davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-16

tries, there Is an exceptional oppor- tunity to exercise the sentiment proper to the holiday season. In many circles of acquaintanceship there may be those who are distressed because losses suf- fered in the panic have crippled their resources and seriously lessened their incomes. To these, even more scrupu- lously than before, kindly consideration sh ould be shown by tn cir friends. The smile and the hearty hand-clasp of goodwill should characterize the greeting of them now as surely as in the past If any man. once prosperous, requires helping hand, the chance should be seized to prove to him that long -professed friendship is genuine. Even where no substantial aid is given or needed, encouraging words and opti- mstic counsel may serve to cheer a troubled heart.
 Under the circumstances of the hour, also, 1t sh ould be realized more pro- foundly than ever that Christmas is especially holiday for the children. For them, at least, 1t should be made as happy a day as possible. They should be sedulous1y shielded from the trou- bles that may sadden older members of the family. For this the latter will not be without their reward, since, in fected by the little ones joyous and care-free observance of the day, the grown-ups may be induced for the time to put away anxiety and foreboding.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-16
THE FOR WARD PASS
 HAS MANY ENEMIES
PENALTY FOR FAILURE TO TOUCH BONE OF CONTENTION. RULE COMMITTEE MEETS ON DECEMBER 27.

New York, December 15.-The meeting of the football rules committee in this city on December 27 will be interesting from the fact that certain colleges who have been unable up to this time to mas ter the intricacies of the forward pass will be on hand to urge a change in the rules governing this spectacular play. The great objection to the play is based upon the penalties arising from failure to hold or even to touch a thrown ball. The objections to this play are summed up thus by Athletic Manager Baird of the University of Michigan, who says: Tt has brought into the science of foot ball an element of uncertainty. Ere quently the result of a football game Is decided by chance. An inferior team, driven to recklessness, may triumph over n stronger and more reserving team through the fortunate outcome of uncer- tain playing. In conclusion, l may state that the forward pass ought to be abol- ished unless rules can be devised which will permit the adoption of a style of play in which skill and science, rather than chance, secure the reward of victory" It is hardly probable, however, that the forward pass will be abolished.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-16
Character by Hat.
e Philadelphia Inquirer.

From the Philadelphia Inquirer
 It is strange fact, but a true one, that the kind of hat man wears and the way he wears it form a very good criterion of his natural character.
 The man whose hat seems to have been made for him, and which he has set squarely and straight upon his head, is a methodical and comfortable man, with rare endowment of com mon sense. He is not given to flights of fancy.
 Men whose hats are always too large for them are of reflective habits They are careless of external appearances. and are likely to fall into fits of fancy and preoccupation.
 Men whose hats are always too small are vain and finicking. The man who wears his hat drawn over his eyes may not be wrong 'un," but he Is un- doubtedly a "sch emer." He excels in strategy and is rarely cheerful.
 Much more does the man who habit ually wears his hat pushed off his foreh cad enjoy the confidence of his fellowmen. He is admired by those who do not agree with any of his views, for his straightforwardness The man who places his hat on one side is jolly, in dependent and self-assertive.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-16
No Christmas For Actors.

The many people who believe that ac- tors and actresses have even a jollier time on Christmas and New Years than the average of humanity are laboring under delusion. In the Christmas num- Der of Leslie's Weekly dated December 12) Harriet Quimby tells, in an entertain ing way, how the people behind the scenes spend Christmas, showing that usually they are even harder worked on holidays than at other times, and that only rarely does Christmas mean to them a day free of toll and full of pleasure. This Is one of the superbest issues on record of Americas oldest illustrated weekly both the illustrations and the letterpress being profuse in quantity and of the highest quality. The pictorial fea- lures are introduced by an effective cover drawing in colors by J. P. Monahan, and besides this may be specially mentioned drawings by J. R. Calf, representing Christmas dinner behind the scenes; by B. West Clinedinst, revealing the rage for making Christmas gifts; by Arthur E. Jameson Ca double page), showing de- lightful Christmas scene; and by r. D. Johnson, representing the Teddy bears skating in their northern home, and also helping Santa Claus to load his auto mobile with gifts for the children; page of comic pictures by 'Zm," and the Christmas photo contest. On many pages there are fine color effects. The excel lent and beautifully illustrated fiction of the number is contributed by Harriet Prescott Spofford, William Hamilton Os- borne, Lowell Otus Reese, Maud Harmon Reed, Orvile Guy Victor and Netta M. Breckenridge. The poetical contributions by Minna Irving and Tarrytown carry delightful illustrations. Roscoe" fur nlshes sound views of the mining situ- ation, and Jasper" gives his readers hopeful Christmas greeting, states the outlook in the stock market, and sup plies the usual safe and adequate advice to investors and spectators.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-16
START MOVEMENT
 TO HELP MINERS
Italians Want to Send Aid to Victims of West Virginia Mine
 Disaster.

