davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-17
TRAIN CRASHES
 THROUGH BRIDGE

Chattanooga, Tenn. May 16.-Dead: VIII Hyder, fireman of pile driver from Nash vile, Chattanooga and St. Louis railroad.
 Clint Shafer, engineer of pile driver.
 J. Fitzgerald, negro fireman Southern railway.
 J. McMahon, engineer Southern railway, bruised about head.
 Christ George, Greek laborer, skull frac- tured, other injuries.
 Chris Costa, Greek laborer. skull frac- tured.
 Injured
 Peter John, injured about head and body.
 Styles John, Greek laborer, injured about head.
 Three men killed outright, three others so seriously injured that they will die and two others badly injured in addition to the crashing of Southern railway freight engine and eleven cars through bridge into Chattanooga creek, the destruction of three residences and pile driver nearby was the result of a premature explosion at $40 o'clock this afternoon of a blast at the foot of Lookout moun- tain on the Stevenson extension, which is being constructed by W. J. Oliver X Co
 The bridge was crushed in by several tons of rock hurled by the blast just as the Southern railway freight train No Il was going on the bridge. Other pieces of rock hurled for over 400 yards, crashed through the pilot of a pile driver of the Nashville. Chattanooga and St. Louis railroad which was at work driving piles in Chattanooga creek for a new viaduct killing Engineer Shafer and Fireman Hy- der instantly
 Other pieces of rock hurled 800 and 600 yards, struck the residences on the side of Lookout Mountain, crashing through the roof and the floors of the buildings Four Creeks who were working on the new line some distance from the blast were stuck by flying pieces of rock. Two of them are at the hospital in a serious condition.
 The blast was set off by J. Ford a powder man for Yarnell Bros. contrac- tors for Oliver, against the instructions of the contractors. He had only been em- ployed for a short time by the company. At late hour he could not be located The blast was one of the heaviest ever used on work in this section of the coun- try. No warning was given to the resi- dents r the vicinity or to the Nashville. Chattanooga and St. Louis railroad, whose property was destroyed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-17
The General Assembly

There are church bodies numerically teTan general assembly, now in ses- sion in Birmingham, but in personnel, none ranks higher Indeed, few bodies measure up to 1t in character, earnest ness, or intellectual force The gen eral assembly is composed of high minded, thoughtful Christian gentle men. It is splendid body, and Bir- mingham bids 1t an unfeigned well come.
 Presbyterians the world over are noted for their conservatism, and espe- riauy is conservatism characteristic of this southern branch of the church. While the southern assembly has most cordial relations with the northern and ether Presbyterian assemblies, 1t has hewed closer to the line, has preserved more carefully cherished traditions, and has stood more squarely by his. toric symbols or standards than it's sis ter bodies of the Presbyterial system. Northern Presbyterianism is orthodox enough, perhaps, for the rank and file of the denomination but from the very fact that the southern branch is more conservative makes its orthodoxy as tested by the Westminster confession all the more solid.
 Not only is the Presbyterian minis try distinguished for it's scholarship, bat | large part of its coordinate elder.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-17
Standard Oil in Court

Standard Oil Pierce telegraphs to Austin, Tex, that he will, as soon as he can arrange his business affairs in New York;" go to Texas to have the indictment against him tested" in the Texan courts. This is the Standard oil idea of indictments. They are to be tested only when Standard Oil busi- ness invites. They are to be made matters of convenience, and in Ohio no one was actually brought into court, thus establishing a new distinction be- tween the rich and the poor, between the powerful and the friendiess.
 Judge Adams of the United States circuit court at St. Louis declines to accept the free and easy Ideas of the Standard Oil as to the testing of indict- ments. He believes an indicted man should be tried, no matter how many Standard Oil subsidiary companies he may be president of, and he has or. dered Pierce to be turned over to Sher- if Matthews of Travis county, Texas. Under our ridiculous system of appeals in criminal cases the Standard Oil may take an appeal to the supreme court, but even if it does Pierce will pretty surely fall into the hands of the Texan sheriff, regardless of the condition of his New York business.
 The Pierce case is public scandal, particularly in Texas. He is president of that branch of the Standard Oil company that exploits Texas and the southwest, and he is wanted there for trial. He stands charged with perjury. He had the hardihood to swear that his company was not party to anything in restraint of trade, and Texas pro- poses to try him for perjury. It is not a matter of fines, but plain matter of acquittal or the serving of a term of five years, more or less, in the peni- tentiary. Hence, the current efforts to prevent extradition. But the mills of the gods are still grinding.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-17
READING OFF HIS DRUNK.

