davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-06-17
MEMPHIS IN THE GRASP
OF MIDSUMMER LANGUOR

When he sends his yellow Hood over miles
OF country and people flee for their lives,
then he has a different Voice, There Is
something ominous in his sullen roar and
his power inspires terror in those waiting
IN fear and hope behind the fraIl levees.
But now it is sumner time and the
Mississippi is in his most amiable mood.
He flows lazily along, majestic still, but
subdued. When the sun sets across the
river at Memphis and atmospheric condi-
tons happen to be right one may behold
natural picture that no artist could
equal with his brush. The Arkansas
landscape seems lonely ara deserted and
as the sun blazes over the rather deso-
late cotton fields one instructiveiy thinks
of MiIlet.
The warf, where the din of ths steam
boat traffic has resounded all day is
silent now and deserted. The blast Of
whistles, the rattle of freight trucks and
the shouts of negro drivers has ceased.
A deep silence envelopes the shore. Mem
phis is noted for its stiffness at night,
but nowhere is this quiet more impress
sive than along the river front There
is a striking contrast Between this twi-
light hour and the busy morning. There
is an inspiration in the great river AMI
it counsels peace to weary mortals II
one is weighted down with cares and
harassed by lifes petty annoyanees he
can think deeply and broadly in the
presence of the Mississippi The gran
deur dwarfs human affairs and the CEN
turtles it mas survived render the span of
a life almost too brief for consideration.
The river is always fascinating but
doubly so when it is aglow with saffron
hues and the calmness of a summer twi-
light rests upon its bosom.
As the declining orb sinks lower and
you continue beneath the spell of the
hour, it Is easy to forget that a great
city lies at your back. You ignore the
silent craft moored along the warf and
look out over the stream with musing
eyes You catch yourself gazing visit
fully over the bend half expecting tn see
a party o. Indian braves appear pad
ding their canoes down the stream just
as they did In the long ago, before the
white mans eyes had ever beheld the
Mississippi, before its waters had been
ploughed by steamboats, and before it
was hadnessed for the uses of commerce.
PAUL COCK.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-06-17

y " A NJ ". ass.' vs a.'" i. Mrs.. s'
present residing in Europe, as to
the next move in what is declared the
biggest will contest that ever too. place
in America is expected very soon by her
attorneys after which he fight for the
SEQ, 600 900 or more Of the late William
Weightman will be vigorously pushed.
The attorneys for Mrs. Walker, as well
as TO- Mrs. Jones Wister, who is making
the fight for her daughters, now declare
that there is little prospect for anything
but the bittercst fight that was ever waged
in American courts over the estate of
millions, and the dirty linen of the
Weightman family is to be washed in
the courts.
The friends of Mrs. Wister and her
launched the contest, state tLat they have
for months held Mrs. Wister off in the
hope that Mrs Walker would see the
Justice of providing for the children of
the two sons of the dead chemist, claim
ing that both John f. Weightman and
William Weightman, Jr., were partners
In the business and went to early graves
through their hard work in the chem
ical works
Some of her own attorneys and DR..
Norton, the husband of one of Mrs. Wis
ters daughters and who had the con-
fidence of Mrs Walker, are said to have
exhausted all their resources in endeav-
oring to have Mrs. Walker make such
provisions for her fathers grandchildren
as would put an end to the scandal that
must follow a contest in the courts.
They now admit that they have failed,
and that Mrs Walker when last heard
from, was determined to spend millions
rather than give up single penny of her
vast fortune to her brothers offspring
Unless she will change her determination
her attorneys will have to prepare for
the battle and fight up to the United
States supreme court, If the lower courts
decide against her
There is every indication that the fore
most legal talent in the country viii be
brought into requisition by both parties
to the contest and it is estimated that
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-06-17
IN HOTEL IoBBIEs
Impress9I With Birmingham.

