davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1904-02-13
A BLOODY TRAGEDY
IN TENNESSEE
Which Resulted In Four deaths And
Three Persons Wounded.
GREW OUTOF LABOR TROUBLES
rhe Dead Men Were KILLED by
Guards Employed by the fennes-
see Coal Greek Company to
Protect Non-Union Miners.

Knoxville, Tenn, Feb. s.--A bloody
tragedy was enacted Sunday In the III
tie mining town of Coal Creek, Tenn.
forty miles northwest of Knoxville, as
the result of which four lives were
snuffed out and three persons wound
ed, one perhaps fatally. The ciash
was the elimination of the trouble De-
tween union and non-union labor.
Three OF the dead men were killed by
guards employed by the Coal Creek
Company, while the fourth victim,
deputy sheriff. was killed by guard
he had gone to arrest.
Those Killed wcrei
Monroe Black, miner, married.
leaves wife.
Jacob Sharp. section hand, by
stander; leaves a wife and six children.
Deputy Sheriff Robert S. Harmon,
killed by Cal Burton, guard at the
Briceville mine.
The wounded Arni
A. II. Watts. merchant at Coal Creek,
an innocent bystander. shot through
both cheeks,
Mote Cox. miner. shot through left
arm
JEFF Hoskins, engineer on the South
crn Railroad. slightly wounded
killing Results From Taunts.
Recently n dozen guards In charge
OF Jud Reeder. who served as lieuten-
ant of police In this city for many
years. were employed to guard the
mines and protect the men who had
been induced to go to work. Nom
union men were being brought 10 the
mines rapidly for a few days, and
Reeder and his guards would go to the
railroad station to meet them. sun
day crowd of idlers around the sta
tion was increased. Reeder and
twelve guards came from the mines TO
meet few non-union men who were
To arrive on the morning train. When
the non-union men got off the train
and were seen by number of small
boys they began yelling "scab," and
the killing grew out of this tauIlt.
Deputy sheriff Harmon Killed.
II is hard 10 tell what the provoca-
ton was. but the miners must have
crowded up and attempted TO take away
the non-upion men bodily or offered
some direct insult to the guards.
Reeder and another guard drew their
pistols and began shooting. Reeder do
ing most of IT. The miners and by
ISLANDERS were taken by surprise, and
before they could realize what had hap
pened the guards had climed into their
wagon and driven back to the mines.
About u o'clock dispute arose be-
tween Deputy Sheriff Bob Harmon and
Guard Cal Burton. Burton shot Har-
mon twice, killing him instantly.
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1904-02-13
Action Comes Slow.

II Is significant that very few of the
bills thus far passed are of much i'm
portance. Barring the school appro.
priatio1, pension appropriation and
Jim Crow street car bills enacted by
the house, none of the measures thus
far passed in either body are wide
spread In their effect, or notable in
Importance. The senate bills estab-
fishing three new experiment stations
in various parts of the State are still
tied up in the house committee on
agriculture, and 1t is understood that
favorable reports are to be made npo1
but two Of the measures. However,
in spite of the lack Of important leg
isIation, the two houses are doing a
good work In clearing the calendars
Of minor matters. Local and private
legislation is much further advanced
than usual at this period OF session,
and the number of bills indefinitely
postponed is much larger thal hereto
fore
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1904-02-13
ProhlbitIonists Scared.

The prohibitionists have sent out
an appeal to the legislators who are
friendly to the cause of constitutional
prohibition to remain at the capital
continually for the next few days in
order TO assure the successful passage
of the constitutional amendment.
1t appears that the prohibitionlsts
we're rather surprised at the small
showing made by them In the first
skirmish last week, and they are now
making an energetic effort TO rally
their forces and wage a fierce fight
for the cherished measure. They re-
alize that 1t Is a difficult matter TO
command eighty-nine votes at a full
session of the house or to maintain
this ratio with many members alb
sent, and as the amendment Is to be
voted upon three successive days, 1t
might meet a defeat on either of these
days by falling a few votes short of
the required two-thirds. The advo-
Gates of local option and the anti-pro-
hibitionists have taken much courage
over the new phase of the situation,
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1904-02-13
TwENTY.FiFTH DAY.

