davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The semi-weekly messenger., 1907-12-20
\ Coughing Plant.

Carnivorous plants are known which
will consume even mice; laughing
plants and plants that weep are also
known; but no one has ever heard
of a vegetable that suffered from
whooping cough.
There exists, however, plant which
prospers in tropical countries and the
fruit of which resembles the common
broad bean. 1t is quite crank, easily
gets into a rage, and what Is more
peculiar, has horror Of dust.
AS soon as a few grains of dust are
deposited on it's leaves the stomata,
or air chambers which cover their
faces and which are the respiratory
organs of the plant, become filled with
a gas, swell and end by driving out
the gas with a slight explosion and
a sound which resembles so much the
cough Of a child, suffering from a
cold as to be mistaken for it.
It serves as an ornamental plant.
One can imagine the concert that
would be furnished by two or three
of these strange plants in drawing
room in which the coming and going
of visitors has raised a cloud OF face
powder-Journal de la Santa
The semi-weekly messenger., 1907-12-20
4 SILVER LINING To THE DEMO
CRATIC CLOUD.

The Washington correspondent OF
the Charlotte Observer writes his paper
that there is more talk Of opposition
to Bryan among democrats of all sorts
than there has been in years. lie
says that the Roosevelt announcement
has made many Of the democratic
party leaders of thought believe that
there is a fair show to win with
man who has not been tried until the
people are tired Of him" Governor
Johnson, Of Minnesota, seems to be
looming up; and perhaps there is yet
some chance for a southern man.
This report from Washington that
Mr.. Bryan may not be carrying the
democratic nomination around in his
vest pocket should be considered a
silver lining to the heavy cloud which
is hanging over the democratic party.
It would give the party strength Tor
the country to feel that it had will
power to rebel against the one-man-
domination and intended to act for II
self in the choice of it's candidate for
president We do not believe the dem
0crats of the south want MI Bryan
as their nominee, and if they do not
they should have the courage to say
SO. Nothing would help the party
more than for the members, especially
those of the south, to display a spirit
of independence in the matter OF
choosing it's candidate. No party, so
long as it remains a one-man worship
per can expect to achieve success WIN
that ons often defeated man as It's
standard bearer.
The semi-weekly messenger., 1907-12-20
A GIF7LESs CHRISTMAS
What Would Christmas be Without the
Giving of Presents.

What would Christmas be wltho"t
..iI;> without those renenIbrances oil
courtesy aud affection that have be-
come SO firmly affixed in association
with the holiday? The Chicago Wo-
r-al's Club has started a movement 10
90 away with thc giving OF gifts ut
me Yule season. 1t will not succeed.
i deserves not to succeed. The essen
tial part of the spirit OF Christmas
Is the giving of pleasure 10 others. ana
as yet human beings have devised no
better scheme for expressing kindly
sentiment than by the giving OF gifts
Al the same time there can be no
question OF the need of reform in the
matter of Christmas giving. The best
gift is that which has real value; that
is useful to tho recipient of il. Mil
lions of dCliarr, are wasted every sea-
son in "" purchase Of trinkets and
fol-dc-,C-1 that are actually not worth
the ~gUm they CccIpy. They may De
pretty TO look at for the moment, but
thev are without lilly. The only pos
sible goods OF them is fact that their
manufacture. sale and delivery affords
employment to a certain number of
+r.rking people for short while
The articles themselves, after they
have been delivered, represent only so
much money that has been practically
wasted Fhis does not refer to chill
dren's toys, which are unending sour
ces of delight, and are probably worth
all they cost. The pleasure that is
bought for children at Christmas is
beyond computation, and nobody wants
to diminish it in the slightest degree.
But we have in mind the presents
that are exchanged between grown
ups There isn't any good reason
why they should be foolish or waste
ful:-Savannah News.
The semi-weekly messenger., 1907-12-20

