davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-08-14
ITALIAN GROCER
FOUND MURDERED
Discovered Lying Dead in
Wagon Near 0wenton
BULLET HOLE IN HIS HEAD
Charles Mentilo of Ensley Shot Yes
terday Morning While On His Way
to mngham-Robbery
the Motive.
BULLET HOLE IN HIS HEAD

Charles Mentillo an Italian who con-
Quoted a store at Ensley, was found dead
yesterday morning shortly after s o'clock
near Owenton. with the indications all
pointing to murder. A bullet hole was
found in the back Of his neck, Just be-
low the hair, and .3S Smith & Wesson
pistol was lying at the side of the body.
Mentillo had been in the custom for
several years past to come to Birming-
ham every Monday morning to purchase
supplies for his store which Is located
on Nineteenth street and Avenue G. 1t
was known that he carried money with
which to buy his goods, and since his
pockets were turned inside out and some
small change was found lying near, rob-
berry was evidently the motive.
Negroes Story.
Two travelling picture sellers are said
to be the men who first discovered the
body. They found it lying in the wagon
in which Mentillo left home and a negro
man was standing over him. The negro
stated, 1t Is said, that there were two
men who committed the deed and that
they had run away as he approached.
The two men then started in pursuit of
the supposed murderers, but became sus-
picous when they had gone some distance
without perceivlng any signs of fugitives
and returned to the wagon to interview
the negro further, but found that he
had disappeared.
Mentillo's wife states that the deceased
had about s14 in his pocket when he left
home, but the police think that he had
much larger sum concealed about his
person.
Coroner Paris was notified of the crime
as was also the police department, and
the body, after examination, was placed
In the ambulance Of Gaudin d Co., and
brought to town, where 1t will be pre-
pared for burial. The funeral will be con-
Quoted this afternoon at o'clock from
St. Paurs Catholic church.
Two Negroes Arrested.
Suspicion of the crime pointed to Wall
ter Lindsay, a negro who was employed
by Mentillo and Coroner Paris has or
dered the police department to be on the
lookout for him and place him under ar
rest. The police however, do not seem
to agree with the coroner in placing the
crime for they have arrested two negro
men one of whom they think is guilty.
One of these negroes was captured by
officer Veitch and gave his name as Sam
Miller. He was covered with mud when
the officer arrested him and had in his
possession SIS and two gold watches, so
Communicated
he was locked up on suspicion. The other
negro, VIII Boyd, who is called "Jackey'
was captured by officer Elledge at For
teenth street and Seventh avenue. It is
said that Boyd had been in the employ
of Mentillo for several years and that
suspicion pointed to him as soon as the
crime was heard of. Officer Elledge visit
ed Montgomery's saloon, where the negro
was captured.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-08-14

DOIi0o FNtS OCT
Chisolm, Sims and Hayes appeared be-
fore United States Commissioner r. b.
Watts yesterday afternoon for prelimi-
nary hearing. On the recommendation of
Assistant District Attorney Steele the
hearing was postponed until next Mon
day morning at 10 O'clock.
Appearance bonds were allowed all three
men. Clisolms bond was set at $50 900
and in default of that he was placed in
custody of the United States marshal.
Sims bond was also set at $4,000, which
he made 1t was signed by Gen. e. w.
Rucker and G. w Sherling. Hayes bond,
on the recommendation of the assistant
he easily made, Walker Percy, Culpepper
Exum, W. H. Hassinger and John L.
Raul signing it.
When court was called to order the
three defendants were asked by Com
missioner Watts If they were familiar
with the contents of the charges against
them A. o. Lane, as attorney, replied
in the affirmative for Sims and Hayes,
and Chisolm answered for himself, stat
ing that he had no attorney.
Attorney Steele addressed the court re-
questlng that the preliminary hearing be
postponed until some time next week in
order TO allow the prosecution and de-
Tense some time in which to get ready.
He also suggested that the three men
be allowed bond and asked that the bond
of Chlsolm and the bond of Sims be set
at $780, 900 each. practically the amount
of money stolen from the bank. He
stated that Hayes was merely clerk
and acted under Instructions from Mr..
Sims and that, therefore, he was not as
guilty as the other two men. He said that
the government considered that he was
guilty to some extent, but that the fact
of his being bookkeeper and merely an
employe decreased his responsibility.
Attorney Makes Protest.
Mr.. Lane protested against the size of
the bond of Sims and Chisolm. He stated
that they were exorbitant and that 1t was
an unheard of precent to set bonds at such
high figures. He claimed that bonds were
merely to insure the appearance of the
defendants in court and that he thought
s95OOo. which either could make, was suf-
fcient to hold them.
Commissioner Watts stated that in as
much as the amount of money was so
large. as shown by the affidavits of the
bank examiner, he thought that the bonds
should be large. He thought the district
attorney was seeking too high bond
and that the attorney for the defense
wanted the bonds set too low. He an
nounced that he would make the bond Of
Chisolm $50 600 and that of Sims the same.
He considered $4,000 enough for the bond
of Hayes
Mr.. Lane protested again. but Commits
sioner Watts stated that he could not
consistently make it lower. Mr.. Lane en-
tered a plea that Mr.. Sims was merely
an employe of Gilbert & Clay, and said
that the bonds in murder cases were never
over $4,000 He insisted on his request
that the bonds of Slime and Chisolm be
lowered
Mr.. Steele, in reply, said that under the
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-08-14
FIRST NATIONAL BANK
STATEMENT YESTERDAY
$9,e7o,7s5.75