At a called meeting of several prom inent Italians of the Birmingham district, held at the offices of the Italian news paper CThe Vangnard), after choosing temporary committee with A. E. Cotti and Victor Torna, as chairman and sec- retary respectively, the following resolu- tions were adopted:
 whereas, terrible calamity has placed hundreds of families Of West Virginia in q miserable predicament, and,
 "Whereas, financial assistance is needed to help out those families, and,
 whereas, the people of Jefferson coun- ty have always responded most generous ly in cases of this sort, be it
 Resolved, That a meeting of larger proportions be called by this temporary committee, and that all citizens irrespec- five of nationality, be invited to be pres ent and give such assistance as may be reouired for the success of the movement started by the Vanguard. end be 1t further
 Resolved, That out of the larger meeting a committee be appointed to work out such suggestions that may be formulated for this purpose. sl "A. E. Cotti, chairman pro tenn; Victor Torina. secretary pro tem.;' N. Catanzano, J. L. Rigotti, J. Caravella, D. Catarsf P. J. seiro, Sam Lo Cascio, R. scalco. pr. F. Gasperini, c. Alongt- D. A Giella, committeeman"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-16
SAMUEL POWELL .
 IS ARRESTED
State Manager For Insurance Com. pany Is Charged with Forgery.
 Bondsmen Are Sued.

Little Rock, December 15.-Samuel Powell, until recently state manager of Arkansas for the Metropolitan Insurance company of New York, was arrested Thursday afternoon, charged with forg- ing the name of w. E. Farnell of Cleoria, La., to a note for $250O. which was dis counted by the Mercantile Trust company of this city. Powell gave bond for $10OO and was released pending a hearing.
 Powell has been a prominent member of Little Rocks society.
 Suit was filed Saturday in the federal court by the Metropolitan Life Insurance company against Powells bondsmen to recover on the bond furnished by Powell s bondsmen, the company alleging in the suit that Powell is indebted to 1t for a sum larger than the bond. The latter was 5000.
 The arrest and suit were not made pub lie until today.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-16
BASKETBALL IS
 KING THIS WEEK
B. A. c. TEAM WILL BE CHOSEN TO MEET YALE, COLUMBIA AND OTHER VISITORS - MoNTGoM. FRY SATURDAY NIGHT.

This week at the Birmingham Ath- letic club basketball will be inau- gurated for the season of 19O7-OS. The growth of this game with the public has been phenomenal in the past ten years. Ten years ago the Birmingham Athletic club was the only local or- ganfzation having a basketball team. but the sport has fiourished so exten- sively that today every athletic in- stitution in this locality has it's own aggregation.
 The first game of the season with foreign teams takes place Saturday night at the club with Montgomery. The "color" series between teams of the club and the games between teams comprising the Greater Birmingham Basketball league will come to a close this week. The Birmingham Athletic club team has the fine record of hav- ing lost no game. but has two yet to be played these being with Bessemer Monday night, and Pratt City Wednes- day night, on the courts of the latter. Victory is anticipated in both contests for the Birmingham Athletic club team.
 The club has games scheduled with Yale, Columbia, Vanderbilt and Wa bash, besides Montgomery. The team which will represent the Athletic club has, as yet not been selected by the basketball committee of the club, but out of the list of players eligible it Is expected to select a team that will land the southern championship. The men are young, vigorous and enthus- iastic. and are training daily to per feet themselves physically for the hard contests before them.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-16
POSTOFFICE FORGE
 WANTS GREAT CITY
Probability of Getting Million-DoIlar Federal Building Appeals Strong
 ly to Many.

