davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-04
The Maine.

To the Editor of The Age-Herald:
In this mornings paper of the Pensa-
cola Journal 1 note a reprint of several
editorial remarks which appeared in the
regular issue of your esteemed paper. One
relates to the fact that the Maine is a
hoodoo Well. 1 wish to state that the
Maine never was a hoodoo in the last
thirty months that she has been in COM
mission. The accidents that occurred on
the Maine when she was first placed in
commission were the results of builders
defects that were accidentally overlooked.
For this purpose tests were held to dis
cover such defects as MAJ appear after
everything has passed the inspectors vigil
lance and during this course of tests these
defest were discovered. Perhaps you
based your editorial on the scarehead re-
port that was sent out from here today q
week ago, stating that several men we're
killed on the Maine by a flare back in
the forward turret. Such ridiculous ru-
mors are the seat of all the trouble.
Another editorial says flare backs will
make towards out of all sailors. yet [
wish to state that never in Gods world
can you make a coward out of an Amer
lean Bluejacket. Take the battleship
Texas record last year. One hour after
administering aid to the sick and dying
on the battleship Missouri they went out
on the target range and beat the worlds
record with their eight-inch gun. With
such wonderful persstency staring you in
the face it is up to you to apologize for
saying sailors will be towards yet.
Respectfully,
j. S. WALTERS, Seaman.
U. S. Flagship Maine, Pensacola, May
2, 1905.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-04
Retiring Mayor.

The retiring Mayor, Mr. Drennen, was
paid exceedingly high compliments by
his associates on the board and by a
number of the city officials. The first Of
the compliments took the form of a beau
tiful silver loving cup, the gift of every
member of the Board of Aldermen. On the
cup are artistieally engraved these words:
wv Melville Drennen, Mayor, 1S99-19O5
Board of Aldermen"
In presenting the cup to Mr.. Drennen,
Alderman Henry B. Gray made witty
and appropriate speech. in which he re-
ferred to the length and quality of service
done the city by Mr. Drennen, and to the
handsome qualities of heart that had en-
deared Mr. Drennen to all his associates.
As it had been given to Mr.. Gray to be
associated with the Drennen adnfinistra-
lions, he felt that he was qualified to
speak of the great debt owed by the
city to Mr.. Drennen, and the obligations
also which Mr.. Drennen's friends and
supporters felt toward the retiring Mayor.
Pleasure and Pride.
1T is a pleasure and a PRIDE said Mr..
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-04
Mayor Ward.

In assuming the duties of the office
Mr.. Ward made brief, earnest and effec-
tive speech, which was frequently and
ardently applauded by the audience, by all
members of the council as well as by the
city officials and the assembled citizens.
This inaugural address, which Is printed
in full on the seventh page of today's
Age-Herald, outlines the policy of the
new administration and pleads earnestly
for an honest economical and progressive
administration. A feature of the address
is the recommendation that all members
of the city government and all city Of
ficials be forbidden to engage, either
directly or indirectly in business trans
actions with the city. Another feature is
that Mayor Wards declares that the city's
credit shall be maintained.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-04
W Melville Drtnnen RetiTtS
After Six Years Service
WARO'S WINNING SPEECH
Geo. q. Eustls Elected City Treasurer
and Tax coIlector--NeW Street Rail-
way Franchise Manufacturing
Cup and Watch for Drennen.

In the presence of members of the City
Council, almost all the city officials and
many of the more notable citizens of
Birmingham. including not few ladies'
George B. Ward last night was indicted
into the office of Mayor of Birmingham by
w. Melville Drennen, who has held that
position for the last six years.
The oath of office was administered to
the new Mayor and the members of the
incoming council in body. The ceremony,
brief though it was was nevertheless i'm
pressive.
In retiring from the chief majestracy
of the city, the outgoing Mayor submitted
an interesting report covering the whole
six years of his three administrations.
This report Is printed on the seventh
page of The Age-Herald. Portions of this
report, Mr. Drennen read. When he had
ceased reading, he administered the oath
of office to the incoming Mayor andAlder-
men, and in conclusion formally turned
over to Mr.. Ward the administration of
the city government.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-04
The Lion and Lamb,

And so they were. Good feeling abound
ed. There was not even ripple on the
surface to mar the harmony of the even
ing. The lion, whoever that is, was lying
down with the lamb, whoever that is
all over the hall, and some little boy was
leading them into the land of Beulah.
That this was true was illustrated by the
fact that the offices of city tax collector
and city treasurer were by unanimous
vote consolidated. and George II. Eustis.
secretary of the Southern club, was unan-
imously elected to fill the new position.
Mr.. Eustis will enter office June 1.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-04
a Gold Watch.

