davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-12-11
JOURNALISM IN TEXAS.

From the Washington Herald
 Col. William Greene Sterett, the Texas journalist of national repute, who is at tending as d delegate the deep waterways conference relates an experience which he says was typical of the early journalism of his state. In an election melee at the polls in county near Dallas, the sheriff of the county, two of his deputies, and five or six private citizens were shot to death. As a news story the killing was of great interest to the readers of Texas newspapers, even in that day. Col. Sterett was responsible for the news service Of the paper with which he was then the managing editor and he promptly tele- graphed his local correspondent at the scene of bloodshed to wire full particulars early that night.
 'In those days" said Col Sterett yester- day. newspaper men in Texas knew bet ter than to guess at such things. Exper- fence had made them cautious To spare themselves from the unpleasantness of shooting scrape, they were careful to give only the bare facts of official knowledge. Unlike the eastern newspaper men, they nevet indulged in conjectures and specula- tions as to who were the guilty parties. They waited for all of the facts to be de- veloped by the coroner's inquist or the public trial in court before venturing to even hint at the perpetrators of sangu- nary deeds like this. But l thought the affray of which I am speaking was of such public notoriety that my local cor respondent would eel emboldened to cover it fully. But imagine my chagrin when late at night l received from him this brief dispatch
 "'The sheriff of the county, two of his deputies, and five or six citizens were shot down at the polls here today in free fight Various persons are suspected, the air is full of rumors, and the end is not vet !"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-12-11

remedy will consist in turning Japan csc trade from San Francisco to Seat tie. This trade is by far the largest item in the business of a Pacific coast port, said the Japanese editor, quietly, "and if San Francisco is to be denied all of it she would be certain to suffer. while Seattle would be benefited at it's expense"
 The proposed settlement calls for no constitutional changes, no war, no grandstand plays even by alleged war riors and statesmen. Japan holds the cards, and she can play her Seattle game at her leisure and to whatever extent seemeth to her best. It is a cold day when the Japanese are with out a remedy against any ill that over takes them.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-12-11
CLUSTER OF NOTABLE MEN.

From the Western Recorder, Louisville.
 In a recent conversation with Dr. J. c. Hiden of Birmingham we learned the following remarkable facts:
 Upon the election of new United State senator from West Virginia, the Washington correspondent of a New York paper described him thus: "IIe is a coun- try lawyer of fair talent. Perhaps West Virginia could not have done better, as the state is monotonousy rural"
 reared at Orange C. IT., Va, made sub stantially the following reply: -Four miles from my home lived and died James Madison, the father of the consti- tuition. Some four miles from him lived Philip P. Barbour, a justice of the Uni- ted States supreme court, and speaker of the United States House of Representa- tives. A few miles from him Zackary Tay- Tor was born. A few miles from him lived James Barbour, governor of Virginia, United States senator, Secretary of War and minister to England. Near him lived William c. Rives, United States senator and minister to France. Near him lived Thomas Jefferson and near him James Monroe. You might visit all these resi- dences in one day on horseback. The sheer at the country lawyer reminds me that John c. Calhoun was open to the same criticism. large proportion of these notable men were country lawyers, and the region in which they lived was and is 'monotonously rural That Wash ington correspondent is smart, but when he undertook to inform the public as to where the south raises her great men, he was not informed. In the south we raise our great men where we raise our crops-in the country. and then send them to the cities, where they are consumed.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-12-11
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Different Temperatures.