The committee on universities and
colleges has just completed its in
yestigation of the various institutions.
The report will be read to the house
at an early date The one of most in
terest is that relating to the university
and some of the testimony as to the
Greek letter societies is said to be OF
a sensational character.
The judiciary committee OF the
house has finally decided to report the
same code bill formerly reported,
which provides for commission to
report a code to the next legislature.
Constitutional Prohibition.
When the house met the cOnstitu-
ton committee reported concurrent
resolution No. II, submitting an
amendment to the constitution pro-
hibiting the sale of liquor in the State
with the recommendation that 1t do
pass as amended, the amendment
changing the time Of submission from
a special election in August to the
general election In November.
Mr.. Brown, Of Adams, moved that
the resolution be referred to the liquor
traffic committee to pass on the sub
ject matter.
Mr.. Ross moved that the Brown
motion be tabled and the roll was
called on this motl q, which resulted
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1904-02-13
TWENTY.FoURTH DAY.

The legislature was dull attrac.
tion today. The senate adjourned un'
til Monday, and the house spent the
entire morning with local and private
legislation, it being a custom to set
aside this day for bills of this nature.
The house galleries were deserted
during the session, and many mem
bers were absent from their seats,
having either left for their homes or
being confined in their boarding
houses with bad colds and la grippe,
resulting from the spell of severe
weather.
The Joint legislative committee of
twe1ty-four members appointed to re-
district the Circuit and Chancery
Court districts of the State. has thus
far made but little progress with the
undertaking, which is of a rather stu
pendous nature.
One plan suggested to the commit
tee, which is attracting much atten-
ton, proposes the formation Of thir-
ten Circuit Court districts, an increase
of two over the present number. This
plan has o1e very commendable fea-
ture, In that 1t does not place any two
circuit judges or district attorneys in
the same district. 1t is as follows:
First ict-Tishomingo, Alcorn,
Prentiss, Itawamba, Lee, Monroe,
Chickasaw and Lowndes.
Second District-Pearl River, Han
cock, Harrison, Jackson, Greene and
Wayne.
Third District-Tippah, Union, Ben
ton, Marshall, Lafayette, Pamela, Tate
and DeSoto.
Fourth District-Leflore, Sunhower,
Washington. Issaquena and Sharkey.
Fifth District-Pontotoc, Yalobusha,
Grenada, Calhoun, Carroll Mo1tgom-
cry, Clay and Webster.
Sixth District--Wilkinson Amite,
Franklin, Adams, jefferson and Clai-
borne.
Seventh District--Holmes, Madison.
Kinds and YaZoo.
Eighth District-Rankin, Scott,
Newton, Winston. Neshoba, Leake,
Attala and Choctaw.
Ninth District-Warren.
Tenth District-Lauderdal KEN
per, Noxubee and Oktibbeha.
Eleventh District-Tunica, Quitman,
Coahoma, Bolivar and Tallahatchie.
Twelfth Distrmict-Copiah, Lincoln,
Pike, Coyingtol, Lawrence and Ma
rion.
Thirteenth District-Simpson, Jas
per. Smith, Clark. Jones and Perry.
After the introduction of quite a
number of private and local bills the
house, without the transaction of any
other business, adjourned for the day.
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1904-02-13
Slow in Committees.

There is every indication that the
present legislature will be long drawn
out. Much complaint is made about
the size of some of the larger and
more important committees and the
difficulty of getting meetings. Wheth-
Ell this be the trouble or not, the fact
remains that 1t is very difficult to get
reports. The appropriation commit
tees seem to be way behind, especial
ly in the senate. The house bill max
ing the appropriation for the common
schools. which was passed during the
early part of the session in the house,
is still in the hands OF the senate com
mittee and has not bee1 reported.
There is understood to be some oppo-
sition in the senate to the increase
in the appropriation. IL the senate
amends the bill by cutting the appro-
priation down. as Is said to be very
probable, 1t will have to so back to the
house and may have 10 go To con
ference committee. This will delay
the distribution of the school fund
some days yet.
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1904-02-13

