davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-27
.LOCK CANAL WOULD
 BE MUCH CHEAPER
Ships 900 Feet Long Could be
 Handled at Gatun
ERNST FAVORS THIS PLAN
Thinks Foreign Nations Would Not Want to Use the Canal In Case
 of War With the
 United States.

Washington March 26.-Gen. Oswald H. Ernst of the isthmian canal commission was before the Senate committee on in- teroeeane canals today and made statement in favor of the lock canal which was favored by the minority mem bers of the consulting board of ensl- neers. He said that with three locks as proposed at Gatun, ships 900 feet long could he put through the locks with perfect safety. and that two gates would he closed all the time To protect the summit level
 He said that each lock in the clear would be eighty feet long with all locks closed. but that one of the safety guard gates could be closed and the ship sent ahead eighty feet when another would be opened This process would take eight or ten minutes more All these gates would not be shut when there was nine feet free water in the lock. He endorsed the statement of Engineer Stevens that longer locks could be constructed at Gatun if necessary.
 General Ernst declared that the lock
 
 much as sea-level canal and could be built in half the time,
 Both projects, General Ernst said, would be vulnerable, and he did not favor mak- ing the waterway a military proposl- ton. He said that he would have the ca nal neutral, but in the control of the United States He said the foreign com manders would he afraid to use the canal if engaged in war with the Ohited States.
 Senator Morgan asked the witness what would be the rights of Germany or Great Britain if in war with the United States they should ask to send battle ships through the canal to attack San Francisco. General Ernst said his under standing of the definition of neutrality was these foreign powers would have the right to use the canal but he did not think they would care 10 do so.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-27
LIQUOR TAX ADOPTED.
Kentucky General Assembly Places a
 Tax of 1l4c Per Gallon.

Frankfort, Ky. March 26.-The Ken lucky general assembly late this after noon adopted a bill imposing license tax of 1A cents per gallon on all rectified, compounded or blended liquor manufac- tured in the state or shipped into it for the purpose of branding Kentucky" The bill was adopted in extra session, and after bittre struggle between the advocates of graded license and of gallon unit tax Much was said during the ses- sion about lobby influences and bills and resolutions of investigation were intro duced, but not pressed, and no specific charge was made by anyone.
 It is estimated that if held to be con- stitutional the act will bring the state about s150,00O annually in revenue.
 Under the provisions of the act rectifiers and blenders are to report every six months, beginning June 90 next. and fail- ure to report and pay the tax means a closing up of the house refusing. and q fine of from $50 to S100 per day. To ship such spirits into the state of Kentucky for the purpose of branding Is denounced by the act as a misdemeanor. punishable by a fine of from $500 to 5000 for each separate shipment.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-27
KILLS DAUGHTER
 BEFORE WEDDING
Father Leaves Note Saying He Would Rather Kill Her Than See Her
 Married.

Everett, Wash, March 26.-Less than three hours before the time set for the wedding today Pansy E. Townsend was shot and mortally wounded by her father Joseph P. Townsend, in their home in this city. Townsend then ended his life with bullet.
 Miss Townsend was to have been mar ried to Francis E. Perry of Fort Myers Fla, at 6 o'clock tonight at the Peoples Temple, Boston.
 The only clue to the cause of the tragedy was a note written by Townsend. It was dated today and read
 "At $40 I have taken my daughter life and my own. I do this rather than see her the wife of Francis Perry.'
 So far as known Townsend had nothing against Perry. and the supposition is that Tcvnsend's mind was unbalanced by req son of his love for his daughter and his breeding over the prospect of separation from her.
 Miss Townsend was 25 years of age.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-27
MORE SUITS FILED
 AGAINST M'CURDYS
THE TOTAL OF THE ACTIONS BROUGHT BY THE COMPANY NOW AMOUNTS TO MORE THAN FIVE MILLION DOLLARS.

