davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-02-24
The Mine Disaster.

From the Montgomery Times.
 The awful mine disaster in Jefferson
 county appeals to the whole country.
 There Is something so terrif. Ing about
 more than one hundred men being
 snltched into eternity like they were at Virginia City day before yesterday, that
 the average mind fails to take it in It
 would be foolish to say that this or that man or company is responsible though it does look as If care and caution would have prevented it if everybody had done their full duty, and it Is hoped that full investigation oI the trouble will be made
 and the blame rut where it properly be- longs.
 The Birmingham district has laid down
 its business and gone with full hands and
 willing hearts to the rescue of the en- tombed and the relief of their stricken families who, in most cases. are left without means of support. Funds are being raised by the papers of Brming-
 ham. and the Commercial club of that city has fully organized to gather and distribute help to those who will have to be provided for.
 What concerns any part of Alabama concerns the whole state, and every man and woman in it is bowed with sorrow for the misfortune that has fallen to the mineral district
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-02-24
Charity in Bessemer.

Sweet charity is not dead in Bir- mingham or in the Birmingham dis trict.
 While practically the whole of Jet- ferson county has united in rendering generous assistance to the families made desolate by the mine disaster at Virginia City, Bessemer has distin- guished herself in a way that reflects credit on the liberality of her citi- zens
 A mass meeting was held at the city hall in -5essemer Wednesday night and subscriptions amounting to $2126 were collected in a remarkably short time. Most of these contribu- tions were for small amounts, although some were as much as $100. The fact that most of the contributions were small shows the completeness with which the people joined in the move ment. Those who could give only a dollar gave it gladly and all helped according to their means.
 Yesterday [. committee was busily engaged in distributing this money among the sufferers at Virginia City.
 The ready response from all parts of the district when the call for aid was sounded shows that the people of Birmingham and Jefferson county have their hearts in the right place, The explosion at Virginia City was a calamity that will not soon be for. gotten, but at least it has served to bring noble impulses to the surface.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-02-24

great war is fully demonstrated, and any settlement will not change that fact.
 Corea, it is conceded is to be placed under Japanese suzerainty- practically annexed; Port Arthur and the Liao Tung peninsula are to be eeded to Japan Vladiyostok is to be- come a neutral port with an open door; the Eastern Chinese railroad is to be placed under neutral interna- tional administration, and Manchuria, from the Liao Tung peninsula to Har- bin, is to be restored to China. These provisions would practically eliminate Russia from the Far East, although they would not prevent the reasonable development of Siberia.
 So far so good. Both sides seem to be willing to accept the terms men, toned, but Japan wants a war in demnity and she also wants Sagha- lien, an island she formerly owned, from which she draws her chief fish supply. Janan insists upon a war in- demnity, as Russia in her shoes would have done, and war indemnity will have to be paid In some form. Possibly Japan may be willing to ac- cept the sum due from China to Rus sia, together with Saghalien, in lien of a direct indemnity. The experts do not seem to think the indemnity problem will prevent a settlement of the war if Russia desires peace, and she would no doubt be glad to end lne war before another battle is fought
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-02-24
Mccue's Life |. .surance.

"J. S. McCue, 10 was hanged in Char lottesville for wife murder, carried large life insurance, p.t the companies are showing a disposition to wi.Ahold payment to the beneficiaries,' remarked a member of Birminghams Virginia colony. When I was a young man nearly all the life companies took advantage of technicalities and loop holes to get out of paying risks when death was the re- suit. of other than natural casuses. But the general policy of insurance companies has broadened and first-oless institutions pay without much questioning as to causes.
 "Tne Richmond Time--Dispatch co-i- ments as follows and the views of that paper will doubtless meet wi approval: We heartily agree with the Charlottes- vile Progress that the insurance com panies, in which J. Samuel McCue was insured should without bubble pay the policies carried by Llm in his lifetime. McCue took out this insurance in good faith, paid his premiums and the com panies agreed with h'r- that Il. his death the insurance would be paid {, the bene- ficiaries. It would be breach of faith on the part of any company, now that McCue is dead and gone to take refuge behind any technicality of law and de- prive the children of the deceased man of the money which justly belongs to them.
 The Progress makes another good point which the insurance companies may well take note of. It says that for the companies to refuse to pay these policies would be an act of penuriousness, inex- cusable in any company that makes a pre- tense of fair dealing and would go a long way toward destroying public con fidence in life insurance.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-02-24
Kansas Great Contest.