in tabling by SO ayes to 80 nays, the
house refusing to send the amend
ment to the liquor traffic association.
A minority report from the consu-
tuition committee was presented to
the house and signed by Mr.. Watts,
of Lauderdale, and T. L. Williams,
In which they took the position that
the proposed amendment to the con-
stitution was unnecessary. and for
that reason they could not concur in
the recommendation of the majority
of the committee.
There were no bills introduced OF
general interest. and the house at
1890 adjourned for the day.
In the Senate.
The senate met at p. IN. A sealed
message was received from the gov.
ernor to be acted upon in executive
session.
A motion was entered by Senator
Franklin to reconsider the vote in
definitely postponing senate bill IL,
exempting 3-year-old cattle in the
hands of the original owners.
The committee on local and private
legislation reported favorably senate
bill to refund to owners of live stock
IN Copiah county an amount equal to
the value of the stock destroyed on
account of glanders.
Senate bill los, paying the adjutant
general the remainder of his salary
due him for 1902-03, passed.
At o'clock the senate went into
executive session and later adjourned.
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1904-02-13
A Delicate Refusal.

miss Lotsoft," trembled the youth
as he parted from her at the door,
there is something ! must say to
you"
proceed" she urged him with an
encouraging smile.
Though am only poor inventor"
he stammered, yet my airship is near
er perfection than ever IL have but
two ideals in life-y0a and my airship
VIII you marry me-"
She was silent.
do not answer too quickly" hs
begged. Take time to think II over.
/ will come again for my answer. Mag
II"
"Yes," she told him. "Come agai6
come in your airship."
That night two footpads we're So
riously affronted by man who utterly
ignored their requests that he halt,
but kept stonily on his way. his head
down and his shoulders up.-.Judge
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1904-02-13
TwENTY.NlNTH DAY.

BY the very close vote of IS to t6,
nad after most spirited debate. the
house today passed the bill pro-
vlding the death penalty for the crime
of attempting to commit criminal as
sault. If the jury. in its discretion,
should see fit to impose such pen
atty. The present maximum penalty
for this crime Is ten years in the
penitentiary. The lynching question
was dragged into the debate, and thus
prolonged the consideration of the
bill.
The senate was engaged for great
er portion of the morning in a dis
cussion of the bill seeking to exempt
money from taxation loaned at rate
not exceeding per cent. The meas
ure was left pending when the sen
ate adjourned for dinner. with fair
prospects of It's indefinite postpone
ment
Tho house appropriated 100000
per year for the support of the peni-
tentlary. and en- additional $4,000 to
defray the expenses for January.
The Hightower woodworking bill
was made the special order for next
Wednesday. This is one of the most
important measures pending.
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1904-02-13
viii Retaliate on Rates.

The telephone and telegraph peo-
pie are worried about the bin which
passed the senate the other day max
lag them liable for damages on ac-
count OF mental anguish caused by
failure TO transmit or deliver mes.
sage. They say that II this bill be-
comes a law II will increase the cost
Of doing business in Mississippi 50
enormously that the rates will have
to be put up way beyond what they
are now. The bill Is now In the hands
of the house committee, but as yet 1t
has not taken IL up.
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1904-02-13
WANTS SPECIAL GRAND JURY.
To Consider Criminal Indictments in
Connection with the Iroauois
Thcater Fire.

Chicago, ILL.,, Feb. s.-Formal appli-
cation will be filed today by the states
attorney for a special grand jury TO
consider criminal indictments In con-
nection with the Iroquois theater fire.
Louis WiIze, convicted OF having
robbed the body of a woman victim
of the Iroquois theater fire, was denied
a new trial by Judge Gary Saturday.
and was sentenced TO the penitentiary
for an indefinite period. Thomas ].
Mccarthy and Charles d. Conway, con-
yicted with him, we're granted new
trials
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1904-02-13
MISSISSIPPI. LEGISLATURE

