davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1904-07-06
Where the Bank President Caught Him.

Where the Bank fresioeht Sau9"s ''''''
The bank president was talking
to an applicant for position IN the
bank.
"Our employees must be absolute
" honest of course he said.
81 am honest" replied the appE-
cant. =,
800 you pay your debts asked
the president.
"Yes, sir"
"Would you pay even a poker
debit"
eyes, sir"
1'm sorry" said The president,
"but we have no place for you.
When the applicant had left, a
friend of the president ventured to
ask:
"Why didn't you employ him'
He's apparently honest enough"
SWELL" replied the president, "he
probably wouldn't steal, but he tells
lies. No man ever pays poker
debts. kansas City Times.
Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1904-07-06
HISTORY FASTENED
The Old National Road and the
B. & d. Railroad

A staff correspondent Of the
Baltimore American in a recent
issue Of that paper writes interest
ingly of the old National wagon
road along which the pioneers to
the West travelled before the con-
struction of the railroad. Among
other things he says:
At Harper's Ferry, on the Balti-
more and Ohio, occurred two events
which, more than two similar
events in modern times, hastened
history. They were John Browns
raid, which brought the threaten
ed war between the States to
climax, and the invention of the
steamboat by James Rumsey.
This invention, which history
proves preceded those of Fulton
and of John Fitch, near Doyles-
town, Pa, was the first practical
application of steam as motive
power, and, therefore, the Begin
ningof the great changes in civil
.Zation and commerce which fol-
lowed. Rumsey's home was at
Shepherdstown, w. Va, though
his experiments were conducted
largely at Harper's Ferry, and it
was at Harper's Ferry that
Thomas jefferson crossed the Poto-
mac River on Rumsey's boat, and
there foresaw the great possibili-
ties of steam navigation. Rumsey
was Marylander. The Bohemian
Manor was his birthplace. He
served through the Revolutionary
War as captain. The first
successful trip was made by his
boat on December 3, 1887, a yeai
before Fitch's crude effort proved
successful on Pennsylvania mill,
pond.
When Rumsey's invention seem
Ell an assured success he went tC
Philadelphia and then to Londor
to seek financial aid. In LondOr
he met Robert Fulton, an Amerl
can, who became aware of hi
plan, and when the original inven
tor died with failure stamped up
on the ambition of his life it re
NAMED for Fulton to take up Rum
sey's life work and to push it to
successful end.
Al the way from Baltimore t.
St. Louis over the Baltimo re aDt
Ohio is a panorama of historical
interest, beginning with Baltimor
itself, the starting point OF West
ern immigration. Next is Wash
ington, the nations capital, ant
no sooner is it out OF sight thai
the traveller sees the Chesapeak
and Ohio Canal, which Genera
Washington thought would suppl.
the transportation since supple
by the steam roads. Then come
t Williamsport, the home Of 9th
Holland Williams. Cumberlan
was tie center of important move
} mento during the Civil War, an
: it was here that the late Pres
dent Mckinley saw active servic
e while wearing the blue.
And all along the route ever
p farmhouse, every factory. ever
| hill, every town has its history
v written and unwritten, and
t years to come the historian VII
follows the old National road an
a the route of the Baltimore an
|. Ohio and writes of the stirrln
|. events which have remained hi'
y den for century will write an IN
y portant and thrilling part Of II
v nations history.
Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1904-07-06
Place Your Order Early
patent process Fertilizer Lime
testimonial by party who used it last year and be
that it is good thing

BUENA VISTA, Va, Feb Oath 1904
Rockbridee Lime Stone Co., Lexington, Va ~ ,.1.
Gentlemen II of Patent Process Fertilizer Lime
on my corn and tomatoes last with great advantage
nsed # on nv corn on and poorest peceo land na
and ba corn was stronger and than richer land adjoining
mon which had used other fertilizers -, n. D
NV tomato crop showed a where used the Patent RIO
cess Lime he vines heavier and more st9cky ana @ co
over the vines alongside planted with other fertilizer ha
called representative Buena Vista gentlemen over 70 y
Respectfully yours, - r, D,CD
Roclxbfidge Lime & Stone 20
LEXINGTON, VA.
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-01-03
steel Rails to BE Lower.

