davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-10
Member of MdItr- Duncan Gang in Jail at Bridge
 port, Conn., PINKERTONS NOTIFY
 LOCAL POLICE FORCE
Man Supposed to Have Been One of the Murderers of Policemen kirkley and Adams Is
 In Jail.

After a search of over five years 1t is believed by Chief Wier and members of the Birmingham police department that one of the murderers of Policemen Kirk ley and Adams has been captured. The following telegram to the police was re- ceiyed yesterday:
 Chicago, H., Dec. 9, 1905. w. E. Wier, Chief of Police, Brming- ham, Ala.
 Harry Dowd, alias Denver Harry" wanted by your department for murder Of two officers in March, 1900 in custody December ?, at Bridgeport, Conn. If still wanted, suggest you wire Bridgeport.
 ''W. A. PINKERTON. Chief Wier immediately directed Desk and the reply sent follows:
 Birmingham Ala, Dec s, 19O5 "Chief of Police, Bridgeport, Conn. ''Is Harry Dowd, alias Denver Harry, - in custody? Can we get him for safe blowing and robbery?"
 w. E. WEIR, Chief of Polce For the murder of Poicemen Kirkley and Adams, which occurred in March, 1900, two men have been hanged and three are serving terms in the penitentiary Frank Duncan and Frank Miller were the men who paid the death penalty for the crime, and Dick West, alias Robert lsaacs, Tom Fay and Frank Edwards are the men sentenced to the penitentiary. West escaped from the mines, but was later captured and sentenced for fifteen years.
 The sensational escape of Frank Dun can from the county jail while under
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-10

The annual convention of the Engineer ing Association of the South will be held in Birmingham next Friday and Saturday, December 15 and IS. The business sessions of the convention will be held on the third floor of the city hall.
 The convention will open Friday at noon and 1t is expected that all the business will be finished at the night session. Ac- cording to the present arrangements Sat urday will be devoted to viewing the diff ferent points of interest in and around Birmingham and Saturday night ban quet will be given at the Hotel Hillman.
 A committee composed of G. H. Harris, R. E. Mead and c. G. Engstfeld of the local branch of the association has the arrangements for the convention in charge and they have about completed the pro- gramme.
 Prominent civil engineers from all over the south are expected to be In attendance and the sightseeing trip will include visits to the new septic plant beyond Bessemer, the furnaces and steel mills and the nearby mines.
 The banquet Saturday night promises to be a very elaborate affair and many prominent local people will participate.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-10
PATIENTS TO HAVE A CHRISTMAS TREE
LADY BOARD OF MANAGERS OF HlLLMAN HOSPITAL ARE AR RANGING FOR ANNUAL AFFAIR. SECURING DONATIONS.

The patients of Hillman hospital VIII be treated to an elaborate Christmas tree this year.
 A tree will be arrayed in one or .he wards, decorated in the Christmas COT ors, and all the patients who can be moved will be brought in on coucnes Every patient will be remembered by Santa Claus, and the tree will prove very enjoyable to the patients who will be able to see it.
 Last year about forty patients were able to be moved into the room, and they enjoyed the tree immensely. In the hospital there were only five or six pa- tients who were in too critical condi- tion to be moved
 The lady board of managers are at work already making arrangements and securing donations for the tree. Last year the donations enabled the ladies Ill charge to arrange an attractive tree. and they expect this year to be able 10 do the same.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-10

