davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-25
NEW DECATUR HAS
 $15O,OOO BLAZE
THE CASA GRANDE BLOCK IS DE- STROYED BY FIRE WHICH ORlG- MATES IN DRY GOODS STORE. sox soRBER THE xHERo.

New Decatur, February 24.-(Special.)- Fire which originated in Cartwright's s store last night totally destroyed the Casa Grande block, the finest business section of the city, entailing a loss of $15O,00O The fire was caused by drygoods catching fire from a stove. The blaze was soon discovered but stiff wind was blowing and despite the efforts of the firemen the flames rapidly spread and it was seen that the block was doomed. Several other blocks caught fire but were soon extlnguished.
 "Sox" Sorber, the well known ball player who formerly lived In Birmingham, was the hero of the occasion. Mrs Sorber came near losing her life but her hus- band saved her In the nick of time Af- ter seeing that his wife was safe Sorber again went into the building and saved the life of 14-year-old girl.
 Following is a list of the estimated losses:
 H. Cartwright, dry goods, s1o,ooo.
 Roberts Buford Dry Goods company, $2s,O00
 smith-Gill Hardware company. s12,oO0.
 F. Vassault, shoes, s50O0.
 Hoy & Bird, furniture, $5000
 A. F. Harris, 5000.
 Southern Express office, loss unknown.
 Dr. M. W. Murray, office, s2o0o.
 Charles Bassett, household goods and library, s3OO0.
 "Sox" Sorber. household goods, s30o.
 Several offices and private rooms. $4000.
 The buildings owned by Charles Bas- sett. F. Staussell, R. 1T. Allison, c. E. Hoy, buildings and stocks were about half insured.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-25
BESSEMER MUST HAVE MORE WATER Petition is Addressed to Board
 of Revenue. MAINS TO HAWKINS SPRING Sim Gaines, Miner at sloss Mines, Is Seriously Injured By Falling
 ore-other Bessemer
 News.
MAINS TO HAWKINS SPRING

Bessemer, February 24. = (Speeial1- Agreements have at last been reached be- tween the mayor and aldermen and the Bessemer water works whereby the citv Will have an abundance of water The new plan will furnish the city with 4Ooo.- 0oO gallons of pure spring water per day. The question of water supply is a prob lem that has been facing the city for some time. Negotiations have been on between the Bessemer Water Works conn pahy and the council for several months ihe following letter to the board of reye- hue will explain the agreement:
 cunningham, Ala, February 23, 1904 10 the Honorable Board of Revenue of Jenerson County Alabama:
 The Bessemer Water Works comnanv respectfully asks that it be granted A right of way for water mains along and on the public road from point in said road nearest Hawkins Springs, through the town of Brighton to the corporate limits of the city of Bessener. Such right of way is to be used for laying a water main in which to convey water from Hawkins Springs to petitioners water works in Bessemer. Such right of way to be of sufficient width to have placed therein main of not more than l such right of way we will agree that 1t Tn will in nowse interfere in the travel along said road, and we will put the road in as good condition as before the pipe was put down. Respectfully,
 MORRIS ADLER,
 President Bessemer Water Works"
 For the privilege of running the water mains In the city limits the company VIII give the city fifteen additional water plugs, which are to be placed in the DOT ions or the town that are now without plugs.
 President Adler will return fr.sa New York in few days then all the details of contract VIII be closed. Everything will then he ready for work on the main to be commenced. As soon as the new hines rom Hawkins Springs are completed the old water plant will be discontinued
 Painfully Injured.
 Sim Gaines, a miner at Sloss mines, was injured yesterday afternoon by being struck with falling ore. He was picked up in an unconscious condition and 1t was thought at the time that his neck was broken. After he was revived. however. 1t was found that his injuries were not serious, and he will be able to be out in a few days
 Masons Have Big Time. The Royal Arch Masons met in regu- lar session last night Several new mem- bers were initiated, after which bounti- fu repast was enjoyed. In adition to the large number of members of this dodge present there were visitors from several other chapters in attendance.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-25

