davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Gilpin observer., 1907-05-02
CIoudburst Kills Many.

Oklahoma City, Okla.-Seven people
arc reported dead as the result of Il
cloudburst Monday at Capitol Hill. a
suburb
Many persons camped on the low.
lands near the river were caught un-
awares and had but little time to
escape. The river is bankfull and 1t
will be some time before it can be de.
termined whether any lives were really
lost.
Following the cloudburst there was
another heavy rainfall. which caused
the river to rise higher, endangering
property in the lowlands.
Three Thousand people live on Capt..
tol hill. which lies south of the North
Canadian river opposite Oklahoma
City. The hill is drained into small
stream called Lightning creek. which
enters the river just below Oklahoma
City. The water came down the creek
and covered the lowlands in such vol.
ume as to force out people living in
tents, shanties and small houses upon
the low ground.
Oklahoma City proper was not at all
endangered.
An area covering several square
miles has been flooded. causing thous
ands of dollars damage to railway and
farm property. Railway traffic Is par
alyzed. One mile of Santa Fe tracks
out of Oklahoma City have beer
washed out. The Canadian river is ris
ing rapidly and people in the lowlands
are moving out.
Gilpin observer., 1907-05-02
Shire Declares He Is Guilty.

Butte, Mont.-When Jack Shire, the
self-confessed murderer of Maurice
Caplan, was shown the statement OF
his aged mother that she could fur
nish an alibi which would clear him OF
the crime, he said:
"The way look at it is this-a man
that commits murder is bad man and
ought to be hung for it. l killed Cap.
Ian all right. | was on Hamilton S
ranch, as my mother says, but l came
to town a lot"
The murderer is getting weaker each
day and he is now in such condition
of collapse that he can hardly read
to him. 81 can't make it out" he
mumbled.
When he heard the statement he
said: "Oh, pshaw. l was on the
ranch, all right, but went to town
whenever l could. Hamilton is my
brother-in-law, all right. and he tried
to do lot for me, but it was no use
The ranch was near the edge of town
Hc tried to make me straighten up and
be man. stayed there few weeks
hut could not stand it. I had to have
liquor. Koski, damn him; kept me
full of whiskey all the time. l killed
him, all right. no matter what they
say. They will hang me, know, and
I expect that"
Shire then went into long, ram
bling story about Mrs. Alexander, the
woman who came from Denver witt
him. He says he wants to see hei
again before he dies and will send fol
her when he gets back to Denver.
Gilpin observer., 1907-05-02
SHOOTS DOWN SHEEP OWNER.
Armed Men Ride Upon Herder and
Open Fire.

Grand Junction, Colo.-Peter Swan
son, a wealthy sheep owner, was shot
and fatally wounded on Indian creek,
this county, about thirty miles from
Grand Junction. by fifteen mounted
and heavily armed men, supposed to
he cattle growers. Swanson was re-
moved to the ranch of w. ]. Ponsford
on Indian creek, where his death is mo-
mentarily expected. So far the iden-
t.ty OF not one of the men has been
learned. The shooting of Swanson is
the result of the efforts on the part Of
tho cattlemen to drive out the flock
masters from this section of the slope.
Swanson, with his brother and an
other man, were looking after bunch
Of 1000 sheep they owned. Peter
Swanson was left temporarily to
look after the flock while his brother
and the other man prepared to make
camp on the desert a mile from the
Ponsford ranch.
Suddenly band of fifteen mounted
and armed men rode up to the sheep.
Swanson, who was armed, was ordered
to drop his gun and throw up his
hands. He refused to do so and in an
instant one of the raiders fired at him
with a rifle.
The bullet went wild and Swanson
returned the fire. Then another horse
man covered the fockmaster, taking
deliberate aim before he pulled the
trigger. The bullet tore huge wound
In Swanson's abdomen and he fell to
the ground The raiders then spurred
up their horses and disappeared.
Swanson was found by his brother
and friend an hour later. The dying
sheep owner is thirty years old and
possesses rugged physique. He was
a. partner in the sheep business with
Charles Weatherwax of Montrose.
Weatherwax has started for the scene
of the trouble
Gilpin observer., 1907-05-02
The Colorado chautauqua and Summe
School.