The powerful Union Pacific interests
have stopped all new construction work
and are refusing to buy steel rails at
present quoted prices. They recent
iy bought 10000 tons at $2S for urgent
need and because the Colorado Fuel
& Iron Company was behind in it's
deliveries. But this is the end of
Union Pacific rail purchases unless
there is a radical reduction in steel
rail prices.
A significant remark in this connec-
ton is made by a gentleman who is
in touch with all the interests that
control the Rock Island and the FRS
co systems. He says: THE an
nouncement that Rock Island people
have determined not to pay $2S per ton
for steel rails during 1904 is impor-
tant. Henry G.. Prick is a power in
the directing of the policy of the Steel
Corporation. He is also an influential
director of the Rock Island system.
believe that the price of steel rails will
be reduced next year"
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-01-03
DECEMBER VARIED
FROM AVERAGE MONTH.

Majority of It's Days, However,
Brought Almost Ideal Weather.
December, the closing month of 1904,
varied considerably from the average
December as computed from the
Weather Bureau records. The varia-
ton, however was, for the most part
in favor of Savannahians and taken
as a whole the month was an ex-
tremelv pleasant one.
The average month called for twelve
clear days, while seventeen days of
last month were clear. In the matter
of partly cloudy days each month
called for ten. The average month,
however, has nine cloudy days, while
last month had only four. The average
months rainfall is 3.15 inches. Last
month only 1.S4 of an inch of rain
fell. The greatest amount of rain
which fell in any twenty-four consec-
utive hours was so of an inch on
Dec. 8.
In the matter of temperature the
month was way off. The total def
cheney was 140 degrees, making an av-
erage daily deficiency of As degrees.
The average for last month was 4S de-
grees, while the normal month called
for an average of "a degrees. The
warmest day and the coolest day inn
mediately preceded and followed
Christmas. The highest point reached
by mercury was II degrees on the oath,
and the lowest point was 26 degrees
on the 9th. The greatest daily range
was 30 degrees on the 26th Of the
month.
In the matter of winds the month
came fairly close 80 the normal. The
highest wind velocity recorded by the
instruments was a wind of 80 miles
an hour, which blew from the west on
Christmas Day. The prevailing di-
rection of the wind was from the
west.
Taken as a whole the month was an
extremely pleasant one and with the
exception of the few days Immediately
following Christmas, when a cold wave
passed over the entire South, the tenn
peratures We're warm. The sun shone
for by far the greater part of the
month, there being only seven days of
the entire thirty-one on which .01 of
an inch or more of rain fell.
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-01-03
IN BATTLE FOR DEATH
CROWD LOOKED ON.

They were both game and because
there was no other way to settle their
differences they determined to fight
it out-and without referee, too.
Without police interference, in front
of the Morning News office, they went
at it with more fury than it was rea-
sonable to suppose could be pent up
in their little bodies. A large crowd
witnessed the fight, but silently, and
without noticing the increasing crowd,
the little fellows continued their bat
tie.
While no announcement had been
made it was evident to the specta-
tors that something dreadful had caus-
ed tho row and that it was to be
a fight to the death. They were even
ly matched and honors were about
even. Weaker and weaker they grew,
but every drop of blood that was lost
appeared to make them gamer. Heavy
trucks and trolley cars passed dan
gerously close. but the fight contin-
usd.
A benevolent looking man elboxved
his way through the crowd and stop
ped the bloody battle. The fighters
didn't notice him as he stopped down
and lifted them from the cobble stones.
They fought hard to get away from
him and renew the fight with even
more ierceness.
but with only the strength of Eng
lish sparrows their efforts were in vain
and with their bills lacerated and
hanging by threads they were given
their freedom after their anger had
eubSided
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-01-03
DOWN TO FREEZING
COLD WAVE OF LARGE AREA is
RAPIDLY APPROACHING SAVANNAH
NORTHW'T WINDS PRECEDE 1T
AND STORM SIGNALS WERE Or
DERED UP LAST NIGHT.

