davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-15
THE OLDEST MULE,

Jackson (Niss.) Cor Chicago Inter Ocean.
 The oldest mule in Mississippi Is the property of negro farmer named T. J.. Jefferson, who lives in Copiah county, about thirty miles from this city, and the old darky is inordinately proud of his ven- erable possession.
 The mule Is 36 years Of age, and was born during President Grants administra- tion. The old darky bought the animal in 1871 from a planter named William Flow CTS. and has been its continuous owner ever since, not even being compelled to plaster her with an occasional mortgage. Her name is Maud, and she was 2 years old when Jefferson became her owner. Since that time he has made thirty-four crops with this animal, and she is still hale. hearty and frisky. and bids fair to live at least another decade.
 The passage of years is plainly marked in Maud's coloring. however, for in early girlhood she was dark and beautiful sor- rel. and now her complexion is a straw berry roan, while her head is almost as white as that of her venerable master. who cherishes for her a most ardent af- lection. Jefferson has frequently declared that he wouldn't swap Maud for pair of the finest mules in Mississippi.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-15
Free Excursions Next Month.

The Merchants association will put in operation on August system of daily excursions which will be wholly free to those who buy goods from the members of the association to the total value of thirty dollars. They need not buy goods to that amount from one member of the association. All their purchases are entered in rebate book and an agent of the asso- citation, easily accessible to all at all l.ours of the day will refund the fare paid and also one per cent on all pur- chases above thirty dollars. The plan is simple and practical and not bit tentative. It has worked well in many a city.
 Nearly every line of retail trading is covered by the plan, and probably all will be by the first day of August, and every member of the association will stand ready to hand out rebate books on application. While the free plan, is limited to radius Of fifty miles, yet customers living great distance away can secure the benefit of the prescribed radius. Possibly the radius may be heightened next year to cover Montgomery. It is great enough at present to benefit many buyers in this district. In fact. it pretty nearly covers this district.
 Let us hope the excursions will not be confined to the month of August. What is good for August is good for September and so on to the end of the year, or even of another year. The plan will commend itself when put into operation, and possibly it will be- come a fixed feature of Birmingham's retail trade.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-15
Local Sanitation.

The two trunk sewers and their respective puriHcation plants are near completion and the work of securing connection with them should be pushed vigorously all along the twenty-five miles of territory which they traverse. Every bit of that twenty-five miles is suburban-every bit of it is a part of the Greater City that will yet be built in Jones valley. For that matter the construction of that city is progressing steadily, even speedily. year by year. These parts linked together by trolleys sewers, electricity. steam and common bus mess spirit and ambition, form one whole, but not an organic whole.
 This, however, is neither here nor there. The valley will soon be equipped with two sanitary trunk sew CTS laid by the county at great ex- pense. Every house in Jones valley must be drained into those trunk sew CTS. This is what the sanitary com mission law says, and this is what health and common prudence and common aecency demand.
 West End is preparing to be clean and decent It proposes to abolish all earth closets. It is about to put itself in sound condition. The rest of Jones valley must do likewise. Every city, hamlet and house from Bessemer to East Lake must be tied to the trunk sewers, and those who do not pre- pare to conform to the law will soon have the law in sharp pursuit of themselves, for the trunk sewers were built to be used. They were built to keep the entire valley. to the humblest home. fresh, clean and sanitary, and no man will be permitted to leopard the health of his neighbor.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-15
Inaccurate Crop Reports.

The Savannah cotton exchange at its forthcoming meeting proposes to ask the government to cease sending out reports upon the condition of the cotton crop. There is quite a general feeling that the Agricultural Depart ment should confine its figures to the acreage planted in cotton, letting the weather bureau disclose the weather and the effects of it upon the crop while later on the census bureau will count the bales as they roll out of the ginneries.
 The Agricultural Department mas received a black eye. and it will be difficult indeed to regain confidence for it's figures as to the condition oi any crop. Probably the half of its leakages and shortcomings have not
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-15
SOLICITATION IS NECESSARY.
the Insllrance Press.