The Cincinnati Times-Star says that the
merchants of that city are not aggressive
enough In the south, and that as con-
sequence business naturally tributary to
Cincinnati is going to St. Louis and CHI
eago
The Times-Star goes on to say that
Charles A Hinsch, the president of the
First National bank, discovered this state
of affairs during a recent visit to BIZ
mingham Mr.. Hinsch will call the atten p
ton of the Cincinnati Business Mems CLUB
to the neglect into which the queen
City's" natural market has fallen, ana
suggest that steps be taken toward re-
covering lost ground.
Mr.. Hinsch was very enthusiastic over
the business outlook In the south. He
said to a Times-Star reporter: 1T is
wrong for Cincinnati to neglect the SOUTH
The Cincinnati Southern railway was built
for the very purpose of helping our trade
with southern states yet Cincinnati man
ufacturers and merchants are allowing
themselves to be beaten out By st. Louis
and Chicago. / met many big business
men while l was in Birmingham They are
all friendly TO us and were surprised at
the lex of aggressive action for business
in that section. l talked with several
members of the Business Mems club to-
oay, and they suggested that l embody
what 1 discovered in a letter to the d.
rectors. It will be acted on tonight, and
l expect to see some campaign work
commence at once. | found the city of
Birmingham in a remarkable state of
prosperity. Building Is going on every
where, and the old houses are giving way
to modern, up-to-date sky-scfapers, and
everything is frst-class. The banks are
all in good condition and the business
men prosperous. The streets of the
city are wide and well paved and kept
In other cities there are the same con-
ditions, and it behooyes Cincinnati mer-
chants and manufacturers to go after the
business, especially as in the south Gin
einnati is recognized as it's natural mar
ket and the greatest friendship exists to
this city"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-06-17
FARM SOLD AT LOSS.
Mr.. Croker Quits His American Turf
Career.

Through the sale Thursday of his stock
fran at Richield Springs, near Saratoga,
Richard Croker marked his absolute re-
tirement from the American turf and
from all thingr connected with It, He
has now sold all his interests in the
sport Of horse racing in America.
Mr.. Crokers loss through the sale, for
he certainly has lost, is variously esti-
mated, but a conservative broker who
knows what expenditure there was at
Richfield placed 1t at about 100000. John
T. and James A. Farley, builders of this
city, are the buyers of the farm, and in
exchange they have given a six-story
ar basement store and loft building at
Nos. 4 and White street, extending
through to 2s9 West Broadway. The build
ing is on lot 4Ox75 feet with an L 25xeO.
and Is valued a. about $4,000. 1t Is all
rented and brings in a good income, but
it will take years to bring back what was
SINK in the stock farm.
Great plans which carried with them
the making of a leading racing center at
Richheld Springs. even surprising Sara
toga. were once entertained by Mr..
Croker, but they never materialized. With
former Senator Murphy he laid out the
farm into most attractive resort. A fine
residence and a large stable were built,
a half mile track was constructed with
an inclosed exercising track for bad
weather and plans were drawn for a
large clubhouse and the finest track In
tn. country. and there operations stopped.
I'll to that time Mr.. Rocker had put about
$500 900 into the scheme, including the
100000 he paid for the land in August
1890
The buyers of the property will not
themselves use the farm. but will resell it.
II is now stated by them that they have a
deal on for its sale to a man prominent
Ii, On sinrn racing circles
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-06-17
Salvation Army Picnic.

Many a child was made happy at the
Salvation Army outing today" remarked
gentleman last night who had seen
the picnickers. THE officersi in charge
of the work were interchangeable in their
efforts to give the poor children of the
city a day in the park, and their sue
cess must have been very gratifying.
From the childrens point of view 1t
was unqualinedly success. Every one
received two boxes of lunch, one In the
morning and the other in the afternoon
Lemonade and ice cream were album
dant. l think the pleasure of day on
the grass under the trees and permits
sion to play in the spring was enjoyed
quite as much as the picnic dinner.
These outings are annual features or
the army in all large cities. A great
many children never have day in the
country the entire twelve months, other
than the Salvation excursion gives them
No one who saw those children at North
Birmingham park could help but be as
sured of the kindness and brotherly love
of the Salyationists.'
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-06-17
Russia Must Fsot The Bills.