$997OIS5a5
H Cashier the
soemnly that the above
knowledge belief. j. H.
Correct Attest Walker Percy Exum Ersn Ramsay directors
Subscribed to before
JNO. LEWIS, Notary Public.
by
L.. Sank Exam
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-08-14
Total

The warrants were served yesterday aft
ternoon about o'clock on Chisolm In the
office of Walker Percy, one of the direc-
tors of the bank, in the woodward build
ing, where Chisolm had been held ever
since he returned to Birmingham yester-
day morning from a trip east. The war
rants against Hayes and Sims were served
on them about the same time. II. G..
Ashley. chief deputy United States mar
shall and Deputy j. NJ. Coker served the
papers.
In serving the papers on Sims and Hayes
the officers were accompanied by Walker
Percy. Mr.. Percy stated to Mr.. Hayes
that the officials of the bank and the
directors did not think him guilty of any
wilful violation of the law, but that they
thought he merely acted as an employee
and did what he was instructed to do by
Mr.. Sims. For that reason Mr. Percy
said that they would aid him in making
his bond.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-08-14
ISN'T IT FAIR
TO SUPPOSE

That when Hostetter's Stomach Bit
tiers have cured hundreds OF cases of
Stomach, Liver or Bowel troubles dur
ing the past So years, it will cure you,
too. 1t is worth the trial at any rate
and you'll be satisfied with the result.
One bottle of
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-08-14
HQSIEIIER'S

will convince you that it is the best
for relieving and preventing attacks
of Cramps, Diarrhoea, BiIiousness,
Heartburn, costiveness, Dyspepsia, In
digestion, Female Ills, or Malaria.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-08-14
THE WEATHER.

Washington. August 1s.-Forecast for
Alabama and Mississippi: Local rains
and warmer Tuesday and Wednesday;
light variable winds.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-08-14
Books Are Secured.

The books of the local office of Gilbert
G. Clay were carried to the office of AS
sistant District Attorney Steele and fig
ures relative to the dealings of Chisolm
were obtained from them. They showed
that the first transaction of Chisom was
on February g. 1906, when he lost $3.50. The
books showed that between that date
and the present time he MADE a score or
more of transactions. winning during that
time a total Of s14.845 and losing a total
of 1852. 26O, leaving a net loss of ST.
Ais.
Mr. Hayes said yesterday afternoon
that Chisom operated under the name of
S. NJ Webster. He said:
II thought all along that Webster was
the representative OF a syndicate. We
would communicate with Mr. Chisolm,
telling him the amount that he owed the
exchange. He placed all of his orders
with us over the telephone, and | do
not remember ever seeing him in the ex-
change. Mr.. Sims would direct me to go
to the bank and tell ChisoIm how much
money he owed and Chisolm would reply
that he would consult his friend and to
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-08-14

come back later and get the money.
would go back and he would hand me
the money in packages, always the
amount that be owed. gave him receipts
for 1t.
Il had no idea that it was Chisom
operating for himself, and If 1 had l
would never have touched the thing"
Both Mr.. Sims and Chlsolm refused to
make a statement at ALL Mr.. Sims ex-
pressed great regret that Chisolm should
have gotten into trouble, saying that he
knew him well and thought highly of
him.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-08-14
More Money Found.