Birmingham. Ala, DCCemt,r IC -
Between 90 ami &c men are buried j.,
No. mine OF Yoland Coal and Coke
COMPANY al Nolaud. 35 miles from,
Birmingham. in TuscalC"sa county.
olIowing an explosion TODAY Ninety
men were checked IN for work With
n an hour after the explosion "A men
had crawled out OF the mine. al burn
ed Lated reports from the seen, are
hat the dead number sixty.
The explosion took place at 10 %
and was below the second l'AI
Crowds of women and men Quisk kly
gathered around tho mine entrance
nd were cheered by the news that an
he fans continued to work.
Twelve bodies had been recovered
up TO o'clock.
The cause Of the explosion Is u--
known. Less than 100 men gsAr.u
he mine this morning and ~ r-
counts for the fact that IN" los
lie was not heavier. Th" min, -
n the past been pronounced FIRE, from
as by the state mine inspcCtors and .
$ supposed that the eLlustHn wH
aused by dust. At noon IL Was -.
ossible to venture even near -
mouth OF the mine, So hot was The a..
hat was rushing out TIL rNp.us...
.as below the second right sah-,urr
he mines go down SomctlanE like m
cen hundred feet There was a terri
G explosion. the force of "h.ea WA
cen outside. dust and timber bong
Iovn out in great quantities destroy
ny small buildings nearby aud also
anling on the depot some Att'r dis
anCe away. There was q terrific heat
immediately after the eNpl'sinn- or
ficials OF the company were ON tho
Gene Immediately and took .ys tu
tart rescue party To get 1" thr men
n the inside. The fans were started
y and other methods taken 10 climi-
nate the lad air. Within an hour II
ncn had Crawled from the mine.
Yoland is but a few miles from Nir-
gnia city. whore n similar cNpusion
occurred about two years ago. / being
killed at that time. Yoland Is 30 miles
miles south of Birmingham on the
birmingham Mineral Railroad. Tho
Yoland Coal and coke company
is headed by DIR. O. F.. Grove
Birmingham. Between l25 AID
$50 men are given employment in
the No. mine Being Monday morn
ing the large crowd did not go into the
mine. The Yoland mines are among
the model collieries Of the Birming-
ham district. Non-union men were
worked exclusively. but everything
possible had been done to ins Tho
ortentment OF the employees, Eie
village is located on n heautifm~ill
nd houses are all painted white with
green trimmings, giving an air OF pic
ureSQueneSs and Of healthfulneas, un-
usual in mining camps.
A message from Yoland tonight says
bodies have been taken frSSn the
mines and that the reecuers believe 35
40 are still in the lower entrances.
The semi-weekly messenger., 1907-12-20
TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION
WILMINGTON. n. g.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1907.
AS TO CHRISTMAS GIFTS

A newspaper beforeus contains de-
nunciation Of what it terms the
''senseless practice" of giving gifts
during the Christmas season.
The Times notes its exceptions and
appeals to the higher court Of the re-
cipients and giVers Of Christmas gifts
those who both give and receive
them.-Raleigh Times.
We endorse the sentiments Of The
Times noted III it's exception to the
above sentiment and it's appeal to the
higher court of the recipients and the
6iyers Of Christmas gifts.
What would Christmas be without
the giving of presents? The origin OF
Christmas is eXemplified in the giving
to make glad the hearts Of our fellow
beings Christmas is based on the
PRINCIPLE of universal love ana desire
to make glad the hearts Of others. 1t
has its origin in the greatest gift ever
made to mankind. The giving OF pres
ents among friends is only typical Of
the great gift God made to His people
when he sent his beloved Son to earth
to take the form and nature of man
for mans redemption. Since tue morn
when the stars sang together and the
angels proclaimed peace on earth and
good will to man, the christian world
has been observing that anniversary
by trying to bring happiness to its
people. Every gift, every kind remem-
brance or word of cheer and encour-
agement to one friend from another
on that day is but a typifying OF the
great happiness brought 70 all man
, kind on that first Christmas by the
One who loved his fellowman beyond
all human love and who demonstrated
that love in the Christmas present He
made to man on that first Christmas
morn.
The giving of Christmas presents Of
course, can be carried to excess, can be
made a burden, to the giver and an
embarrassment to the recipient, but
because that is somtimes done is no
reason why the beautiful custom should
be done away with-the custom which
one day in the year opens the hearts
of all Christian people to a feeling Of
closer brotherhood-brings assurances
of love to friends long parted and
unites families in joyous interchange
Of tokens OF love. Christmas without
present giving would be a joyless one
indeed, despite all the effosts of the
church to make it one of Christian re-
joicing oyer the day celebrated by re-
ligious ceremonies.
The semi-weekly messenger., 1907-12-20