From the Savannah News
 An old actor who was not much given to the cheering glass, says the Billboard, one evening went to dine at the club with a friend-met several more. with the re- suit that about c. M he was pretty mellow" He left his friends and started home and said to himself: My boy, you're drunk! What are you going to do about it? know I'll go home and read who ever heard about a drunken man reading?' Well. home he went in cab went to the library and commenced to read. Mrs. Actor later apepared on the scene. What on cart hare you doing?" she questioned
 '.Why-er-can't you see what I'm do- ing. my dear? I'm reading
 "Reading?' said his wife, scornfully; what are you reading?"
 He looked at the book, but couldn't see the words. so said: That books been in the house for the last twenty years, so if you don't know I'm not going to tell you.''
 To this his wife replied wrathfully You old fool, shut up that valise and come to bed"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-17
Odd Eellows, Home.

T am glad the Odd Fellows decided to build their widows and orphans home at Cullman." said a Birmingham man. "Cullman has a fine reputation from a health point of view. No locality in the south Is more salubrious. Cullman coun- ty Is high and dry and malaria Is vir- tually unknown there. St. Bernard col lege and the Sacred Heart convent in Cullman have prospered greatly and the popularity of those institutions Is due largely I am told, to the exceptionally good health conditions surrounding them.
 "The Odd Fellows building is to be one of the handsomest in the state and Is to be erected on a farm about mile from town donated by the citizens. It is a beautiful site and all the members of the Independent Order of Odd Eel lows may well be proud of their insti- tution"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-17
ANNUAL SERMON
 BY DR. DICKINSON

Richmond, Va, May 16.-The Southern Baptist convention met in It's ffty-second session tonight. The body was formally welcomed by Mayor Mccarthy.
 The proceedings of the convention were begun with prayer by Rev. Dr. s. M. Provence of Alabama. Hon. E. W. Stephenson of Missouri, the incumbent, was unanimously chosen to preside for the third time over the convention.
 The following vice presidents were chosen: F. R. Holland of Virginia. Joseph Lowering of West Virginia Dr. J. B. Marvin of Louisville. Ky, and pr. s. Y. Jameson of Georgia
 Dr. J. Lansing Burrows of Nashville, Tenn, and Dr. O.. F. Gregory of Staun- ton. Va, were unanimously reelected sec retaries.
 MT. George W. Norton of Louisville, Ky, was made treasurer, and Rev. Dr. William P. Harvey of Louisville, audi tor.
 After organization had been completed the annual sermon was preached by the Rev. J. A. Dickinson of Birmingham, Ala.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-17
WHY HE CAM E.
From the Chicago Record Herald.

From the Chicago Record Herald.
 When Vice President Fairbanks got up to speak at the Chicago Press club lunch con, rendered to him when he was in Chi cago recently, the first thing he did was to tell how he accepted the clubs invitA- ton.
 T am very glad to be the guest of your club today,' said MT. Fairbanks, "and I hope this will not be the last occasion on which I shall have the pleasure of being entertained by you. At the time accept a village authority in Bengal. If Indiana be of East Indian stock, these theories may serve.
 If we might presume to enter so learned a discussion we could name, besides the excellent working hypothetsis Who's s Who" the undoubted but hitherto un- mentioned parent of 'Hoosier." It goes back to the French occupation. 'Hoosier" in It's first state was haut 6ieur. A par entage that befits It's high fortune. Dili- gent search will reveal the proofs.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-17
TALE OF A TROUT.
GuIped Down Rabbit and Dog, Then
 Hung Up on a String of Fish.

