davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-07
DOPE" FOR CONNECTS.
California Prisoners Get Drunk on
 Canary Bird Seed.

From the New York American.
 San Francisco.-The prison officials at San Quentin will make war on the deadly mariguana weed. Warden Tompkins to- day instructed Capt. Harry Harrison to detail guards and several trusty Indians prisoners who are familiar with the weed to go over the length and breadth of the prison grounds. inside and out, and hunt for and dig out every weed found. San Quentin is used to surprises, but the story of the growth of the plant within the prison limits and its enjoyment by the convicts caused a heavy stir in the of- ficial atmosphere of the institution. The brain-muddling mariguana must go.
 Before the crusade stops it is possible that the convicts will have to surrender their canary birds, as 1t is feared that the willy convict is turning the Indian hemp seed diet of his pet into powerful dope. Mariguana and Indian hemp seed must leave the prison. Both are strong rivals to opium.
 The hemp seed makes an ideal dope for the convicts. A little is put in a tin cup and pulverized. Warm water Is added and thin oil floats on the surface, a few drops of which produce a magnificent state of intoxication. The ease with which 1t can be prepared makes it popular with the convicts. They are allowed to draw upon their own funds to purchase bird seed, and hundreds of them have p1rds- At can Quentin hemp seeed Is dope"
 Mariguana is a common looking weed and something new to California, though there is a species here commonly called 'cattleweed" The variety at the prison is the real Mexican brand. It is worse than opium or any of it's preparations. It is made into cigarettes and a few strong puffs are inhaled into the lungs. If its use stops here the smoker Is mildly in- toxicated. If he goes further with the smoking he becomes decidedly drunk. and a few additional puffs overthrows his mind and he becomes a temporary luna tic. He will run backward, imagining that all sorts of beats and reptiles are pursuing him. His condition becomes similar to de1frium tremens.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-07

sewer cannot be utilized until these
 are constructed. There has been SC
 much deliberation in the construction
 of the trunk sewers, let us hope the
 present contracts will be supplemented
 with contracts for the needful filter
 beds. One is to be placed below Bes-
 semer, and te other not far below
 Ensley. One is to be located on Val
 ley creek, and the other on Village creek. If work on the filter beds be progressed, there seems to be no req son why Jones valley should be com pelled to face another hot season in an undrained condition After the trunk sewers and filter beds are com pleted, local connecting links can rap idly be added. Every foot of the dis tance from East Lake to Bessemer should be placed under some control that can enforce sanitary connections and sanitation in general, for disease in any part of the valley endangers all the rest of it. Jones valley is one sanitary district, whatever it may be in a police sense or in other municipal respects.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-07
Convention OraiorY.

Convention oratory is confined as rule to the nominating speeches, but these have become so numerous and so stereotyped that even congressional oratory is not more lonesome. All originality has gone out of them, al- though the nominating speech was un- known in 1860. It sprang from Gen. eral Logan's speech of 1868, when he placed General Grant in nomination. Before that time a delegate arose and simply stated that in behalf of his state he desired to place a candidate, naming him, before the convention. In 1880 Robert -lgersoll made an i'm pressiye speech in favor of James G. Blaine, and the fashion became at once established. But in the long list of subsequent speeches only MT. Bry- ans in 1896, ana MT Conklings in 1880 were at all noteworthy. What Bourbe Cochran and MT. Littleton will be able to do at St. Louis remains to be seen, but as a rule the nominating speeches of the last thirty years have lacked originality, thought or force.
 The man who has the ear of eighty millions of people should give us new thoughts in new forms, but the same bld lines are followed, and the same 'old expressions crop in. The mega phone voice is present, and so is the audience, and the latter is crucified upon a cross of repetitious platitudes Out of a hundred or so nominating speeches in the last forty years only four are worthy of remembrance only four will be read save by the historical student, and the latter will throw away his time when he reads them.
 The custom is creeping into ruts that will be voted uncomfortable after a while, simply because the selected speakers will not devise some varia. tion of thought and manner. The stereotyped nominating speech is all the stronger because 1t is not a bit !mpromptu The speaker is selected weeks before; ne knows his theme and yet he speaks the same old speech nine times out of ten One Georgia man at Chicago rose in disgust, and more will in the years to como
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-07
COMMENTS ON MEN AND
 MATTERS OF THE WORLD