Rain Will Clear Away This Morn
ing-CIearing VIII BE Followed by
Northwest Winds and Mercury
Will Begin Downward Course.
Freezing Point Should Be Reached
Sometime During Tonight.
At 10 o'clock last night the northwest
storm warnings were ordered up by
the Weather Bureau. The cold wave
signal is still flying, and unless there
should be some sudden and unexpect-
ed changes in weather conditions, mer-
curry should fall to the freezing point
some time during tonight.
The first notice of an approaching
morning, when the southwest storm
warnings were ordered hoisted. A
few hours later a telegram came an
nouncing the cold wave, and the sig
nal was at once displayed from the
Weather Bureau and the Morning
News. 1t is this wave which is being
anxiously watched, as in the West it
is unusually severe, and is causing the
lowest temperatures of the year.
Owing to the fact that no forecast
is made on Sunday morning, the re-
ports which came to the Weather Blu
reau were few, and nearly all were
from Southern stations. The coolest
station which reported was Palestine,
Tex. At that station at o'clock mer-
curry stood at the 34-degree mark. The
morning reports were more complete,
however, and they showed tempera-
lures as low as Is degrees below zero
in the Northwest.
At 10 o'clock the northwest storm
warning We're ordered up from
Savannah to Fort Monroe. This is
believed to be the first sign of the ap-
preaching cold wave. The rain, which
began falling early last evening, is ex-
pected to clear away during the morn
ing hours to-day, the clearing to be
followed by the beginning of the west
erly and northwesterly winds. From
that hour mercury will begin its down.
ward course. and some time during
Sunday night will probably reach the
freezing point. Monday will probably
be cold, but on Tuesday the warming
up process will begin.
There was .04 of an inch of rainfall
recorded between 6:15 o'clock, the hour
at which the rain started, and 10
o'clock. At 10 o'clock it was still rain
ing. The rain will probably continue
for the greater part of the night.
The highest point reached by mer-
curry during the day was 20 degrees,
recorded at 8 o'clock in the afternoon.
The lowest was At degrees, the regis
tration at s o'clock in the morning.
This made the average temperature
| for the day So degrees, an excess of 8
degrees above the normal.
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-01-03
SPEAK Wen of the Dead.

1t is ap old saying that 1--WE should
always speak well of the dead" it
is sometimes a most difficult injunc-
ton 70 obey. Especially is this true
when they have lived SO intensely self
ish as to leave helpless widows and
destitute children to face the miseries
Of a world which requires stout hearts
and brawny muscles to acquire an hon.
est living.
We are only sure Of the present;
the future is yelled from our view
then make sure of your opportunities.
We none know whose turn comes
next" Write Harry & Apple, man
ayers for Georgia, the Massachusetts
Mutual Life Insurance Company. Send
them your age and address; this will
only cost you a stamp. They will send
you information that may be a rev.
elation to you. Don't procrastinate for
1t is for the benefit of those near and
dear to you and your duty to them
should prompt you to act at once. Re-
member delays are dangerous.-ad.
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-01-03
PUBLIC SCHOOLS WILL
REOPEN TOMORROW.

The Public Schools of Savannah and
Chatham county will reopen to-mor-
row morning and the work of the
winter and spring terms be taken up
at once. There will be no delay in
beginning the work. the teachers pro-
ceding with the programme, which was
being carried out, when the schools
closed for the holidays. Both teach
ers and pupils have had a pleasant va
cation. and the work will go on with
renewed vigor.
There will be some slight changes in
the number of children, who attend the
different schools. A number of fam
lilies have changed their residences dur
ing the holidays from one part of the
city to another. AS a result there
were some transfer cards. which had
to be issued, though the number was
small and easily attended to. Supt.
Ashmore reports that the sliel.t
changes will in no way effect the work
of any of the schools.
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-01-03
OCTOBER EARNINGS
OF FIVE SYSTEMS.
Central and S. A. l.. Show Decreased
Net Earnings.

Central and S. A. L. Show Decreased
Net Earnings.
Figures giving the October earnings of
the various roads are now available
and show that as a whole the month
was a good one, though at least two of
the roads in which Savannah is chiefly
interested show a falling off in net
earnings, as compared with the same
month 1902. The figures follow:
Atlantic Coast Line-October: ST.
756, 749, dec. 1884; net 1874, 532, inc.
$43,9S3. From July to Oct. 81: &c.
O65, 419, inc. SITES; net $794,5S2, inc.
$43, 9S3.
Central of Georgia-October: 1853, 1894,
inc. $19,996; net $396,O95, dec. $40, 1876.
From July 1 to Oct. 81: s3,143, $40, inc.
$50, O6S; net $732,294, dec. $1S0,734.
Louisville and NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.:
49, Ala, 9O9 inc. $257 331; net 81, 205 TT, inc.
$50, 294. From July 1 to Oct. 81: $12,
5S1, All, inc $685. $50; net 1898, 1854,
inc. $247, 157.
Seaboard Air Line-October: $1,137,
O32, dec. $23,S47; net $9O5, 1884, dec. $42,-
S3S. July 1 to Oct 81: $4,196,509, inc.
s63, 1872; net $1,O11 800, dec. $133, 29O.
Southern NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.: 4,166,-
553, inc. 1924, 1854; net 81, 354, 535, inc $72,
3O5. From July 1 to Oct. 81: $15,S59-
974 inc. $1,O77,571; net $4,664,1S4 inc.
SAGA TEA
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-01-03
MINISTERS ASSOCIATION
TO HOLD ANNUAL MEETING.