From the Houston Post Special.
 Brenham, Tex, May 11.-A friend from Somerville writes this correspondent anent tho article in the Houston Post of April 80, In which Mr. L. F. Ammons is reported to have seen black bass swallow rabbit at the Brenham Rod and Gun club lake. that MT. Tom Treadaway, formerly of Brenham, but now foreman of the tie plant at Somerville, who is an intimate friend of MT. Ammops. upon reading the story, remarked that he didn't see why MT. Ammons should con sider this story worth the telling, in view of the fact that on one occasion when he, MT. Ammons and County Clerk at a point known as the Miller Hole, they saw two yellow flee dogs chasing big swamp rabbit, and that the rabbit jumped Into the stream and the two dogs went in after him, and all of them disappeared, which occasioned consider able speculation at the time among the trio of fishermen.
 Half an hour later they went down the stream to where they had their fish hung in the water by a chain, and noticed that the bush that 1t was fastened to was beut over and the chain pulled taut. It was pulled up and big trout pulled out that had swallowed their string of fish, and while cleaning the trout one of the dogs and the swamp rabbit was found in him. They had no scales on which to weigh the fish, but at a colored mans house near by they measured him and found that it was just the length of two sections of stove pipe.
 MT. Treadaway says that County Clerk o. A. Seward of Washington county will vouch for the truth of the story, and we had intended to get this corroboration, though to those who know MT. Treada- way it was hardly necessary, but for the benefit of strangers we will again refer to Ben Rogers and Jeff McLemore to vouch for MT. Treadaway's truthfulness.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-17
Pleased With Birmingham.

Among the commissioners to the Pres byterian general assembly is Charles Me- Kee of Little Rock, Ark. He is a Pres byterian elder and is one of the leading business men of Arkansas. He Is. by the way, an ex-president of the bankers association of his state and as such has been cordially greeted by w. W. Craw- ford, president of the Birmingham Clear ing House association.
 This Is my first visit to Birmingham" said MT. Mckee last night. "Of course I have heard a great deal of the city, but it Is larger and more attractive than l had Imagined. I am delighted with Bir- mingham and am glad indeed to be here"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-17
ForeIqn Capital.


 At recent meeting ofsthe Commercial club many practical, business-like talks were heard regarding the law taxing for eign loans," said Leo K. Steiner. All the speakers were earnestly desirous of having the legislature repeal that objec- tionable section of the revenue act, and they gave good reasons. But MT. A. R. Dearborn made a point that was excep- tionally strong when he said 1t was not the small tax that hurt so much as it was the tendency. Foreign companies, he pointed out, would give Alabama a wide berth if the state administration and the lawmakers were inclined to enact bills antagonistlc to capital seeking invest ment in the way of loans on real estate.
 ''That word tendency expressed the idea exactly. The old saying that capital is timid is as true today as 1t ever was. The growing, progressive cities of Alabama must be built up very largely on for eign money and we should do nothing to scare 1t off '
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-17
Southern Cotton Interests

The New England spinners and their tool. the New York Cotton Exchange, are alarmed over the new spirit of in- dependence that is arising in the south After conspiring ever since Whitney invented the cotton gin to depress the price of cotton they are angry because the producers in the south propose to organize in their own defense against selfish and grasping combinations else where, whether they are located in Liv- erpool, in New York or in New Eng land
 They know the plans of the pro- ducers are sensible and wholly feasi. ble. but that fact serves but to increase their uneasiness and anger, and through their Lodges and Aldriches they have already taken steps to have Congress investigate southern CO., operation and southern defensive plans. Let them investigate until the cows come home. The southern plans are legitimate and legal, and the more they appear. All the Lodges and Aldriches in the world cannot change the situa- ton or turn the southern people from their fixed determination to meet the schemes of spinners for depressing the price of cotton.
 The county warehouse is to be the basis of financing the crop, and sub seriptions to the amount of five dollars a bale will suffice to build a warehouse and to put In 1t all weak" or dis tressed" cotton. It is the producer that is weak and distressed, and he will re- ceive either in advances or in full pay ment enough money to lift him out of the depths of debt. Eleven counties in North Carolina have already adopted the plan, and the subscriptions In those eleven counties now aggregate $900,. 900. Each county concern has busi- ness manager who is bonded, and the county concerns are affiliated with the Southern Cotton association and its state divisions, which will determine the minimum selling price of cotton. Otherwise each county will control Its own cotton and gather in its own profits, all of which will accrue to it's own stockholders.
 The plan is wholly plain and feasi- ble, provided cooperation be forthcom- ing. The price of cotton would then be determined by producers, and not by the spinners of New or Old England. c. c. Moore of North Carolina says cotton is readily wo. tn 69 cents a pound because it takes the place of raw materials that are worth 70 cents a pound. MT. Moore. therefore, asserts that cotton is worth at least 69 cents. It is certainly worth to consumers that much, although producers receive for It but II cents.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-17
PRESS POINTS

