davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-24
May Not Make Stand.

St. Petersburg September 24.-(2:45 a. m.)-The absence of detailed reports from the seat of war despite the import ant character of events that are be- lieved to be developing around Mukden leads to the supposition that General kuropatkin may after all not seriously contest the Japanese advance, and that the long expected battle at Mukden may turn out to be merely d rear action on large scale.
 General Sakharoff reports that the Ja- panese army is moving towards Flu Pass. village six miles northeast of Mukden. and near the right bank of the Hun river. The river at this point is shallow and probably for this reason the locality has been selected by the Japanese for cross Ing. 1T the Japanese succeed in gaining foothold at Flu Pass, General Kllronat- kins position at Mukden will be inse- cure as tue Japanese will from thence be able to threaten the Russian line of communications. Flu Pass is only twenty miles north Of Bentsiaputze, but at the present rate of progress the Japanese will probably occupy four or five days in traversing 1t.
 The Russian force south of Mulxden ia believed to consist of only one army corns which is acting as a rear guard. and is rot intended to offer a serious resistance to the Japanese advance
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-24
BEAUTIFUL TRIBUTE
 TO GEO, WASHINGTON
British Group of ParIiamentarians Place Ivy Wreath on the
 sarcophagus.

Washington, 23.-The inter-parliamen- tary delegates who arrived here from Niagara today were given three hours ride around the city, followed by visit to Mount Vernon.
 At Mount Vernon the trip to which was made by boat the visitors were conduct ed through the grounds and while stand ing bareheaded around the entrance to the tomb of Washington, very touching incident occurred Philip Stanhope, the president If the British parliamentary group, entered the tomb and placed on the sarcophagus containing the remains of General Washington q superb Ivy wreath, decorated with cut flowers. A card attached to the wreath bore the following words:
 Placed by the British group of the in- ter parliamentary union upon the tomb of George Washington. son of their own race in respectful admiration of his noble life and illustrious services to his country and to the world"
 A representative of the Belgian group followed this graceful act by deposting A sheaf of wheat wrought in metal on the tomb.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-24
laps Making Assault from Land and Sea Determined to
 Capture Fort
WHOLE JAPANESE FLEET
 AIDS IN AWFUL STRUGGLE
Russians Are Using Balloons at Muk- den to Locate Position of the Advancing Armies-Japs
 Very Secretve.

Paris, September 2S.-The Mathis St. Petersburg correspondent telegraphs as follows:
 'eTelegrams of which t..e general staff have as yet no knowledge reached the empire at four o'clock this morning. l can affirm that they concern Port Ar thur regarding which place the great cts anxiety prevails at court. The Jap anese are now engaged in an assault which is more furious than it's prede- cessors, attacking the town on three sides simultaneously and employing their whole forces, being determined to fin- Ie- the business. Russian mines blew up whole battalions
 General Focl, has distinguished himself directing the fire from the wall, which the Japanese reached after indescribable massacre.
 "The whole of Admiral Togo and Vice Admiral Kamamura squadrons are aid Ing the struggle, which is feared here will be final. The Deseiged forces are lighting desperately. A perfect storm of shells is falling on the town. port and fortress from the hill and roadstead. General Stoessel is going from fort to fort encouraging the defenders in their desperate efforts.
 Tn St. Petersbury the facts concerning the tragic event which perhaps will termi- nate by a glorious fall of Port Arthur, are wholly unknown. At court all hope has not as yet been entirely abandoned.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-24
BOILER IN GIN
 WORKS EXPLODES
FOUR DEATHS ARE THE RESULT OF CATASTROPHE AT MAMMOTH COTTON MILLS, ERWIN NO. 3, AT DUKES, N. c.