IT. is in order now for the wise ones
to begin making predictions as to
what will happen to the fleet OF sixteen
battleships which left Norfolk yester-
dav for our Pacific coast before its
return to our Atlantic seaboard. viii
all of them return in the near future!
viii some of them be lost in storms?
Will some of them succumb to the
fire of an enemy's warships in a fierce
naval conflict in the waters OF the
Pacific before they have fulfilled the
mission which sent them to the Pacific?
These and many other speculative
questions are now open to discus
sion.
Opinion is divided in this country
as to why this tremendous naval force
has been sent half way around the
world in order that the American navy
might make so formidable a demon
StratlOn IN LuS WdLSlS WSSL OA ooA
continent and lying between it and
the empire of Japan. Is it intended
simply to demonstrate to the world
generally what the American navy can
do? Is it for the purpose for check
ing any supposed inclination on the
part of Japan to tread on Uncle Sans
toes, and to be prepared for what some
consider inevitable war with that ma
tion in the near future? or is it, as
others claim, simply a great naval ma
neuver and pageant for the purpose OF
showing Cor own people the quality OF
our navy and to crafty the people OF
our Pacific coast states by having their
ports visited by this splendid fleet Of
American warships?
,Whateverl the object may be the
The semi-weekly messenger., 1907-12-20
Keep Your Dollars at Home.

Once more it is seasonable TO direct
the attention of Christmas shoppeLs TO
the fact that it is the part Of niShn
to keep their dollars at home. That
is not necessary for purchasers to send
good home money TO mail order houses
viii be realized after a perusal Of the
advertisements in today's paper TO
patronize the home merchant is like
casting your bread upon sshe waters
at some future day 1t VII its way
back to your individual 1Syse. 1t Is a
policy that is dictated By considera-
tions of both wisdom and patriotism
Industrial News.
The semi-weekly messenger., 1907-12-20
JIrSTTCE WALKERS OPINION.

The friends of Justice Platt ID. Walk
er of the supreme court are grained
to hear the many Communications that
are being made on his able opinion
announcing the decision Of the court
in the famous indictment Of the
Southern railroad which went up to
that court from Wake county. The
whole state had been waiting for Two
months or more to know how the
court would decide this case and to
learn what reasons it would give for
the decision made. Our readers know
that the four associate justices agreed
that the decision of Judge Long
should be reversed and that Justice
Walker was appointed by the court to
write the opinion of that body setting
forth the reasons of the court
whereby it came to such decls-
ion. His opinion is too long to be
given here in full, but we wish to
call attention to some of it's leading
features and to some Of the arguments
in contention with Chief Justice Clark
who dissents from the decision of the
court and thinks the judgment Of the
court below should stand. In our
humble opinion Mr. Walkers pro-
noucement of the decision of the court
and of the reasons for holding as it
does is a most learned dissertation on
the law applicable to the case. 1t
shows deep study and careful research
into the law for reasons why the case
should be decided as it has been by the
court
On the other hand Chief Justice
Clarks dissenting opinion is not at all
on the law in the case. 1t begs the
question and is more OF a political
argument from popullst-eOme mlSnt
say anarchistic-standpO
Mr.. Walkers opinion shows that It
is a we'll adjudicated principle and
one not to be questioned that where a
new offense or crime has been created
by legislative enactment and in the
act a particular punishment prescribed
cnly that punishment and no other
can be imposed. That is the principle
which governs the court in deciding
this case. Justice Walker cites no end
OF cases maintaining that josition. In
particular he cites Justice Rufhn's opin-
ion in the case of state against Snuggs
in the eighty-fifth north Carolina ss''
preme court reports in which the JUS
tice, speaking for the court, says:
The semi-weekly messenger., 1907-12-20
TWO FAREWELL SERMONS
Delivered IN paeto-s 80 C-a"a and
Bladen Street Methodist Churches
on Sunday.

Large congregations gathered az
Grace NJ E church and at Bladen
street Methodist church on Sunday TO
hear the farewell sermons or their re.
spective pastors, Rev. N. NJ Watson
and Rev. A. ]. Parker. both OF whom
were given other assignments at the
T, ,Cent North Carolina Methodist Con-
ference which met in Newbern.
The occasion was one tinged with
sadness. both for pastors 8nd people,
and many were the expressions dkre-
gret at the necessity for these Sod
men leaving Wilmington. Both Revs
Mr.. Watson and Mr. Parker will 90
tc their new homes this week, accom-
panied by the best wishes Of their
hosts of friends in Wilmington.
Rev T. A. Smoot who comes TO
Grace church from Durham will arrive
in the city on Thursday and will con
duct his first service on Sunday next.
Rev. Mr.. Smoot is one OF the mos:
powerful preachers in the Methodist
conference and he is a young man
full Of energy and capable OF fine ser
vice. de will be given cordial well
come to this city where he IS already
known and highly esteemed.
Rev. w. E. Hocutt. the new pastor Of
Bladen Street church is also expected
to arrive this week and a warm wei
come will be extended him.
The semi-weekly messenger., 1907-12-20
HAPPENINGS AT THE CAPITAL
Prohibition Mass Meeting Opinions
Filed by Supreme Court-Relief
Fund for Firen,en-Charter Granted
Messenger Bureau
PaIoioh Doc 1G

