davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-06-03
IdIers Make Remarks.

"As I was returning from the conn mencement exercises at the Jefferson the atre last night I was greatly annoyed by a number of loafers seated in front of a hotel who made audible remarks about every girl and woman who passed" said A. lawyer last night. "Of course there was a great crowd of ladies out to at tend the exercises of the high school, in addition to the graduates, and these were made the target for coarse jests and inso- lent remarks as they passed along in front of the hotel,
 Now as a matter of fact guests of ho- teis and loafers should not be permitted to sit out on the sidewalk, but the GUS tom has been long established in the south and no complaint will ever be made so long as nothing objectionable is done, although at best 1t Is something of an ordeal for a lady to pass a crowd of interested strangers occupying chairs In front of a hotel.
 steps have already been taken to keep loafers from standing about the hotel corners and think there should be some remedy for the nuisance I have referred to- Frequently the men you find seated before the hotel belong to the worst element in town and are not guests of the hotel at all As 1t is they sometimes make themselves very objectionable to pedestrians"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-06-03
First Cotton Blooms.

The first cotton bloom of this season was reported from Healing Springs, Washington county. It appeared May 30 and last year the first bloom in this state was not seen until June 9-at Cocoa, Choctaw county.
 The first cotton bloom in Georgia was picked at Arabi, near Cordele, May 31. The earliest bloom in all the previous cotton years in Georgia ap- peared on June 6, and the record is therefore outrun this year a full week.
 May cotton blooms were perhaps never before known in either Georgia or Alabama. They are not frequent in any state, not even in southwestern Texas. Dry weather and early plant ing and high fertilization and good cul tivation have hurried the plant along until at last blooms in May have be come possible.
 . The May blooms point to early cot ton. A bloom in May means open cot ton about July 15, possibly a weel earlier, if the weather be hot and fay orable.
 The first blooms do not determine much except that the growing crop is coming on rapidly in the lower half ol this state. In Northern Alabama the plant is but fairly started, and the frs bloom will not appear before July 15 The late blooms of summer are as goot as even May blooms, but when the bol weevil arrives the May bloom will have a distinct advantage over the late com CTS.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-06-03
Missed His Train.

T had rather amusing experience the other day, and one that vexed me not a little Into the bargain" said travelling man. T was hastening down the street to catch train, and glancing up at the courthouse clock I saw that had about twenty minutes and slackened my pace accordingly. I had a little business to attend to In town, and as soon as 1 came to Second avenue I glanced up at the postoffice clock, and was astonished to find that it was already time for my train to leave, and I was two blocks from the station. Glancing about l was still more bewildered to see the dial of a jeweler's 8 timepece which stated in a very matter of-fact way that. provided 1t was not late, my train had been gone ten minutes.
 Tn order to solve the question as speedily as possible I made bee line for the station, and got there just as my train was pulling out.
 This little incident caused me to re- fleet. Clearly none of those clocks hap pened to be with railroad time that day, and none of them was keeping approxi- mately the same time. Of course no one expects all the clocks in town to run to- gether, but I have come to the conc.usion that it is very unsafe to trust to more than one at time, and henceforth I will stick to one clock, be the consequences what they may"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-06-03
A STARTLING COSTUME.
snith in New York Press.

Victor Smith in New York Press.
 Occasionally you see a woman and a costume so strikingly harmonious that it Is not possible to say which is the more attractive. Then again, you see all dress and no woman, all woman and no dress Mrs Johnson's camel's-hair crea- tion of 1884 which a life-szed peacock was embroidered, startled Fifth avenue as it never was startled before or since. Passers-by stopped and audaciously stared at It. Carriages paused so that their occupants might gaze upon it. The other afternoon there was a new sensa tion. A woman whose name I could not learn, stunning brunette in ''voile." the latest fashionable goods, had a small [ menagerie in her tight fitting skirt The animals-a chimpanzee, an orang outane. a python, black leopard, a crocodile and several lizards, including a Gna monster-were woven into the texture of the cloth in colors sufficiently contrast ing to produce a startling effect. She at- tracted as much attention as a police parade.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-06-03

lected and shamefully hithy condition" They are so filthy fish cannot live in them. and tho mosquitoes breed on their waters undisturbed. The mos quitoes afflict the heart of the upper districts of the great city, carrying ma laria germs and other disease germs wherever they go
 In Jones valley the mosquito season does not begin until July, but when it is once lnaueurated the pesky insects lose no time Tn annoying sleepers and in inoeulating them with all the disease germs they can pick up. The mos- quito was unknown in Jones valley tif- ty years ago, and it never came here until it was invited to come by accum- ulattons of filth and stagnant water. Let no one think the pest comes un- invited. It does not. It must be offered breeding places and filth-food before IL Will come. It came here fully in- vited, and it will keep on coming while we maintain stagnant pools and rub bish heaps of filth.
 As the century advances sanitation will be largely advanced and the mos quito will be driven out and kept out, hut l.. ment we invite, instead of repelling, the mosquito. What cannot at present be cured must be endured, and we may as well get ready to meet with a smile the annual influx of germ-bear- ing insects, the deadliest known to mankind.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-06-03
The ancient saying Is no heresy: Hanging and wVing go by destiny
 Merchant of Venice.
District Attorney Jerome.

