev. TheophiIs
WiIHnger, pastor OF Trinity German
Lutheran Church. Rome, was arrested
today on charge Of eavesdropping- The
COmplainants are the Misses Nary and
Caroline GeisIer, who charge the clergy
man with playing the part of a Peeping
Tom Last night policemen traced 4
mans footprints from beneath the bed
room window of the Misses Geisler 10
the home Of the clergyman They raped
or the door and through the curtain
they saw the reverend gentleman des-
cend the stairs with a lamp in one hand
and club IN the other.
Mr.. Wittlirger did not let the police
men in Subsequently. he appeared 1t
police headquarters for an explanation.
He stoutly denied the charge against him.
but was arrested when the Misses Gels
Ter positively identified him
The affair has created a big sensation
in Rome. where the Rev. Mr. WfttIinger
is very prominent in religious circles.
He went to Rome from Tonawanda last
May. He Is Lwenty-nine years old. and
unmarried He is a graduate Of Elm
hurst College. st. Louis. and the McCor-
mick Theological Seminary at Chicago.