davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-18
l. & N is Destroyed Causing
 Loss of $35O,OOO
FREIGHT DEPOT IS SAVED
Defective Insulation on Electric Wires In Top Story Is Thought to Have Caused the cantagra-
 tion.

Louisville, July 1.-The union passenger station at Tenth and Broadway was de- stroyed by fire tonight entailing loss of over ss0,oOo. The amount of insur- ance is not known. The fire was discov- cred about 9:3o o'clock on the top floor of the four-story stone structure. and although every fire engine in the city except the reserves was on the scene In half an hour, the flames gained steadily and two hours after the start the building was eaten to shell, only the walls be- ing left standing.
 Fortunately the fire occurred at time when few trains were scheduled to ar- rive or depart. and only a small crowd of passengers was in the building. There was no panic and no casualties ensued. Defec- tive insulation on electric wires is thought to have caused the fire.
 The loss was confined to the passenger station proper, the Louisville and Nash vile freight depot standing along side being saved by the firemen. The train shed was saved and the terminals were not obstructed.
 The fire caused small interruption to traffic on the Louisville and Nashville, Pennsylvania and Monon railroads, the three companies using the union depot. and baggage handled at the union depot, Seventh and Water. and the Fourteenth street depot.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-18
RYAN AGREES TO
 SELL BACK STOCK
WILL TURN IT BACK TO EoUlT- ABLE AT SAME PRICE HE PAID FOR IT WITH INTEREST AT ( PER CENT.

New York, July 17.-From a circular let' ter of the Equitable Life Assurance so- ciety 1t was learned today that Thomas r. Ryan, who recently purchased the stockho1dings of James H. Hyde. has made an agreement with the three trus- tees of the Ryan holdings and the newly elected directors to sell the stock he pur- chased back to the Equitable society.
 This sale Is to be made as soon as pos sible, it is stated, and MT. Ryan has agreed to turn it into the society, thus thoroughly mutualizing 1t, for the same sum he paid for it, $2,5Oo0OO plus 4 per cent interest between the date or fIs pur- chase and the sale.
 It was stated that numper of the new ly chosen directors those selected by Grover Cleveland, Judge Morgan J. O'Brien and George Westinghouse. accept ed posts in the directorate only after they had been assured most empnaticalIy that such an agreement was In view. and that such an agreement existed between Ryan and the three trustees.
 There was a meeting Of the executive committee of the society today, hut at it's conclusion Chairman Morton said there was no business of any moment trans- acted
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-18
SWIM THE RAPIDS
 AT NIAGARA FALLS
TWO MEN SUCCESSFULLY PER- FORM THE FEAT WITH THE AS SIG ANCE OF LIFE BELTS AND INFLATED RuBsER RINGS.

Niagara Falls, N. r., July T-Carllsle D. Graham of this city and William J. Glover, Jr, of Baltimore, successfully swam the lower rapids of the Niagara river from the American side of the whiri- pool to Lewiston this afternoon Ihe distance of four miles was covered m twenty-six minutes by Glover. The start was made at 402 p. m from Flat hock' which is on the American side. The sWim- mers did not venture in the upper rapids where Captain Webb lost his life.
 Both men wore life belts and inflated rubber rings around their neeks. From the start Glover took the lead. He en- tered the rapids about min,te ahead pf Graham. Until the Devil's Hole was reached the swift current and roaring rapids had the swimmers in their grasp. At that point swirling eddy caught Glover and he was down nearly two min utes. His life belts saved him. Graham by this time had gained on Glover, and when the two men reached the end of the rapids just above the suspension bridge at Lewiston there was but little dls- tance between them. Swimming in the swift. smooth current was hard for Gra- ham but evidently easy for Glover. At 4;2S Glover was pulled up on the dock at Lewiston. He was dressed and about fifteen minutes later was telling his story.
 Graham was taken to hotel In wagon and did not leave until late in the af- ternoon. Neither of the men was injured. Graham swan the lower rapids twice before. first on September [ 1901, and again on August 31. 1902. He is about 55 years of age. while Glover is about S5
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-18
ALEXANDER IS IN
 BAD CONDITION
The Greatest Secrecy Has Been Main tained as to the Nature of
 His Illness.