The tenth annual session of this pop
ular assembly and school will open at
Boulder, July 4th. and continue for six
weeks. Special efforts have been made
to make platform program of the very
best talent in America, and to engage
a faculty for the summer school which
will attract teachers and students both
ut home and abroad.
The nucleus of the platform program
will be fifteen-piece orchestra under
the leadership Of Signor Cavallo Of
Denver. He Is a leader who is well
known both East and West, and has
gathered around him a group Of artists
which will make his orchestra one OF
the best of its size. Around this nu-
cleus has been grouped such we'll
known talent as the Kellogg-Haines
Singing Party. Dunbar Male Quartet,
Senators Tilman and La Folette, Par
land -Newhall Company. Nicoll, the Ma.
gician; Slayton's Jubilee Singers,
Youna. the Juggler; the Pierces. DR..
Frank NJ. Bristol. and large number
Of others.
Gilpin observer., 1907-05-02
Water commissioners Appointed.

Seventy water commissioners have
been named by the governor in the
various Colorado districts. Many of
them are reappointments. They are
as follows:
District:
No. 1-Chares l. Colwell, Fort Nor
gan.
No. 2-Charles NJ Jump. Platteville.
No. 81. l.. Armstrong, Fort Collins.
No. 4-Olwald Allen, Loveland.
No. 5-W. H. Barney. Longmont.
No. 6.-Edward Autrey, Boulder.
no. 7-W. NJ. Davis, Rural Delivery,
Edgewater
No. SIS. F. Couch, Littleton.
No. 9-John McLain, Morrison.
No. 10-William Frizzell, Manitou.
No. 12-John Kile, Rockvale.
No. 13-Frank KEELING, Westcliffe.
No. 14-R. B. Burton, Boone.
No. 15-Lewis Harris, Rye.
No. It's. w. Cressey, Rocky Ford.
No. Isl. S. Calderhead. Aguiiar.
No. 19-E. G. Duling, Trinidad,
No. 20-Robert w. Maddox, Monte
Vista
No. pr. w. Harrison, Manassa.
No. 23-David Collard, Falrplay.
No. 25-Frank Cargo, Villa Grove.
No. 26-Z. T. Clark, Saguache.
No. 27-Peles Chavez, La Garita.
No. 2S-J. Roy Hicks, Sargents.
No. 29.-Robert H. Bostwick, Pagosa
Springs.
No. CIV. N. Nelson, Gypsum.
No. sc. H. Harris, Carbondale.
No. 4O-George Hider, Cedar Edge.
No. 41-W. o. Hersum. Olathe.
No. 42-Henry w. Davis, Monila,
Mesa county.
No. 43-George Lechmere. Rio
Blanco.
No. 45-G. W. Taughenbaugh, Rifle.
No. 46-Samuel Z. Swire, Hebron.
No. 47-A. E. Butler, Walden.
No. 4S-Walter G. Decker, P. O.
Jelm, Wyoming.
No. 52-Clarence Rundell. Sheep
I horn.
No. 53-A. H. Hadley, Tonopas.
No. 60-C. H. Smith, Coventry.
No. 61-Fred Dixon, Paradox.
Nc. 62-J. p. Morgan, Montrose.
No. 64-R. C. Perkins, Sterling.
No. 65-A. d. Murdock, Wray.
No. 70-George Newton, DeBeQue.
Gilpin observer., 1907-05-02
Travels Far to See Her Son.

Totering on the brink of the grave,
Mrs. Ellen Griffiths, eighty-five years
old, travelled from Brazil, Iowa, TO
Eaton, Colorado, that she might once
more see her son and for the first time
in her life hug her grandchildren be-
fore she died.
1t has been more than twenty years
since the aged mother had seen her
boy, and when he met her at the sta
ton in Eaton she could scarcely rec
ognize him. She knew the voice, but
he had so changed in face and figure
that 1t was some minutes before she
became convinced that he was not a
stranger.
Thomas Lawton, a well-to-do farmer
living near Eaton, is the son, and he
paid his mothers passage from Brazil.
He met her at the station and quickly
took her to his home.
Last evening there was a celebra-
ton in the Lawton family when the
aged woman gathered her grandchil-
dren about her and was moved to tears
of Joy, her Wish having been fulfilled
afterwhat was to her the most perilous
journey of her life.
All day yesterday Mrs. Grifiiths
waited in the Union station in Denver
for train to Eaton. She arrived on
the 1880 Burlington In the morning and
1t was p. m. before she left. During
her stay at the depot she was in care
Of the matron, and her appearance ex-
cited considerable interest and curl
osity.
II am old and feeble my eyesight Is
bad, and l do not hear well, so the
Journey is full of dangers to me-" she
said. 81 am afraid to travel. but / do
SO want to see my son again before l
die that decided to risk all dangers.
'T haven't seen him for more than
| twenty years and never laid eyes on
the children. was living with my
nephew in Brazil, but my son sent for
me and decided 10 come"
Gilpin observer., 1907-05-02
Il May Be Van Meter.