to win the America's cup. That Is one thing to look forward to, and then again the far eastern situation may become still further complicated. Although the out look for yellow journals is not very en- couraging just now. the chances are that there will be some excitement next year, even if the politicians are quiescent
 A beautiful tribute was paid by the Atlanta News to Clark Howell of the Constitution. congra tulating him on the occasion of his being again elected Geor- gia's representative on the national dem ocratic executive committee The spirit of this editorial is an example of the chivalrous impulses that actuate the News and is the more admirable in view of the fact that sincere compliment is often wanting among papers of the same town As a matter of fact rival papers are wary of saying anything compliment tary about each other even when they refrain from making unlxind remarks. Although such practices are not credita- ble to the press fraternity they are per haps natural in town where rivalry is very keen. The Constitution Is a morn ing paper and the News may feel more kindly toward it's editor than toward the Atlanta Journal, an afternoon rival, but whether this is true or not Editor Graves has complimented Editor Clark Howell very handsomely.
 The centennial anniversary of the birth of Nathaniel Hawthorne last Monday was fittingly observed, although the tribute paid to one of Americas s greatest authors was somewhat overshadowed by the up- roar of the glorious Fourth While think ing of Hawthorne one is strongly re- minded that men of his genius and power in literature are few in the annals of this country. Hawthorne's books are not ''devonred these days by young women who Toll in hammocks but they have not yet lost their spell, although their spirit and conception is now in a measure out of date Hawthorne has perhaps fewer admirers than Irving in the realms of fiction; his works at times lacks the dash l and vividness that characterize the nov els of other American writers but his name is nevertheless the most illustrious one in American letters.
 Bobby Walthour the Atlanta bicy- clist, is being widely congratulated on his speedy recovery from the accident which threatened his life last week. Walthour seems to be clean, steady young fellow who has won success in the athletic world by hard work and attention to business. It is said that Walthour and McGinnity, the New York baseball pitcher, are two of the very few professional athletes whose lives aie fit examples for the youth of the land It seems to a layman that Walthour would be wise to quit racing. He has won enough laurels on the track and bicycling Is also going out of vogue very rapidly. P c.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-07
RODE AN AVALANCHE.
Miraculous Escape of Seven Tourists
 While Scaling Alps.

From the London Telegraph.
 Seven Alpine tourists, representing five different nationalities namely, two Eng llshmen, German count and his valet, a young Russian lady, a Dutchman and a Swiss guide. have just had an extraor- dinary escape from destruction by an avalanche.
 The party started from Arosa to ascend the Aroser Weisshorn on ski. When about TOO feet from the summit, which is S710 feet above sea level, the steepness of the ascent and the hardness of the snow nec- essitated the removal of the ski, and the party proceeded on foot. When nearing the top an immense avalanche suddenly rushed down the mountain side
 Most of the party at once sat down to received the impact on their backs, and some succeeded in riding the waves of snow with tolerable success for some dis tance. Then came a series of somer- saults. Five of the party were involved in the avalanche and four were swept down to the bottom of the slope, dis tance of about zoo feet. arriving in all manner of attitudes.
 The German count collided with rock and was cut about the face; the Dutch man finished up in a standing posture buried in snow to his chin. The Rurrian lady was the first to extracate herself and behaved throughout with remarkable pluck and endurance.
 Wonderful to relate, no bones were broken, and all escaped with few bruises and scratches, and reached Arosa in safety. Had not the skf Deeen taken off before the accident serious results must almost certainly have ensued
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-07
Faces on the Stage.