When Chlsolm was carried to the Of
flee of the United States marshal yester-
day afternoon he was stripped and
searched. The officers found SOS on his
person in bills and silver which was
turned over to Walker Percy at the re-
quest of Chisom. The prisoner spent
most of the afternoon lying on a sofa In
the marshals office. He saw few friends
but asked to be excused from seeing a
majority of those who called. He refused
absolutely to make any statement TO
newspaper reporter, stating that he had
nothing to say in regard to the matter.
To the bank directors and officials
Chisolm stated that he had commenced
speculation ON a small scale on some
money that he had saved. ell stated
that several men had told him that cot
ton was a good investment at that time
and that he had AIKEN his savings and
lost them on cotton. He then took some
of the banks money to cover his loslngs
and try to regain what he had lost. prom
isng himself that he would return the
money to the bank when he made a win
ming. He was steady loser and from
the start was behind the game all the
time Several of his losings were in large
amounts.
To a friend Chsolm stated that he had
seen prospects of getting rich fast and
that he thought he was certain to win.
He stated that he had nothing except
his salary and that his family had little
money and that he thought he could win
enough to live in luxury.
Chisolm told another friend that he had
not spent the money he had taken in
dissipation of any kind. He said that
he realized that he was ruined and that
he was the first of the Chisolm's to dis
grace the family in any way
Sleeps at HilIman.
When ChIsolm discovered that he was
unable to make the bond required last
night he asked permission to sleep at one
of the hotels, guarded by the deputy
marshals. This permission was granted
and he spent the night at the hotel. II he
is unable to make the bond before the
preliminary next Monday 1t Is probable
that he will be allowed to remain at
the hotel under guard.
Commissioner Watts turned Chisolm
over to the custody Of the United States
marshal last night after the bonds were
set with instructions to deliver the pris-
Chsolm seemed completely worn out
yesterday afternoon. He had little of the
appearance of a man who had just re-
turned from a vacation His eyes were
hollow and there were deep, dark rings
under them, denoting sleepless hours. He
was nervous and his eyes roamed about
the room all the time. In the court he
frequently touched his lips with his tongue
TO mosten them. He Is about five feet nine
inches tall and his hair is almost black.
inclined to curl slightly.
Among the young men of the city Alex
Chsolm was very popular. He numbered
his friends by the scores and every one
who knew him had good word to say
In his behalf. He has been In the bank
for such a long time that he was known
to a large number OF the business men
of the city who had transactions at the
bank. and he was also socially very pop
ular.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-08-14
First National Bank VIII Re-
cover a Large Part Of
the Chis0Im Shortage
BONDING COMPANY WILL
PAY SUM OF $4,000
AS It Stands Now Net Loss Is Only
$1,000, and This Amount May Be
Largely Reduced-Flnan-
ciaI Gibraltar.

Although the Chisolm shortage now
stands $4,000 the First National bank will
receive from the United States Fidelity
and Guaranty company of Baltimore for
the teller's account, $4,000. the amount
for which that concern had bonded him,
which makes the apparent loss $4,000. But
an effort will be made to recover a large
part of this amount from the brokers who
handled Chisolms business.
Great Resources.
The bank has In addition to its capital
of $1,OOO,0o a surplus of 100000 and large
undivided profits The entire loss result
ing from the defalcation has already been
charged off out of the undivided profits,
After the $4,000 bond is paid the undivided
profits will be $4,000
The ease with which the First National
meets loss like this demonstrates, it is
pointed out, the value to great business
community of strong institution. Had
small bank been robbed of anything like
100000 1t would have been forced out of
business, but in the case of an institution
with large capital and large surplus,
which is adding every day to its undvid-
ed profits, a big shortage is, after all. no
more in effect, from financial point of
view, than a passing incident
Financial Gibraltar.
The First National has long been looked
upon as Alabama's financial Gibraltar
and 1t will maintain its proud position in
all the years to come.
When the deposits of the First National
reached $5,00o0OO not a great while ago this
high water mark was regarded as almost
phenomenal. But the deposits are now ST.
1898 and they increase so steadily thai
little surprise will be expressed when they
reach the $100OO,OO0 a year or two hence
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-08-14

on until the 100000 mark was reached and
with it the climax.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-08-14
RECORD OF THE COURTS,