New York March Exchanges that a fraudulent and corrupt conspiracy exist ed between Richard A. MeCurdy, former president of the Mutual Life Insurance company. his son-in-law, Louis Thebaud, and the latters partner, Charles A. Ray mond, are made In the formal complaints in two suits instituted today by the com pany against the men named for the recovery of the s1,7500OO. These suits are in addition to the one brought last week by the company against Richard A. Me Curdy alone for the recovery of S3.370, GOO The total now sued for amounts to $5.120.- eco. The suits brought today in the opin- ion of lawyers. form the basis for crim- inal prosecution.
 One of the suits is directed against the elder McCurdy. Tnebaud and Raymond and the other against Thebaud and Ray mond alone. The charge Is made that sums aggregating the total of s50O,00O were paid Raymond X O., for no reason whatever, except to enrich MeCurdy' S son-in-law and his party, and no services were rendered for this money, it being alleged that the payments were purely gratuitous. These gratuities and the enor- nous commissions paid Raymond & Co.,. as general agents for the Metropolitan district, form the basis of the two suits.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-27
MOB IS DISPERSED
 IN CHATTANOOGA
OFFICERS HAD BEEN PUT ON THE GROUND AND A STRONG FORCE WAS STATIONED AT THE JAIL LAST NIGHT.

Chattanooga March 26.-(speciaL)-A mob formed here shortly after o'clock for the alleged purpose of taking two negroes charged with murder, one of whom has been sentenced to hang, but who has appealed his case, and hanging them. The affair had been tipped off to the officers, however. and about ten dep- uty sherlffs and twelve policemen were on guard at the jail When the advance men of the mob arrived at the jail and took in the situation word was taken to the others and the men dispersed.
 There have been several rumors to- night to the effect that three or four mobs have organized and there may be trouble before morning.
 The officers will be maintained on duty all night.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-27
ASSAULT ATTEMPTED
 BY NEGRO JANITOR
LITTLE DAUGHTER OF A WELL KNOWN BAPTIST MINISTER IN ATLANTA WAS VlCTlM-NEGRo HAS BEEN ARRESTED.

Atlanta, March 26.-A negro janitor or a public school here attempted criminal assault this afternoon on the daughter Of Rev. A. c. Ward, a prominent Baptist minister of this city, pastor of the Tenn ple Baptist church. The attempted as- sauIt occurred in the cloak room of the school building. The little girl fought the negro the length of the room. Her screams attracted the attention of the other school children, who rushed into the room, when the negro fled Intense excitement prevails in the vicinity of the school, but no trouble is feared, as the regro has been arrested.
 The girl is 14 years of age. She was completely prostrated by the shock, TO the Associated Press tonight Dr. Ward expressed the hope that the law would be allowed to take it's course.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-27
Made Faces at Policemen.

Chattanooga, Ten. March 26.-(Spe- cial. .)-Because he made faces at Pc licemen Rape and Clarke, John Rich ardson a well-to-do merchant of Dal- ton. Ga. was before the local police court this afternoon It was alleged that Richardson was in a dance hall in this city, and when the officers came in to see how everything was was moving, Richardson presented the officers with a series of facial contor tions. They promptly rode him to headquarters. where he remained until today. The judge released him on the payment of a nominal fine and on a promise that he would not make faces at Chattanooga officers again.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-27
Hot Fiqht in Tennessee.

Senator Carmack of Tennessee returned to Washington today. after several weeks campaigning for the senatorship He expressed himself as well satisfied with the situation and has no doubts that he will be returned to the Senate by large majority at the primaries. The senator was called to Washington by Senator Tillman to confer with the demo- crats on the railroad rate bill. Tennessee politics are at fever heat and are closely watched by the congressional delegation. Just at present the bitter struggle be- tween Patterson and Cox over the guber- ratorial nomination is overshadowing the senatorial race and a lively time is prom ised at the convention. Of 900 delegates already elected, over one-third are con- tested.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-27
Pattison Passes Good Day.

Columbus, O.. March 26.-The following bulletin was issued at o'clock tonight by the physicians attending Governor Pattison:
 "Governor Pattlson has had day of rest, quiet and helpful rest, and the pres ent indications point 10 a good night. Temperature normal, pulse 92, respiration 22. E. J. WILSON.
 70. P HOI,T'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-27
NO CRIMINAL PROSECUTION.
Adobe Wreck Was Caused By Opera.
 tors Negligence.