Raleigh, Dec. 16.
Yesterday was a very notable one
here for the prohibition movement.
The first Of the great mass meetings
was held, under the auspices of the
Anti-Saloon League, and was at the
Academy of Music. 1t was for men
only.
The dispensay is not going to make
any fight. 1t has not accepted any
money from any liquor dealers Or from
anybody. Some person has made the
statement that the liquor dealers do
not care if the dispensary is abolish
ed, their trade in a prohibition state
that is as to the wholesalers being
always precarious and North Carolina
being now regarded as pretty much
prohibition state, puts it in the cate
cory Of commonwealths in which the
wholesalers see very few openings.
At Edenton street Methodist cherch
yesterday President Kilgo Of Trinity
College preached a sermon on chris
tian education, taking the ground that
what is known as higher education
in great many cases brings out the
fi9rcest opposition to christianity. He
cites the gICat German universities in
proof of his position, saying that
at these religion was usually held in
contempt by those who considered
themselves great thinkers, and they
though themselves superior to matters
Of the kind.
The supreme court today filed two
opinions, these being in the case Of
Horton, administrator, against the
Forsyth Telephone company of Cleve-
land, a new trial being granted, while
in the case Of Shelton VS. Moody, from
Haywood county, error was found.
Captain John w. Duckett, who has
in charge the Croatan Indian Normal
school, has returned from Robson
county and says that Prof. H. L. Ed
ems of that county has been made
principal, succeeding H. M. Seawel,
who resigned. Miss N. E. Sharp has
been elected assistant at the normal
| school
Chief J. D. McNeill of the National
and also North Carolina Firemen's AS
sociation was here today on his way to
| take his son home, the latter having
had a very severe attack of pneumonia.
but being now convalesent. Speaking
Of the fire department news, Chief
McNeill said that everything was get
ting in very good shape. There are
81 fire departments in North Carolina
While he was here today he was look
ing after a relief fund for the fremen
This comes from a tax of IL of one
| per cent upon the fire insurance prem
| iums collected in each town where
there is $1,000 of protection againsI
fires. He says it is not yet known
what amount this fund VIII yield. The
estimate was made that it would ap.
proximate $500. He said that thI:
year over fifty accidents have occurred
to firemen, but none have been kill
ed.
The arms and legs OF several were
The semi-weekly messenger., 1907-12-20
The Passing of Malaria.

To the tuneful mosquito, biting ac-
eording to his nature, and to miasm,c
conditions of the air no longer is to
be attributed that condition of misery
common to Iowland dwellers. Malaria
-etymotogically, bad airs not due
to the air at all, but to the mosquito;
and authoritative and official recOgni
tino of this fact has been taken by
the international sanitary congress,
sitting in Mexico City. which has
abolished malaria as medical term
and substituted mosquito fever" there
for. The congress includes delegates
from North, South and Central Amer
lea
The long g-accepted medical meaning
of the word malaria was a morbid
condition produced by exhalations
contact with moisture, giving rise to
fever and ague and other symptoms
characterized by their tendency. to re g.
cur at definite and usually uniform in
tervals Now medical science decides
that these conditions do net directly
produce the malady, but that it is
caused, or transmitted, solely by ne
mosquito.
We can imagine that this dicta will
bring a feeling Of relief to the dwellers
in soggy regions, who will no longer
be bowed down beneath a conscious
ness of breathing in these chills, few
ers and discomforts-Ash Ga
zette News.
The semi-weekly messenger., 1907-12-20

broken and many received other injn
rios At least s2.o0o relief has Ieea
distributed among che injured
The Martin county Timber Company
f. chartered. with Office at William
ston. the amount of capital stock be-
ing 500. 900 and New York people DC :
ins the principal owners
The LumbertCa Sanitarium' INC
changes its name TO the Thompson
Hospital Inc. ..
The semi-weekly messenger., 1907-12-20