Rainfall measured at 5 p. m.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-08-14

omee hours
from 9 .. m,
to s p. m.
every day.
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1906-07-12

One day this week the Guthrie
Center ball team came over to play
a game with the Extra Wonders
and they we're not half mouth
full; hardly gave our team good
practice, as the score will show.
The game was played upon the
Athletic Park grounds and attend
ed by the usual number. The
score by innings is as follows:
Extra Wonders 4 o o 2 2 l 2 O Oil
Guthrie Center 600 90 900 Ii
Batteries: Extra, Malloy and Smith
ey; Guthrie Center, Ferry and
Reevis; Umpire, Frank Kreamer;
Scorer, Frank r. Lefingwell.
Clearly the features of the game
were the pitching of Malloy, who
struck out nine men and had FIVE
assists; the catching of Smithey,
for Extra; that sensational stop of
Harold Sturgeon of a hat drive at
second, and the neat throw out at
first; that elegant pickup of Erb's
on the line between second and
third bases, and throwing out his
man on first base; the base run.
ming of Clyde May and the batting
of the whole Extra team, who
seemed to have their eye on the
ball all the time
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1906-07-12
WiIl BE a Great neeting.

The meeting of the Botna Valley
Veterans Association, which is to
be held in this city the latter part
OF August, promises to be the big.
gest thing which has been held in
this city in many years. 1t is esti-
mated that 10000 0people will be in
attendance. While the program
has not az yet been made up en-
tirely, plans have been made for a
program calculated to entertain
everyone. In addition to the regu.
lar featuree of a veterans meeting
there will be baseball, bicycle races,
horse races, an exhibition run by
the fire department., a sham battle
by the Militia company and other
features. besides addresses by some
of the best speakers in the state.
The association includes Case, Au-
dubon, Shelby and Adair counties
and the east half of Pottawatta.
mie. Those eligible to member.
ship are the veterans of the Spanish
war and the Philippine insured.
tion as we'll as veterans of the other
ware Of the country.
1t will be great meeting and At
lantic will be host to many stran-
gers. Everyone should work to
make it success.
There are four regiments in the
associa ton, of which the Cd has it's
headquarters here. While the elec.
ton of officers has not yet been
made DR.. r. d. Wiklin will be quar-.
ter.master. Fl. +. Andrews, of
Extra is Brigadier General and Ed
B. Cousins of Audubon is Adiu-
tant General.-Atlantic Democrat.
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1906-07-12

"The Camel" was called up by
telephone one day last week and
asked to go to the AL Fredericks'
home in Greeley township, and get
"whiff" of the pure air in the
country. OF course he heartily en-
tered into such an arrangement
accepted the invitation and Sun.
day morning Mr.. Fredericks drove
to town in his family carriage and
got him, also Miss Anna Dorr, and
soon they were speeding away in a
north-easterly direction and coon
arrived at the Fredericks' home
where a number of their near
neighbors had gathered to get a
taste OF ice cream, the like of which
but few except Mrs. Fredericks can
make. Presently dinner was an
nounced and now if there is any
place where printer tries to make
even" it ia at country dinner
table and he always tries to go
round once at least but this time
we were "out of sorts," got "galley
tulP' before we got more than half
way around among the good things
the housewife had prepared for the
noon day meal. After dinner we
took out our kodak and took some
snap shots of different objects and
by this time Messrs. Henry Minner-
man, his family; Jesse Miller, his
family and Charles Phippen and
family were there, some young
lady neighbors arrived, the entire
party was grouped, and a pictu re
was made. Reluctantly we tore
ourselves away and came back to
town feeling that we had passed
q very pleasant day with these
good people.
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1906-07-12

To SoREN ANDERSON, B. F. SIMPSON,
NIELs p. HoEGH, NELs P. CRAVEN.
GARD AND TO ALL OTHERS WHOM
1T MAY CONCERN:
The Commissioners appointed to
view, and if required, to vacate a
highway, commencing at the south
east corner of the northeast quarter
of the northwest quarter of Section
S5, Township IS, Range 35 in Audu-
bon and running thence east to the
southeast corner of the northwest
quarter of the northeast quarter of
Section 35, Twp. IS, Range 35; thence
in northeasterly direction to section
line and terminating at county road
No. 467, on line between Sections 35
and SO in said township, has reported
in favor of the vacation thereof and all
objections thereto or claims for dam
ages must be filed in the Auditors
Office on or before noon of the 4th day
of September, 1905. or such highway
will be vacated without reference
thereto.
o. B. TRAIN.
Auditor Audubon Co.
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1906-07-12
A PROTEST
Written by a Heather In the Interest
of Common Decency