Denver.-Harry Van Mater, It is an.
nounced on good authority. will be ap.
pointed one of the state railway com.
missioners under the railway nc,
passed at the last Legislature.
Mr.. Van Meter was for years EN-.
ployed by various railroads in Denver
and is well known in railway circles
His candidacy has not been announced
before.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-12

breakfast. Now, let's go in and see the big show
At my suggestion they rode in the stage coach,
and when it was attacked by war painted Indians,
the frocksome Americans yelled for help and police
with such stentorian strength that the four horses
attached to the rumbling old vehicle ran away and
knocked off wheel before the driver could reduce
them to subsection. The hysterical Italian audi
ence believing it all part of the regular per-
Torrance, barked themselves hoarse with Bravos!
and took occasion to congratulate my country1nen
the touch of realism they had lent the hold up.
Indeed gave them all permission to join the show
immediately whereupon four of the party accepted
the proposition, and bunked with the Wild West for
a month.
Throughout the long tour which embraced every
country in Europe, saving Greece, Spain, and Russia
it was surprising what number of Americans might
be found among the audience, whenever played in
city OF importance. During Our long engagements
in Paris, London, Vienna, and Rome one could al
ways distinguish Americans and American cheers.
The Australian Was Suspicious
A T the Olympia in London an incident that nearly
IA resulted in the death of an Australian army
officer followed argument between an American
spectator and the former, who claimed that the
vicious buckng broncos, ridden by the cowboys had
widely advertised riding exhibition therefore partook
of fake nature
Il have no doubt" he added, of my own ability
to ride one of those same horses
. | have doubt" answered the American "a
doubt which l am willing and anxious to back with
five hundred dollars y
But my dear chap said the Australian, 81
have been instructor of riding in the army and
don't think it quite fair to take your wager. You
know. we have hucking horses in Australia, and /
have never been thrown.
Nevertheless answered the American my
original doubt and bet still stand,
and if you want to try | think can
~ get you the chance, as know Colonel
Cody quite well
81 The American by the way hap
ZN pened to be Whiting Allen, well
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-12


Eight hungry Americans will be your lot at
Have breakfast ready GEORGE AIDE.
Two hours later hot breakfast, consisting of
ham and eggs, buckwheat cakes, and coffee, was
awaiting AIDE and his party, who numbered thir-
teen Americans when they arrived at the plaza,
where the Wild West and Congress of Rough Riders
were encamped
Il didn't mean to bring SO large party" said
AIDE alphabetically; 9 but when these other chaps
scented the ham and eggs they insisted on coming.
Don't apologize, l replied Il wish you had
brought three hundred instead of thirteen. I'd
guarantee to fill all the Americans in Italy with ham
and eggs and be glad of the opportunity"
In addition to AIDE, the party comprised Booth
Harrington the novelist and number of American
tourists. AIDE and Harrington matched yarns, until
one looked at his watch and remarked that the
afternoon performance would begin in fifteen min
utes.
Isn't there anything we can do asked Tar
kngton, to show some appreciation of your hos
pitalty?"
Certainly answered you may all ride in the
stage coach when the Indians attack it, if that is
too exciting you may do balyhoo outside the en-
trance"
We'll try BOTH" said AIDE
To the uninitiated it should be explained that
ballyhoo, in showdoms parlance, is the tempting
speech of the brass lunged person who stands in
front of amusement place and tells the crowd
what wondrous things may be discovered within by
anyone willing to pay the price of admission.
Pooling the Italians
IN addition to the regular Wild West performance,
maintained Sideshow, containing the usual
number of Freaks and it to this tent that AIDE
party could speak Italian with sufficient huency to
interest the natives they decided that pantomime
balyhoo should be arranged to the curiosity
OF the Romans and induce them to buy tickets.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-12
Pooling the Italians

ACE S originality nit upon
scheme. Ostentatiously instruct
ing his friends to await him near
the sideshow entrance. the humor-
ist walked up to the ticket wagon
and purchased, the little square
piece of pasteboard which gave
him the right of entry. His
friends remained outside. Three
minutes later AIDE dashed from the
tent in perspiring excitement, and
with hysterical gestures rushed to
the group of Americans. Grab
bling two by their arms, he hustled
them up to the ticket wagon, talk
ing the while with mouth and
hands. Hurriedly buying tickets,
he pushed his friends into the side
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-12

original doubt and bet Still stand,
and if you want to try think can
get you the chance, as know Colonel
Cody quite we'll y
The American, by the way, hap
pened to be Whiting Allen, well
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-12