New York, July 7-James w. Alex arder. former president of the Equitable Life Assurance society, is in a critical condition in Unkaway sanitarium within three miles of The Oaks, the summer residence of James Ii. Hyde. Attended by nurses and his own physician, the patient Is rarely conscious of his sur roundlngs and requires constant attention. The precise nature of MT. Alexander's s illness Is more or less conjectural, but Il has become known that he originally suf- fered from kidney affection, has had slight apoleetic stroke and later exhibited symptoms of nervous prostration.
 Secrecy of an extraordinary nature has been observed by the immediate family of MT. Alexander. So strict has been the observance of this secrecy that even James H. Hyde was unaware of the close proximity of his former associate and chief
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-18
PLEA FOR VOTES
 THINLY YELLED
NEGRO SAYS EscH-ToWNsEND BILL WILL DO AWAY WITH THE SEPARATE COACH BILL IN THE SOUTH.

Washington, July 17.-(Special) )-Those opposed to railroad rate legislation can be depended upon to use for all 1t is worth the allegation that the passage of the Esch-Townsend bill or a similar measure will do away with the separate coach law in the south. Evidently for southern con- sumption, negro rejoicing in the name of Rutherford B. Hayes Jones'" has communication in a local newspaper to- day declaring that tour beloved Presi- dent Roosevelt Is advocating railroad rate legislation," is striking at one of the greatest discriminatlons against the ne- gro, that of the denying him equal priv ileges in railway coaches, dining and sleeping cars in interstate travel"
 Jones urges all negroes to vote for can didates for Congress who favor railroad legislation regardless of their politics. Such communications as these sent by the negro Jones will have no effect on the issue one way or the other.
 Their purpose, the influencing of south- ern congressman to vote against railroad legislation. Is too thinly yelled to be eff fectiVe.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-18
CLARK DOING WELL.
All Indications Point to Recovery of
 Montana Senator.

New York July 17-With the most NStical period. the forty-eight hours im- mediately following the operation safely passed this afternoon. the illness of Sem ator William A. Clark of Montana prom ised happy termination. At the end of that period no complications had develop ed. and the progress of recovery was un- interrupted. The senator was strong. bright and cheerful as had been the case since the operation for the removal of an abscess of the brain Saturday. The patients temperature continued slightly below the 100 mark, and his pulse re- mained normal.
 Dr. James D. McKernon. who performed the operation, said this afternoon that all the indications were most favorable to the patient
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-18
FOUR DEATHS IN CHICAGO.
Low Humidity Is Responsible for the
 Few Fatalities.

Chicago, July 17.-Four deaths and fourteen prostrations were the result of the great heat today. A low humidity which prevailed throughout the day. was responsible for the few fatalities. The mercury reached 94 at 1:3o in the after noon and remained there until 3:30 when it commenced to decline.
 breeze that blew off the lake between and o'clock sent the mercury III that hour from 91 to 75' and the evening was comparatively pleasant. According to tho health department the excessive heat for the last two days has been respon- sible for the mortalities among the in- fants, fifteen deaths above tne norman deaths having been reported TOT ester day and today
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-18
HOT IN NEW YORK.
Only Two Deaths, However Owing to
 the Low Humidity.

New York. July i7.-After a respite of one day the hot wave that swept over New York last week, causing scores of deaths and hundreds of cases of pros trations. returned today with renewed intensity. the temperature being by far the highest of this city.
 The highest point reached was at o'clock this afternoon. when the wealth CT bureau thermometer touched o5 de- grees. In the streets. however. tls" heat was much greater. some thermo -ieters recording as high as 103 degrees.
 While the heat was intense. ''- air was stirred by light breezes and the general suffering was somewha. miti- gated by the absence of the excessive humidity that prevailed last week It was largely owing to this that only two cases of deaths directly resulting from the heat were reported.
 The total number of prostrations for the whole city was less than fifty. There was little diminution of the heaat after nightfall, the mercury standing at sl at Il D. m There are no prospects tonight of any relief for several days to corr.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-18
VENEZUELA SURPRISED.
Does Not See Necessity for Judge Cal
 houn's Appointment.