Raleigh, N. C., September 23.-The boil CT in the gin department of the Mammoth cotton mill Erwin No. 3, at Dukes, on the Cape Fear and Northern railroad, about twenty five miles from Raleigh. exploded with terrific violence early to- day. partially wrecking the engine room, instantly killing three workmen, one of whom was the superintendent of the mill. and one negro. Another negro was scalded so badly that he will die.
 The dead:
 Henry c. Fowler of Burlington, general superfntendent of the mill.
 Lee Hurst. firemean.
 H. G. Braswell.
 George Mclean, colored.
 Fatally scalded: Henry Wall, colored.
 Both the latter were employees of the mill.
 From the best information obtainable it seems that the old fireman of the mill having just been discharged, the new man not thoroughly understanding the engine, had gotten up too much steam. The engine refused to work and the fire man went after the superintendent. As they entered the engine room together. there was a rending roar and the men were blown to pieces.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-24
Balloons Brought Into Use.

Mukden, September 23.-The Russians are using war balloons south of Mukden for the purpose of observing the opera tsons of the Japanese in that direction.
 The line of outposts established by the Japanese is so effective that not even tho Chinese have been able to penetrate It. It is impossible, therefore, to say defin- itely how Marquis Oyama has disposed his forces It is said General Kuroki' s army stretches from Bensiapui to Bentz- putze, and the armies of Generals Oku and Noduz from Yentai along the high road and along the railroad to Shahepu, sixteen miles south of Mulkoen, while a fourth army is moving from Dsiantcnan across the Da mountains.
 All these roads converge at Mukden Of the four armies those of Oku and Noduz are nearest Mukden, and their progress will have to be slackened in order to per- init Kuroki and fianking columns time to come up. Meanwhile Oku and Noduz have command of the railroads. Supplies of grain and ammunition are carried from Yentai over heavy roads exposed to cap lure by enterprising Cossaclx raiders. There has been an improvement in the weather at Mukden, which is of great help to the Japanese.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-24
NINE LITTLE GIRLS MEET
 AWFUL DEATH w 4 VAULT
All School Children Time Oue Gave Pcpiatng Them Into Filthy Vault Twelve Deep-Ctzen
 Aroused and Blame School Board for Catastrophe

least nine underneath until they were dead.
 The structure over these vaults was about twenty feet square, without win dows and only one narrow doorway, so that only one little girl escaped from the door. She ran into the school building and told the teachers what had happen ed The teachers were soon reinforced by the entire population of the town. the police and fire department rendering most effective service. Those able to climb out on ladders themselves. were rescued by Principal simmorman. who finally tainted. Then others went into the vault and kept tringing dead hodles from the filth until the vault was closed.
 The firemen drained the vault so as to be sure that the rescue was complete. Those engaged in the rescue work recite the most ghasty experiences. Even those rescued alive presented such an appear ance as to make many in the crowd of spectators faint but the sight within the vault beggarded all description.
 Crushed Back in Filth.
 The children who were on top of the Hrithing mass were rescued first Get ting out of the vault their feet crowded relentlessly down on others, crushing them back i'll the filth. It was noticed the older ones were on top and rescued.
 The importunities of friends, especially of the weeping mothers. were almost beyond control of the officers Doctors U. G. Senour and P. J. Shank, with their assistants used the school building for a hospital, and morgue until after the dead and the rescued were taken to their homes.
 In addition to the funerals that are an- nouneed for Sunday, there will be memo rial services in the three churches of the villages
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-24
PAYNE SPENDS DAY
 WITH ROOSEVELT
SENATOR PROCTOR ALSO CALLS AND TALKS OVER WITH THE PRESIDENT HUNTING ExPERl- ENcES IN NEW YORK.

Washington, September 23.-(Special)- with Senator Proctor of Vermont and Postmaster General Payne. Even Sena- tor Knox of Pennsylvania did not get the time allotted he had expected.
 Fortunately, however, he came over on the train with the President last night and discussed with him the features of | the speech he will deliver to the "Busi- ness Mems League in Philadelphia on the first of the month. Prosperity" will be the keynote of Knox's speech. He will get an ovation from the Business Mems League" The Philadelphia man. ufacturers have reveled in prosperity ev- cry since the Dingley law was enacted. Mir Knox, it Is announced, will also have something to say about the way In which the administration has prosecuted one trust and declined to run amuck' among the other 453 trusts.
 It happened that Senator Proctor, who came to the White House just to say goodbye to the President was the star visitor of tie day and could hardly tear himself away Proctor mentioned to the President that he was going to take a va cation in Corbins Park, N. Y. Two years ago in Corblns Park the President killed what is described as a very vicious wild boar" Proctor's announcement recalled this to the President and he immediately went oyer the whole fight with the Yer mont senator, thus compelling a num- Der of miner officials who came to see the President to return tomorrow.
 Postmaster General Payne. fresh from the Wisconsin muddle, told the President what bad man Governor LaFolette is, and secured the Presidents consent to the distribution of a number of postof- fees throughout the country.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-24
1Nc1NNAT1, September 2s.-