"One of the most embarrassing events that ever occurred in the course of my travels" said a man in relating his ex- perience in foreign countries, happened to me in bath house in Paris.
 q ordered a hot bath, and in reply to the bath-woman who asked what tenn perature I wanted the water, l said a hundred degrees, meaning of course Fahrenheit. She filled the bath all right and when it was prepared called me from a waiting room and left me to myself l proceeded to undress and was just about to plunge into the tub when dipped my hand In to test the tempera- ture, and well for me that did so. The water was almost at the boiling point and nearly scalded my hand.
 "The whole mistake happened because I forgot that the French use the centi- grade thermometer, which is graduated from freezing point at o to boiling point at 100. The corresponding temperature to what I wanted would have been about co, but as the attendant had gone away l was obliged to wait until the water cooled off, by which time I was almost frozen myself.
 q often thought since that time how universal thermometer, especially in these days when so much is being done to make an universal language and to introduce the metric system of weights and meas- 11res
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-12-11
PRESS POINTS

Columbia State. Senator Morgan has not forgotten his old friend MT. Crom- well.
 Memphis Commercial-Appeal: If MT. Roosevelt doesn't look out, this session of Congress will keep him in on his spelling lesson.
 Atlanta Constitutions A Connecticut baker has named a custard pie after Uncle Joe Cannon. The tariff reformers are under the impression that Uncle Joe s favorite fruit is the lemon.
 Shreveport Times: A scientist says that 100000 years from now the North Pole will have shifted to a point near h. dianapolis. This looks like a direct fling at Vice President Fairbanks.
 Pensacola Journal: The latest flop" in national political life is that of Stuyve- sant Fish from railroad president to a genuine "muckraker." It is said he will assist Roosevelt in Investigating the rail- roads.
 Houston Post: Vermont dieteist says that mutton is the only flesh which ought to be eaten by civilized man. Very likely, if the gentleman had his way about it, the national anthem would be, "Td Like to See a Little More of Eve"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-12-11
RIVER PILOTS.
Skill of the Men Who Steer on New
 York Ferryboats.

From the New York Press.
 The best helmsmen in the world are those who steer on ferryboats. The idea Of a ferryboat is a float that crosses the water from shore to shore, and that in tions of commerce and tide, with the added factors of difficulty of fog, coupled with the necessity of crossing on time, make upon the wheelman of a ferryboat demands that no steersman or pilot else where has to meet. As commerce in- creases difficulties increase, and the pilot of a ferryboat by the law of development becomes a factor of importance and seri- ousness.
 For example. the North river ferry boats, each one of which crosses the river once every half hour, is steered by Q pilot who stands watch ten or twelve hours a day. He therefore on all average makes twenty to twenty-four transts as full of responsibility as that of a pilot bringing in big chip past Sandy Hook But unlike the pilot who can wait for tide or the passage of ships to give him clear road, he must make his time. He has trains to meet at the Jersey side, mails to deliver and thousands of deter mined passengers who must be landed on either shore and promptly.
 How well he manages his apparently unwieldly craft the absence of accidents indicates. How nearly he comes to hav- ing them is a matter that few of the thousands who ride safely beneath him ever guess. But he knows Clear eyed, clear brained, careful, quick silent, in- telligent, and, more than that, intuitively informed, he carries his big shapeless beat across seas more dangerous than the ocean and brings her into port with a tenderness that suggests the kisses of lovers as she pushes her docile nose into the embracing slip.
 There are thirty-four ferry lines cross ing East ard North rivers. They send out boat on an average during daylight hours every seven minutes. They carry an average of 390 passengers. Some of them cross each other in their line of route. All of them encounter the general movement of river traffic. But collisions almost never happen, and time is so well kept that even the kicking suburbanite has no complaint to make
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-12-11
The Roosevelt Bears.

"The Roosevelt woolly bears seems to be the fad of the day" said clerk in the toy department of one of the large stores.
 "These funny little stuffed animals were designed as a toy for the babies and the small children, but the girls and the young women are buying them in greater quantities than the older folk for the little ones.
 During the past few days there has been an enormous demand for these toy animals. The price comes rather high, but the shoppers don't hesitate minute when it comes to purchasing one.
 "The Roosevelt bear was first put on sale about a year ago, and during last winter the little tots had a monopoly of them, but since they have become so much in vogue among the girls and young women, I am convinced that every toy store in the city will feel the demand for the Roosevelt woolly bears"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-12-11
NO REWARD OFFERED.