From the Insurance Press.
 No one has ever yet succeeded in in- ducing healthy and desirable subjects for life insurance to present themselves with out the intervention of an agent. The Mutual Life in 1880 offered a rate of prem ium much lower than that of any other company: the only result was to demor- alize it's agency force. No applicant vol untarily sought the Mutual Life, then even more than now the leading company of the country, despite the fact that it's policies could be secured on more favora- ble terms than anywhere else.
 But it connot be denied, on the other hand, that the blind ambition to worship the God of Volume has resulted in the exalation of the agent to position of influence and emolument which a due re- gard to other interests and a consdera- ton of sound business principles would deny to him. An increased mortality; an expense account of abnormal proportions; privileges in the policy contract so liberal as to be dangerous; financiering involving new and hitherto unsuspected methods of accounting-all these are the price paid for listening to the siren voices of light ming solicitors and the spacious arguments of million dollar writers"
 On this side of the business Of life in- surance the light of publicity may with great propriety be thrown
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-15
Imminrant Distribution.

Out of 10, SAP, 900 foreign-born whites in this country In the year l9OO there were but 542,000 in the entire south. The south holds more whites born in northern states than it does whites or foreign birth. In the census year this section held 725,O0O of the former, and 542,000 of the latter.
 But the migration from the north to the south is more than counterbai- anced by the migration from the south to the north, for in the census year there were 1,116,000 southern-born whites living In the northern states, as against 725,000 northern-born whites living in the south. Our net loss had been about 100000 persons.
 These figures show that the time has fully come when we should make an effort to increase the white popu- lation of the south, and this can be done on a large scale by encouraging and promoting and actually securing foreign immigration.
 If Congress would decree, as 1t has a right to do, that all Italian immi- grants shall be landed at New Or leans, the problem would be greatly simplifed, but strong influences would fight that proposition, and Congress as a rule is subservient to those in fiuences. We will probably have to attract from New York the immi- grants we need.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-15
Ths Excursion Plan.

.rrhe free daily excursions to pc oper- o4ad hv the merchants association or BIT mineham illustrate the progress or this city" said a business man at the com mercial club rooms yesterday.
 "Birmingham is becoming more anu ,,ore awake to those broad ideas Of pusi- ness that go to make powerful ci'y' The most valuable asset of any cily is unity of purpose and unselflsh prother- hood among the business men.
 "The excursion idea Is good one, anu it's value to this city is inestimable. Hun- dreds of people by this means Will prop- ably come to Birmingham to do their trading who have heretofore gone else- where or have remained at home. when they once acquire the habit of coming to Birmingham and have become acquainted the rest will be easy. These out-of-town shoppers will become permanent traders in our markets, and as a result every business interest in the city will be bene- fitted.
 This excursion plan is in successful op- eration in many of the large cities or the north and west, and in all instances mas proven of great benefit to those cities.
 ''The plan of the excurHons to be op- erated into this city, l understand, IS the same adopted by other cities and 1T prop erly conducted will bring wonderful re- suits"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-15
HUNGRY TROUT
Swallowed a Five-Pound Muskrat Be-
 fore Being Captured.