the county officers were stiD securing evil dence in the West murder case and John son would have been the principal wit ness at the trial of the accused man. However. his sworn statement has been made and that will still go as evidence against the men now in jail.
 Shrouded in Mystery
 The whole affair is shrouded in mystery on account of it's connection with the West case and it remains to be seen whether or not the police can bring to light developments that will solve the problem. It is stated by the town au- thorities of North Birmingham and Mar shal Cole, that no stone would be left unturned to run the guilty party to earth. if Johnson was murdered, and that they are confident the mystery could be clear ed in time. Marshal Cole is securing wit nesses for the coroner's inquest, which is to be held at the North Birmingham city hall Thursday, and developments of a sensational nature may be expected.
 Coroner Paris and Undertaken Gaudin stated yesterday that they felt sure John son had been murdered, possibly to pre- vent his testifying against the men now held for the murder of West. and that it was not the act of his own hand.
 Men Still in JaIl.
 Harry Scroggins and P. F. Harmon, the two men who are being held for the murder of D. A. West, have friends and relatives working on the outside to ob- tain bond for them. but it Is hardly prob able that they will be allowed bail until after the preliminary hearing Scroggins has secured Shuggart & Bell to defend him and these attorneys have taken charge of his case.
 Lem Scroggins, one of the brothers of the accused, came to Birmingham few days ago and is trying to secure evidence in his brothers behalf. There are two other brothers, Will Scrogglns, who lives in North Birmingham, and Zack Scrog- gins, who resides on the old Tennessee road, some distance from where the body of West was found. Harry Scroggins was seen at the county jail yesterday and asked if he had heard that Johnson had been killed. He said that he had been informed of it. He also said that one thing was certain and that was they could not accuse him of the Johnson mur- der He still protests his innocence and that he will be able to clear himself Of the charge of killing West.
 After the inquest over Vests body. Coroner Paris ordered the arrest of all four men who were with the murdered man the night he was killed. Jim Ellis and Will Wood were released on Wednes- day as there was not sufficient evidence against either of them. but the otherstwo men are still in the county jail.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-10

passed out into the night. When he did not appear at midnight, the wifes fears for his safety increased and at daybreak and no return she was almost certain he had been the victim of foul play. She will not accept the theory of suicide and feels certain that her husband was mur- dered
 The dead man was about 45 years old and besides his wife leaves two children. He had been employed at the store of W. J. Harris, just on the outskirts Of North Birmingham, for some time and the store is at least one mile from his home Johnson and Harris were brought before the public eye. last Monday when they were summoned before the coroner's jury to offer evidence in the West murder mys- tery. and their statements lead to the arrest of Scroggins and Harmon, alleged to be implicated in the murder. It will be remembered West was shot with a 5- calibre revolver and Johnson testified that he had loaned a pistol of that description to Scroggins after West had left the store where party of men. including Scroggins, had been gambling, and that short time afterwards he returned the weapon with two new cartridges in It. Marshal Cole of North Birmingham and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-10

As usual our guarantee holds good. Goods must please you. Get in one of our guaranteed el8.O % all wool suits. Varley & Bau- man, 1924 lst Ave.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-10

Holiday Sale and Luncheon
 The ladies of the Five Points Methodist church will conduct a holiday sale and serve luncheon at l3 N. 2Oth St. (building formerly oc- cupied by Postal Telegraph h Ce. beginning Wednesday, Dec. 18th.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-10
Mr. Farmer Man

You man with your pockets full
 of 12-cents cotton money-send it to us by mail and start a savings account. It will be safe here. You worked for it-now make it work for you. :: :: ::
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-10

sentence of death and his recapture in Florida after being at liberty for over two years is still fresh in the minds of the people of Birmingham as well as his execution. Duncan was hanged in the county jail yard November 25, 1904 Mill Ter, the other member of the gang, got out of his cell and was on top of the prison wall when he was captured just as he was about to jump to the street. Chief Deputy Sheriff Stradford and office attachees of the sheriff's office give cred it to a negro prisoner for sounding the alarm and preventing the escape of Mil- Ter.
 Standard Oil Robbery.
 The crime that cost Policemen Kirkey and Adams their lives was the robbery of the office of the Standard oil company, in which seven men participated, includ- ing the five mentioned who were convict ed. The remaining two men charged with the crime, who escaped, were T. J. Burns, alias Shenandoah Red," and Harry Dowd, alias New York Harry" whom the police believe is no other than Denver Harry" claimed by the Pinker- tons to be under arrest in Bridgeport Duncan and Miller who died on the gal lows, both acknowledged that they parti- cipated in the crime of blowing the Stan dard oil company's safe and robbing 1t, but denied having fired the shots that caused the deaths of Officers Kirkley and Adams. They maintained that the police men were killed by New York Harry" The other alias of Dowd in the criminal calendar Is Denver Harry"
 The two men, Miller and Duncan,- died
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-10
DIR. WHARTON WILL
 SPEAK AT BIJOU
LAST OF SERIES OF MEMS MEET iNGS WILL BE CONDUCTED. PROGRAMME FOR TODAY AND HIS LECTURES.