Then A. A. Gambill, the street tax and
,oense collector came forward with
gold watch In his hand. Mr.. Gambill was
blushing to the whites of his eyes.
Throughout the evening 1t had been re-
ported that Mr.. Gambill would become
a candidate for sheriff of Jefferson coun-
ty. and many politicians in the council
chamber had been talking to him on the
subject. To them all he gave evaslve
answers. declining either to confirm or
to DENY the report. When he stepped up
to the Mayors desk and began to- speak
he caught the attention of every one In
the room and held 1t till ne hao closed.
Here Is what he said
Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen of the
Board: l will detain you only very few.
minutes. / have the honor and pleasure
of presenting on behalf of the city OF
Birmingham, this handsome gift as
token of friendship and esteem which we
hold for one of our most distinguished
citizens and city officials, whose term Is
about to expire as Mayor of our great
city.
MIR. Drennen has enjoyed the pleasure
ana nOnOT Ol HOiuii6 tuO chASC u way VI
longer than any other man in the history
of Birmingham. 1t is true that when he
was indicted into office six years ago
he went In somewhat hampered, but he,
as all other big men are, was equal to the
occasion. 1t was only a short time until
ne had the confidence, respect and abso-
lutte support of his board and city Off
Gals, 1t is a well known fact that the
Mayor of Birmingham or of any other
city, without the support of his board is
a mere figure head and an absolute fail
ure. 1t goes without saying that the
Bremen administration has been one of
the most complete, one of the most up
to-date and one of the most progressive
In the history of our great city. Mr..
Drennen and his administration have
done things, and at the same time they
have pleased the general public and, as
you all well know, for a public official to
do things and at the same time to please
the general public, he must be a genius
and an artist, all of which faculties our
distinguished Mayor seems to have pos
sessed.
Mr.. Drennen has made great record,
a record that both he and the citizens
of Birmingham should be proud of. 1
have been connected with municipal poli-
tics in Birmingham for the past fifteen
years, and l firmly and honestly believe
that Mr.. Drennen will retire from the
office of mayor with more friends than
any other man that has ever retired from
that office in the history of our great
city.
u take great pleasure, Mr.. Mayor. in
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-04
GEORGE B. WARD is INDICTED INTO
OFFICE OF MAYOR OF BIRMINGHAM
CITY IMPR OVEMENTS IN
DRENNEN'S ADMINISTRATIONS

The the retiring Mayors report
Improvement ordinances our
ing $1429337.
City hall Jail erected a cost of 100000
Five including high school, S2f6OOO
public parks acquired value being $l5O,O0O
and installed at cost OF
Installation complete department SoOO
public paid by city $l79SS
settled which pending against city, $2OO00
paid amounting to
City cancelled, $4,000.
Birmingham Waerworks
100000
all street railway lines
ON o
Electricity
TABLE Dc IMPROVEMENTS:
During Drennen
lay /, Administration
lies of maca lied
of curbi
sidewalk 4958900 1729OO
61,02500 68980OO
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-04
HAVE Big TIME AT
EAST LAKE PARK
MUTUAL AMUSEMENT COMPANY
ENTERTAINS THE SCHOOL Chill.
DREN OF EAST LAKE, AND ALL
ADJUSTMENTS ARE FREE.