The Kansas battle against the Standard oil grew out of long series of despotic acts on the part of the oil monopoly. It cut the price of crude oil down from SIPS barrel to TO cents in six months. thus crippling 4OO0 producing wells in that state. It caused the railroads to increase the freight rates on oil, thus giving the Standard pipe lines monopoly of the oil business. It filled the state with unjust determinations in the price of oil. It surrounded the legislature with lobbyists, and it put into effect various minor and yexatious regula- tions. all directed against the pro ducers.
 They rose in a body at last, and the people of Kansas stand behind them. The war that Kansas is wag- ing is spreading to the surrounding states. and as these states are the heart of the country, the oil octopus may be fighting its Waterloo. The at tention of the country Is centered upon the contest, and Kansas will no doubt fight to a final victory, for de- feat of sovereign state when united and full of aggressive energy is i'm. possible. Kansas has nailed her col ors to the mast, even if the mast be on a stern-wheeler. and she will fight the issue out to the end. The hones and desires of the entire country are staked on this remarkable contest be.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-02-24
Aid for the Stricken Ones.

Outside of the fine contribution of District No. 20, United Mine Workers, this district should carry it's contribu- tion to ten thousand dollars, and no doubt that sum will be readily sub scribed for. Help will be needed tn the desolate homes for a considerable period of time, and a rich and pros porous district will not permit suffer ing after an overwhelming disaster. The homes of the dead miners should be shielded from actual priyation and want.
 This task the district has set for itself, and 1t will be accomplished. The money will be expended under the direction of the Rev. Dr. Stagg' s committee, and no family stricken by the disaster at Virginia City will be overlooked Every dollar will be rightly placed, and every dollar con tributed will go to lessen human sui fering.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-02-24
IN HOTEL LOB8IEs
Great Horse Race Recalled.


 saw E. D. Brown. who travels out or New Orleans, yesterday" said an old aristoerat last night, "and seeing him recalled one of the greatest horse races that was ever run in the south. Many VIII remember the race, and they also remember that E D. Brown a promi- neht young man of Baltimore, won the race on Grey Jacket. a horse from the south and named afte- the jacket of the Confederate soldier.
 ihe race was run on the old Pimlice track in Baltimore in 1873 so you see Brown is getting on in old age now, but he is still a boy in that his heart is young and he holds to the memories of his younger days. Lieutenant Dawson of Washington, rode the other horse, Robert the Devir by name, and the race was one of those old affairs when gentlemen met gentlemen. It was of the old school.
 As the horses rounded into the home stretch Dawson was slightly in the lead, but foot by foot the gallant animal rep resenting the south. forged ahead, and
 
 ner won by a nose.
 Brown, representing the Maryland Jockey club, an organization of gentle men, and they presented him with very handsome timepiece to commemorate the day. On the back of the case are two horses heads set in diamonds One is gold and the other platinum. The for mer represents Robert the Devil and the last was made of grey metal to represent Borwns horse. It shows the latter winning by a nose.
 The charm bears the family court of arms. It is a eoiled snake under a Palmetto tree, and on the back appear the words, Don't tread on mel!
 This famous inscription once appear ed on battle flag of tle revolutionary war, and is the family motto of the Browns. The snakes head contains dia- mond eyes. On the fob is also a solid gold knlft set with diamonds which also was presented on that date, and also bears notices and pictures illustrating the race.
 Brown entered the Confederate ser vice when only i4 years old and served through the war. He was the youngest man from Maryland. He is actively in- terested in the Confederate veterans to- day and is a prominent member of one of the camps He remains loyal to the old cause"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-02-24
Peace Negotiations Progressing.

The German Emperor, who has an eve to Russian trade, and the French holders of Russian bonds are both pulling for peace, and the bourses of Europe are filled with peace rumors. Russia's internal dissensions are pull, ing in a like direction. The Czar is willing to listen to the Emperor William, who is his closest friend and adviser outside of Russia, and Rus sian pride will not greatly stand in the way. The war is unpopular among the Russian people. It was brought on by Alexieff and the bu- reaucrats against their wishes. and they do not care when it is disposed of. nor on what terms. The ineffi. ciency of the bureaucrats to conduct a
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-02-24
He Is we'll paid that is well satisfied
 Merchant of Venice.
Free Schools and Democracy.