show, while the other Yankee tourists catching the
point of his strategy, dashed up the wagon bought
admissions. and followed their leader.
Accustomed to Americans of cool temperament
the Italians were stampeded What marvellous
things, they thought, must be inside to so excite
these Yankees! We must see!' With nlpetuous
Latin curiosity, the Romans almost mobbed the
wagon in their haste to buy tickets, and the side
show did the biggest days business of its in
Italy
AIDE stood inside watching the natives pile through
the entrance the result of his ruse and srningly
remarked, We'll, boys, think We have earned our
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-21
HARGIS CASE GOES
 TO JURY TOMORROW
JUDGE HARGiS SWEARS STORY IMPLlCATlNG HIM IN CONSPIR- AcY IS A DAMNABLE FALSE
 HooD-TEsTIMoNY COMPLETED

Lexington, Ky, May 20-Testmony in the Hargs trial was completed today and the case will be brought before the jury by Wednesday, The defense introduced Ligia and Thomas Gay, who swore they saw John Abner in Perry county on the day that Jim Cockrill was killed.
 Senator Alex Hargis swore the story of Moses Feltner's duplicating him in the conspiracy was the most damnable false hood ever uttered. The last witness for the defense was King Ford, who testified that he was at Judge Hargis' when tho shots were fired and that he did not have a gun in his hand. as several of the com monwealth witnesses testified.
 The defense made an effort to have the testimony of John Smith removed from the consideration of the jury because it was preJudiced, but the motion was over ruled. This closed the testimony for tEs defense. The prosecution introduced R. M. Blgley. who swore he saw John Smith talking to q man who looked like Judge Hargis at Frankfort The instructions will be given by the court Tuesday morn Ing, after which the attorneys will make their closing arguments Three speeches will be made by each side.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-21
ADJUSTMENTS
At the Rliou.

The show at the Bjou this week is on the order of The Nancy Hanks" which Little Chip and Mary Marble presented at that playhouse last week. It is farce comedy with musical interpolations and Is. as a whole. quite as good as last weeks attraction. My Wife's Family" Is the name of the piece and naturally there is a mother-in-law who figures ex- tensively in the complications. She is tall1ative, in a way typical of all stage mothers-in-law, and she makes life miser- able for the man who married her daugh- ter. There is also mysterious baby a teacher of dramaties, an exaggerated par son in abbreviated trousers, a soubrette and a person of the genius hobo who take part. The specialtles are pleasing. Good Evening, Friends, " by Mcdowell and Har- rington; songs and dances by Rose Mur- ray; Maybe You Wil,' by John and Alice Mcdowell and the family trio won applause. Rose Murray is dainty and fetching as an ingenue. John c. Me- Dowell is an original comedian and some of his jokes made quite a hit last night Most of the comedy is furnished by MT Mcdowell and Giles Harrington, while Gladys George as the wife, Arabella Nagg as the mother-in-law and Alice Mcdowell as Sallie Nagg, acquitted themselves creditably. One of the best specalties was an automobile traversty in the second act by Mcdowell and Harrington.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-21
SAYS LOCAL OPTION
 IS SOUTH'S HOPE
SOUTH REALIZES THAT DRINK IS THE NEGRo's GREATEST CURSE, DECLARES DR. MITCHELL AT MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

Washington, May 2O.-"The Societys Work for the Negroes From the South ern Point of View" was the topic of an address by pr. S. c. Mitchell of Virginia. at tonights session of the American Bap- tist Home Missionary society He de- clared that the south looks more and more to local option as an aid to the solution. of the negro problem, flor we of the south realize that drink is the ne- groes greatest curse" It was pointed ous at today's meeting that S75.00O of the s15O,- 900 for the repairing and rebuilding of San Francisco churches following the earthquake had been given by John D. Rockefeller
 In his annual address before the Baptist Home Missionary society, which met in this city today, Dr. H. l.. Moorhouse, who has held the office of corresponding secretary for twenty-eight years. reviewed the progress of the organization for tho seventy-nVe years of it's existence, show ing that in time the home mission force had increased from 50 to 1886, and that the receipts had grown from s5OOO to $S0o,O0G a year. He placed the total receipts of the society for seventy-five years at sl6,- 0O0,0O0, of which over $12,000.00O had been contributed in the past twenty-five years. He also called attention to the fact that while in the beginning the work of the society had been confined largely to the west, 1t now covers the entire country, and is carried on among twenty-five df- ferent nationalitles He said that de- mands upon the society called for expen- diture for not less than million dollars annually. and urged united effort to se- cure that amount.
 The meeting was presided over by W. s. Shallenberger.
 The treasurer's annual report showed that over $S02,000 had been collected dur ing the past year.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-21
RUNS INTO HOUSE
 BURNS TO DEATH
Fine Dog Could Not Be Restrained From Entering Burning Building
 at SmithfieId.