Canyon City, Col. March 26-rhe coro- ner's jury which has been Investigating the Denver and Rio Grande wreck at Abode on March IA. ended it's dellbera- tions today and returned verdict which in it's essential points is as follows;
 That the collision was due to the carelessness and negligence of s. F. Lively. operator at Swallows.
 That said negligence was not wilful or malicious.
 "That said Lively was asleep when No. passed his station and failed to report when asked by the chief dispatcher.
 "That Night Operator Vandeusen should not have deserted his post of duty
 ..That no criminal prosecution should lie against Lively or the railroad for said collision"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-27
situation in Morocco Is Grave.

London. March 26.-The Daily Mails correspondent at Tangier declares he has unmpeachable authority to state that urgent orders have been given to many powerful chieftains 10 hold their strongest contingents in readiness to repel any sud- den unauthorized landing of foreign expe- ditions or the establishment of factories such as that at Marchica. The corre- spondent adds that the situation in Mo- rocco is far more grave than thas been recognized in Europe because the Sultan's prime minister is utterly powerless to put into execution concessions to European pressure which must arouse the wild fanaticism of Moros and s,OO0. 900 of Mus sulmans.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-27
Kills Wife and Commits Suicide.

Little Rock, Ark. March 26-W. F.. Bedford. railway shop emDloye in Barring Cross. near here. committed sui eide tonight by shooting. At o'clock this afternoon Bedford killed his wife by cutting her throat. He then took nor phine, but the dose was not sufficient to cause death. and at 10 o'clock tonight he made a second attempt to end hl7 life. this time succeeding. Blowing out the gas is the supposed means of the act
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-27
Bad Fire at Gold Mine.

Cripple Creek. Col. March 27.-An ex ploslon in the powder room of shaft house No. 1 of the Portland Gold Mining and Milling company. one of the largest mines in the state. caused q fire which estroyed the shaft house, engine room, blacksmith shop and ore house. The loss will exceed s1O0,O0O fully insured. Two hundred men were working in the shaft and had narrow escapes from death.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-27
Chance In Cuban Cabinet.

Havana, March 26-President Palma has officially announced the appointment of General Rius Rivera. at present sec retray of the treasury. to be secretary of the government. succeeding General Freye Andrade, who becomes a member of the lower house of the Cuban con gress. Senator Fontsterling is appoint ed secretary of the treasury.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-27
Monthly Revenue Collections.

Washington, March 26.-The month lN statement of the collection of in- tetnal revenue shows that the total for February, 1906, amount ed to s1S,343,2S9, which is an increase for the month of s1,477, ,S94. The re- ceoipts for the eight months of the present fiscal year show an increase as compared with the corresponding period last year of $10,312,4S0.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-27
Legislative Situation Clearing.

Therw is now no ground for the belief that the legislature situation is clearing. It is believed that before the next month Is out a railroad rate bill along the line of the Hepburn bill, carrying a review amendment. will, be passed, leaving the statehood bill and Philippine bill the main subjects before Congress. The House has the statehood bill held up, while the Senate is treating the Philippine bill in much the same manner. The problem may solve itself by the House allowing Okla homa to come into the Union as a concession to the Senate for the passage of the Philippine bill.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-27
Recommended for coadIutor Bishop.

Nashville, March 2G.-Monsgnor John P Morris. recommended by the propa- ganda at Rome for appointment to the position of coadjutor bishop of Little Rock, Ark. Is vicar general of the dio- cese of Nashville. He was born at Hem dersonyile. Tenn, June 29. 1866. and was ordained for the diocese in the basilica of St John Lateran, Rome, June Il. 1892, after being graduated from the American college there. Bishop Byrne of Nash vile said tonight he had not been in formed of the propaganda's action, but supposed the published statement was correct
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-27
S15o.oon Fire In Chicago.

Chicago. March 2s.-Flre tonight In the six-story brick building at 2S7-2S Market street. occupied by several wholesale clothing merchants. caused loss of Si5OOo0 before it was gotten under con- troll The principal losers are Bergman Bros. Co.,, white goods manufacturing company: Finklestein & Co.,. and David M. Ottenheimer & Co.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-27
Criuqs Calls Meeting.

Representative Griggs of Georgia, chair man of the democratic congressional committee. has called meeting of the committee for Friday night. On that date the campaign, finance and literary committees will be organized and the work of the campaign placed under way. Representative Burns of Mississippi will be placed at the head of the campaign committee and will actively assist MT. Griggs during the summer.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-27
Newport Has s1 .ooo, ,ooo EIre.