INCINNATI, September 2s.-schooi
 closed today at Pleasant Ridge, O seven miles north of Cincinnati with the first quarter of the session when nine, possibly ten school girls were suffocated in a vault during the lore noon recess. and over a score of others narrowly escaped the same horrible death During the rest of the day the suburb was overcome with sorrow, ex- citement and indignation, and tonight those openly charging the calamity to of fcial negligence, are making serious threats, among them being many women. The large building Is used for high school, as well as for all lower depart ments All of the victims were from the primary grades. On opposite sides of the spacious ground. in the rear of the school buildings, are two outhouses.
 When recess was given, about thirty of the smaller girls were in the outhouse assigned to them, when suddenly the floor gave way, precipitating them into vault of filth. This vault is twelve feet deep and walled up with stone for a wall. There was several feet of water or filth that would have been over the heads of the girls in 1t singly. but those falling foremost filled up the vault par tially, permitting others not to be en- tirely submerged.
 Crushed Underfoot.
 The girls fell eight feet from the floor before striking the filth, and the strug- gles of those who were on top kept al
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-24
kuropatkin is vaciIIatino.

London, September 24.-A series of be- lated dispatches from correspondents with the Japanese army are published in the newspapers here this morning. but they aae little to the knowledge of the situa- ton in the far east.
 The Standards correspondent under date of September r. comments on Gen eral Kuropatkins failure to attack the south or east as showing Kuorpatkin's s yacillation. He says that at one time the Russians outnumbered the Japanese, and that now they have lost their only chance ot assuming the offensive before the re- lease Of the Ja. anese troops before Port Arthur Other correspondents confirm the reports that the Japanese are suffer Ing because of the inclemency of the weather and a lack of tents.
 The Morning Post thinks 1t is impossi- ble to precisely locate the large .Aepanese force that is endeavoring to turn General
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-24
STALBED BY OPPONENT.
Dr.J. M. Spencer is Attacked by J
 R. Mcdonald.

Macon, Ga, September 23.-A spe- cial to the Telegraph from Waycross says that Dr. J. M. Spence, representa- tive from Ware county, was probably fatally stabbed near Waresboro by J. R. Mcdonald, who is opposing him as an independent.
 It Is said that Spence went to Mo Donald's home for the purpose of fore. ing him to sign affidavits withdrawing certain charges. and the cutting af fray followed. Owing to the promi' hence of lle parties concerned, there is considerable excitement over the affair."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-24
Disposition of Forces.

St. Petesburg. September S.-A dis patch received here today from Mukden gives details of the Japanese positions as follows:
 General Kuroki has concentrated one army with Bentziaputze and Bensipu as it's radius, and his advance is pushing forward along the road leading to Fushan and Flu Pass. The advance forces of two other armies occupy the Yentai mines, the village of Yentai and Sandanu
 "The front of these three armies Is pro- tected by an outpost screen which Chi nese are not allowed to pass A small Japanese detachment is moving along the left bank of the Liao river in order to protect Junks."
 The same dispatch reports that Chinese bandits are openly siding with the Jap anese The weather at Mukden is rainy and windy and cold mas prematurely set in,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-24