Caracas Venezuela, July 17.-Venezn- e,,ans are very much surprised on receiv- ,ng inc news that President Roosevelt has appointed Judge Calhoun a spec'ai commissioner to Venezuela to investigate the claims of Americans. The Constitu- tiona1. the government organ. says:
 If the claims of Amercans or others existed. they would have been already heard before competent authorities. It may be that the President or the United states requires information regarding the
 of the New York ana Bermudez As- ,,halt company, which is stIfi pending. pthar cases have been decided by mixed commIssions in conformity with the Wash ington protocols
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-18
HOT WEATHER TO
 STAY SOME TIME
Philadelphia lc the Hottest Place Re- corded, With Maximum Tenn
 perature of e6.

Washington, July 17.-The weather bu- reau tonight announced that there was no prospect for several days at least of a let-up of the extremely ho, weather which has extended over the country for the past few days. The entire country from the Mississippi valley eastward to south- ern New England. the Florida coast, Is in the midst of well-marked mid d-sum- mer hot spell. The maximum temperature reported today was as follows:
 Philadelphia &C., Chicago 95. Cincinnati 94 New York 94. Detroit 94. Washington 9S,- St. Louis a, Pittsburg 92. Boston 90, Birmingham 90.
 Although the heat of today was severely felt in this city, no prostrations were reported.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-18
GUNBOAT HAULED OFF.
Dubuque Goes Aground in the Horse
 Shoe Near Spermaceti Cove.

New York. July T.-The United States gnnboat Dubuque went aground in the Horse Shoe near Spermaceti cove, in the lower bay, early this morning. At tempts to work her off under her own steam proved frultless. and the tugs Pontiac, Choctaw and Neatake were dis patched to the aid of the gunboat from the navy yard, and the army steamer Ordnance came from Sandy Hook. With the united efforts of the tugs the Dubu- que was hauled off at high tide at $50 D. m.
 The gunboat apparently sustained no damage
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-18
IS CONSTANT MENACE
 WHEN HELD BY JAPAN
Russian Paper Bitterly Objects to the C:ssion of the Island of
 Sakhalin. 9f%

St. Petersburg July 17.-The Sviet bit- terly objects to the cession of the island of Sakhaln, declaring that as 1t com mands the mouth of the Amur, river it's possession by the Japanese would con- stitute a constant threat to Russia in the far east, and forge shackles from which the empire could never rid itself.
 The paper calls attention of the immense riches of the island in oil, coal iron and gold as well as in forestry and fisheries.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-18
Hot in st. Louis.

St. Louis. Mo- July 17.-A steady hot blast is sizzling St. Louis and the gov ernment bureau can promise no relief. A number of prostrations from the ex- cessive heat were reported today. The maximu temperature today was s2 and the maximum degree of humidity 76.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-18
One Death In PhiIadeIphIo

Philadelphia. July f.-This city experi- enced the hottest weather of the year today the temperature reaching a max mum of 96 degrees shortly after { o'clock At p. m. the goverr -nent ther- mometer registered S7. One death and a dozen prostrations due to the heat were reported.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-18
Attempl to Poison Workmen.

St. Petersburg. July 1.-The Official Messenger reports an attempt to poison a number of railway workmen at Tifis because they resisted revolutionary in- trigues. The paper says that arsenic was placed in a boiler from which the workmen made their tea Many of inc men became III and ten died.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-18
Seventeen Hurt In Collision.

Hartford City. Ind, July 17.--Seventeen persons were slightly injured today in a collision between passenger car and a work train on the Munice, Hartford City and Fort Wayne line. The passengers lived at Muncie, Mill Grove and Indiana polls.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-18
MORE RACE CONFLICTS.

New York. July 17.-A recurrence of racial feeling again cropped out on little San Juan Hill' this evening between whites and blacks. Many shots were fred and twenty negroes and one white .yoman were arrested. Policeman David Roche had his skull fractured. Police re- serves were called out.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-18
Psary Passes Through Boston.

Boston, July 17.-Commander Robert E. Peary, the Arctic explorer. arrived in Boston today from New York and soon afterwards departed for Sydney, c. B., where he will join the steamer Roosevelt |, which he will attempt to reach the North pole.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-18
aoot. Letter to Weaver.