ness of the hour 1t was decided to de- lay the matter until this afternoon.
 The expert letters by Captain Hobson on the situation in the far east have been used by The Age-Herald and the Ameri- can and are copyrighted. On account Of hls familiarity with the harbor and the general situation his views are anxiously sought. The American last night sent him the following copy of a cablegram received by that paper from London, which shows why the American was so eager to find Captain Hobson
 London, February 24.-A dispatch to the Chronicle from Harbin, Manchuria' says; From information received here, the Japanese early this morning made another attack on Port Arthur. They tried to repeat the splendid coup of Hobson, who at the risk of his life, sunk the hulk of the collier Merrimac at the mouth of the har- Dor of Santiago.
 The Japanese sent three merchant steamers into the channel of Port Ar thur harbor with the object of blocking the Russian squadron.
 "The Battleshp Retvizan, which was damaged in the first attack on Port Ar thur, and has since remained on the rocks and fired on the aggressors and sank them all at some distance from the channel.'
 News Is confirmed in a dispatch from St. Petersburg and seems to be the truth of the afternoon paper story of the all legged sinking of six seven Japanese warships.
 NEW YORK AMERICAN.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-25
OIL MILL GOES
 TO MONTGOMERY
PLANT LOCATED IN SELMA WILL BE MOVED AND GREATLY EN- LAReED. WITH ADDITION OF ICE FACTORY.

Selma, February A.-(Special)- )-There have been five oil mills in Selma for the past three years. One of the mills, the Central, has not been in commission De- ing owned by the same stockholders as The International At meeting just held of the owners of the Central oil Mill it was decided to move the machinery to Montgomery and a site has been selected in North Montgomery.
 The new concern, the name of which has not yet been selected will be capital ized at $125,000. practically all of which will be owned by Selma people. Large additions will be made to the present mills and machinery and in addition a grist mill will be erected.
 In the corporation papers which are be- ing drawn up and which will be filed In Montgomery during the week provisions will be made for the addition of an ice plant. The largest stockholders of the mill are c. w. Hooper, L. Lamar, E. Lamar and H. M Smith, who are prac- tically owners of the International oil mill and also of mills in Union Springs and Macon, Miss.
 There are only three oil mills running in Montgomery and the owners of the Central mill here, which was idle, thought that the territory there would support four as four are easily supported by the Selma territoy.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-25
WHITNEYs WILL FILED.
Leaves $50, ,ooo Year to His Daughter
 Dorothy.

New York, F February 24--The will of the late William c. Whitney was filed for pro- bate at Mineola, l.. l., today Harry Payne Whitney is made sole executor and trustee under the will After legaces of s250O0O each to Adelaide and Bertie Ran dolph step-children were deducted and provision made for an income of s50.o00 per year for his daughter, Dorothy, the bulk of the estate is left in trust, one half of the income to go to Harry Payne Whit ney the oldest son, one-tenth to his daughter, Pauline. now Mrs. Almeric Hugh Paget, one-tenth to his son Payne and three-tenths to his daughter Doro- thy.
 The trust Is to last six years. the estate then to be divided in the same proportion among the children. The special income of s50000 for Miss Dorothy is to terminate upon her becoming of age. There are no beuuests to charity.
 The will Is dated November IS. 1902.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-25
HAD CENSORSHIP REMOVED.
General Manager of the Associated
 Press Interviewed the Czar.

London February A-Reuters Tele- gram company has given out an explana- tion of how the abolition of the censor ship in Russia was brought about as fol- lows:
 'The abolition of the censorship of Eews teegrams sent abroad from Russia is understood to be the direct outcome of an interview which Melville E. Stone, general manager of the Associated Press. has had with the czar at St. Petersburg. Mfr. Stone urged upon his majesty the wisdom of abolishing the censorship and as a result of the manner in which the matter was represented to him the czar called upon M Won Plehwe, minister of the interior, for report on the subject This report having been made, the czar gave an crder that the censorship should cease"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-25
Y. M. c. A. Is Prosperous.

Tuscaloosa. February 24-(Special. IA very interesting meeting of the Young Mems Christian association was held last evening and the attendance was so large that there was scarcely standing room A number of applications were turned in and the membership now numbers 3l2. It was decided to arrange for a banquet as soon as possible. The organization of a baseball team was discussed and decided on. Walter Sanders was elected captain and a committee was also appointed to select a manager and perfect the organ ization. Secretary Harmon cautioned the committee to select young men of the best moral characters for the team and that when they went out of the city to play that they must arrange so as to do no travelling on Sunday.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-25
THREE ARE KILLED
 IN STARCH FACTORY
Explosion Wrecks the Mill, and 1t ls Possible More Bodies Will Be
 Found.