Now that Washington has been Sc
sions of the peace conference will be
held, the wise men are turning their
attention to the question Of indeIn-
nity. They are rendering japan rlon-
ty of unsought advice. 1t is, however,
evident that 1t is and will remain UNI
needed advice. Japan is no tyro In
diplomacy. She received bitter les
son from the Russian war with China
and the talent are wasting their gray
matter in Offering her advice at pres
ent.
The talent are concealing the fact
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-06-17
THE LIGHT OF OTHER DAYS.

Gouverneur Morris in Aladdin O'Brien."
Oh. shut and dark her window is
In the dark house on the HILL
But / have come up through the lilac
walk
To the Tilt of the whippoorwill,
With the old years Juggling at my hands
And my heart which is her heart still.
They said. 'You must come to the house
once more,
Ere the tale of your years be done,
You must stand and look up at her win
dow again,
Ere the sands of your life are run,
As the nighttime follows he lost day.
time,
And the heart goes down with the sun.
Though her window be darkest of every
one,
In the dark house on the hill.
Yet / turn to it here from this ruin Of
grass
She has leaned on that windows sill
And dark 1t is, but there is there II
An echo of light there still!
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-06-17
WEIGHTMEN WILL CONTEST
PROMISES TO BE BITTER

millions will be spent In the battle for the
big estate. Bankers. barrlsters and BUSH
ness men have for months tried their
utmost to bring the two main contest
ants together to settle their differences
without the publicity that must follow
a court proceeding, but Mrs. Walker
has stubbornly refused to give an inch.
For a time it was thought that the
proposition of one of PhiladeIphia's lead
ing men of affairs, which was that an
irrevocable trust be created, giving to
each Of the eight grandchildren of Mr..
Weightman 100000 at the death of Mrs.
Walker was being seriously considered
by her But when pressed for a decision
she is said to have declared that she
will not give up a dollar of her property,
as in doing so she would be placed in
the position of acknowledging that she
had used her influence with her father
to have him disinherit the grandchildren.
After considerable argument Mrs. Wis
ter was induced to consider compro-
mise that would give to her children
reasonable sum after the death of Mrs.
Walker, but she is now said to have made
up her mind that nothing but a third Of
the estate for each CT the two dead sons
heirs will satisfy her.
She is reported to be ready to prove
that John f. and William, Jr., were full
partners with their father ir the chem
ical works at the time Of their death, and
that as such they were entitled - their
share of the profits. Mrs. W.ster. it is
said. will show that these profits kept
by William Weightman, Sr., were so in
vested as to make his millions in real
estate and other investments besides the
big earnings of the chemical works.
Documents In her possession, it is
claimed, will tend to show by statements
from Mr.. Weightman that he was in
capacitated from making a will. Mr..
Weightman is said to have written to
his daughter-in-law. Mrs. Wister. that he
had spells of mental alteration and also
that he had written to her that Mrs.
Walker and her husband. now deceased.
had used their influence against his do
ing what he desired for his grandchil-
dren.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-06-17
Birmingham and Brunswick.

From the LAGRANGE Gao Reporter.
Superintendent of Construction Alex
Bonnyman and Chief Engineer Olney with
large force of hands are here making
the permanent survey through the city
for the Atlanta, Birmingham and Attain
tic, and Civil Engineer Burgess has a
force running the line through to Bir-
mingham.
The contract for the construction Of
the road through the city and one mile
beyond the limits has been let to RESPONSE
BILE contractors, and work will begin
soon.
force is now grading this side of
Talbotton and expect TO reach LAGRANGE
by August or September, and 1t is thought
that trains will be running into La
Grange early next spring
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-06-17
Cruisers and Submarines.