The Mutual Amusement company enter
tanned the school children of East Lake
at the East Lake park yesterday after
noon. All the amusement enterprises at
the lake were thrown open TO the children
from $3.50 to o'clock in the afternoon
without charge
Over 1900 children were on the grounds
during the afternoon, representing the en-
tire school body of East Lake and their
friends. The miniature railway was very
nearly swamped by the crowds Frequent
ly the trip was made with ninety passen-
gers, when the capacity OF the train Is
only forty persons. The miniature railway
seemed to be the most popular feature, al
though the children rode the roller coast
err and the merry-go-round visited the
laughing gallery, rode about the lake ON
the launch Alabama and had good time
generally.
NJ. l.. Semon, manager of the park; Is.
j. Saunders, Frank Best, who has charge
of the roller coaster and the merry-go-
round, and Fred Monteboro at the boat
house helped to entertain the company's
guests,
The lake presented a beautiful scene
yesterday and with the grounds enlivened
by hundreds of children was rendered
doubly interesting The little folks were
united in declaring that they never had
such time before in all their lives, and
not one fell into the lake or suffered an
accident of any kind.
The children were in charge of w. c.
Blasengame, superintendent of the East
Lake city schools; Miss Fluewellen, Miss
Cumbaa, Miss Reynolds, Miss Carroll,
Miss Jenkins, Miss Sims, Miss Hogan,
Miss Milford, Miss Enie Jones, Miss Grace
Jones, Miss Drusie Whitson.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-04
immigration Conference Suggested.

President f. M. Jackson Of the Birming-
ham Commercial club at the suggestion
of number of gentlemen interested in
immigration, has sent letters to the vari-
Gus commercial organizations of the
state suggesting an immigration confer
ence to be held at some convenient place
to be named later for the purpose OF
considering ways and means of promot-
ing healthy and desirable immigration in
to the state. 1t Is thought that such con-
ference would be of great benefit to the
state in securing immigration.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-04
DEATHS AND FUNERALS
Miss May Wood.

Miss May Wood, aged 10 years, died yes
terday afternoon as the result of pneu-
monia Miss Wood was the daughter of
Mr.. and Mrs. James w. Wood, who re-
side at No. coo Wood street, Avondale.
The funeral services will be held to-
morrow morning at ST. Paurs Catholic
curch at 1920 o clock. The interment will
be in the Woodlawn cemetery.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-04

dash and continued with a rush Alderman
Henry B. Gray was in fine form and as
Alderman Harry Jones put it, was the
cowbell of the whole bunch" Mr.. Gray
took hold on the throttle of the coun-
eilmanic machine, pulled her wide open
and let her slide for all she was worth
He rushed business with a whoopla and
kept Mayor Drennen on the jump from
the moment the meeting opened till Mr..
Gray had despatched the business he had
on mind 1t was he who submitted the
insurance committees report. 1t was he
who moved that the offices of tax collector
and city treasurer be consolidated. 1t was
he who moved that Mr.. Eustis be elected
and nobody except the city clerk knows
how many motions he did make and
second on minor matters. 1t was one of
the prettiest and skllfulest pieces of
expediting the transaction of public bus
mess ever seen in the city council.
w. II. woodward. Rufus N Rhodes
and Il. w. Rocker petitioned the city
council for street railway franchise.
Accompanying the petition was w. II.
Woodward's certified check for $1,000 on
the Peoples Savings bank
Here is a copy of the resolution adopted
by the council regarding the consolidation
of the offices of city treasurer and city
tax collector:
tax collector:
l, 1905 the separate departments known
as office of city tax collector and office
of city treasurer. be consolidated into one
department and operated under direction
of one officer to be designated as city
treasurer and tax collector"
These ordinances, on motion of Alder
man Gray, were adopted: Nos. 253, 261,
262, 1853, 264 265. 266. Assessments on ordi-
nance No. 22O were made final. Ordinance
No. 235 was passed.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-04
Sara Dorsey.

Sara Dorsey, the 5-year-old doughter of
Mr.. and Mrs c. A. Dorsey, died yes
terday morning at the family residence
in Woodlawn at $3.50 o'clock the loved one
was sick but single week and death
was unexpected. The funeral services will
be held at the family residence this
afternoon at o'clock. The interment will
be in the Woodlawn cemetery.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-04
ADJUSTMENTS
At the BiIou.

1.-THE Factory Girl was greeted with
applause at the Bijou theatre last night.
The comedy element of the play seemed
to tickle the crowd immensely.
For next week the offering will be 1.-THE
Convicts Daughter" a melodrama that is
very exciting in theme and is character
lied by some novel stage settings.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-04
.1ohson Will Lecture.

Richmond Pearson Hobson will lecture
at the jefferson theatre on May 9 under
the auspices of the Commercial club The
benefits are to go to the Vulcan fund
and a large attendance is expected.
Tickets will be on sale tomorrow. Price.
so cents including reserved seats.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-04
kHZLl5
Cheap Rates
To California.