The residence of Mrs. Caroline Rich- ardson, Smithfield, was badly damaged by fire yesterday morning and a fine shepherd dog was burned up in the house. The animal was pet and of very fine breed It had been brought out of the house and was some little distance from 1t, when suddenly 1t turned and ran back into the burning building. It was impossible to get 1t out and 1t was burned to death before the fire could le extnguished.
 The residence of Mrs. Richardson is outside of the corporate limits of Bir- mingham and a telephone message was sent to the fire department at Bir- mingham, asking them to come out. As it was outside of the city limits. how ever. they did not respond
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-21
HOPING TO LAND
 VETERANS REUNION
Encouraging Reports Are Received and a. Good Delegation From Commer-
 cial Club Goes to Richmond.

general committee to secure the Con- federate reunion next. year for Birming- ham met yesterday afternoon at o'clock in the rooms of the Commercial club. Encouraging reports were received and the opinion was unanimous that Birming ham would be successful. The fight made last year in New Orleans has borne good fruit and a sentiment seems to pervade the organization of the United Confed- crate Veterans that Birmingham is en- titled to it this year.
 An effort is being made to secure ad- ditional members who will be able to at tend the reunion. Those who have all ready sifnied willingness to attend are:
 Rufus N. Rhodes, Gen. George B. Har- rison, H. B. Gray. John l.. Parker, John w. O'Neill, Gen. J. W. Bush, r. F. o'Brien. E. M. Tutwiler, Louis SalSs, w.. B. Leedy, Ferd Marx. c. Exum, c. Blach, B. F. I oe, J. A. Emery, T. H. Moltor, Robert Jemison, Jr., J. B. Babb.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-21
St. PauI's Church.

church will be closed with impressive ceremonies this morning at 9 o'clock. There will be procession and solemn high mass and the litany of the saints will be chanted
 Many of the faithful visited the church yesterday to pray and meditate before the blessed sacrament exposed above the tabernacle in the high altar. Last night the Rev. Father Duffy preached, his theme being the blessed sacrament. Owing to the stoppage of the street cars the congregation was smaller than usual.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-21
STREET RAIWAY TIE UP FORCES MANY
 THOUSANDS TO WALK LN BIRMINGHAM
PresIdenl Jemison Dlakes Statement

Asr night President the following atement andP will 1 the well with and
  not mn a bu men this judgment became hz 10 Il large crowds gathered at exercised their option in the matter About half the standing Loyalty the of
  until O sheriff.
 We will and
 
  a We few this there
  all right the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-21
WANT EXECUTIVE
 OFFICERS HERE
The Commercial Club Is Working to Have Farmers Union Headquar-
 ters Moved to Birmingham.

The Commercial club is endeavoring to secure the state headquarters for the Farmers union for Birmingham. This organization now has It's offices at Pell City. Farmers comprise the membership which numbers 80000 In Alabama alone. The president, business agent and the treasurer are the executive officers of the association who will move to Blr- mingham if the efforts or the Commercial club are successful
 This organization acts us purchasing agents for It's membership, and the total amount of purchases now run hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. mum Der of cities are after the headquarters, but the Commercial club hopes to land the prize for Birmingham by June l.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-21

of the cars. Thousands made up their minds to walk and during the evening rush they were walking out every street to the various parts of the city and suburbs
 Officials Retire Early.
 President Jemison, General Manager Emery, Superintendent Harris and other street railway officials left the company $ headquarters at the corner of First ave nue and Twenty first street at supper time and did not return. By o'clock the large office building was practically de- serted. Mir. Emery retired very early and MT Jemison was in bed before Il o'clock.
 Small Fight During Evening.
 There was a small fight between n street car conductor, whose name Is said to be John Henderson. and man named Nineteenth street. Henderson was going out Nineteenth with another street car man when they met Thomson, who was also accompanied by man.
 As Thomson passed Henderson he made some remark and words followed, whereupon Henderson hit Thomson in the face, and continued to rain blows upon his eyes and nose. Their friends quickly separated them and carried them off from each other. Thomason's eyes were both very nearly closed, but Henderson showed no effects of the fight.
 No Disorder Reported.
 Up to the time of going to press this morning the police department has re- ported no disturbances for the night Less than the usual number of drunks and affrays were reported and the crowds dis persed early, while quiet prevailed in the city