While the diplomats are arranging
the terms of peace the specialists are
endeavoring to ascertain whether bat
tleships or cruisers were the more eff
ficient in Togo's great victory, and
also whether he actually employed in
his deadly task submarines.
1t is unnecessary to linger over the
former, for the modern armored cruis-
er is in all essential respects battle
ship. They are SO nearly alike that
the landsman at any rate cannot tell
which is which" Even English ma
val experts say that is now impossi-
BILE to distinguish between a battle
ship and a first-class armored cruiser.
A recent English comparison is thus
presented:
Battleship. Cruiser.
Displacement ............ 1900 1850
Length. ,................." 457 4S0
Breadth. .................. rs 1916
Horse power ..,.,......... $1,000 % 500
Speed. ...........,.......,,. 1Sm %
MISUNDERSTANDING 12-in. bl. guns,
9.2-in. bl guns 10 Gin. b.l, guns, etc
cruiser. e.2-in. bl guns, 7.5-in. bl
guns, etc.
The evolution of the cruiser seems
to be an admission that the battleship
is, after ALL the true type of force in
war, and when the Japanese are
ready to tell the entire story of the
battle of the Sea of Japan 1t will, per-
haps, be seen that the bigger and the
stronger the ship the better she could
fight In battle The cruisers built
today are, in fact, battleships of the
second, or possibly Of the third, class.
No one knows how many, If any,
submarines were used by the Japa-
nese. The Russians are ready to say
the japanese used great many, for
they received many Unexpectedly
hard bumps, but no one is ready 10
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-06-17
. EMPH1s, June 17-(speeial.-The
u languor characteristic Of all
river towns In snnna.r nrna..-

V languor characteristic Of all
river towns in summer arpar-
entity has Memphis in its grasp. slumber
turks IN the atmosphere. and when the
sun beats down at noon on the hot pave
ments there is little incentive to stir
about
Main street is quiet, but Memphis is not
tagging behind. Two handsome sl1yscrap-
ers are now in course of erection. One
is a sixteen-story structure, being put
up for the Tennessee Trust company,
while the other Is a fifteen-story build
ing bearing the name of the Memphis
Trust company.
There is not much to Memphis snve the
grand old Mississippi and Main street.
Everything takes place on Main street.
All the business is done there, and all
the important stores in town line this
thoroughfare All the pretty girls are
to be seen on Main street. rIere elegant
equipages parade md one can observe
the towns throbbing life.
But the riverl That is the only feature
of life in Memphis that makes the town
attractive. All river towns are interest
ing, especially the cities, and Memphis is
no exception to this rule. The Mississippi
flows as grandly today as 1t did 200 years
ago, when the Indians held sway in a
virgin land. From t9e Memphis side one
can look across to Arkansas, and in sum-
mer the sun sets behind the majestic bend
which the river makes just before reach
ing Memphis.
In the twilight of a summer ,vening,
just as the sun is going down and the
heavens are FURNISHED with its dying rays,
it is a rare pleasure to stroll down to the
Memphis wharf and study the Mississippi
The river Is tinted a ruddy gold and the
reflection of the sun from Its surface
seems to light up the heavens with addi-
tional splendor The huge, yellow stream
seems to be so still and So quiet that
it is devoid of movement. but you are
undeceYed by the floating debris-logs
stumps, trees and driftwood of all kinds
tnat Is swept along by the powerful cur
rent And If you listen you will hear
the Mississippi whispering. Tie eddics
ripple and purr, the currents swish softly
and the river speaks with a hundred
voices.
When the Father of Waters is aroused.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-06-17
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR

From the New York Press,
There is always room at the top, but
no way to get there.
People always have good manners when
they tell you how superior you are to
others.
The first thing a young girl does is 10
begin to suspect that the bronze figure
of the man in the parlor is trying to
fiirt with her
There is so much natural cussedness In
some men that they would rather make a
l0-cent piece crookedly than a dollar bill
fairly.
"A woman has an idea that If man
could be made to brush his hair the
way she wants him to. he would be much
more successful in business.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-06-17
SONG TWICE A FAILURE.

From the New York Sun.
The song called 'Oh. Promise Me-" with
which the fame of the late Jessie Bartlett
Davis was associated chiefly, was written
first for high soprano, and in that
form made very little impression 1t was
next tried as tenor number in the
opera, but still failed to arouse any en-
thusiasin at the early performances OF
robin Hood" in which II was not a.
first part of the score The song might
have been dropped from the opera alto
gether had not Mrs. Davis been allowed
to try it, as her own role contained no
number which she thought suited to her
voice. The song was accordingly trans
posed and became a most successful part
of the opera.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-06-17
Hobson's Choice.