That plum-a million-dollar postoffice- have declared will be for the picking of a Greater Birmingham, has caused the local postoffice employees to look with kindly eye toward the day on which Greater Birmingham will be put to pop ular vote-January G.
 Congressman Underwood has said there was no use even thinking about a new postoffice unless Birmingham had a pop ulation of 125.0O0, and with Birmingham's present limits it is generally admitted that this size population is even more of a dream than an air castle. With pop ulation of 125,OOO, however, Congressman Underwood would very willingly under take to secure an appropriation amount ing to at least s1,OOOOOO for the construc- ton of a new federal building here
 According to one of the employees in the Birmingham postoffice who resides in a suburb embraced in the proposed Greater Birmingham, this one thing has made the entire postoffice force shouters for the greater city. Said he:
 T am property owner in one of the small towns which Jere c. King wants to make a part and parcel of .Birming- ham, and have up to the last day been one of the strongest howlers against it. This new postoffice proposition never en- tered my mind before, but right now I want to say that if there is anything under the sun that will give Birmingham a new postoffice am for it, I don't care what 1t is I have been working in the office here for years, and it is nothing but squeeze, squeeze, squeeze. This old building is so cramped that no 'cuss words can adequately describe it.
 '"The fellows in the office have been talking about this business. and every one of us is for Greater Birmingham if 1t is going to help us to get a new post office"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-16
BILL SORRELL IS
 ATLANqA'S MAN
BAXTER SPARKS TRADED TO NASHNILLE-DEA ONE FOR THE REAL TLANTA JUBlLANT OVER DEAL.

Atlanta, December 15.-(Special.)- Bill Smith made a trade with Vice President W. H. Taylor of the Nash vile club, while he was In the city, and exchanged Baxter Sparks for Bill Sor- rell. While the deal has not exactly gone through, both parties agreed on it and Sorrell will be a member of the 1908 team. Sparks is popular here, but getting down to close figures 1t is be- lieyed that the Atlanta manager did good piece of business when he framed up the deal. Sorrell is a good, heavy man of long experience and has 3 strong whip. Baxter wouldn't do last season when Bill had such an array of pitching talent on hand and was sent to the South Atlantic league. He was retained for the team of next season.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-16
ST. PAUL'S CHURCH. Three Fast Days This Week-St. ce- cIia Mass on Christmas.

At St. Pauls yesterday the pastor, the Rev. Father Coyle, congratulated the ladies of the congregation on the great financial success they made of the recent bazar. At high mass the Rev. Father Schulz preached a practical and stimulating sermon on the Advent sea- son. and exhorted his hearers to pre- pare themselves by acts of humility and prayer for the feast commemorat- ing the birth of Christ.
 Wednesday, Friday and Saturday of this week will be ember days-days of fasting and prayer.
 St. Paurs choir will render Gounods beautiful St. Cecilia mass on Christmas Day. A select orchestra has been en- gagged to accompany the singers. There will be a full rehearsal of chorus, so- loists and orchestra next Sunday.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-16
PEOPLE OBJECT TO
 ITALIAN LABOR
MOB FIRES ON FOREIGNERS AND ONE MAN IS KILLED AT CHAT HAMvILLE, LA.-MoRE TROUBLE EXPECTED.

Chathamville, La, December 15.-One death has been brought about and more trouble is likely to occur as the result of the importation of Italian laborers in Minn Parish. Several days ago a lum- Der company brought force of Italian laborers to their logging camp near here. and local residents last night resented this move by forming mob and sending committee to wait upon the superin- tendent.
 It was agreed that the officers of the lumber company should meet the com mittee and discuss their objection to the importation of Italians, but before this committee could report the result of their visit the mob fired on the Italians, killing one of them and woundlng others.
 The parish authorities have taken the matter in hand. Intense excitement pre- vails and more trouble may occur.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-16
DR. GORDON DIES.
Anniston Physician Was Prominently
 Connected in South Alabama.

Mobile, December 15.-(Special.) .)-News was received here today from Anniston Elliott Gordon, which occurred this morn ing at an early hour. He was 46 years of age and a former Mobilian, son of Dr. Frederick Elliott Gordon, who during h!s life was prominent physician here.
 He leaves one brother, Howard c. Cor don, of New Orleans, and three sisters Mrs. George E. Sage, Mrs. Alick B. Wil- mer and Miss Tallulah Gordon, of Mobile. besides his wife and six children in An niston. The funeral will take place in Anniston tomorrow.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-16
WOMAN MAY NOT RECOVER.
Mrs. Everett Mattson May Die from
 Shock Received in Shlpwreck.