Of all the men conspicuously before the public eye today none Is more in- teresting than District Attorney Je- rome of New York. He is the Joe Folk of Gotham in some respects, but whether he will profit by his strenuous efforts for reform, like the Missourian, by receiving higher political honors, remains to be seen. The chances are that he will, for despite the unpopu- ularity he has incurred among the worse element of the metropolis he is recognized by men of principle as a strong, vigorous official who is trying to do his duty as he sees it, be the cost what it may. He spoke and the West ern Union Telegraph company decided to shut off it's pool room service. He issued orders for the suppression of gambling in New York, and since the day he began his campaign art-loving Dick" Garfield has never felt safe and Reggie" Vanderbilt has led a dogs life, figuratively speaking.
 Although the adventures of MT. Je- rome with young Vanderbilt and Rich ard Garfield are rather amusing and have been rendered decidedly so by the newspapers, there is yet stern purpose in his pursuit of these two gentlemen and it is probable that both of them fear to come within the grasr of the active district attorney At least we hear of Vanderbilt riding through New York in an automobile disguised as a chauffeur and Canfield has been keeping himself very quiet of late.
 Truly 1t may be said that the stern figure of Jerome sits upon the lid in Gotham, beneath which Dr. Parkhurst has peered on duty bent and the Tam many tiger is said to be imprisoned.
 Although it is certain that MT. Je- rome has hau very hard road to travel since he decided to bring about reforms in New York, he has never theless accomplished a great deal for the city and has made his name a ter TOT for all evil doers. Whether he will succeed in carrying out his most am bilious plans remains to be seen, and whether he win ever be prominent candidate for une presidency is another question. E
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-06-03
FLOCK OF TURKEYS.
Ate Whiskey-Soaked Corn. and. En
 joyed Glorious "Toot."

 From Alburtis Cor. Baltimore Sun.
 Soldering up after a bad night of it the fine turkeys on the farm of Joseph Hen drix near this place. are going around today showing every indication of hav- ing a bad headache Some one had mixed whiskey with their food, and for time the actions of the whole flock were some- thing scandalous.
 Mir Hendrix came to town yesterday to make some purchases and open nego- tiations for the sale of one of the fat test f1ocks of turkeys ever raised in this section. When he was away some joker fed whiskey-soaked corn to the turkeys. On his return MT. Hendrix found his household In great excitement, the women having locked themselves up in the garret.
 The old gobbler, they said had sud- denly gone crazy. and the whole flock followed suit. They gobbled fought. tore around the yard. and then one by one. fell dead. If MT. Hendrix mt be- lieve it he could look out in the back yard There, lying where they had fallen in all sorts of helpless positions, were the turkeys, all stiffened out The far mer examined them, and, finding no trace of injury. decided they had been poisoned.
 Hendrix with heavy heart, worked for an hour digging trench deep enough to hold 27 fat turkeys. He tossed a few of them in, then reached for the gobbler, when that old fellow opened one eye, winked at him, then went to sleep again. investigation showed that every turkey was blind drunk. Later they all recov- cred but were in danger of bursting from drinking too much water in sobering of.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-06-03
Truck Earminn in Alabama.

Tn some of the counties of this state the scarsity of farm labor has forced the farmer to cultivate fewer acres. and to seek at the same time crops that yield larger profit to the acre. This movement brought in truck farming, and it is a blessing in dis guse.
 Culman county is a case in point. There is not large farm in the coun- ty. Few are more than two-horse farms, and the most independent farm CTS are those who cultivate well from ten to fifteen acres. Such farmers grow potatoes, chickens, strawberries, dewberries, apples, peaches, hay, corn, small grains, and early vegetables. Such products cause a steady stream of money to flow into the county, and today there is not a more prosperous and contented county in this state than Cullman.
 The small farm, on which a diversity of crops is raised is the hope of Ala bama. The climate gives the Alabama truck farmer great advantages. His products go to market early in the season when prices are high. The country has become so populous there is no danger of over production, and the home market in the mineral dis trict is constantly widening, and 1t alone will soon call for all the eggs, chickens, milk, vegetables and fruits I that North Alabama can produce. Three hundred thousand people in the mineral counties will soon consume the products of Northern Alabama, and Cullman has today good market near by. A county like Cullman does not fear the boil weevil It is independent alike of insects and cotton bears. It has adapted better products and bet ter method of farming, and it has no desire to return to cotton and slovenly farming. Careful preparation of few acres is better than the strewing of high-priced fertilizers over many acres.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-06-03
ExTENUATlNe CIRCUMSTANCES