In the older eastern states free public schools have existed century, and those who have studied closely their work of a century are inclinei to attribute to them the growth .n this country of the essential principles of democratic government. This coun- try is more democratic than it was a century ago, and the trend is in T like direction despite the trusts and all other adverse influences.
 When children of all conditions in life are given equal opportunity in public schools, they almost naturally imbibe democratic ideas. The public schools thus become the nurseries of democracy, and the safeguard of our liberties. The better the schools the better the lesson of equality in the republic. The desideratum is school for every child under thirteen as good in every respect as any private school in the land-better in some respects and fully as good in all other respects. When all under that age, both rich and poor, can have as good schooling in as good building, in as small class, from as good a teacher, then indeed will our public schools be what they should be, and then they will do the work for the republic that they alone can do We should never for get that children learn in the public schools many things besides reading 'riting and rithmetic. Their minds are alert, and all that comes to them in their readers or from their teach \ CTS is stored away and never is al together forgotten. Sound democracy is one of the valuable things taught or picked up in our public schools and we should cherish and promote them as we cherish and desire to promote democratic institutions.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-02-24
Weather and Dust.

while the pleasant weather is well comed change from the bad spell that we have been having for the past few weeks. yet l cannot help but dread the fair weather. when 1 am called upon te breathe the dust raised by the street sweeping department" said physician Inst night as he emerged from dense mass of dust on Twentieth street.
 .sThere is absolutely no excuse for this state of affairs The sprinkling carts were sent out ahead of the street sweepers tonight but only the middle of the streets were sprinlSled, that portion of the street near the sidewalks not being reached by the water. Now. when the sweepers come along. they brush the dust to the very edge of the sidewalks. and so when the dust and litter is loaded on the wagons. large clouds of dust are created, making it very unpleasant for everyone who is forced to breathe it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-02-24
TEXAS ALSO IN LINE.
Wants Affairs of Standard OH Com
 pan, Investigated.

Austin, Texas, February 2s.-It devel- oped today the members of the Texas legislature are in correspondence with members of Congress at Washington. urging the federal government to come to Texas and investigate the operations of the Standard oil company in this state
 Senator Decker admitted on the floor of the senate today that he had sent a telegram to Representative Campbell of Kansas, urging him to have the federal authorities visit Texas, and he said he hoped his plea would not be in vain, n- as much as he felt great good would come of such an investigation on the part of the federal government It is understood other members are of like opinion, and 1t is just possible before the legislature gets though with its oil legislation. some action may be taken with regard to the proposition of Sen- ator Decker as made today
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-02-24
VIRGINIA CITY HORROR
The Alabama Mine Horror.

From the Atlanta News.
 The explosion in an Alabama mine, by which more than a hundred miners lost their lives a few days ago. is one of the most appalling horrors that have been numbered among southern disasters in a iong series of years.
 Indeed, tkere has never been anything to approximate it in the matter of mine dis asters.
 The south has been peculiarly fortunate in this respect There Is scarcely day on which numbers of men engaged in this hazardous employment do not lose their lives by scores, and often by hun dreds, but hitherto we have read of them hs something afar off They have occur red in other sections of the country or in Europe, and hence have failed to come home to us with the impressiveness which shoald attach to such disasters.
 But the present calamity is here at our very doors. We realize the horror of it with distressing keenness. It Is impossible to picture the distress enacted at the scene of the trouble. When we realize that a third of the little mining town has been depopulated, that a hundred families are made desolate, and that 3tj children are thrown upon the rude mercies of the world, we get some idea of what the disaster means. Able and willing hands are already doing everything possible to rescue the bodies but it is certain that few of the victims of the explosion will be found alive.
 The accident will have to go down in southern history as one of the most
 calamtous we have ever suffered. | The present trouble will serve to make
 those in charge of mining work more
 careful than they have been heretofore, i but in spite of all the precautions that
 can be taken. it seems, these accidents
 will occur. That the south is no longer
 free from them is but another evidence of
 the fact that sfe has shaken off her in-
 sularity. She is no longer merely a peace full agricultural community She is en- gagged in the varied industries to which ! such accidents as this are necessarily in- ! cldent The most that we can hope is : that greater degree of caution will keep | us more nearly free from these terrible aftictions.
 | In the meantime the entire south ex- | tends its sincere sympathy to the little community which rests today under tho l shadow of 2 great calamity.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-02-24
YOUNG WOMAN ASSAULTED.
Mrs. MoIlie Hodge of Rushton, La, |
 the Victim.

Shreveport, La, February 23.-News has reached here from Ruston. La., that Mrs. Mollie Hodge. IS years of age, was assaulted by an unknown negro today in a railroad cut in front of the State Indus trial institute,
 She was returning to school from the postoffice, and while passing through the cut was suddenly attacked by a negro about g years of age, who threw his blouse from a suit of overalls over her head, choSed her into insensibllity. and after accomplishing his purpose. fled to- wards this city. Two negroes were taken from a train tonight at Gibsland and hurried back to Ruston for the purpose of having Mrs. Hodge decide whether eith- CT of them is the man wanted.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-02-24
POINTED PARAGRAPHS.