The Rev. Dr. H. M. Wharton, the emi- nent evangelist, who has been conduct- ing services in Birmingham for several weeks, will deliver an address at the Bijou theatre this afternoon at 3;3O o'clock at the last of a series of men < meetings conducted under the auspices of the Young Mems Christian associa- tion.
 pr. Wharton will preach this morning at Il o'clock at the Southside Baptist church, and will fill the pulpit there again in the evening, concluding series of revivals. He will deliver lecture there Monday night on "A Trip Through Palestine" He will lecture Tuesday night at the First Baptist church on "The Ups and Downs of Life"
 The subject of Dr. Wharton's address at the Bijou tomorrow afternoon will be ''The Strange Woman" Men only will be admitted. The Sunday afternoon meetings at the Bijou have been very successful on each occasion, about two thousand men being present. It Is ex- pected that many will attend this after noon's meeting.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-10
Artistic
 Hand Woven Tapestries

Drop in and see them at the w. D. Colby Decorating Co.'S, 1918 Second avenue.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-10
Local Weather Data.

Birmingham. December g, { D. m Maximum temperature .. .. e. e. .. oI Minimum temperature .. .. A Mean temperature :. 5o Normal temperature .. .. .. 4S Deficiency of temperature since Jan
 uary l.. :. :. :. .. .. .57s Rainfall since D. m. yesterday q. .. .03 Rainfall since January l.. .. e. .. e. q. .46 Deficiency of rainfall since Jan
 uary 1. .. . .. .. .. 5.61
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-10
THE WEATHER

Washington, December 9.--F orecast for Alabama: Fair. colder Sunday; Monday fair: fresh northwest to north winds.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-10
Weather Report.

Temperature and precipitation as re- ported at the weather bureau for select southern stations during 24 hours ending at 10 a. m.: Precip-
 ora q tl.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-10
Not an
 Old Picture

framed with the most discriminating taste. w. D. Colby Decorating Co., 1918 Second avenue.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-10

Fine imported ones, that are re- ally works of art, and at prices that are in reach of rnodarato n,,rcor
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-10

in stock. Every one we have is a carefully chosen one from the stocks of the best New York and Boston Art Dealers, and specially .e~ot It1n,-t tfn
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-10

A steinway concert grand, nine feet long, loaned by the Jesse French com pany will be used at the recital at the conservatory this afternoon at S:45 o'clock.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-10

Rlenzi Thomas, the virtuoso organist will be in demand this season for re- citals in the larger cities in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee, es- pecially in churches with new organs.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-10

Office mur frsm g s. m. te 3 ?. m.
 every day.
New-York tribune., 1905-04-15

Two SIDES TO THE CASE. AS USUAL.
The offers made 10 the Rapid Transit Com
mission by counsel for the Interborough COM
pany are not illlberal and except in one re-
spect they are attractive. But the exception
is likely TO be considered the main thing by
many citizens. The company wants a franchise
permitting Il TO add two tracks 70 its 2d-ave.
road from 150th-st to 8d-st, where they would
begin 70 descend. and so enter a subway ex.
tending by a somewhat devious route across
the city to a West-st. terminal. For this privi-
lege the company offers free transfers between
its subway and elevated systems, including ell
future extensions here and in Brooklyn.
IL the elevated roads were not considered OBJ
gectionable in any way, and a disposition to
encourage extensions OF them existed. these
proposals would doubtless be deemed fair, and
even generous But the plain fact is that pub.
lie sentiment is responsive to the hope expressed
by Mr.. Orr not long ago, that the elevated roads
would disappear altogether in the not distant
future, and to the policy, which the Rapid
Transit Commission is understood TO have
declared, Of not allowing the Manhattan sys-
tenn 70 be extended anywhere except under
extraordinary circumstances. The advantages
which the Interborough company has to offer
are obvious. 1t could put two express tracks
IN 2d-ave, with a West Side connection at the
lower end Of the city, inside Of two years, and
Il promises TO give transfers as soon as the
franchise is granted. That would be an imme-
date benefit to a multitude of passengers, and
the completed improvement would furnish rapid
transportation nearly the whole length Of the
city over a convenient route.
II is worthy Of special note, moreover, that
the company Offers as counsel expressly de-
clared to take a franchise for a limited period,
say twenty-five years, after which the city
would be enabled to exact such terms as 1t
pleased or to compel the company TO remove
the additional tracks. That proposition might
not however, prove so advantageous as it now
looks; for If it were accepted the development
Of subway communications might consequently
be Of such a character as TO render the removal
Of the 2d-ave express tracks at a future date
practically impossible for lack of facilities, ex-
istent or procurable. to supply their place. In
that case the concession asked for now would
be seen to have been instrumental in perpetual
ing the elevated system. 1t is also suggested,
and not unreasonably, that If the franchise were
granted it would constitute precedent for simi-
lar extensions Of other Manhattan lines.
We should not be disposed, If we had the
power, to settle the question Ofhand. The COM
mission listened with interest and proper atten-
ton to the company's proposals. and put It's
counsel on record as to several exceedingly i'm
portant points. It recognized. furthermore, the
right Of the public to be thoroughly informed
and 10 express its opinion after considering the
subject a hearing has therefore been prom
ised. and we hope there win be ample oppor-
tunity for discussion.
New-York tribune., 1905-04-15