Since the legislature convened near
ly 500 bills have been introduced in
the two houses. Aside from the dup
licate measures, and bills bearing a
similarity to leach other, which are
either unfavorably reported or re-
turned in the form of substitutes. it is
fortunate for the people of Mississippi
that a very small percentage of the
pending measures viii be enacted in
to law. The legislature has been in
session four weeks, only half dozen
measures have been signed by the
governor, and not over dozen will
in the next ten days. The promptness
with which the working committees
have squelehed the life out of a large
majority of the bills introduced Is a
highly gratifying indication that the
people of the State will not be op-
pressed with burden of useless new
laws when the legislature adjourns.
1t has been the history of legisla-
lures and lawmaking bodies since the
beginning of time that some members
are imbued with the idea that they
must be continually introducing bills.
Their work is of the class that
amounts to nothing, ald is worse than
useless, for it becomes really perni-
cioIs and develops the demagogue Of
the most dangerous type. 1t can be
safely asserted that so per cent of the
bills offered in the two bodies since
the legislature convened have no more
place on the statute books than they
would be entitled to in the Bible.
They cover almost every phase of wis
dom aad unwisdom, imbecility and
corporate favoritism, and serve only
TO illustrate the freakish intellect or
cupidity of their authors. 1t is there
fore doubly fortunate at this time that
Mississippi has legislature which is
being conducted by men Of sense and
business sagacity. Unquestionably
the personnel and standard of the
body is higher than it has been for
many years, and while some laws will
probably get on the statute books be-
fore the end of the session which
ought not to be there, the general
trend of legislation promises to be
prudent and conservative.
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1904-02-13
TWENTY.sIXTH DAY.

BY the narrow majority of two votes
the lower house of the legislature last
week passed tie bill allowing boards
of supervisors to make partial pay
ments on contracts for public build
ings as the work progresses.
This measure was indefinitely post
poned in the house few days since.
and the motion entered to reconsider
was called up by Mr.. Ste1nis, OF Lau-
derdale. The debate was quite spirit
ed, Messrs. Watts and Stennis, of Lau
derdale, and McGee and Kinds leading
the forces in favor of the bill. Their
chief contention was that the present
law practically prohibits small con-
tractors. who are not plentifully sup
piled with funds, from bidding on pub
lie buildings. The vote by which the
bill was reconsidered was the closest
that has been taken since the legisla-
ture convened.
The house committee made a favor
able report on the bill providing for
new codification of the laws of the
State.
In the senate the bill prohibiting
non-members from wearing the en-
blems of secret societies was passed
by a practically unanimous vote. An
other interesting bill passed was TO
prevent frauds in awards of contracts,
by boards of supervisors by providing
that such contracts must be examined
and passed upon by the circuit judges
of the districts.
The uniform school book bill, which
was the special order in the senate,
was postponed until Thursday. The
house made the amendment for con
stitutional prohibition special order
for next Tuesday morning, at which
time the first of three votes will be
taken
There was the usual number of 10.
cal bills introduced in both branches
Of the legislature, but no further ac-
ton of general interest transpired in
either the house or senate before ad-
tournament
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1904-02-13
Anti-compact Law.

Insurance Commissioner Cole
appeared before tho house com
mittee on insurance last week
for the purpose of discussing
the proposed law seeking 10
amend the statute on trusts and
combines. known as the Noel antitrust
law, seeking to exempt insurance COM
panies from its operations. SO as 10 en-
able them to maintain rate-making or
ganizations In the State. The bone of
Contention on this bill rs the question
of whether 1t is violative Of the con-
stitutional provision against class leg
IsIation. The insurance commissioner
contends that 1t is not. as the meas
ure does not seek to confer special
BENEFITS, but applies to insurance or.
gani7atIols as a whole.
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1904-02-13
HE is WANTED For MURDER.
Edward SAKE surrenders TO the Po-
lice at Omnhn, Neb., for Murder
Committed Ia 81. Louis.

Omaha, Neb., Feb. s.-Edward SAKE.
who says he has been told he is want
ed for the murder OF John Moog in st.
Louis one year ago, surrendered to the
police here Saturday.
Chief Donahue wired Chief of Police
Kiely Of st. Louis, and reply was
received that SAKE is on the wanted
list al st. Louis. SAKE says he will re-
turn without re1uisition papers.
SAKE said he has been in the navy
since the night of the cigar store rob
berry, and has been within 100 miles of
ST. Louis. He says he is innocent OF
the crime
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1904-02-13
Prison System.

The proposed revision of the method
of governing the penitentiary finds its
first legislative manifestation in the
bill introduced by Mr Denton, of Lau-
derdale, which abolishes the prison
board of control and places the man
agemeat Of the penitentiary in the
hands Of an assistant, who Is required
to give a $4,000 bond, is appointed
by the governor for a period OF four
years, and Is authorized to employ
such assistants as may be necessary TO
conduct the affairs of the prison. The
superintendent is made responsible for
the finances OF the prison, must make
payments direct to the State treas.
ury, and Is required to close his ac-
counts on the first of January each
year and make official report
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1904-02-13
May Have Plenty 70 Do.