Chicago, February 24. Three men were killed and eighteen injured tonight in an explosion that wrecked the starch mills of the Warner Sugar Refining company at Waukegon. III. It is possible that the number of dead will exceed three, but 1t will be days before the mills can be cleaned up and ascertainod that more bodies are In the wreck Reports of the dead run all the way from three to twen- ty-five. The evidencS however, is in favor of the lower number.
 The dead; John Cusyk Jacob Spreye, unidentified man.
 Injured: Albert Mitchell cut about head and face; Thomas Bailey, cut about head; fifteen Poles and Bohemians. none of whom are seriously hurt.
 The plant of the Warner Sugar Refining company IS extensive, aId is valued at s2.5ooOoo. The total number of men em- ployed IS GOO.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-25
Negro Woman Cut.

Last night at Il o'clock Pearl Malone a negro woman, was cut by her husband Weldon Malone, at Second alley. be- tween Twenty and 4wenty-third streets. Pearl was with another negro and her husband attacked both with pocket knife. The Gaudin company's ambulance was sent for the woman, and she was taken to St. yincent's hospital. Her left eye was split and she will lose her sight.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-25
RoBBER IS KILLED.
Was Caught By Hiding the Goods and
 Returning Later for Them.

Battelle, February A.-(special)-T store of L. B. Smith at Sulphur Springs, Ga, was broken open and robbed Sunday night. MT. McGuffey, agent for Smith, found part of the stolen goods the fol- lowing day in the woods near Battelle. McGuffey watched the goods and Mon day night about midnight J. L. Seaman appeared at the place where the goods were hidden and began to remove them.
 When he was ordered to throw up his hands, he immediately opened fire on McGuffey. McGuffey returned the fire with fatal results, killing Seaman almost instantly
 | Seaman Is a white man of the place, who is supposed to be from London, Ohio, having been here a few weeks. His body was taken in charge by officers here yes terday, who are making efforts to locate Seamans people.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-25
suh.commItee Returns.

Washington, February 24-(Special)- The subcommittee of the house judiciary committee. which has been in Florida in- vestigating the charges against Federal Judge Swayne of that district. returned to Washington today. It Is reported that the committee has obtained evidence bearing out in a large measure the charges pre- ferred by Representative Lamar. and that a recommendation for impeachment will be made.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-25
Salaries Will Be Increased.

Washington. February 24-(Special.)- The postoffics appropriation bill which will be reported to the house within a few days will authorize an increase in the salaries of rural free delivery carriers from $500 to s720 per annum. The carriers will be prohibited from soliciting business CT receiving orders of any kind from firms CT corporations.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-25
NEGRO BURGLARS CHASED. Were In Plano and Organ Store of
 Frank G. Fite.

A negro burglar broke into the store of Frank G. Fite, piano and organ dealer. on Third avenue between Twentieth and Twenty-first streets this morning. Po- liceman Cole discovered that the store had been broken open and prevented the ne- gro getting anything.
 A confederate in the alley back of the store whistled to the man in the store and he escaped out of the other door. Police man Cole chased both negroes and fired at one of them, but did not succeed in stopping either of them.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-25
soclsI and Personal.

Mir. H. l.. Askew of Covington, Ky, was in Bessemer a few hours yesterday.
 Judge D. o. Keene of Virginia mines was in the city yesterday.
 A. T. Hamilton of Rome, Ga, was a visitor to the Marvel City yesterday.
 MT. William T. Kennedy has returned from trip to New Orleans.
 1T. Nelson of Atlanta is at the Grand hotel.
 Mrs. IT. W. Finn of Birmingham is visiting Bessemer friends.
 Miss Ruby Jones is visiting Nashville friends this week.
 The ladies' aid society of the First Christian church held an all-day quilting yesterday at the home of Mrs. w. D.. Bearden
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-25
Atlanta Hotel Damaged.

Atlanta, Ga.. February 24-Fire this evening damaged the Ballard hotel on Peachtree street. opposite the governors mansion. to the exent of 5000. The fire the back part of the house Much dam age was oaused by water. No one was in- jured. the guests escaping without con- fusion.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-25
CITY ITEMS.