From the Womans Home Journal.
 Have you lost anything, madam?' asked the polite floor walker of the square jawed, asturelookng shopper who stood before the Host and found' window of the large department store.
 'Yes, sir" she replied. "Ive lost IA pounds of husband. in a light brown suit, with black derby hat, small tuft of hair on it's chin, and a frightened look. l lost it in a crush at the fancy goods counter. It's probably wandering through the building in search of me, and l thought perhaps you could find 1t easier than I can. l want it on account of q bundle it is carrying under it's arm
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-12-11
Cotton Futures.

''If the New York Cotton exchange will arrange so that upon all contracts for future delivery there can be a proviso of an average of some certain spinnable grade much of the opposition to trading in futures now raised would be with drawn" said a cotton man.
 "As it is now the contracts in New York may bring to a spinner who buys them a grade of cotton not only unspin- nable, but hardly available except in future contracts, where the delivery is made. This would eliminate much of the old carried over -from-season-t -to-season cotton. A spinner could proceed to cover his contracts with futures and confidently expect cotton suited to his purposes
 "On the other hand the sale of cotton futures with the market quotations have become an indispensable part of our commercial life. It will not do to legis- late the business entirely out.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-12-11
CALLS HER BLUFF.

From the St Louis Republic.
 A special hugging and kissing perform ance at a comic opera took place here last night. when university student jumped across the footlights and grabbed a soubrette who had bantered him from the stage to come and kiss her.
 When she sang, "Won't You Come and Kiss Me?" ::You bet your life" was the unexpected reply from the front row, and without moments hesitation tall stu dent started over the footlghts
 The chorus girl tried to flee, but she fell fairly into the arms of the eager boy.
 The kissing scene which followed re- ceived more applause than all the rest of the show.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-12-11
QUEER THINGS ARE PAWNED

I brings anything else can talk business with me.
 'The pawnbroker has his troubles. too. The fact that he has money to lend at tracts crooks of all kinds, from the daylight 'hold-up man to the clever swindler who offers a genuine article for inspection and switches an imitation in it's place.
 Every day we receive messages over the telephone to bring diamonds to some address for inspection or to bring money with which to purchase something which the person wishes to sell We are too wise for plot like that We do not go out looking for a chance to be robbed.
 Sometimes we get fooled on the value or an article, but anything good enough to deceive us on can be worked off on some other pawnbroker. If he discovers the deception he passes it on. If he does not find out no one loses.
 It's constant game of give-and- take in which some ones bound to lose.''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-12-11
cARUso CUT OFF HIS MusTAcHE,

From the New York American.
 Horrors
 Caruso has divorced himself from his famous mustache, and tips the scales now at several pounds less than when he monkeyed around Central park.
 Last night the celebrated tenor entered the Metropolitan opera house without the celebrated mattress on his lip. Immedi- ately there was a furry. Some one asked if Tom Sharkey had become esthetic and espoused the opera as an entertain ment Others said it was Gus Ruhlin, and thereupon, all up and down Broad way, the hot sports were making books on the identity of the man who, every few minutes, mechanically lifted his right hand to fondle a thatch that wasn [ there.
 Charles Henry Meltzer says that Ca ruso is going to sing a role that re- quires smooth face. He didn't name the role
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-12-11
ALL.WEsTERN GALAxIEs.

All-western teams being in order. why not an all-western galaxy of talent James J. Hill, al-western railroad man w. A. Clark, all-western copper king Thomas Lowry, all-western traction gen. jus: William Allen White, all-western ed. itor; Jimmie Foley, all-western poet Milton Purdy, all-western trust buster John A. Johnson, all-western vote-getter Stanley Washburn. all-Western gobe-trot- ter: J. Adam Bede, all-western wit Mayor Dunne, all-western optimist; Joe Heatwole. all-western pessinist.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-12-11
Practical Sermons.