From the New York Tribune.
 The Indians all knew Senator opav os their friend. few months ago a prettv Indian girl, from somewhere away out west, journeyed to Washington to secnra the kindly offices of Senator Quay in nro- curing a pardon for her brother. He had committed murder. Senator Quay listened to her story and then asked:
 Were there any extenuating circum- stances connected with the snootjnpqu
 Yes, my brother killed at 5oo vards :, said the maiden
 This brought a ray of hope to the sen ator. He thought that any man who could kill at 800 yards would appeal to the President. Attorney General Knox was visited. MT. Quay said: T have never asked you for anything since you have been in office. I now want something. I desire pardon for this Indian''
 The case was carried to the President and he was told of the extenuating cir cumstances. There were probably others than his fine shooting, for the Indian was pardoned.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-06-03
FOUND HE WAS DEAD"
Pittsburg Dispatch.

From the Pittsburg Dispatch.
 Dead" was the entry he saw oppo- site his name in the pay books of the city controller the other afternoon, when Special Officer James A. Noon, of the Oakland police force, appeared before the window to get his months salary, Sew eral employees of the public safety depart ment went to city hall at Moons urgent request and persuaded the clerks that as Noon was neither ghost nor a crook he was entitled to some of the city, s money.
 Noon explained. that his life for the last few weeks has been made miserable. owing to the fact that policeman named James A. Moon, also of No sta ton. had died; that many people thought a mistake had been made in the name and imagined that Noon was dead. Noon's sister even came from Cam bridge Springs to attend the expected funeral
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-06-03
DELICATE SENSE OF TOUCH.
Faculty Blind John SIavin Acquired
 In Late Years.

From the Philadelphia Press.
 John J. slavan, who was known famil- iarly the length of Lombard street as "Blind Jack" died the other day of pneu- monia and ended a remarkable and ad- venturous life.
 Slavan was born a slave in Alabama. He escaped from slavery and made his way into Pennsylvania by way of Cum berland county's Underground railroad" and along it was passed down through the Lancaster county branch of that great system until he reached Philadel- least fifteen years ago. however Slavan went blind and managed to live only as sort of watchman for a small shop on Lombard street, but he so bravely made the best of the bargain and so wisely overcame the difficulties which fate had thrown in his way that he was soon the shops errand boy, and later one of its regular clerks behind the counter.
 He was the most useful man around my place." said his employer. His sense of touch was wonderful. By it ha could make correct change In both paper and silver money-it was impossible to fool him. He knew just where every article was kept and had no trouble in finding anything a customer wanted He knew every telephone number we used and he could walk all over the city with nothing but his stick to guide him.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-06-03
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Saved From Pistol Toters.

We have an interesting collection of weapons taken from prisoners at police headquarters, said a patrolman last night. "As you may guess, the larger part of our arsenal consists of pistols of every shape and size which have been taken away from 'toters' in many walks Of life, although most of the owners are negroes. We keep the weapons stored in the safe at headquarters and there are some very curious specimens among them. including several pistols of very ancient make. There is every style of shooting iron from the deadly looking blues teel six-shooter to little nickle-plated toys that can be concealed in the palm of the hand. Some of the pistols have quaint, wooden stocks and a bayonet att tachment for use at close quarters, others have very old chambers, and still others are fired like q cap pistol, by putting the cartridge in the breech and then pulling the trigger Of course these pistols are as well as esngerous.
 : hen we have all kinds of knives ana dlrks that look dangerous when first taken away from desperate negroes and tramps. Some of these knives are valuable but most of them are practically worthless. except to take a mans life, and nearly all of them Will do that easily.
 However, the ristol is by far the most popular weapon Il the criminal class of Birmingham There are five pistols found to one knife and when you remember that every weapon represents big fine and long time in jail you can readily see that they bring quite handsome revenue, for the limit of the law is near ly always given tc pistol toters in Bir- mlnghnm.v -
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-06-03
To Reclaim Marsh Lands.