Building Permlt.-Building Inspector Julian Kendrick yesterday issued a permit to P. M. Lewis to repair and add to one-story frame dwelling on Sixth avenue between Fourteenth and Fifteenth streets, at a cost of $450.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-25
NEGRO WOMAN DIES
 FROM HER WOUNDS
w. R. FARLEY IS REPORTED PRO- DRESSING WELL AND A SPEEDY RECOVERY FROM HIS INJURIES IS PROMISED.

Pratt City, February A.-(Special.)- was stabbed by Lee Taylor in a fit of jealous anger ten days ago, died last night from the effects of the wound. Tay- lor's whereabouts are unknown.
 Coroner Paris came out this afternoon and fully Investigated the case. Dr. J. H. Seay held post-mortem examination. The decision was that the woman came to death by stab on the head with a sharp instrument
 It Is said that Gertrude and Lee be- came engaged in quarrel because the woman had refused to marry him. In the fight Taylor Is said to have drawn his knife and stabbed Gertrude on the head So fierce did he wield the knife that the blade went entirely through the thick ness of the skull and Into the brain. Dr. Seay was called and trephined the skull, removing part of the bone and some pus that had collected. around the wound The woman regained consciousness and it was hoped for time that she would survive. Last Sunday she began to grow worse and death gave relief last night at 9:S0
 The body was carried this morning to Sam Foley's place, where large crowds of negroes have been visiting all day The killing of the woman has created considerable excitement among the color ed population.
 Fire Does Little Damage.
 Fire broke out this morning in the rear Of Monjot ( Sons saloon at Pratt sta ton on the car line. The fire department was called out and quickly responded and extinguished the fire before much dam age was done. The loss Will not exceed s25.
 Entertainment Is a Success.
 Tonight the Rudisill Concert company that presented the story of Ben Hur at Foley's opera house was greeted by a large crowd. All the musical parts were highly enjoyed by the audience and were given. frequent applause.
 Furniture Stores Combined.
 The Harris-Lovelady Furniture compa- ny has consolidated it's two stores and will hereafter conduct business at the old Stowers stand on Second avenue This Is one Of the oldest and most progressive houses in the city and have been enjoy ing splendid patronage for some time.
 MT. Falrley Is Better.
 A message from Robert Farley, who is in Trinidad. Coo. states that his father w. R. Fairley. who was so murderously assaulted in that city several days ago. .s much improved. It is thought now that lis recovery will be speedy.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-25
Smith Makes Reply.

In his reply Mir Smith immediately took up the eighty per cent circular, and stated that the hundred and fifty thous- and copies of it sent out by MT. Conner had done the state incalculable harm He entered a general denial as to the correctness of the circular, and said that If he could not show that rates on grain and grain stuff were less from St. Louis to Birmingham and Montgomery than they were to Atlanta that he stood ready to withdraw from the race. He quoted figures to substantiate his position, and as further comparison he quoted today's prices on flour in Atlanta and Mont gomery, showing the Alabama quotation to be several cents cheaper than Georgia.
 He scoffed at MT. Comer's assertion that the latter stood for only one thing. better rates. The railroad commission had many other duties just as important as the fixing of freight rates. He was willing and ready to provide cheaper rates when ever the occasion demanded and the law would permit. but he would not arbitrarily reduce rates. the law must be upheld.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-25
Compares Georgia and Alabama.

OoftPdTCS 1COT9id anu ftiabdUlos
 MT. Conner began with comparison of Georgia and Alabama rates. using his famous eighty per cent circular as a guide. His hearers followed him very closely In these comparisons, but he failed to enthuse his friends until his declara- tion that he was not training for govern or. This declaration made in dramatic style, 'T am training for one thing and one thing only, better freight rates in Alabama" was received with hearty ap- plause. He charged his opponent with having opposed a primary election and an elective commission. He advocated state control of the railroads and their operation on a fair basis, but he did not want to chocke their gizzards out as charged.
 In referring to rates in this state and other states, he, said that the Birming- ham district furnished more tonnage than the whole of the state of Georgia, yet MT. Culp of the Southern railway had admitted in Charleston that the rates in Alabama were higher than any other of the seven states through which his road passed In his opinion the railroads were the biggest trust in Alabama
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-25
Reviews Ills Work.