"A hotel lobby story of a few days ago on the faces in an audience suggests the thought that the faces on the stage are much more interesting if everybody only snew how they were made and how they look from close range" said a press agent. The first requisite in all stage makeups. except when extreme pallor is 10 be simulated, is paint If a face Is not properly painted it appears ghastly Inl the glare of the footlights, while too mr0h paint is almost as bad. An old man,s g wrinkles that appear perfectly life-lixe I'd natural from where you sit are noth- 'ng buk streaks of paint after all and when viNwed at close range look hideous
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-07
DEgJNlAk's HEADQUARTERS.
No Truth in Report of Transfer of
 Office.

From the Montgomery Advertiser.
 'If the rumor printed in the Birming- ham newspapers of the probable trans fer of the Louisville and Nashville gen eral freight office from Montgomery to Birmingham has any foundation, I am absolutely uninformed and if such a change was going to be made, I would certainly know something about it.''
 F. A DeFunak, general freight agent Of the Louisville and Nashville railroad in these words yesterday denied a per- sistent report
 MT. DeFuniak returned to Montgomery yesterday from Birmingham.
 T have heard that report ever since I began to work for the Louisville and Nashville in this section and it has al- ways Hmounted to nothing" he added talking to a representative of the Adver tiser. When MT Welch was general freight agent here, the rumor was cur rent in railroad circles and I suppose my transfer from Birmingham to Mont gomery renewed the old rumor. I believe 1t is entirely without foundation
 Mir. DeFuniak will leave Montgomery today for Birmingham on a short busi- ness visit He has spent very little time in Montgomery since he came here to succeed F. c. Shepard, whofNas transfer red to Owensboro, Ky. The Montg onerv territory is large one and MT. DeFun- iak has been kept busy acquainting him self with agents and shippers in the territory,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-07
LOOKING TOWARD ST. LOUIS.

From the Memphis Commercial-Appeal.
 The eyes of the south are rivlted on St. Louis. Out of the conflict 1t hopes that a leader will be chosen who can put an end to Rooseyeltism. Other sections of the country may indulge sentiment; there is no room for its delicious exer- else here. Other sections may feel a deep economic interest In this the south joins them. In the south alone is felt the at- tack made upon a cherished civilization. In the south alone is material progress and material accomplishment menaced. The election of Roosevelt may be a mis- fortune to the country; to the south it will be calamity. It means not so much racial confiict-the dominant race will look out for and take care of this-as it does industrial disorder and commercial chaos. The eyes of the nation are on St. Louis. but the south looks with deeper scrutiny and with greater hope and greater fear,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-07
schlIIlnaer,s Balloon.

How far do you suppose that me- dium sized thin rubber balloon will sail?' asked retired citizen of party of gen. tlemen yesterday afternoon. Well, had no idea that they would travel as far as one sent up by Gus schillinger on the Fourth of July travelled. Early in the morning of the Fourth MT. Schillinger 'blowed up the balloon until 1t was about the sic of flour barrel, and then after holding 1t near enough to one of his big boilers that the air could become heated he tied card to 1t, writing on the back that the finder would receive two dozen bottles of beer upon presenting the bal loon and card at the office of his com pany.
 This morning Mr. Schillinger was somewhat surprised when a farmer resid- ing when farmer residing at Mount Pin son, ten miles from Birmingham, pre- sented the card and claimed the beer. would never have believed that the bal loon would have traveleu half that dis topna
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-07
Railway Buildinu This Year.

Tracklaying and particularly the work of grading has been materially decreased. Bonds of new railroads cannot be readily placed. The boom Las collapsed, and railway earnings have fallen off fin 1903 the new track age aggregated 5786 miles. In the first half Of 1903 there were 2221 miles laid down; in the first half of the pres ent year 1887 miles were laid. The Railway Age is inclined to think the years mileage will be below 5000 miles, because the work of grading has been materially decreased, and much of the track laid in the last six months was laid on roadbeds made last year
 In Alabama 7l45 miles were laid in the first han of the present year, or eight lines. This result was large ly due to extensions by the Seaboard Air line, and by the Louisville and Nashville. The year may add one hundred miles to our railroads. In the first halr of the year Missouri leads all the states, followed by Texas, Illinois and Nevada.
 Three-fourths of the tracklaying Is confined at present to the southwest. some track was laid in Pennsylvania during the last six months, but in the other eastern and middle states scarcely any was laid. Except in Pennsylvania and Maryland, where the Gould system is extending it's lines, the east is resting on its oars so to speak Railroad development Is practically confined to the territory west of the Mississippi river
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-07
National Banks in the South.