"Preachers are coming to understand that it Is well to try to make their ser- mons interesting and to fit the hour" said practical man.
 "The simple life appeals to many, very many l remember one night in Washing ton City some years ago that very aged man, a Vermonter, attended Dr. Park CTS New York Avenue Presbyterian church with me. The able and eloquent divine took as his text. Bring Pigeon He spoke plainly and tenderly of the nnvarty of some. not of this world goods
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-12-11

alone but the wasted resources and op- portunity. He said that in the days of sacriicial offerings there were none so poor that they could not bring a pigeon as an offering
 My old friend shed tears, and for some days after declared that it gave him sweet comfort to know that at his ad- vanced time in life twas not too late for him to bring a pigeon. In the doing of many small acts of religious dedication we may, perhaps, do the greater good here, the greatest in that sweet haven of rest"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-12-11
A Tower of Light.

"One of the most striking features of Birmingham is to see the fifteen-story Brown Marx building lighted through out" said the stroller.
 Coming down First avenue about 6 o'clock in the evening l beheld it eom- pletely lighted on the west side. It is a wonderfully impressive sight those hun dreds of lighted windows.
 "There are persons who will not ven- ture to the top of this building or to any of the upper floors. One man spent the afternoon on the ground floor and trans acted his business with his lawyers. He telephoned and down they came. He has had a cerebral shock, and is afraid to venture. These high buildings with long drops of the elevator are dangerous for persons affected with heart trouble"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-12-11
Our Sea Power Needs.

A year ago Secretary Bonaparte thought we had provided for enough ships, but he has seen new light, for in his annual report just submitted he calls for more ships, and he wants big ones at that. He wants them Ito pro- vide for any contingencies within the limits of probability" He sees the Dreadnought which now sails the sea bearing the English flag, and he sees England and Japan and Germany all striving, each in it's own way, to strengthen their respective sea power. But the way of all lies In the construc- tion of more and bigger Dreadnoughts. Secretary Bonaparte puts the situation plainly in these words:
 Provided our naval strength be suff- cient to retain command of the sea- we are absolutely safe from invasion, and consequently escape the burdens of a vast military establishment which bears upon all the great powers of the Euro pean continent; but if we have not sui fcient navy the oceans to the east and west of us, instead of serving as bull warks for fefense, become highways for invasion"
 This is the import and burden of the annual report of the Secretary of the Navy. Congress did in the long ses- sion authorize the building of one big ship, but Secretary Bonaparte wants the short session to authorize the building of still another. He asks l Congress to order a duplication of plans, thus putting us in a way to have two Skeer'd O Nothins, instead of one. The Secretary says the addi- tion of big ship is demanded by tho requirements of reasonable foresight. . hurrying us onto Captain Hobson's s platform willy or nilly. So long as England, Germany and Japan each and all stand on the Hobson platform, it is plain that public sentiment will put us tthere also, especially if the plan will keep us from supporting big standing army. Those who have sneered at Captain Hobson's big-navy plans should prepare to jump into his bandwagon, for the Secretary of the Navy and the rest of the government are converted in part at least to his plans. and public sentiment is leaning in that direction.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-12-11
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR

From the New York Press.
 The easier 1t Is to preach thing the harder 1t seems to practiVe il.
 When a woman keeps tue baby carra ge in closet she speaks of 1t at recep- tions as the nursery.
 Modern women buy their husbands cigars for them. but they don't knit socks for them to wear.
 Anvway when you send a boy 10 col leee YOU can feel sure he isn't going to be trained to be a miser
 The men who brag in the summer what good furnaces they have in their houses don't think 1t necessary to mention it in u,intar.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-12-11
HoWs THIS FOR AN INCOME TAX?

From the Chicago Tribune.
 'Ishave called, maam," said the man at the front door, ito ask If you can't contribute something to the Infants Home
 q am already contributing nineteen hours a day to an infants home of my own." she interrupted, closing the door.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-12-11
IDENTITY.