Colonist tickets to California and
intermediate points will be sold daily
via the l.. & N, until May 18th, at
rate of S34.50.
COLONIST TICKETS TO THE
NORTHWEST will also be sold daily
until May 18th at very low rates.
ROUND TRIP HOMESEEKERS
TICKETS to he west and northwest
will be sold via the l.. & N. on the
first and thru Tuesdays of each
month at extremely low rates.
For further information and rates.
apply or write to
p. Sid Jones. District Passenger Agent.
r. G. PIERCE. Travelling Passenger Agt.
Z. r. Feeley, City Passenger Agent.
Both phones s25 Birmingham. Ala
FOR SALE-Northeast corner 18th st.
and 18th ave-, north, $500. Room 40
First National Bank. 4-23-su-tu-tk
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-04

place Just at the close of Mayor Wards
inspiriting inaugural address. He had Just
said I'VE should seek to administer the
city government for public and not for
private ends-for general and not for sell
fish purposes" The hall resounded with
hand clapping hearty and prolonged.
Alderman Cooper, pale-faeed, rose, adj
dressed the chair and then impressvely
read this ordinance;
Against Graft.
Section l. Be 1t ordained by the Mayor
and Aldermen of Birmingham that 1t
shall be unlawful for the mayor any
alderman. head of department, chief of
bureau. deputy or clerk in any depart
ment or bureau, or other office of the
city of Birmingham, or for any firm of
which any such person Is a member, or
for any corporation Of which any such
person is stakeholder director or Of
ficer to be become Interested, direct
ly or indirectly, either as principal or
agent in the procuring or performance
of any express or implied contract or of
any work or business, or in the sale of
any article, the expense price, compensa-
ton, value or consideration of which is
payable from the city treasury or is or
shall be a debt or liability of the Mayor
and Aldermen of Birmingham
Sec. z. BE 1t furthef ordained, tnat eV-
cry contract. express or implied. here
after made in violation of any of the
provisions of or contained in this ordn-
ance shall be and Is hereby declared to
be absolutely void and of no effect.
Sec. 3. BE 1t further ordained that any
person soliciting, procuring, entering into,
participating in or performing any ex-
press or implied contract, or any work or
business or the sale of any article such
as described In section of this ordinance.
knowing that the mayor. an alderman,
head of department. chief Of bureau,
or other officer of the city of Birmlng-
ham, Is interested in the same In any
manner described in said section Of this
ordinance; or any person who shall In
any other manner violate any provision
provisions of or contained In any rec
ton of this ordinance. shall be punished
for each offense by fine of not less than
$40 nor more than 800 and be imprisoned
at hard labor for the city not exceeding
six months. one or both"
The proposed ordinance was referred to
the judiciary committee.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-04
MAYOR WARD TO HEAD
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE

Mayor Ward will announce his alder
manic committees during recess. 1t is now
given out semi-officially that the Mayor
will take the Craftsmanship of the finance
committee. 1t is understood that Harry
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-04

Another feature of the meeting was the
petition made by the Birmingham Rail
way, Light and Power company for a
franchise to extend their lines so as to
reach the property on Twenty-sixth street
where 1t is reported the new union depot
may be built
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-04

Jones will be second on the finance COM
mittee and that Henry B. Gray will be
the third member.
1t is now pretty well settled that John
w. O'Neill will be appointed Chairman
of the miscellaneous committee.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-04
Attempted Highway Robbery.

Web Martin and w. M Young, two me-
groes were arrested yesterday and placed
In the city jail on charges of attempted
highway robbery. They were arrested by
Officers Oldham and Richardson.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-04
Boy Is Fined,

J. II. Crump. a white boy 6 years of
age was fined $50 and sentenced to 80
days on the streets by Judge Feagin of
the police court yesterday for carrying
pistol concealed.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-04
Official CANVASS.

After reports from the various COM
mttees had been presented, the votes in
the city election were canvassed and
the successful candidates were formally
declared to be elected
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-04
Stole a Bicycle.

Clarence McCollum, negro boy, was
fined 500 and sentenced to 80 days on
the streets by Judge Feagin yesterday
for the larceny of a bicycle.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-04
THE WEATHER.