Dallas News: Arkansas has city named Bucl<snort; but all the people call 1t Willie
 Louisville Herald: One debt of grati- vance has been about Is cents a rarar Noticing our lack of poets, he never did propose to lease us Alfred Austin.
 Atlanta Constitution: Corey's wedding might furnish Laura Jean Libbey with a captivating title for story-'"rhe Mid night Marriage, or the Heart of Steel"
 Washington Post: A New York woman to dogs Presumably it Is not always possible for dogs to learn anything like that from their masters.
 Hamilton Sun: Ohio. as usual Is the centre of the political universe. When 1t comes to remaining right in the political spotlight, the old Buckeye State Is in a class all by her lonesome.
 Nashville Tennessean: San Francisco hopes eventually for a flrst-class govern ment by frst-class men. She will get these things only by clean sweep, fresh shuffie, and new deal.
 Shreveport Times: A Montana man started to visit his old home at Gaines vile, Ga. When he reached Kansas City he fell asleep and he has slept constantly for the past forty days. Even Philadel- phia doesn't effect them like that.
 Spokane spokesman-R Review: If George Cox proves to be as good peacemaker as his words indicate, there will be no anxiety about Ohio. But one never knows how much reliance to place in old machine politicians like Cox and For aker.
 Washington Herald: Mir. Thomas W. Lawson says he returned from an inter- view with the pope feeling about two feet high" It would be real benefae- ton to mankind if his holiness would grant MT. Lawson an interview about once a week.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-17
PALAsRAs cARlNosAs.

By Thomas Bailey Aldrich. Good night; have to say good night To such a host of peerless things, Good night unto the slender hand All queenly with It's weight of rings: Good night to fond uplifted eyes, Good night to chestnut braids of hair, Good night unto the perfect mouth. And all the sweetness nestled there The snowy hand detains me, then I'll have to say good night again!
  But there will come a time, my love, When, If I read our stars alright, [ shall not finger by this porch With my farewells Till then good night!
 You wish the time were now? And I, You do not blush to wish it so? You would have blushed yourself to death To own so much a year ago What, both these snowy hands. ah, then I'll have to say good night aSaini~
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-17
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR.
rom the New York Press

From the New ork Press.
 college education is good for a boy who can't do anything else.
 Politics wouldn't have any interest for the average man if it was respectable.
 Most people are ashamed to admit they don't understand politics and do poetry.
 A girl gets married the first time for excitement and a widow the second time to get rid of 1t.
 woman thinks that to be a gentleman you've got to admire the way she plays whist. no matter how bad it is
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-17
CHEAPER SPORT.

From the Washington Herald.
 Instead of dipping around in automo- piles, people prefer to howl at the umpire. There is no accounting for tastes says the Birmingham Age-Herald. But it only costs 25 cents to sit on the bleachers and howl at the umpire.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-17
Coal Trade.