The annual meeting of the Savan-
nah Ministerial Association will be
held this afternoon in DR.. John D.
Jordans study. The meeting will be
held Immediately following the union
prayer service in the Lutheran Assem-
sion Church. This will be the an
nual meeting of the Ministerial Asso-
citation, and the officers for the en-
suing year will be chosen. At present
Rev. w. A. Nisbet, pastor of the West
minister Presbyterian Church, is presi-
dent, and Rev. d. S. Edenfield pastor
of the South Side Baptist Church, is
secretary
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-01-03
NEW ROOF ON POST
OFFICE COMPLETED.

Contractor Mitchell Declares That
Building Is Now Rain Proof.
The new roof on the postofflce build
ing was completed yesterday, and the
contractor who had charge of the work
declared that the rain showed conclu-
sively that the roof is now rain proof,
and that it will be many years before
the building will require another
change of roof. An entirely new foun-
dalton was laid, and new thing was
placed over this and new valleys were
installed.
The work was done by the Vulcan
Roof and Construction Company of
Washington, D. C. Mr.. Frank A.
Mitchell executed the contract. The
new roof, he says, will have to be in
spected by the supervising architect,
but he is confident that it can now
stand the the hardest rains without
leaking.
Mr.. Mitchell and his corps of work
men will leave to-day for Washington,
and will shortly go to North Dakota,
where his company has contract to
place a roof on a government building
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-01-03
IN HONOR OF LEE
MILITARY WILL ARRANGE To-
MoRRow FOR PARADE JAN. 10.
A GENERAL HALF HOLIDAY
Is LIKELY TO BE OBSERVED BY
BUSINESS HOUSES AND OFFICES.

Largest Military Parade of the Year
Usually Takes Place on This An
niversary-That of Present Year
Hardly to BE an ExcepttOn-Sev-
eraI Sporting Events May BE Ar
ranged.
Before the aftermath Of the Christ
mas and New Year holidays has pass
ed preparations are being made
for the celebration of another holiday,
Robert f. Lees birthday, Jan. l9. This
is distinctly a military day, and
it is probable that all of the military
commands in the city. that is of the
white troops, will take part in it. No
orders have yet been issued, but it is
the custom to make this day the occa-
sion of the greatest parade of the year,
and there is every reason to believe
that the number of troops to take part
this year will be quite as large as
formerly.
The troops will march through the
principal streets, then repair to the
Park Extension for dress parade and
inspection, after which they will be
dismissed. This, at least, has been the
custom in former years. A meeting
of officers has been called for to-mor
row afternoon at 4 o'clock by Col. p.
w. Meldrim, to be held in his Office,
at which time it is expected the de-
tails of the military celebration of the
day will be discussed and decided on.
Because of the fact that so many
men will be away from the business
houses and offices on this day. on ac-
count of their connection with the mill
aary it is probable that the business
of the city will be practically sus-
pended during the afternoon, at least,
of the day, and that hundreds of per-
sons other than those connected with
the troops will spend the afternoon in
various forms of sport and amuse-
nlent.
Being in the midst of the hunting
season many gunners are already plan
ming for a day in the woods. 1t is
likely that by the time the day ar
rives, should the weather outlook be
promising for sport, there will be
very large number of bird hunters and
not a few parties in search OF deer
that will spend the day out of the city.
For those who remain in the city
It is likely that a number of attrac-
tons will have been prepared, pos
sibly a football match, a card of rae
ing events at the Fair Grounds, or
other sports. So far no show has
been booked at the theater for this
day, but 1t is not impossible that some
amusement may be announced between
the present time and the holiday.
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-01-03
WHITE MESSENGERS OUT;
NEGROES TAKE PLACES.
White Boys of w. U. Went on Strike
and Lost Their Places.