In the last four years national banks have been multiplied freely, especially In the far west and the south. In Texas no less than 279 were organized In Alabama eighteen were established, possessing a capital of $1 ,652 800. This handsome increase was supplemented by the establishment of private and state banks, all of which are now sub- feet to state inspection and super vision
 In the entire south 513 national banks have been established since March IA, 1900, or about one-quarter of the number organized in the entire country. The southern states are now well-equipped with banking institu- lions. and as the farmers and pro ducers become forehanded these banks will be strengthened by deposits until the south becomes a lending instead of borrowing section.
 If the price of cotton stay up to ten rents. or if the south can be induced to diversity it's crops as portions oi Alabama are doing, this section will soon become ric. again, and five hun dred more banks will be needed in the next four years.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-07
A nknoekery vanquished.

T heard quite an interesting dialogue between a fan and a 'knocker' at re- cent ball game" said Sidney Lazarus yes terday. "The 'knoclxer' was sitting on the fence and the fan was near me out in eenterfield. The .lnocker' began by abus- ing the home team. and finally yelled out, Put it to him. Nashville! Knock the block off that New York starr
 '.The fan looked up, and with an inno- cent smile on his face asked the 'knocker' how much he had lost on the morning game.
 Only 21k cents answered the 'knocker.'
 From your looks that Is about the size of your pile. You must be broke now.
 .Thas made the lSnocker' angry and he replied, I'll bet I have more money with me than you have.
 A man needs either money or brains to get along in this world. answered the fan.
 You think you are smart don't your
 No indeed; I don't need any brains 10 converse with you
 "Silence followed for a few minutes.
 ."Then the man on the fence broke out again. Don't strike at them, Bennett, that bionde-haired lobster will walk you if you give him time.
 'stu sore about PIE cents? asked the fan.
 eI wasn't speaking to you. young fel- low
 Oh beg your pardon. thought you had sense enough to know that Bennett couldn't hear you from way out here
 And then the man on the fence fell off,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-07
WILD HORSES COSTLY.

From the Chicago Chronicle.
 Southern Texas ranchmen have suffered severely in the last winter from the de- predations of the wild horses. The season having been dry and food scarce, the droves of these animals became unusally bold Stacks of hay and fodder were frequently attacked by the marauders.
 Wild horses saio Col. Dick Dillon of Kansas City, whose ranches are spread all over southern Texas, will stampede the soberest nag that ever rubs noses with them The prospect of freedom is tempt ing to the tame animals and one can easily be induced to take his departure and to forget all the civilization he ever knew.
 ''We ranchmen determined to make an organized effort to rid ourselves of these tematic way. We built corral of poles eight feet high and very strong. Leading into this was av-shaped chute, which ran out into the prairie about mile and had width of half mile at its mouth.
 'The plan was to form a gigantic cir cle of horsemen surrounding the eSire horse-ridden territory, and gradually close in around the mouth of the chute. It was thought that the horses in their ter TOT at finding themselves surrounded would dash into the corral. Once there it would be a very easy matter to lasso and tie any worth breaking and to shoot the rest.
 .rrha eehame was hotter in ifs nIan however, than in it's fulfllment, for the ranchmen failed to make allowance for the nerve and craft of their opponents. The wild horses were not nearly as much frightened as had been expected, and pre- ferred making bolt for liberty through the ranks of the men surrounding them to trusting themselves to the unfamiliar bars of the corral. And. although we rounded up several hundred horses. but
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-07
Cur Sanitary Sewers.

The entire Jones valley is to be con graduated upon the final letting to contractors of the construction work of both trunk sewers. The probabili- ties are that Village creek valley will secure a sewer as soon as Valley creek valley does. Both will be well advanced at the end of the calendar year. This will certainly be welcome intelligence al the way from East Lake to Bessemer. It cohcerns the comfort. and the health, of 15O,OOO peo- ple, and the number is becoming llarger every year.
 The contracts already placed do not |p-nvide for filter beds. and the trunk
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-07
From the New York Mail.