Newport. R. L. March 27.-Fire early this morning destroyed the Fall River liner Plymouth as she lay at her dock
 the north pier of the freight shed, and hoisting apparatus adjoining, and dam aged the freight steamer City of Lowell Much other property was temporarily threatened. The loss is estimated al $l. .000.0o0,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-27
Athens Man Wants Contract,

F. c. Gordon of Athens, Ala. one of the best known and most successful pro- moters in the country, is here to consult with the secretary of war. He is an ap- plicant for the contract to construct the dams and power stations at Muscle Shoals. %
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-27
Operators are Expected to Refuse
 the Increase
GLOOMY OUTLOOK FOR PEACE
It Is Believed the Miners Will Allow No District ,Sn ign Advanced
 &. &1SsiIess All
 % sien'
 SO
 Spolis, Ind, March 26.-The United

@polis, Ind, March 26-The United
 Workers of America, through John M .chel, president of the organization; T. L. Lewis, vice president of the na- ton. and Herman c. Perry. president of the Illinois miners, this evening presented to the coal operations in the executive session of the joint scale committee or the central competitive district their ulti- matum on the dispute over the wage scale.
 The demand of the miners, as stated in their ultimatum, is for a restoration ot the wage scale of 1903, which is an in- crease of 5.55 per cent. Upon receipt or the ultimatum the operators secured an adjournment of the committee until to- morrow morning, when it is expected definite answer to the miners will be given.
 Refusal Is Expected
 It is anticipated that this reply will be a refusal by the operators, and the com nlittee will report disagreement to the joint conference of miners and operators The fight in that case will be continued on the floor of the joint convention
 Tonight there is as little prospect for an agreement being reached as there has been at any time.
 The morning session of the committee today was without result. After the noon adjournment John Mitchell, president Of the miners, took the floor and said he had been informed cn reliable authority that there were rumors in the corridors of the CIaypool hotel, where the sessions of the committee were being held, that the operators believed that if they would stand firmly by their position and pro long the sessions of the joint scale com mittee the miners would agree to sign the present scale and recede from their demand of an increase in wages. He said he wanted to explain to the operators that there would be under no circumstances an agreement less than the scale of 1903, unless after a disagreement the operators would enforce terms, and lie did not be- lieve they could.
 Lewis Puts 1t Stronger.
 MT. Lewis. vice president of the United Mine Workers, followed MT. Mitchell He said he was SUIT ised to learn at the present stage of the proceedings that such rumors were aioat and continuing said:
 q want to say more than President Mitchell has said. We will be divided neither in this scale conference, out of this scale conference, in the convention, nor anywhere else. so far as l am con- cerned If we have got to such a point in these deliberations where it is case of wait to see who is going to be able to divide the forces on either side, then believe we are considering very dan- gerous propostion."
 The feeling tonight is that the miners under no circumstances will allow any district to sign even the advance scale demanded unless it is paid in all the four states of the central competitive field.
The Muskogee cimeter. [volume] (Muskogee, Indian Territory, Okla.) 1901-19??, 1906-12-14
MuskOgee Cimeter.
". n. TwINE, Editor.
MUSKOGEE, IND. TER.
". n. TwINE. Editor.
IND. TER.
MUsKOGEE,
Reign Of the Plug Hat.

The plug hat Is a decidedly uncom-
Portable article of wear. But 1t is
picturesque. Who Is there but can
remember with affection some old
childhood character whose distinguish
ing mark was battered plug hat that
had survived the shocks and the
wrecks of half a hundred seasons?
The plug hat is associated with the
village doctor, the lean and sallow
minister and the local undertaken.
Perhaps the school teacher had one,
too, and 1t is certain that we can re-
call distinctly the day that father was
elected to the legislature and was pre-
sented with a hat by his admiring
friends. 1t will be long time before
the plug hat becomes actually extinct.
The plug hat Is a thing that never
wears out, says the Kansas Journal.
1t becomes tattered and generally dis
reputable, it Is true, but this is con-
dition that seems to endear 1t that
much more in the affections Of the
possessor. The plug hat has survived
the warming pan and the snuff box.
When all things else have succumbed
to the tide of time, the plug hat has
held its own on the heads Of its de-
votees.
The Muskogee cimeter. [volume] (Muskogee, Indian Territory, Okla.) 1901-19??, 1906-12-14
BIRD TRAVELS WITH CRAFTS
Red Billed Weaver Constant CompaN
ion Of Animal Skyscraper.