Reports about the floor having given away last year. are denied by the school trustees Rev. Fred Holman. George W. South, P. E. Acomb, Louis Brewer, James Lilley and Charles N. Aeomb.
 Repaired During Summer.
 They state that the floors were repaired during the summer vacation and noth- ing was wrong. Janitor Smith states that he had told members of the board that the place was not safe. Coroner Weaver had the wrecked girders preserved. lt is claimed that as soon as they wera dried out, they were found to rotten, and 1t is reported that one c. them was splic- ed. The girders will se brought to Gin cinnati tomorrow for examination at the inquest. Coroner Weaver examined many witnesses In Pleasant Ridge today and will continue the inquest until he is sat- isfied as to the cause of the disaster
 The dead:
 Lorfetta Fink aged 12 daughter of Henry Fink of the Schroth Packing com pany, Cincinnati
 Emma Steinkamp. aged B, daughter Of John Steinkamp.
 Amelia Hess, aged 9, daughter of H. D. Hess. dairyman.
 Martha Buhr aged s. daughter of Mrs. Ella Buhr.
 Edna F. Thee. aged 10, daughter of John Thee. blacksmith.
 Lillian Witham. aged 1S daughter of w. A. Witham, farmer.
 Hazel Glover aged s, parents dead, lives with grandmother, Mrs. Wolf
 Fausta Card, aged II. and Charmana. aged B, both daughters of William Card of the firm of Mccullough X Sons, cincn- natl.
 Stella Corliss, aged 10. who was among those rescued, is reported tonight to be in a dying condition.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-24
May Come to Pensacola.

Washington, September 23.-It has been suggested to the navy depart. ment that Florida bay would be an advantageous place to hold the regular annual target practice of the North Atlantic fleet, and the proposition is under consideration. It is expected strong pressure will be brought to bear to hold the target practice again at Pensacola, where it was held last March.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-24
ELECTRIC LIGHT ExPLoDEs.
Engineer On seaboard Is Killed By
 Headlight Explosion.

Columbus, Ga, September 23.-En- gineer w. L. Req of Seaboard Air Line work train was fatally injured at Richland this morning at 5:30 and died In Americus tonight at S:30, says a special to the Enquirer-Sun from those two points.
 The electric headlight on the en- zine exploded and a piece of flying iron struck the engineer on the head. The conductor on the same train had an arm, shoulder and three ribs broken, and his skull fractured, at Louvale on Wednesday.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-24
vEsUvlUs IS ACTIVE.
Citizens of Naples Are Awe-struck By
 Spectacular Display.

Naples, September 23.-Vesuvius is gradually growing more active and is continuously throwing up ashes and sparks of fire, which rise occasionally in immense volumes to a height of 700 feet, accompanied by loud detona- tions and slight earthquakes.
 The eruption tonight was the most spectacular witnessed in the last ten years. A great stream of lava was discharged, threatening wide destruc- tion. The spectacle was witnessed by thousands of awe-stricken persons.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-24
TENNESSEE MINERS REFUSE THE SCALE Union Men Will Lay Down
 Tools Today OFFICERS OPPOSED ST. .Ss$ For This Reason the M Soo4nnot Receive Anything . osshan
 Moral Support the
 .ationaI Organization.
OFFICERS OPPOSED SIT Ss5

, Knoxville, Tenn, Septen Der 23.-The miners of district No. 19, United Mine Workers have voted by an overwhelming majority against the acceptance of the operators proposal to reduce the wage scale about per cent. The official count of the vote which was given out this morning, is 1649 votes against acceptance and 56915 votes in favor of acceptance. Of the subordinate unions in the district thirty voted against acceptance and twelve in favor. The national officers of that the proposition be accepted and a strike be avoided.
 his afternoon at district headquarters of the United workers the following telegram was prep :. and ordered sent to each of the local unions throughout the district:
 Operators propositinca rejected. prac- tically three to one against accepting. This means a strike in sub-districts one. two and three.
 JOHN F. B0WDEN, President.
 "J. S. MCRACKEN, Secretary.
 District No. 19 has four sub-districts. In the fourth district the contract does not expire for some months, hence the men are not called out. It is believed that every union workman in the district will lay down his tools today in response to the notice sent. Secretary McCracken estimates that between 4OO0 and 45OO union men will go out. and between 1000 and 150O non-union workmen the latter on a sym pathetic strike or because they will not work at reduced wages.
 The mine workers are not in position to receive anything more than moral sup port from the national organization for the reason that the national officers coun- selled against the strike, and directed that the proposition of the operators be ac- cepted. The operators held a meeting this afternoon and resolved to run their mines at the wage scale offered the men in the recent conferences, ' per cent reduction Many of the operators believe that this step marks the beginning of the end of unionism throughout this district.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-24
Secrecy velIs Movements.