Washington, May 3.-Folowing is the
forecast for Alabama for Thursday and
Friday: Partly cloudy; fresh southern
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-04
Other Proceedings.

The meeting of the council was plentiful
in interest apart from the Inauguration
ceremonies. The meeting opened with a
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-04

OF the city OIllcldls OIL 6lTlnlHBHdHl, anu
l hope, sir, you will take it. wear it and
appreciate it, not for it's intrinsic value,
but because 1t has been presented, and
presented in the right spirit, by thirteen
of your best and truest friends"
The watch is a beauty 1t is of fine
Swiss manufacture, bearing the stamp of
Vacheron and Constantin of Genoa, and
imported by f. W. Bromberg of Birming-
ham. 1t is an elegant gold hunting case
bearing on the front the monographs
numerals 1905, and on the back the mon
ographic letters w. NJ. D., heavily en-
graved and set with diamonds. On the in
side of the case are engraved the names
of those city officials who gave the
watch: d. A. Pepperman, A. A Gambill,
Julian Kendrick, ]. C. Murray, ]. T. Null
lin, ]. T. Garretson, r. w. Walker, G..
C. Engstfeld, John M. McCartin. w. b.
Copeland, w. e. Wier, DIR. Charles Whe-
Ian and E. d. Smith. On the inside of
the case Is also this Inscription: Present
ed to w. M. Drennen upon retirement
froz office of Mayor of Birmingham,
Ala, May Bird, 1905"
Mr. Drennen, in a few brief remarks,
thanked the board and city officials for
their gracious remembrance of him, as
surfing them that it was gratefully appre-
, ciate.
Then came Mr.. Drennen's report, the
swearing in of Mr.. Ward as Mayor, Mr..
Wards captivating inaugural address, and
| a merry go round of congratulations
Whatwas easily one of the most in
spring touches TO the picture in the coun-
Gil chamber last night may have escaped
persons whose eyes were not raised to-
ward the galleries. Lad one. however,
looked there one would have seen peering
over the rails the faces of some of Bir-
minghams most cultured, most lovable
| and best beloved women. Had one sent
searching glances toward the rear right
hand corner of the gallery one would
have discerned there the face of an elder
| ly lady If not that of "a boy who was
half paust three" Indeed, the boy in
| the poem was on the floor of the council
| chamber. At one time in the evening, he
| was seated at one of the aldermen's desk
Later in the evening he mounted the
| chairmans platform and let the gave.
| fall decisively on the table in front of
| him. AS he did so, and looked up and
out over the audience the elderly lady
| in the gallery, touched her finger to her
| cheek and leaned bac.. contentedly in
| her chair. faint flush of satisfaction
and pride suffused her cheek, and show
ed picturesque enough against her white
| hair Twas a mothers joy that shone
in her eyes; for the elderly lady was
none other than Mrs. George Ward, the
mother of Blrmingham's mayor.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-04

The election of plumbing inspector was
postponed for two weeks. The subject Of
his salary was referred to the finance
committee.
somewhat dramatic incident took
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-04
Weather Report.

Temperature and precipitation, as re-
ported by the weather bureau for select
ed southern stations during "a hours end
Ing at a. M Precip-
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-04

of New York, capitalist, In the place of
Joseph B. Dickson and Charles McCrery,
respectively.
1t is said that Andrew W. Smith has
acquired large holdings in the company
and that Mr.. Borne will soon become a
large stakeholder
The reelection of James Henry Smith to
the directorate seems to set at rest the
persistent rumors that he was allied with
the so-called Hoadley merger syndicate
Mr.. Leroy, who was reelected direc-
tor, is James Henry Smiths personal rep
resentative.
The annual reports of President Bacon
and Treasurer Beecher will be submitted
to a meeting of the directors on May 1e.
Mr.. Beecher left Birmingham for New
York last night.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-04
Local Weather Data.

Birmingham, May 3, 4 p. m.
Maximum temperature ................. SO
Minimum temperature ................... 60
Mean temperature NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 70
Normal temperature .................... SO
Deficiency of temperature since jan
uary l Observation-Disclosures.
Rainfall since p. m. yesterday. ....... .0S
Rainfall since January 1................9.34
Deficiency of rainfall since Janu-
airy ! .......... NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. IS