Hiil wrote into the Albany platform, that ea-
Judge Parker exploited on the stump ana that
he echoes now in his Jefferson birthday speech
is not the kind of Jeffersonianism the country
wants. The voters have no use for a humbug
safe and sane" Democracy. They do not want
a weak central government on the original JET
fersOnian plan, which minded its own busl-
ness" and would never have presumed TO inter:
fere with the operations Of combinations in re-
straiDt Of trade and commerce chartered by
The States. The disastrous breakdown Of Judge
Parker's canvass was ON evidence Of the dis
satisfaction OF hundreds of thousands OF Demo-
ers1ic voters with his attempt TO commit the
party to a sterile and eolorless conservatism.
That he has missed the real meaning Of the cleo
tlon is proved by his indulgence in this histori-
cally false and startlingly inapropOs epigTam:
1T is safe 70 assert of policy that if it is radi
zeal ii is not Democratic; IL &c IS Democratic Il Is
mot radical" Such a deliverance at dinner in
honor Of Thomas Jefferson, the greatest radical
IN American politics, is sadly near burlesQue.
If IL was meant TO be taken seriously it is evil
dent that for an eminent Democratic statesman
the process Of getting back to Jefferson" has
only Just begun.
New-York tribune., 1905-04-15

sternly discouraged Furthermore, It Is inpos-
sfble TO prescribe q speed limit which Is uni
formly safe under all conditions. Safety is rela-
tive, not absolute. 1t depends on a variety Of
circumstances, such as the presence or absence
of pedestrians, the number and kind Of other We
hiCles in the neighborhood, and the temperament
Of horses that may be approaching. 1t thus be-
comes necessary TO lodge discretionary power
in the hands of an officer a magistrate or
both of them. New-Jersey, like Great Britain,
imposes that form Of check on recklessness, and
in tho long run we believe the provision VIII
commend itself to the approval Of all sensible
owners Of automobiles.
Fears have been expressed that constableS or
police will be so instructed by local authorities
that malicious interruption Of travel will occa-
sionally be possible. There Is undoubtedlS a
microscopic chance that such obstruction will
be offered, but the frequency with which the
trouble occurs Will be controlled largely. if not
entirely by the drivers of automobiles them
selves. In instances, perhaps, the innocent will
be made to suffer for the guilty; but in the main
individuals may reasonably count on being
treated according to their merits. 1t is not for
the interest of any municipality to restrain
legitimate and rational traffic.
New-York tribune., 1905-04-15
TEE NEWS THIS MORNING.