New York. July 15. 1905 My Dear MT. Mayor-l nave uiscusss" s,'.' very fully with Mir. McVeagh, Judge ooi don, Mr. Davies and MT Auerpacn uls facts bearing upon the determinauol .. vour nresent duty in regard to further
 sr,,,,,nai prosecution for the frauds against the city of Philadelphia, clearly indicated by the testimony already takeh. and bv inc further evidence which your counsel have collected. "It appears by the corresponoence pc tween Judge Gordon and District Attorney Rell that you have caused the evioehce ', crave crimes by a number of powerful ana i,,,nortant nersons in the city of Phladei- nbia to be laid before the district at- tornev and that he has been requested 10 nroceed with proper prosecutions TOT suen crimes. either before the grand Jury oi the county or before a committing magis- trate and that he has practically oechneo to do either. suggesting that you shouiu hold same before a magistrate as pri- vate prosecutor.
 s.The reasons which lead the prosecute ing officer to take this course l shall not discuss The resulting fact alone Is lfh~ portant for present consideration. See That Laws Arc Enforced. "It is your duty as Mayor of the city to gee that the laws are enforced. and when YOU find that they are being set at naught by criminal combinations It IS vour duty to bring the facts to the knowi edge of the officer who is elected by the people to prosecute crime, and It then becomes his duty to prosecute and not yours.
 1T think you have done what the law re- | ou,res of you in this instance, and that if the prosecutions so clearly indicated bv the evidence in your possession, and now in the possession of the prosecuting officer. fall for want of further action, no one can justly say that it Is through any failure of duty on your part. q do not think, however. that this set ths the question as to your future ac- t}on Although the law does not require vou to prosecute 1t permits you to do so up to the point where the return of the committing magistrate goes into the hands of the district attorney.
 sT think that in default of the action which ought to be taken by the pupnc prosecutor, the great interests which you have undertaken to subserve demand that you should nevertheless exercise your right to go before a magistrate and car " these prosecutions as far as the law permits you to do.
 "In doing this you should, think in-
 vite the aid and cooperation of the dis trict attorney. giving him every possi- ble opportunity to take part in the prose-
 cution, and to perform the duty for
 which he was elected.
 Must Do More Than Duty.
 Grimes committed by men who have
 | political power are often altered behind
 1 official indifference and inactivity. and
 | then some one has to do more than their
 duty to secure justice, and you will not
 l be the first public officer who has done
 1 great public service against the resist ance of those from who n the evidence
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-18
WILL NOT HAVE TO PAY. Debt of $500 Against Peary's Ship Is
 Called of.

New York July 17.-The $500 levied against Robert c. Peary's new ship. The Roosevelt which sailed yesterday on her North. pole voyage. will not have to be paid, according to an order received to- day from Acting Secretary Garfield of the department of commerce and labor.
 The Roosevelt was fined for leaving Portland, Me. recently. without proper clearance papers and a bond to secure this payment was given before the ves- sel could leave New York. MT Garfield directs the local collector to refrain from proceeding in the enforcement of the fine. ought to come. There is more at stake here than the mere punishment of iso- lated offenses. There Is the question whether your city shall continue to be governed by criminals or shall take It's place on the list of American cities ca- pable of honest self-goyernment. To se- cure the right solution Of this question you cannot omit any proper and lawful effort.
 .'When you have carried the prose cutions either with or without the dis trict attorneys. and through the hands of the committing magistrate, you will have done everything within your power, and if the prosecutions tHeH lhii dAtct coiA- ing within the exclusive power of the district attorney and the Augean stables remain uncleaned the people of the city cannot doubt who is responsible for fall ure.
 Comments the Mayor.
 Tt is with very great regret that I find myself unable to proceed further with YOU in these cases. The assump- ton of other official duties of which you are aware, will prevent me. ] have taken very great interest in the cases. because I have acquired absolute confi- dence in the sincerity of your purpose and in your pluck and persistency. and have strong desire that the city of Philadelphia, whose history and good name are so dear to every American' shall be relieved from a stain which corrupt and criminal combination mas querading under the name of repubii- cans have put upon her. I wish you godspeed in your further efforts.
 Very sincerely yours.
 "ELIHU ROOT. Hon. John Weaver, Mayor of Phila- pha."
 Bell Has Broken Leg.
 In the midst of the controversy be- tween Attorney Bell and the mayor g counsel, MT. Bell today sustained bro- ken leg through the falling of an eleva- tor in an office building. Whether the accident will delay the trials of Caven and HiIJ is not known.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-18
BEACH LOOKS INTO
 COTTON SCANDAL
FEDERAL ATTORNEY GOES TO NEW YORK TO GET SOME FUR THEIR lNFoRMATIoN-To INTER- VIEW VAN RIPPER.