By Thomas Bailey Aldrich. Somewhere, in desolate, wind-swept space.
 In twilight land, in no-mans land, Two hurrying shapes met face to face,
 And bade each other stand. And who are you?" cried one. agape,
 Shuddering in the gloaming light ''I do not know" said the second shape,
 ''I only died last night.'' James Gray in the A1inneapaliz Journal
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-12-11

said, You look like one of Marse Henry's boys"
 "Marse Henry who?'
 'Marse Henry Shorter of Barbour county"
 ''Well. I'm his son. What about it?'
 The barber was named Will Griggs and the man he was shaving is a well known business man of Birmingham. Griggs be- longed to his father "befo de wah,Y and this was the first time the two had seen each other in twenty-three years. Griggs has been a barber for forty-one years and is still plying his trade. In the good old days he was a eoachman of the Short CT family, to whom Governor Jelks is re- lated by marriage, and was the companion of this young marster" whom he had not seen for so many years. Altho he is an old man now, Will does not appear to be over forty. He wields a razor with grand flourish and hearkens back to the sos with a note of pathos in his voice. Young Marster' has promised to pay his way back to Barbour for a visit to the scenes of his youth.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-12-11

The prevailing advance in wages is | 10 per cent, but Congressmen propose to vote themselves an increase of 5G per cent. This is unfair.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-12-11

MT. Carnegie desires all to pronounce the name of his castle in Scotland as if spelled "Skeboo," instead of Sllibo or SkedoO.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-12-11

Seantor Morgan announces that he is not yet through talking about the Panama canal. His supply of conver- sation on that subject is inexhaustible.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-12-11

Not voice has been raised against an inheritance or an income tax, and if either comes up in Congress it will go through with bells on.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-12-11

The rate bill should be amended so that Pullman porters will be compelled to equalize tips. They never will min imize them.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-12-11

The message is chiefly assailed be- cause of its lecture or, sermonizing tendencies, but the lectures are gener- ally voted good.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-12-11

A magazine contributor got tired oi receiving regrets from the editors and tried to rob a bank.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-12-11


 Do your riding on railroad passes now! Verbum sap. Whenever I see a man wearing plug hat l always suspect him." says Mark Twain. Sure, he may be Rallies. NOTIONS. Some are born great, some achieve greatness and some merely think they are great.
 humorist is man who can take one joke and make a. living out of it. Life nowadays is exciting enough, with out the Sunday papers. lot of people think they have the artistic temperament because they are lazy.
 woman who is not good looking con- soles herself by thinking that she has plenty of common sense.
 FATUoUs.
 That mans a fool Who thinks that he Can always stick To probity. Ere he's aware. In all his pride. He'll loop the loon
 And hit the slide "Dr. Crapsey will lecture at the town hall tonightl A St. Louis woman was arrested while on her way to heaven. Tough luck! In St. Louis, tool
 / Barefoot boys and girls are still frolick- ing in Alabama sunshine, though Christ mas will be here in just two weeks.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-12-11

Senator Bailey is in Texas looking after his fences. He is giving his op ponents plenty of work.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-12-11

MT. Carnegie is handing out lakes instead of libraries at present-lakes equipped with shore lines and breezes and all that sort of thing
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-12-11

E. II. Hartman is trying to buy rail road connection with every town in which Andrew Carnegie has library.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-12-11

Those who have a billion dollars can plead by proxy in criminal cases in Ohio courts-for example, John D. Others have to plead in person.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-12-11

A St. Louis judge has decided that billiards is a game of chance, provided, of course, it is not a case of sharp play ing with a sucker.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-12-11

American typesetting machines are sold in France 50 per cent below prices charged in this country, but the tariff wall prevents any one here from taking advantage of French prices.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-12-11

They need cold wave on the Pa cific coast 10 allay the anti-Japanes; feeling out thrre.