From the New York Mail.
 1HE handsome Ionic bathing pavil- NY ion erected at cost of slio,oOo on
 the initiative of the Van Wyck administration and opened Friday night in the William H. Seward Park, on East Broadway, Is a natural development of municipal policy of which the free play grounds and the free public baths and recreation piers on the river fronts are illustrations. During the summer season fifteen baths, housed on wooden floats, are in use in the North and East rivers. somewhat smaller number of baths, pretentiously domiciled after the pattern of the Seward Park institution, will be erected in other parks
 They are an advance on the floating baths in that they will be open the whole year around, will provide hot as we'll as cold water, and will dispense even with the small charge for towels, which is exacted on the water front There will be no charge for bathing suits because similar accommodations, but of less ornate character, are provided at tine university and college settlements; these, however, charge a small sum and aim to be self-maintaining. The new style of city baths will be absolutely free, and each of them will be able to accommodate about 25oo persons a day.
 That they will perform an important service in the amelioration of conditions Tn the tenement regions is to be expected. That they will prove an unmixed bless ing is yet to be demonstrated. Certain drawbacks have lately come to light in the case of both the play centers and the recreation piers. It has been charged
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-07
GRIZZLY.
By Bret Harte.

By Bret Harte.
 Coward-of heroic size, In whose lazy muscles lies Strength we fear and yet despise; Savage--whose relentless tusks Are content with acorn husks; Robber-whose exploits neer scared Der the bees or squirrels hoard; Whiskered chin. and feeble nose, Claws of steel on baby toes Here, in solitude and shade. Shambling shuffling plantigrade, Be thy course undsmayed! Here, where nature makes thy peo' Let thy rude, half-human treac
 Point to hidden Indian springs, Lost in ferns and fragrant grasses,
 Hovered o'er by timid wings. Where the wood-duck lightly passes. Where the wild bee holds her sweets. Epicurean retreats, Fit for thee. and better than Fearful spoils of dangerous man. In thy fat-jowled deviltry Friar Tuck shall live in thee; Thou mayest levy tithe and dole:
 Thou shalt spread the woodland cneo' From the pilgrim taking toll;
 Match thy cunning with his fear; Eat, and drink. and have thy nn Yet remain an outlaw stiDl
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-07

a small percentage of them were cap tured. In fact, at every point they out witted their would-be captors."
 With the breaking up of winter the open season for the wild horse of the plains begins. The rigors of the past sea son have brought them into comparative subjection, and their capture is, easier now than when month of plentiful food and water have made them wary and crafty.
 Wild horses have gone from the west with the buffalo Once almost as plen- tiful as that animal, they are now almost as rare. Only in remote parts of Texas and in the four corners where Colorado. Utah, Arizona and New Mexico join are they found. The remainder of their old baunts have been treated to process of horse civilization that has robbed the plains of one of it's most picturesque features.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-07
WEEPING AT THE ICE HOUSE.

From the Indianapolis Journal
 An attendant at Mofnt Vernon not long since found a lady weeping most bitter ly and audibly with her handkerchief at her eyes He stepped up to her and said:
 Are you in any trouble, madam?''
 No, sir" she sobbed.
 T saw you weeping"
 'Ah." said she, how can one help weeping at the grave of the Father of His Country?"
 "Oh! Indeed, madam" said he, that's itl The tomb Is over yonder This is the ice house."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-07
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR.

From the New Work Press.
 When a woman Is mad with husband who has auburn hair, she is willing to admit it is red.
 Most always woman is pretty mad about something when she has sweet smile for everybody.
 If girl likes man well enough to try to make him think she likes someone else better he has a very fair chance.
 There is hardly anything in the world that is more of shock than to hunt for dimple and find a mosquito bite.
 You'll never find woman mistrusting a man who always sighs when he speaks of the day she married somebody else.