From the Denver Post.
 The fellows had caught f1sh that was beauty, five-and-a-half-pound ram bow trout, and everything else had taken a hack seat to his lordship, who lay sway ina to and fro in the well which was at the spring. surrounded by an open- mouthed audience, who had to be called second time to supper, and then the lucky fisherman told again the details or the fight occasionally opening his shirt front to give his chest room to swell. Even after supper the air was scafy with nsn talk until the od-timer showed his dis" gust in an outburst of 'Ah, what's the excitement about, anyway? Why, that fish couldn't even swallow a rat. Say, how'd you like to catch fish that could swal" low a muskrat? That's the kind I got once. and the muskrat was as big as cat. It was just this way: One evening I was lying on the bank or little lake and was watching muskrat fooling around when all at once there was a dark blur under him, swirl and flip from tail as big as a fan and the rat went under. Then there were doings for the rat didn't seem to take to the fish as well as the fish might have liked it. The fish worked over toward short. and must have got twisted, for he ran right up little creek, with his back sticking half out of the water. Then I jumped on him, threw my arms around him and yelled for my partner, who came running down from camp, and then we dragged him up on the bank, got a rope through his gills, tied him to a tree and finally killed him. The rat was stuck in his throat, and what do you think-that rat weighed five pounds
 'well, but what did the fish weigh?" we asked
 "Oh, you see we couldn't weigh him, as our scales only weighed up to twenty five pounds"
 Then there was hurry-up call for the ambulance.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-15
WHICH WAY SHALL SHE RIDEY
Many Excellent Reasons Why Woman
 Should Sit Astride. hataa

Belmont Purdy in July Outing.
 The various arguments against the adoption of this cross-seat include: that it Is against the laws of hygiene. that 1t creates comment, and that the costume necessary to enable a woman to ride astride is not in accordance with so- clety's ideas of the propriety in dress.
 So far as the question of health is concerned there are more professional medical opinions registered against riding in the side saddle than against the other way of riding, and by just as good au- thorities with better arguments against it. Some physicians insist that no woman ought ever to ride, skate, bicycle or take any violent exercise. This is ridiculous. although some women have, no doubt.
 injured themselves by riding or taking violent exercise inadvisedly Or immod- erately.
 In it's favor, it may be claimed for the cross-seat that the position is a more comfortable one for both horse and rider; the dress is also more comfortable and safer' and may be arranged to appear the same, and that the saddle is infinitely safer for woman to ride on. The posi- ton permits woman to ride further with less fatigue than she could on the side saddle, to control and cling to her horse better to get away from the ani- nal more easily in case = ~ fall, and to do many things, such as to shoot from the saddle, play polo, etc., much better by reason of her position in the saddle.
 The danger of the skirt catching on the pommels, the necessity of sitting always too far back on a horse. the unavoidable extra pressure on the left side of the animal. the certainty of the saddle turn ing if the grths become slack, and the probable injury which the high pommels or horns would cause to the rider should she be rolled on are all avoided by re- linquishing the side saddle for the mans.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-15
IN HOTEL HOBBIES
Street Car Passengers.

T think the negroes of Birmingham deserve no little credit for the way they aid the street car company in observing the rule dividing the negroes and the white people in the cars,' said man connected with the street car system last night.
 Tn other cities they have to pass harsh laws separating the negroes and the whites, but in Birmingham the negroes never give us any trouble and take kindly to the rule that they must occupy only certain portions of the cars It is the rarest thing that one of our conductors has any trouble with a negro regarding what part of the car he shall occupy, and then 1t is generally with negro that is drinking.
 T notice that in some cities they have to place signs in the cars This Part for White People," and This Part for Ne groes' but we never have to do that here The negroes know what part of the car they are to occupy and they always go to that part without trouble"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-15
Fl Paso Cor New York Herald.

Fl FaSo Cor. New York Herald.
 H HE building of the Kansas City. IVY Mexico and Orient railroad is
 bringing to light near Bacoyna, Mex, in the western part of the state of Chihuahua. a strange race that live in mountain oaverns. Their language is an incoherent gibberish peculiar to them selves, and they leap from crag to crag like wild animals.
 The country around Baycona is as wild as can be found anywhere in the republic, and its isolation accounts for the fact that such a race could thus long remain un- touched by the forward march of eiviliza- ton.
 Judge Jay Goode of Texas, and for several years on the bench of the district court here. has just returned from a tour of research in Mexico. during which he penetrated the country inhabited by this queer people. Starting from La Luz min ing camp on a mountain climbing mule, and led by trusty guide. Judge Goode travelled four days until he came to what he considered an advantageous point from which to make observations.
 He camped and formed the acquaintance of Father Mariana Guerrero, a recluse priest, who has lived in northern Mex leo more than quarter of a century. From Father Guerrero Judge Goode ob- tained much information relative to these people, who, like prarie dogs, scuttle back into their subterranean homes whenever intruders come near.
 Tt was the most wonderful sight I ever beheld," said Judge Goode and now that the railroad is opening up that sec tion to communication with the world I predict that before another year students from all over the country will be in Mex leo to study this remnant of humanity. These people are almost dwarfts in size. and their faces remind one Of the baboon or monkey. They are neither Mexican nor Indian. In fact, they seem a distinctive race, unlike any other in existence. They are tiplid to such an extent that they sell dom permit an outsider to approach them, and they flee from a camera as If 1t were ! Gattling gun. l made numerous unsuc-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-15
THE lRREvERENT BRAHMIN.