1t is hard to believe we are living
in Christian age and in Chris.
tlan land after reading the daily
papers. We refer to the barbaric
method of disposing of the body of
Ernest Koehnke. No one deplores
the terrible tragedy enacted by this
young man on the morning of July
9th, or sympathizes with the rela-
tlves and friends of the slain girl
more than ourselves. But let us be
human beings once more and look
at this matter with civilized view.
The murderer paid the supreme
penalty for his crime-HE GAVE UP
HIS LIFE. Undoubtedly he was
crazed and therefore not account
able; for no sane man would take
his own life for love or jealousy
IF his body had fallen among the
aborigines the Indians would have
(probably) taken his scalp, cut and
slashed the remains, etc. How far
removed from the savages are we?
Get your microscope, for it's only
minute fraction of an inch. We
didn't cut and slash-Oh, no! We
sent it to Des Moines to let the
Tribe of Medics have that pleasure.
We didn't even allot him a burial
we would have given the corse of
mad dog.
Is there a business man in this
county, Mr.. Officer Coroner, who
would not have given twenty. five
cents towards decent burial? Is
there minister in this county, /
ask you, Mr.. O. Coroner, who would
not have donated a prayer at the
grave of this misguided youth? Is
there a priest who would not have
gone to the humble grave in the
Potter's field and offered up peti.
ton to Heaven for this poor boys
soul? IT they refused 1 wouldn't
think any better of their religion
than do of yours.
The Bible says,"You ehall know
them by their fruits" If this is the
case the people in charge of the
body have degenerated back into
savage practices.
OF course it was impossible to
injure the deceased by mutilating
the remains; but what of the grief
stricken sister and possibly aged
father and mother, whose heads
are bowed down by the rash act of
the son and BROTHER. What must
their feelings be by your heartless,
though legal, actions. 1t wasn't
Christian! It wasn't decent! 1 am
not a Christian myself, but fondly
supposed / lived in Christian
community.
$50 WIIT RRTNEFpHoEE
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1906-07-12
Auditor Audubon Co.

The following from the Atlantic
Democrat tells of the death of
Henry L. Merriam, father of Mrs.
J. L. Fischer, whose husband was
pastor of the Extra Congregational
church just previous to the coming
of Rev. Richardson:
Henry L. Merriam, living on the
Shannon place east of the city,
which he purchased about two
years ago, passed away at 5:45 Fri.
day afternoon. Death was the re.
suit of acute indigestion, compli-
Gated by heart trouble. He had
been in bad health for about a
year, year ago having had an at
tack OF blood poisoning. He had
not been particularly sick, however
and his death, while not unlocked
for on account of his age, IS, was
quite sudden.
Mr.. Merriam leaves his wife and
four children, three by his present
wife and one by former marriage.
The children are Mrs. Della Fis.
cher, wife of Rev. J. L. Fischer of
Lewis; 3. 6. Merriam and Miss Ly-
dia Merriam at home and Mrs. Lam
don Yantiss, of Long Island, Kan
sas, the child by former marriage.
Mr.. Merriam was born in Portage
county, Ohio, in April of 1921 and
for some time lived in Wisconsin.
Later he removed TO Richardson
county, Nebraska, where he lived
for thirty-four years. coming here
in March of 1904 to take possession
of the Shannon place which he has
purchased.
The funeral services will be held
Sunday afternoon at the late home
at three o'clock, the Rev. A. S. Hen
derson officiating, and the inter-
ment will be made in the Atlantic
cemetery,
Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1906-07-12

King Edward has standing Or
der with his tailors for 100 suits Of
clothes year. This is beside his
military uniforms and court suits.
When the king has selected a pat
tern no more of the goods is sold to
any one else. 1t takes two big rooms
80 feet long to store all the kings
clothes, and 5 men are kept busy
taking care of them. He changes
his clothes from 3 to IL times day.
The Kaiser of Germany has 2OO0
different military and other uniforms
but does not have SO many different
suits of citizens clothes as King Ed
ward.-The Pathfinder.