MT. Smith at some length reviewed his work as president of the commission, and said he did not think that a man with A grievance fit person to sit as a judge on the case
 'If you think that your rates are too high, bring your complaint to me and I promise you that you shall have justice though the heavens fall" Mir. Smith de- clared amid great applause. He concluded his speech with Harry Jones' story of a dream trip to the lower world and the little blue suit that had so many pockets filled with chalk
 MT. Conner appeared particularly earn est in his rejoinder. He first gave his view of the personnel of the present commission, and said he had first known MT. Smith as a lawyer down in the little village of Scale, where the facilities fo, learning freight rates were not too great.
 Do you think him proper person to arbitrate freight rates?" he asked There's MT. Tunstall; he's a nice man I like hm-a politician, pure and simple, Is he fit man for railroad commission CT? Then there's MT. Sanders-a good, clean man, but a railroad lawyer Do you think him a proper man for railroad commissioner? Gentlemen, Is this a fit railroad commission?" he asked.
 Comparisons Are Correct. Mir. Conner said that MT. Smiths com- parison of rates from St. Louis to Bir- mingham and Montgomery and Atlanta were correct, but that these comparisons went up in a balloon when Anniston, Ope- lika and Union Springs were substituted He said he was sorry that Mir. Smith had lugged the labor question into the debate. He had always tried to avoid this, he said with seriousness. It was the laboring classes that were unprotected
 You know what sits in your state house and dictates legislation?' he de- ciared "A monopoly rules in your. legisla- ture. Will you stand 1t? Patriotic citi- zens. forget not your rights. This is not question of grievance but of intense interest"
 MT. Conner said that. transportation taxes the farmer and the consumer. for they were the ones who pay the freight He closed by paying his respects to the lawyers saying that he did not think much of them as business men.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-25
Entertainment Is a Success.

Tonight the Rudsill Concert company that presented the story of Ben Hur at t'oley's opera house was greeted by a large crowd. All the musical parts were highly enjoyed by the audience and were given frequent applause
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-25
JOINT DEBATES
 COME ID AN END Smith and Conner Will Travel
 Alone Hereafter. VIG0R ABSENT LAST NIGHT combatants Greeted in Montgomery By Fair Sized Audience, But Not
 Much Enthusiasm Was
 Aroused.
BY E. E. kERsH.

Montgomery. February 24-(Specia1.)- The last of the joint debates between John V. Smith and B. B. Conner for the presidency of the Alabama railroad com mission here tonight was not very spectacular affair Both the speakers were very hoarse and showed plainly the ef- feet of their recent engagement in North Alabama.
 MT. Conner said at the beginning of his speech that MT Smith had approached him yesterday and suggested that the two were uselessly ''hammering each other" and suggested that the debates terminate tonight. To this he had readily consent ed. So in the future the two candidates will each pursue their campaigns unmo- tested by the other.
 There was a fairly good crowd filling the court room to hear the debate, num- bering 350 It was not very enthusiastic crowd, and there seemed to have been no effort to pack any portion of the house for any particular candidate. When MT. Conner got in a good point he received encouraging cheers from his admirers. But in this respect MT. Smith had rather the better of 1t.
 Lacked Accustomed Vlgor.
 Tn his opening speech MT. Conner did not speak with his accustomed vigor He seemed 10 feel that he was on the ground of his opponent and was duly respecting 1t. In many respects his speech was not so harsh as on former occasions. MT. Smith had every reason to feel encour- aged and while he did not take up his allotted time with his argument he spoke with much earnestness and In a convinc- ing manner. Both speakers used the same lines of argument as in former speech, very few new points being scored.
 The meeting was presided over by pres ident of the city council. c. P. Mcintyre, who announced that Mir. Conner would have the opening and closing speeches, Mir Smith filling in with an hour and fifteen minutes.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-25
Fire Does Little Damage.

Fire broke out this morning in the rear or Monjot z. Sons saloon at Pratt sta ton on the car line. The fire department was called out and quickly responded and extinguished the fire before much dam age was done. The loss i'll not exceed S25.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-25
Furniture Stores Combined.

The Harris-Loyelady Furniture compa- ny has consolidated it's two stores and will hereafter conduct business at the old Stowers stand on Second avenue This Is one Of the oldest and most progressive houses in the city and have been enjoy ing splendid patronage for some time.