Secrecy veils the movements of the Japanese armies in Manchuria and little that is indicative of developments in the situation is permitted to reach the cor respondents. Apparently four Japanese armies are converging upon Mukden, but although the distance to be covered is not great, several days ere expected to elapse before there ensues battle with the froces under Generai ruropatkin.
 Improvement in the weather conditions Is regarded as advantageous to the Jap anese. There is no news from the drec- ton of Port Arthur, though It seems probable that fighting is in progress there.
 There is no confirmation of the report that the Russian cruiser Gromoboi has left Vladivostok in pursuit of Japanese transport
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-24
 Stiff Is knocked Out.

Baltimore, September 23.-Philadel- phia Jack" O'Brien knocked out Billy Stiff of Chicago in the second round of their twenty-round sparring exhibi- tion tonight before the Athletic and Social club. The men are middle weights, and fought at catch weight for a purse. O'Brien floored Stiff twice during the second round. Later he landed a swing to the jaw that sent Stiff down and out.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-24
rroops euard the Prizoner.

Tallahassee, Fla, September 23.- Adiutant General Foster today issued orders to the Jacksonville light in- fantry to act as a guard to the pris- oners recently arrested at Baxter, charged with being implicated in the murder of Deputy Sheriff Thrift. There are twenty-one prisoners, who will be taken for preliminary trial from Jack sonville to McClenny. It Is said that the state will ask a postponement, and that this will be opposed by the de- fcndants.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-24
Breaks HaIt-MiIe Record.

Allentown, Pa, September B. Before crowd of 10000 persons, Prince Alert today established new half-mile track record by pacing a mile in 2:031a without a wind shield at the Allentown fair races. He made better time at Bethlea last year. but a shield was then used. His time by quarters today was 0:29k, 0:32, O:31k, 0:301a.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-24

Kuropat tkin's left because Taling (Ta Pass). which means literally great pass is term applietd to numerous ridges and passes in Manchur.a. The paper how ever, supposes that its immediate ob- ject may be the coal mines of Fushan which must be south of the Hun river because the prejudices of the people of Mulkden are strongly against mining on the north bank of the river, for fear of disturbing the sleeping dragon that s supposed to inhabit .le range of mountain stretches east from Mukden toward ki- ren
 The correspondent at Kobe of the Daily Express telegraphing September 20, says the Japanese stopped British steamer in the Tsugaru strait and have taken her to Hakodate.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-24
KILLED BY CANNED GOODS.
Pastors Wife Dies as Result of Pto
 maine Poisoning.

Augusta, Ga, September 23--The Rev. Byron Woodward, pastor of the North Augusta Baptist church, is in a critical condition, and his wife died today as result of ptomaine poison ing. Three days ago they were taken violently i'll after eating canned goods which had been opened and left stand ing over night.
 Their two children vera not affActad-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-24
Cholera Has Disappeared.

Tsintau, September 24.-A Russian naval officer here has received official advices that Cholera has disappeared at Port Ar thur. Up to September 19 there were only a few cases, but there were grave fears that the disease would become epidemic.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-24
coIored samaritans Adjourn.

Indianapolis. September 2S.-The Nation al Council of Good samaratians. colored, closed it's session today. E. W. B. Curry of Urbano. O.. national grand chief, was reelected. Knoxville Tenn, was chosen as the next place for holding the bien- nial sAsAian of tho council
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-24
LeoaI Execution in New Orleans.

New Orleans, September 23.-The first legal execution here since 1893 occurred today, when Henry Johnson, a negro, was hanged for the murder of Louis Richards, his half-brother, last April.