B. F. Holcomb of Boston Is at the Hill man. enroute from Louisiana to his home in the east. MT. Holcomb is an expert geologist and has been spending several months on the Gulf of Mexico inspecting the marsh lands for Boston cap,taI,sts with a view of reclaiming these lands.
 MT. Holcomb Is well informed on the subject. having visited every state in the union and making a special study of the soil He said Tn my opinion some of the most fertile lands we have in this country will be found in the marshes. The work of reclamation can be pattern- ed after the plan practiced In Holland" !"
 MT. Holcomb believes that majority of the marshes can be reclaimed for $25 per acre. Tn Holland" he said 1t was necessary to build a twenty-foot leyee to insure protection from the tidal wave in St. Bernard parish La, ten- foot leveo would be sufficient for pro- lection from the tidal wave. The richest lands known Is reclaimed soil. In Hol- land some of the reclaimed sea land is rented for as much as SD0 per acre.
 MT. Holcomb is of the opinion that when all our marshes are reclaimed and put into cultivation the mosquito pest will disappearA He states that the marshes breed mosquitoes. He crticises Secretary Wilson severely for attempt- ing to get rid of the boil weevil by theo- ries rather than by common sense. 'The only cure for the boil weevil" he stated lis a rotation in crops. In this way they can be starved out. The government will never take a hand in retaining these lands as long as Secretary Wilson is at the head of the agricultural department He stated to me that it is not the inten- tion of his department to take in hand the reclamation of these marsh lands'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-06-03
SONG OF SENTIM ENT.

By James E. Timmons The golden beams of my dearest dreams, The light from thy sweet eyes Are brighter far than the evening stnr That gems the evening skies. The sweetest of girls
 With flowing curls, I've stolen your feart away,
 And I'll be true My love to you
 "Fcrever and a day" The sweet perfume of the violet's bloom, 7 And the roses blushing hue Are sweeter to me, since it's sweet 70 DO The dearest of all to you. I'll sing to you
 Meath the arching blue We'll part, sweetheart, no, never;
 When the daylight dies In the evening skies.
 I'll sing. Love lasts forever" Opelika. Ala.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-06-03

which he hopes will permit him to thrust aside for all time the hated title of ''ac- cidental President" In the meantime the democrats will endeavor to keep him an accidental President as long as he lives.
 It is believed that the press has about succeeded in choking off the annual crop of spring poets. The season Is fairly well advanced now and the bards have done about all that any one could reasonably expect of them. considering the fact that they had to look after the war in the far east and pay their respects to the Japan csc Hobsons. It is probable that the poets will now turn their attention to the poIit- ical campaign, the ice man, the frozen north the June bride. the ocean voyage and other kindred subjects which permit of rhyme.
 Elijah" Dowie is now in Switzerland, where he is having what is vulgarly called high old timeY and Is incl dentally making a number of converts In fact the prophet is doing very good business in spite of adverse criticisms of his junket abroad, and the fact that Zion City came very near falling into permanent bankruptcy apparently has but little effect on those who are now yielding to the persuasive eloquence of Elijah IT." One can not but think what a fine real estate agent the prophet would make in private life.
 A New York policeman has ostracised himself by purchasing an automobile.
 His scandalzed comrades could hardly believe their eyes when they saw him riding along in the hated vehicle, but the cooper" insisted on his ownership and has now become a full fledged chauf- feur. Perhaps the hardworked patrol- man got tired of chasing other people who were riding too rapidly in automo- piles and decided to taste the forbidden pleasure himself, although it is hardly probable that he will ever be guilty OF speeding, in view of the fact that he has seen the evil effects of such conduct in the past.
 The vaudevillians are abroad in the land From hundreds of summer theat- CTS their voices roll forth upon the even ing air and the sound of Dutch conver- sation Is heard. There is a deal of sing ing and dancing everywhere. The strong men are lifting up their huge dunn bells, the acrobate are Hopping about merrily and the lady coon shouter is singing as she never sang before. Verify the vaude- william is hard worked genius.
 It is remarkable that some palpitating bard has not yet favored us with tear full eulogy of the "old swimming hele'' where we sported in our glad, careless youth. Although the old swimming hole was often mere mud hole in which there were toads, snakes and malaria, we all cherish a warm spot for it in our hearts and few lines on the subject would be received gratefully. PC.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-06-03
Great Mosuuito Year.

From the oyster reefs of Louisiana come reports that the mosquitoes are unusually numerous and venomous. From New Jersey, and even from New York city came like reports, modified by the climate. The ponds in Central park in New York city are, says the Evening Post, "in deplorably neg