Plenty of work Is being mapped out
for the Mississippi Agricultural and
Mechanical College To perform during
the next few years. Following close
ly on the heeIs of the proposed estab-
lishment of State department Of ag-
riculture at that institution, whose
chief work shall be to suppress the
boil weeyil, comes bill introduced
in the senate by Mr.. Boyd providing
for geological and agricultural sur
vey Of the State, to be made under
supervision of the director of the ex-
pertinent station, and to be completed
by February, 1908. The bill is ably
prepared, and sets forth at length the
manner in which the survey shall be
made and printed reports of the result
given to the public.
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1904-02-13
Board Of Health Member.

The senate has passed the i.endrick
bill providing for the appointment OF
an additional member of the State
board of health This is rendered
necessary by the action of the last
legislature In redlstrlctlng the con.
greslonal districts of the State. The
law creating the appointment of the
State board Of health provides for one
member from each congressional dis
trict, and the appointments could not
be made under the prese1t formation.
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1904-02-13
COMMENT AND CRITICISM.
Some Opinions About Legislation Past,
Present and Prospective.
Mortality Statistics.

A bill has been introduced in the
house to provide for a bureau of NOR
tality statistics for the purpose OF
keeping an accurate report of births
and deaths. The bureau is to have a
head located at the capital. which
may be the insurance commissioner
or some other department, aad physi'
clans are to be required to report
deaths and causes of same, and re-
port births, receiving a compensation
for such reports.
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1904-02-13

Logan. Ia, Feb. 8.-Fire in the First
Christian church. which broke out
just after service began Sunday, cre-
ated panic. The flames communi-
Gated to the bell tower, which fell in
a few minutes after the congregation
had gotten out None of the members
were hurt. but several had narrow es-
capes. The loss is $40, 900.
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1904-02-13

Washington, Feb. S.-A dispatch re-
eeived from Baltimore at o'clock
a m. says the fire is still raging
fercely. The postoffice building is
burning: also the 100000 court
house. The Holiday street theater
has been blown up with dynamite and
the United States express offices and
central offices Of the Baltimore &
Ohio railroad are burned.
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1904-02-13
Husband KnIs wife aud Himself.

Springfield, H.. Feb S.--Crazed by
jealousy because his wife refused to
live with him, Edward Kinney Satur-
day night shot his wife. Cora Kinney.
in the head az the residence Of Calvin
Osborne, S22 East Allen street. He
then shot himself in the head.
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1904-02-13
phiIadelpbia sends Assistance.

Philadelphia, Jan. SIN response to
an appeal from Baltimore for help,
Mayor Weaver Sunday evening sent
six fire companies and $50 policemen
10 that city on special trains. The six
fire companies, each Of which took
along a steamer and hose wagon,
were augmented by extra men from
other complies.
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1904-02-13

Condition OF GEN, Black Improved.
Washington, Feb. s-The condition
OF Gen. j. c. Black. civil service COM
missioner and commander-in-chief or
the grand army OF the republic, VINO
has been III. is reported to be decided
Iy imnroved
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1904-02-13

New York, Feb. Sire Commis-
sioner Hayes announced at 2 o'clock
Monday morning that force OF five
engine companies was ready to start
for Baltimore at once and were only
awaiting word from the Pennsylvania
railroad that special train Of fiat cars
was ready TO start from Jersey City.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1904-08-12
S. &. EN- ERSON.

FRED Base is entertaining company
from 81 Johns this week
Jasper Gamble. Lew and ph
Hunter were ia SicHels sunday
Mr. and Mrs II. lIunter visited her
brother Jas. Ladd, of Ola Saturday
and Sunday.
Mr. and Mrs Il. Ree1es and son
Frank, are attending the camp meet
INK near st Louis this week
Mr.. and Mrs + Il. Borton and
daughter, Wilma, went TO Ira
verse CITY Thursday to visit their
son. Archie.
Mrs. l.. NJ. Cfamer and daughter,
Hazel who have visiting in MiSsaukee
county FOR the past week returned
home Thursday.
Mrs + +. WINSTON and son, How
ard, OF Grand Rapids. who have been
visiting her sister, Mrs. +. VI Hunter
FOR the past week, is visiting relatives
in Ashley aad Ola enroute home.