White messenger boys are no longer
employed by the Western Union Tele-
graph office. their places having been
taken by colored men. The change
was made by Manager Peoples yester-
day. Five white boys, all those en-
ployed, walked out of the office on a
strike it is supposed, though no COM
plants were made or notification was
given, and Mr.. Peoples promptly NIL
ed their places with colored men.
The manager of the office is rather
pleased than otherwise with the change
for though he had neither the desire
nor the intention of discharglng the
white boys, he says that his experience
in other cities has been that negro
men make better messengers than
white boys of the age and class that
are to be secured for this work. 1t
is an advantage, both for the men
and for the office. in his opinion, for
the colored messengers being men
have a greater sense Of responsibility.
pay more attention to their work and
do il better and at the same time by
doing more work get better pay, making
from $25 to $50 a month. whereas the
boys made but from SIS to $40.
With the new men hired yesterday
10 take the place OF the Wnlle boys,
the Office now has a force of fifteen
men. These will be neatly uniformed
as soon as the uniforms can be Sc
cured, will be governed by rules max
ing politeness and a careful attention
to business imperative, and will, Mr.
Peoples is satisfied, give a much more
efficient and satisfactory service than
has been possible under the old regime.
No change will be made in the COM
pany's white messengers in the Cot
ton Exchange.
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-01-03
IN THE RAILROAD WORLD.

Notice has been received in Savan-
nah that Mr.. H. B. Spencer, general
manager of the st. Louis-L Louisville
lines of the Southern Railway, has been
given jurisdiction over the traffic that
passes over these lines for distribution
to, or coming from, points reached by
the Cincinnati, New Orleans and Texas
Pacific road.
Mr. Fairfax Harrison has been ap-
pointed assistant to President Samuel
Spencer, of the Southern Railway, to
perform such duties as may be assign
ed to him by the president, or second
vice president.
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-01-03
COMMERCIAL BANK
MADE FINE SHOWING.

Three New Members Added to It's
Directorate for Coming Year.
The Commercial Bank, which held
its annual election of directors yester-
day, increased the number from seven
to ten. All of the former directors
were reelected, and three new ones,
those last named, added. The board
is now as follows: J. H. H. Entelman,
j. Ferris Cam, H. S. Leete, M. B.
Ehrlicher, A. J. Merkle, A. B. Sim
mons, Walter Woledge, P. M. Dougan,
Adolph M. Letter and H. Traub. The
board will meet Tuesday and elect
officers.
The banks dividend of per cent,
which was declared Dec. %, was made
payable yesterday. The Commercial
Bank, though organized but fifteen
months ago. has made a very remark
able showing, one that has given the
officers and directors the liveliest salts
faction. Besides the amount set aside
for dividends, the bank showed a sur
plus of approximately $4,000.
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-01-03
SUPERIOR COURT RESUMES
BUSINESS TOMORROW.

Judge Cam Will Preside in Open
Session for the First Time.
The December term Of the Superior
Court will convene tomorrow morn
ing at 10 o'clock with Judge George
II. Cam presiding for the first time.
The first business to be taken up
will be the calling of the civil docket,
and setting cases for the rest OF the
term. II is also probable that the mo-
ton docket will be called for assign
ment. The large appearance docket
for the term will be called Jan. II.
The attention of the court during the
coming week will be confined almost
entirely to the disposition of civil
cases now pending.
The juries which have been sum-
moned for the rest of the term will
report tomorrow morning at 10
o'clock.
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-01-03
ABSTRACTED DIAMOND
RING FROM CLOCK.
Accused Claims That Is Was Not His
Intention to Keep SpariSier.

Accused Claims That Is Was Not His
Intention to Keep Spariier.
For stealing a diamond ring, valued
at $40, from a clock in the residence
of Mamie Grant, at No. 500 Waldburg
street, west, Johnson Williams, color
ed, was arrested yesterday and is held
at the police station.
The woman charges that Williams
was putting wood into her room when
he made an inspection of the clock
and took the sparkler. She alleges that
the temptation was one too many for
Johnson and that he promptly appro-
priated the ring.
Williams admits having taken the
ring, but declares that he asked the
woman to lend it to him, and that he
did not take it until after she refused
his request. His contention is that
the prosecutrix is his pet particular"
friend, and that he had a perfect right
to borrow the diamond, even though
she objected.