Washington, July 17Morgan H. Beach, the attorney for the District of Colum- bia, who is in charge of the investigation into the cotton crop scandal has gone to New York in search of evidence. He declined to make any statement before leaving Washington but it is understood he intends to interview l.. c. Van Riper and other New York brokers, who made disclosures of the methods employed by former Assistant Statistician Edwin S.. Holmes. who Is alleged to have used ad- vance information for the financial bene- 1t of himself and certain brokers It Is not known here how long MT. Beach will remain In New York.
 New York. July i-District Attorney M. H. Beach of Washington came to this city today to prosecute an inquiry as to the circumstances upon which as alleged the governments June cotton report "leaked' to cotton speculators.
 The federal government, it is under stood, will take no further action in re- gard to the cotton leak until MT. Beach has concluded his inquiry here.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-18
Criminal Proceedings VIII be
 Instituted in Philadelphia
MIR BELL BREAKS HIS LEG
He Is the District Attorney Who Re- fuses to Prosecute crafters In the city's Filtration
 System. NEi

coS
 Philadelphia. July 17.-fs a res T advice received from Elihu Root, z | counsel for Mayor Weaver, it : Q ? J. able that the Mayor will withi O oe.w 1sys institute criminal prosecute 2 nst certain persons who are pro 2 in municipal affairs.
 MT. Root advises the Mayor 9 "l face of refusal of District Attor ell to take the initiative in brins further prosecutions, the Mayor should exercise h's right ,o go before magistrate and carry the prosecutions as far as the law will pei init him. This opinion was sent to Mayor Weaver today and was the result of a conference held in New York last Friday Those who participated in the conference besides MT. Root and the Mayor, wye former United States At iorney General Wayne McVeagh, who Is special counsel for the committee of nine of this city former Judge James Gordon. private counsel for Mayor Weaver and Judge T. Davis and Joseph Auerbach, counsel for the committee of seventy.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-18
Purpose of the Conference.

The purpose of the conference was whether the Mayor should take the initia- tive in further prosecutions, the district attorney having refused to do so Mayor Weaver and Judge Gordon last week re- ouested that the district attorney in drawing I'D indictments against Council man Frank H. Craven and John w. Hill, former chief of the bureau of filtration should bring the charge of conspiracy with certain other persons to detrauu the city. Councilman Craven Is under Lail for violating his councilmanic oath Tn being interested in city contracts, and former Chief Hill is under bond to an swer charges of forgery and falslfication of records in connection with contracts Tor the city's filtration plant.
 At the hearing given both men be fore magistrates, the name of the con tracting firm, J. D. McNichols & O., which is constructing the greatest part of the filtration system. was frequeh'is brought in by witnesses. The memoers of this firm are former insurance Ooii' missioner l. w. Durham, the ieaoer oi tho local republican organization; State Senator J. P. McNichol and ms protnel' Daniel I. McNichol. The district attor- rav In refusing to add the charge Of ccnsniracv indictment drawn up against Saven and Hill. and to initiate criminal ,,rooeedinps against "certain other per sons n said that such charges based on ,bo evidence taken at the Caven ana ftlli taarines could not under the law pc ,,'ade He suggested that the mayor take .1o i,,itfafivP
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-18
Is District Attorneys Duty.

Mayor Weaver and Judge Gordon 'nsis.- od thai 1t was the district attorneys ou.y to begin prosecution, they declaring ,na. ,i, the evidence in his hands warran'eu GU, ',re'' ra t., .o doing Mr. Bell persisted In his re fnsaI and the New York conference foi- lowed. MT. Roots opinion was sent In Il letter to Mayor Weaver today II IS as follows:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-18

.Russia is not on the verge of dissolu- tion as a great power. and is not obliged to accept any conditions offered in spite of the military reverses she has sus- tained.
 We are passing through an internal crisis which has been marked by many grave events, and which may have oth- ere stir in store, but the crisis will pass and in few years Russia will again take her place as a preponderant power in the European concert"