ShOull u. Cortelyou become the
republican Candidate Tor president we
suppose he would have himself ap-
pointed treasurer of his campaign
committee, remembering his success in
getting campaign funds out of the big
which he made denial Of such contri-
buttons. From this viewpoint he
would be the best man the republicans
could nominate. He could successfully
deny all such charges, until after the
election anyhow
The semi-weekly messenger., 1907-12-20

Wilmington is still here and the
chamber of commerce still holds it's
meetings at the same place Neither
has yet been annihilated.
The semi-weekly messenger., 1907-12-20
THE GOVERNORS CHRISTMAS
PRESENT.

ITO be or not to be" an extra ses-
sion OF the legislature? is the question
which in now agitating the minds OF
the people OF this state. We believe
the governor could give the people i
no more acceptable Christmas present
than the announcement that he had
fully and finally decided not TO call
that body togetner for any purpose
We do not believe that the people
want an extra session of that body
and the governor would allay much
uneasiness and aExi=;y were he TO
make a positive announcement thar
there was no foundation in the many
recent rumors that he had in contem-
plation the calling OF an extra session
o. the legislature. SucE announcement
would be a welcome christmas present
from the governor 70 the people.
The semi-weekly messenger., 1907-12-20

Big red autos,'' according to a New
York paper, nov form the chief arti-
Gle of importation. Most Americans
will now begin to paint their devil
carriages" red We suppose. Anything
to be in the swim or in tha rush on
land
The semi-weekly messenger., 1907-12-20
So DEAD IN MINE

Iany Small Buildings Nearby Dc,ircA
ca by Force OF the Exploes un--vI
mediate Steps Taken to Rc~ru n.
p-isoued SiincrS-EnortS Hfsyr
al hv Torritis. Aaaf--s ~uS., ~ e..
pIosion Not known But H. Suppu,cJ
to Have Been Caused by Coal nu~t
, 1907-11-04

BRIEFLY MENTIONED.

Cloudy this afternoon.
Somewhat cooler today.
Beautiful November weather.
Second No. 3 only hal three cars.
Roadmaster Palm went west today.
Trains away of their schedule agaD
today.
Dean Bode went to Columbus Neb.
today.
Official car oil was attae,. led to train
No. 3 today.
A large line of new, bicycles just re
ceived at Lovejoy Novelty works.
Mrs. Harry Earnett went over &c
Cheyenne To-Day to visit friends for q
few days.
Toda.J is the anniversary of the re
election Of Abraham Lincoln as presi
de,.it in 1864.
! Contractor lnman has the new resi-
dence of Joseph Lohlein %inclosed, rea
dy for the %plasterers.
/ Not many places rel in the middle
west where horse racing and an out
door crowd on the Sd of November Is
possible.
The students of the upper grades In
the East Side school had assembly this
morning, with an address by Superin'
tendent Lee on the reading done by
the students and the number of books
each had read in the last two months
, 1907-11-04
A Celebrated ceIib.ts.

A young and handsome rector was
recently engaged for a fashionable
church. One Of the vestrymen with
a keen relish for q joke circulated the
rumor that the new parson belonged
to the order Of celibates, thinking
thereby to battle the spinsters and
widows Of the congregation who were
many. One m~atron, with several mar
riagable daughters, assembled these
and q few young friends about her,
and gave the group a solemn warning.
Now, girls" she said. you must not
fall in love with the rector. You know
he 10 q celebrity" And a celebrity
the poor mar remained 80 long as
he was rector Of that church.
, 1907-11-04
Capacity Of . Munich Porter.

An English family touring in Ba-
varia, called at the w~orld-famous Hof-
brauhaus, the pride of Munich, re.
Gently, writes our correspondent. To
the waitress serving them the head
OF fhe family in a matterof-fact way,
simply held up his 1--WE fingers. To
the family's establishment the wait
ress came back with I'VE quart pots
filled to the brim with beer. The Wis.
itors bravely struggled with the beer,
but only managed to dispose of about
n quart between them. Knowing
that 1t would be considered an in
suit to leave beer. they called a porter
and ordered him to finish it. In less
time than 1t takes to relate the Bava-
rian accomplished the task. Wiping
his mustache, he demanded sixpence
for the lob" and, having obtained
the money. instantly ordered and emp
tied another quart pot.