The red-billed weaver bird Is q con
stant companion of the giraffe, perch
ing itself upon the withers and hyins
along when its host takes to fight,
and Immediately alighting again on
its back at the first opportunity. Tho
only means OF defense or offense BY
the giraffe Is by means of It's hoofs.
and the blows 1t can deliver by kick
ing are of tremendous power. The
old males during the breeding season
fight In this manner good deal, and
the female employs the same means
in defending her young against cas-.
nivorous animals.
Giraffes are very swift Of foot, and
Il requires a very fleet horse to run
them down. Experienced hunters,
however, charge them at full speed.
and by this means are often able to
run into them, and II the girafYes arc
fat they will soon become blown"
When running. the tail Is twisted in
corkscrew fashion over the back and
the hind legs at each step are thrown
on the outside OF the forelegs. giving
very grotesque straddling appear
ance. The giraffe is mute, but he has
very keen sense Of hearing and Of
smell.
The Muskogee cimeter. [volume] (Muskogee, Indian Territory, Okla.) 1901-19??, 1906-12-14
The Skulker and the Hustler.

Accidents and exceptions for indiv-
idual reasons aside. the young man
whose chief effort has been to avoid
working more than his pay called for
and who has carried this as the gov
erning principle of his life, has been
greater or less failure. When he him.
self has reached middle life and has
begun to complain because other men
have got ahead Of him, he looks every
where but in the right place for the
reason. The place Is himself and the
reason Is that he made the mistake
of never doing as well as he could, be-
cause he was afraid of cheating him
self. What he actually did was to
cheat himself in the worst way, says
the New Bedford, Mass, Standard.
There is, as rule, no escape from
the truth that unless a man gives the
best there is in him he will never get
the best there Is for him. Careers
which look like exceptions to this rule
are due either to peculiar conditions
such as do not arise in ordinary lives
or else the appearance Is deceptive.
The Muskogee cimeter. [volume] (Muskogee, Indian Territory, Okla.) 1901-19??, 1906-12-14
Japan a Practical Nation.

Marvellous is the fortune of Japan.
The only nation that might stay her
continental strides toward empire is
paralyzed by revolutionary struggles
against government whose existence
is monstrous anachronism. The na-
tiOns which must meet her on the
worldwide field of industrial war have
tied their own hands with vain eco
nomic theories belonging to a dead
time. There Is no nation so practical
as the Japanese. What Is best to be
done, that thing they do. Their consti-
tuition Is not invoked to inhibit the
general welfare and stay up the priv
ileges Of plutocracy. Dead govern
mental theories of a bygone age are
dead to them and they modify their
political philosophy to suit the future.
Though they worship their ancestors.
remarks the Portland Oregonian, they
care less than any other people for
time-worn opinions. The things that
we believe theoretically they put In
practice.
The Muskogee cimeter. [volume] (Muskogee, Indian Territory, Okla.) 1901-19??, 1906-12-14
Sympathy Not Needed.

Dr. Fridtjof Nansen, Norway's IA
nous arctic explorer, now minister
to Gerat Britain, makes light of the
sympathy expressed by many persons
anent the "hardships" of travellers. He
says: There never was such mis-
placed sympathy as commiseraSng
man who has lived in the wilds. Most
men who travel in out-of-the-way parts
Of the world do SO because they like
1t. People who live in the center Of
what is called civilization do not un-
derstand, cannot realize, the spell that
getting close to nature, battling. with
nature, has on the heart" He does
not believe in the use of alcoholic bev-
erages, holding that while liquor will
raise the temperature for few min
utes, after that 1t falls lower than
before.
The Muskogee cimeter. [volume] (Muskogee, Indian Territory, Okla.) 1901-19??, 1906-12-14

Starch, like everything else, is be-
ing constantly improved, the patent
Starches put on the market 25 years
ago are very different and inferior to
those of the present day. In the lat
est discovery-Defiance Starch-all in
furious chemicals are omitted, while
the addition Of another ingredient, in
vented by us, gives to the Starch a
strength and smoothness never ap-
preached by other brands.