Westerly R. l., December 15.-The Is men of the crews of the tug Hercules and her tow of four barges which went ashore yesterday on Pleasant View beach. are recovering from their trying experience. but the condition of Mrs. Everett Matt son, the only woman in the wreck. was regarded tonight as serious. Mrs. Matt son was taking sea trip for her health.
 The storm was the fiercest that has been known on the Rhode Island coast in years. The beach is strewn with wreck age and it is thought that not one of the five craft can be saved. The tug Her cules is fast breaking up in the heavy sea. The Hercules is valued at about $S0,000, and the barges at about $7000 each. They contained no cargo.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-16
BISHOP WILSON COMING. Bishop of Northern Church Breaches at Simpson Tabernacle Tuesday.

Bishop Luther B. Wilson of Chatta- nooga will be in Birmingham tomor- row and will preach at the tabernacle of the Simpson Methodist church, on the corner of Seventh avenue and Twenty-fifth street, at 7:30 o'clock to- morrow evening.
 Bishop Wilson has presided over the session of the conference of the Meth odist Episcopal church at Boaz, which adjourns today, and will come to Bir- mingham upon the adjournment of the conference. He is prominent Meth odist divince, an influential member of the conference, and Is a preacher of wide influence and forceful speaker.
 During his stay in Birmingham Bishop Wilson will be entertained by Belton Gilreath.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-16
Negroes Taken By Surprise.

Deputy Sheriffs Dean, Tomlin and Reeves caught seven negroe crap-shoot- CTS early Sunday morning in negro house on Twenty-seventh street, between Seventh and Eighth avenues. The crowd of negroes were taken completly by sur prise, but when the officers entered two of them dived through a window and es- capped. The other seven are occupying cells in the county jail.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-16
Fire in Atlanta.

Atlanta, December 15.-(Special. )--Fire which started about o'clock tonight, badly damaged four buildings on the cor ner of Ridge avenue and Pryor street, in the neighborhood of s15.OOO. pr. Brant- ley's drug store, Tom Summers meat market. Capt. James Summers residence 2 and I. C. Clarke's three-story unoccupied store were the buildings injured.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-16
charqed with Seduction.

Frank, alias Jim Caledonia, was com mitted to the county jail yesterday after noon on charge of seduction. Caledonia was arrested near Flat Creek by Deputy Sheriff l.. V. Vaught on a warrant sworn out before Judge I. H. Benners. It is charged that he seduced an Italian girl named Julia Guadagno. He is being held under a $500 bond.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-16
The True Christmas Spirit.

From Leslie's Weekly.
 It is not in days of prosperity and that the true Christmas spirit finds the most fitting occasion to manifest itself. At such time to be cheerful is as easy as breath ing and liberal giving is not felt as a bur den. But in a juncture like the pres ent. when the clouds of financial storm have barely rolled by, and de- pression has menaced not few indus
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-16
AMERICANS LAND
 ALL THE MONEY
ENGLISH WINNERS LOOK SMALL BESIDE kEENE, WINNER OF $4oo,o o,ooo-LlsT OF THE BIG WINNERS.

London, December 15.-The sSS,50O won by Col. W. Hall-Walker, the top of the list of winning owners for the fiat racing season just closed in England, looks small beside the 900 or more to the credit of James R. Keene leader of the American winners. It is as matter of fact, remarkably small total Two years ago his winnings were greater by s500O0, and he is considerably behind the amount won by him last season.
 The difference between the amount won by MT Keene and Col Hall-Walker must not be taken as an indication of the diff ference in the rewards offered owners by the English and American turf. As a matter of fact so far as stake races are concerned. MT. Keene's stable overshad- owed everything on the other side, while on this side the racing strings were more evenly matched.
 Owners who won more than $20,000 were
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-16
seven Firemen Injured.