From the Vernon Democrat.
Mr.. L. B. Musgrove can't tell for the
life of him what to run Hobson for. A
few days ago he had him out for Con-
gress in this district. Now he seems
to think that the governorship would
suit Mr.. Hobson better. One thing. how
ever, he Is sure of and that is he win
be elected no matter what he runs for.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-06-17
ON THE RUN.

From the Bunson (Kan) Booster.
Trenton now has a curfew law. and all
the old maids hurry to skate home before
1t rings o'clock for fear some near
sighted policeman will take them to be
under 16 and pinch them.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-06-17

that Germany took from France not
only Alsace and Lorraine, but also a
billion of dollars, and the war lasted
but three months. They never men,
ton the fact that Russia took in 1873
slice of Turkey, and also an indem.
nifty of $17S,o00.000. They especially
conceal the fact that after a brief and
bloodless war the allies took from
of which amount the chief hog. Rus.
STA, got slSa,O00,000. after selling Man.
churia. These events of the past are
never mentioned by the wiseacres.
who are saying that Japan should be
moderate" and all that.
II Germany had right to take
billion dollars from France, when
France had not been in the least ag-
gressive, has not Japan a right to
demand a like sum on account of a
VII AoiASN upoi uSl ny iluSSldu d5
gressions in the far east--a war much
longer and much more expensive than
the FrancoPrussian war. This is the
question before the house. and the
men who are urging Japan to be
moderate are not discussing it.
Advice, however, is useless. ia
pans plans are as well thought out
in diplomacy as in war, and whatso-
ever she demands in the way of In
demnity will be conceded. The in
ternal condition of Russia is daily
becoming worse, and Russia is in no
position to resist Japan If she says
that Russia must foot the bills in
var brought on by her own greed.
arrogance and shortsighted duplcity.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-06-17
The Convention system.

From the Hamilton News.
The politicians of Alabama had better
let the rotten convention system alone.
The men who make an effort to force
this upon the people will be left out
in the cold just so sure as the people find
out that they favored such a move.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-06-17
HISTORY REPEATED.

From Harpers Weekly.
A learned clergyman was talking with
an illiterate preacher who progressed to
despise education.
you have been to college. I suppose?'
asked the latter.
IL have, SIR" was the curt answer.
81 am thankful" said the ignorant one.
that the Lord has opened my mouth to
preach without learning
"A similar event occurred in Balaam's
time" was the retort
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-06-17

ovens already at work, and more under
construction. The Fayette County Inde-
pendent Coke company with some OF the
finest <londyke coal under control, is
also to be absorbed, and every foot of
available coal land in Clearfield, Cambria
and northern Somerset counties have
been gobbled, with part of the Westmore-
land county field
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-06-17

From the Marion Standard.
Go and look at the tobacco growing
in Perry county and you will be con-
vineed that the Standard makes no mis-
take when it says plant tobacco"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-06-17

Japan is as alert in diplomacy as IN
war. She got a severe jolt from Rus
sian duplicity ten years ago at the
end Of the war with China. She de-
clines another jolt.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-06-17

IL. Durham should be crowned king
of grafters. He even exceeds the
Dingley crowd in greed He took
money from filtration, which meant
pure water for the babies of Philadel-
mia
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-06-17

Norway and Sweden did not con-
slider the arms and ammunition in
dustry when they settled peaceably
their differences.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-06-17
ALABAMA PRESS
Dead Mems Shoes.


From the Greenville Living Truth.
Waiting for dead mems shoes may
not seem the particularly nice thing to
do but that is what some Alabama poll
tieians are doing.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-06-17

Ex-Gov. Bob Taylor will get the
senatorship If fiddling can win 1t, for
he can tie one hand behind him and
outhGdle his opponent.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-06-17

Secretary Hay is at home again,
but the country will not be fully saved
until King Aldrich resumes at the
Uingley headquarters.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-06-17

Banker Bigelow absorbed $1,500,000
and he got ten years in the peniten-
tiary for doing 1t, or $150000 year.
This beats Paul Morton, or even jim
ME Hyde in his halcyon days.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-06-17

Two grafters, grand duke and an
admiral, in Russia have stepped down
and out, but there are hundreds of
other grafters still in power.