A Hindu Tract in the New York Times. A Brahmin, fat and debonnaire. Denied the potency of prayer:
 "Absurdv' he scoffed; ito think the gods At ease on high, would stoop to clods And heed their million warning prayeU To regulate their small affairs," This dogmatist of early days
 Was lost within the jungles masA Where, wildly ranging wide about To find a pathway leading out, Upon forest godlng's shrine He chanced, o'erhung with leaf ou4
 vine,
 And-wonder, horrori crouching thoro. A mighty tiger bowed in prayerl (Tail curled as might be we'll suppourX Paws folded, eyes devoutly closely Strong godl'' he heard the tiger so0s q pray thee. send to me a preyr' The trustful tiger closed his prayoR- Behold. Brahmin trembling tharu1 { The Brahmin never >scoffed q whit. The prayer had answer He was n.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-15
STRANGE RACE OF LITTLE
 MEN WITH MONKEY FACES

cessful attempts to take snapshots pho- tographs. and, although I obtained sev- eral good views of the locality, not once could I catch a picture of the individuals themselves.
 The only senoblance of civilization Is the fact that these people do, after fash ion, till the soil. Their method of farming IS primitive, and the yield is limited to a few varieties of fruits and vegetables which thrive in northern Mexico regard less of cultivation
 Although saw no warlike demonstra- tons, Father Guerrera, who knows these people perhaps better than any other per- son, informed me that when aroused they are extremely pugnacious, ever ready to rush upon an enemy with bow and arrow In fighting they go in droves. Their lan- guage is different from anything I ever heard. It is an ineoherent experimentation or low' gutteral sounds. more like the grunt Of hog than the articulation of human being, and judging from the sound, it's variations and infections their vocabulary does not exceed 200 words.
 Father Guerrero says that although he has never learned to interpret their language and has never been able to en- gage them in conversation they seem to know that he is a spiritual adviser. and they have often approached him, one at time, and by signs have given him to understand that they wanted his bless. ing. They evidently have some idea of re- ligion. although they have no places of worship.
 Upon being blessed by the priest they scamper away much after the fashion of scared rabbits. Clothing is used sparing- ly, for the climate is genial
 If Mir. Roosevelt could see this com. munty he would decide that race suicide Is not imminent, for children are as thick as pickaninnies on New Orleans wharf. All property seems to be in common and everybody comes and goes as he pleascs There is no marriage or divorce--in fact. so far as an outsider can see, there is an absence of domestic wrangles scandal theft gambling and many of the evils that beset civilized communities"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-15
THE CABINET AND PRESIDENCY.

From the Elmira Daily Advertiser.
 It is almost fifty years since President was elected who had had previous cabi- net experience. James Buchanan was Secretary of State in Folks administra- ton and returned from the legation in London to run for the presidential nomi- nation.
 To be sure, in earlier days the cabinet was considered a stepping stone to the White House, but this condition ceased long ago. So apparent Is the fact that Senator Hoar once characterized the cab inet as the place for an ambitious man to end his ambitions in.
 It is not the intention here to show that Secretary Root cannot be nominated for President but to demonstrate that if he is accorded the honor 1t will be because he is deserving of the confidence bestowed upon him. and not because he has any advantage of political influence.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-15
About Persons.