Vanity is egotism turned wrong side out.
 Women often worry themselves old try ing to look young.
 The high-salaried office Is kept busy trying to dodge the man.
 Lots of men who pay as they go are in no hurry about making a start.
 Nothing makes girl so weary as to have young man ask her for kiss. Women seldom go on a strike because they can't hit the nail on the head
 Unless a woman Is capable of earning at least $l a day she has no business marrying man to reform him.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-02-24
HAYS FAMOUS TWO ROSES"

I sent my love two roses-one
 As white as driven snow, And one a blushing royal red
 A flaming Jacqueminot. l meant to touch and test my fate;
 That night I should divine, The moment I should see my love,
 If her true heart were mine. For if she holds me dear. 1 said,
 She'll wear my blushing rose: If not, she'll wear my cold Lamarque, As white as winters snows. My heart sank when I met her; sure
 I had been overbold For on her breast my pale rose lay
 In virgin whiteness cold. Yet with low words she greeted me.
 With smiles divinely tender Upon her cheeks the red rose dawned-- The white rose meant surrender.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-02-24

weather point of view, but if the sun shine continues we will make consider able progress between now and March.
 There are but few railroad contracts in the Birmingham district just at this time that are being executed, but there is much public work of other classes.
 "The break in the weather comes as a special blessing to theAhouse builders. We had but few good days in January, and have had but few good days so far this month. and therefore there has been but little progress made this year in build inG lines. However. I think that we will sec more building operations this year in Birmingham and the district than have been for several years past"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-02-24
DIVER WINS CONTEST.
By kimble Use of Mighty Legs De
 feat Munroe.

Atlanta, February 23.-(Special By the nimble use of those mighty legs which have won for Dwyer so many matches the Irishman again came into his own to- night by defeating Miner Munroe after he had lost the first fall
 Summary of the match:
 First fall won by Jack Munroe by the use of hammer lock after 16:27 min G.es
 Second fall won by NJ. J. Dwyer by the use of leg lock and an arm hold fir 11:34 minutes.
 Third fall and last won by M. J. Dwyer by use of leg lock and an arm hold ir 9:36 minutes.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-02-24
92 VICTIMS RECOVERED
 DlSINfECTANTS ARE USED
 DOORS ARE UNBEATABLE E
(continued from first Paee)

tTOtn GfFoL Gd96y to give the money at places where it is most needed. and where it will do the most good. The committee will return to the mines today tomorrow.
 Every assistance is being rendered tha committee. A special train was furnished to carry the committee to and from the mines, and at the mines everyone did all in their power to make the work as ef- fective as possible
 Dispute as to Ownership.
 II is seems that there Is some dspu.e about the ownership of the mines. The University of Alabama owns some mini sg property in that neighborhood and it is claiming that the company operating the mines has encroached on it's property. An investigation was being made when the disaster occurred.
 It now looks as if it will be some time Sunday before all of the bodies in the upper levels will be recovered. The res- cuers are having more and more trouble in getting to the bodies. and as time passes these difficulties will increase.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-02-24
From the Chicago Journa

From the Chicago Journal.
 Edith K. Drake, the 12-year-old daugh- ter of Mir and Mrs. s. B. Drake of Nor rstown, Pa. is the youngest music teacher in Pennsylvania if not in the United States. When years old Edith showed a wonderful fondness for music and few years later started to take lessons on the piano At the age of II years, just a year ago, little Miss Edith had become so proficient that she began teaching music to other children Her success as an instructor has been so marked that she was soon given prefer ence over older teachers. For the last year she has been giving lessons to a class of ten pupils.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-02-24
Plaxina Stock Market.

Tt is reported that certain Birming- ham capitalists are playing the stock market very successfully these days in New York" said a broker yesterday af- ternoon.
 q have it from an apparently reliable source that one Birmingham man with large means has during the past few days cleared over a quarter of a million dollars on Sloss- Sheffield Steel and Iron stock in Wall street. Of course I cannot vouch for this statement, but it comes right from New York The lucky one is we'll informed on such matters, and of course he has been on the inside for some time past.
 "Other Alabama people are understood to have cleared several thousand dollars each in Wall street this week."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-02-24
kratz Acquitted of Boodline.

Kansas City, Mo, February a4.-A special to The Times from Butler. Mo. says: The jury in the case of Charles Kratz on trial for alleged boodling while a member of the St. Louis council. re- turned verdict of not guilty after be- ing out an hour and thirty-four minutes.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-02-24

The spectacular race between Emperor William and Theodore Roosevelt as to which can accomplish the most before he dies is still nip and tuck The last heat was really exciting, for it ended with a new degree for each antagonist of the sti'l life. An LL D. apiece from the University of PennsHlvania adornins their crests MT. Roosevelt and the Kaiser will start out on the next heat with honors even. MT. Roosevelt promises to make his fellow champion across the water appear kindergartenish during the inaugural ceremonies, but the Kali ser will do something clever. you may be sure.