'The coal market is very good, except for inferior grades said J. R. Ryan, vice president of the Corona company. "Our mines are turning out their capac- ity and we are finding sale for every ton of it. Trade with us was never better than it has been this spring."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-17

The athletic girl in her more pro- nounced phase Is on the wane, and it Is well. No man wants to tie up with woman who can lick him with one hand behind her back
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-17

If alcohol were not such seductive thing the chances are that there would not be so much eagerness to determine whether it is food or poison.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-17

Abraham Ruef, the dean of Ameris can municipal corruptionists, Is down and out, and his career should stand as a warning 10 other of1ce-holders whn are ambitious along this line.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-17

The republican executive committee of the Fifth district of Alabama has nominated Roosevelt for third term. Tnskegee has spoken.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-17

Oxford will make Mark Twain a bachelor of letters. Mark probably feels that one or two bouquets at his time of life won't matter
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-17

While General Kuroh is not par ticular friend of the dove of peace, he is nevertheless making himself solid with the American people.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-17

William Jennings Bryan denies that he ever discussed Thomas Fortune Ryan for the presidency. If he dis cusses anybody it Is going to be him.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-17

Over in Georgia reyivalist was sent to the rock pile for brutally flashing his son. Georgia always did have a knack of doing the right thing.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-17

The Northern Presbyterian assem- bly,, in session at Columbus, O., is as full of politics over the moderatorship as an egg is of meat. The southern assembly, in session in Birmingham, true to it's traditions, eschewed politi- cal methods in choosing it's office bearers.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-17

Spring is now gentle enough to eat out of your hands, remarks Chicago paragrapher, who is eyeidently having a brainstorm
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-17

Women as embalmers have failed to make good, but there are few jobs that they won't undertake these days.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-17

There are great many people who don't believe that Corey will be able to hold his job much longer.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-17

Carrying their money where they do, it Is sometimes deuced awkward for 8 woman to extract five dollar bill.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-17

A man In Massachusetts who was cold drank some horse medicine and died. He probably mistook 1t for snake medicine.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-17

Whatever else may be said about Richard Mansf1elds character, he stays married pretty we'll
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-17

Queen Elizabeth of Roumanla ia famon. as 8 dramatst, a poet. painter, a musi- clan, an architect, a worker in tapestry and embroidery and a scientist. She seems to have a strangle hold on fame
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-17

Railroads smashup their freight cars as if there never was a car shortage.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-17

The weather will brighten up in June. The sweet girl graduate" is coming home.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-17

The strange dog that chewed up the White House bulldog should have left his card.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-17
A DIFFICULTY.
WE'LL ENouGH.

" MILL ENOOGds Let well enough alone'-you've heard Those very words before. But there are things of greater weight Than well enough" and more. WeH take the time and liberty To catalogue just two mat may some day prove valuable And serve a turn for you The first one is, let other chaps Alone if you would be A man of many friends and know True popularity. The second is, no matter what It be, let that alone Which isn't yours. altho, perhaps, 'Tis what you'd like to own. If you'll not meddle in affairs That don't concern your health And let some other fellow go The crooked road to wealth, The chances are you'll never bear A heavy load of rue And all this life will certainly Be well enough for you.
 The time Is near at hand when tho yellow-haired heroine of melodrama will not shed tears over the mortgage on the old home place. but over the mortgage on her automobile.
 A CONTINGENCY If Corey sticks to his Mabelle
 And there is no divorce, The glad 'I-told-you-so, will have
 No chance to talk, of course. Charleston newspapers talk almost as much about the schuetzenfest as they do about Bugs" Raymond.
 When Sothern and Marlowe were ''booed'' in London Miss Marlowe smiled sweetly, which was a whole lot better than boohooing.
 I'm quick lunch fiend and I'm going to die an old maid" said girl who com mitted suicide In Chicago May she rest In peacel PAUL COOK.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-17

Now, that he is In limbo, Abe Ruef is sorry, sorry man.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-17

Wind and weather will settle the question of reduced cotton acreage in the south.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-17

Gadsden Journal: Capt. Hobson has gotten down to brass tacks and Is mak- ing good. Ways and means of increasing profits on the farm are more interesting to his constituents than all the imagn- ary glories of universal peace brought about by the big stick or big navy of Uncle Sam.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-17

The green bug Is decidedly in the spotlight.