Col. George H. Jones of Norcross, Ga. former member of the Georgia legislature, and for several years keeper of the peni- tentiary of Georgia, is visiting his friend. Col. William Neill. the proprietor of the St. Nicholas hotel
 H. s. Doster. editor of the Prattville Progress is In Birmingham.
 W. c. Matthews of Atlanta is 8 guest of the Morris hotel
 o. T. Grimes of scottsville is register cd at the Morris hotel.
 Frank E. carrel of Epes is in Birming- ham.
 L. M Folk of Decatur is at the Norris
 The ~sIAS Rev. E. F. Allen, bishop of
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-15
Birmingham Hote. Business.

eve are doing a big business this sum mer," said a clerk at one of the proml- nent Birmingham hotels last night
 Tn fact our business has been larger this summer than it has been for the past four or five years, during the warm weather.
 "A large per cent of our guests are sight-seers. Northern people visiting the southern summer resorts. and southern neople en route to places in the north, stop over in Birmingham in large num- bers and spend a few days visiting the many places of interest in the district And they all seem to be delighted with their stay in the city, too
 Ut Is very seldom that we have over three or four vacant rooms in our hotei at the time. A large number of travel ing salesmen are making Birmingham these days. They report the booking or large fall orders. which goes to snow that the local merchants anticipate brislx trade this fall and winter.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-15

Mobile, arrived in Birmingham yesterday and will remain here until Monday.
 B. c. Duncan is spending few days in Birmingham. He is at the Morris hotel A. s. Ullman of Anniston is in the city
 I. B. Tendon of Marion is registered at the Morris.
 A. S. vandegraff of Tuscaloosa is in the city.
 R. A. Aston of Atlanta was in Bir- mingham last night
 Madison Jones of Greensboro is in the city a guest of the Morris hotel
 Frank w. Lee of Lynchburg, Va, is registered at the Morris,
 c. w. Osborne of Cincinnati is in the city.
 Paul Price of Urbana, O., is at the Morris.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-15
GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS
 AND THE COST OF LIVING

rich men is suggested, nor would 1t be defensible.
 So far from profuseness of expendi- ture by a public officer being necessary for him to maintain the dignity of his place, It rather works to his disadvan- tage in this republic The man in office who lives on his official salary, modestly and simply, gains a better reputation with the American people than the man who surrounds himself with costly luxu- ries. But the proposed. and requisite, increase in salaries permits of no such profuseness and is only commensurate with the more expensive standard of living since the old days.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-15

been told. The inaccuracies of the departments crop guesses are numer- ous enough without the addition of
 scandalous premature leakages. In the last ten years the real crops have exceeded the governments estimated crops by a total of 6,740000 bales. Here is an average shortage of nearly seven hundred thousand bales year. In 1S97-s the governments underesti- mate amounted to 1,6OO,000 bales. The Agricultural Department always un- derestimates crop, but it's discrep- ancles are eccentric, and no one can tell how wide or how close one Of them will be to the real outcome.
 The methods of the department do not admit of figures approaching ac- curacy. They are procured from per sons interested as a rule in reporting a lessened crop, and yet persistent understatement does not help the farmer. It helps no one except the speculator, and the sooner all per centages of condition are abolished the better for all concerned. Let the department, however, continue to gather the acreage figures. When these are collected every intelligent observer can readily make his own crop figures until the census bureau begins to count the bales turned out.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-15
A Bird in the Hand.

From the Marion Standard.
 The press has been compiimenting con gressman Clayton of the Third district recently by telling what good governor he would make. But your Uncle Henry knows a good thing when he sees 1t, and has not forgotten how Colonel Oates turned loose the rope to spit on ms hahus and make a pull for the Senate via the governorship and lost out. leaving your Uncle Henry to fill his seat in Congress, a position, he says is much to his liking and with which he is very well satisfied.