FOREEGN.-The Russian hospital ship Orei
Fsile6 from Saigon, after taking on board coaI'
provisions and medical supplies. - Inc t.
port OF q naval engagement on tne C0SIIn1 0S
Sghina coast was denied by the japanese Navy
DeDartment - Further sharp actions were
reported from Manchuria, the Russians, acco[u- a1o
sDg 20 japanese reports, having been driven
eastward from the F1l-Shun district. - Dls-
patches from many points IN Russia ten OK -
newed disturbances among tne PesSaI 1li,.,,eS
urban population; great rising, II Is eLIeeSu, -,
IS being planned for May Day; cnoleFa mas
broken out at Baku. - The Russian Muls y
sster OF Finance announced 70 oeputauon Oh
srorlCnen that extensive reforms In the Iaoor
Saws were being prepared; ne asked Tor time 10
consider the chsnges S ,t - pSis
the Identification was complete - A. We w.
reported from Paris that Turkey had settled the
French claims by an agreement o pay noeLn-
nifty and 70 purchase arms IN France. -
Great Britain, according 70 q olsPaIcn nOHA
Picking, has accepted China's modincations IN
the Tbetan convention.
nOATEsTTc President Roosevelt arrived at
Colorado Springs on his way 10 his nunung
camp after passing through poEuohs OF AsAaS
and New-Mexico ana making seveTat ai,.os osiea =
speeches. - The President has appointed
commission Of three experts 20 consider ana re-
port on the diversion OF international rivers.
- A contract for the construction OF new
island in New-YOrk HarbOr, on which hospital
for immigrants will be erected, was AWARDED oy
Secretary Metcalf. - IT was reported az
Norfolk Va that an explosion on the Prest-
dents yacht Sylph severely scalded two or the
crew. -suTrounded by his family Joseph
Jefferson, the celebrated actor was reported
dying az West Palm Beach, Fla.
CITY.-Stocks were strong and active. -
The Legislative Gas Investigating COMMITTEES
devoted part OF its session to an inquiry into the
affairs Of the Brooklyn Union Gas Company.
- Managers OF the agencies OF the Equitable
Life Assurance Society decided 20 ask President
Alexander to end the dissensions among ITS
officers. 60 Justice BischofP continued the
temporary Injunction restraining the city au-
fhorities from removing the subway advertising
signs and slot machines. - Books OF hlaW
a. EFlanger were examined In court IN the suit
OF David BelascO 10 prove a partnership with
the firm 80 The indictment for conspiracy
against Miss Nan Patterson was dismissed at
the request OF Assistant District Attorney Rand.
THE Observation-Disclosures for to-day:
Fair and colder. The temperature yesterday;
1zlgheEt, e3 degrees; loves, a.
New-York tribune., 1905-04-15
coMRrsrIRLE SUBWAY CARg.

Some interesting reflections are excited by the
arrival in Long Island City of a number OF
motor cars which are destined. after recelv-
ing their electrical machinery, to move subur-
ban trains on the Long Island road. For the
first year or two those trains will be operated
on the surface only. After the completion or
the tunnel under the East River at S4th-st few
Of them will cross to the projected underground
station Of the Pennsylvania road on Manhat-
tan Island. Now, so long as passenger coaches
have no roof above them but the sky the con-
sequences of taking fire are less formidable
than when they run below the surface. 1t is
to be hoped, therefore, that the Long Island
Railroad Company will use steel trailers as well
as steel motor cars. There should be no such
compromise as has been made by the Inter
borough company.
At the time of the fire in the subway near
1esth-st., two or three weeks ago, The Tribune
remarked that the most significant feature of
the event was the fate Of the train the derail-
ment of which gave rise to a remarkable chain OF
incidents. That train was composed Of seven
cars FIVE of them being wooden, with copper
sheathing on the sides and asbestos in the
floors, while the others were made OF STEEL
The latter were comparatively uninjured,
whereas the bodies of the former were COM
pletely destroyed by the flames which result
ed from a "shOrt circuit" The shock which
led to all the mlScnleL was severe euOuBn 10
splinter the wood that had been used in con-
structing the cars, and ignition was an easy
matter. 1t was a fortunate circumstance that
as the train was being switched at temporary
terminus, it was entirely empty at the time.
Had il been heavily loaded New-York might
have furnished the world with sensation more
horrible than Paris did in 1901.
The necessity Of removing all wooden cars
from the subway-at least from the local tracks
there-and making up the trains Of steel cars
exclusively was thus made more apparent than
ever before. Theoretically. if not practically,
rear end collisions on the express tracks are
made impossible by the installation Of auto
matte apparatus; and that apparatus has not
vet failed in an emergency. The only check
upon the mOtormen of local trains is their own
caution That this will sometimes prove made
uuate in the subway. as it has on surface roads,
10 avert bad smash-up may be regarded GER
talnty. The sooner the InterborOugh company
transfers it's combustible rolling stock from its
underground lines to the elevated roads the
better. The substitution Of absolutely fireproof
cars should be conducted with the utmost en-
ergy.