Detroit, December 15.-A Free Press special from Saginaw, Mich., says: Seven firemen were injured, Frank Sova perhaps fatally, in the burning of the Saginaw Produce and Cold Storage company's plant in West Saginaw to- day. The property loss was about $40 900.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-16
Two Men Burned.

Detroit. December 15.-A Free Press special from Manstique Mich, says: The three band mills of the Chicago Lumber company were destroyed by fire here today. Henry IIammel, aged 25. a night foreman. and Night Watch man Andrew Norton being burned to death. Loss $100 GOO.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-16
SEABOARD

The On Time Line. The par Tor car with broiler service on 4:15 D. m. train for Atlanta i'm proves The Smooth Way.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-16
PERSONAL

MT. w. E. Bowers, a manufacturer and dealer in lumber, of Tuscaloosa, is here for a day or so.
 pr. c. F. Latham is quite i'll at the Tally & McAdory infirmary.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-16
Harry vaughn's Plans.

There was the usual gathering of man. agers. All of them were here. Harry Vaughn came from Cincinnati. He told me that he had some IS men signed for another season, but declined to divulge their names. He declared that it was necessary for him to hustle back to Gin cinnati, as there was bare chance of him getting another player before Christ mas. He expects to reach Birmingham next spring with an hundred ripe indi- viduals--none of whom will look upon the wine when 1t is red. or suggest the forma- ton of an anarchistic clique.
 Charlie Frank was here, too. Since Memphian has assumed the ownership of the majority of stock In the New Orleans club Chubby Charlie with the moon face has agreed to shake hands with his wifes uncle, MT. Coleman, Secretary McCul- tough, the best talker In the league, and Manager Babb, who swears to land a rag yet.
 tommy Ryan of Montgomery, who has cornered the Chicago street-corner-lot market, and plans to flood Alabama with as rank bunch of amateurs as ever fin ished eighth in any league. was here, too. Tommy has no idea that the Southern league is fast organization, this miscon- ception presaging another season of mis- cry for our dear sister city on the sleep "Alabam"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-16

Thousands whom it has cured vouch for the value of Hoods Sarsa parilla as cure for catarrh.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-16
"soeiaI Gathering" Proposed.

Mique Finn was here, too, his angel face wreathed In its perpetual bouquet of smilets, and his whole being enveloped in an air of mystery foot thick. Tommy Fisher was on deck, too, with his red head and firm heart. Tom is a good fel- low, all right, and hopes that Mobile. eff fecting an entrance. will make a good showing. I hope so, also, for Toms sake Capt w. T. Crawford of Shreveport was elected vice president of the league. Cap tain Crawford owns the greater portion of the Mobile club, I am given to under stand, which is excellent He is too fine a sportsman for the league to lose.
 There was the usual chin fest. but not enough of the real article with which to fill a thimble. These league meetings, while being necessary, I presume, are veritable frosts. Call them social gather ings for the good of the order, and every one will get his moneys worth.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-16
GOSSIP OF MEET
 OF THE DIRECTORS Very Little Business But Much THE "LlMlT' QUESTION Bill AK Sees Harry Vaughn and All the Other Managers-His obserVa-
 tons and Frank Opinions of
 the Leagues Doings.
THE "LIMlT' QUESTION
BY BILL AK.

Atlanta, December 15.-(Special Corre- spondence.) )--Well, the Southern league has had its annual meeting. Briefly, giv- ing Mobile permission to enter, but refus- ing to extend a helping hand, increasing the number of players that each team may carry from IA to 15, but refraining from increasing the salary limit was the business disposed of. The meeting was a frost.
 And Little Rock continues to hang on. Sammy Strang and Johnny Dobbs were on hand, urging the league to accept Chattanooga, but there was little encour- agement extended to the boys from the mountain. It is said that Johnny resigned the management of Nashville on his belief that Chattanooga would gain an entrance into the company of the select l heard, however. that it was not a case of simple resignation with Johnny, but, too, that Nashville was a trifle tired of it's big league manager. 1 also heard 1t hinted that Chattanooga would continue to fight for admission, and heard it rumored that there might be something doing at the spring meeting in Little Rock. But this I seriously doubt. On account of the stringency of the money market, and the indication that the ensuing season will not be one of roses, it would have been, in my humble judgment, wise move had the league forcibly elected Little Rock because of the expense entailed by its presence on the other members of the league. However, far be it from me to